USA > Arkansas > Historical review of Arkansas : its commerce, industry and modern affairs > Part 72
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Judge Carmichael was admitted to the bar of Arkansas by the supreme court February 8, 1893. He graduated with the first class of his law school, in June, 1894, and immediately began the practice of his profession in Little Rock, where his devotion to his chosen vocation gained him recognition so that his novitiate was of exceptionally short duration. In 1898, upon the death of Judge Goar, the alumni of the law department of the University of Arkansas elected Judge Carmichael its aeting dean, in which capacity he served several months. In 1901 the board of trustees of the university elected him dean of the law de- partment and he has sinee served with all of earnestness and efficiency in this important office, ever mindful of his stewardship and doing all in his power to uphold the prestige of his profession and the high standing of this department of his alma mater. In the university he is a lecturer on contracts, domestic relations, judgments and confliet of laws. His technical knowledge is broad and aeenrate and as a member of the faculty of the law department he has the unqualified confidence and esteem of the student body. Judge Carmichael continues in the aetive work of his profession, being engaged in active practice in both the state and federal courts, and he has served as special judge on both the cirenit and supreme benches. Sinee 1906 he has been a member of the firm of Carmichael. Brooks & Powers, in which his professional coadjutors are William B. Brooks and Richard C. Powers. He is the first president of the Alumni Association of the law department of the University of Arkansas, having been chosen to this office in 1895. He was appointed a member of the first board of examiners to examine ap- plieants for lieense to practice in the supreme court of Arkansas and served as secretary of the board for two years. He is the attorney for the Southern Trust Company and has been since its organization, and he is connected with many of the substantial financial institutions of Little Rock. In polities he accords a stanch allegiance to the Demo-
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cratie party, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methu- dist Episcopal church, South.
On the 10th of January, 1893, was solemnized the marriage of Judge Carmichael to Miss Amelia Parker, who was born in the state of Mississippi, and they have four children-Lentes, Camille, Celestes and John Hugh, Jr.
HONORABLE WILLIAM A. BLACK. There is no one in the state of Arkansas who has a higher standing than William A. Blaek, dealer in real estate and member of the legislature, who, in early life, set himself to run his course with singleness of purpose. His goal was not fame for himself, but rather the welfare of the community and of the units that go to make up the community. To such, honors will come without being sought, as they have to the Hon. William A. Blaek, but in his opinion the contentment which comes with the knowledge of a life well spent means more than the positions of honor which he has filled and now occupies.
He was born at Spring Place, Murray county, Georgia, in 1851. His early education was obtained in the public schools of his native place, where he lived until he had attained his majority. Leaving his home in Georgia in 1872, he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he stayed a short time, thence on to Arkansas. He located at Charleston, in Frank- lin county, staying there for fourteen years, during which time he was engaged in various enterprises, but for the most part carrying on the business of real estate. In 1886 he moved to Fort Smith, in Sebastian county and since that time has been most actively interested in all matters of publie improvement in addition to his own real estate business. He is very well known in the developing of natural gas in Sebastian county, as he is one of the promoters of that industry.
Mr. Black chose for his wife Miss Mary A. Rippy, who was born in Cartersville, Georgia, but educated in Arkansas, the daughter of the late Rev. A. J. Rippy, a well known Baptist divine. Mr. and Mrs. Black have two children. Ben F. and Myrtle.
Mr. Black's political career has been interesting, he having been elected to be the representative in the lower house of the legislature from Sebastian county at three consecutive elections, entering upon his third term in Janu- arv, 1911. In 1906, in his first session in the legislature, he was the author of the bill, which became a law, giving short lines of railroad the right of eminent domain and certain other privileges enjoyed by the larger lines of railroads. This measure encouraged the building of short lines in the development of coal mines in Sebastian and other counties. In his second term in the legislature he was the author of the bill, now a law, giving additional powers to the State Railroad Commission. In his last session he was appointed chairman of the committee on elections, a mem- ber of the ways and means committee, the committee on cities and towns and the committee on insurance. He was prominently connected with the preparation of the bill and the enactment into a law of the Juvenile Court law, passed at the 1911 session, under which a Juvenile Court has been established at Fort Smith, and under which a similar court can be established in any eity in the state desiring it. This is a measure in which Mr. Black feels a justifiable pride for his connection therewith. These are examples of the useful and beneficent legislation that the Honorable William A. Black has promoted during his three terms in the legislature. In a general way his largest interest has been in the line of public educa- tion, in the welfare of the public schools of the state and in giving state aid to high schools, realizing that it is the schools that will decide the snc- cess or failure of the country at large.
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It is a significant fact that during Mr. Black's political career not even his enemies have cast any aspersions on his character, either in his public or private capacity. That he won the confidence of the people is proved by his repeated election to the same office. It is because of the presence of such men as he that Sebastian county has attained its present high standing in the state. It is because of the presence of such men as he in politics that people still think there is some honor amongst poli- ticians, in spite of the corruption which faces us on all sides. The polit- ical world, as well as the religions, must look forward for its milennium and it is such men as the Honorable William A. Black who are hastening that end.
CYRUS F. CROSBY, M. D. There is particular interest attaching to the career of Dr. Cyrus F. Crosby, of Heber Springs, Cleburne county, Arkansas, for he is a representative of a type of American manhood of whom the country has every reason to be proud. He occupies a notable position among the business and professional men in this section of the fine old Bear state and to this rank he has risen through the utilization of possibilities that lie before all. His native talent and well applied ability have led him to large worldly success and he stands today as a leading factor in the ownership and control of many large enterprises in Cleburne county, that have contributed to the general commercial activ- ity and prosperity of Heber Springs, as well as to his individual success.
Dr. Cyrus F. Crosby was born in White county, Arkansas, and is a son of Dr. George W. Crosby, who is now engaged in the active practice of his profession at Heber Springs. The father has been engaged as a medical practitioner in Arkansas for some forty-five years and during all that time his contribution to the science and progress of his profession has taken concrete form.
Dr. Cyrus F. Crosby was reared in his native county, to the public schools of which he is indebted for his preliminary educational training, which he later supplemented with a course in the Bennett Medical College (Eclectic), in the city of Chicago, Illinois, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1893, duly receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He initiated the practice of his profession at Searcy, Arkansas, and in 1896 he came to Heber Springs, the county seat of Cleburne county, with the affairs of which place he has since been actively connected both in a professional and in a business way. He is local surgeon for the Missouri & North Arkansas Railway and is ex- president of the Society of Local Surgeons of that company. He is a member and is ex-secretary of the Arkansas State Eclectic Medical Asso- ciation and is affiliated with other professional organizations of repre- sentative character. In addition to his professional duties Dr. Crosby is interested in other financial ventures of broad scope and importance in this county. He is president of the Cleburne County Bank, which is cap- italized with a stock of twenty-five thousand dollars and which is one of the most prominent and successful monetary institutions in this section. He has taken a deep and public-spirited interest in the building-up of the town of Heber Springs. He promoted and built the new Adrian Hotel, a high class resort hotel, thoroughly modern in its equipment, the same having been opened in March, 1911. This beautiful structure has some fifty splendid rooms and it is a fine boost and advertisement for the town.
In a fraternal way Dr. Crosby is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the time-honored Masonic order.
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Dr. Crosby, for a life partner, chose Miss Mary Lewis and to this union have been born two children-Adrian and Howard.
MARTIN SHARP. The present incumbent of the important position of road supervisor in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, is Martin Sharp, who is a native of this state, having been born in Independence county in 1858. He is a son of William J. and Emily Jane (Moore) Sharp, both of whom were born in Mississippi, whence they came to Arkansas in the early '50s. first locating in Independence county, where the father secured a tract of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits. On the inception of the Civil war the family removed to Conway county, where William J. Sharp followed his vocation as farmer and where he continued to reside until his death, in 1822. He was a man of sterling integrity of character, a staunch supporter of all he deemed right and in all his busi- ness relations he was honest, honorable and true to his word.
Martin Sharp. whose name initiates this article, was reared to ma- turity on the home farm and early assisted in its work. His preliminary educational training was that afforded in the common schools of his native county, which he has since supplemented by observation and association with men and matters of large import. In 1872 he established his home in Pulaski county where he initiated his independent business career. For the past thirty years he has been a resident of Little Rock, where he has valuable real-estate interests, being the owner of extensive properties in the vicinity of his home on Summit avenue. Mr. Sharp early became interested in the street-improvement work in the capital city and he has been actively identified with the same during many years. For seven years he was incumbent of the position of street commissioner, under various city administrations. In his present position as road supervisor he has charge of the grading, macadamizing, paving and general improvement work of the city and its suburbs. His long tenure in office is ample proof of the efficiency of his work and to him is due in large measure the neat and attractive appearance of the city.
Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with Miss Anna L. Trellue, who was born in Tennessee, but when a child she accompanied her parents to Little Rock. where she was reared to maturity and where her marriage was solemnized.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have long been prominent and popular factors in connection with the social activities of Little Rock and their beautiful home at the corner of Summit avenue and Fifteenth street is recognized as a center of generous and gracious hospitality.
MARY E. MORRISON, M. D. To few women has it been given to achieve such admirable and noteworthy success as that gained by Dr. Mary E. Morrison, who founded and who now conducts the Stuttgart Sana- tarium, for the treatment of chronic and malarial diseases. This insti- tution is finely equipped with every modern facility and has ample room for the accommodation of ahout twenty patients.
Dr. Morrison was born at Sparta, Monroe county, Wisconsin, on the 17th of March, 1870, and she is a daughter of Robert and Almyra ( Kelsey) Hobson, the former of whom was born in England, and the latter of whom claimed the state of Pennsylvania as the place of her nativity. During the major portion of his active business career the father was engaged in farming, and he is now in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Dr. Morrison was the oldest in order of birth in a family of five children, and when nine years of age she accompanied her parents to Minnesota, to whose public schools she is indebted for her early educational advantages. being graduated in
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the state normal school at Mankato, Minnesota, as a member of the class of 1888. In 1894 she was matriculated in the Physiomedical College, in the Indiana capital, and in this well ordered institution she was graduated in 1897, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. She initiated the practice of her profession at Anderson, Indiana, and continued to reside in this city for a period of two years. In 1904 she removed to Stuttgart, Ar- kansas county, Arkansas, and here she has built up a large and lucrative practice, her unqualified success in the medical profession being on a parity with her well directed endeavors and due to the possession of innate talent and acquired ability along the line of one of the most important professions to which one can devote one's energies-the alleviation of pain and suffering and the restoration of health, which is man's most priceless possession. In connection with her work Dr. Morrison is a valued and appreciative member of the State Eclectic Society, and she is ever alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all measures and enterprises tend- ing to advance the general welfare of the community. Her religious faith is in accordance with the tenets of the Christian church, to whose charities she is a liberal contributor and in whose work she is much interested.
In 1888 Dr. Morrison was united in marriage to Septimus P. Morri- son. the ceremony being performed at Mankato, Minnesota. Mr. Morrison was born at Dubuque, Iowa, and is engaged as an engineer at Stuttgart. Two children have been born of this union, namely, Joseph, who is a student in the Indiana State University and who assists in the sanatariuni while at home; and Ruth, who is attending the Stuttgart Training School.
EDWIN STANTON THOMPSON. Since 1838, the year in which the family of which Edwin Stanton Thompson, of Springdale, is a worthy representative, was founded in Arkansas, it has been an integral part of Washington and Madison counties, and as it has multiplied has spread its influence over the social, commercial, and political spheres of activity in those localities. He was born and reared in Madison county, a son of Judge Aaron Linton Thompson, of Springdale.
Joseph Thompson, grandfather of Edwin S., was born in North Carolina, but as a boy accompanied his parents to Tennessee, from there going to Wayne county, Indiana. In 1838, trying the hazard of new for- tunes, he migrated with his family to Washington county. Arkansas, which was then attracting the attention of the courageous men who were willing to found new homes on the frontier. After a tedious overland journey of several weeks spent in covering the vast area of the valley east of the Mississippi river, he erosscd that stream at Saint Louis, and continued his trip to Durham, Arkansas, where he secured a tract of near-by land, from which he carved ont a good homestead. Leaving his family in 1850, he followed the gold hunters to California, and there resided until his death, a few years later. He married Mary Ann Mills, a daughter of Seth T. Mills, a native of North Carolina. She survived him. passing away in 1886, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hendricks, in Belton, Texas. She had been previously married, and by her first husband, Matthew Massey, was the mother of four children, Sylvester Massey : William Mas- sey ; Elizabeth, who married Henry Lewis, died in Washington county, Arkansas; and Jane, who became the wife of George Karnes, died in Bel- ton, Texas. By her union with Joseph Thompson. she had five children, naniely: Aaron L., the father of Edwin S. : Henry, who was killed while serving in the Confederate army; Polly A., wife of Bracken Wilson, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Seth died in the Confederate army in 1863: and John C., who was killed at his own home. in Fort Smith, Arkansas, by a drunken friend.
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Born in Wayne county, Indiana, September 23, 1836, Aaron Linton Thompson remembered nothing of the wearisome journey to Arkansas. Brought up on the home farm, near Durham, he was educated principally in the subscription schools but attended the only free school established anywhere in the South before the Civil war. The United States gov- ernment gave to Arkansas section 16, on the middle fork of White river, for school purposes, and the proceeds from the rental of that land were sufficient to carry on the free school which he attended for three months each year. Beginning the struggle of life for himself as a farmer, lie was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1868, with the exception of the Civil war period.
During that strenuous time, the issues of the Thompson family were sorely divided. All of those eligible for military duty, with the exception of Aaron L., entered the Confederate service. While reading "Brother Jonathan," the "Missouri Republic," and other journals with Union senti- ments, his patriotic spirit was aroused, and in response of troops to defend the Union he enlisted in Company I, Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, at Fayetteville, as a private. He was subsequently commissioned first lieu- tenant of his company, and served first under Gen. A. J. Smith, and after he was transferred to the eastern department was under command of Generals Steele and Busse. He took part in the Camden fight, the skir- mish at Moscow, and in the battle at Jenkin's Ferry, sometimes called the "Saline River" engagement. He received his commission as an officer at Fort Smith in 1864, and was mustered out at the close of the war.
Judge Thompson, as Aaron L. is familiarly called, was originally a Whig in his political affiliations. He became identified with the Repub- lican party soon after its formation, and at the age of twenty-one years began his official career as a constable. He was subsequently elected, in Madison connty, justice of the peace, a position which he filled creditably for twelve years. He afterwards served as register of deeds for Madison county, and later was elected county judge, an office which he filled accept- ably for several terms. In 1898 the Judge was commissioned by Presi- dent Mckinley postmaster at Springdale, Washington county, Arkansas, and in 1902 was reappointed by President Roosevelt to the same position. Since leaving the postoffice, Judge Thompson has retired from all active affairs. He has been for many years prominently identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, having held every office in the gift of the organization, rounding out his service as commander of the state.
Judge Thompson has been twice married. He married first, in Wash- ington county, Arkansas, October 18, 1860, Sarah J. Poole, a daughter of Maston P. Poole, formerly of South Carolina. A farmer and a strong Union man, he often served as magistrate of his locality ; he was noted for his culture and intelligence, and once said "that he could spell correctly every word found in Webster's dictionary." Of that union five children were born, as follows: Henry L., of Madison county, Arkansas ; Dr. John S., of Greenland, Arkansas; William G., a twin brother of Dr. John S., resides in Springdale; Mary Beale died unmarried; and Edwin S., the special subject of this biographical record. The mother of these children passed to the life beyond in 1868. Judge Thompson married second, in July, 1870, Elizabeth A. Prater, and to them two children have been born and reared, namely: Cora, wife of W. E. Long, of Gravett, Ar- kansas; and Floyd, a lumber dealer and merchant at De Queen, Arkansas, and a prominent member of the Republican party. Mrs. Thompson's father, John C. Sumner, was born and brought up in Vermont, and was an own cousin of Charles Sumner, the noted Massachusetts senator. He represented Madison county, Arkansas, in the state legislature as a Demo-
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crat, but he was a man of strong Union sentiment during the Civil war. Uniting with the Missionary Baptist church in 1857, the Judge has led an upright life, and has reared his children in the fear of God.
Educated in the public schools of Madison county, Arkansas, Edwin Stanton Thompson began his mercantile career as a clerk at Hindsville, serving an apprenticeship of six years in that capacity. Embarking then in business on his own account, he was junior member of the mercantile firm of Poole & Thompson, at Thompson, Madison county, for thirteen years. Mr. Thompson then joined his brother in the hardwood lumber business at Springdale, and the partnership still exists. This enterprising firm handles native dimension timber for props, cribbing, and other heavy stuff used in the mines of Kansas and Missouri, and also furnishes a market for railroad ties at Springdale. It is one of the leading industrial organizations of Washington county. and a considerable factor in main- tamning a prosperous community.
Mr. Thompson is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Spring- dale, and likewise in the Elkins Telephone Company, whose lines extend from Fayetteville to Pettigrew, Arkansas, with branch lines radiating from the main over many parts of Madison county. In his political rela- tions, Mr. Thompson is a Republican, and, like his father, is an im- portant factor in the party. He has served as a member of the Republican State Committee, and has been twice sent as a delegate from Arkansas to the National Republican League Club, first to Indianapolis, in 1904, and to Philadelphia in 1906. Fraternally he is a Master Mason. and a mem- ber of the Order of the Eastern Star. On April 19, 1892, at Thompson, Arkansas, Mr. Thompson married Delia Hall, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Tyra and Nancy C. (Chance) Hall, natives of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have four children, namely : Aren A., Clyde C., Jewell, and Cecil.
CHARLES M. NORWOOD, M. D. A prominent and highly esteemed citi- zen of Stamps, Charles M. Norwood, M. D., for many years a leading physician of this part of Lafayette county, is now living retired from business and professional cares, enjoying a well deserved leisure. A son of the late Josiah M. Norwood, he was born, February 29, 1840, in Giles county, Tennessee, where his childhood days were passed.
Josiah M. Norwood was born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, in 1820. and spent his earlier years in his native state, residing a part of the time in Giles county. Coming to Lafayette county with his family in 1847, he soon became one of its foremost citizens. He invested largely in land, and when Stamps was incorporated owned nearly all of the land on which the village now stands. A considerable portion of his estate is still owned by his son, Dr. Norwood. By his marriage there were nine children, three of whom are now living, as follows: P. F., of Stamps; Mrs. S. C. Knighton, also of Stamps; and Charles M. Norwood, M. D.
But seven years old when he accompanied his parents to Lafayette county, Charles M. Norwood received his elementary education in the public schools and under private tutorship. Graduated from the New Orleans Medical College in 1867, he immediately began the practice of his chosen profession at Stamps, and in the years that followed built up an extensive and remunerative patronage. Since his retirement from active practice, about six years ago, Dr. Norwood has resided on his large plan- tation near Stamps, where he has a most attractive home. Enlisting as a soldier during the Civil war, Dr. Norwood participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River. Chickamauga, and in many engagements of minor importance. Ai Chickamauga he received a severe wound in the right
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leg, necessitating its amputation. Nothing daunted, however, he re- joined the army as soon as he recovered, and served until the close of the war. The Doctor has ever evinced a warm interest in local, state and national affairs, and in addition to serving as assessor of Lafayette county was state senator in 1882. In 1888 the Doctor was a candidate for gov- ernor of Arkansas, and received eighty-six thousand votes.
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