S. Q. Sevier, Ouachita County, AR
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SOURCE: Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
Contributed by Carol Smith.
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Ouachita County, Arkansas - from Goodspeed's History of Arkansas
S. Q. Sevier, president of the Camden Water Works System, was born in Landersville, Lawrence County, Alabama on April 9, 1851, being a son
of Benjamin B. and Drucilla (Ewing) Sevier, who were born near Knoxville, Tennessee, the former being the grandson of ex-Governor John
Sevier, the first governor of that State. Benjamin B. Sevier was born February 22, 1816, and is now living at Bel Green, Alabama. He graduated
from the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and with the exception of the last few years, he has practiced his
profession since 1839. He was an especially skillful surgeon and practitioner, and had the best reputation as a physician throughout his section
of the country, and enjoyed a very large practice. His wife died in the State of Alabama, having borne him four children, all of whom are living. S.
Q. Sevier was the second of the family, and was reared principally in the State of Mississippi, receiving a fair education in the common schools
of that State, and afterward paid for the services of a private tutor. He remained on a farm until 1866, then entered the telegraph office of
Baldwyn, Mississippi, as messenger boy, which position he held eight months. He was then given charge of the office, and was manager of the
same of some months. He then gave up the position to attend on e session of school, then was appointed train dispatcher under L. J. Fleming,
general superintendent of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, continuing at his post until after the yellow fever epidemic of 1868, when he went to
Corinth, Mississippi, but a short time later was transferred to the Western Union Depot, and opened the first telegraph office of Tupelo,
Mississippi, where he remained until transferred to Monroe, Louisiana, as manager. He made this place his home until January 21, 1871, then
came to Camden, as manager of the Western Union Telegraph office. May 4, 1875, he went to New Orleans and served in the same capacity until
October 14, 1875, at which time he resigned. He then became a commercial traveler, with Flash, Lewis & Co., remaining with them until they
became liquidated and was then appointed southwestern agent for S. W. Venable & Co., Petersburg, Virginia, a large tobacco firm, serving until
1887. In 1886 he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, from Ouachita County, Arkansas, and after his return home began the
practice of law, having studied that profession under Gov. S. D. McHenry of Louisiana. He continued to practice until the organization of the
Camden Water Works, the Electric Light and other enterprises, which consumed so much of his time that he was compelled to give up his
profession, and turn his sole attention to his enterprises, and became president of both the above named institutions. He is vice-president of
the Fair Association and every enterprise in which he becomes interested , and to which he gives his support, is sure to prove a decided
success. Socially he is a K. of P., and belongs to the A. L. of H., and I. O. O. F. He was married in 1872 to Miss M. B. Smead, a sister of H. P.
Smead, prosecuting attorney. Mr. and Mrs. Sevier are members of the Episcopal Church, and are the parents of three children: Carrie V. and
Virginia E., living: Lamar Smead, the eldest, died in 1875.