USA > Arkansas > Historical review of Arkansas : its commerce, industry and modern affairs > Part 15
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An active and sincere advocate of the co-operation of the men of his profession, Dr. John M. Jones was a member of the Jackson County Medical Society, of which he was several times made president ; and belonged to both the Arkansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was a sound Democrat in politics, and for two terms was county judge of Jackson county. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Methodist church.
Dr. John M. Jones married Callie Patterson, a daughter of Gilbert Patterson, of Weakley county, Tennessee. She survived her husband but three days, passing away in February, 1908, leaving five children, namely : Nora, wife of William Yerger, of Lake Village, Arkansas; James L., of Little Rock; Minnie, wife of N. Lacey Tillman, of Little Rock; Dr. Oscar E .; and Hazel, wife of Duncan L. Moore, of Little Rock.
Obtaining his rudimentary education in the schools of Newport, Oscar E. Jones entered the University of Arkansas. where he continued his studies until the sophomore year. He was afterwards clerk in a wholesale grocery in Newport for a time. At the age of twenty-one years he began reading medicine with his father, and in April, 1902. Vol. III-7
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was graduated from Vanderbilt University with the degree of M. D. Dr. Jones was subsequently in partnership with his father as long as the latter lived, and has since continued ini active practice in Newport, where his patronage is extensive and remunerative.
The Doctor is a member of the county and state medical societies, and of the National Medical Society of the old school. In 1903 and 1904 Dr. Jones was a member of the State Board of Medical Exam- iners, having been appointed to the position by Governor Davis, upon the recommendation of the State Medical Society. He now holds the appointment of Acting Assistant Surgeon of the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service of the United States at Newport. The Doctor is one of the directors of the Farmers' Bank of Newport. He is a Mason, belouging to Jackson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which he has rep- resented at the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In his religious views he is a Methodist.
Dr. Jones married, in Newport. August 6, 1902, Fannie Redman, a daughter of George Redman, of Jacksonport, and their two children are Oscar E. Jones, Jr., and Lacey Tillman Jones.
JACOB M. Ivy. Publie-spirited and enterprising, Jacob M. Ivy, of Newport, has ever taken an intelligent interest in local affairs, and since assuming the duties devolving upon him as treasurer of Jackson county has proved himself eminently capable and efficient as a public officer. A son of Christopher C. Ivy, he was born February 16, 1874, in Winston county, Mississippi, of pioneer stock. Ilis paternal grand- father, Jesse Ivy, spent his earlier years in Alabama. Lured west- ward in the late forties, he located in Winston county, Mississippi, where he bought land and was busily employed in its eulture during his remaining years. To him and his good wife, whose maiden name was Kate Sanders, seven children were born, as follows: Christopher Columbus; Mary, who married John Kinard; James; Sarah; Matthew; Thomas; and Nancy, wife of Rush MeKay.
Born in Alabama in 1840, Christopher Columbus Ivy was a small lad when his parents moved to Winston county, Tennessee, where he was reared and educated. Enlisting soon after the outbreak of the Civil war among the early recruits for the maintenance of the Con- federate government, he was a part of Mississippi's contribution to the Confederate forces, and served in General Forrest's cavalry. Cap- tured in battle, he was for six months confined in a Federal prison in Baltimore, and when exchanged rejoined the army and served as a soldier until the close of the war. Returning then to Mississippi, he adopted the independent occupation of his aneestors and was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1908, in Oktibbeha county, Mississippi. He married Mary A. Kinard, a daughter of William Kinard, who was of German lineage, and to them nine children were born, namely: William, a resident of Missis- sippi : Mary E., wife of Jacob M. Kinard, of Mississippi; Jacob M., the special subject of this brief sketeh: Sallie, wife of James Jones, of Mississippi; John A., of Mississippi; Sam, of Jackson county, Ar- kansas; Otis, a resident of Mississippi; and Zorado, wife of a Mr. Carthy, of Mississippi.
But a country youth when he left Mississippi, with but little knowledge of books and less, probably, of the world, Jacob M. Ivy arrived in Jackson county, Arkansas, with no capital save his own strong hands and courageous heart. Looking about for work on a farm, he seenred employment with Henry Rushing, with whom he re-
REV. HENRY N. PIERCE
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mained for a year, when he began farming on his own account, in his labors meeting with fair success. During the leisure seasons between seed time and harvest he drifted into the timber business, and for several years was prosperously engaged in getting out ties and timber for the Sedgwick Tie and Timber Company. Subsequently Mr. Ivy embarked in mercantile pursuits at Grubbs, Jackson county, continu- ing, however, to handle ties and timber as heretofore. At the end of three years he left the store and returned to farming and stock deal- ing, which he had previously carried on while dealing in general mer- chandise, his farm being located on the Cache river. On assuming the office of county treasurer, Mr. Ivy moved from his rural estate to Newport, where he is at present residing.
During his various agricultural and mercantile undertakings, Mr. Ivy, without any particular effort, became interested in politics, and at the psychological moment permitted his name to be used in connec- tion with the office of county treasurer. Encountering four compet- itors in the primary of 1910, Mr. Ivy became the party candidate by virtue of polling the largest primary vote, and at the election in Sep- tember, 1910, when he became the successor of Dr. F. G. Smith, had no opposition. Fraternally Mr. Ivy is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a past noble grand of his lodge, which he has represented in the Arkansas Grand Lodge. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World.
On January 25, 1893, Mr. Ivy married Ora Rushing, a daughter of Henry and Belle (Siuith) Rushing, who reared six children, as follows: Ora, now Mrs. Ivy; Mrs. Pearl Rice; Luther; Lewis; Ennis; and Urban. Mr. and Mrs. Ivy are the parents of six children, namely : Clarence; Sim; Hettie B .; Dorothy May; and Vehna Lee and Selma Ree, twins.
BISHOP HENRY NILES PIERCE. The Protestant Episcopal diocese of Arkansas has been presided over by the following bishops :
1. Rt. Reverend Leonidas Polk, D. D., first missionary bishop of Arkansas and the southwest, elected September 16, 1838. He made his first visitation to Little Rock in March, 1839, where he was entertained by Colonel and Mrs. Chester Ashley, Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Causine and Mr. and Mrs. John H. Crease .* He organized the congregation of Christ Church and selected the lots at Fifth and Scott streets for the site of the church, donating nine hundred dollars for their purchase, which was consummated in 1841, and an additional lot in 1849. The church edifiee first erected on the lots was begun in 1841, but was un. finished and unplastered to the end of February, 1842. This was the planting of the Episcopal church in Arkansas.
Bishop Polk resigned the charge of Arkansas upon his becoming missionary bishop of Louisiana in 1841, and was succeeded by Bishop Otey. On the outbreak of the war between the states, Bishop Polk esponsed the southern cause and was made a general in her armies. He served with distinetion in a number of campaigns and was killed by a cannon shot near Kennesaw, or Pine Mountain, Georgia, June 15, 1864.
2. Rt. Rev. James Hewey Otey, successor of Bishop Polk, was con- stituted provisional missionary bishop of Arkansas by the general con- vention of the Episcopal church, and served as such until 1844, when the Rt. Rev. George Washington Freeman was chosen. Bishop Free-
*From the interesting and valuable annals of Christ Church Parish, Little Rock, by Mrs. William A. Cantrell.
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man was consecrated as missionary bishop of Arkansas. Texas, and the Indian territory, October 26, 1844.
3. Bishop Freeman served as missionary bishop of Arkansas unti! his death, April 29, 1858, the Rt. Rev. Ilenry Champlin Lay becoming his successor, having been consecrated as such, October 23. 1859.
4. Bishop Lay served as missionary bishop of Arkansas until 1869, when he was transferred from the missionary field of the southwest to the diocese of Easton, in Maryland, and the Rt. Rev. Henry Niles Pierce, the subject of this sketch, became his successor. Bishop Pierce was con- secrated missionary bishop of Arkansas and Indian territory, January 25, 1870, and died at Fayetteville, Arkansas, September 5. 1899. He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. William Montgomery Brown, the inenmbent at this writing, who, being bishop eoadjutor at the time elected. June 28, 1898, became bishop of the diocese of Arkansas by succession, the sixth bishop.
Rt. Rev. Henry Niles Pierec was born in Pawtucket. Rhode Island. October 19, 1820, son of Benjamin Bentley Pierce and Susan ( Walker) Pierce, who were members of the Baptist church of that place. Ile was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal church in Matagorda, Texas. April 23, 1848, by Rt. Rev. George Washington Freeman, and was ordered a full priest by the same, January 3, 1849. He eame to Arkansas from Mobile, where he had onee been rector and at which place he was con- secrated missionary bishop of Arkansas and the Indian territory. Janu- ary 25, 1870. His last charge as rector was at Springfield, Illinois. For almost thirty years he served as bishop in Arkansas, discharging the arduous duties of the office with the utmost zeal and devotion. Of strong constitution, he was impervious to weariness or fatigue, and was indefatigable in his labors. The large missionary field that he had in charge involved long journeys and incessant traveling, amid dis- comforts, but these were nothing to a man of his endurance. A deep and original thinker, a close and penetrating student, he was a profound theologian, and his diseourses were models of concentrated thought. Gifted with a voice of remarkable qualities for strength and clearness. his preaching was of unusual force and impressiveness. He also had poetic gifts and has left behind him a small volume of verse, entitled "The Agnostic," containing many charming poems. Not only the up- building of congregations in the diocese, but the ereetion of churches as well, was his constant care. and among these was Trinity Cathedral, in Little Rock, the sce city, the building of which was due to his efforts, almost single-handed and unaided. He served as missionary hishop until 1889, when, at the annual couneil in May of that year. he formally ac- cepted the office of diocesan instead of missionary bishop; and there- after his labors were confined to Arkansas alone. In August, 1899, he went to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to relieve Rev. J. J. Vanlx. to enable that divine to reeruit his health by a month's vacation at Colorado Springs, and officiated there for the month. His own health had become somewhat impaired and his last service was on August 13 in St. Paul's church, of Fayetteville, when he administered the holy communion. In the beginning of September he was seized with an illness which termi- nated fatally September 5. 1899, at the age of seventy-nine years. This his last ministerial office upon earth was to do the bidding of Him who said : "This do in remembrance of Me." His remains were brought to Little Rock and were interred from Trinity Cathedral September 7, in services conducted by his son, Rev. Abraham Wallaee Pierce, with an extraordinarily large gathering of clergy and laity attesting their devotion.
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Of him, his fellow bishops of Missouri, Arkansas and Dallas, Texas, Bishops Tuttle, Brown and Garrett, in a memorial, justly said :
"As a man, his scholarship and superior ability gave him influence and au- thority; as a bishop, he ruled his large and difficult field with courage and constancy. Everyone knew his views. His trumpet gave no uncertain sound."
From 1852 to 1854 he was rector of Christ Church, Matagorda, Texas. At that plaee he married Miss Nannie Haywood Sheppard, April 18, 1854. Of this marriage there is at this writing the Rev. A. Wallace Pierce, who has been mentioned, and Mrs. Elizabeth Lyman, a vocalist of renown. Another daughter, Mrs. Susan Sheppard Stevens, deceased, achieved fame as an authoress, writing over the nom de plume of "Sheppard Stevens."
GEORGE R. HAYS. In the list containing the names of the public officers of Jackson county that of George R. Hays, circuit clerk, holds an honored position. He is a man of ability and worth, and has filled the various offices to which he has been ealled in a most creditable manner, showing that the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people were not unworthily bestowed. A native of Tennessee, he was born March 30, 1871, in Gibson county, being one of a large family of ehildren.
His father, Jesse J. Hays, was born in Wake county, North Caro- lina, in 1822, and in early life became a resident of Tennessee. During the Civil war he served for a short time in General Forrest's command of Confederates. Subsequently resuming farming in Gibson county, Tennessee, he remained there until his death, in 1901. He married Hepsy M. Butler, a daughter of James Butler, of Tennessee, and they became the parents of the following-named children: William, who died of wounds inflicted while a Confederate soldier; James G., of West Tennessee; Thomas J., an attorney-at-law in Nashville, Ten- nessee; Mrs. Belle Williams, of Marmaduke, Arkansas; Frank M., of Trenton, Tennessee; Mrs. Mary Watts, who died in Paducah, Ken- tucky, in 1906; Mrs. Adelia Elder, of Trenton, Tenuessee; Mrs. Luella Johnson, of Little Rock; J. D., of Memphis; Mrs. Aliee Williams, of Trenton, Tennessee; and George R.
The rudimentary education which George R. Hays obtained in the schools of his native district was supplemented by an attendance of two terms at Clinton College, in Clinton, Kentucky. Thus equipped, he came in 1889 to Arkansas and found employment in a store at Cherry Valley, in Cross county, the position being very similar to one which he had previously held in Bradford, Gibson county, Tennessee. Giving up his clerkship, he capsheafed his education by taking a busi- ness course at Bryant & Stratton's College, in Louisville, Kentucky. Becoming a bookkeeper then for the proprietors of a stave factory near Cherry Valley, Mr. Hays remained there until 1893, when he located in Newport, and for the two following years was engaged in transcribing the county records in the compilation of a set of abstract records for Colonel Lancelot Minor and J. J. Walker.
A vacancy oceurring about that time in the office of the county surveyor, Governor Jones appointed Mr. Hays to the office, in which he served satisfactorily for three years. He was next appointed deputy county and probate clerk by the inenmbent of the office, Mr. E. L. Boyce, and served in that capacity for three years. In the meantime Mr. Hays, who was becoming well known in the ranks of the Demo- cratie party, made his first race for office, and was defeated for the nomination of sheriff. From 1900 until 1908, Mr. Hays centered his
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interests in real estate, ably exploiting the merits of this section of Arkansas, and was influential in indueing much outside investigation and locating many new and desirable settlers in and about Newport.
Making a race for the nomination for circuit clerk in 1908, he be- came the nominee of the Democratic party, and was elected in Sep- tember of that year. He served in that position with such ability and fidelity that in 1910 he had the honor of being re-elected to the same office for another term of two years.
Mr. Hays married, December 18, 1895, in Jackson county, Ar- kansas, Sallie Stephens, a daughter of Mr. G. K. Stephens, and into their pleasant household three children have made their appearance, namely : Thelma Stephens, Mary Frances and George R., Jr. Fra- ternally Mr. Hays is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Woodmen of the World.
HENRY O. WALKER, M. D. The influence, success and good repu- tation which a physician may attain in a community depends entirely upon his professional knowledge, skill and ability, qualifications which are possessed in an eminent degree by Henry O. Walker, M. D., of Newport, one of the foremost physicians of this part of Jackson county. He was born November 1, 1878, at Jacksonport, Arkansas, and is a representative of one of the post-bellum families of the state, his father, Joseph J. Walker, having settled in Jackson county soon after the termination of the Civil war.
Born in Logan county. Kentucky. Joseph J. Walker spent a few years of his earlier life in Illinois, from there migrating as a young man to Arkansas and permanently identifying himself with its people. Settling in Jacksonport, he was at first engaged in tilling the soil, but retired from agricultural pursuits to become bookkeeper for Mr. E. L. Watson, the leading merchant of that place. While serving in that capacity he formed an extensive acquaintance throughout Jackson county and laid the foundation for his long and. for the public, suc- cessful political career.
When Joseph J. Walker offered himself as a candidate for the office of county and circuit clerk, in the late seventies, the pulse of the Democratic party responded promptly to his ambitions and elected him. Subsequently asking to be made sheriff and collector, his service in the first office proved a sufficient recommendation, and he was elected the chief peace officer of Jackson county. Ilaving acquired the habit of office-holding, it became his business, and when one term expired he succeeded himself as naturally as night turns into day. continuing in publie positions until his death, in 1899.
A man of excellent ability, possessing good judgment, and a uni- versal friend-winner, Joseph J. Walker would have had no trouble in acquiring a modest fortune had he remained in private business, but as a public servant he was too warm-hearted and kindly disposed to save even the earnings of his office. A favor asked of him was a favor granted, from searching the records for a friend to the endorsing of a note of those who proved to be far from friendly to him. The lustre of his life, however, both as a public official and a private citizen, still shines brightly, and he will long be remembered among the leading men of Jackson county.
Joseph J. Walker married Deborah Foushee, who died in 1890. leaving four children, namely: Joseph G., head accountant for the Broadway Bank and Trust Company of Los Angeles, California : Dr.
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Henry O., of Newport; Mrs. Emma Becker, of Muscatine, Iowa; and Mrs. Charles L. Watkins, of Little Rock. Dr. John Foushee, father of Mrs. Walker, was of French ancestry, and married a French lady, Elizabeth Fontaine. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Louisville with the class of 1847, and for many years was one of the more skilful and successful physicians of Jackson county, Arkansas.
After his graduation from the Newport High School, Henry O. Walker entered the University of Arkansas, where he completed the sophomore year. In 1898 he took up the study of medicine at the Washington University, in Saint Louis, and was there graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1902. Immediately beginning the practice of his profession in Newport, Dr. Walker has continued here without interruption, save when he was doing post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic School. The Doctor belongs to various professional organizations, including the Jackson County and the Arkansas State Medical societies, and the American Medical Association. He also holds membership in the medical fraternity, Nu Sigma Nu, and in the "University frat," Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He is likewise a member of the Royal Arcanum; of the Woodmen of the World; and a member and a trustee of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Doctor has acquired considerable property, being a stockholder in the First National Bank of Newport, one of the stable financial institu- tions of the state, and owns his home. He is president of the Newport Board of Health, secretary of the Newport Board of Education, and ever stands ready for any public measure to the extent of his time and ability.
On June 15, 1904, Dr. Walker was united in marriage with Susan Dorsey Jones, daughter of James S. and Lucy R. (Wilmans) Jones, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. The Doctor and Mrs. Walker have one living child, Martha Fontaine Walker.
CLAUDE M. ERWIN. Among the able and influential members of the Arkansas bar is Claude M. Erwin, of Newport, the prosecuting attorney for the Third Judicial Circuit of Arkansas, a man of pro- nonneed ability and forceful individuality. A son of Dr. Marion M. Erwin, he was born September 29, 1878, of semi-pioneer stock, his ancestors having come here from Tennessee, the near-by state, which has contributed so many worthy and desirable citizens to this com- monwealth. His grandfather, Wade Hampton Erwin, gained distinc- tion during the Civil war by serving. with seven of his sons, in the Confederate army, all returning home at the close of the conflict.
Born near Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1850, Marion M. Erwin came with his parents to Arkansas in 1859. and was brought up and edu- cated in Sharp county, his youthful days being spent on the home farm. Taking a thorough course in the study of medicine, he was subse- quently actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Jackson county, Arkansas, for thirty-four years, his death occurring in New- port August 2, 1909. Dr. Erwin married Kittie A. Wright, whom he met in Lawrence county, and there wooed and won. Her father, George W. Wright, migrated from Kentucky to Lawrence county, Arkansas, where he improved a good farm. He married a Miss Oldham, a kins- woman of the well-known Oldham family of Helena, Arkansas, and a cousin of Mrs. Eagle, wife of Governor Eagle, of Arkansas. Of the union of Dr. and Mrs. Erwin four children were born, as follows: William L .. of Newport ; Claude M., the special subject of this brief
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personal review; Ira H., M. D., of Newport, a specialist on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat; and Katherine Dove, of Newport.
Brought up in the country, Claude M. Erwin developed an active mind and a vigorous physical physique that has proved a valuable asset in his career. Having completed his elementary education with a good record for scholarship, he began the study of law and was graduated from the Saint Louis Law School with the class of 1903. Being admitted to the Arkansas bar before Judge F. D. Fulkerson in July of that year, he immediately began the practice of his profession in Newport, where he has met with eminent sneeess. His influence in politieal fields soon became apparent, and in 1906 he was a candidate before the primary for proseenting attorney of his judicial distriet, and bceame so popular during the campaign that he received a flatter- ing vote, his defeat being almost as good as a vietory. In 1908 and 1909 Mr. Erwin served as eity attorney of Newport, and in 1910 was one of several candidates for the office he now holds. The Third Judi- eial Circuit of Arkansas embraees the counties of Jackson. Lawrence, Independence and Stone, the first three of which had candidates in the primary raee. Despite the opposition, Mr. Erwin carried every county in the district, being elected by a handsome majority to sue- eeed his predecessor in the office, Hon. G. L. Grant.
During his candidacy the standing of Mr. Erwin was plainly shown by the favorable attitude of the press, which spoke of him in the highest terms and to the point. The Newport Independent spoke of him as a young man of elean-eut character, persistent energy, and expressed its pleasure and pride in presenting his name to the voters of the district. The Walnut Ridge Blade, one of the leading journals of Lawrenee county, paid him well-deserved compliments, saying : "Mr. Erwin is no new man to Lawrence county people. He made such a manly, creditable raee for the same office four years ago that every- body fell in love with Claude. They made up their minds then and there that he should eome under the wire in the next raee. Claude Erwin has all the requirements to fill the important office he seeks. He is a good lawyer, honest, energetie, and eonseientious: just, genial, and a Demoerat from start to finish : and if there is anything else that is good, he is that, also. Democrats must keep him in mind." The promises which Mr. Erwin made to his constituents as a candidate he has faithfully fulfilled thus far, having represented the State's inter- ests in the eourts with the same "zeal, integrity and ability" that he ever gave to his individual elients.
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