Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 101

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314

USA > Mississippi > Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II > Part 101

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John J. Reaves, planter, Bently, has been a resident of Calhoun county, Miss., for the past forty years, and his principal occupatiou during that time has been farming. He has attended to his adopted calling with such energy and thoroughness that successful results have been reaped, and he is at the present time possessed of a large tract of land, and has over two hundred acres under cultivation. His grandparents, Stephen and Sarah (Flowers) Reaves, were natives of Georgia, and the grandfather was accidentally killed while spiling posts in a water gap in that state. He was a democrat in politics, and he and wife were members of the Baptist church. She lived to be quite aged. Both were very highly respected, and were the owners of considerable property. Of their nine children all lived to be growu, and one is now living, Mrs. Sarah Huckelby, who resides in the Lone Star state. The father of John J. Reaves, William Reaves, was the fourth in order of birth of this family. He was born in Virginia in 1805, but was reared in Georgia, where in 1827 he was married to Miss Sarah Lakey, also a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1810. There they resided until 1852, when they emigrated to Mississippi, settled near Bentley, and there made their home until 1887. The father was a very successful planter in early days, and owned a consider- able amount of property, but in a later period his fortunes were less bright. He was in the Indian war in Florida in 1836. In politics he affiliated with the democratic party. He was a consistent member of the Primitive Baptist church, as is also his widow, who now resides with her youngest son near the old home place. Their family consisted of nine children, three, besides John J., now living: William, resides in Webster county, Miss. ; Josiah Thomas, also in Webster county; and Susan, wife of C. G. Bently. Those deceased were: Mrs. Sarah McDowell, died in Webster county, leaving four children; Mrs. Mary J. Rigell, died at Bentley, Miss .; Mrs. Amanda Tabb, died in Webster county, leaving one child; and Benja- min, died in Alabama from the effects of a wound received during the war. The others died when small. John J. Reaves was born in Georgia in 1833, but attained his growth in Mis- sissippi, whither he had moved with his parents. At the breaking out of hostilities he enlisted in company B, Thirty-first Mississippi regiment, infantry, and served until the close of war. He was wounded in the ankle and foot near Dalton, and was captured at Baker's creek in the first attack of Vicksburg, Miss .; taken to Indianapolis, Ind., and thence to Fort Delaware,

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Md., where he was exchanged four months later. He afterward returned to his regiment in Alabama, and at the time of the surrender was in the hospital. From that time to the present he has never been free from pain in his ankle from the wound. Returning to Mis- sissippi after the war he resumed agricultural pursuits, and in 1866 he was wedded to Mrs. T. J. Few, nee Tobitha Bently, widow of Jasper Few, who died during the war. By Mr. Few she had two children, William C. Few, and Susan, who died when ten years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Reaves have been born two children, Samuel D., died near Denver, Colo., in December, 1889, at the age of twenty-two years, and J. Charles, who died at his home in 1887, when seventeen years of age. William C. Few is the only child now living of either marriage. He was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Reaves, and resides with them at the present time. He was married to Miss Connie Douglas, a native of Bently, and the daughter of T. J. Douglas, who is now deceased, but who was sheriff of Calhoun county for some time. Mrs. Douglas resides on the home place in Bently, and has seven living children. One, Dr. Thomas O., is a successful physician of Bently. In politics Mr. Reaves is a democrat. He was a member of the board of supervisors of Calhoun county, Miss., in 1885 and 1886, and he and Mrs. Reaves are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Atlanta lodge, of Chickasaw county, Miss.

Dr. Joseph Redhead, one of the early settlers of Wilkinson county, and a prominent physician and planter, was a native of England, and was born October 14, 1812, in Northum- berland county, and was the eldest of a family of three daughters and two sons born to John and Anna Redhead, natives of England. When Dr. Joseph was seven years of age they came to the United States and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the father engaged in an iron foundry. The parents remained in that city until their respective deaths at advanced years. Dr. Joseph started out for himself at the age of sixteen years, and coming South clerked for a time in Alabama. He carefully saved his earnings, and returned to Cin- cinnati, where he read medicine under one of Cincinnati's most prominent physicians, and later graduated with distinction from the Cincinnati Medical college. He then went to Springfield, Ill., where he practiced successfully for a time, during which period he became very well acquainted and was upon intimate terms with Abraham Lincoln, who took up his residence there in 1837. From Springfield the Doctor went to Peoria, where he remained several years practicing his profession. He finally started down the Illinois river on a flat- boat, his sole possession being a horse, saddle and saddle-bag. Landing at Natchez in 1834 he rode to Woodville, and from there to Rose Hill, Amite county, where he practiced his pro- fession, remaining with Mr. Eli Cappell for three or four years. He then came to Wilkin- son county and settled at Montrose plantation, which had been the stand of several other physicians. This stand for doctors was the site of the Jackson academy, incorporated in 1814 and named in honor of General Jackson. It flourished for a number of years and was the resort of many of the leading physicians of this county. After the college went down it was known only as the stand for physicians. The Doctor soon after settling at Montrose married, March 25, 1847, the lady of his choice in Amite county. She was Mary, the daughter of Agrippa and Margaret Gayden. The Gaydens were early settlers from South Carolina. Mrs. Redhead was born March 17, 1830, and was from a family of three daughters and three sons, all of whom are deceased but Ivison G. Gayden, who served in the Mexican war. He now lives in East Feliciana parish, La., engaged in planting. George and Frank settled in Bolivar county, Miss. Frank was a soldier in the late war and was the first prisoner exchanged between the North and the South. He was captured in Missouri and exchanged the same day. He held a captain's commission and died several years after

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the war. George died in 1861. Minerva died in girlhood, and Mary became the wife of Mr. Redhead. Elvira married A. G. Cage, of Terre Bonne parish, La., a prominent sugar planter. She died in 1863, leaving six small children. Mary, mother of John A., was edu- cated in Liberty, Amite county, and died April 21, 1851. She was a member of the Presby- terian church. She was a good woman and a dutiful wife and mother. By this union were born two children, Mary H. and John A. Mary H. first married Dr. Hamilton, and upon his death a Mr. Morrill, and lives in Newburyport, Mass. John A. lives on the home place. Dr. Redhead was actively engaged in the practice of medicine until about the close of the war. He was a public-spirited man, but would not accept an office, and was a Jacksonian democrat. After the war he devoted his time and attention to his plantation. While being a man of social temperament, fond of life and its enjoyments, he was withal a philosopher, and always looked at life with practical though charitable eyes. He traveled a great deal, spending his summers in the cool resorts of the North. He was a natural mechanical genius-could make anything-and at one time made an artificial leg for General Brandon, and a hand for Albert Cage, the latter being so perfect that he could use the hand to write with. He died September 7, 1881, with congestion of the bowels. He came in possession of a large estate through his wife, and was among the county's most respected and well-to-do citizens. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F., in which he took very active part until late in life. His son, John A., was born October 28, 1849, on the place where he now resides, and was educated at Albert Lyon's high school, in Pike county, Miss., and by private tutors at home, and by his own exertions. He was married in 1878 to Miss Julia Norwood, of East Feliciana parish, La. She was the daughter of Judge Nor- wood, a very prominent man of Louisiana. Mrs. Redhead was educated in Clinton, La., and is a very highly respected and very estimable lady. To this union were born three children: Joseph, John and Ella. John A. served two terms as a member of the board of supervisors of this county, and was elected in 1878 to the legislature. He is devoted to his family, and is one of the most successful and progressive planters in the county. He has about one thousand eight hundred acres well under cultivation, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and K. of H. He has a beautiful residence located near the site of the old Jackson academy, on an elevation of ground and surrounded with handsome shade trees.

D. M. Redmond, of Osyka, Pike county, Miss., was born in this county, near where he now resides, December 6, 1825. Jesse Redmond, his father, was born in Barnwell district, S. C., April 4, 1791, came to Mississippi when a young man in 1812 and settled in the terri- tory now embraced in Pike county. February 7, 1825, he married here a Miss Elizabeth Carter, also a native of Barnwell district, S. C. After his marriage he located where the town of Osyka has since grown up, becoming a well-known planter. He served in the War of 1812 as a soldier under General Jackson, and received a pension from the government until his death in 1876, which, after his death, was paid to his widow until she died, which occurred June 10, 1888. D. M. Redmond is the eldest of a family of ten, of whom four sons and one daughter died young. He was reared in this county and received such an educa- tion as was afforded by the public schools. May 25, 1855, he was married at New Orleans to Miss Bridget Joyce, a native of Ireland, but who was reared in the state just mentioned. Soon after his marriage Mr. Redmond located where he now lives in Osyka, having previously purchased part of the old homestead of his father, adjoining the village. Although he has never operated on a very extensive scale, he has been a very successful planter and acquired a competency, owning at this time, besides his plantation, considerable residence property in Osyka. His political affiliations are with the democratic party. He has held many local

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positions of trust and honor, being at this time mayor of Osyka and a justice of the peace. He is highly esteemed for his integrity and sterling qualities. He has three children grown to manhood and womanhood, and occupying honorable positions in society. They are: Florilla, a young lady of superior education and fine abilities, who occupies the position of telegraph operator at Osyka; James M., a well-educated young man of good business capacity, who is the station agent at Aquila, Sunflower county, Miss., and Mary E., wife of P. E. Triche. Mr. Redmond is a member and holds the office of treasurer of the Baptist church of Osyka. During his long life Mr. Redmond has been faithful to every trust reposed in him, and in every relation of life to which he has been called he has done his whole duty with an honesty of purpose which has been his distinguishing characteristic, and now in his old age he is loved and venerated by his family and wide circle of friends, and is highly esteemed by the entire community. Among his most interesting reminiscences are those of his services in the Confederate army during the late war. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in company F, of the Fourteenth Mississippi cavalry. He was soon promoted to be orderly sergeant, and as such served till he received his discharge at the close of the war. He participated in a number of important engagements and was captured at Liberty while on detached duty as courier for Colonel Dillon, and was held a prisoner of war at Liberty, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, but the most of the time at Ship island, where he was kept in close confinement until the end of the war came. During his military life Mr. Redmond often found himself in the thick of some of the hardest fought battles of the war, with mis- siles of war flying fast and furious on all sides of him, but he escaped, almost miraculously as it were, without even a bullet hole in his clothes.

W. B. Redus, Shannon, Lee county, Miss. The Rev. J. W. Redus was born in Marion county, Ala., November 15, 1820. At the age of thirteen years he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in 1856 was licensed as a minister. He preached throughout northern Mississippi, and in 1863 enlisted in the Confederate service under Captain Welter- all. He passed through all the experiences of warfare, being taken prisoner in the battle of Egypt; he was held twenty two days, and then released. He was a son of William Redus. The father was born in Tennessee in 1796, and the mother in South Carolina in 1799. Her maiden name was Brown. John W. Redus was united in marriage November 20, 1845, to Miss Emily Saunders. She was a daughter of John F. and Catherine Gilberth. Their union was blessed by the birth of four children: Mrs. Catherine Cunningham, widow of William Cunningham; Laura, wife of C. A. Henly; R. C., a lawyer of Birmingham, Ala .; and W. B., the subject of this sketch. He was born in what was then a portion of Pontotoc county, now Lee county, Miss., March 31, 1850. The war, with all its disasters, deprived him of a collegi- ate education, but he made the most of the opportunities that were afforded him in the ungraded schools of the country. When he left school he was employed as a clerk by W. M. Cunningham for a period of nine years. He acted in the same capacity for F. G. Thomas for four years. In September, 1878, he embarked in business for himself at Shannon, and has met with more than ordinary success. His long years of experience in the service of older merchants have been invaluable to him. He carries a stock of $10,000, aud does a large business. In 1872, November 27, Mr. Redus was married to Miss Sallie J. Wright, a daugh- ter of Judge N. C. and J. K. Wright, natives of Tennessee. She was born April 22, 1854. Her father was a soldier in the late war, and is a Mason of high degree. He is a strong advocate of prohibition, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and of the Knights of Labor. He is now a resident of Shannon, and has a wide circle of friends. At the age of twenty-one years he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and has been an elder

I a Payne

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of the church ever since. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party. His wife's maiden name was Jennie McDaniels. She is now deceased. They had born to them six children: Mattie, wife of John Lasetter; James T .; Annie E. (deceased) was the wife of Silas Nelson; Mary E., wife of John S. Henley; Fannie (deceased) was the wife of G. A. Henley, and Sallie J., the wife of Mr. Redus. Mr. and Mrs. Redus are the parents of five children: Lena D., James N., J. Frank, Minnie Gertrude, and Fannie, the fourth-born, deceased. Mr. Redus is a zealous supporter of democratic principles, having cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden. For thirteen years he was express agent at Shannon, and discharged the duties of this position with much promptitude. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and he has been an elder since they united with the society in 1864. He has been a citizen desirous of aiding in the growth and development of the county, and has contributed both by giving his means and influence to all enterprises of public benefit. He has traveled over the United States, usually on business, but has seen nothing to compare with the sunny South.

Maj. Thomas Reed, a citizen of Mississippi, who was esteemed as a man of high integ- rity and ability, and a lawyer of reliability and talent, was born on April 11, 1817, in Butler county, Penn. His father, Thomas Reed, was a native of the same state, and his mother, Mary Patterson, was from the state of Virginia. When only three years of age Major Reed's parents removed to Warren county, Miss., and in the neighborhood in that county known as Warrenton, about ten miles distant from the city of Vicksburg, which was then but a small village, Major Reed spent several of his happy boyhood years. He often referred to his childhood days in that vicinity as a pleasant remembrance. As early as 1828 he came with his mother's family to Natchez, and here and in the adjoining county of Jefferson he spent the remaining long and useful years of his life. When but a small boy his father died of yellow fever in Alvaredo, Mexico, whither he had gone on a business venture, leaving the widowed mother with very little means to support herself and several children. Still, she was a woman of persevering ability and energy, and above all a devoted Christian. By industrious effort, aided by the children themselves, she raised three of her children (the others having died while quite young) to honored manhood and womanhood, a comfort to her until her death, which occurred in the city of Natchez on November 18, 1863. Major Reed's education was, by reason of his mother's circumstances, limited to that obtained in ordinary day schools, and a short attendance upon Jefferson college, a high school for boys situated in the historic town of Washington, about six miles from Natchez. But he loved books, and soon learned to be a student. His reading was extensive and thorough, and he became a man whose mind was well stored with varied knowledge and useful information. His great attachment for books was shown by the large library of publications of the best grade which he accumulated. During his long life he made many addresses before schools and literary societies, and was always in thorough sympathy with the educational interests and efforts in the state of his residence. Acting often in the capacity of trustee, or as a member of the visiting committee to these institutions of learning, he also gave liberally of his means toward the support of the various colleges and schools. Major Reed was not only well known as a speaker and a lecturer, but was also known as a writer. Often did he give aid and encouragement to a worthy cause by well-written and strong communications to the state press, and to the journal that was the official organ of the church to which he belonged. In 1876, by appointment and request, he prepared a Centennial history of Jefferson county, where he then resided, which was published with many favorable comments. While grow- ing up he clerked in stores and learned the mercantile business, and before he was of legal 00

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age, with his brother James, who was only two years his senior, though well matured for his age, he engaged in general merchandising on quite a large scale. But neither he nor his brother seemed suited to this kind of life, and their career as merchants was soon ended by an adverse turn in their business affairs, causing the failure of the firm of J. P. & T. Reed. After this they both studied law, but James P. Reed returned in a few years to his favorite work as a pharmacist, and Thomas Reed, having held the office of clerk of the criminal court for several years, entered upon the active practice of law, which profession he followed for nearly a half century, and until his death. These brothers, who had been so intimately associated with each other during their boyhood and early manhood, seemed now, by the vicissitudes of life, to be separated. For while quite a young man James P. Reed, moved by a spirit of adventure which always seemed strong within him, and a desire to champion the weak but deserving side of every struggle, went to Texas and fought with the noble men of that state for their independence. He was a brave and daring man. Having served also in the capacity of scout and special interpreter for Gen. John A. Quitman during the war with Mexico, and though advanced in years and enfeebled by former hard service, he enlisted in the Confederate army, and with the boys who wore the gray battled for the lost cause. The remaining years of his life were spent in the city of San Antonio, Tex., and in that place he died in July, 1887, after some years of suffering, caused by wounds and injuries received during his career as a soldier, leaving a wife and three sons, who still live to cherish the mem- ory of a true man and kind father.

Major Reed studied law with the well-known firm of Quitman & McMurran. General John A. Quitman, of that firm, was his warm personal friend. After practicing some years in Natchez he moved to Jefferson county in 1852, and there residing on his plantation two miles from the town of Fayette, he for about thirty years successfully followed his profes- sion. He then removed to Natchez, the home of his early days, and in this picturesque city of the bluffs he spent the remainder of his long and useful life in his chosen pro- fession. He was widely known as a lawyer whose character was above reproach, who would not stoop to any trick or dishonorable act, and his clients had great confidence in him. A brother lawyer, in referring to him, said, that he was an honorable, kind-hearted, courteous gentleman, who amid all the dusty purlieus of the law had kept the whiteness of his soul; that his strict integrity amidst all of the temptations of his profession was an eloquent and convincing evidence of a singularly pure and virtuous heart. He was a patriotic politician; he loved his country, and was always willing to do what he could for its welfare and pros- perity. He was prominent in conventions, and made many political speeches, being gen- erally a leader, but he was not an officeseeker; he did not follow politics for gain. The good of his native land was uppermost in his heart. He was for a long number of years a whig, afterward and during the remainder of his life a democrat. He volunteered for service during the Mexican war. His friend, General Quitman, appointed him major on his staff, but before he saw service the war had ended. However, the title of major followed him ever after. At the time of the Civil war, he opposed secession, but when bis beloved Mississippi withdrew from the Union he felt it his first duty to fight for his own state, and he at once enlisted, and served as an officer of the Jefferson artillery until after the battle of Shiloh, when his health having entirely failed he returned to his home, and as soon as he sufficiently recovered he began duties as a civil officer of the Confederate govern- ment. He was glad when the unfortunate struggle was over, and was an active and faithful worker in the effort to restore to proper order and prosperity the affairs of the state. Major Reed was a faithful and consistent Christian, being from the time of his youth a member

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of the Methodist Episcopal church. He followed closely the footsteps of his Divine Master. His heart seemed to overflow with love for his fellow-man. He was long engaged in the Sunday-school cause, being for about thirty-five years a superintendent. Through every portion of the state he was known as a Christian worker. He with soldier-like firmness championed the religion of Jesus, and at last gave his pure soul to his Captain, Christ, under whose banner he had served so long. Major Reed was twice married; in 1847 he married Lavinia West, the daughter of Charles West, who was a descendant of Cato West, a provincial governor of Mississippi. This lady a few years after her marriage died, leaving two children, Kate, who died when about fourteen years of age, and Charles W., who now resides in the city of Natchez. In October, 1852, he married Miss Mary J. Forman, the daughter of Stephen S. Forman and Keziah Howell. This marriage took place at the very historic residence on Springfield plantation in Jefferson county, which was then and for a long number of years owned by the late William Holmes, one of the honored citizens of the state, who was a dear and fatherly friend of Mrs. Reed. This residence is a substantial brick structure, erected over one hundred years since by Thomas Green, one of the pioneer leaders of the state, and a relative of both the West and Forman families. It was on this place that Gen. Andrew Jackson was married, and near it that Aaron Burr was captured. Both the West and Forman families were among the oldest and most prominent in the state; the two families being closely connected and related. To Major Reed and his second wife five children were born: Mary, who married Jacob Guice, and died some years since; Janie, who died in infancy, and Susan Holmes, Richard Forman and Thomas James, all of whom now reside with their mother in Natchez, Miss. The tender devotion and loving care shown by Mrs. Reed to her husband during the closing years of his life is a blessed memory now to their children and friends. In truth, the kindness of heart and unselfishness of service to all with whom she is associated, have drawn to Mrs. Reed many loving friends. While Major Reed was early separated from his brother, as has been stated, still during the long years of his life he has been closely associated with his sister, Mrs. Susan R. Guice, who was the wife of the late Stephen L. Guice, an able lawyer and good man. She is a woman of many excellent traits of character, having a clear and strong intellect, a tender, loving heart, and with all being a consecrated Christian, it is a privilege to be with her, and she is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. Mrs. Guice survives her brother and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. F. A. Dicks, in the city of Natchez.

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Mississippi, embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals, Vol. II, Part 101

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Number of Pages: 1314

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 1314