USA > Arkansas > Historical review of Arkansas : its commerce, industry and modern affairs > Part 78
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Mr. Bartley is an Arkansan by birth, indigenous to the country around Beebe. He was born in the '70s and came to the H. D. Williams Cooperage Company some ten years ago as a time-keeper. He was made secretary of the company a few years ago and completes the force of capable men who are responsible for the success of one of the largest industries of the Trav- eler state.
GEORGE H. WILLIAMS. An enumeration of the men of the present generation who have won success and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the state in which they reside, would be incomplete were there failure to make reference to the one whose name initiates this paragraph. George H. Williams is connected with a number of important business enterprises of note at Marked Tree, Arkansas, at which place he is the popular incumbent of the office of mayor at the present time, in 1911.
While Mr. Williams is among the more recent of the city's acquisitions in the way of citizenship he is a most active and zealous factor in civic spirit and progressive tendencies. The character of his employment for several years prior to his advent in Marked Tree was of rather a cosmopoli- tan nature and his methods reflect the spirit of his practical education upon citizenship. Born near Baldwin in Douglas county, Kansas, Mr. Williams grew up among the sons of pioneer settlers in eastern Kansas, in
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the vicinity of the Kansas Cradle of Liberty, the city of Lawrence. His birth occurred on the 19th of April, 1874, and his childhood and youth were passed on the old homestead farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. His preliminary educational training consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the district schools of his native place and subsequently he was matriculated as a student in the University of Kansas, in which he was graduated. After leaving col- lege he assumed the active responsibilities of life by beginning to work in the engineering department of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, as bridge workman, continuing to be employed in that capacity for a period of nearly twenty years. On coming into the south he left Wichita, Kansas, and joined the engineering department of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany in Louisiana. In 1907, however, he gave up engineering work and in that year located at Marked Tree, where he opened a store --- provisions and groceries-which he has conducted with all of success to the present time. A short time after his arrival in this city he established a bottling works and a cold storage plant, which concern has proved an admirable adjunct to the business affairs of Marked Tree. He subsequently purchased a half interest in a general merchandise stock in the city and this concern is now conducted under the firm name of Williams Brothers. These and other matters more personal conspire to furnish ample exercise for Mr. Williams' active mind and vigorous body.
George H. Williams is a son of James R. Williams, who removed to Fayetteville, Arkansas, from Kansas, in the vear 1895, and who died in that city in 1900. As previously indicated, his active career was devoted chiefly to agricultural pursuits, although as a young man he was a glass worker and maintained his home at Kent, Ohio, where was solemnized his mar- riage. He was born in the state of Pennsylvania, served as a gallant sol- dier in the Union army during the Civil war, as a volunteer from that state, and subsequently removed to Kent, Ohio, whence he went to Kansas. Ile was born in 1849 and married Miss Hattie Fisher, a native of the old Keystone state of the Union and at present a resident of Lawrence, Kansas. To this union were born the following children: James, who maintains his home and business headquarters at Fayetteville, this state; William, of Wil- low Springs, Missouri ; L. F., who is associated with the subject of this article in his mercantile enterprises at Marked Tree : George H., the im- mediate subject of this review : Amy, who is the wife of James Teague, of Fayetteville : Albert, who is in the employ of the American Express Com- pany at Marked Tree ; and Lynn, who is a resident of Lawrence, Kansas.
On the 12th of November. 1908. was recorded the marriage of Mr. Williams to Miss Maggie Shuh, the ceremony having been performed at Marked Tree. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of John Shuh, who traced his ancestry back to stanch German extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of one daughter, Fay, whose birth occurred in 1909.
Because of his recognized abilities in a political way, Mr. Williams was urged for the mayoralty of Marked Tree, in the spring of 1910, and was elected to that office as the successor of the late James A. Fergus, He is giving a most efficient administration of the municipal affairs of the city, the chief concern of his regime being for the equipment of Marked Tree with an effective water works system and for the promotion of harmony along business, social and other civic lines. Fraternallv. he is affiliated with a number of representative organizations of a local nature. His is a sturdy American character and a stalwart patriotism. He has the strongest attachments for all national and local institutions and is ever willing to make personal sacrifice for their preservation.
Vol. II1-34
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ROBERT W. SMITH. The improvements of Arkansas City are of much value and importance, in point of excellence comparing favorably with other towns of its size and population. These material improvements indi- cate the enterprise and energy of its citizens, among whom special mention may here appropriately be made of Robert W. Smith, who for several years past has owned and controlled the water system which supplies the town with pure drinking water. A native of northern Alabama, he was born February 25, 1843, near Hackneyville. His father, a farmer, moved to Rusk county, Texas, in 1849, and after his death, which occurred in 1852, the family located in Henderson, Texas.
Acquiring a good knowledge of the three "r's" in the common schools, Robert W. Smith completed his early education in the Dangerfield Presby- terian College. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Second Texas Cavalry, and served on the Texas frontier. The company disbanded at the end of a year, was re-organized, and served as cavalry in the Trans-Mississippi Department, Mr. Smith doing his full duty as a soldier until the close of the war. Returning home after his discharge, he resumed his agricultural labors at Henderson.
Locating at Arkansas City, Arkansas, in 1872, Mr. Smith followed the painter's trade for a time, afterwards being here engaged in business for twenty years. In 1900 he purchased the Arkansas City water system, and has since operated the plant successfully, giving the town excellent service. He takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of his adopted town and county and for four years was county treasurer. He is an active member of Riverton Lodge, No. 296, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was master for many years, resigning the position in the early part of the year 1911. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is active in pro- moting the good of the order. He is likewise a valued member of Homer Weaver Camp, Confederate Veterans of Little Rock. He also holds the important office of president of the school board, Arkansas City special district.
Mr. Smith has been twice married. He married first Sarah M. Hicks, of Henderson, Texas, whose death occurred a year later. Mr. Smith mar- ried second Fannie F. Dunaway, of Arkansas City, and she passed to the higher life in 1898, leaving three children-Ettie C., George W. and Robert E.
The following appreciation of the fine qualities of the gentleman, who forms the immediate subject of this review, was given in the Historic Edition of the Arkansas City Democrat and it cannot be otherwise than appropriate that the same should be incorporated at this point :
"R. W. Smith (Uncle Bob, as everyone calls him) is one of the old timers of the city, and probably takes a more prominent part in all that pertains to the material, social, and educational upbuilding of the city than any other man in it. Nothing of a social or entertaining nature is ever undertaken without Uncle Bob at the head. It is as natural for him to take the lead in all matters of this kind as it is for a duck to take to water when it gets near it. If he thinks the city should have an entertainment for any purpose, a Christmas tree or a school concert, or any public meeting of any kind, he will see that it is carried out. If the funds are short and it is too much trouble to go around and collect them, he simply goes and gets then himself, and carries out the entertainment anyway. He is pres- ident of the Board of Directors of the special school district and takes more pains and care of the schools and their interests than all of the other members combined. He visits the schools regularly and is always in the lead in everything that pertains to them. Mr. Smith is an ex-Confederate soldier and is very prominent in all of the 'Old Boys" gatherings, always
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attending all of the meetings of the old soldiers far and near. He is proud of his record as a soldier, and is an interesting conversationalist when he ean be prevailed upon to speak of his experiences during the war. Mr. Smith is the owner of the water works. The water is pumped from a well six hundred and thirty-five feet deep and is of a good quality and the pressure has never failed in the time of a serious fire. Mr. Smith is a mem- ber of the Methodist church and is a leader in all that is undertaken by the church, and is one of the hardest working members. He is also prominent in fraternal circles and has charge of the Knights of Pythias building and opera house here, and is always a leader in all of their entertainments. Everybody knows and everybody likes Uncle Bob. May he live long and prosper."
DR. WILLIAM B. HUGHES is a physician of no small distinction in the city which has long represented his home. Though for many years engaged in general practice in Little Rock, he has for the last decade specialized in the treatment of the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, being par- ticularly well equipped for this work by reason of his intensive study in institutions of note in this country and in Europe. Dr. William B. Hughes was born at Clarendon, Monroe county, Arkansas, and is a son of Simon P. and Ann E. (Blakemore) Hughes, the former of whom was a native of Carthage, Smith county, Tennessee, where he was born in 1830 and where he continued to live until 1844, and the latter of whom was born and reared in Monroe county, this state, where her marriage was solemnized on June 2, 1857. The parents of Simon Hughes removed to Pulaski county, Ar- kansas, when he was a lad of fourteen years and in 1846 he returned to Tennessee and became a student in Sylvan Academy and later was matricu- lated in Clinton College. In 1849 he took up his residence in Monroe county, and subsequently studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1857. He initiated the practice of his profession in Clarendon and soon built up a large and representative clientage. Prior to his admission to the bar he served for two years as sheriff of his home county. In the session of 1866-7 he represented his county in the state legislature. In 1844 he became attorney general of Arkansas and in that year established his home in the capital city of the state. In 1874 he also served as delegate to the state constitutional convention and two years later he again turned his attention to the work of his chosen profession and he soon became a lawyer of prominence in Little Rock. In September, 1884, there came to him objective proof of the high esteem in which his recognized abilities were held in that he was then elected governor of Arkansas. This honor was again accorded him in 1886 and he showed himself a most able executive, his administration being fraught with much good in the way of public im- provements. In April, 1889, he was elected justice of the supreme court of the state, which incumbency he retained until shortly before his death, which occurred in Little Rock. Governor Hughes served as a gallant sol- dier in the Confederate army throughout the entire period of the war. He enlisted in the Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry and soon won promotion to the rank of captain and he later became lieutenant colonel of his regi- ment. He participated in many of the important engagements marking the progress of the great conflict and his sterling integrity of character gained him the confidence and friendship of the soldiers in his regiment.
Dr. William B. Hughes was quite young at the time of the family re- moval to Little Rock and here he availed himself of the advantages of the publie schools, supplementing the same by courses in the Peabody School and St. John's College. He later matriculated in the University of Ar- kansas, in the medical department of which institution he was graduated
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as a member of the class of 1889, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1890 he was graduated in the Chicago Homoeopathic College, in the city of Chicago, and he was thereafter for a time engaged as a general 'practitioner in his home city. Deciding to specialize in the diseases of the oye. ear. nose and throat, Dr. Hughes proceeded to New York city and there he was graduated in May. 1900, in the New York Ophthalmological Hospital College and he diligently pursued post-graduate courses in these branches at Moorefield's hospital in London, and in the General hospital, in Vienna, in 1903. Dr. Hughes has been specially successful in his chosen vocation and his kindly, genial disposition together with his well recognized skill accounts for the secure place he holds in popular confidence and esteem.
ENOCH H. VANCE, JR., is a successful lawyer, prominent banker and leading business man of Malvern, Hot Spring county, Arkansas. He is a native of Mississippi, his birth having occurred in Pontotoc county on the 27th of February, 1848. He is the son of Dr. Enoch HI. Vanee, Sr., and Lucinda (Massey) Vance, the former of whom was born in Madison county, Alabama, and the latter in Mississippi. The father was a noted journalist in early Arkansas history and edited two news- papers at Pine Bluff, one of them being the True Democrat. He left there about 1860 and removed to a farm about twenty-two miles west of Pine Bluff. He died in Perry county, Arkansas, on September 24. 1888, and his wife was called to her reward in Pope connty, Arkansas. In 1850. when the subject of this review was but two years of age, the family moved from Mississippi to Arkansas, locating in what is now Grant county, but which was then a portion of Saline county. Dr. Vance entered large traets of land in this section of Arkansas and there engaged in the mercantile business, practiced his profession and culti- vated his farm. He was a member of the constitutional convention under the Murphy government in 1865 and a member of the state senate in 1868. Enoch Houston Vance, Jr., received his preliminary educa- tional training in the subscription schools of Arkansas and later sup- plemented this discipline by a course of two years' study in Abington College, at Abington, Illinois. After finishing college he returned to Arkansas and was appointed assessor of Saline county. In 1869 he was appointed clerk of Grant county, in which position he served four years, and soon thereafter he began reading law, being admitted to the bar at Sheridan. the judicial center of Grant county, in 1873. He initiated the practice of his profession at that place. associated with Thomas B. Morton, and in February, 1877, he removed to Malvern, the county seat of Hot Spring county, where he has since continued to maintain his home. Here he controls a large and representative patronage and has ably represented his clients in many of the most important litigations in the state and federal courts. Aside from his law practice he has various financial interests of broad seope and importance in Hot Spring county. He is president of the First National Bank in Malvern and has served as postmaster of the city for over seventeen years, as fol- lows: Eight years under President Harrison, four years under Presi- (lent McKinley and under appointment by President Roosevelt since 1902. He also has extensive real estate holdings in Malvern and owns considerable farming property in Hot Spring county.
In polities Mr. Vanee is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and has been active in the local conneils of the party. In 1898 he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of attorney general of Arkansas,
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and in 1900 he entered the race for congress, canvassing the entire Sixth district with bis opponent, Hon. John S. Little. For several years he served as city alderman of Malvern and has also been incumbent of the office of city recorder. He has ever given freely of his aid and influence in support of all measures and enterprises advaneed for the general welfare of the community, and as a citizen he is essentially loyal and public spirited. He is affiliated with various social and fra- ternal organizations of prominent order, and both he and his wife are devout and earnest members of the Malvern Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth, in which he is a trustee and to whose building fund he contrib- nted in a liberal measure.
In the time honored Masonic Order he is a valned and appreciated member of Rockport Lodge No. 58, Free and Accepted Masons, and Mal- vern Chapter No. 100, Royal Arch Masons, and is also connected with the Scottish Rite Fraternity and with Al Amin Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Sbrine.
Mr. Vance has been twice married; he was first united in marriage on June 29th, 1871, by Rev. J. H. Garrison, to Miss Eva Thomson, the adopted daughter of B. H. Hampton, of Macomb, Illinois. Mrs. Vance was summoned to life eternal September 19, 1873. On the 22nd day of June, 1876, at Galesburg, Illinois, he was married by Rev. A. J. Thomson to Miss Sara McKee, daughter of Major Thomas McKee, and by this marriage they have an only daughter, Eva, who is the wife of Albert W. Jernigan, of Malvern, Arkansas, and mother of two chil- dren. Alhert Vance and Alberta Jernigan.
JAMES B. GRAV. It has been given this scion of one of the honored pioneer families of Arkansas to attain to marked success and prestige as one of the representative members of the bar of his native state, and he is established in the successful practice of his profession in the village of England, Lonoke county. He is also one of the progressive rich planters of this section of the state and an effective exponent of this valuable phase of agricultural industry.
Mr. Gray was born at Jacksonville, Gray township, Pulaski coun- ty, Arkansas, in 1872, and is a son of Joseph B. and Margaret (Fewell) Gray, the former of whom was likewise born in Gray township. Gray township was named in honor of James Gray, grandfather of him whose name introduces this review, and this worthy ancestor was one of the first settlers of that section of Pulaski county, in which is located the city of Little Rock, the capital and metropolis of the state. James. Gray established his home in Pulaski township in 1823, about four years after the organization of the territory of Arkansas, and he aided mate- rially in the reclamation of that section from the condition of an un- trammeled wilderness. He was a man of strong individuality and sterling character and he became one of the influential citizens of his county, where he had much to do with shaping its public and civil affairs in the formative epoch of its history. During the long inter- vening years representatives of the Gray family have continued to be prominently concerned with the social and industrial affairs of Pulaski county and the contiguous county of Lonoke. Joseph B. Gray was reared and educated in Pulaski county, where he eventually became a large landholder and representative agriculturist, as well as citizen of influence and one who ever held the implicit confidence and esteem of the community in which his entire life was passed. He died on his fine homestead, in his native township, in the year 1884, and his widow now resides at Cabot, Lonoke county, venerahle in years and held in affer-
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tionate regard by all who know her. Joseph B. Gray represented Arkansas as one of the valiant soldiers of the Confederacy in the war between the states, as did also his wife's father. Joseph B. Gray was a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, and was affili- ated with the United Confederate Veterans' Association.
James B. Gray passed his boyhood days on the old homestead plantation and the major portion of his early educational discipline was secured in the public schools of Jacksonville and Little Rock, in which latter city he remained for a period of ten years. There he finally entered the law department of the University of Arkansas, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898 and from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was forth- with admitted to the bar of his native state and in the same year was admitted to practice before its supreme court. Thus admirably forti- fied for the work of his chosen vocation, Mr. Gray located in the village of Lonoke, the judicial center of the county of the same name, and there he continued in successful practice until 1902, when he trans- ferred his residence to the village of England, in the same county, where equal success has attended his efforts. He is known as a resourceful trial lawyer and his broad and exact knowledge of law and precedent not only gives him strength in the presentation of causes before court or jury but also as a counselor.
Mr. Gray has manifested a most lively interest in all that has touched the welfare of his home town, and he has given his aid and influence in support of those enterprises and measures which have compassed the rapid progress of the village along both civic and mate- rial lines. While giving close attention to the exacting demands of his law business, Mr. Gray is associated with George W. Marsh in the ownership and operation of a fine rice plantation lying contiguous to the village of England. and in conducting this plantation the most modern methods and facilities are employed, as the interested principals take great pride in maintaining the place at the highest standard.
An unfaltering allegiance to the cause of the Democratic party has characterized Mr. Gray and he is an able and radical advocate of his basic principles and policies. While a resident of Lonoke he was elected to represent his county in the lower house of the state legisla- ture, and he proved a valuable member of that body during his service of one term.
Mr. Gray was married to Miss Pearl Wright, who was born and reared in Lonoke county, the daughter of one of the representative agrienlturists of this section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one son, James B. Jr., who was born in 1907.
JUDGE ARTHUR A. GIBSON. Few citizens are identified in a happier manner with the many sided life of the community in which their interests are eentered, than Arthur A. Gibson, merchant and county judge being the dual role which he assumes with splendid efficiency. He is one of the most public-spirited of men, giving his heart and hand to any measure likely to benefit the whole body politie, and of high repute in his profession. Judge Gibson was born at Alexandria, Louisi- ana, in 1850, his parents being John S. and Margaret (Swink) Gibson, the former of whom was a Tennessean, horn in Murray county. They subsequently removed to Alexandria, Louisiana, where they resided until 1855. then removing to Shreveport, Louisiana, and then in 1858, to Hempstead county, Arkansas. There the family and its head settled on a plantation about three miles from the present town of Hope, the
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property being situated on the Spring Hill road. The father's career in the new situation was to be of brief duration, for he was gathered to his fathers, July 8, 1861. In the few years of his residence in Hempstead county, that estimable gentleman established himself se- curely in the respect and esteem of the inhabitants.
Judge Gibson was reared on the plantation and has been a planter all his life, and he still owns and operates a fine plantation which in- cludes the original homestead of his father, mentioned above, and located three miles southwest of the city of Hope. In 1890, Judge Gibson established himself in business in Hope, starting a drug store in that year, this business, which has outgrown its original scope, being now owned by his son, John S. Gibson. It was in 1897 that he estab- lished his present business, known as A. A. Gibson & Company, whole- sale and retail dealers in dry goods and groceries, his son, A. A. Gibson Jr., being his partner in this successful and ever-growing concern.
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