how it all began 

  • March 5, 1921
    • The businessmen of Clarksville, with the prominent farmers of the County, met at the Arlington Hotel (pictured above) and affected the Organization of The Chamber of Commerce by electing these gentlemen as a board of Governors.
      • R.D. Dunlap
      • E.A. King
      • A.F. Ward
      • R.A. Morgan
      • J.W. Sallis
      • Dr. Earl H. Hunt
      • A.W. Laser
      • W.T. Perking
      • H.H. Ragon
      • R.H. McKennon
      • H.D. Coffee
      • Ethel Griffen
  • March 11, 1921
    • ​A meeting was held in the basement of the Presbyterian church at 6 PM to complete the reorganization of the chamber, where a President, Vice-President Treasurer and nine directors were elected by the members.
  • March 17, 1921 
    • ​​Another meeting was held in the basement of the Clarksville Methodist Church in regards to the organizing/reorganizing of the Chamber. 
  • October 27, 1927
    • ​The Federated Club of Johnson County met at Arlington Hotel to merge with the Chamber of Commerce with:
      • President; Mr. Heber Denman​
      • Congressman: Hartsil Ragon
      • Senator: Paul McKennon
  • December 5, 1927
    • The Federated Club of Johnson County and the Chamber of Commerce became one and same with:
      • President: Jesse Reynolds
      • Vice-President: Mr. F.Q. Poyner
      • Treasurer: Mr. D.W. Hervey

9 reasons to join the chamber of commerce(november 24,1927)

  1. Its Purpose:  The Chamber of Commerce is organized to forward those public interests, which have long been neglected because "everybody's business is nobody's business." The sole object of the acts of the Chamber of commerce is the Public Good.
  2. Its Membership: Because membership in the Chamber of Commerce is open to everybody without distinction of any sort-- a democratic institution in the best sense of the word: The old town meeting restored. 
  3. Its Method:  Free speech and open handed dealing are employed on the public questions, large and small, which arise in the community.
  4. Cooperation: Membership in the Chamber of Commerce shows sympathy with an organized effort to better the city, and life within it. The things that are worth while are brought to successful issue, only through united demand and interest. 
  5. ​Your Duty: If a man can afford to pay $25 to join the Chamber of Commerce, it is a public duty to make that contribution for the development of Clarksville.
  6. It Reacts to You:  A man in business is broader and more successful when he has a more active interest in municipal affairs, civic and commercial.
  7.  A Chance to Work:  As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, you are afforded an opportunity to work for the conditions you have, as a good citizen, long hoped for-- you can help things happen.
  8. You Get Out What You Put In: If one gives his best efforts, he is justified in looking for results favorable to himself, material and ethical. He profits in dollars and cents through the increased prestige of his city; but the best of all in personal satisfaction at having come out of his own shell of self interest and broadened his horizon. 
  9. For Future Generations: He is a small man, if not mean, who cares only for his own success and for the prosperity of his own generation only. Therefore, the broadminded citizen seeks to ally himself with those forces which are building the city of the future for his children and children's children. 

major personalities
Frank McAnear:
Born in Texas, "Mr. Mc." moved to Arkansas at the age of 3, attended school at Quitman, and took his first teaching job at 18 years old. He graduated from Hendrix College (Conway) in 1915. He later received his Master's degree from the University of Missouri. Honorable English Teacher at the College of the Ozarks for 15 years and also served as registrar and head of the speech department. 

1947: MacAnear became the County's second full-time Chamber Manager. 
1948: Secretary Manager of the Chamber of Commerce.
1971: McAnear retired from his job of Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. After 17 years in the job, he retired in order to concentrate on keeping his lawn mowed and take care of his wife's flowers.
Mr. Joseph F. Leopold
He was is one of the wittiest, most entertaining and noted speakers engaged in the Chamber of Commerce.

"member of the week"

The "Member of the Week" program was one where the Chamber of Commerce would randomly draw a Chamber member to highlight for that particular week. 
August 5, 1945: Mrs. Lillian Mickel
Owner and Manager of the Anderson Studio. 

​Second business woman in the Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, with over 25 years of experience in the picture making and finishing, Mrs. Mickel owned a half-interest in the Anderson Studio when Mr. Anderson died. She then purchased the other half and had continued to operate in the same location 
January 4, 1948: Wish Brothers 
​In 1910, J.C. and L. Wert Wish entered business with their brother-in-law R.E. Powell, in Judsonia, under the firm name of Powell & Wish, operating in the retail department store.
They were instrumental in organizing the Farmers & L'erchants Bank, serving as directors. 

presidents' list (

James W. Krohn
​​

"you have your money invested and you should see that your money is handled by twelve of the best men in the county and spent where it will do the most good for the community."