Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-26
He Was Elected President OF
Company at Meeting in New
York-Other Atlanta Men
Are Promoted.
J. EPPS BROWN
AND j. M. B. HOXSEY
VICE PRESIDENTS
o. j. Holditch is Elected Auditor and
III. w. Ladd Assistant Auditor.
Col. Gentry To Continue His Res
idence Here.
tay Associated Prss..l

NEW YORK, Feb. 25.-W. T. Gentry,
OF Atlanta, Ca, was elected president Of
the Southern Bell Telephone company at
an annual meeting of the stockholders
and directors today. Mr.. Gentry was
formerly vice president of the company.
He succeeds E. ]. Hall, of New York
The others officers elected were all At
lanta men except the assistant secretary.
]. NJ. B. Hoxsey. formerly auditor. and
]. Epps Brown were chosen vice presi-
dents; D. j. Carson was reelected sec
rotary and treasurer; c. ]. Holditch,
secretary; Mr.. Hoxsey. auditor, and A.
E. Holcomb, Of New York. was re-elect-
ed assistant secretary.
E. ]. Hall and the other directors of
the company were reelected
The election of Colonel Gentry will
place the executive head of the South
ern Bell company in Atlanta, the head
quarters having been located here since
since 1901. Colonel Gentry has had active
charge of the affairs of the telephone
company for q number of years and the
policy of the company and the conduct
of its business has been Influenced large
ly by his judgment. His election as pres
ident is a tribute to his genius and abil-
ity and comes as a reward won by long
years of esrvice, during which time he
has been one OF the most prominent fig
ures in the telephone field in America
Native of Virginia
Colonel Gentry is a native of Virginia,
having been born at Gordonsville, Va
He began his career with the Southern
Bell company twenty-eight years ago as
manager OF the exchange at Alexandra,
Va. In 1884. twenty-five years ago, he
came to Atlanta as manager of the local
exchange. Since that time he has filled
every position of Importance In the
company's organization with such signai
success that his series OF promotions cul-
inmates in his election as president OF
the company which has an investment
of $20OO0,0OO, employs more than 5000
people and operates in seven southern
states.
Eight years after he came to Atlanta.
Colonel Gentry was appointed assistant
superintendent of the district including
Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and
Florida. In 1897 he was appointed gen.
eral superintendent OF construction and
had charge of all the construction work
Of the entire company. He successfully
held this position until 1899, when he was
appointed district superintendent for the
states of Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
with headquarters in Atlanta.
General Manager in 1901
In 1901 he was elected general man
ager Of the company, and it's affairs
were placed largely in his hands, the
headquarters being moved from New
York to Atlanta through his influence In
1903 he was elected vice president and a
member of the board of directors con-
Iinuing as general manager. The exec
utive duties of vice president increased
to such an extent IN 1907 that the Offices
of vice president and general manager
were separated, ]. Epps Brown being
elected general manager.
AS president Of the Southern Bell COM
pany, Colonel Gentry will continue to re-
side in Atlanta, but will probably have
an office in New York, where he will
spend considerable time in attendance
upon board meetings and in handling the
financial affairs of the company.
Colonel Gentry's election will be graft
flying news to his friends in Atlanta and
throughout the south. He has been close
ly identified with the larger affairs of
this section for a long period of years,
and the remarkable development of the
telephone in the south is the result of
his absolute faith in the future of his
native section and his ability to impress
1t upon large investors. When he entered
the telephone business the telephone was
as little more than toy, and
few people believed that It would ever
develop into its present Importance as an
agency in the business and social life
of the nation. He has played a part In
every step Of this development in the
south. Foreseeing the needs Of this sec
ton and studying the possibilities of the
future, his judgment has been accepted
without question, and he is today regard
ed as one Of the leading figures in the
telephone world.
j. Epps Brown
j. Epps Brown, who has been elected
vice president and general manager Of
the Southern Bell company, has held the
office of general manager since March, 1907.
He is a native of Newberry, S. c.. but
has resided in Atlanta during the past
eight years. He began his career with
the Southern Bell company in 1893, as
of the exchange in Americas,
Ga. Since that time he has won rapid
promotion, and his career has been sue
cessful and brilliant.
Mr.. Brown was transferred from
Americas to the Office Of Colonel Gentry
In Atlanta eight years ago. He was
soon made special agent to the general
In 1907, when the offices OF
vice president and general manager were
separated he was elected general man
ager. He has displayed signal ability
In his chosen profession and his election
rs vice president and general manager is
as a deserved promotion for q
.ireless worker.
Mr.. Browns service with the Southern
Bell company, while extending over q
period Of only ten years, is in many ways
A constant student and an
energetic worker he has thoroughly
the details of the business and
is progress under his administration has
been noticeable.
j. NJ. B. Hoxsey.
]. NJ. B. Hoxsey, who is promoted from
he Office of auditor to be vice president