Biography of Vassar McCleskey, St Francis County, AR

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Submitted by: Paul V Isbell
        Date: 19 Nov 2008
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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McCleskey Cleaners is noted in Forrest City because of the two public spirited
citizens associated with it, and reputation of outstanding quality cleaning.
Vassar and Carol McCleskey operate the firm established in 1917 by his late
father, Guy V. McCleskey. It was first located where the Planters Bank & Trust
Co. now stands. After it burned on July 14, 1927, was moved to its present site
at 209 N. Washington. In 1941, when the elder Mr. McCleskey died, Vassar and his
mother took over jointly until her death in 1949. Vassar was born in Pontotoc,
Miss., on Sept. 3, 1916, the son of Guy V. and Lela (Bounds) McCleskey. A
graduate of Forrest City High School, he studied at Arkansas Polytechnic
College, Washington University, St. Louis University, and Gradwohl, finishing in
1940. He worked in hospitals in Paris and Monmouth, Illinois from 1941-1946. On
Dec. 31, 1944, he married Miss Carol Keitzer, daughter of Will and Nellie
(Peterson) Keitzel of Burlington, Iowa. She was born at Burlington June 12,
1921, met her husband at Monmouth. A graduate of Burlingon High School, she
completed her nursing training in 1942 at the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing
at Burlington. They have two sons. Members of the Methodist church, he is a
member of the local Masonic Lodge, a Shriner, Young Business Men's Club, Lions
Club, the Boy Scouts Scoutmaster, Oddfellows, Monmouth Country Club and Elks
Club. Mrs. McCleskey is a member of the Home Demonstration Club, Womens Division
of the St. Francis County Fair, and a worthy matron of the Eastern Star.


SOURCE:
HISTORY of ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, ARKANSAS, 1954 - Robert W. Chowning

Copyright, with Permission: Weston McCollum Lewey, Publisher
-Times Herald Publishing-Forrest City, Arkansas