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cont.

E. ROY TINSLEY, the well known ginner of Mangum, Greer county, is descended from an old and honored family of Dallas county, Texas. He was born in that section of the Lone Star state on the 24th of July, 1881, receiving his education in the district schools of his native county, and his training in the

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vocation which he has so thoroughly mastered under the efficient guidance of his father, James F. Tinsley. Father. and son are associated in business, although the elder Tinsley is still, a resident of Dallas county, where he is living in honorable and justly-earned retirement.
     E. Roy Tinsley remained at home until 1900, which was the year both of his marriage and his removal to Mangum. The first gin plant which he purchased consisted of three stands, not altogether modern. These he has since remodeled and added five of up-to-date construction, also a boll thrasher and other modern accessories. Since he came to Greer county, in 1900, in partnership with his father he has purchased seven modern gins. The plant now has a daily capacity of sixty bales, and the season of 1907- 8 will be closed with a record of 1,500 bales. Since his establishment in Mangum 4,400 bales have been ginned at the Tinsley plant, which makes it one of the leading industrial features of Mangum.
     E. R. Tinsley is a son of James F. and Lydia C. (Jacobs) Tinsley, both of Dallas county, Texas. The paternal grandfather was William A. Tinsley, his wife before marriage being known as Miss L. C. Whitlock, both grandparents being Virginians. They were married in the Old Dominion, migrated to, Texas, sometime in the forties and arrayed themselves in the ranks of Dallas county pioneers. When the city of Dallas was only a small village the grandfather bought land, improved it into a fine farm, and when settlement had sufficiently progressed platted a portion of his estate as the town of Garland. There, he remained, conserving and developing his property interests, and before his death in February, 1908, the town which he had founded had developed into a prosperous commercial community. William A. Tinsley served in the Confederate army, and was intensely loyal to what he considered the best interests of his state and town, but he sought no public honors, and was only ambitious to do his full duty as an honorable man. To the last he was an earnest member of the Baptist church. The children of this worthy pioneer were: Willis, a farmer; James F., father of E. R.; Dabney and William, also engaged in agricultural pursuits; Benjamin E., engaged both in farming and cotton ginning operations; Tipton, who died young; Neoma, Perna, Lavina and Marion.
     James F. Tinsley was reared and married in Dallas county, where he yet resides, having retired to his fine agricultural estate, whose cultivation and improvements he still superintends, as well as keeps in touch with the cotton interests of Greet: county, which he shares with his son. After his marriage he settled on a farm, engaging both in the raising of cotton and com and the handling of stock. Later he rented his farm and commenced the ginning of cotton, which he continued successfully until his retirement from active labors within comparatively recent years. He is a modest, useful, able, moral and charitable man a credit to himself, his family and his community. Death separated him from the beloved companion of his home and the faithful mother of his children, on the 28th of April, 1892. Mrs. James F. Tinsley was a daughter of Clark Jacobs, a native of Michigan, a pioneer carpenter of Texas, a good soldier serving throughout the war in the Confederate army. He was strong and reliable, equally as a Democrat and a citizen; a faithful Baptist, and. a strictly moral member of the community. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark Jacobs were as follows: John, Charles, Nellie; Lydia, mother of E. R. Tinsley; Catherine and Philia. Mr. and Mrs. James F. Tinsley became the parents of the following: Charles, who died young; E. Roy, of this review; Hattie, now Mrs. Squires; John, identified with the gin business at Mangum; Claud, also a ginner, and Nellie, still unmarried.
     E. R. Tinsley was united in marriage, in Dallas county, Texas, to Miss Presley Garrison, a native of Arkansas, born in 1879, and a daughter of Peter Harrison, formerly of South Carolina. Her father was a farmer, and, as a Confederate soldier, experienced hard military service throughout the Civil war, afterward removing to Arkansas, where he died. Besides Mrs. Tinsley, the children of the Harrison family were Arthur (deceased), Frank (deceased); Sadie, unmarried, and Isaac, a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Tinsley have two children: Corine, born in December, 1901, and Dow, born September 25, 1907.

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cont.

JASPER NELSON, a prominent farmer now residing in Mangum, Greer county, a sturdy pioneer, of the locality, and who holds the record of being one of the most efficient sheriffs who ever herded in old Oklahoma, has reached a position where he can commence to thor-

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oughly enjoy the fruits of a manly and industrious life, He is a native of Graxson county, Virginia, born on the 11th of September, 1854, and was reared on a typical plantation of the Old Dominion. He is a son of William E. and Celia (Anderson) Nelson, both of Virginia, as was the paternal grandfather, M. L. Nelson. Father and grandfather were slave owners, and in the boyhood days of Jasper (covered by the Civil war and its attendant periods of disorganization) educational advantages were especially imperfect; but while his book learning was neglected he was early thrown among working members of society, so that even in early youth his practical knowledge was a fair worldly capital.
     William H. Nelson, the father, reached manhood in Virginia, married in the state and at the opening of the Civil war was a successful farmer. When the rebellion of the south broke into open warfare he enlisted in the first Confederate regiment that went to the front to defend the soil of Virginia under the gallant Lee, and participated for the four long years in his brilliant and bloody campaigns, passing through the ordeal with only one slight wound. At the close of the war he returned to his Virginia plantation, and cultivated it as best he could until 1869, when he removed to northwest Missouri. After spending a year in that locality he decided that his prospects would be improved by a change to the newer country of the southwest, and in 1870 he therefore migrated to Johnson county, Texas, where he bought land, cultivated and improved it, raised live stock in a modest way, and spent there the remainder of his life as an honest, industrious farmer. He was a worthy member both of the Baptist church and the Masonic fraternity, and his wife yet remains on the old Johnson county homestead. Mrs. William H. Nelson is a daughter of a well-to-do Virginia farmer, and also comes pf a sturdy family of Baptists. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Nelson were as follows: Jasper, of this sketch; Maggie, now Mrs. E. Ferguson; Lewis M., a farmer; Frankie, Mrs. R. Ferguson; Mart M., also an agriculturist; Elisha E., a farmer of Greer county; and Elmer and Perry, both engaged in farming in Texas.
     Jasper Nelson removed with his parents to Missouri and Texas when a youth of sixteen, and developed into a strong man in Johnson county. There he continued to engage in farming, married and in 1893 removed to Greer county, then a portion of Texas. In that section of the state he located a section of land, and at once commenced to mold it into an attractive and valuable farm and homestead. His first attempts at cultivation were decidedly discouraging, made as they were during the famous (or infamous) drought of that year. Although not a complete failure, his crops for this season were so short as to deprive him of anything but a bare sustenance, but since that time his agricultural operations have been remarkably successful. At first he raised wheat, oats and corn, and he was among the pioneer cultivators of cotton in Greer county. As there were no gins in that locality at the time, the raw product was taken to Guano, Texas, which was also the nearest good grain market and the headquarters for the settlers' supplies. Mangum was then but a small settlement, without railroad facilities and of little consequence in any particular. When the United States supreme court settled the title to Greer county it in favor of Oklahoma, one half of Mr. Nelson's section was taken for school purposes. This tract he has leased, retaining his homestead of 160 acres, to which he has added 160 acres by purchase.
     Mr. Nelson continued his successful agricultural operation at the locality named until 1902, when the Democracy of the county elected him to the shrievalty. His service in that important office covered two terms, or nearly five years, and his straightforward, brave and yet conciliatory conduct in the performance of its duties, is still considered a fine model for any incumbent of the position. While fearless in the discharge of his duties, which were by no means unattended by great danger, his disposition was peaceable, and he had no desire to use unnecessary force in the handling of prisoners, however desperate or aggravating they might be. So though more than 1,500 prisoners (some of them the worst kind of criminals) passed through his hands, such was his skill, determination and self-control that he has the high credit of having never injured anyone committed to his care; and it may be added, as an encouragement to such a policy, that he himself escaped bodily harm. Mr. Nelson also proved to be a skillful detective, and accomplished good work in ferreting out gamblers and other law breakers, irrespective of person. With this honorable record to his credit, he returned to his farm, which he had left in the care of

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tenants, and has since been engaged chiefly in bringing it to its former condition. His standard crops are wheat, oats, corn, cotton and alfalfa, which he raises in rotation, and he is also a stockman, to a limited extent. On his homestead are a comfortable residence and one of the best barns in the county, as well as a fine orchard. His family home is a modern house in Mangum, in whose development he takes a hearty and useful interest, being a promoter of its oil mill and other growing industries. Thus situated, Mr. Nelson has all the conveniences and enjoyments of both city and country life, and can consider the situation ,with some pride, since he is indebted only to his own industry, skill and ability for abundant means of enjoyment and broad usefulness. Notwithstanding this abundant success he is unassuming and charitable, is hospitable to his friends and associates and generous to those who merit assistance. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F.
     Jasper Nelson was married in Texas, January 7, 1879, to Miss Sallie E. Nall, who is a native of the Lone State state, born September 4, 1861, and a daughter of John and Nancy (Young) Nall, both of Texas. The father has always been engaged in some form of agriculture, and during the Civil war handled beef cattle for the Confederacy. He remained in Texas until 1876, when he removed to Indian Territory, where he continued farming, and in 1904 located in Greer county. There he still resides engaged in his life-long vocation. John Nall has been married three times. By his first wife, who died in Texas in 1867, were born the following four children: Sallie E., Mrs. Jasper Nelson; Jane, Mrs. Hicks; Frank, a Greer county farmer, and Nannie, who died at the age of ten years. The children of the second marriage were: Seber, a farmer; Buck, deceased; Lizzie, now Mrs. Sprinagle, and Bube, also an agriculturist. Of the third marriage are the following: Jasper, living at home; Mary, who became Mrs. J. Wards and is deceased; Nora and Dall, also living with their parents; and James, deceased. Fourteen children have been born into the happy household of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Nelson, and thirteen of this large family are living. In the order of their birth they are as follows: William W., a farmer, married and the father of four children; Joseph and Mart, also following agricultural pursuits; Pearl, who married John Tanner of Mangum, a well known business man of the place; Ida M. Mrs. E. Brown; Mollie, Mrs. McKibbon; Elisha E., Lena and John, living at home; Sallie B. and Versa Lee (twins), born March 30, 1897; Nora, who died at the age of fourteen months; Fannie J., at home; and Fowler Border, the baby of the family, born February 15, 1906. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are worthy members of the Christian church, are kind neighbors and, in every respect, useful and honored members of the community.

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cont.

W. B. GROVES, president of the Groves National Bank of Hollis, Greer. county, and prominently identified with the general development of the town and region about, is an Alabaman, born on the 14th of May, 1870. He was reared to farm pursuits, and received a good elementary education, as well as a mechanical training, prior to his sixteenth year. In 1886 he left home and coming to Texas located at Hillsboro, being first employed as a drug clerk and residing in that place altogether for a period of about eight years. In 1894 he removed to Abbott, establishing there a business in that line, which he profitably continued for two years, selling it in 1897 and locating at Mangum, Greer county. For the succeeding five years he was identified with the hardware trade and in 1902 commenced his connection with the finances of Oklahoma by assisting in the organization of the Farmers' State Bank of Mangum, with a capital of $10,000 and himself as cashier and manager. He sold his interest therein during 1903, and in January, 1904, located at Hollis and organized the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank. In this institution, which also had a capital of $10,000, he assumed the same official position, and continued in the successful management of its affairs until the fall of 1905, when he re-organized the business as the First National Bank of Hollis, increasing the capital to $30,000 and otherwise broadening its scope and chances for a greater development. In July, 1907, he disposed of his interests and in the following month the Groves National Bank, with a capital of $25,000, of which he is president and manager. The concern is among the substantial financial institutions of southwestern Oklahoma, transacting a general business and buying and selling exchange. Mr. Groves' management is conservative, yet energetic. The bank has a surplus of $3,000, deposits of $55,000 and loans and discounts of

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$50,000. At the time .of the panic of 1901 it had over $47,000 cash on hand, more than $48,000 deposits and a reserve of over $20,000. It handled cotton in the usual way, was under clearing house rules, and weathered the financial squall without difficulty by issuing $50 cashier certificates only.
     Mr. Groves has been a promoter of Hollis from the first. When he arrived upon the ground the place consisted only of a few small houses and stores, a little gin and a small portion of the land platted. He at once assisted to organize a townsite company, with a capital of $20,000, and of this he was chosen vice-president and secretary, The company bought two hundred and forty acres of land, platted it, energetically pushed the sale of lots and laid the foundation of a progressive town. Personally, his first purchase was two comer lots, but later he invested quite extensively and has recently sold over $20,000 worth of business property. As the surrounding country also developed, especially in the production of cotton, he also became interested in the development of the trade, and has already financed the erection of two fine gins in Hollis. With the Hollis Townsite Company, he was also a prime mover in pushing the Alms, El Paso & Roswell Railroad, which will be completed in 1908 and form an important outlet of the products of southwestern Oklahoma into New Mexico. He is active in the development of another railroad enterprise, in the erection at Hollis of a large oil mill, and in the furtherance of all enterprises which promise well for the town, the county and his section of the state. While residing at Mangum he was likewise a strong local factor, being at the head of the city water works and serving for two terms as an alderman. His Democracy is unalloyed, being at the present time chairman of the county committee and a member of the Hollis School Board. He was one of the leaders in the successful movement to establish a county court at Hollis, for that purpose working earnestly among the members of the legislature and with the central committee and county officers at Mangum. Hollis has now a good graded school, with a nine months' course, six teachers and over 300 pupils, and the population of the town is about 1,000, its rapid growth and present substantial status being largely the result of Mr. Groves' efforts and his persistent faith in it. In addition to his activities as a financier, a business man and a public official, Mr. Groves is closely concerned in the work of the fraternities, being a worthy member of the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World.
     Mr. Groves is a son of William and Carrie (Bailey) Groves, both being natives of Alabama, where the father lived until middle life engaged as a merchant and a farmer and in preaching the Gospel as a Missionary Baptist. He was also a Mason of prominence, and a man of remarkable high and able character. After his death his widow married Robert Mosely, a farmer, but her only child was W. B. Groves, by the first union. The mother was a daughter of Judge Warner Bailey, a popular and prominent business man, who held many offices of honor in Alabama and at the time of his death was a candidate for Congress. He was an uncle of Hon. Joe Bailey, of Texas.
     In January, 1894, W. B. Groves wedded Miss Nina Brooks, at Hillsboro, Texas. She is a native of that city, daughter of Thomas and Dora (Smith) Brooks, both of Mississippi, although they were married in the Lone Star state. Both reside in Hillsboro, earnest and leading members of the Presbyterian church, in which the husband is especially prominent in Sunday school work. In the every-day world Mr. Brooks is known as a merchant, banker and cattleman, and by his old-time friend is remembered as a brave soldier of the Confederate army. His four children are: Nannie, wife of Mr. Groves; Byrd, an Arizona banker; Guy, engaged in the automobile business, and Jewell, now Mrs. T. Hudson. The six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Groves are as follows: Joseph, born in 1895; Erbu, in 1897; Wallie, in 1900; Dorothea, in 1902; Talma, in 1905, and Tamora in 1906.

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cont.

THEODORE S. WILCOX. Conspicuous among the keen, wide-awake, progressive business men who so largely contributed to the development and advancement of the varied resources of Greer county is Theodore S. Wilcox, of Granite, widely known as a real estate dealer, an abstractor, a notary public, and an insurance agent, in the latter capacity insuring against fire, lightning, wind and hail. He is an extensive property owner, both in town and country, as a member of the Rock Island Emigrant Agency has charge of southwest Oklahoma, and is otherwise identified with the, highest interests of town, county and state. He is an able financier, and in addition to hav-

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ing organized and successfully managed a building and loan association, he handles private funds, and the moneys of various financial institutions in a manner creditable to his own sagacity and judgment and satisfactory to those most interested in his transactions. A son of Samuel Wilcox, he was born, November 8, 1869, in Columbus, Ohio, of substantial Dutch ancestry, his grandfather, Nathaniel T. Wilcox, and his great-grandfather, Nathaniel J. Wilcox, having been born in Holland.
     A seafaring man, Nathaniel J. Wilcox owned several trading boats, and as merchantman was well known in many of the more important European ports. He was a life-long resident of Holland making his home in Amsterdam. Nathaniel T. Wilcox was born, bred and educated in Amsterdam, Holland, living there until after his marriage. Emigrating then to America, he located at Towanda, Pennsylvania, with his family. Buying one thousand acres of anthracite coal lands, he lived there a number of years, in the meantime carrying on a good business as a dealer in fat stock and turkeys, supplying the Eastern markets. Subsequently selling his coal lands, he purchased a thousand acres of land near Columbus, Ohio, and was there successfully employed in agricultural pursuits for several years. He afterwards divided his property among his children, but continued his residence there until his death. He was an honest, industrious man, and a consistent member of the Lutheran church. His children were John, Solomon, Samuel, Sally, Stephen, Huldah, and Nathan.
     Samuel Wilcox was but six years old when he came from Amsterdam to this country, with his parents. He received his early education in Towanda, Pennsylvania, and afterwards completed his studies in Ohio, where he began life for himself as a farmer. He subsequently embarked in mercantile pursuits, and for more than twenty years carried on a successful business as a merchant. When he was first married, he was given two negroes, although he was a resident of a free state, and both remained with him until they were married. He continued a resident of Columbus, Ohio, for forty years, but after the death of his wife, which occurred in 1877, he sold his Columbus property, and in. 1879 moved to Hardin county, Ohio. There buying four hundred and eighty acres of land, he improved a good farm, and also operated a stone quarry. Putting in a stone crusher at Dunkirk, he filled large contracts for constructing pike and long distance roads. He likewise made much money as a dealer in cord wood, which he cut from his own timber lands. After carrying on a successful business in Hardin county for three years, he sold out, and moved to Beloit, Kansas, where he at first purchased a half section of raw land. Subsequently buying another half section, he improved this, and later bought, for stock and speculation purposes, five thousand acres of western Kansas land. He became very popular and influential as a man and a citizen, and the town of Wilcox, western Kansas, was named in his honor. Four years after locating in Beloit, he sold out his possessions in that vicinity, and purchased a thousand acres of land near Baxter Springs, Kansas. There he still resides, having made substantial improvements on his property, an enterprising, respected, and honored man, public-spirited and wealthy.
     Samuel Wilcox was twice married. He married first, in Columbus, Ohio, Sarah E. Tidwick, who was born in Dresden, Germany, and her father was a German blacksmith at Dublin, Ohio. She was a niece or close relative of Joseph Simon Corbin, a miller at Dublin, Ohio, and other points on the Scioto near there. She died in Columbus. Ohio, in 1877, leaving ten children, namely: Nathaniel J., of Forest. Ohio. merchant; Samuel S., engaged in farming near Ada, Ohio; Stephen J., a farmer; Martin, a merchant in Dunkirk, Ohio; George, deceased, was a university graduate; Eliza, wife of William Carey, a farmer; William, deceased; Nettie, of Dunkirk; Theodore, of this sketch; and Eugene, a school teacher in Bentonville. Arkansas.
    Obtaining his elementary education in the schools of Columbus, Ohio, Theodore S. Wilcox went with the family to Kansas when a youth, and finished the course of study at the Beloit high school, after which he was graduated from the Congregational University, at Stockton, Kansas. He subsequently took a course of lectures in the Surgical Department of the St. Louis Medical College and since coming to Oklahoma has given lectures on physiology and hygiene. Beginning his career as a teacher at the age of sixteen years, Mr. Wilcox taught in the public schools of Kansas nine years and one year in the Stockton University. Leaving Kansas in 1892, he went first to Hastings, Nebraska, thence to Denver and Pueblo, Colorado, and in 1893 bought land in El Reno. Okla-

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homa, and improved it. He subsequently made a prospecting tour, visiting different Oklahoma towns, and in Chandler bought a business property, which before very long was blown entirely away by a cyclone. On the same site he later erected the first Rock House of Chandler. Locating then in Hennessey, Mr. Wilcox opened a department store, occupying three separate buildings, and after a short time sold out. Making then the race in the Cherokee strip, he secured a claim; it was afterwards contested, but at the end of seven years he won the case, and having improved the claim to the point of cultivation sold it. The ensuing four seasons, Mr. Wilcox taught school in various places and in 1898 opened a real estate office at Enid. During the years that he lived on his claim he bought fat stock for the Fort Worth Packing House, a business whicl1 he contiI1ued successfully until the close of the Spanish-American war. He continued business as a real estate dealer and abstractor at Enid until 1902, when he located in Granite.
     Previous to this time, Mr. Wilcox had made trips to this place in 1900 and 1901 having invested money in Granite property. He has since resided here, and has taken a prominent part in aiding its upbuilding and growth. His first active effort here was to furnish the prospectors with accommodations, and for two years he was engaged in the hotel and short order business, the last year of the time being, also, a dealer in real estate. To this he has since added an insurance business, insuring against fire, lightning and cyclones, and also insuring crops against hail. Mr. Wilcox carries on, likewise, an extensive business both as an abstractor and a notary public, and has helped many to secure homes that would otherwise have been unable to do so. Mr. Wilcox owns 1,280 acres of fine Oklahoma land, having nine farms which he rents on shares, and has ten valuable rental properties in Granite. He is associated with many of the public enterprises of the city, owning stock in the Granite Printing Company, and in the Electric Light Plant, all of which are paying investments.
     When but eighteen years old, Mr. Wilcox helped organize the Farmers' Alliance, or People's party of which he was an active member when it existed. H e was the party's candidate for treasurer of Osborne county, but resigned, and was afterwards the party's nominee for clerk of Mitchell county, but resigned. He is now, since the dissolution of his party, independent in politics, voting according to the dictates of his conscience, regardless of party affiliations. He is a broad-minded, liberal man doing everything on an extensive scale, improving hisfam1s in the best manner, having now six hundred acres of his land devoted to cotton, three hundred acres to corn, other crops being proportionately as large, and has on his different farms ten thousand fruit trees, of which three thousand are bearing, and six thousand forest trees.
     In 1894, Mr.Wilcox married Hannah L. Pritner, their marriage being the first one solemnized in Enid, Oklahoma. She was born in Kansas, in 1870, and was graduated from the Manhattan Agricultural College. She is a daughter of Leslie and Maria (Ashton) Pritner, being one of a family of nine children, as follows: William, of Kansas; Mrs. Ella Davis; Henry, of Arizona; Mrs. Maggie Ayers; Hannah L., wife of Mr. Wilcox; Horace, of New Mexico; Clarence, of New Mexico; Jefferson, of Calumet, Oklahoma; and Maud, wife of George Kennedy. Leslie Pritner was born in Pennsylvania, of Holland Dutch descent, An early settler of Kansas, he was a star route mail carrier under the old Benjamin contract firm, and was afterwards engaged in the livery business. Making the race to the Oklahoma opening in 1889, he located first at Chandler, afterwards settling at El Reno, where he has a fine farm, and is successfully employed in agricultural pursuits. His wife, formerly Maria Ashton, was born in England, the daughter of a farmer and a magistrate, and a man of influence in English affairs. After coming with his family to America, Mr. Ashton located in Kansas, and ere long his influence became known and felt in political circles, and before his death he filled many positions of trust and responsibility in his adopted state, among others being that of probate and judge and justice of the peace. Into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox two children have been born, namely: Leslie T., born October 21, 1897; and R. L., born September 24, 1899.

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cont.

WILLIAM S. CROSS, president of the First National Bank of Hollis, is a pioneer merchant of the place and prominently concerned with the development of the town and county. He is a native of Mississippi, born April 26, 1866, his father being a farmer of that state, who served in both the Mexican and Civil wars. The son remained on the home plantation until he was twenty-two years of age, prior to which he had acquired a good education in

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the district schools of his borne locality. He then removed to Hill county, Texas, married in 1890, and commenced life in the Lone Star state. as a farmer. After about a ye1ar he commenced his permanent career of business and finance by engaging himself as a clerk in a hardware store at Whitney. Later he engaged in the dry goods and grocery lines, continuing in such mercantile pursuits until his location at Hollis in 1901. At that time there were only two small houses on the present site of the town, but Mr. Cross had confidence in its future, on account of the rich surrounding country and its naturally favorable location, and erecting a small building he established his household in the rear and occupied the front with a stock of dry goods and groceries. The neighboring stockmen and farmers proved liberal traders and his business prospered at once, and although his transactions were largely on credit his entire losses for the four years amounted only to $300. This record will seldom be equaled in any city business amounting to annual sales of from $20,000 to $60,000, these being the figures of Mr. Cross' enterprise. His confidence in Hollis was confirmed by its marked progress from virtually nothing to a live town of one thousand people. Mr. Cross continued in the merchandise business until February 1906, when he sold his store and assisted in the organization of the Hollis National Bank, capitalized at $25,000 of which he was chosen president and manager. Two years of successful business in that capacity was followed by a consolidation of the interests of that institution with the National Bank of Hollis and a complete re-organization as the First National Bank. Of this flourishing institution Mr. Cross is president and manager; E. L. Gardiner, vice-president and director; C. W. Gilliland, cashier, and L. W. McLaughlin, assistant cashier. It deals in exchange, transacts a general banking business, and its stable financial condition is indicated by the following: Capital, $30,000; surplus and undivided profits, $7,294; circulation, $17,200; deposits, $74,733; loans and discounts, $71,128; bonds and premiums, $17,829; banking house and fixtures, $5,000; over drafts, $11,160; cash and sight exchange, $22,784. Conservative, business-like management, and courteous treatment of all patrons are the principles which form the basis of the substantial advancement of the First National Bank of Hollis. Mr. Cross' management has been energetic and wise, and besides his controlling interest in this institution he is an extensive dealer in both town and country property and has been also identified with the development of the section as a builder. He owns a twelfth interest in the Hollis Townsite Company, of which he is a director, and his modern two story residence, near the business center, is another material evidence of his faith in the permanency of the progress which so strongly marks the town and the county, and of which he has always proven such a strong and stanch factor.
     Mr. Cross' parents were William J. and Polly (Johnson) Cross, both natives of Mississippi, where they were married and where the husband was living as a planter at the outbreak of the Mexican war in 1848. He served with patriotic faithfulness throughout that conflict, being then in his twenty-fourth year, and the coming of the Civil war fifteen years later found him prepared to shoulder a musket again for what he believed a just cause. At the conclusion of the war of the Rebellion he resumed farming in Mississippi, but the new conditions were so unfavorable that in 1869 he located in Hill county, Texas, there regaining lost ground and living an industrious and honest, life until his death in 1898, at the age .of seventy-five years. His wife died in 1902. Both were members of the Methodist Protestant church. Their children were as follows: Nancy, Mrs. Hudson Rush, a resident of Texas; John, a blacksmith and farmer, also of that state; Mollie, now Mrs. Charles Rush; William S.; Lulu, who became Mrs. R. P. Rush Marshall, of Hillsboro, Texas, and died leaving two children; and Julia, who died at the age of fourteen years,
     William S. Cross married Miss Minnie DeLamar, a Texas lady of marked business ability and daughter of John N. and Eliza (Watson) DeLamar, the mother a native of Texas and the father, of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. DeLamar were married in Texas, where the former engaged both in farming and the hardware business prior to the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, entering the Confederate army as a member of a Georgia regiment and after serving until its conclusion settling in Texas as a useful citizen of Hill county. He continued to reside therein until 1900, when he removed with his family to Greer county, Oklahoma, and engaging in the cultivation of the good farm which is still his homestead. He has always voted for the Democracy, and while in Hill county, Texas.

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served as commissioner and as city marshal of Whitney. He is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an intelligent, useful and honest member of the community. The children of the DeLamar family are as follows: Minnie, wife of William S. Cross; Carrie, now Mrs. M. Bradley; John, a commercial traveler; Bardie, Mrs. McAuley; Henry, occupying a clerical position, and Ruby, who is unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Cross' children are: Denzil, born in August, 1892, and Vivian, in September, 1894.

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cont.

WILLIAM L. HOLLIS, one of the original plotters of the town by that name, in Greer county, is the head of a prosperous real estate firm whose business in town and farm properties, loans and insurance, is conducted under the name of Hollis and Burdick. George W. Hollis, his father, laid out the town on his land, and died there, after he had largely contributed to its development into a thriving center of business and commerce, on the 9th of July, 1904. The son was born in Arkansas, February 15, 1878, his family which was long established in Tennessee being transplanted to Arkansas through the migration of his grandfather. William L. accompanied his parents to Ellis county, Texas, when he was fifteen years of age. He assisted his father in the cultivation and improvement of the new farm, and afterward filed on a quarter section of land adjoining it. In 1898, his father platted the original town of Hollis, and soon afterward William L. purchased eighty acres adjoining, which he laid out into lots for sale. This was the origin of his substantial business in town property, which has steadily increased with the growth of Hollis from a name on paper on a thriving place of 1,000 people, with a good school system, churches, banks, cotton gins, an oil mm, lumber yard and a railroad in course of building and others assured. The first two years of his residence were spent mainly in farming and improving his claim, but as the country became settled he engaged in merchandising at Hollis and after a profitable career sold his store and gave his sole attention to his real estate interests and the general development of the town. He still owns his farm and fine lands in Texas, besides valuable lots and other property in Hollis. Besides doing a large general business in town and farm property his firm deals in loans, and as both of its members are notaries public the transactions in that line are considerable. His offices are nicely furnished, he resides in a large and comfortable home surrounded by pleasant grounds, and is living a life of the substantial and honorable citizen which is conceded to be his fortunate lot. Energy, enterprise and sound business methods, as well as courteous and straightforward dealings, have earned him this station in the community, which is therefore conceded to him without envy.
     William L. Hollis is a son of George W. and Nancy R. (Sapp) Hollis, both born in Arkansas. Lewis T. Hollis, the grandfather, was a native of Tennessee, who removed to Arkansas at an early day and was there engaged as slave-owning planter at the commencement of the Civil war, He served the Confederacy in the Army of the Tennessee, was in the thick of the battle at Corinth, and afterward contracted sickness as the result of hard campaigning, dying while in the service. His widow took up the burdens of the family, reared the children to useful and honorable ways, and then sold the Arkansas homestead and removed to Indian Territory to be among her matured offspring, then prosperous men and women, Her death occurred in 1895. The parents were both true Methodists. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis T. Hollis were as follows: Eliza J., Mary A., Nancy M., Tabitha A., Thomas H., Lucy A, Jessie N., George W. (the father of William L.), Martha E. and Jeff. D. Hollis.
      George W. Hollis, the father, was born in Arkansas January 14, 1856, and remained with his parents, engaged in farm pursuits, until his marriage. In 1893 he rented his farm in Arkansas, left his stock on it and located with his family in Ellis county, Texas. There he purchased another farm and after operating it a year returned to Arkansas, sold his old homestead and continued farming and stockraising in his new Texas location. He was thus engaged until 1898, when he again sold his homestead and removed to Greer county, locating on the land upon which he platted the original town of Hollis. He soon erected a dwelling and a store, and modestly engaged in general merchandise, but, with the filling up of the country and the growth of the town which he named, his business proved so profitable that he erected another store building for rental purposes, then commencing seriously to plat and develop the place, In 1901, he plotted a portion of his land, sold a number of lots and placed the town fairly on its feet, his original prices being fifteen dollars for a one

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acre lot. He proved to be a good financier, an enterprising citizen, and here maintained his character for sociability kindness and charitableness. He was the man to inspire a. new community with enthusiasm and confidence, and Hollis undoubtedly mostly owes its firm founding to him. He died in that town, being at the time of his death a Royal Arch Mason in good standing and a firm believer in the Methodist faith. Mrs. George W. Hollis resides at the Hollis homestead, adjoining the home farm. She is a native of Arkansas, born January 30, 1857, daughter of William S. and Frances C. (Stroud) Sapp, who were married in Tennessee, their native state. In 1855 they removed to Arkansas, where the husband engaged in the stock business and merchandising until the commencement of the Civil war. Mr. Sapp served creditably throughout the war in the Confederate Army of the Tennessee, but was assassinated on his way home and buried near the old Arkansas farm. His brave service had earned him promotion from first lieutenant to captain of his company, but during his absence, his store, dwelling house and entire property had either been burned or plundered by the enemy. Before the war he was a prosperous slave owner, possessed lands and a good business, and was a citizen of high standing and wide influence. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. At the conclusion of hostilities the widow returned with her family to another farm which Mr. Sapp had owned near the old homestead, and there remained until the children had matured, married and dispersed, when she herself removed to Texas and finally to Oklahoma, dying October 15, 1905, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George W. Hollis. She was twice married, by her first union being the mother of Nancy J. (Mrs. Hollis) and William T. Sapp (of Oklahoma). Her second husband was James Harper, by whom she had George T. and Emma T. Harper. The children of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hollis are: William L., George T., Alonzo D., Joseph E., Gertrude (Mrs. R. Pendergrass), Jessie R, Grover C., Artie J. (unmarried), Ada L., and Virgie.
     In 1900, William L. Hollis was married to Miss Ida Keys, a native of Texas. Her father died when she was quite young and her mother (Martha A. Keys) married Edward Burdick, who is now the partner of the firm of Hollis & Burdick. The children by the first marriage were; Matilda, now Mrs. Hilton; and Martha A., Mrs. Hollis. The offspring of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Hollis are as follows: George E., born December 8, 1901; William W., July 4, 1904; and Alvin G., June 8, 1906. Both parents are identified with the Christian church, and Mr. Hollis is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

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cont.

ELMER L. GARDNER, vice president of the First National Bank of Hollis and head of the popular real estate firm of Gardner & Brother, is a native of Mexico, Missouri, born on the 24th of May, 1876. He was five years of age at the death of his father, but his faithful mother kept the family together and the children, as they were able, labored to carry on the farm and make a home for themselves and the dependent ones. At the time of the taking away of the mainstay of the family there were four small children to be provided for. Elmer was a sturdy assistant during this period, but notwithstanding the burdens which were placed upon his young shoulders he obtained a good elementary education, graduated from the high school, and at the age of eighteen commenced to teach. In the meantime the widow had again married and when the family removed to Greer county, then Texas, in 1891, Elmer accompanied them.
     From this advent into the newer country of the Southwest, Elmer L. Gardner devoted his energies and abilities to any honest occupation which came to hand, and never stood back waiting for "things to turn up." Fortunately he was a thorough farmer which assisted his prospects in all else. His progress, under the circumstances could not have been otherwise than assured. In 1904 he received the appointment of deputy recorder of Greer county, holding the position for a year, when he became one of the organizers of the Hollis National Bank, of which he was elected cashier. In the spring of 1908, the Hollis National Bank bought the business of the National Bank and a reorganization of the consolidated business was effected as the First National Bank of Ho11is, with W. S. Cross as president and Mr. Gardner as vice-president. The present substantial concern has a capital of 30,000, surplus of $3,000 and resources of $129,000. During the entire period of his residence in Hollis, Mr. Gardner has also taken a vital and steadfast interest in all developing movements and enterprises-in the oil mill, the railroads and all. The realty

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house which he operates with his brother transacts a general business in farm lands and town properties, deals in insurance and both members are notaries public. It is, in fact, one of the flourishing institutions of Hollis. The senior partner is an active member of the Commercial Club, add is usually chosen a committeeman in the promotion of Hollis enterprises. He is a strong Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F. and Woodmen of the World, and in his religious faith is identified with the Christian church.
     Elmer L. Gardner is a son of Andrew J. and Jennie (Shell) Gardner, both natives of Missouri, where they were married and where they lived for years in the midst of agricultural communities. In the earlier period of its history the family was established in Kentucky, whence the grandfather, Henry Gardner, migrated with his family to Missouri. The father died in l881 and after years of faithful service in behalf of her growing family the widow married for her second husband L. F. Martin, also a farmer. In 1891 the family moved to Texas, where Mr. Martin located land, became quite prominent and had the honor of giving his name to the settlement, the postoffice and finally the village of Martin. There Mr. and Mrs. Martin still reside. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were as follows: Elmer L.; Maggie, now Mrs. J. T. Sentel; Mamie, Mrs. G. B. Townsend; and James, of the real estate firm of Gardner and Brother. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin two daughters have been born, Grace and Vera, both of whom are living at home. The parents are earnest members of the Christian church. In 1901 Elmer E. Gardner married at Oklahoma, Miss Mattie Daniel, born at Dallas, Texas, in 1881 and a daughter of W. R. and Josie (McComas) Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel are natives of Texas and representatives of prominent pioneer families. The father was for many years a farmer in the Lone Star state, coming to Oklahoma in 1897, locating land and continuing a comfortable and honorable career. The children of the Daniel family are: May, who died as Mrs. Frasier; Mattie, Mrs. E. L. Gardner; Henry, an Oklahoma farmer, and Benton, living at home. The parents are identified with the Christian church. The children born into the Gardner household are: Sibyl, born in 1903; A. J., born in 1905, and Dorris Gardner, born in 1906.

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cont.

HILLIARD LINDLEY, M, D., a leading physician. and surgeon of Hollis, Greer county, has been identified with the profession in this section of the state for a number of years and has earned a substantial standing both as a member of his fraternity and as a man of affairs. He was born in Wood county, Texas, on the 1st of November, 1857, and was reared in the saddle as a cowboy. He received a good elementary education, however, and in 1884 commenced to read medicine with Dr. J. D. Windom, of Tecumseh, Texas, also enjoying the privilege of accompanying his preceptor on his visits and thus obtaining much practical and valuable information in the diagnosing and treatment of diseases. During this period he was a hard student and worker, and in 1886 continued his faithful preparation by entering the Southern Medical College of Atlanta, Georgia, for a four years' course.
     Graduating with his professional degree in the winter of 1890-1, Dr. Lindley returned to Tecumseh, Texas, and commenced practice in association with Dr. Windom, his preceptor, who gradually turned over his extensive clientage to him and retired from activity. The younger man continued his growing practice until 1895, when he removed to Ozone, Crockett county, that state, where he resumed his professional career, and added four years to its substantial honors. He then removed to May town, Texas, and there remained until he came to Hollis, Oklahoma, in 1901.
     When he located in Hollis the Doctor found, it a small settlement, with only one little store and no postoffice, but soon after his arrival he added to the business section by the erection of a building for his drug store. Within the intervening seven years he has seen the town grow to a busy little place of 1,000 people, with all branches of merchandise represented, two cotton gins, two banks, two churches, a good graded school and a growing trade drawn from a rapidly developing surrounding country. His professional arid business interests have also thriven, although the primitive conditions of the country upon which he mainly depended for his practice made his first few years a contentious round of hardships. In the early period his professional duties called him as far as thirty miles from Hollis, but he cheerfully endured all privations and is now reaping his reward in honors and substantial returns. Although the dug-

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outs of those times have given place to substantial residences and fine improved properties, he has always found collections good and has had a good opportunity to invest his surplus in farms and town properties and realize handsomely therefrom He also leans considerable money to advantage. With his well established practice and, his good drug business, as well as the part of such public enterprises as the railroad, the oil mill and the telephone system, the Doctor is therefore a man of ceaseless activity and wide influence. In his strictly professional, relations he is a member of the southwest Medical Association.
     Dr. Lindley is a son of William and Arena (Bailey) Lindley, his father being a native of South Carolina and his mother of Georgia. They were married in the latter state where the husband was a leading stockman for many years, removing to Texas in 1856 and locating in Wood county. Still engaged in his old occupation, in 1860 he removed to Cooke county with his family, the Civil war finding him a prosperous stockman in that section of the state. During that period he saw service of a most active nature, the early portion of the time being spent on the frontier guarding the settlers from Indian depredations. In 1886 he closed out his farm and located in Hunt county; continuing in the stock raising there until 1874, removing then to Comanche county, Texas, and later to May, Harper county, Oklahoma, where he is now living in comfortable retirement. He has always been a Democrat and has filled such minor offices as that of
county commissioner, although, he has never aspired to high honors in politics. He is a member of the Baptist church, a worthy Mason, and a straightforward, honorable citizen. His wife, who was of a prominent Alabama family, and like her husband; a Baptist, died in 1891, at the age of seventy-two. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. William Lindley were as below: David, a physician of Coleman, Texas; Henry, a stock rancher of Texas; Hilliard, of this sketch, and William T., also a Texas stockman. Dr. Lindley was married in November, 1877, to Miss Arizona B. Anderson, daughter of Colonel A. B. and Mary J. (Weldon) Anderson, the father a native of Georgia and the mother of Arkansas. They were wedded in the latter state, from which the husband went as colonel of a Confederate regiment, and after seeing soldierly service, he returned his farm and resumed his wonted pursuits. In 1815 he located in Johnson county and was engaged in the cultivation of another farm and homestead until his death in 1887. He was a firm Democrat, a Mason in good standing and a firm believer in the Baptist faith a brave, good man, and useful citizen, The children of the Anderson family are William, a farmer; Arizona, wife of Dr. Lindley; Samuel L., also engaged in farming; Matilda, Laura and Arena; John, Doc and Robert, enaged in agricultural pursuits. Dr. and Mrs.Lindley have one child, Maud E., born October 4, 1878, and now the wife of J. H. Hamilton, of Hollis.