Garland County ArArchives Biographies.....Dillon, Oscar 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 7, 2009, 9:24 am

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

OSCAR DILLON.
    Oscar Dillon is the president of the De Soto Spring Company and is also
further identified with the business interests of Hot Springs through his
connection with the Citizens Ice & Fuel Company. A man of sound judgment and
keen sagacity, his cooperation is regarded as most valuable to the conduct of
business enterprises and he possesses notable initiative and resourcefulness in
all that he undertakes. A native of Missouri, he was born in Holt county, March
31, 1855, and was therefore a lad of nine years when in 1864 his father, W. E.
Dillon, removed with the family to Nebraska City. The father was a freighter who
crossed the plains with both mules and oxen, making the trip to Salt Lake City
and to Denver, Colorado. He was thus engaged until the railroads were built,
when freighting by team was no longer profitable. As Oscar Dillon became of
sufficient age to assist his father he took active part in the work and drove
four mules across the plains when a boy of only ten years. He made many overland
trips with the freight wagons across the plains and experienced all the
hardships and trials of journeying in that fashion. He saw large herds of
buffalo and often saw the Indians as he traveled from the starting point to his
destination. At one time he was interested in a cattle ranch on the Republic
river and he remained a resident of Nebraska until 1879. He then went to Texas
and was a Texas ranger for a period of fifteen months. Returning to Arkansas, he
located at Little Rock, where he served as deputy United States marshal under
Torrence, for about two years. He was also interested in buying and selling
horses there and in 1880 he came to Hot Springs, where he lived for a time.

    In the year 1882 Mr. Dillon was married to Miss Ada Baird, a daughter of
William Baird, one of the pioneers of Hot Springs. They began their domestic
life in this city and continued to reside here until 1893, when they removed to
Texas, and Mr. Dillon was engaged in the cattle business, living at Fort Worth,
Dallas and San Antonio. He likewise followed general merchandising and remained
a resident of Texas until 1897, when he removed to Denver, Colorado, there
residing for a year. He then went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he conducted a
general insurance business for a number of years. His next removal took him to
St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he engaged in the insurance business
and became the organizer of the Minnesota Casualty Company. Later he went to
Regina and to Saskatoon, British Columbia, and conducted a laundry in each place.

    After leaving the northern country Mr. Dillon took up his abode in
Huntington, Indiana, where he was connected with manufacturing interests until
his return to Hot Springs in 1920. Here he purchased the De Soto spring and
erected there one of the finest drinking pavilions and buildings in the state.
The structure is built of Texas marble and contains a large refreshment room,
while in addition the famous De Soto spring water is there sold. There is also a
beautiful ballroom, where there is dancing every night except Sunday, and this
is patronized by the leading people of the city. A very fine orchestra is here
found, rendering high-class music for dancing. Mr. Dillon is the president of
this company and associated with him in the undertaking is F. W. Fooshe. Mr.
Dillon was for a time also interested in the Citizens Ice & Fuel Company of St.
Paul.

    Mr. and Mrs. Dillon have a son, W. E. Dillon, and a daughter, who is married
to C. W. Whittaker. The son is the manager of the Retail and Wholesale Merchants
Association of Utah.

    Mr. Dillon belongs to several fraternal orders, being identified with the
Eagles, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. His lodge associations
have brought him a wide acquaintance and his business affairs have further
extended the circle. He is a genial, cordial gentleman, so that he wins friends
among all, and in business it is his earnest desire to please his patrons, so
that he gives to them the best possible service along the lines of business in
which he is engaged.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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