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Bella Vista, AR Real Estate News

By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Leo Keith was born in Walnut Grove, Minnesota back in 1932. After high school, he attended South Dakota State College. At 19 he enlisted in the Air Force, receiving his wings with a pilot’s rating. In 1964, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Omaha and a Masters in Defense Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He was sent to Takhli Royal Air Force Base in Thailand as an aircraft commander. If I wrote about his many engagements it would take several days so, if you have the chance please look him up to read about his time in Vietnam. Anyway, in 1967, just 7 days shy of completing his tour of duty he was shot down. For the next 6 years he was a POW, released in 1973. He retired the same year. He served this nation for 21 years achieving the rank o...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Phillis Wheatley was born circa 1753. She moved to Boston in the British colony of Massachusetts in 1761 aboard the ship Phillis. She worked for John and Susanna. She was tutored by their oldest daughter where she learned to read and write. By the age of 12 she could read Greek, Latin and difficult passages from the Bible. By the age of 14 she began to write, she went to London in 1773.   She spoke with the Lord Mayor of London, wrote letters to John Thornton and John Newton. She returned to the colonies, where she wrote to George Washington. He invited her to visit him at his headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts which she did in 1776. She died in 1784 due to health problems at 31. What you may not know about Phillis is that around the age of 7-8 she was sold into slavery, for she w...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Irene Carswell was born in Topeka, Kansas back in 1925. She graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri then onto Kansas City Junior College. She continued her education at the University of Colorado graduating in 1947 with a degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, she worked for the Delaware Power and Light Company, moving to Aircraft Radio Systems Laboratory. She left in 1953 again moving to research engineer for Midwest research Institute. Although I cannot find where she is currently living, I understand she is alive and doing well at 92.What you may not know about Irene Carswell Peden, is that she is the first woman to earn a PhD in engineering from Stanford. She is also the first American woman scientist to live and work in the interior of the Antarctic...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
George Pocock was born in England back in 1774. At least that is what I suspect however, I could not find any supporting documentation. Fact be told I can’t tell you anything about his parents, schooling or nothing about his childhood, what I can tell you of course is the rest of the story. He was an English schoolteacher and was fascinated with kites, more on that in a moment. Around 1824, he used his daughter for an experiment. He tied a chair to a kite and lifted her about 270 feet in the air. Later that same year he used other family members for his experiments. In 1826, he invented the “Charvolant”. Three of them were made traveling between Bristol and Marlborough, a distance of 113 miles. Now, you may be asking yourself what in the world is a “Charvolant”? Well it was a buggy powe...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Nicolae Constantin was born in Bucharest, Romania back in 1869 to Costache and Maria. He was a prodigy as at an early age he learned French, Latin and Ancient Greek. In his spare time, he was also gifted for his knowledge in music. Graduating from the Mihai Viteazul High School in 1888 he left for Paris enrolling in medical school. Upon his graduation in 1897 he was immediately appointed assistant surgeon at the Notre-Dame Hospital. He returned to Romania as head of the Physiology Department at the University of Bucharest Medical School in 1900. He died in 1931at 61. What you may not know about Nicolae Constantin Paulescu is that he is credited for the discovery of insulin. He was also a co-founder of the National Christian Union. Until tomorrow I bed you fair winds to wherever you travel
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
James William Hunter was born near Innerwick, Scotland back in 1783 to Robert an Isabella. Although the date is uncertain he was in India from 1798 to 1810 when he returned to Scotland following the death of his father. Exactly what he did to earn a living is up for grabs. I do know he was a landowner and agricultural improver however, that’s about it.   In 1820, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He died in Leamington in 1844.  However, he was also an inventor, in 1827 he invented the Odometer. It was a single-wheeled device which had a series of three 100 tooth cogs against 101 tooth cogs attached to a wheel. The wheel circumference was either six or 10 feet. It was used to measure land; the larger version was attached to the back of a carriage. It was the firs...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Christopher Gist was born in Baltimore, Maryland back in 1706. I could not find out any information about his childhood, education, parents name et. What I can tell you of course is the rest of the story. Historians are guessing his father’s name was Richard but that is not certain. He married Sarah Howard (date unknown), settling in North Carolina. You may not know about Christopher but you’ll recognize his neighbors name, more on him in a moment. Apparently, Christopher had some knowledge of surveying as the Ohio Company him to explore the country of the Ohio River. In 1750, he mapped the Ohio Countryside between Lenape and the present-day city of Pittsburgh to the Great Miami River. In 1751, he explored current Pennsylvania and western Virginia. In 1753, he returned to the Ohio Count...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
John Dunlap was born in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland back in 1757. He moved to Philadelphia where are 10 we worked for his uncle William Dunlap as a printer and bookseller. When his uncle left in 1766, John bought the business.He stayed busy printing sermons and handbills. In 1771, he published the Pennsylvania Packet which was a weekly newspaper.During the American Revolution, he was an officer in the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary, seeing action with George Washington. He was involved in the battles of Trenton and Princeton obtaining the rank of major. After the war, he returned to printing of a daily newspaper called the North American and the United States Gazette. He made enough through his publications and real estate speculation that he was able to retire at 48.What yo...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Michael Finocchiaro was born in St. Louis, Missouri back in 1919. As a child, he loved to dance and so it wasn’t a surprise when he took dancing lesson at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. For those of you who are old enough do you remember the commercial of “Call for Phillip Morris”? Well he was the guy who was dressed up calling that name. He attended school with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. In the 1940’s, he returned to St. Louis where he managed the family business of making cemetery monuments. He sold the business in 1996, thereafter he devoted his time with charity work. Sadly, he died in 2009.What you may not know about Michael Finocchiaro is he changed his name to Mickey Carroll. Hmm, still doesn’t ring a bell. Well maybe you know him as one of the munchkins from The Wizard of Oz...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Harry Handly was born in St. Louis, Missouri back in 1873. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1891. He served aboard the USS Concord before being promoted to Ensign where he served on the USS Monadnock and the USS Michigan. Prior to the Spanish-American War he served as flag secretary about the cruiser Olympia.He saw action during the battle of Manila Bay. After the war, he was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) where he was the best man at Admiral George Dewey’s wedding in 1899. In 1909, he retired after 22 years of service. In 1917, he returned to the service commanding the Amphitrite. He was responsible for protecting New York harbor form submarine attacks, being promoted to commander in 1919. He died in 1939 at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital and is buried at Arling...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Xavier Roberts was born in Cleveland, Georgia in 1955. His father died in a car accident when he was five. He attended White County High School and spent a small time at Truett McConnell Junior College.He was influenced by watching his mother make quilts that he began experimenting making something that would become a worldwide sensation. He started Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. he turned an old converted medical clinic into what he called his “Babyland General Hospital. In 1984, he sold 20 million, of his product by 1999 over 95 million had been sold.While you may not recognize his name surely, you’ll recognize his product. Ever hear of Cabbage Patch Kids? His second creation was called Furskin Bears. Until tomorrow keep that smile on your face and a penny in your pocket
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Edward Rawson was born in Dorset, England back in 1615.  In 1636, he married Rachel and left England for America.  Settling in Newbury, Massachusetts in 1637.  The following year at 23 he was chosen to be the Public Notary and Register for Newbury.  He was reelected annually to fill that post until 1647.In 1650, he was chosen to be the Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a position that he held for thirty-six years until 1686.  He died in 1693 at 78, if you don’t know he was the first Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  Until tomorrow keep that smile on your face showing those pearly whites.  
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Donald Featherstone was born in Worcester, Massachusetts back in 1936.  He graduated from the Worcester Art Museum’s art school in 1957.  Shortly after graduation he went to work for Union Products, Inc.   In 1996, he was president of Union Products, that same year he received the Nobel Art Prize for one of his creations. I don’t know when he married Nancy however, for over 35 years they dressed alike, quite an accomplishment don’t you think?  Anyway, let’s move along, he retired in 2000.    What you may not know about Donald “Don” Featherstone is that in 1957 he created the iconic “pink flamingo” yard ornament.  He kept 57 of those plastic flamingos in his front yard.  Not bad for a person in their first year of employment, they are still in production to this day.  Until tomorrow keep...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
John Williams was born in Independence, Missouri back in 1844.  At 17 John joined the 8th, Indiana.  Saw action in the Battle of Pea Ridge (a town near me), and the Red River Campaign.  Transferred to Little Rock and later to Washington, D.C.  While there John served with General Philip Sheridan’s command. After the war John enlisted again in St. Louis, Missouri for a three-year engagement serving with the 38th, United States Infantry Regiment.  Being discharged in1868 John went to work as a cook at Fort Union, New Mexico, moving later to Pueblo, Colorado.  John applied for disability but it was denied.  No one really knows what happened net but it is assumed that John died shortly thereafter.   What you may not know about John Williams is that John was really Cathay Williams an African...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Today is going to be exceptional.  I say that for one reason, today I’ll be out playing 18.  The forecast is for temps to be around 66 with little to no winds, no rain a delightful day.  Tomorrow high of 43 and winds of 10-12 MPH. So, it’s today or not at all.  If I don’t get back to you until this afternoon have fun.  I’ll be thinking about all of you working so hard just before the long holiday season.. NOT.  
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
John Walker was born in Stockton-On-Tees back in 1781.  He finished grammar school and went to work as an assistant to a surgeon in the town.  Surgical operations was not in his future so he left turning his attention to chemistry.  He studied at Durham and York opening a small business as a druggist in 1818.  He died in 1859, he was 77. He invented something that is still in use today in his lab back in 1827.  He called his invention “Lucifers.”  This was a mixture of sulphide of antimony, cholorate of potsh and gum.  In 1829, a man named Mihael Fraday saw the marketing potential and thus the friction match was born.  John did not patent his invention as he was well off and did not need money.  Pity however, that’s my story for today.  Until tomorrow keep a smile on your face and pass ...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Decius Wadsworth was born in Farmington, Connecticut back in 1768 to William and Mercy.  He graduated from Yale in 1785 with Honors.  Now on with the history lesson for today.  Decius never married that is except that is to the military.George Washington appointed him as a captain in the Artillerist and Engineer Corps in 1794.  By 1800, he was a major serving as Superintendent of the Military Academy until 1805.  By the War of 1812 he was in charge of the U.S. Army Ordnance Department.   He drew up a set of regulation to ensure a system of uniformity in the armories. He served in that capacity until 1821.  He left the service due to illness and died that same year, he was just 53.  What you may not know about Decius Wadsworth is in 1817, he developed a cipher system based on a design by...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Benjamin Babbitt was born in Westmoreland, New York back in 1809 to Nathaniel and Betsey.  He attended public schools while working on the family farm.  By the time he was 20 you could find him working in a machine shop where he learned the trades of wheelwright, machinist and file maker. By the age of 22 he opened his own machine shop in Little Falls where for 12 years he manufactured pumps and engines.  It was also during this time he was introduced and studied chemistry.  His shop was destroyed in 1834, shortly after that he moved to New York City.  There he done some things that will forever place him in the history books. He was the first person to invent a practicable an economical mowing machine, one of the first made in America. His study in chemistry payed off as he started to ...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Edwin Herbert was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut back in 1909 to Harry and Martha. He attended Norwich Free Academy graduating in 1927. He attended Harvard University for one year, leaving for the bright lights of New York City.His thirst for education lead him to some inventions which of course put him in the history books. Through research he came up with a film containing millions of micro-sized polarizing crystals. In 1932 he with the help of his Harvard physics instructor opened a lab to commercialize his findings.He was instrumental with the U-2 program and was an advisor to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He also helped in the development of optics for the Lockheed U-2 spy plane. In 1957, Harvard University awarded him an honorary doctorate.What you may not know about Edwin Herb...
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By James Dray
(Fathom Realty)
Irving Lahrheim was born in New York City back in 1895 to Jacob and Augusta. He dropped out of school at 15 to join a vaudeville act. He was a hard worker advancing to top billing on the Columbia Burlesque Circuit.In 1931 he had a starring role in the movie Flying High. One of phrases was made in a 1944 patriotic film Meet the People when he uttered “Heavens to Murgatroyd!”. If you haven’t guessed it by now his stage name was Bert Lahr and of course his most famous role was in the movie The wizard of Oz, in which he was the Cowardly Lion. In 2013, his Lion costume was valued at 150,000.00 in a taping of the Antiques roadshow filmed I Detroit, Michigan.In 1964, he won the Tony award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in Foxy. One of his best quotes I found was “Laughter is ...
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