J. Ben Williams, occupying an enviable position in commercial and industrial circles, is now the president of the Fort Smith Vehicle & Machinery Company. He has gained a substantial measure of success as the years have gone by and at the same time he has won a good name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches. The integrity and enterprise of his business methods is acknowledged by all and steadily he is forging toward the goal of prosperity. Mr. Williams is a native of Sebastian county and a son of J. D. and E. J. (Bugg) Williams. The father followed farming for many years, but is now living retired at the age of seventy-eight.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, J. Ben Williams obtained his education in the public schools of Sebastian county and started out in the business world as proprietor of a small grocery store south of Fort Smith. Later he removed to this city and became identified with the Reynolds-Davis Grocery Company, a wholesale concern, with which he remained for two years. At length he embarked in his present business, ambitious that his labors should more directly benefit himself. The Fort Smith Vehicle & Machinery Company was organized in 1914, opening its establishment at 1105 Garrison avenue, with Mr. Williams as the president and N. C. Meals as secretary and treasurer. At first the firm handled vehicles and machinery—buggies, farm implements and heavy farm machinery. In the course of time it broadened the scope of its interests to include shelf and heavy hardware. For two years the company remained at 1105 Garrison avenue and then removed to North Second street, where business was carried on for three years. Finally it secured its present spacious quarters on South Ninth street, where it has a floor space fifty by one hundred and sixty feet. The growth of its trade is indicated in the fact that the original store was but twenty-three by one hundred and forty feet. The firm's capitalization at the beginning was forty-five hundred dollars and today the business is capitalized for twenty two thousand dollars. The store is one of the substantial commercial interests of Fort Smith and the business has been developed along gratifying lines, showing a steady and healthful growth.

Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Lyntice Shaw and they have become parents of five children: Hugh, Bernice, Lucille, Bessie, and Rosalee.

Mr. Williams belongs to the Business Men's Club. He enjoys the good will and high regard of his contemporaries in the trade circles of Fort Smith and his career is illustrative of the fact that activity does not tire but on the contrary hardens and gives resisting power.