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Springdale, AR Real Estate News

By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
James Lynch was born in Baltimore, Maryland back in 1839. He attended Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire spending only two years there. He moved to Indianapolis where he committed himself to the ministry, preaching in Galena, Illinois.In 1863, he was appointed Missionary and Government Superintendent in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1868, he moved again to Mississippi as an official of the Methodist Episcopal Church.   Shortly after his arrival he organized the Republican Party in Mississippi. He also became the publisher and editor of a local newspaper. He died in 1872, because of Bright’s disease, he was 34.What you may not know about James D. Lynch is that his mother was a slave, his father was a white merchant and minister. James was also the first African-American Secretary of S...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Mary Anderson was born in Greene County, Alabama back in 1866. In 1889, the family moved to Birmingham, Alabama. She was involved in real estate, where she built the Fairmont Apartments on Highland Avenue in Birmingham.In 1893, she moved to Fresno, California where she operated a cattle ranch and vineyard. While on a visit to New York City in 1902 she had an idea which of course would place her in the history books.In 1903, she was granted a patent for 17 years. A lot of improvements have been made but the general concept is still in use today.In 1922, Cadillac became the first car manufacturer to adopt them as standard equipment. What you may not know about Mary Anderson is that she invented the first vehicle windshield wiper. She died in 1953 at 87. Until tomorrow keep a smile on your...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Isaac Hull was born in Derby, Connecticut Colony back in 1773. His father died while he was still a young lad and his uncle William adopted him. In 1798, he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the newly formed United States Navy.For his first two years he served on board the frigate USS Constitution. He was assigned to several ships after that including the USS Enterprise and the USS Argus before given command of the USS Chesapeake in 1809. In 1810, as Captain he took command of the USS Constitution. he discouraged flogging for trivial offenses. When the War of 1812 started he was followed by five British ships of the line. In a brilliant move he avoided the British but encountered the HMS Guerriere in August of 1812. The battle lasted for fifteen minutes before the British sent up the whi...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Thomas Fitch, V was born in Norwalk, Connecticut back in 1725 to Thomas, IV and Hannah.During the French and Indian War, he was the commander of the New England Regiments. Three years later he had rose to the rank of Senior Colonel commanding sixteen regiments by the time he left the service. After the conflict, he returned to Norwalk where he served as town councilman. He was one of the first to represent Norwalk to the Connecticut house of Representatives in 1776. He died in 1795 and is buried at East Norwalk Historical Cemetery.What you may not know about Thomas is that when he commanded his troops they had no uniforms to distinguish them. Thus, it wasn’t possible to distinguish his troops from those who wasn’t in his command. Legend has it his sister Elizabeth presented each man wit...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
George Taylor was born in Ireland back in 1716. He immigrated to the colonies when he was 20 winding up in Philadelphia. He worked at the Warwick Furnace and Coventry Forge as an indentured servant for Samuel Savage.Samuel died in 1742, later that same year George married his wife Ann. The company was turned over to Samuel’s son when he reached legal age in 1752. He partnered with some people to lease the Durham Furnace becoming ironmaster. It was then he started public life. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly.He was able to purchase 331 acres near Allentown. Durham Furnace was one of the first ironworks in Pennsylvania to supply munitions to the Continental Army. In 1781 he died in Easton, he was 65. What you may not know about George Taylor is that before the vote ...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Stephen Gough was born in 1959 in the United Kingdom, Hampshire, Southampton.  I don’t have any information as to his early upbringing, schooling and the like however, what I can tell you is the rest of the story.He is a British activist, former Royal Marine, ex-lorry driver from Eastleigh, Hampshire.  His claim to fame is two-fold.  This won’t take long, is will go fast and hopefully put a smile or a OMG moment.  His moment started in 2003 and so far, it seems has ended in 2015. Stephen has spent most of his time for the past 12 years behind bars.  If you haven’t read about him you may be asking yourself what is it that he has done to keep himself in the cross bars hotel?  I’m so glad you did for what Stephen did was refusing to wear clothing.  He is known as the “Naked Rambler” walkin...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Elijah Iles was born in Fayette County, Kentucky back in 1796. His father was the sheriff of Bath County. While the date is not known he borrowed some money from his father where he established a cattle ranch in the state, which made him wealthy.In 1818, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri to open a store. Settling in Springfield, Illinois in 1821 he was one of the first three people to settle there. He opened the first store in Springfield and was the first postmaster. Elected to the Illinois Senate in 1826 serving through 1834. Serving as a major during the Winnebago War of 1827.In 1831, he enlisted as a private for the Black Hawn War, later being promoted to captain. He built the American House hotel in 1839 accumulating large land holdings before his death. His home is now the oldest st...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
John Fancy was born in Lund, East Riding of Yorkshire back in 1913. Educated at Hymers College he expected to follow his father in estate management. However, in 1935 he joined the RAF achieving the rank of Warrant officer.His job was to deliver Blenheim bombers from England to Finland. His squadron was moved to operation over Northern Europe in support of British Expeditionary Force for Operation Dynamo. He was captured in 1940 when his plane was shot down. He was one of the first allied airmen to be captured.Now for the rest of the story. after his capture, he escaped some sixteen times, constructed eight separate tunnels from various camps. What you may found astounding is that the principal tool he used for digging those tunnels was a table knife. After the war, it was his prize pos...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Dorothy Jean LeVake was born in Santa Monica, California back in 1922. Her mother had her name changed when she was five months old. in 1926, she passed a screen test where she appeared in 46 silent and six talkies (series, movies).When she was only fourteen staring in two movies, a round of stage and radio shows followed involving up to seven performances a day. All of this not taking into account her educational studies. In 1940, she was given a scholarship by the New York Municipal Opera Association. In 1945, she hit a high appearing in 850 consecutive performances in the Broadway production of Carousel.In her spare time, she hosted her own television show for NBC. In 1974, she moved to Dublin, Ireland where she wrote mystery stories having over 50 of them published. She also wrote p...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Fanny Bullock was born in Worcester, Massachusetts back in 1859 to Alexander and Elvira.  Educated by governesses, before going to Miss Graham’s Finishing School in New York City.  After school, she went to Paris and Dresden. In 1879, she returned to the United States where she met and married William.  They spent many summers in the White Mountain in New Hampshire exploring the area writing about her experiences. The couple had two children however, Fanny was not your typical mother leaving their children with nurses while they took long trips.  In 1889, the family moved to Germany citing William’s health.  The couple traveled the world on many adventures co-writing eight travel books describing the people, art and architecture of their journey.  The9 traveled to India in 1897 a journe...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Artur Woolf was born in Camborne, Cornwall back in 1766.  Noting is written about his family, schooling and so on however, what I can tell you of course is the rest of the story.in 1785 he left Cornwall and moved to London working for Joseph Bramah engineering works and other firms until 1811.  With the knowledge, he gained he invented something that will forever place him in the history books.  He obtained a patent for this in 1803 and had a working prototype completed the next year.  He continued to improve on his invention, by the time he retired in 1836, largely due to his efforts his invention was described as a thing of magnificent beauty and efficiency.Now you may be asking yourself what in the world did Arthur invent, well I’m so glad you did for that is the rest of the story.  ...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Garfield was born in Mapleton, Iowa back in 1880. What I can’t tell you is anything about his parents much of his childhood, schooling or anything else except for the rest of the story so let’s get to it shall we.Garfield was an inventor as well as a successful businessman. He began racing boats setting a world record of 74.870 MPH in 1920. From 1916 to 1932 he broke the record five times reaching an astounding speed of 124.860 in a boat on the St. Clair River. In 1921, he reached a train along the Atlantic coast from Miami to New York City a distance of 1,250 miles. It took him 47 hours, 23 minutes beating the train by 12 minutes.He won 5 straight powerboat Gold Cup races from 1917 to 1921. He retired from racing in 1933 to concentrate on his business interests. One of his inventions w...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
James Duane was born in New York City back in1733 to Anthony and Eva.  His education was at Livingston Manor.  He worked as a law clerk for James Alexander where he studied law.Admitted to the bar in 1754.  He represented Trinity Church on a tract of land in lower Manhattan.  By the early 1770’s his practice was a success earning him 1,400 pounds annually.  He had a house in Manhattan one in the country and 36,000 acres.  He was landlord over 253 tenants, a trustee of Kings College and Clerk of the Chancery Court of New York.  (can we say he was a busy man)He was a member of the Committee of Sixty that began the revolution in New York.  A delegate to the Continental Congress from 1884 to 1784.  Initially he opposed the Declaration of Independence however, that changed.  Serving as a mem...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Constance Ellis was born in Carlton, Victoria, Australia back in 1872 to Louis and Lydia. She graduated from the Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne in 1890. She went on to the University of Melbourne graduating in 1899 second in her class.After graduation, she completed a year’s residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and two more years at the Royal Children’s Hospital. In 1903, she returned to the University of Melbourne. She was the first woman at the University to obtain the degree of Doctor of Medicine.She was a founding member and president of the Victorian Medical Women’s Society. She was also a delegate on the Victorian council of the British Medical Association, the first Australian woman doctor to serve in that capacity. Just on a side note she also was a founding memb...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Joseph Thomas Clover was born in Aylsham, Norfolk, England back in 1825 to John and Elizabeth. Educated at Gray Friars’ Priory School in Norwich. At the tender age of 16 he apprenticed as a surgical dresser to a local surgeon.In 1844, he studied medicine at the University College Hospital. In 1846, he was a surgeon in 1848 he became Resident Medical Officer at University College Hospital. In 1853, he opened his own practice as a general practitioner in London until his death in 1882.Now what you may not know about Joseph is he was also an inventor. His invention in 1862 was used well into the 20th century. So, allow me to tell you about his invention. You see he invented the “Clover’s chloroform apparatus” and the “Clover’s portable regulating ether inhaler” in 1877. By 1871, he had adm...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Mason Cooke was born in Norfolk, Virginia back in 1919. He graduated from Maury High School and then on to Princeton earning him a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. In 1943, he received his M.D. degree from Johns Hopkins University.He taught Obstetrics and Gynecology at John Hopkins while also serving as president of the Norfolk County Medical Society. During his term as president he was able to convince the Virginia General Assembly to build a new medical school.His services were so many it would be difficult to name them all however what he accomplished in 1981 will forever have him in the history books with the birth of Elizabeth Carr. If you haven’t figured it out by now I’m writing about Mason Cooke Andrews. With the birth of Elizabeth, the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine w...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
John Barry was born in Tacumshane County, Ireland back in 1745.  His family was evicted from their home by a British landlord so the moved to Rosslare.  As a young man, John was determined to live his life as a seaman starting out as a ship’s cabin boy.Somewhere along the line he ended up in the American Colonies where he received his first captain’s commission in the Continental Navy in 1776.  He was a religious man beginning each day at sea with a reading from the Bible.  During his naval career, John commanded United States Ships Delaware, Lexington, Raleigh and Alliance. I could go on and tell you about all the battles he fought in however, this would take three to four days so what say let’s cut to the point.  He was the first captain placed in command of a US warship commissioned ...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
John Dickinson was born near Woolwich, England back in 1782 to Thomas and Frances. At fifteen he started a seven-year apprenticeship as a stationer in London. He demonstrated his resourceful nature by inventing a new kind of paper for cannon cartridges.He patented his invention which was taken up by the army. In another invention, he patented in 1809 that will forever put him in the history books. For you see he invented the first continuous mechanized process for papermaking. He also had paper mills at Croxley Green, Apsley and Nash Mills in England.   BTW he also was the first person to produce paper with silk threads in it for security purposes. At his factory, the invention of an envelope that had a gum like adhesive to keep them closed, the production started in 1850. From small be...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Philipp Hainhofer was born in 1578. Sorry due to poor record keeping I have no idea of where he was born or who his parents were however, by the name I would take a WAG it was Germany. He studied law at the Universities in Siena and Padua.He traveled through Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. Through his travels, he became fluent in several languages and grew an appreciation for art.in 1605 you would find him as a political correspondent for the King of France. He was hired by several diplomatic missions which also served to develop his business as an art agent.   One on his works can be seen at the Museum in Gustavianum, another one in Amsterdam. Now you may be asking yourself what work of his is displayed? I mentioned he was an art dealer and if you maybe thinking it is a work of art...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
John Henry George was born in Abbotskerswell, Devon back in 1864. Again, I’m sorry but I do not have any information as to who his parents were upbringing or where (if he did) attended school. what I can tell you of course is the rest of the story so let’s get to it shall we.John served in the Royal Navy and was a known thief. In 1884 he was convicted of murder of his employer. The evidence against him was weak at best, and circumstantial. Much of it was based on a cut to his arm. He was convicted and sentenced to hang. In 1885 he was sent to the gallows a rope placed around his neck and the trapdoor was sprung. However, it held in place and no one could figure it out. They tried again twice for a total of 3 attempts, each one ended in failure for the trapdoor held in place. His sentenc...
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