History
Allen Brothers Monuments Inc. 1892-1928
Allen Brothers had several locations in Arkansas.
Around 1928, Vess Hoffman bought the business
from the Allen Brothers. After he passed
away, Bob Little, W. A. “Red” Daniels and Don
Harrell bought the business from his estate.
Camden Monument Works 1928-1943
Don Harrell sold his one-third interest to W. A.
Daniels. In 1935, W. A. Daniels sold his two-thirds
interest to C. E. “Seth” Parker.
Around 1943, Bob Little sold his one-third interest to C. E. “Seth” Parker and he was now the sole owner of the business.
Company Staff Picture 1939
Back L to R: Bob Little, Hugh Hogg, Ralph Bell
Lloyd Adams, S.K. Clark, Sam Mullenaux, &
Jeff Gatling
Middle L to R: Henry Kauffman, Harvey Rich,
& Reedy Lloyd.
Front L to R: T. D. Wardlaw, C. E. Seth Parker,
Mr. Norton (Rock of Ages Representative),
Ed Offut, & A.C. Linaker
Camden Monument Works in 1957
1960
Workshop in the 60's
1977 Construction
C. E. “Seth” Parker passed away in 1976 and his son, Carl E. “Eddie” Parker became the owner. A new building was constructed in 1977.
1990's
G.R. “Dick” Mosley purchased the business in 1992. Mike Murphree became the sole owner in 1994, with branch locations in El Dorado, Magnolia and Fordyce.
Expansion
Since 1994 a branch location was added in Warren, Arkansas Monument. Pine Bluff Monument and Stuttgart Monument were added in 1996. The Arkadelphia location, Arkansas Monument, was added in 2003. Hamilton Monument Company in North Little Rock was added in 2008. In 2008 the Pine Bluff Monument location on Barraque was moved and renamed, Arkansas Monument Company, at the current location in Watson Chapel area on 5519 Sulphur Springs Road.
Today
Today, Camden Memorials, Inc. is made up of nine locations in Camden, El Dorado, Magnolia, Pine Bluff, North Little Rock, Warren, Fordyce, Stuttgart, and Arkadelphia.
About the Owner
Mike Murphree
Mike graduated Arkadelphia High School in 1983 and Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) in 1987. He graduated with a Business Administration degree at OBU. He was also a distinguished military graduate (DMG) and following graduation he served 4 years in the US Army as a commissioned Infantry officer at the 5th Infantry Division in Ft. Polk, LA. He married Grace Mosley Murphree in 1990, and they are the proud parents of three children – Savannah (1993), Price (1994) and Sarah Grace (1997). He has been involved locally and served on several boards in Camden- which include the Boys & Girls Club of Ouachita County, Camden Country Club, Leadership Camden, Mustin Lake Outing Association, Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development & the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce. He served two separate terms as the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce President and currently serves as President at the Camden Country Club. He is an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Camden. He most recently served as Chairman of the Finance Committee from 2017 - 2020. He is a past president of the American Institute of Commemorative Art www.monuments-aica.com. The American Institute of Commemorative Art membership is by invitation only and consists of approximately 50 members in the United States and Canada.