Prairie County ArArchives Biographies.....Bland, W. H. 
************************************************
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 June 6, 2009, 10:42 pm

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

W. H. BLAND.
    In the history of De Valls Bluff it is imperative that mention be made of W.
H. Bland inasmuch as he was a prominent figure in commercial circles and in
public life. His entire career was one which reflected credit and honor upon the
people who honored him and his service was of marked value to the community
which he represented. Born in Bartlett, Tennessee, on the 14th of March, 1861,
he was the son of Theophilus and Adeline (Adams) Bland. His youthful days were
spent in his native state, where he pursued his education and grew to manhood.
Coming to Arkansas in 1884, he established his home in Biscoe, Prairie county,
where he engaged in business. Later he became a planter and cotton buyer. There
he remained until his removal to De Valls Bluff in 1900, where he established a
general merchandise business. He developed a trade of substantial proportions,
and his enterprise, diligence and determination constituted the broad foundation
upon which he built his success. His ability brought him prominently to the
front and at all times he commanded the confidence and respect of his fellowmen,
not alcne by reason of the success he achieved but also owing to the
straightforward business policy which he ever followed.

    Mr. Bland was twice married. The children of the first marriage are Harvey
C. and Troy. The former is a director of a leading wholesale dry goods firm in
Little Rock, and Troy also resides there and is a dealer in real estate and has
oil interests in El Dorado. The children of the second marriage are two
daughters, Leland and Lucille, the latter a graduate of the University of
Arkansas, and the former a member of the firm that her father established.

    Mr. Bland was keenly interested in the public welfare and espoused many
causes which contributed to general progress and improvement. He was elected a
member of the legislature in 1915 and reelected in 1917, and his interest in
vital public measures was real and forceful. He was the author of the uniform
textbook law passed in 1917 and he stood loyally in defense of various other
plans for the general good. He was, indeed, a useful and public-spirited citizen
and wide regret was felt when he passed away in July, 1917.


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/prairie/bios/bland49bs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/

File size: 3.0 Kb