W. S. Floyd, who has been an active representative of the Arkansas bar through a period of forty-three years, has been located at Bentonville since 18S7 and has been accorded a most extensive and gratifying clientage. His birth occurred in Sparta, White county, Tennessee, in August, 1855, his parents being John Wesley and Liza J. (Snodgrass) Floyd, who were also natives of that state. During the period of the Civil war the father served with the Confederate troops under General John H. Morgan and also in Forrest's cavalry. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Arkansas and in this state he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, owning a tract of land near Bentonville. He was a democrat in politics and for a quarter of a century filled the office of justice of the peace, in which connection he made a most creditable and commendable record. His religions faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South. To him and his wife were born seven children, five of whom survive, namely: W. S., of this review; J. C, a resident of Yellville, Arkansas; James K., who is a practicing physician of Fort Worth, Texas; Frank Forrest, a retired merchant living in Bentonville; and Carrie, who is the wife of William R. Maxwell, of Alva, Oklahoma.
In the acquirement of his education W. S. Floyd attended the schools of Bentonville and in preparation for his chosen profession began reading law in the office and under the direction of Judge S. N. Elliott at Bentonville. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and began practice in Marion county, Arkansas, where for two years he filled the position of county judge. He also practiced in Bentonville while living in Marion county and in 1887 took up his abode in Bentonville, where he has remained continuously since or for a period of more than a third of a century. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases, have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. In 1914 he served as county judge in Benton county to fill out an unexpired term.
On the 25th of April, 1880, Mr. Floyd was united in marriage to Miss Josie M. Jackson, a native of Missouri and a daughter of S. H. Jackson, who was also born in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd became the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Sallie Conine, who is a widow residing in Bentonville, Arkansas; James Hurlie, a mine operator who makes his home at Picher, Oklahoma; Hugh Jackson, who is filling the office of postmaster in Bentonville; Jennie, who is the wife of Claude Silver, a contractor and architect of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; and Maggie, who is the wife of Timothy Applegate, a druggist of Bentonville. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 18th of August, 1914. She joined the Presbyterian church in early life but later became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
In politics Mr. Floyd has always been a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him for .public service. He filled the office of mayor of Bentonville for several terms, giving to the town a most public-spirited and progressive administration that was characterized by many needed reforms and improvements. He now devotes his entire time and attention to his law practice and has long been recognized as one of the leading attorneys of his part of the state. His fraternal connection is with the Masonic order and his entire career has been in harmony with upright principles of manhood and citizenship, so that he enjoys the high esteem and warm regard of all with whom he has been associated in both professional and social relations.
Mr. Floyd died September 11, 1926 and is buried in the Bentonville Cemetery.