My Genealogy Hound

W. A. Whitemore is one of the rising young business men of Coal Hill, Ark., and is progressive and enterprising in his views and industrious in his habits. He is the present efficient book-keeper for the firm of J. R. Brown, of this place. He was born in the city of Memphis, Tenn., November 4, 1858, his early educational advantages being good, and in that place he resided until he attained man’s estate. His father, J. P. S. Whitemore, held the commission of captain during the Rebellion, and died while serving the Confederate cause, having been a successful practicing physician while a civilian. His wife was a daughter of Abraham Smith, and upon the death of her husband was left with two children, both sons, the elder being W. A., and the younger, Edward S., who has a good property at Hartman, in this county. W. A. Whitemore began business for himself in 1876, in partnership with his brother, under the firm name of Whitemore Bros., but after a short time W. A. entered his grandfather’s hotel as clerk, and later became collector in the Brownsville Savings Bank; in 1879 he became a clerk in his grandfather’s store in Memphis. May 20, 1880, he moved to Johnson County, Ark., and settled at Hartman, there being in the employ of J. D. Houston, then in railroad office, then in charge of A. B. Burleson’s store, then with the Cravens & Co., where he remained for seven years, and in that time was twice appointed notary public. He next went to Coal Hill, where he entered the services of Mr. J. R. Brown in his present capacity as book-keeper. His marriage, which occurred on December 28, 1887, was to Miss Lois E. Oliver, and has resulted in the birth of two children,—a son and a daughter: Mary Lois and William Thomas. Mrs. Whitemore is a daughter of Prof. W. K. Oliver, of Hernando, Miss., and she as well as her husband is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Whitemore belongs to the K. of L., and is liberal in his support of churches, schools, etc. He has accumulated a good property near Hartman, of well-improved land. Mr. Whitemore’s grandfather lived at Hartman up to the time of his death, which occurred in his seventy-eighth year. He has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he held the position of presiding elder. The name of Rev. Z. H. Whitemore will long be remembered throughout this section of the country, and he was also widely known in Tennessee. His wife is still a resident of the town of Coal Hill, and makes her home with her grandson, the subject of this sketch. She was born in 1812 or 1813, but still retains the use of all her mental faculties. Mr. W. A. Whitemore became acquainted with his wife in Hartman, when she was a girl of twelve years. She afterward went back to her native State of Mississippi, where he entered Grenada College and afterward became one of the successful teachers of her county. About six years after her return to Mississippi, Mr. Whitemore visited her, and on his second visit, she came with him as his bride to Arkansas. Mr. Whitemore is the inventor of a shot and showcase which was patented in 1889, and by the sale of territory he hopes to receive a good return for his labors. He is at present engaged in the hotel business at Coal Hill, being admirably assisted by his estimable and intelligent wife, who is a pleasant, accommodating hostess. Mr. Whitemore is one of the wide awake and progressive business men of the county.