The log cabin Democrat., 1915-04-08
Who's Who I N Fl E N D R I x


 On farm near Greenbrier, Faulk- ner county, Arkansas, there was born on October IS, 1876, to MT. and Mrs Francis D. Utley, boy who was soon to come forth into the busy twentieth century to help shape the affairs of both church and state. His mothers maiden name was Amanda M. Snow. His father, Francis D. Utley was born in Gibson county, Tennessee, 1853. His grandfather, James c. Utley was an officer in Forests Cavalry, in which he lost his life
 This ruddy country boy was named Joseph Simms. Young Joseph was reared in typical southern home, where hospitality, true home life, and friendship reigned. Friends were al ways welcomed. They made their livelihood at home.
 The career of Young Joseph began to widen as he dreamed and read the great laws of nature while he worked in the fields and roamed the woods Probably there was psychological effect from the mere name, Joseph, on the young boys life.
 He attended the rural schools of Faulkner county, and later the Springfield high school, at Spring ield, Arkansas. Prof. J. M. C.. vaughter, the present county exam iner of Faulkner county was principal of this high school.
 At the age of twenty one Joseph en- tered the academy of Hendrix College, and received his A. B. degree from Hendrix in June, 1906.
 As a student MT. Utley was not brilliant, but he was earnest and careful. He took an active part in literary society work, representing Hendrix College in the Hendrix Ouachita debate in 1905. They lost this year. He represented Hendrix again in the Hendrix-Ouachita debate in 1906, winning this time. No other Hendrix man has had the distinction of debating against the same college twice. MT. Utley was an active Y. M. c. A. worker while student, be- ing president of the association one year. He was an assistant teacher of history of the academic department of the college two years while he was in school. Being president of the Taulk- ner County Contest Association, MT. Utley was chosen while a student in Hendrix to read paper before the State Teachers Association on the county contest plan.
 MT. Utley taught several rural schools in Faulkner county. He was principal of schools at Ashdown 1903-04. After he had graduated from Hendrix, he taught history and French in the Clary Training School 19Od-08.
 He was admitted to the practice of law at Benton, Arkansas, September 1907, and has practiced there since June l, 1908. On December 2, 1912, he was admitted to practice law in the state supreme court, and on Jan- uary 4, 1915, he was admitted to prac- tice law in the United States district courts. From March, 1911, to Novem- Ter 1, 1914, Hon. J. s. Utley was prosecuting attorney of the Seventh Judicial District, in which place he achieved fame as a prosecutor of criminals, and as an unfaltering champion of justice. He was presi- dent of the State Prosecuting Attor- neys' Association in 1913.
 Hon. J. s. Utley has not only prac- ticed law at Benton, but he has been aid to his town in other ways. He was member of the city council of Benton 1909-10, and was the first sec retary of Saline County Fair Asso- citation.
 A great many people think that a lawyer is not fit to do church work, but Mr. Utley has demonstrated to the world, as have other Hendrix men in the legal profession, that he can be useful in the church as we'll as in the state. He is a member of the board of stewards of the Methodist church at Benton, superintendent of the Sun- day school, lay leader of the Arkadel- phia District of the Little Rock Con- ference.
 He was elected an alternate dele gate to the General Conference of 1914, which met in Oklahoma City, and attended in the place of MT. L.. B. Leigh, being assigned MT. Leigh's