Sebastian-Garland County ArArchives Biographies.....Gill, Ray 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 6, 2009, 10:39 pm

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

RAY GILL.
    The outstanding characteristic of Ray Gill, secretary of the Business Men's
Club of Fort Smith, is probably initiative. With a keenness that is born of
energy and diligence he seems to see the possibilities of every situation and
utilizes his opportunities and advantages in the attainment of results extremely
desirable in the upbuilding of various interests and communities.

    Mr. Gill was born in Paola, Kansas, in 1876. He completed his education in
the University of Kansas and subsequently engaged in newspaper work and in
teaching school. Both proved of worth and value to him in preparation for his
activities at a later date. In 1900 he came to Arkansas and was first engaged in
the hotel business at Hot Springs. While there residing, he founded the criminal
identification bureau, employing the Bertillon and finger print systems. He also
organized the Arkansas State Fair Association, offering prizes for mineral and
agricultural exhibits, which resulted in a widespread interest and development
along both agricultural and mineral lines.

    From 1908 to 1916 Mr. Gill was associated with the state department of
education. While thus engaged he instituted the first agricultural club work in
Arkansas and organized Boys Corn Clubs throughout the state. He prepared and
issued pamphlets on these movements and their value, resulting largely in
production of a greater and better yield of corn. As deputy state superintendent
of public instruction he was in charge of publicity and propaganda, thus serving
until 1916 with the result that there was a decided increase in the school tax
in order that the schools of the state might be advanced to higher standards.

    Mr. Gill was also associated with the old Board of Trade and the old Chamber
oŁ Commerce of Little Rock and cooperated heartily in all organized movements of
those bodies for the benefit of the city and the extension of its trade
relations. In 1914 he was prominent in the movement for agricultural development
and for diversifying crops. He greatly promoted these objects through
demonstration by exhibit and through the distribution of literature on similar
work in other states.

    In 1916 Mr. Gill became secretary of the Business Men's Club of Fort Smith,
his work being the broadening of civic spirit. This was following the discovery
of natural gas, which gave great impetus to the growth and development of the
city. He also instituted a factory campaign, which resulted in locating
twenty-five factories in Fort Smith, including many furniture factories and
glass making concerns. He also continued the campaign for agricultural extension
and he was instrumental in getting rid of the cattle tick in this campaign, so
that Sebastian county was placed north of the quarantine line. He likewise
instituted a movement for the introduction of blooded cattle and from forty per
cent of the normal milk supply there was an increase to full local supply, with
six hundred to seven hundred gallons of cream per week shipped to creameries.
Mr. Gill closely studies every question that has to do with the agricultural
development and business progress of the state.

    Mr. Gill has also organized civic and cultural clubs which work in
conjunction with the organized civic council, meeting once a month,
representatives of tb^se clubs, of the school board and other organizations,
meeting in a round-table discussion of civic needs. The Civic Federation under
his guidance has worked on the housing problem and on the entertainment of
children, and each club which is organized devotes a part of its time to social
betterment.

    During the World war the Business Men's Club was the center of all war
movements and activities. A most complete card system was kept and any movement
or project that was started was immediately systematized in this way. Mr. Gill
served as subchairman of the war industries board and in every possible way
furthered the work done in Arkansas in connection with the various war
activities which constituted the home defense for the soldiers in camp and
field. Every corporation was listed with an account of the nationality of the
owner and that of the superintendent, together with the record of floor space
and the number of employes both skilled and uuskilled, together with an account
of the possibility of increased output or the conversion of a plant to other
uses if necessary. The system developed by Mr. Gill was used as a model
throughout the country. Another line of his activity was in connection with the
bond sales campaigns and in this work every promise was an actual sale being
accompanied by cash payment. The liberty loan work, the conservation work and
other campaign work was handled by Mr. Gill in a concise and accurate manner,
thoroughness and system characterizing all of the work done in the office.

    In connection with the social welfare work of which he has been the prime
mover the old federal jail was ceded to The Fort Smith Day Nursery and a
demonstration of kitchen activities and a free clinic were instituted. The
building has likewise been used as a gymnasium and a place for teaching child
welfare work and health improvement. The study of the milk situation has also
claimed the attention of Mr. Gill, who aided in securing the establishment of
health inspection for the school children, which disclosed a need of
nourishment. Fifteen distributing stations were established, issuing a quart of
milk per day to school children and the result was seen in the immediate
improvement in the general health of the pupils.

    In the reorganization campaign of the Chamber of Commerce sixty new members
were added in spite of the general depression of the times and this is in marked
contrast to the falling off that has been shown in Chambers of Commerce in other
cities.

    The funds of the Chamber are distributed through three different
appropriations— the industrial fund, the civic fund and the traffic fund—and the
interlocking directorates have handled in this way a total of thirty-two
thousand dollars per year. Mr. Gill has also instituted a home-building
movement, promoting a stimulation in home building. There is now a campaign
under way for securing substantial industries for the city.

    Mr. Gill was married in 1894, to Miss Phoebe Hobson and they have two
children: Hazel; and Mrs. Juanita Adams. Mr. Gill is a man of unfeigned
cordiality, possessing a social, genial nature, while at the same time he is
most alert and energetic, ready for any emergency and ready for any opportunity.
He has studied closely the great sociological, political and economic problems
before the country today and while concentrating his efforts upon Fort Smith,
its local needs and its advantages he has at the same time aided many other
cities in finding solution for their problems through the example which he has
set. The worth of his work is immeasurable and Fort Smith could ill afford to
dispense with his services.


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


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