My Genealogy Hound

Commodore Perry Woodard, merchant, Gravelly Hill, Ark. This successful and popular business man was born at Danville, Ark., on March 21, 1866. His father was a merchant, and, having a large stock of general merchandise, sold out a few years ago, and later was appointed postmaster at Gravelly Hill, which position he holds at the present time. He allowed his children to have all they could make in legitimate work, and, as a consequence, Commodore P., at the early age of ten years, hired himself out to a mail contractor, carrying the mail from Danville to Ola. For his services he received 50 cents a day, and since that time he has clothed and taken care of himself, being no expense to his father. When not employed in this way he worked for farmers in the vicinity. He continued in the mail service until fourteen years of age and then entered the schools at Danville, where he continued his studies until eighteen years of age, working during vacations to pay his way. In 1884 he hired to J. C. Carter to clerk in his store at Bragg, then a country place, but about eighteen months afterward a post-office was established, and the place given its present name. There he remained eighteen months, after which he returned to Danville, and hired as a clerk to the firm of Runyan & Briggs of that place. Six months later he went to Dardanelle to attend the high school, but after being there a few months he was recalled home by the sickness of his father. He then again entered the employ of Runyan & Briggs, with whom he remained six months, after which he went to Bellville, and clerked for W. L. Heck six months longer. From there he went to Rover, clerked for J. W. Gladden six months, and then returned to Danville, where he entered the employof Briggs & Capshaw, continuing with this firm for fourteen months. During that time he was married to Miss Minnie Elms, daughter of Elizabeth Elms, of Danville. Later he moved to Gravelly Hill, formeda co-partnership with L. L. Briggs, and has since made this place his home. The firm carries a well-assorted stock of goods, consisting of dry-goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots, shoes, harness, saddles and assorted hardware and queensware. During the past nine months their sales have amounted to about $4,000. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodard have been born one child, a son named Olga M., whose birth occurred on July 25, 1889. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has held the position of assistant postmasterat two different times, and at two different offices, and is now notary public.