Edgar Brewster of Pine Bluff, who is engaged in the
insurance business with office in the Citizens Bank building, was born in Cleveland
county, Arkansas, in 1871, a son of Alphonso and Alabama (Harper) Brewster, the former
born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, while the mother was born in the state for which she
was named. The grandparents of Edgar Brewster in the paternal line were natives of
England, in which country they were reared and married, coming thence to the new
world and settling in Tennessee. Later they became residents of Corinth, Mississippi, and
afterward removed to Drew county, Arkansas where Mr. Brewster conducted a plantation and
both he and his wife died in this state. The parents of Edgar Brewster lived in Drew
county for some time and afterward in Cleveland county, when in 1880 they removed to Pine
Bluff. Here the father engaged in the wholesale grocery business and also conducted a
lumber business and brickyard. To him and his wife were born the following named: Lula,
who is now the wife of J.H. Wilkins; Edgar; Oscar; Ophelia, the wife of Dr. J.W. Scales;
Garland; Alphonso; Arthur; and Clifford C. The father was a veteran of the Civil War.
Edgar Brewster was educated in Pine Bluff and also
attended college at St. Louis. He became an accountant with D.B. Riggin and afterward
served as chief deputy sheriff, in the year 1894. His capability for office and his
personal popularity have led to his election for various positions. He was chosen clerk of
the circuit and chancery courts and served from 1906 until 1910. He was elected sheriff
and collector in the year 1914 and following his retirement from that off he became
district agent for the Union Central Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati. Since that date
he has been identified with the insurance business and has gained many clients, so that
his activities have brought gratifying results.
Mr. Brewster was united in marriage to Miss Florence
Adams, a daughter of Mrs. Hetty (White) Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster are parents of the
following children: Edgar T., now deceased; William R., who was graduated from the West
Point Military Academy, becoming a first
lieutenant, U.S.A.; Henrietta, the wife of David A. Lang, formerly of Birmingham, England,
but now sales manager of the export department of the General Motors Corporation in New
York city; Florence, who is a student of piano and voice and possessing marked ability in
those lines; and Helen, who is also a student.
Mr. Brewster belongs to the Lakeside Methodist church
and fraternally is a Mason and an Elk. He is a past high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter
and a past potentate of the Mystic Shrine, while in the Elks lodge he is a past
exalted ruler. |