USA > Arkansas > Historical review of Arkansas : its commerce, industry and modern affairs > Part 16
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On December 7, 1904. Mr. Erwin married Elizabeth Watson, a daughter of E. L. Watson, and they have one child, Claude M. Erwin, Jr. E. L. Watson was born in 1819 in Pulaski eounty. Georgia, but was brought up and educated in Clinton, Ilickman county, Kentucky. In 1853 he located at Jaeksonport. Jackson county. Arkansas, where he was a leading merchant for a number of years. Becoming a pioneer settler of Newport in 1882, he invested in much property and rendered material aid in the upbuilding of the place. He served the eity as alderman, was prominent in Masonic eireles, and after his retirement from mercantile pursuits in 1887 devoted his remaining years to the supervision of his private property, which included vast areas of land in Lawrence, Independence and Jaekson counties, and valuable inter- ests in Newport and Little Roek. During the Civil war Mr. Watson was a member of the Eighth Arkansas Infantry until after the battle of Shiloh, when he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Depart- ment of the Confederate army, in which he served until the close of
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the war. He died in Newport, Arkansas, August 1, 1901, his death being a deep loss to the public, as well as to his family and friends. Mr. Watson married first in Kentucky, and of their children the only survivor is Thomas J. Watson, late president of the First National Bank of Newport. Mr. Watson married second Elizabeth Caldwell, who was born in Independence county, Arkansas, in 1839, and they be- came parents of four children, namely : O. D., an attorney and a lead- ing business man and planter of Newport; Mrs. James A. Watkins, of little Roek; Mrs. Claude M. Erwin; and Mrs. O. S. Lawrenee.
Fraternally Mr. Erwin is a member and a past worshipful master of Jackson Lodge, No. 191, A. F. & A. M., and a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Woodmen of the World. Brought up in a Chris- tian home, he became converted when a young man and united with the Methodist church, South, and is now a member of the Board of Stewards of the Newport church.
JUDGE CHARLES DAVIS FRIERSON. A young man who is generally recognized as one of the most able members of the bench and bar of Arkansas is Charles Davis Frierson, of Jonesboro, presiding judge of the Twelfth Chancery Cirenit. He is well fitted by native ability and acquirement for his office and doubtless many fruitful years of useful and brilliant service lie before him. Judge Frierson is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in Cross eounty Deeember 9, 1877. His father was Judge James G. Frierson, who died while serv- ing his second term on the bench of the Cirenit court of this district, his demise occurring in 1883. The father established the family in Arkansas, coming from Mississippi, his native state. after the Civil war. He was born in the year 1835, and was prepared for the law in the University of Mississippi, the period during which he was attack- ing his Blackstone being that at which the Hon. Lucius Quintus Cin- einnatus Lamar, the noted statesman and jurist, was a member of the faculty. The youth and early professional career of James G. Frier- son was passed in the troublous days just preceding the Civil war, when the nation was on the eve of entering the Valley of Decision. With his young associates he entered the Confederate army, was commissioned a captain of infantry of the Mississippi troops, and served the South- land during the contest with patriotie zeal. Upon coming to Arkansas soon after the rebellion, he located in Cross county and resumed his practice of the law. Possessing the gift of leadership, he entered pol- ities as a Democrat and was elected to the State Senate, being presi- dent of that body during the Brooks-Baxter war. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1874 and helped to frame the present constitution of the state. He was elected eirenit judge in 1882, and in this field he exhibited a strong hand in the performance of his duties. fairness and impartiality characterizing his decisions, and his opinions revealing a sound knowledge of the law and manifesting a practical tendency in the solution of points of equity, which combined to make him an unexcelled judicial officer. His career was cut short in the full fruition of his powers by death, his years numbering but forty- eight when he passed on to the "Undiscovered Country."
Judge James G. Frierson married Miss Emma Davis, a daughter of Dr. N. A. Davis, of Springfield, Missouri. She survived him for a number of years, her demise oeenrring in 1899. Their issne were Mrs. Allen Hughes and Gordon Frierson, twins, residing in Memphis, Ten- nessee, and Judge Charles D., of this review.
Charles D. Frierson came with his parents to Craighead county
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when a child of six years and here were passed the roseate days of youth. After receiving his public school education he entered the old State Normal School at Jonesboro and subsequently enrolled as a stu- dent of the State University, where he served for a time as private sec- retary of President John L. Buchanan. In his junior year at college he abandoned a literary course and became a student in the law depart- ment of the University, from which he was graduated in 1900, with the honors of his elass, an achievement for which his brother had fur- nished a precedent four years before. Previous to completing his col- legiate work Judge Frierson received an insight into court work from another angle as stenographer for the Second judicial district. After holding this position for a year, he accepted a position, also in the capacity of stenographer, with a grain firm in Memphis and remained there for a similar period. Later deciding to follow in the paternal footsteps in the matter of a life work, he entered the University of Arkansas Law Department. with the results above mentioned. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1900, before Judge F. G. Taylor; was two years later admitted to the bar of the State Supreme Court and to the Federal Court in 1904. before Judge Triber.
As a young squire in the legal field Judge Frierson opened his office in Jonesboro and was fortunate in forming a partnership with Judge Allen Hughes and remained for two years with that gentleman, who was one of the most active attorneys of the state. Since severing this association he has practiced alone. Sinee his earliest voting days he has subseribed to the articles of faith for which the Democratic party stands sponsor and his talents were brought into requisition in two terms service as city attorney of Jonesboro. His praetice has for the most part been concerned with eivil business, with especial refer- ence to chancery, real estate and corporation matters. With the ere- ation of the new chancery distriet in April. 1911. embracing the eoun- ties of Crittenden, Poinsett, Graighead, Mississippi, Clay and Greene, he was appointed to the beneh of this circuit April 24 and began his work in Crittenden county in June.
On April 30, 1901. Judge Frierson was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Gallaway, daughter of John B. Gallaway, of Memphis, Ten- nessee. They were students in the University at the same time. and a college courtship has been crowned with an ideally happy married companionship. They share their charming, cultured home with a small son, Charles Davis Frierson, Jr.
Judge Frierson belongs to the Greek letter fraternity Kappa Alpha and is affiliated with the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of Masons. He is a "Workman" and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. to whose good causes he gives his earnest support.
WILLIAM R. JONES. This is one of the influential eitizens of Marion county. He was born, of poor parents, near Sims, Wayne county, Illinois, in 1861. He came of that strong Welch family of Jones that has forged to the front all over the world. His father, John Jones, was the first white man born in Wayne county, Illinois, in 1817. He was a farmer, a teacher and a Baptist preacher. He was the father of seven children: Cadweleder, Peter, Mary, John S., Charles, James and William R. None are living at this writing, 1911, except John S. and this subject. John S. is living near Wayne City, Illinois.
The maiden name of the mother of the above seven children was Naney Staten (Slayton). She was a daughter of Peter Staten, who came to Wayne county, Illinois, in 1818, from near Crab Orehard.
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Kentucky. His father and mother were among the first settlers of Kentucky from North Carolina. His mother was murdered by Ken- tueky Indians, eut to pieces and hanged in a blaekjaek bush.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this history was also born in North Carolina, and he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Robert Anderson of Revolutionary fame. This old soldier of fortune. his sons and his sons-in-law fought their way from North Carolina, through Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and reached Wayne and Ed- wards county, Illinois, about 1815. They had fought the Indians, the British, the wild beasts, the malaria and everything else on their long journey through the wilderness. The son-in-law, Cadwaleder Jones, fired the first shot at Tippecanoe, and saw Tecumseh fall at the Thames. He was also a lieutenant colonel of an Illinois regiment during the Black Hawk war. His father was also named Cadwaleder. He was a famous North Carolina rifle maker during the Revolution, and there is a family tradition that his wife, who perhaps was a Cadwaleder. was the one who got Paul Jones his commission in the navy, and was in fact the one who persuaded him to change his name to Jones. The Jones family was among the first settlers of North Carolina, going there from near Swansea, Wales.
William R., the subject of this history, attended the publie schools, also the Fairfield Collegiate School (now extinet), and the Normal Sehool at Valparaiso, Indiana, where it developed that he was quite a public speaker. He returned home and in 1884 "stumped" Wayne county for Cleveland and Hendrix. During this campaign he was married to Miss Idella Robertson, a teacher and a most accomplished and noble young lady.
In 1886 Mr. Jones received, at the age of twenty-four, the Den- ocratie nomination for superintendent of publie instruction for Wayne county, but was defeated in the general election by the Republicans.
In 1887 he removed his family to Yellville, Arkansas, where he has ever since resided. He and his wife taught in the public schools at Yellville for two years, after which Mr. Jones bought the Mountain Echo and embarked in the newspaper business. He helped bring on the mining boom in Marion county. He sold The Echo and went into the real estate business and made money selling zinc, lead, marble, timber and farming lands. He was elected the representative for Marion county both in 1894 and 1896, and was one of the leading members of the Legislature during both terms, having served as chair- man of the Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on Mines and Mining. He also served on the Judiciary Committee and on the Commitee of Cireuit and Justices Courts. During his first term he had a sensational personal difficulty with Governor Clarke. He re- turned home, asked a vindication at the hands of his people, received it, and at the end of his next term retired from political life so far as he was personally coneerned. But he has ever been, and is yet. a power in the politics of Marion county.
His first wife died in 1894. She had brought to him four chil- dren : Bertha, Willie, Wilbur R. (Ralph) and Idella. Only Bertha and Wilbur R. are now living. Bertha is married to J. B. Ward, of Little Roek, and Wilbur J. is in the coast artillery in the United States army. In 1895 Mr. Jones again married, wedding Miss Lillie Carter, a splendid young lady of Yellville, who is yet living and who presides over their hospitable home. To this union one child only has been born, Ina, who is now a young lady of fifteen.
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In 1906 Mr. Jones was admitted to the practice of law by Judge E. G. Mitchell. He is now a member of the firm of Jones & Seawel, which is doing a splendid law practice.
After publishing The Echo for about fifteen years he sold it. But he recently organized a stoek company of which he is president and bought The Echo plant. It has always been one of the best news- papers in North Arkansas. Mr. Jones is again editor. He is one of the best writers in the state. In 1906 he founded the Citizens' Bank and in 1907 bought a controlling interest in the Miners' Bank and eon- solidated the two, making the Miners' and Citizens' Bank. This is one of the strongest banks in North Arkansas. It has more than dou- bled its business in four years. It ran wide open through the great panie of 1907, paying in full every depositor that called for his money. Mr. Jones owns a controlling interest in this institution, which is eap- italized at twenty-five thousand dollars. He is also a large land owner, is president of the Yellville Telephone Company, and is the wealthiest man in his county. And he has made it all since moving to Arkansas, for he left Illinois with less than one hundred dollars and was heavily in debt besides. He regrets that much of his life was spent in sin and rebellion against the Being who has been so good to him. He is now, at the age of forty-nine, trying to make amends. Three years ago he (leeided to return to the God who had saved him in his youth. He is now a member of the Missionary Baptist church and a lay preacher therein. Last year his Association elected him as a messenger to the Southern Baptist Convention at Jacksonville, Florida. His church also eleeted him as a messenger to the Baptist State Convention at Fort Smith. Here he was highly honored. He was elected vice presi- dent of the body and had the honor of presiding over that august as- sembly an entire afternoon. He has found time amidst all his work to write a history of the peoples who have followed present Baptist principles sinee the days of the Apostles. It will soon be in print and is said by those who have seen it to possess real merit.
Even the enemies of Mr. Jones, and he has some, admit that he is one of the strong men of the Ozarks. He has impressed his person- ality on his mountain friends. He has a splendid home, where he and his good wife dispense old-fashioned Northern and Southern hospi- tality.
Mr. Jones at this writing is in the very prime and vigor of life, and it would seem that his career has just begun. He appears to pos- sess an endless capacity for work and adaptability. He is a Royal Areh Mason, and has sat in the Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He is also a Woodman of the World.
JAMES ALONZO PETTY. For upwards of a quarter of a century a resident of Siloam Springs, James Alonzo Petty has contributed his full share towards advancing the material prosperity and growth of this section of Benton county, aiding in the establishment of beneficial enter- prises and rendering his fellow-citizens excellent service in various offi- cial eapaeities. A son of John C. Petty, he was born Angust 4, 1854, in Clinton county. Mo., near Haynesville, of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather. James M. Petty, was born in Indiana, where his father was an early settler, and from there moved in pioneer times to Missouri, locating in Clinton county.
The grandfather of James M. Petty, and the great-great-grand- father of James Alonzo Petty. was an Englishman and a soldier in the
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British army. Under command of his king, he came to Ameriea to help whip out the spirit of revolution which had arisen among thie colonists and quell the uprising of 1776. After the close of the struggle and the establishment of a free government on this side of the Atlantie, he set- tled in Tennessee, and there spent his remaining days. He was there three times married, by each union rearing a family of six sons, one of whom, the father of James M., was a pioncer settler of Indiana.
Born in Miami county. Indiana, in August, 1832, John C. Petty was but a boy when he aeeompanied his father to Clinton county, Missouri, where he was brought up on a farm. He subsequently learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed during his aetive eareer. He spent his last days in Neodesha, Kansas, his death occurring there in 1907. He was four times married. lle married first Jane Surcy, a daughter of Reuben Surey. She died during the infancy of her only child, James Alonzo Petty, the special subjeet of this brief personal record. He married second Caroline Morgan, who died in early womanhood, leaving one son, John Petty, who died at Storm Lake, Iowa, leaving a family. The maiden name of his third wife was Louisa Pritehard, who at her death left one child, Mrs. Fannie Rumbaugh, of Indiana. His fourth wife, who before marriage was Mollie Moore, survived him and is living in Neodesha, Kansas. She bore him three children, namely : Harry. Clande and Stella, of Neodesha, Kansas.
Receiving a limited edneation in the district sehools of Clinton county, James Alonzo Petty worked at the forge in his father's shop while yet a boy, and began life for himself with no capital save his well- learned trade, brave courage and brawny muscles. The resources, there- fore, which furnished the foundation of his present independent posi- tion in the business world were, in truth, pounded out by his skilled right arm. Coming to Arkansas in 1876, Mr. Petty followed his trade in Weddington, Washington eonnty, until 1883, when he located in Siloam Springs, which has since been his home. When, owing to the strain of ineessant toil, his strong physique gave out, he abandoned his trade and sought other fields of activity as a livelihood.
He has since been almost constantly identified with public affairs. beginning his service when eleeted, on the Democratic tieket, as city marshal. He was afterwards city recorder and then justiee of the peace. In 1898 Mr. Petty was appointed United States commissioner, and has filled the office most creditably ever since. Several years ago he became a stoekholder in the State Bank of Siloam Springs, and served as presi- dent of that institution until October. 1910. A man of good business ability and judgment, he has ereeted several residential properties in the eity, thus manifesting in a practical manner his substantial interest in the permanent development of the place.
On September 6, 1874, in Jasper county, Missouri, Mr. Petty was united in marriage with Mollie H. Maekie, a daughter of William Mackie, a Seotehman who eame to the United States from Canada. Mr. Maekie's first wife died at a comparatively early age, leaving five chil- dren besides Mrs. Petty, as follows: A. W. Maekie, of San Saba, Texas: Mrs. Maggie Smith, of Cincinnati, Arkansas: Mrs. Aggie Copley, who died in Weddington, Arkansas: Annie, wife of William Davis, of Wed- dington ; and Jennie, wife of Archibald Harris, of Lenora, Oklahoma. Mr. Maekie married a second time, and by that union had two children, George Mackie and John Mackie, both now residing in Washington county, Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Petty are the parents of six children. namely : Harry, a resident of Siloam Springs, married Pearl McFar- land: Joseph E., of Siloam Springs: William R., of San Saba, Texas.
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married Lyda Cunningham; Alonzo F., of Siloam Springs, married Clara Stults; Matt A .; and Robert M.
Fraternally Mr. Petty stands high in Masonie circles, being a mem- ber of Key Lodge, No. 7. A. F. & A. M., of which he has served as W. M .; a member and the secretary of Siloam Springs Chapter, R. A. M .; a member and recorder of Siloam Springs Commandery, K. T .; and a member of Siloam Springs Chapter. O. E. S.
SAMUEL S. FAULKNER. It sometimes seems that Helena has more than her quota of able men, commercial. professional, political and industrial leaders, men who stand head and shoulders above the level of medicere citizenship, and her progress and enterprise, it goes without saying, must be traceable to this faet. One of the citizens whom Helena is pleased to call representative is Samnel S. Faulkner, president of the First National Bank, a man who plays a prominent and praiseworthy part in every walk of life and whose own success has contributed in full measure to the success of the whole community, which, after all, is the truest test of good citizenship.
Samuel S. Faulkner is a native of England, his birth having oc- ourred in Manchester on the 29th day of January, 1856. Two years later the Faulkner family made their adienx to the "right little, tight little island." and erossed the Atlantie to America, which henceforth they were to call their country. They lived for some four years in New York city, and in 1862 eame on to Helena, Arkansas, where the father, Thomas B. Faulkner, engaged in business. England, as it will be re- membered, was inelined to sympathize with the north at the time of the Civil war and owing to his nationality and a consequent suspicion that he was of anti-secessionist tendencies, the father was obliged to leave with his family and the three years following were spent in the north, the place of residence during this troublous period of national history being New York city. In 1867 they returned to Helena and the father resumed his business, in the pursuit of which he continued until his demise, which occurred in the year 1885.
Mr. Faulkner was educated in the public sehools of Helena and until the year 1877 assisted his father in the store. Not being particu- larly inclined toward a commercial career, he then entered the Phillips' Company Bank as bookkeeper and collector and in 1878 he became cashier of a wharf boat at Helena, in which capacity he remained until 1893. Ile was active in collateral lines, however, and in the meantime he assisted in building the first compresses and became secretary of the Helena Compress Company.
It was in the year 1893 that Mr. Faulkner entered upon his career as a banker, in which he has experienced the most unequivocal success, possessing all those qualifications which stand one of his delicate posi- tion in good stead and meeting grave questions with perfect valor and incomparable ability. He was elected cashier of the First National Bank in 1893, and seventeen years later was elected to the presidency of this important and ever-growing institution. In 1898, after only five years' banking experience, it was his distinction to be elected presi- dent of the Arkansas State Bankers' Association, and he has been a mem- ber of the institution which has so signally honored him ever since its beginning.
As one of the most progressive and public-spirited of citizens it is indeed a matter of general congratulation that Mr. Faulkner should be associated with so many of the important concerns and movements which have Helena as their seene of development. Where there is to
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be found a project for the amelioration of the condition of the whole social body, Mr. Faulkner is usually discovered to have connection with it and he has a hand in the majority of the big concerns of the city. He is vice president of the city oil works. A zealous churchman, for thirty-five years he has been trustee of the permanent fund of the Epis- copal church for the diocese of Arkansas for eighteen years. His known altruistic inclinations led to his selection as member of the State Board of Charities by Governor Donaghey in 1910. His social proclivities are by no means undeveloped and he has the distinction of being a past grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Order in Arkansas. He is also a past grand master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and present. grand receiver of that order, and in the Masonic order is a past grand master of his lodge, a past high priest of his chapter and a Knight Tem- plar. He was instrumental in the organization of the Helena Business Men's League and served as its first treasurer. For twenty-two years he has been treasurer of St. John's Episcopal Church and for a quarter of a century he has been vestryman of the same. He is a director of the Citizen's National Life Insurance Company of Louisville, Kentucky, and holds an interest in many local concerns not here mentioned. His ability and enthusiasm make him a valuable adjunct to any cause, par- ticularly new ones.
On the 12th day of November, 1883, Mr. Faulkner laid the founda- tion of a household of his own by his marriage to Miss Libbie Miles, daughter of B. L. Miles and granddaughter of Colonel J. B. Miles, the noted river prophet, and five children blessed this union. Samuel S., Jr., who inherits his father's executive ability as well as his name, is bookkeeper for the Citizens' Compress Company. Thomas H. attends the Arkansas State University, and James M. is enrolled in the Ken- tucky Military Institute. The two daughters are married, Anna being the wife of Rev. T. A. Cheatham, of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Florence is the wife of Roby Harrington, of Helena. The Faulkner home is well known to Helena, being the center of a gracious hospitality.
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