Benton-Cleburne County ArArchives Biographies.....Whitlow, R. H. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 20, 2009, 11:37 pm

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

R. H. WHITLOW.
    R. H. Whitlow, secretary and manager of the Mutual Aid Union, with offices
at Rogers, is a self-educated and self-made man who owes nothing to the
adventitious aids that ordinarily push men forward, but has worked his way
steadily upward, placing his dependence upon the substantial qualities of
industry, perseverance and integrity. He is a native of Mississippi, his birth
having occurred in Corinth on the 3d of June, 1868. His parents were Moses and
Lucy (Byrne) Whitlow, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of
Mississippi, in which state their marriage occurred. The father was born in 1836
and in 1850 he made his way to Mississippi, where he continued to make his home
throughout the remainder of his life, conducting mercantile interests. He was
also a large slaveholder and a most successful business man up to the period of
the Civil war, which ruined him financially. His father was likewise a planter
and slaveholder, maintaining his residence in North Carolina. Moses Whitlow gave
his political allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally he was
identified with the Masons. He died in 1881, at the age of forty-five years, and
his wife's demise occurred in 1871. She was a faithful member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. To their union wore born nine children, of whom five are living.

    R. H. Whitlow, the seventh in order of birth in the family, has never been
accorded educational opportunities, but in the school of experience he has
learned many valuable lessons and through wide reading, study and close
observation has become a well informed man. When twelve years of age he was
obliged to seek his own livelihood and obtained work as a farm hand, receiving a
salary of six dollars per month. He was next employed in a gin mill and later in
a grist mill and when he had reached the age of twenty he became a clerk in a
store. In 1905 he came to Arkansas, first locating at Heber Springs, and in
July, 1907. he came with his bride to Rogers, his total cash capital amounting
to sixty-two dollars. Here he established the Mutual Aid Union, which has since
enjoyed a prosperous existence, and is the oldest man connected with the
institution. He was made vice president and general manager of the business but
is now serving in the capacity of secretary and manager. This is one of the most
substantial organizations of the kind in the state, its splendid development
being due to the close application and able management of Mr. Whitlow, who
during a period of fourteen years has put almost eighty million dollars worth of
insurance in force for the Mutual Aid Union, which now stands as a monument to
his enterprise and business ability.

    At Heber Springs, Arkansas, in February, 1907, Mr. Whitlow was united in
marriage to Miss Eva Peeler, who was born near Hiram, this state, a daughter of
Micklin Peeler, a veteran of the Civil war and a large planter of Arkansas, of
which he was one of the pioneer settlers. He has departed this life but the
mother survives, making her home at Pangburn, Arkansas. In their family were
five children, of whom two are living: Mrs. Whitlow; and Dr. C. M. Peeler, a
well known physician and druggist of Pangburn. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlow have become
the parents of two children: Francis, twelve years of age; and Horace, aged
nine. Both are attending school.

    Mrs. Whitlow is a Christian Scientist in religious faith and prominent in
the work of the church, acting as reader. Mr. Whitlow gives his political
allegiance to the democratic party and fraternally he is identified with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a past exalted ruler, and he
is also connected with the Masons. He has fought life's battles unaided and has
come off a victor in the strife. His fellow townsmen attest his sterling worth
and he has gained a wide circle of friends during the period of his residence in
Rogers.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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