Lonoke County ArArchives Biographies.....Waggoner, William J. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 19, 2009, 11:26 am

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

WILLIAM J. WAGGONER.
    William J. Waggoner, filling the position of prosecuting attorney of Lonoke,
was born in Lonoke county in 1889, his parents being Thomas J. and Nancy
(Munsch) Waggoner. The father was a native of Tennessee and belonged to one of
the old southern families. The mother was a daughter of Nicholas Munsch. Thomas
J. Waggoner and his wife resided in Illinois for some time after their marriage,
making their home near Decatur, but about thirty years ago came to Arkansas,
first settling in White county, but later removing to Lonoke county. They became
the parents of a family of ten children, five of whom are living: William J.;
John; Jess; Joseph; and Viola, the wife of Charles Hudson.

    Reared under the parental roof, William J. Waggoner pursued his education in
the schools of Lonoke until he had completed his high school course. A review of
the broad field of business led him to the determination to make the practice of
law his life work, and with this end in view he became a law student in the
University of Arkansas, from which he was graduated in 1913. He then located in
Lonoke for practice, entering upon the active work of the profession in which he
has made steady advancement. While progress at the bar is proverbially slow, he
soon gained recognition of his ability, and his powers have constantly expanded
through experience and broad study, for he is most careful in the preparation of
his cases. He is also numbered among the lawmakers of the state, for he served
in the legislature in 1915 and 1917, nor did he lightly regard the duties that
devolved upon him in this connection. In the latter year he was made a delegate
to the constitutional convention.

    Mr. Waggoner also has a military chapter in his life record, for he entered
the army at Camp Leon Springs, Texas, and was commissioned a second lieutenant,
after which he was assigned to duty at Camp Gordon, Georgia, and later at Camp
Pike. Arkansas, as an infantry officer. He went overseas on the 24th of August,
1917, and was assigned to the Thirty-second Division. He was in reserve at St.
Mihiel, in the offensive in the Argonne Forest and was wounded in battle, being
thus incapacitated for further service. His wound was sustained on the 30th of
September in the drive on Montfaucon, his left hand and his left leg both being
injured. Later he was assigned to the One Hundred and Seventh Ammunition Train
of the Thirty-second Division and was stationed at Heimbach, Germany, for two
and a half months, with the Army of Occupation. Subsequently he returned to the
United States, making the voyage on the battleship Louisiana and reaching the
American shore on the 13th of May, 1919. He was then sent to Camp Merritt, New
Jersey, and afterward to Camp Pike, Arkansas, where he received his discharge on
the 27th of August, 1919. Following his return home Mr. Waggoner was elected to
the office of prosecuting attorney and by reelection is still filling this
position. He is proving a splendid official, prompt and faithful in the
discharge of his duties, and his conscientious service, coupled with his ability
as a lawyer, has won him high endorsement.

    On the 14th of February, 1919, Mr. Waggoner was married to Miss Ruth
Bradford, a daughter of John C. and Lula (Eagle) Bradford of Lonoke and a
granddaughter of Judge H. T. Bradford. Mr. Waggoner belongs to the Masonic
fraternity, having attained the thirty-second degree, and is also a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to the Christian church, while
his wife is a Baptist. They are well known socially, having many warm friends in
this part of the state, and their record at all times commends them to the
confidence and high regard of those who know them.


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


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