My Genealogy Hound

Charles D. Oliver, merchant, Wynne, Ark. The well-known business firm of Daltroff, Sparks & Oliver was organized in 1887, and since that time has been doing a rapidly increasing business. Mr. Oliver owes his nativity to St. Francis County, Ark., where his birth occurred in 1862, and is one of eight children, the result of the union of R. G. and Luginia R. (Palmer) Oliver, natives of Arkansas, and one of the Carolinas, respectively. The father was a successful agriculturist. Charles D. Oliver was left an orphan when quite young, and as he only attended school until eleven years of age, his education in consequence was rather limited. He began working for James Fussell & Co., merchants at Forrest City, and there remained for nine years, during which time he secured a good schooling in matters of business. In 1881 he left this firm and went to Wittsburg, where he was in the employ of Block Bros. & Co. for about three years. During this time he had started a grocery store at Wynne, and thinking it needed his attention he gave up his employment at Wittsburg and came to Wynne. He conducted his business until January 1, 1887, and during 1886 it had proved very profitable, Mr. Oliver being so fortunate as to make considerable money out of it. In the beginning of 1887 he entered the firm of Daltroff & Sparks, general merchants, under the firm title of Daltroff, Sparks & Oliver, which title continues at the present time. This firm is doing a good business, having won the confidence of the public by honest, upright dealing. Mr. Oliver was married in 1884 to Miss Etta Block (daughter of David Block, who was for a long time one of the leading merchants and one of the wealthiest men of Cross County). To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver were born two sons: Charles Edward and John David. Mr. Oliver is a member of the K. of P., Lodge No. 52, and is a Knight of Honor. After the death of his parents he took charge of all the younger members of the family, educated his sisters and made a home for the youngest, who was an infant at the time of the parents’ death. The family have always looked to him for advice and assistance and never failed to get both. The younger brothers are in business for themselves and have good situations. The youngest, John P., is traveling salesman for Malone, Chapman & Elder at Memphis, and is a bright, capable business man. Charles D. Oliver owns the old homestead in St. Francis County, a good farm of 220 acres with 125 under cultivation, and has a fine residence on the same place. He also own 580 acres in various tracts in Cross County, and 175 acres of this are cultivated. He owns a block in the city of Wynne which is partially covered with buildings which yield about $400 annually for rent. Charles D. Oliver has always been successful in all his business enterprises and is pre-eminently a self-made man.