Arkansas Biographies
Submitted October 2004 by Linda A. Collard Muncie, IN who tells us that her grandparents were Dr. William Henry White, and Elijah Collard. Linda's great grandfather Joseph Hampton Collard married Mary Almeda Massey daughter of John Massey and Elizabeth Ray.
THE LAST PIONEER PHYSICIAN - THE DOCTOR W.H.WHITE STORY
Greetings to all the people of Arkansas, Missouri and the Ozarks Mountaineer
Magazine. Rummaging through my Great Aunt Mona's copies of the Ozarks Mountaineer
Magazine, I seen your e-mail addresses and would like to share with you the story
I'm about to write about the life of one of your very own, Doctor William 'Henry'
White, my Great Grandfather. Aunt Mona is one of two children remaining of the
Arkansas Ozark's gracious doctor. Most of this story is from her, information
gathered in the summer of 2004 from her memories. Aunt Mona White-Humes (Muncie,
IN) turns 77 this October 30th, 2004. This is her story of her father.
Some of the information was given by Great Aunt Carolyn White-Bailey (Janesville,
WI) who celebrates her 50th wedding anniversary to her husband from Floral, Arkansas
- Mr. Cloyce Bailey. Pictures have been sent through extensive family genealogy
searches from the Internet. Many cousins have been located, forwarding rare photo's
and stories, and relationships forming now.
'THE LAST PIONEER PHYSICIAN - THE DOCTOR W. H. WHITE STORY'
By: Kerry James Smith
On this 25th day of September, 2004.
Banner, Arkansas 1940s
THE BANNER GENERAL STORE, US POST OFFICE & FEED STORE
Owned by Doyne Stuart and partner Clyde Martin.
James 'Clyde' Martin stands next to red gas pump.
R.J. 'Bob' Stuart sits on his US Postal Horse.
Doyne Stuart on porch.
Doyne's two dogs - Skipper & Whitey.
Painting by: Jo Anne Stuart
*Jo Anne Stuart is the daughter to Doyne, the great granddaughter
to Joseph Hampton and Mary Almeda Massey-Collard.
Doctor William 'Henry' White 1953, age 72, sitting on his horse in front of
Metz Stuart's grocery store/post office.
*Doyne Stuart and Clyde Martin sold the general store to
Doyne's younger brother Metz Stuart as seen in this photo.
The 1954 Concord High School's first Class Yearbook
Dedicated in Doctor W. H. White's honor.
1958 obituary of Doctor White sent by Charles Stuart - Sept. 24th, 2004
Doctor White and his wife Opal are rested together in the Concord Cemetery
awaiting the ashes of their last child who passed away in 2004 at age 82 in Los
Angeles, CA
Clay White.
At some point in time, around 1945, the Arkansas Highway Department decided to
create a road running through the tiny community of Banner, from Flora, Arkansas to
Concord. They would mark this new highway as #87 which runs east to west, giving
easier access to the many travels to Concord, Arkansas.
Because Doctor White owned land along the construction site, and the state of
Arkansas needed housing for their highway employees, they struck a deal with the
last pioneer physician. They would build a few small cottages on his property, use
them until the new road was completed, then in return Doctor White would be able to
keep the new structures.
Back at the White family house located outside of Banner, Doctor White's wife, Opal
Harvey-White, despised that there was yet any electricity running through their
home, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She asked her little girl,
Mona White, if she would help her raise 1,000 cooking' hens, using the abandoned
structures as housing or a chicken house. In time, the baby chickens were grown
enough for sell to the general public, to which, enough money was raised to install
electricity.
People back in the days of the 'GREAT DEPRESSION' used to do a lot of bartering in
order to get what was needed for survival, to pay respects, to pay off debts. This
was so true when it came to Mrs.Ida Johnson who needed Doctor White's professional
medical services every week, a shot, to help her with her medical problems. In
order for Mrs. Johnson to pay back her debt, Opal would load up her dirty laundry
and take it over to Mrs. Johnson's home where Mrs. Johnson would boil water in a
huge cast iron pot, above fire wood, in her back yard. This was one form of
'bartering' and everyone was happy.
The Harvey Sisters
Opal Harvey-White in black dress.
THE BANNER GROCERY, FEED STORE & US POST OFFICE
Jo Anne Stuart
THE OLD MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH - BANNER,ARKANSAS
Painting by: Jo Anne Stuart
Doctor William 'Henry' White was fond of boxing. But because the White family did
not own a televison, one of Doctor White's friends from Concord, Arkansas would
drive into Banner to pick up the last pioneer physician and drive him to his home to
watch boxing on his television set.
Grandma White Childhood Memories
By: Linda Collard
As I wonder back through the years,
I seem to see my grandma, through the tears.
The sweetest person, God ever put upon earths shores.
When I think of her, and miss her all the more.
Her hair was black with streaks of white,
From all the years, she lived in strife.
She worked all day, from dawn until dark,
She raised six kids on a farm in the Ozarks.
Back down the dirt roads, where she did live,
I miss my grandma, and all the love she did give.
I'd give anything, if I could have her back, now that I am grown,
I'd make her life so much easier, so she would have time of her own.
Her warm smile and gentle warm body,
She was kind and loving to everybody.
Oh, how I miss her now that I am grown,
I'd give anything to have her back at home.
Years have gone by, her house is gone.
I went back to where it use to stand,
But not a trace of grandma was known,
I can still see the place, on the barren land.
In my head that is, because grandma's gone,
The sweetness of her hugs, I truly miss,
Nevermore will I feel the tenderness, until
I meet her in Heaven, thank goodness.