Pope County ArArchives Biographies.....McClure, L. B. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 18, 2009, 12:23 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) L. B. McCLURE. In financial circles of northwestern Arkansas, L. B. McClure is well known as vice president of the Peoples Exchange Bank of Russellville, with which he has been identified for the past twenty-eight years, entering the institution in a minor capacity and working his way up to his present office of trust and responsibility through merit and ability. A native of Virginia, he was born February 12, 1866, and his parents were M. T. and Sarah Catherine (Baumgardner) McClure, the former also a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Missouri. The father served throughout the Civil war, entering the service as a private and winning promotion to the rank of lieutenant, and was with General Lee's army at Appomattox at the time of the surrender. He is a well-informed man and has frequently been urged to become a candidate for public office, but has always refused. He is a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church and his political support is given to the platform and candidates of the democratic party. He resides on the farm in Virginia on which he was born and has reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. His father, John McClure. was also a native of Virginia and a farmer by occupation. He was a grandson of James McClure, who emigrated from Ireland to Virginia about the year 1730 and became the American progenitor of the family. The maternal grandfather, Lewis Baumgardner, was born in Virginia and after living in that state for a number of years he went to Missouri, but subsequently returned to his native state, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. M. T. McClure became the parents of nine children, of whom eight survive. L. B. McClure, the only member of the family to come to Arkansas, was educated in the public schools of Virginia, spending two years as a student in the high school at Tinkling Springs, after which he completed a business course at Staunton, Virginia. His initial business experience was acquired in a country store, where he was employed' as a clerk and bookkeeper, working the first month for his hoard. At the end of eighteen months he resigned that position and in 1888 came to Russellville, entering the employ of Captain R. J. Wilson as bookkeeper and remaining in his service for six years. In 1894 he became bookkeeper for the Peoples Exchange Bank, with which he has since been connected, and his faithful, conscientious and efficient service won him promotion from one position to another of greater importance until he now occupies the vice presidency. Broad experience has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the complex problems of modern finance and the prestige which the institution now enjoys is largely attributable to his untiring efforts, keen sagacity and marked executive ability. In 1890 Mr. McClure was united in marriage to Miss Allie Bayliss, a native of Pope county and a daughter of B. F. Bayliss, who was born in Tennessee. His father, A. J. Bayliss, became one of the early pioneers of Pope county, arriving here in 1836. He followed the profession of teaching and filled several public offices of importance, serving for a number of years as county clerk. He occupied that position during the Civil war and rendered valuable service to the county by concealing the records in an adjacent forest, thus preventing them from being destroyed, and he also served as county judge. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have had five children, but only one survives, Benjamin, who is preparing for the Master of Arts degree in the State University at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is also an instructor in that institution. While attending the University of Virginia he volunteered for service in the World war and was first with the Ambulance Corps, while later he was assigned to Tank Unit, No. 314. He participated in the Argonne and St. Mihiel offensives and for fourteen months was in France. Owing to physical disability he was sent home from service before the termination of hostilities and was discharged, returning home about the 25th of March, 1919. He has now regained his health. The family resides in an attractive home in Russellville, and Mr. McClure also owns other property within the corporation limits. He has in his home a large library of books which he highly prizes. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and in his political views is a stanch democrat. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office and he has served as alderman and city treasurer and for nine years was chairman of the school board, performing effective service for the public good in these various capacities. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. For thirty-four years Mr. McClure has been a resident of Russellville, arriving here with a cash capital of three dollars and a half and an indebtedness amounting to twenty-five dollars, while he now ranks with the most substantial business men of the town, which has greatly benefited through his progressive spirit and intelligently directed activities. His life has been one of unremitting industry and to him has come the crown of earnest effort and persistency of purpose—success and an honored name. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/pope/bios/mcclure244bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb