This article, adapted from The Tampa Daily Times of October 8, 1932, courtesy of Doyle Spears, was published in The Herald-Advocate (Wauchula, Fla.) of June 13, 1996.
Hon. W. C. King
Mr. King, merchant of Zolfo Springs, grower, and the county commissioner from his district, is also one of the organizers and for three years has been president of the Zolfo Springs Strawberry Growers' Association.
Mr. King, a native of Citrus County, has lived in Hardee County thirteen years, during which time he served eight years on the council of Zolfo Springs, four years as county commissioner, to which office he has been renominated, and has always been a community leader.
Earl L. Metheny
Mr. Metheny is a native Iowan who located in Hardee County twenty years ago, most of the time engaging in the fruit business.
For five years he has been manager of the Wauchula house of Gentile Brothers, who operate eight packing plants in the state, the Wauchula house shipping between three and four hundred cars of fruit each year. Mr. Metheny is also associated with his father and brother in agricultural pursuits.
"The productive soil of Hardee County will give an ample reward to the real worker and this is a great place in which to live," says Mr. Metheny.
Hon. H. E. Murphy
The new senator from the district, H. E. Murphy, is a native Floridian and one of Hardee County's outstanding citrus growers. For sixteen years he served old DeSoto County as tax assessor.
Senator Murphy established the first bank in his home town Zolfo Springs, and is always found in the front ranks of community leaders.
The senator has a progressive sound program which he hopes to see the new legislature adopt and which he intends shall hasten prosperity.
A. Z. Oliff
Mr. Oliff, Hardee County distributor for Gulf Refining Oil Products, is a native of Brooks County, Ga., and has lived in Wauchula for twelve years. Prior to accepting the Gulf distributorhip two and a half years ago, Mr. Oliff was manager of the Kilgore Seed Company.
He is treasurer of the Lions Club and an aggressive candidate for councilman from Ward two. His many friends in Wauchula are confident of his election and that his continuance in office will result in the general good.
F. L. Revell
Mr. Revell, head of the Wauchula Insurance and Rental Agency and the Hardee County Tax Adjustment Bureau, is a native of Hardee County, the home of his family and many relatives.
The real estate business, which he established seven years ago, controls the management and rental of 90 per cent of the residential property offered for rent and 60 per cent of the business property. Perhaps it is partly due to Mr. Revell's enterprise that Wauchula has few vacant houses.
Rev. B. A. Roth
Rev. Roth came to Wauchula two months ago from Georgia to become pastor of the First Baptist Church.
A native of London, England, Rev. Roth came to Philadelphia at the age of five years. He served as a private in the twenty-eighth division, U.S. Army. He attended Mercer University, Atlanta, and National Bible Institute, Philadelphia.
Prior to entering the ministry, he was engaged in newspaper work in Philadelphia. He is a Lion and active in civic affairs.
R. C. Simmons
He graduated at Stetson University and also attended the University of Florida, taking a course in law. Last June, he was nominated clerk of the circuit court over two opponents and will take office in January.
He is active in civic affairs and has abiding faith in the future of Hardee County and this section, which he says is second to none in the state.
Al G. Smith
Mr. Smith, Hardee County distributor of Texaco products, is a native of Wauchula. After his graduation from the local high school, he attended the University of Florida and graduated from Oglethorpe, Atlanta, in 1924.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Wauchula Kiwanis Club and a leader in all civic movements. He has been with the Texas company for seven years and under his supervision the demand for Texaco products is continually on the increase. He is a valued citizen.
Dr. B. D. Spears
Dr. Spears, practicing physician and owner of the Central Pharmacy, Wauchula, came to Hardee County in 1914, shortly after being graduated from the Georgia College of Electric Medicine and Surgery.
He located at Zolfo Springs, but moved to the county seat three years ago, and has taken an active part in all movements for the betterment of his city and county.
He is a member of the Lions Club. Dr. Spears is a native of Alabama, but a firm believer in the future of Florida.
January 31, 2001