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 109

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 109

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Van W. Robinson is the leading officer of the law in Amite county, Miss., and in the discharge of his duties has proved himself courageons, conscientious and faithful. He was first elected to the office in November, 1883, and so noticeable was his devotion to the pres- ervation of law and order, that he has been chosen to the position at each succeeding elec- tion, and his fidelity and ability have made a lasting impression on this sphere of public duty. As he was born in this county, near Liberty, on April 21, 1848, and has made his home here all his life, he is naturally interested in the progress and development of this section, and in

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his official capacity has done not a little to raise the standard of morality of the masses. His father, Col. John G. Robinson, was also born here, his birth occurring in the year 1812, and here he attained manhood and married, his wife, also of this county, being Miss Thirza Jen- kins, a daughter of James Jenkins. Mr. Robinson was a practical farmer, and besides giv- ing attention to the calling of an agriculturist found time to act in the capacity of a magis- trate, as well as in other local positions of honor, and for some time was colonel of militia. He died in 1855, his wife having passed from life in 1852, and thus three young children were left to fight the battle of life for themselves without a father or mother's guidance. Their names are: Lee B., whose sketch appears herein; Ary, wife of Dr. J. R. Sample, a physician and druggist of Summit, Miss., and Van W. The latter spent his youth on a plantation, and, owing to the free and active life he led, became a healthy and vigorous young man, so that at the early age of sixteen years he was better fitted than the average to enlist in the service of the Confederacy. He became a member of the Tenth Mississippi cav- alry, and served until Lee's surrender, when he was paroled at Gainesville, Ala. His com- pany served as scouts, and was in a number of engagements and skirmishes. After the war he returned to his home in Mississippi, and for two years thereafter he attended school near Liberty, and during this time, as he was studions and naturally apt, made rapid progress in his studies. In 1869 he went to Texas, and after farming in that state for two years returned to Liberty, and went into a store with his brother, following the calling of a clerk for several years. He was united in marriage to Miss Emma Ratcliffe, a daughter of Peter Ratcliffe, a former sheriff of Amite county and one of the old and highly respected residents of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson five children have been born: John Worth,, Ernest, Junius, Van and Myrtis. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the K. of H. and the K. of P. He is one of the most social, hospitable and generous of men, as the numer- ous friends he has gathered around him can testify.

William W. Robinson, one of the successful business men of Ripley, was born in Madi- son county, Tenn., in 1835, and is the son of Hugh B. Robinson, who was also a native of Tennessee, born in Maury county. The elder Robinson left his native state and removed to Tippah county, Miss., in 1839, remaining there until his death in 1851. He was a man who took a deep interest in the welfare of his county, was tax assessor and sheriff, and was a leader of the democratic party there. He followed planting with considerable success up to the last years of his life. His father, James Robinson, was probably a native of North Carolina, whose parents immigrated direct from the Emerald isle. William W. Robinson was but four years of age when his parents located in Tippah county. He grew to maturity and was liberally educated in the schools of that county. While growing up he was afflicted with white swelling, and this has made him a cripple for life. When but tifteen years of age he was thrown on his own resources, and he has since been fortunate in the different occupations he has pursued. He has followed planting, merchandising and is now senior proprietor of the Southern Sentinel, of Ripley, which paper has an extensive circula- tion. Mr. Robinson is a representative citizen and has been connected with every office in the county. His method of conducting the duties assigned him was never questioned and never has he betrayed a trust confided to him. He was married in 1862, to Miss Armissa L. Wigington, a native of the Palmetto state, and they have four living daughters, of whom the eldest married L. Pink Smith, of Greenville, Miss. The others are at home. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, while his wife and two daughters hold membership in the Baptist church. He is a worthy member of the A. F. & A. M. and K. of H. organizations, and is a genial, pleasant gentleman, but one who makes little or no dis-

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play. He is public-spirited and his name is associated with every enterprise for the advance- ment of the interests of his county. He owns a beautiful residence in Ripley, and is also an extensive land-owner.

Willie W. Robinson, of the wholesale and retail grocery firm of W. W. Robinson & Co., at West Point, Miss., was born in the town in which he is now residing April 21, 1866; a son of Capt. William Woodard and Margaret (Kilgore) Robinson, the former of whom was born in Pickens county, Ala., April 12, 1837, and reared on a farm, receiving a moderate education. He came to Mississippi when young, and in early life was engaged in merchandising when the town of West Point sprang into existence, and he was one of the first to embark in merchandising in that place. He continued with success until the war opened, when he organized a company with which he served under the Confederate flag until the war closed, doing good service in the cause he espoused. After the close of hostilities he resumed merchandising, which he continued with his usual success until his death, December 3, 1881, aged forty-four years. He was one of West Point's foremost citizens, active in everything for the town's advancement. It was said that his memory was so won- derful that he could call nearly every one for fifty miles around by their given names. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M., the K. of H. and the Methodist church, and his death was not only a loss to his family but to the public as well. He was one of a large family of children born to Alexander Robinson, the latter of whom was a planter and died in Clay county since the close of the war. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Chicka- saw county, August 22, 1840, and died August 10, 1872. She was a daughter of Dr. Benjamin and Mary Dudley Kilgore. Her father, a native of South Carolina, at an early day came to Mississippi, settling near where West Point now is, where he practiced medicine and was engaged in planting for many years, dying at about the close of the war .* His acquaint- ance extended over a large territory, for he was well liked in his professional capacity as well as socially, and had been a resident of the county for many years. Willie W. Robinson, whose name heads this sketch, was the second of three children. Sidney, the eldest of the three, was educated in the schools of West Point and in the State university, and Minnie, who was educated in West Point also, is now engaged in teaching in the public schools of the place. Willie W. was educated in the state university at Oxford. He then clerked . until 1887, at which time he established himself in the mercantile business at West Point, and for three years successfully conducted his affairs alone. In 1890 the firm of W. W. Robinson & Co. was established, and they are now doing a business of $50,000 annually, theirs being the leading grocery house in West Point. Mr. Robinson commenced business with a small capital, but was energetic, and the excellent business methods and practical ideas that he inherited from his father led to his prosperity. He is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, and is a member of the Methodist church. He is unmarried.

It will be seen from a perusal of this sketch of the life of M. T. Roby that his educa- tional advantages in youth were quite meager, and, although perhaps deficient in general learning, his vigorous mind has so grasped and embraced the opportunities presented, that he is accounted one of the most intelligent and learned men of Attala county. He was from the very first taught everything connected with planting, and this has thus far been his life work. He was born in Georgia in 1828, and after becoming sufficiently qualified, taught for some time in the common schools. In 1853 he came to Mississippi, and soon after settled on the plantation on which he is now residing. He had been married in 1850 to Miss Mary

*See sketch of R. D. Kilgore, Clay county.

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Jane Boswell, of Georgia, and their union has resulted in the birth of the following children : Williamson B., who was born in 1852; D. C., born in 1854. M. L., born in 1856; J. E., born in 1859; E. Q. C., born in 1860; two daughters, Aurie S. and Virginia H., were born in 1864; Minnie L., born in 1870; Lilian, born in 1872; Edna E., born in 1874. The son, D. C., is a successful merchant of Durant, Miss. In May. 1861, Mr. Roby enlisted in company A, Fifteenth Mississippi regiment, and in May, 1862, was transferred to the Third Mississippi cavalry regiment, company B, commanded by Capt. T. M. Griffin. While in service he was in the following engagements: Fort Pillow, the three days' fight at Old Harrisburg, Miss., where he had two teeth shot out, and in the several battles during the siege of Atlanta, Ga. The last engagement in which he took part was at Eutaw, Ala. Upon his return home he resumed planting, and is now the owner of one thousand eight hundred and forty acres of land, the principal crop being cotton and corn. The success which has attended his efforts is well merited, for the property he has acquired is the result of honest industry and perse- verance. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1857, and is now a member of the chapter. He is a courteous, agreeable and accommodating gentleman, well versed on all the current topics of the day, and is decidedly public spirited. He has a very handsome and comfortable residence about six miles from Sallis, and is well situated to enjoy the reward of his industry. His father, W. B. Roby, was born in Maryland in 1808, but his first work as a tiller of the soil was done in Wilkes county, Ga. From this place he removed to Putnam county, where he was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Sherman in 1826, their union resulting in the birth of four children: M. T., Aurie E., Henry W. and James R. W. B. Roby was quite an active politician, and filled the position of sheriff of Jasper county, Ga., a number of times. His father was a native of Maryland, and was there married to Miss Anna Roby. James Sherman, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a Georgian, and in the state of his birth also passed from life.

Dr. John U. Rochester, Friar's Point, the oldest practicing physician in Coahoma county and one of the few who connect the remote past, the pioneer period of Coahoma county with the present, was originally from Mercer county, Ky., where his birth occurred on February 8, 1818, and is a representative of a prominent English family. The paternal grandfather, John Rochester, was a native of Virginia and came to Kentucky at an early day. He was a farmer and merchant and a very active man in that day and time. He was a warm friend of Gen. Jackson, and although he was not in the war of 1812 (on account of his size, weighing over three hundred pounds) he contributed liberally to the cause and was a stanch believer in General Jackson. He died of cholera in 1833. The maternal grandfather, John Warren, was also a native of the old Dominion but came to Kentucky at an early period, and there followed the occupation of a farmer and merchant. He was quite active politically and was the private secretary of Governor Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky. His death occurred about 1822. Dr. John U. Rochester was the third in a family of four chil- dren born to William and Letitia E. (Warren) Rochester, both natives of the Bluegrass state. The father was a successful agriculturist and he received his final summons in 1824. Dr. Rochester was reared in Kentucky, attended college at Danville in that state and then clerked for an uncle for some time. In 1840 he began the study of medicine in the office of a physician at Danville, and later entered Transylvania college, where he received his medi- cal education. He located at Friar's Point in 1846 and has practiced his profession here or in this county since. In 1848 he was married to Miss Margaret H. Saunders, a native of Tennessee, who was reared in this state, and whose father, George N. Saunders was an early pioneer. To Dr. and Mrs. Rochester were born four children, three deceased: Letitia E. RR

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(died at the age of four years), two died in infancy, and Mariah Louise (wife of M. B. Col- lins a planter residing near Jonestown in Coahoma county). Mrs. Rochester is a member of the Methodist Episcpoal church. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In his personal appearance the Doctor is tall and venerable looking, walks erect, and were it not for his gray hair and long white beard he would pass for a much younger man. He is well educated, is a fluent and pleasing conversationalist and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Coahoma county. Hs was formerly engaged in planting but recently sold his interests.

As a tiller of the soil Capt. Lloyd W. Rogan is doing well, for although his plantation is not as large as a great many, yet the soil is very fertile, and as it is admirably tilled it yields a larger annual income than many more extensive places. In connection with looking after his plantation, which comprises eighty acres, he is also agent for the Port Gibson oil works, from which he derives a fair income. He was born in Vicksburg, Miss., in 1846, to William and Frances A. (Buley) Rogan, who were born, reared and married in Maryland, removing about 1833 to Vicksburg, Miss., at which time the place was a mere village. After the death of Mrs. Rogan, which occurred there in 1854, Mr. Rogan married again, his second wife being Mrs. Barnes, and for a third wife he took a Mrs. Smith, and spent the last of his life in Hinds county, dying in 1868. He was a merchant of Vicksburg, a planter of Hinds county, and in the former occupation acquired a large fortune, but was unsuccessful in the latter calling. He was quite a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., Warren lodge, of Vicksburg, and was an earnest member of the Methodist church. His father, Charles Rogan, was in all probability born in Ireland, but died in Maryland. He had two sons and a daughter that came to Vicksburg, the other sons and the daughter dying in that city. Capt. Lloyd W. Rogan is the fifth of nine children born to his father's first marriage, and is the only one of the family now living. Three elder brothers were in the Confederate army : James W. being

a colonel in Rogan's regiment of Arkansas infantry, serving throughout the war and dying at Somerville, Tenn., in 1874, being a merchant of Memphis, Tenn., at the time of his death. He was a graduate of Sheron college, Mississippi, at which time it was one of the finest edu- cational institutions of the South. Thomas G. was a private in the Eighteenth Mississippi infantry, and after being discharged from the service in 1861 on account of ill health, he died on his way home. Charles was a member of the Appeal battery of Memphis, and was killed in the siege of Vicksburg. Capt. Lloyd W. Rogan was educated in Hinds county, and upon the opening of the late war, although only fifteen years of age, he, with youthful enthusiasm, enliste.l in the Confederate service, becoming a member of Gov. A. G. Brown's company, of the Eighteenth Mississippi infantry, Longstreet's corps of the army of Virginia, and fought at Leesburg, Savage Station, Sharpsburg and many others. In the summer of 1863 he was discharged, but soon after joined Wirt Adams' cavalry, and operated in Mississippi and Alabama until the close of the war, taking part in many severe engagements. After surrendering at Gainesville, he returned home, and until 1868 was successfully engaged in planting in Hinds county, when he came to Rolling Fork, and for some years was agent for different plantations. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Mattie, daughter of Bailey and Catherine A. Chaney, natives of Louisiana and Missis- sippi respectively. They were married in Wilkinson county, and died near Rolling Fork in 1874, the former having been a planter by occupation. Mrs. Rogan was born in this county, and of the nine children she has borne Mr. Rogan, six are living. Mr. Rogan was a justice of the peace for eight years, and socially is a member of Auburn lodge No 166 of the A. F. & A. M. of Hinds county. Mr. Rogan comes of a fine family, but throughout

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life has depended entirely upon his own merits, and has the respect and esteem of all who know him.

Simeon Rogers, the father of J. H. Rogers, of Pachuta, Clarke county, Miss., was born in South Carolina. He was married to Miss Margaret E. Hardee, of Mississippi, in August, 1858. Upon coming to Mississippi he settled in Clarke county, near the present town of Pachuta, and spent his life in agricultural pursuits, dying in 1871. His wife died in 1884. J. H. Rogers, the eldest son of Simeon and Margaret E. (Hardee) Rogers, was born August 18, 1859, near Pachuta, and began farming on his own account at the age of sixteen years. By his grandfather's death, which occurred at this time, he found himself at the head of the family affairs. Mr. Rogers attended the common schools and may be said to have had only ordinary advantages, educationally speaking. In 1882 he married Miss Sarah Gordon, a resident of the western part of Clarke county, Miss., a daughter of Sampson Gordon, one of the best citizens of this county. Mr. Rogers has four children: S. Rufus, Alma, Vane and Sheley. Mr. Rogers' brother, Rev. P. S. Rogers, is a graduate of Mississippi college. At the time of his marriage Mr. Rogers owned no landed interest. He now owns five hundred and sixty acres of the average land of the county, level and well watered, and produces corn, cotton, peas, potatoes, etc. He has begun fertilizing recently. His yield of cotton is twelve bales (one-half a bale per acre), of corn eighteen bushels per acre. He has much fine longleaf pine and does a turpentine business amounting to $800 annually, supplying Pachuta distillery. He also gins cotton by horsepower. He is a member of the Alliance and treasurer of the County Alliance, and he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church and, though quite young, he has held the office of church clerk for eight years. Mr. Rogers is a friend to education and is identified with every movement tending to the upbuilding of the country on this line.

Timothy Rogers has been a life-long citizen of Covington county, Miss., having been born there in October, 1828. All these years he has lived within six miles of the scene of his birth. His father, Meshach Rogers, emigrated from South Carolina in 1822, and lived on the plantation where he first settled, until his death which occurred in 1875. He was an industrious, energetic man, a lover of law and order, and a citizen whom every one respected. He was an active member of the Missionary Baptist church for half a century. He was born in Pendleton district, S. C., about the year 1790, and was a son of Shadrach Rogers, a native of North Carolina, and a soldier in the war of the Revolution, who was noted for his bravery and courage, and high sense of honor. He removed to Covington county in 1822. His family consisted of eight children, named as follows: Timothy; Ailsey, wife of William West; Redock; Israel; Nisa, wife of Mr. Thames; Shadrach; Meshach; Elizabeth, wife of Matthew Thames. Meshach Rogers, the father of our subject, married Lucy Brun - son, and they had born to them ten children: Sarah, wife of James M. Speed; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Carter; Caroline, wife of Jackson Edmundson (who at the time of her marriage to him was the widow of Benjamin Duckworth); Shadrach (deceased); Josiah; Timothy; Norval; Martha, deceased, wife of James West; Benjamin, and William. Six of the above are still living, and all of them reared families. Timothy Rogers was married in 1849 to Sarah E. Duckworth, and they had four children: Frances, who married Ransom Welch; Martha E., wife of J. S. Thompson; Mary A., wife of J. N. Welch; Nancy E., wife of J. M. Welch. The mother died in 1863, and Mr. Rogers was married a second time in 1866, to Miss Rebecca Duckworth. One child was born of this union, but died in infancy. In 1862 Mr. Rogers enlisted in the Confederate service, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, went through the Georgia campaign, and was in the battle of Altoona. At the close of the war

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he returned to his home, and has since devoted his time and energies to agriculture. He owns seventeen hundred acres of excellent land which is well stocked. He is a member of the Baptist church at Leaf river, and has been a deacon since 1865. He is noted for his honesty and integrity, and is highly respected for his many sterling traits of character.

W. A. Rogers, planter, was born in Greenboro, Ala., in November, 1830, the eldest in a family of nine children, born to Alexander and Sally (Jolly) Rogers, the former of whom was born in Virginia, and the latter in Alabama. Alexander Rogers became a resident of the latter state when a young man, was married there, and there reared his family on a planta- tion. He died in 1853, but his widow still survives him, being a resident of Sumter county, Ala. W. A. Rogers began life for himself at the age of twenty years as a school teacher, a calling he followed for several years. In 1857 he was married to Miss Sallie Moore, a daughter of Nelson Moore, of Lauderdale county, Miss., and by her became the father of three sons and three daughters. His wife died in 1872, and he took for his second wife Miss Eliza Moore, a sister of his former wife, their marriage being celebrated in 1873. To them, also, have been born six children, five sons and one daughter. In 1862 Mr. Rogers enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of company C, of the Second Mississippi cavalry, and being elected first lieutenant of the company, served in that capacity until the latter part of 1862, when he was promoted to the position of captain, and was in the battles of Dallas, Georgia, and in all the hard fighting around Atlanta. In one engagement he was shot through the thigh. He was captured at Oxford, Miss., and although he was to be imprisoned at Alton, Ill., he managed to make his escape from the boat just as they pulled into Alton, and returned to his command, with which he served until the close of the war. He was with General Forrest in all his raids, and after surrendering and being paroled at Gainesville, Ala., he returned to his home with the consciousness of having performed his duties with faithfulness and ability. After the war he resumed teaching, but after a few months began speculating in land, in which he met with remarkable success. He is now the owner of about five hundred acres of land, of which about one hundred and fifty acres are improved and under cultivation. The Captain has made planting and stock-dealing his chief business for several years, and now has some fine racehorses, which are his chief diverson, and in which he has been quite successful. He has spent large sums of money in educating his children, for he has given them the advantage of the best schools in the country, and has considered his money well spent. Eight of his children are living at the present time, and all of the older ones are especially well educated. Although Captain Rogers is not a member of any religious organization, he has always contributed liberally of his means in their support and, in fact, is generous toward all laudable enterprises. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the K. of H., and is a wideawake, enterprising and public-spirited gentleman.

The medical fraternity of Bay St. Louis was reinforced in 1888 by the accession of Dr. W. B. Rohmer, a native of East Feliciana parish, La., born October 16, 1841. His father, Dr. F. J. B. Rohmer, was born in Alsace, France, and emigrated to America at the age of eighteen years. He was graduated in the first class of the University of Louisiana, taking his degree from the medical department. He located in East Feliciana parish, La., where he practiced his profession many years. He afterward moved to Baton Rouge, La., where he enjoyed an extensive practice. For some time he was surgeon-general of the state of Louisiana, and he also served as surgeon in the Confederate army, having charge of a labor- atory at Mobile, Ala., where he exclusively manufactured chemicals and medicines for the Confederate government. He removed to Mobile, Ala., on account of its school facilities, and was appointed physician to Spring Hill college, a position which he held for a long

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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 109

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