Prof. J.W. Conger, the present efficient and
popular president of the Quachita Baptist College of Arkadelphia, Ark.,
is a native of Jackson, Tenn., his birth occurring on the 20th of
February, 1857. His parents, P.D.W. and E.J. (Chambers) Conger, were
born in Middle Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively, and the
latter was taken by her parents to Tennessee when she was a child. The
Congers are of Scotch-English descent, the great grandfather having been
born in England. Nearly all of the family have been of an inventive
turn of mind, and some have proven first-class mechanics. the paternal
grandfather, James B., was a constant contributor to the Scientific
American from its first issue, and he was the inventor of the Turbine
water-wheel. He died in Tennessee. P.D.W. Conger has been a general
contractor the most of his life, and as an architect and master builder
has not his superior. He has now in his charge the specifications of
the Pythian Hall at Jackson, Tenn., and has been mayor of that city for
several terms. Of a family on ten children born to him, Prof. J.W.
Conger is the seventh. He was started to school when quite young and
gradually advanced in the "paths of knowledge" until, in 1878, he
graduated from Southwest Baptist University of Jackson, Tenn., receiving
the degree of A.B. He then for three years served as president of the
Odd Fellows College at Humbolt, Tenn., and in September, 1883, he, in
company with Prof. E.H. Tharp, organized and opened Searcy College
under the name of Conger & Tharp, which is now one of the leading
institutions of learning in the State. Prof. Conger left Searcy in the
winter of 1885 and took charge of the Prescott High School, but in June,
1886, he was elected president of the Quachita College, which he
organized, also selecting all of the teachers. The building was
completed in June, 1889, at a cost of about $40.000. It is a fine brick
structure, and the grounds surrounding it are beautifully laid out.
Prof. Conger, although but thirty-three years of age, is one of the
most successful educators in the State of Arkansas, and he is now very
successfully filling an important and responsible position. He is a man
of fine executive ability, and is one who abounds in fertile expedients,
enterprise and energy. As an evidence of this we have only to look at
the rapid growth of Quachita College, which will be a lasting monument
to his zeal and efforts in behalf of Christian education. The outlook
for this institution and its most worthy president is very promising,
and is second to none in the State, or indeed the entire South. In
1885, he had the degree of A.M. conferred upon him by his alma mater,
the Southwest Baptist University. In the month of October, 1882, Miss
Carrie McKinney, a daughter of Judge McKinney, of Purdy, Tenn., became
his wife, but he was called upon to mourn her death the following year.
In 1884 Miss. Teny C. Hamilton, of Memphis, Tenn., became his second
wife, and their union has resulted in the birth of three bright little
children: Lucile, Elsie and Hamilton. Prof. conger has shown his
brotherly sprit by becoming a member of the I.O.O.F. and the K. of P.,
and personally he is pleasant, sympathetic and genial, respected and
esteemed by all who know him.
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