Biography of W. W. Gill, White County, Arkansas

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Submitted by: Bonnie Palmer <bpalmer@bihs.net>
        Date: Jun 1997
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/white/white.html
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From "A Centennial History of Arkansas", edited by Dallas T. Herndon, the Director of the Dept.
of Archives & History, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago-Little Rock, 1922.

W. W. GILL, D. D. S.

Dr. W. W. GILL, engaged in the practice of dentistry in Judsonia, is a native of White Co., Ark.,
his birth having occurred near West Point, Aug. 23, 1877, his parents being J. C. & Fannie J.
(HANSON) GILL, who were natives of Tenn. & of Alabama, respectively. The father came to Ark. in
1871, settling in White Co. He was a carpenter & devoted most of his time to his trade, being among
the early carpenters of this state. He also farmed to some extent. He was married here & afterward
took up his abode in Judsonia, where he continued to make his home until his demise, which occurred
in 1885, when he was 38 years of age. His widow long survived, departing this life in 1914, at the
age of 56 years. They were the parents of 4 children, of whom 3 are living: W. W.; R. H., a resident
of Memphis, Tenn.; and G. G., who is located in Judsonia. One child of the family died in infancy.
The mother was a faithful follower of the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically
Mr. GILL was a democrat, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party.  Dr. Gill, having acquired his
education in the public schools of Judsonia, started out in the business world as a clerk in stores
& afterward became identified with the dry goods trade here, in which he was associated for 12 years
with C. E. NEWMAN, the business being carried on under the firm style of NEWMAN & GILL. Thinking to
find a professional career more congenial, however, he afterward took up the study of dentistry,
entering the dental dept. of the University of Tenn. at Memphis & there winning his D. D. S. degree
as a graduate of the class of 1915. Returning to Judsonia, he opened an office & has continued in
general practice since that date, devoting his entire time to his professional interests & duties.
He has a well equipped office, supplied with the latest improved appliances & the countless little
delicate instruments which constitute the equipment of a successful dentist. He belongs to the
Northeastern Ark. Dental Assoc., the Ark. State Dental Assoc. & the Nat'l. Dental Assoc.  Dr. GILL
was married to Miss Lela C. BEST, a native of White Co., Ark., and they have become parents of 3
children, of whom the youngest died in infancy, the others being J. W. & B. E, both at home. The
parents are helpful & consistent members of the Baptist church, in which Dr. Gill is serving as a
deacon, and both he & his wife are teachers in Sunday school. They manifest a most earnest interest
in all branches of the church work & have done everything in their power to promote the growth of
the church & extend its influence. Fraternally Dr. GILL is a mason, belonging to Anchor Lodge No.
384, A. F. & A. M., of Judsonia. He has always voted with the democratic party and has served as
recorder of his town for 13 consecutive years. He likewise filled the position of secretary of the
school board of Judsonia for 12 years & the cause of education has found in him a most worthy
champion. His labors are a forceful element in public progress & the worth of his work is widely
acknowledged. At the same time he is making steady progress & winning substantial success in his
profession by reason of the thoroughness with which he does his work & the employment of the most
modern scientific methods in the care of the teeth.