Numbered among the representative members of the bar of the city of Fort Smith, Mr. Koenigstein has here secured an excellent practice and he is known as a lawyer of fine professional ability, as well as one who subordinates all other matter to the work of his chosen vocation, which he considers worthy of his undivided allegiance. He has shown himself admirably equipped as an advocate and counselor, and his success has been a direct result of his well directed efforts in his exacting profession. He is a native son of the west and exemplifies its progressive spirit in his attitude as a citizen, the while his genial manners and sterling characteristics have given him secure place in the confidence and esteem of the community in which he has elected to make his home. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, in which he made a splendid record, as will be more clearly indicated in a later paragraph.

Arthur J. Koenigstein was born in Norfolk, Madison county, Nebraska, on the 14th of August, 1876, and is a son of Dr. John and Magdelene (Behrens) Koenigstein, who still maintain their home at Norfolk and who are numbered among the honored pioneers of Madison county. Dr. John Koenigstein was a member of a colony of about thirty German families that removed from Wisconsin and numbered themselves among the pioneer settlers of the Elkhorn valley, in northeastern Nebraska. This section has been developed into one of the richest agricultural regions of the west, and Dr. Koenigstein continued to devote his attention to his profession for many years, becoming one of the prosperous and influential citizens of Madison county, where he has ever commanded a secure place in popular confidence and esteem, having been elected mayor of Norfolk for three terms. He is now living retired in that thriving city, surrounded by friends who are tried and true and enjoying the generous rewards of former years of earnest toil and endeavor. He has given his support to the generic enterprises and enterprises that have compassed the development of his section of the state of Nebraska and in politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, being a staunch friend and advocate of the principles and policies advanced by Hon. William J. Bryan, the distinguished citizen of his home state. Dr. Koenigstein is a veteran of the Civil war, during part of which he “enjoyed the hospitality of the people of Arkansas as a prisoner of war,” to quote him. His children, four sons, are all living.

Like many another who has gained success in professional life, Arthur J. Koenigstein found his boyhood and youth compassed by the benignant influences of the farm. He gained his early education in the public schools of his native county, where he lived until the outbreak of the war with Spain, when he enlisted as a private in Company G, Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, of which Colonel William J. Bryan assumed command. Mr. Koenigstein had previously gained experience through his active identification with a company of the Nebraska National Guard in Norfolk, and his tactical knowledge led to his being assigned to duty in drilling recruits for the Nebraska regiment, at Fort Omaha, being promoted rapidly, until he was commissioned lieutenant by the United States war department. He proceeded with his command to Jacksonville, Florida, and going to Savannah, Georgia, he was made assistant quartermaster of the Seventh Army Corps, in which capacity he had charge of loading the transports with supplies, etc. This corps was in command of General Fitzhugh Lee, and with this corps Mr. Koenigstein served in the city of Havana, Cuba, and its vicinity. He became aide-de-camp on the staff of General Wifauain, after the close of hostilities, upon the occasion of the reception given by the state of Nebraska to the First Nebraska troops upon their return from the Philippine Islands. He continued in active service until May 11th, 1899, when he was mustered out, at Augusta, Georgia. After the close of his military service Mr. Koenigstein began reading law and he finally entered the Northwestern University, in Chicago, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1902. After his graduation he remained in his native state until June, 1904, when he came to Arkansas and secured admission to practice in the local and state courts, at Pine Bluff. He engaged in practice in South Arkansas, and in July, 1906, he established his permanent home in Fort Smith, the judicial center of Sebastian county, where he has built up a substantial general practice, which extends into both the state and federal courts in Arkansas. He is an uncompromising supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, of whose principles he is an effective advocate. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and also the local lodge of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. In the year 1903 Mr. Koenigstein was united in marriage to Miss Ethel M. Baker, daughter of Mrs. R. M. Baker, of Springfield, Illinois, in which city she was born and reared. Mrs. Koenigstein is a popular factor in connection with social affairs in Fort Smith and is a member of the Presbyterian church.