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One of the largest commercial enterprises of Fort Smith is the Pape Book Store, owned and conducted by William B. Pape. A spirit of enterprise and progressiveness has always actuated the proprietor in the management and conduct of the business and he has closely studied every problem relating to the trade and its improvement. His thoroughness and earnestness have ever been guided by sound judgment and he has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way. Fort Smith is proud to number him among her native sons, for his birth here occurred in 1860. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth Pape, the former coming to Fort Smith in 1854. Here he engaged in business as a contractor and builder and was prominently identified with the early development and improvement of the city. William B. Pape acquired his primary education in the public schools of Fort Smith and in fact attended the first public school of the city. He afterward became a student in the University of Arkansas, in which he pursued his studies for three years from 1878 until 1881. In 1889 Mr. Pape was called to public office when he was made United States jailor at Fort Smith under President Benjamin Harrison, serving under the direct supervision of Colonel Jacob Yoes, who was then United States marshal. After retiring from that position Mr. Pape became assistant cashier of the Crawford County Bank at Van Buren and was thus identified with the financial interests of the county for a considerable period. In 1896 he was again called to public office when elected on the republican ticket to the office of sheriff of Crawford county. He served for one term in that position, discharging his duties fearlessly and faithfully, after which he came to Fort Smith and has since been identified with the commercial interests of the city. It was in 1899 that he turned his attention to the book and stationery business, in which he has since been engaged. The store was formerly owned by J. D. Van Winkle & Company and Mr. Pape acquired a half interest in the business, while in 1899 he purchased the remainder of the stock, becoming sole proprietor. He carries a large and most attractive line of goods. The reading public has little difficulty in finding what is wanted on‘ his shelves and he also carries a large and well selected line of stationery, while the steady growth of his business is indicative of the reliability of his trade methods and the progressiveness which he manifests in the conduct of his store. In 1916 Mr. Pape was united in marriage to Mrs. Nettie Tibbs and they have become the parents of a daughter, Lucy Louise. In politics Mr. Pape has always manifested the keenest interest as a supporter of the republican party and has served as a member of the state republican committee from Sebastian county. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, and he is also a member of the Business Men’s Club, displaying keen interest in the organized efforts of that society for the city's upbuilding and improvement. In whatever relation of life he is found—in the government service, in political circles, .in business or in social relations—he is always the same honorable and honest gentleman whose worth well merits the high regard which is uniformly extended him. |