Bond

Although the Bond family would not be called pioneers, many men and women look back to the time when James Leslie Bond was Superintendent of the old Yellville High School and realize that much of the success they have achieved was the result of the training, discipline and inspiration of this teacher.

J. L. Bond was born at Haynesville, Louisiana, July 16, 1877. He was still quite young when he came to Arkansas with his parents, the Rev. James Joseph and Mary C. (Bond) Bond. Although they were of the same name, they were not related. Mrs. Bond (the mother) was born in Louisiana in 1854, the daughter of Samuel Bond who was born in Louisiana and served as a Confederate soldier, while Reverend Bond was born in Westmoreland County, Georgia, in 1850. They were married in Louisiana in 1868 and became the parents of four sons and three daughters.

Early in life James Joseph Bond decided to devote his attention to the work of the Methodist ministry and gave his entire life to his calling. He filled various pastorates, labored diligently; his zeal and his eloquence carried conviction to the rninds of his hearers. He gave his political support to the Democratic Party but never took an active interest in politics. His death occurred in 1901.

J. L. Bond attended the public schools of the state and attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, where he receined his Bachelor's Degree in 1900. He was connected with the teaching profession throughout his life. After teaching at Yellville, he became Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1908 and filled that position until 1912, when he was made Supervisor of Rural Schools and occupied that position for four years. On the first of December, 1916, he became State Superintendent of Public Instruction and held that position for several years. The schools of Arkansas showed a marked improvement under the direction of Mr. Bond.

In Newport, Arkansas, in 1903, J. L. Bond was married to Hallie Fem Clark, who was born in Milan, Tennessee, in 1879. Her parents were Samuel C. and Cherry (Ellis) Clark, natives of Tennessee. She was educated at Milan College. Mr. and Mrs. Bond were the parents of one child, Minta, Lee. Both parents were members of the Methodist Church.

Mr. Bond was active in every plan and measure to promote public welfare. During WW I he took part in alI activities, such as the State Council of Defense, The Liberty Bond Drives, Red Cross work, and as one of the Four-Minute Men. He also served as Secretary of the Arkansas Education Association and later as its president.

While living in Yellville, the family made many friends. His widowed mother, two brothers, R. F. (whose wife was Maud McDowell) and T. L., and a sister, Mrs. Westmoreland, lived here.

Some of this information is taken from CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS by Dallas T. Herndon,Vol. II, p. 1074.