USA > Arkansas > Historical review of Arkansas : its commerce, industry and modern affairs > Part 33
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For some time Mr. Jenkins engaged in the mercantile and lumber business in Ross county, in which Chillieothe is situated. and this line of endeavor oceupied him until his departure for Kansas and his initia- tion into the real estate business at Osage City, Kansas. Upon his sub- sequent removal to Eureka Springs he continued in this line and has proved that he is particularly gifted for this important field. He is also recognized as one of the most publie spirited of the residents of the city, holding himself free to identify himself with any movement tending to develop the eity, to promote its welfare and to exploit its virtues as a resort for those seeking fresh air, fresh and pure mountain water and beautiful scenery as a panacea for their ills.
William Jenkins' father, Joseph Jenkins, came as a pioneer to Ohio, in the year 1835. Ile was born in the state of Virginia about the date of the Declaration of Independence and he did not marry until after com- ing to Stark county, Ohio, his wife being only about half his age. The maiden name of the wife was Martha Kellough and she was a native of the state of Ohio. They were farmer people, respected in their com- munity, and they died some time in the '50s, despite the disparity in their years, within a few months of each other. They were the parents of fourteen children and of that number only seven lived to years of maturity. Mary married Joseph Morton and went to Kansas in an early day ; Nancy became the wife of William Tuttle and lived in Pauld- ing eounty, Ohio; Henry and Ivy were twins and the former went to California and has never communicated with the subject, while Ivy mar- ried John Ireland, of Auglaize county, Ohio; Joseph lived in Fayette county, Ohio; and Catherine married Harry Mintzer and resided in Hardin county, Ohio. Since the day of Mr. Jenkins' separation from his brothers and sisters at his mother's funeral the family have not been united and little is known of any of them, while some of them have dis- appeared altogether.
William Jenkins was married in Ross county, Ohio, in the month of December, 1876, to Miss Aliee A. Thomas, a daughter of Isaac Thomas, a farmer residing there. Mrs. Jenkins was born in the county in 1858 and she and Mr. Jenkins are the parents of Oran T., a traveling salesman for an electric company. residing in Muskogee, Oklahoma; William A .. of Los Angeles, California, an electrician with the street
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railway people there; Marie, wife of Lewis Johnson, of Kansas City, Missouri; Faye C., who is associated with his father in business; and Alice A. and Leora.
Mr. Jenkins refrains from activity in politics, but is a loyal Repub- liean and exercises his franchise merely as a patriotic citizen. He holds to the doctrine of Methodism and has accepted responsibilities as a member of its official board. He is president of the Laymen's Associa- tion of the State of Arkansas, an organization of recent years, which has for its raison d'etre the creation of greater interest in spiritual matters among Christian people. It is a Methodist Episcopal organization and meets annually in conjunction with the ministerial conference of the state. He is a prominent and popular Mason.
A. ('. THROWER. Standing prominent among the active and pros- perous business men of Poinsett county is A. C. Thrower, senior member of the firm of A. C. Thrower & Company, of Harrisburg, where he has spent the larger part of his life, and during the time has established for himself an excellent reputation for honesty, integrity and good citizen- ship. A son of William Thrower, he was born January 18, 1848, near Jacksonport. Arkansas, coming from substantial Virginian ancestry, his grandfather Thrower having been a wealthy Virginia planter and a large slave holder.
William Thrower was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, and was one of a family of four children, the others having been as follows: Edward, Mary and Annie. Having acquired a liberal education in the Old Do- minion, William Thrower entered upon a professional career, and after teaching school in his native state located in Arkansas prior to the ('ivil war and taught school here for a time, afterward being engaged in agricul- tural pursuits until his death, in 1868. His first wife died in early woman- hood, leaving three daughters, namely: Martha, who died in Poinsett county, was the wife of Benjamin Harris; Mary, who married Jay llall. died in Harrisburg : and Eliza, deceased, was the wife of Theophilus Grif- fin, of Poinsett county. He married for his second wife Frances Head, daughter of William Stone, and she preceded him to the life beyond, pass- ing away in 1863. Six children were born of their union, as follows: Canto S. died in Stark county, Missouri, leaving a wife and children : Valeria S. died in Poinsett county, leaving a family ; Cincinnati R., de- ceased, served as a soldier in the Confederate army ; William died before the Civil war ; Melvina, who married Tolton Biekley, died near Harris- burg, Arkansas; and A. C., the special subject of this brief sketch.
His parents moving to Poinsett county when he was quite young. A. C. Thrower grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the Harrisburg schools. Soon after attaining his majority he became iden- tified with the industrial interests of this part of the county, and for a number of years was an active member of the Harrisburg Lumber Com- pany. In February, 1911, Mr. Thrower formed a partnership with his fa- ther-in-law. Dr. E. L. Jacobs, establishing in Harrisburg an extensive furniture and undertaking business, which he has since conducted suc- cessfully as head of the firm of A. C. Thrower & Company, having the entire management of the business, which has already assumed good pro- portions.
Mr. Thrower married, April 28, 1844. Elizabeth J. Jacobs, a dangh- ter of Dr. E. L. Jacobs. The Doctor came to Poinsett county in ante- bellum days, and after serving as a soldier in the Confederate army was here engaged in the practice of medicine until the infirmities of age forced him to relinquish his profession. A stanch Democrat, he was for many
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years active in politics, and has served as treasurer of Poinsett county. The Doctor holds high rank in Masonic circles, being regarded as the fa- ther of Masonry in Harrisburg, and has served the order as Grand Lec- turer. Mr. Thrower united with the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in 1873, and has since rendered excellent service in official capacities, at the present time being steward.
CHARLES R. FRENCH, postmaster of Harrisburg, is a man of high civic ideals and has ever discharged the duties of his office in a manner to satisfy in every way the people of the community. While not a native son of the state, he has passed a quarter of a century in Poinsett county, having come here in 1886, as a youth of seventeen years. He then was employed in the capacity of a tie maker by Gant Brothers, who were filling a con- tract for the Iron Mountain Road. He was in company with his father, Richard French, both being woodsmen and both engaged in the tie bnsi- ness at Doniphan, Missouri, before coming to Arkansas.
Richard French was born in Ohio in 1844, was reared in Perry county, Illinois, and was one of the honored veterans of our late Civil war, having served as a member of Company G. Twelfth Illinois Infantry, during the Civil war and spending four and one-half years in the service. His record was an interesting and gallant one, including a number of famous engagements. among them those at Forts Henry and Donelson, Corinth, Murfreesboro, the campaign around Chattanooga and the march with Sherman to the sea. As a civilian he was a hard-working, industrious man who took an interest in politics as a voter and supported Republican candidates and principles. The mother was Mary Davis, of Perry county, Illinois, who died in that state in 1872, leaving Charles R., her only child, then a little lad. The father passed away at Harrisburg in 1898, at the age of fifty-four years.
Charles R. French received bnt a limited education, circumstances being straitened in his youth and there being no arguing with necessity. As the father was poor and unable to amass a surplus for the proper edu- cation of his son, as soon as he was of strength and years sufficient the son engaged in various lines of endeavor. but despite willing industry there were times when both felt the pressure of poverty. It was at one of these times that they came to Poinsett county. Here the son engaged in the tie, timber and lumber business until 1892, when he had his first relief from the ax and became a clerk in Gant Brothers' store. IIe continued in that association for the five years until 1895, gaining not only an agreeable change in employment, but a practical education in business, such as was to stand him in good stead. In 1897 he exchanged the role of employe for that of employer, engaging in the hardware and implement business in Harrisburg. About that time he was appointed postmaster by the Mc- Kinley administration, and after serving four and a half years in this office was succeeded by J. C. Stone. From then until 1906 he engaged in business as an insurance agent, but in the year mentioned he was appointed postmaster by President Roosevelt, the office then becoming a presidential one. TIe was reappointed in 1910, an eloquent commentary upon the strong hold he had gained in popular esteem.
Postmaster French is loyal to the tenets of the Republican party, giv- ing hand and heart to its men and measures. Since 1892 he has never missed attending as a delegate a state Republican convention ; he has been chairman of the Poinsett County Republican Committee since 1896 and in 1908 was the nominee of his party for circuit clerk and county recorder. If has several interests of large scope and importance aside from his office, being a stockholder and director of the Harrisburg State Bank and
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having been engaged in the fire and life insurance business for some ten years. He has given efficient service as alderman. Fraternally he takes pleasure and profit in membership in the Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
Mr. French laid the foundation of a happy household and congenial life companionship by his marriage to Miss Mell Albright, daughter of W. H. Albright, a Tennessee farmer, whose wife's maiden name was Mary C. Hall. This union has been blessed by the birth of a son and a daugh- ter, whose names are Guy W. and Mary.
WILLIAM H. DUNCAN. One of the most enterprising and successful of the citizens of Harrisburg, William H. Duncan, is actively identified with the promotion of its mercantile interests as head of the firm of W. H. Duncan & Company, being one of the foremost merchants of this part of Poinsett county. A son of John Duncan, he was born July 4, 1868, in Tennessee, near Clarksville, of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, Wil- liam Duncan, was born and bred in Scotland, and there learned the trade of carpet making. He subsequently moved to Sheffield, England, and there spent the closing years of his life. He reared five children, as follows: Robert, who died in Nashville, Tennessee; William passed away in Shef- field, England; James, deceased, was for many years connected with the White Line of steamships plying between Liverpool and New York; John, the father of William H. ; and Sarah, who married W. F. Allison, and lived in Quincy, Massachusetts.
John Duncan was born in 1818, near Glasgow, Scotland. In 1838, as a sailor lad, he came to the United States on a sailing vessel, being four months without seeing land. The vessel drifted down to the West Indies, and near Santiago, Cuba, was picked up by another vessel and directed to New Orleans, where its passengers were finally landed. Leaving the other passengers in that city, or many of them, John Duncan took a boat for Nashville, arriving there at about the same time as did the Quapaw In- dians, who were being transferred to their new home in the West. He con- tinued northward to Saint Louis, but soon returned to Tennessee and vis- ited Nashville, then a town of four hundred inhabitants, but finally located at Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1880 he moved with his family to Little Rock, Arkansas, where for a while he was superintendent of the painting department of the Fort Smith and Little Rock Railroad Company. He afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits, but spent his last days in Harris- burg, Arkansas, passing away in 1902. He married Mary E. Johnson, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Len Johnson, a Virginian by birth and the descendant of a prominent Colonial family of the United States. She died at Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1884, leaving two children, namely : Jennie, wife of M. D. Simmons, a leading druggist of Harrisburg; and William H., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned.
Accompanying his parents on their journey from Clarksville, Ten- nessee, to Little Rock, Arkansas, William H. Duncan, then a lad of twelve years, was soon put to work, spending his days with his father in the rail- way department or as a clerk in a grocery, in the meantime acquiring his education at the night schools, having for his instructor Abe Bales, the pro- prietor of the school. His first work of any importance was that of mes- senger boy under Mr. Newton, superintendent of the Western Union Tele- graph Company of Little Rock.
Coming to Harrisburg, Arkansas, in 1884, Mr. Duncan entered the employ of M. D. Simmons, for whom he did express work, performed the duties of drug clerk, and assisted in the care of the postoffice. He sub- sequently formed a partnership with Mr. Simmons, with whom he was Vol. 111-15
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associated for some time. After his marriage Mr. Duncan entered into business with his father-in-law, and for twelve years was a member of the mercantile firm of T. A. Stone & Company. He subsequently founded the substantial business which he has since conducted under the name of W. H. Duncan & Company.
On November 15, 1893, Mr. Duncan married Minnie Stone, a daugh- ter of T. A. Stone, one of the early pioneers of Poinsett county. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, namely: Lorena, Lura, Lucy, Thomas and Robert. True to the political faith of his father, who cast his fortunes with the Confederacy during the struggle between the states, acting as conrier during a part of the war. Mr. Duncan is an uncompromising Democrat, and has been honored by his county with selec- tion as a delegate to state Democratic conventions, and, among other dele- gates, was appointed by Governor Davis to represent Arkansas at the Levee Convention held in New Orleans. He has also served as recorder of Har- risburg.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Duncan has been identified with the Masonic order. For eight years he was secretary of Poinsett Lodge, No. 184, A. F. & A. M., belongs to Harrisburg chapter. R. A. M., No. 14, and for the past sixteen years has attended the Grand Lodge, his acquaintance with the leading Masons of Arkansas being extensive. Mr. Duncan is also a member and chancellor of the Knights of Pythias ; a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; and belongs to the D. O. K. K. He is secretary and a director of the Poinsett County Fair Association, one of the live and progressive organizations of the county, and has been influential in the establishment of various beneficial enterprises with which he is not at present financially identified. He is a member and recording steward of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, toward the support of which he contributes generously.
JUDGE JOHN C. MITCHELL. It is speaking with all conservatism to say that John C. Mitchell, county and probate judge of Poinsett county, has no peer in this section in the secure place he holds in popular confidence and esteem. In his case this golden opinion has been won by a long, quiet, unswerving career of good citizenship, unblemished by the chicaneries such as are indulged in by lesser men. Capable and efficient as a lawyer and jurist and faithful in every public and private trust, he has proved square from every point of view, and it is such as he who must have inspired the conclusion of Don Quixote, "A good name it better than bags of gold."
Judge Mitchell, who has been honored with public office for many years and who is identified with various business enterprises at Harrisburg, was born about ten miles southwest of the county seat, January 4, 1865. He spent the first dozen years of his life in that community. his father then removing to Harrisburg and becoming engaged in merchandising, with which department of business the elder gentleman remained actively and successfully allied during the remainder of his life. The father, whose name was Enoch Mitchell, was born in Cross county, Arkansas, in 1827, and his father was one of the advance guard of civilization in the state, that doughty pioneer having been a farmer. He passed away in ('ross county. His son, Enoch Mitchell, like many another young man of his day and generation, had little opportunity for education. He married Catherine Greenwood, a daughter of John P. Greenwood, who had come to the state from Alabama and passed away in 1895. his widow having survived him until the present and residing at Harrisburg, a worthy and venerable lady at the age of eighty-two years. The children of Enoch and {'atherine Mitchell were as follows: William O., of Truman, Arkansas, a
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merchant ; Maggie, who became the wife of J. W. Frayser and died in 1884; Jarvis M., who died in 1880, as a young man; John C., the imme- diate subject of the review ; Mrs. Jennie B. Gant, of Harrisburg; Mrs. Floretta Holmes, wife of Harry Holmes, one of Harrisburg's prominent and prosperous merchants ; and Lura, who married J. C. Davis, of this city.
John C. Mitchell had the advantage of a common school education in Harrisburg and first made himself useful as an assistant in the store of his father. In fact, he devoted his cnergies to merchandising for the period bounded by the years 1887 and 1892, but at the latter date entered poli- ties as an aspirant for the offices of recorder and clerk of the Circuit and Probate courts. He was a candidate of the Democratic party in 1894 and was successful and was re-elected two years later, making his first tenure of office of four years' duration. He then engaged in the lumber business in Harrisburg, and after six years he again sought the eirenit clerkship. He was elected in 1904 and, being twice re-elected, served six years in all and retired in November, 1910, to assume the office of county judge, to which he had just been elected. In this latter office he succeeded the late Judge J. R. Willis, who filled the office for a period of ten years.
As a public official Judge Mitchell has performed the duties of his offices in a manner to satisfy in every way the people of the district, and all those who have been thrown most closely into contact with him admire and respect him most. His home people have endorsed him for years as an official and he has never betrayed their trust. He has performed his public dnty as a citizen of Harrisburg as a particularly wise and provident mem- ber of its council. He is a stockholder in both banks of the city and was one of the promoters of the Merchants' and Planters' Bank of the city, in which at the present time he holds the office of president. Further rec- ord of this well-known monetary institution appears in the personal sketch of-its cashier on other pages of this work devoted to representative citizens of Arkansas.
On September 21, 1891, Judge Mitchell inaugurated a particularly happy life companionship, the young woman to become his wife and the mistress of his household being Miss Lucy, daughter of James and De- grafenreed (Matthews) Sparks. Mr. Sparks, who was a pioneer of Poin- sett county, engaged in mercantile pursuits in Harrisburg, and here passed away. He was a settler from the state of Tennessee and a mau of very use- ful citizenship. Mrs. Mitchell has a brother, Thomas W. Sparks, of Har- risburg; and a sister, Mrs. Bertha Clark, of Jonesboro, Arkansas. The subject and his wife have no children. Their Harrisburg home is one of culture and ideal hospitality and in his marriage the Judge completes the triumvirate of happiness-having high repute, professional success and domestic congeniality.
Judge Mitchell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Jonesboro, while of beneficiary orders he is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of the Mac- cabees. Both he and Mrs. Mitchell belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and are very zealous in their assistance of its campaign for right- eousness.
MELVILLE H. FRAYSER. It is distinctly a pleasure here to accord recognition to one of Harrisburg's sterling young citizens, Melville H. Frayser, cashier of the Merchants' and Planters' Bank, of this city. He is a native son of Harrisburg and has ever done eredit to his birthplace. to whose interests he is very loyal. Mr. Frayser was born April 25, 1878. his parents being John W. and Margaret ( Mitchell) Frayser. The former
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became identified with the mercantile interests of the town many years ago and the mother is a daughter of that prominent merchant and early settler, Enoch Mitchell, more extended mention of whom is made on other pages of this work devoted to representative citizens of the state.
Melville H. Frayser, who is the only child of his parents, was edu- cated in the public schools of his native place and first became an active factor in the life of the community as deputy county and circuit court clerk, serving under Clerks Bowen and Mitchell and continuing as incum- bent of the office for six years. For a time after retiring from public serv- ice he utilized his energies in various capacities, until November, 1906, when he was elected to his present position and engaged in banking.
The Merchants' and Planters' Bank was established in November, 1905, with a capital of $25.000, $22,300 of which is paid up. Its officers are Judge J. C. Mitchell, president ; L. D. Freeman, editor of the Modern News, vice-president ; and Mr. Frayser. cashier. The board comprises the officers and the following gentlemen: Dr. J. C. Davis, J. A. Bradsher, L. C. Going, S. A. Bettes, W. A. Smith, T. A. Stone and N. T. Whittaker.
Mr. Frayser established a happy life companionship when on Decem- ber 23, 1906, he was united in marriage to Miss Effie Gravette, his chosen lady being a daughter of W. B. Gravette, a representative of one of the old families of Poinsett county, who died while holding the office of county treasurer and who came hither from Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Frayser share their delightful home with a little son, Hobson. Mr. Frayser is a past noble grand of Mt. Pisgah Lodge, No. 465, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is a consistent member of the Baptist church ; and holds political views in harmony with Democracy. He is possessed of high civic ideals and doubtless has in prospect a useful and honorable career.
A. HARVEY LANDERS. Arkansas, with its growing industrial activi- ties and splendid development, owes her proud place as a thriving common- wealth to the marked ability and high character of her native sons, through whose industry progress has been conserved and social stability fostered. He whose name initiates this review has gained recognition as one of the substantial business men and officials of Poinsett county, where he has resided during practically his entire life time and where he is now the popular and able incumbent of the offices of circuit clerk and county recorder. By his labors, his earnest co-operation in all matters projected for the general welfare and his sterling integrity and worth he has suc- ceeded in winning a high place for himself in the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen.
A. Harvey Landers was born at Harrisburg, Arkansas, on the 27th of August, 1880, and he is a son of William C. Landers, who came to Poinsett county, Arkansas, in the ante-bellum days, the place of his nativity having been Cross county, this state. John Landers, grandfather of A. Harvey, established the family home in Cross county on his arrival from Tipton county, Tennessee. He married Miss Mary Cox and his death occurred at Cherry Valley, in the vicinity of which place his wife also died. Among their children were William C .; Stephen, who died at Harrisburg. leaving a family ; and Augustine, who first wedded a Mr. Grant, later a Mr. Snell- ings and who finally became the wife of a Mr. Jones. William C. Landers as a youth received a fair educational training in the country schools of the period. After the inception of the Civil war he served for two years as a faithful and gallant soldier in the Confederate army and when the war had ended and peace was again established throughout the country he set- tled down at Harrisburg, where he was engaged in the general merchandise business for some forty years. He married Semantha J. Martin, a daugh-
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