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 112

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 112

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

James M. Rutherford, sheriff, Ripley, Miss., was chosen to occupy his present respon- sible position by his party in October, 1881, and is now discharging the duties of that office in a manner highly creditable to himself and to the satisfaction of the community at large. This introduction is hardly necessary, for the people of Tippah county are not only perfectly familiar with Mr. Rutherford as a trustworthy official but honor and respect him as a man. He was born in Union county, Ga., in 1834 and was the second in a family of eleven children born to Thomas and Margaret A. (Lemmonds) Rutherford, natives of the old North State. The parents were reared in that state, and after their marriage, or in 1832, they moved to Georgia where they made their home until 1848. From there they moved to Tippah county, Miss., and there their family grew to maturity. The father was a mechanic, but in con- nection also carried on farming and was quite successful in both pursuits. He died on the 4th of February, 1891, at the age of eighty-seven years. James M. Rutherford was reared in Tippah county as above stated, and when the war broke out he was filled with an enthu- siastic desire to assist the Confederacy. In April, 1862, he enlisted with three other brothers and with them served until the close. These brothers are all living at the present time. Another brother joined the cavalry and lived until 1890. After the final surrender, Mr. Rutherford returned to Tippah county with the consciousness of having served his cause faithfully and well. Previous to the war, in December, 1857, he selected Miss Harriet Reed as his companion in life, and their marriage has been blessed by the birth of four chil- dren, all of whom are now married and the heads of families. Mr. Rutherford followed planting until 1881, when he was elected to his present position. He now resides in Ripley and rents his farm. Although he makes no outward display, Mr. Rutherford attends strictly to the duties of his office in a manner highly trustworthy.

Dr. Charles Ryan, Elma, Miss., who is one of the successful physicians of Prentiss county, is a self-made man in every sense of that much abused term, and what he has accumulated in the way of this world's goods is the result of industry, perseverance and indomitable will power. His early life was one of hardship and privations, and, although in his subsequent career for many years he had a hard struggle to keep above water, he finally triumphed, and is to-day one of the substantial and much esteemed citizens of the county. He was born in Tuscaloosa county, Ala., on the 29th of January, 1820, and was the youngest of three children born to Charles and Sarah (Spaulding) Ryan, the father a native of one of the Carolinas, and the mother of Alabama. The parents were married in Alabama and there resided until the death of the father in 1820, the same year in which the Doctor was born. The mother was afterward married to Dorn Patton, who proved a hard task- master. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, one son and seven daughters. The mother died in Texas in 1868. Dr. Ryan, who was placed under his stepfathers care when a little child, did not fare very well at his hands, in fact, had a very hard time of it, and when about eight years of age had his left arm paralyzed by a limb from a tree striking it. This he has had to carry through life. When about ten years of age he was driven from home by his stepfather and started out to struggle for existence for himself. He engaged first as mail carrier from Waynesboro to Shelbyville, Tenn., receiving for his services the munificent sum of $5 per month. He followed this for eleven months, during which time his wages were increased to $15 per month, and after giving up his Tennessee contract he went to Alabama, where he succeeded in getting a position as mail carrier from Jasper to Blount Springs. There he remained for one year, receiving for his services $8 per month, and then went to Tishomingo county, Miss., where he took the contract for carry- ing the mail from Jacinto, Miss., to Tuscumbia, Ala., and rode that route. He retained SS

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

that position for one year at $8 per month, and after that he began working in the office of the chancery clerk in Tishomingo county, Thomas Pate, assisting him in writing for three months. However, as he received nothing for his services except his board and clothes, he gave this up, and as he had studied hard when he had opportunity, he had sufficient educa- tion to teach a school of children. While thus employed he studied medicine, and at the end of six months, his school term ending, he went back to Alabama where he spent what money he had earned for books, and being the owner of a small pony, gave that to the pro- fessor of Spring Hill academy for ten months tuition in his school. He attended the fall term of 1844, and by that time, having obtained a fair literary education, he returned to Tishomingo county, Miss., in 1844, and engaged a five months school. This he taught, and in the following year was elected county assessor, when in his twenty-fifth year, serving one term in that capacity. In 1847 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Martin, who bore him nine children, three sons and six daughters: Sarah F. (wife of George T. Goddard), Kizzie A. (wife of A. J. Wilson), Elizabeth A. (wife of A. C. Stevens), Arthur M., Mary J. (wife of James E. Shackleford), Maggie C. (wife of W. C. Weems), Charles A., Melverdie R. (wife of Stephen W. Millican) and William P. Dr. Ryan is the owner of three hundred and forty-five acres of land in Prentiss county, and has one hundred acres of this under cultivation. As before stated, while teaching school he studied medicine, and decided to make that his profession, applying himself faithfully to this study for years. In 1853 he commenced practicing in Itawamba and Prentiss counties, and continued practicing until 1859, when he entered Memphis Medical college, graduating from that institution in 1860. He subsequently located at Bay Springs, Tishomingo county, remained there one year, and then moved to the farm where he now lives, three miles east of Elma. He was there during the war and had an extensive practice, being exempt from service on account of his crippled arm. He was about the only physician left in the county and had frequently to ride thirty miles to see a patient. The Doctor is still practicing, but in connection is also engaged in the drug business, having a store on his farm. He carries a stock of goods valued at about $1,000, drugs and general merchandise. Dr. Ryan's religious belief is as follows: He believes, "That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty, interest, and final destination of mankind; that there is one God, whose nature is Love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness; that holiness and true happiness are inseparably connected, and that believers ought to be careful to maintain order, and practice good works, for these things are good and profitable unto men." He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1866. He is well and favorably known all over the county. He was deputy sheriff of Itawamba county for about two years, and was an able and efficient officer. He has been a resident of Mississippi since 1835, and has ever been a liberal contributor to schools, churches, etc.

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

CHAPTER XIX.

SELECTED MEMORIALS, S.

LEADING merchant and planter of Coahoma county, Miss., is William R. Sadler, who was born in Franklin county, Ala., December 24, 1843, being the sixth in a family of thirteen children born to Joseph M. and Maria E. (Owen) Sadler, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. In the year 1846 they came to Mississippi, locating in Chickasaw county, where the father spent the remainder of his life as a progressive planter and a worthy and public-spirited citizen. At the opening of the late war he was strongly opposed to secession, but when the ordinance of secession was passed, he remained loyal to his state, and bent all his energies to the establishment of the Confederacy. He was one of the pioneers of the state, and here was called from life in 1882, at the age of seventy-six years. The paternal ancestors of William R. Sadler were from Ger- many, and settled in Pennsylvania upon coming to this country, where they became substan- tial, industrious and prosperous citizens. William R. has been a resident of Mississippi from the time he was three years of age, and in the schools of Chickasaw county he received his education. While fitting himself for college the war broke out, and as a loyal Southerner he joined the Confederate forces, becoming a member of company C, Thirteenth Missis- sippi cavalry, and served until the long struggle ended. He was one of the first to join his company, and was in every engagement in which it participated, but was never wounded, and during his protracted service he never received a furlough. He was at Iuka, Corinth, Franklin, and in the Georgia campaign. He was as brave and faithful a soldier as ever shoul- dered a musket, and although the cause was lost, he was conscious of having performed every duty faithfully and well. He began his business career after the war closed as a merchant and cotton speculator, in both of which he was very successful. In addition to these he has carried on planting successfully, and has become the owner of two thousand acres of land, seven hundred of which are in a good state of cultivation. The most of this he has opened and improved at great expense. He is a stockholder in the Friar's Point oilmill, and is part owner of the drug establishment of Sadler & Jones, in Jonestown. Like so many of the prosperous business men of the present day, he is essentially self-made, and by persistent and continous effort he has acquired his present property. He has been a member of the board of supervisors of Coahoma county for two terms, and was one of the first to settle in what is now Jonestown, being one of its most reputable and public-spirited citizens. He lives a quiet and happy life, with no aspirations for political honors, and is a very social and pleasant gentleman to meet, being by no means void of that hospitality characteristic of the Southern people.

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

J. G. Sallis, M. D., is a talented and skillful physician, who is well known throughout the state of Mississippi. He was born in Tuscaloosa county, Ala., October 28, 1825, and traces his ancestry back three generations to John Sallis, who was of English birth and came to America during its early history. His son, John S. Sallis, was born in Augusta, Ga., and became the father of John Sallis, the father of the subject of this sketch. John Sallis was born in Warren county, Ga., but the marriage of his parents was consummated in Augusta, in a fort. during Revolutionary times, their removal to Warren county taking place soon afterward. They became the parents of seven sons and seven daughters that grew to mature years. John Sallis, father of J. G. Sallis, M. D., was married in Warren county to Miss Mary Edmondson, a native of Warren county, and moved with his family to Tusca- loosa county, Ala., where he made his home for a few years. In 1849 he removed to Mis- sissippi and settled in Attala county, where he died in 1866, at the age of seventy-six years. He had been a successful planter throughout life, and had accumulated a comfortable fortune. Dr. J. G. Sallis is one of a family of seven sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years and became heads of families. Four brothers and one sister are the survivors. The youthful days of the Doctor were spent in Alabama, and there he was edu- cated. In 1849 he came to Mississippi and began the study of medicine in Attala county, taking his first course of lectures in New Orleans in 1851, from which he graduated in the class of 1853 from Tulane university. He immediately returned to Attala county, and here has been one of the foremost medical practitioners ever since. He has had a very large and lucrative practice for forty years, and is, in addition to attending to his professional duties, one of the most extensive planters in the county, and has eleven hundred acres in one body, six hundred of which is open land in excellent farming condition. Upon the building of the Aberdeen branch of the Illinois Central railroad, a station was located on the Doctor's plantation, and was named Sallis, after him. He was married in 1852 to Miss M. A. Flem- ing, a daughter of John L. Fleming, of Madison county, Miss. Mrs. Sallis was born in Columbia, S. C., but reared in Madison county, Miss, and has borne the Doctor five children: William B., who is engaged in merchandising at Sallis; D. Fleming is attending medical lectures in Baltimore, Md. ; Hattie M. is the wife of R. S. Clark, of Starkville, Miss., and Mary E. is the wife of Oscar Boyett, of Sallis. One son, Robert, died in 1872, at the age of eleven years. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and are worthy Christians and estimable citizens. Although the Doctor is approaching his three score years and ten, his mind is as clear as ever and he is still active, physically. He has been active in all good works, but has been specially interested in church matters and for the past twenty- three years has been a deacon, and Sunday-school superintendent for twenty three years.

A. D. Sample, farmer, Richland, Miss. Mr. Sample's father, Isaac Sample, was one of the pioneer settlers of Mississippi, leaving his native state, South Carolina, to come to the wilds of Mississippi in 1836. He located on a farm near old Franklin, and was married in 1840 to Mrs. Mary H. Barbour, who bore him four sons: John (died in infancy), J. H., A. D. and D. C. Mr. Sample was much attached to his family, was a kind and loving father, and a devoted husband. His death occurred in 1851. He was a member in good standing in the Masonic fraternity. His third son, A. D. Sample, is a native Mississippian, born in Holmes county in 1846, and there grew to manhood. He secured his early educa- tion in the Richland private schools, and in 1866 selected his companion in life in the person of Miss Ann Maria Ambrose, a native of Mississippi also. This union has been blessed by the birth of nine children. Previous to his marriage and when but sixteen years of age he enlisted in the Confederate army, as a private, in Harvey's scouts and their principal fields

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

of operation were in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. He was captured at Selma, Ala., but escaped before the prison was reached. Returning home after cessation of hostilities, he resumed farming, has continued that vocation up to the present, and is the owner of one thousand and fifty acres of excellent land and of this six hundred acres are in a fine state of cultivation. This farm is located two miles west of Richland, Holmes county, and there the mother of our subject died in 1879. Mr. Sample takes great pride in his chil- dren and is rearing them to be honest, intelligent men and women.

Charles Sanger, builder and contractor, of Bay St. Louis, Hancock county, Miss., is a native of Germany, born in Wiesbaden in 1853. He is a son of George and Elizabeth Sanger, also natives of the Fatherland. Mr. Sanger was a stonecutter by trade. His death occurred in 1863, but his wife still survives. They reared a family of four children: Charles, Helena, Theresa and Frederick. Charles Sanger is the only member of this family who came to America. He remained in his native land until he was fourteen years of age, receiv- ing a good education. In 1867 he sailed for the United States, and landed in New Orleans, where he had an uncle, Henry Sanger, a prominent builder and contractor of that city. The uncle died in 1870. Charles learned his trade from his uncle, and followed the business in New Orleans until 1873, when he came to Bay St. Louis, Miss. Here he has since resided. In 1871 he made a trip to the coast, being a contractor for the icehouses at Pass Christian and Biloxi. Since his residence at Bay St. Louis he has erected a great many buildings, and has taken some heavy contracts. He is a thorough master of the business, and his suc- cess is due to the excellent training he had under his uncle. He is now dealing exclusively in ice, and the most important part of this business is the sinking of artesian wells. He has sunk several, all of which have proven of best quality. Mr. Sanger was married in 1878 to Miss Lucy Jebenes, and one daughter has been born of the union, Angusta. They are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Sanger is one of the most enterprising citizens of Bay St. Louis, and the superior character of all his work has won for him a first place in the business circles, not only of Hancock county, but also in the state of Missis- sippi.

George F. Sanders, Bright, De Soto county, Miss., was born in Wilkes county, Ga., May 4, 1835, and is the eldest of a family of five children. His parents, Marion and Lucy (Murphy) Sanders, were also natives of Georgia. The father was a planter by occupation. George F. was reared to farm life and received his education in the private schools of the neighborhood. At the age of nineteen years he started out in life for himself, with no capi- tal excepting that with which nature had endowed him. She had been more generous with him, however, than she has been with some of her children, so he was well equipped for the struggle that must come to every earnest and ambitious young man. By diligence and wise management he has become the owner of six hundred and fifty acres of fine farm land, two hundred and fifty of which are under cultivation. He has a large, convenient residence, and all the surroundings are indicative of prosperity. Mr. Sanders was married in 1883 to Mrs. Sallie (Lauderdale) McNeese, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of Abner D. Lauder- dale, a full history of whom will be found on another page of this volume. This union resulted in the birth of four children: Marion A., Frank, both of whom are deceased; Lizzie W. and Millie. Our subject was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in the Thirty-seventh Georgia regiment, volunteer infantry. He took part in many battles, the most important being Resaca, Lost Mountain, Peachtree Creek and Murfreesboro. Although he served until the war was ended, he was neither wounded nor promoted. He has always been a liberal supporter of all public enterprises, and has been one of the most forceful factors in

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

the development of his county. He has been successful in his business, but it has been through the exercise of good judgment and energetic effort. He is kind, courteous and hos- pitable, and is greatly respected by the entire community.

John W. Sanders, M. D. In reviewing the early history of Carroll county, the name of Sanders is conspicuous among the pioneers as far back as the thirties. It was in that decade that William Sanders, grandfather of our subject, emigrated to Carroll county and embarked in the mercantile trade. He was a native of Tennessee, where his ancestors were pioneers. Dr. John Sanders, the father of John W., was born in Carroll county in 1834. He was a man of more than ordinary attainments, being well educated both from a literary and profes- sional standpoint. He was married in this county to Miss Sallie Young, a daughter of Thomas Young and a sister of Mrs. Senator George, of this county. Dr. Sanders, Sr., died in 1867, and Mrs. Sanders was married a second time to Judge Cothran, a former circuit judge of this judicial district, who died while in office. He was a very prominent man in political life, and was a Mason of high order. Mrs. Cothran survives him and is a hale, well-preserved old lady. Dr. John W. Sanders was born in Carroll county, Miss., July 5, 1859, and is one of a family of two sons. His brother, Dr. M. S. Sanders, of Terrell, Tex., is also a practicing physician. Our subject passed his youth in the county of his birth, and received a fair education in Clinton, Miss. He was in the junior class when he dropped his literary studies and took up medicine. His uncle, Dr. J. A. Sanders, was his preceptor for the first year. He took his first course of lectures at Louisville, Ky., in 1878-9, and was graduated in the class of 1880. He then located in his native town and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a young man, full of energy, and ambitious not only to succeed, but to succeed well. He devotes his time and thought to his work, and has won a large and loyal patronage. In 1890 he bought a stock of drugs and druggists' notions, and is doing a large business in that line. The Doctor was united in marriage, December 26, 1881, to Miss Della Davis, a daughter of George Davis, deceased. Three children have been born to these parents: Sadie, Kittie and Malcolm. Dr. Sanders is a member of the State Medical society, and keeps well abreast of the times in all medical discoveries and professional improvements. The Doctor's wife and mother are both mem- bers of the Baptist church.

R. L. Saunders. Jackson, Miss., has long been recognized as an important center of distribution for staple and fancy groceries of all kinds, and this business was among the earliest of all the mercantile branches to be established in the city. Many of the grocery houses of Jackson, both at wholesale and retail, are of old establishment and employ large capital and the best resources and facilities for carrying on a large business. The only wholesale grocery house of Jackson is the Jackson Grocery company, of which R. L. Saunders is president, which business was established in March, 1889, the stock of goods being valued at $20,000. This important and representative house has steadily car- ried on business since its establishment, and its history has been one of continuous growth, and the rapid expansion of its patronage is the surest evidence of Mr. Saunders' ability, popularity and correct system of conducting business. Mr. Saunders is a native Mississip- pian, born in 1848, the youngest of three children born to J. C. and Susan (Hudson) Saun- ders, both of whom were born in Tennessee. The father removed to Mississippi and here died soon after the birth of his son, R. L. Saunders. The latter was reared and educated in Jackson; began the battle of life for himself as a clerk, and in 1863 enlisted in the Twentieth Confederate cavalry, which operated in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and surrendered at Gainesville in the latter state. Upon his return to Jackson he followed

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

clerking until 1878, when he became a partner in the business, the firm taking the name of Robinson, Stevens & Co., of which he was an active member until March, 1889. At that time Mr. Saunders organized the Jackson Grocery company and has since been its efficient president. Mr. Saunders is also vice president of the Jackson bank; president of the Jackson Fertilizer company; president of the Light, Heat and Water Works company; is treasurer of the Mississippi Compress and Warehouse company; was an organizer and is now a director of the First National bank; in 1881 became a director of the Mississippi mills at Wes- son, Miss., and is a trustee of the Deaf and Dumb institute. As a business man his record has been a very successful one, and by his own efforts he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome competency. He was married in 1878 to Miss Annie M. Robinson, a native of Mississippi and a daughter of John W. Robinson, who was born in New York and came to Mississippi at an early day, becoming one of the foremost merchants of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Saunders the following children have been born: Mattie, Annie (who died at the age of four years), Robert L., Frank (a daughter), John W., Marion P. and Mary J. The family worship in the Episcopal church, in which Mr. Saunders is an active worker. He is president of the board of trustees of the church property of the state, and is treasurer and vestryman of the church in Jackson. In 1890 he was appointed by President Harrison one of the commissioners of the World's Fair.

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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 112

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