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 114

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 114

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

Hon. Charles Scott, lawyer and planter, Rosedale, Miss., is a native of the Bayou state, born in Jackson in 1847, and is the son of Hon. Charles Scott, who was chancellor of the state for many years (see sketch). Mr. Scott attended school until fourteen years of age and then, though under age, entered the Confederate army, in which he served gallantly until the close of the war. He was in the Washington cavalry, under Capt. W. E. Hunt, and par- ticipated in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, Jackson, Miss., and was at Gainesville, Ala., with General Johnston's army at the time of the surrender. He subsequently resided at Vicksburg, Miss., for one year, after which he came to Washington county of that state, located at Deer Creek, and there, in connection with planting. he read law. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar and on the 3d of June of the following year he came to Bolivar county, with whose interests he has been closely identified since. He first located at Beulah, but when the county seat was removed to Rosedale he became a resident of that city. Mr. Scott is not only a most eminent lawyer, but is one of the South's greatest planters and land owners. He has fourteen thousand acres in this county, the best in the delta, and has four thousand acres under cultivation. He owns vast tracts in different localities, embracing all kinds and qualities, both wild and improved, timber and grazing, and is the owner of Rose- dale, Triumph, and other plantations, on which he has made many improvements. In 1885 he opened a store, organized a stock company, Rosedale Grocery and Commission company, with a paid-up capital of $30,000, and is president of this. He also held the position of president of the levee board of commissioners for two years, and as this board had the dis- position of over $250,000 per annum, the position of president was naturally an important and responsible one. Mr. Scott is now president of the Mississippi Central Valley Railroad company, which is just now opening the road from Rosedale to Grenada, and he is chief stockholder in the hotel at the former place. On the organization of the Bank of Rosedale at that place, in 1889, he was made president. This bank has a paid up capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $10,000. No man has done more to advance the interests of this town and county than Mr. Scott, who is essentially a modern man, full of energy, enter- prise and push, who by his own individual efforts has gained the proud position he now occupies. He ranks among the ablest and most distinguished jurists in the state, practicing in all the Federal and state courts, having carried to a successful issue many noted, impor- tant and complicated cases, and is very popular with both bench and bar. His practice is very extensive and is largely confined to important litigations involving large interests. He is the attorney for the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas railway company in Bolivar county. On the 26th of April, 1890, a convention of citizens from Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Ken- tucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, was convened at Vicksburg, Miss., for the pur- pose of considering the question of the improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi river and to endorse the levee system for protection from inundation. This convention formed itself into a permanent inter-state Mississippi River Improvement and Levee associa- tion, auxiliary to the Western Waterways association, and Mr. Scott, of Rosedale, was elected chairman of the association. On the 10th of March, 1870, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Malvina Yerger, daughter of Alexander Yerger (deceased), who was of Washington county, and by this union has four children: Alexander Y. (student at the University of the South), Lizzie, Malvina and Charlie.

Prominent among the eminent and very successful attorneys of Friar's Point stands the name of D. A. Scott, who was born in Jackson, Miss., in the year 1852, and whose father, Chancellor Charles Scott, was an esteemed and respected citizen of Jackson, Miss. (see sketch). D. A. Scott was liberally educated at Bay St. Louis and at other places in Mis-

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sissippi, studied law in the office of his brother, Charles, at Rosedale, and was admitted to the bar at that place in 1872. Later he came to Friar's Point, and has been engaged in the active practice of his profession since. He is the attorney for the Louisville, New Or. leans & Texas railroad, and the Western Union Telegraph company for Coahoma county. In 1890 Mr. Scott was the main organizer of the Bank of Friar's Point, and is president of the same at the present time. This bank has a paid-up capital of $50,000 and a fair surplus. He is also one of the organizers of the Friar's Point Oilmill, and holds the position of vice president of the same. He assisted in organizing the Friar's Point Box and Woodwork factory, of which he is treasurer, and he is president of the Friar's Point Land, Loan and Improve- ment company, an organization for town development and improvement, which is doing good work for Friar's Point. Mr. Scott takes an active and leading part in politics, is an active worker for the democratic party, but is not an officeseeker. His marriage occurred in 1874 to Miss Maria Lou Yerger, a native of Washington county, Miss., and the daughter of Col. Alexander Yerger, a prominent legal practitioner. The result of this union was the birth of five children: Nettie M., Charline, Elizabeth B., Daniel A., Jr., and Anna Louise. The family are members of the Episcopal church. At the present time Mr. Scott is engaged in erecting a large residence at a cost of about $8,000, and when finished it will be one of the finest in the county. He is also the owner of about five thousand acres of wild land. Mr. Scott's practice is very large, one of the largest in the state, and although he started with limited means he wields a remarkable influence, and to-day a review of his career demon- strates him to be an individual much above the ordinary. He is a leading spirit in all enter- prises that have for their object the good of the county. In fact, he is among the fore- most in every commendable enterprise. In personal appearance Mr. Scott bears a strong resemblance to a brother in Bolivar county, being rather slender and with dark hair and eyes, and his pleasing social qualities and courteous manners make him a pleasant com- panion and friend. He is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias societies.

Frank M. Scott, planter, Rosedale, Miss., son of Chancellor Charles Scott and Eliza- beth (Bullus) Scott (see sketch), was originally from Tennessee, his birth occurring in Memphis in 1859. He was educated in the University of Virginia and from 1878 until 1881 he was engaged as clerk in the office of his brother, Charles Scott, of Rosedale. During the fall of the last named year he entered the law department of the Oxford university, at Oxford, Miss., graduated from that institution in the summer of 1882, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Rosedale in partnership with Walter Sillers. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Kirk, daughter of John C. Kirk, who located in Madison county, Miss., at an early date and who moved to Bolivar county in 1841. He located opposite the mouth of White river, on a large tract of land, made many improve- ments, and soon cleared two thousand acres. In character he was generous and whole- souled and straightforward to a marked degree. He died in 1887, when seventy-five years of age, leaving a widow and four children- two sons and two daughters: John M. (planter near Gunnison, Miss.), Pearl K., Albert L. and Anita (attending school at Columbia, Tenn. ). Mrs. Kirk recently completed one of the handsomest residences in Rosedale. Mr. Scott owns two plantations, embracing eight hundred and fifty acres, with four hundred and sixty acres cleared, and this, with Mrs. Kirk's plantation, which he rents, he is engaged in cultivating-about one thousand acres in all. He and Mrs. Scott are members of the Episco- pal church. Mr. Scott was left an orphan at an early age, and during his youth was cared for and later educated by his brother Charles. Since then he has most successfully carved his way in life and although he might easily have risen in the legal profession, he preferred

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to follow the ever-promising pursuit of planting, which occupation now occupies his attention wholly. A family likeness runs through the Scott family, and our subject not only resembles his brothers bnt also the fine picture of Chancellor Scott, seen in the office of Charles Scott. Mr. Scott is about the average hight, well-knit frame, dark hair and brown eyes, an intellectual forehead, and is distinguished looking. His personal appearance is greatly enhanced by a generous hospitality, courteous and amiable disposition.

N. B. Scott, lawyer, Rosedale, Miss., the third of five children born to William Parker and Fanny May (Bibb) Scott, owes his nativity to Yazoo county, Miss., his birth occurring on the 14th day of July, 1861. He is a nephew.of Chancellor Charles Scott (see sketch), and his paternal grandparents were Edward and Sallie (Corde) Scott. On his mother's side Mr. Scott is a descendant of Stephen and Jennie (Eaton) Haynes, who prior to the Revolu- tionary war settled in Halifax county, N. C. They were wealthy and influential people. One of their daughters, Jennie Eaton Haynes, married Clement Wood about the close of the Revolution, and their daughter, Fanny Mayes Wood, married David Mason Dancy. One of the latter's daughters, Martha Haynes Dancy, graduated at Warrenton Female academy, North Carolina, and won the gold medal for scholarship in November, 1821. She moved with her parents to Mooresville, Limestone county, Ala., in 1821, where she married Dr. Joseph Wyatt Bibb, a native of Virginia and a very successful physician. Dr. Joseph Wyatt Bibb was a brother of William Wyatt Bibb, who was born in Virginia and removed to Georgia, where he was successively a member of the two branches of the legislature of Georgia and was a member of congress from 1807 till 1813, when he was chosen to the United States senate and retained his seat there till 1816. He removed to Alabama, then a territory, and was governor from 1817 to 1819, when it was admitted as a state and he was

elected as its first executive. He died in July, 1820, and Thomas Bibb (another brother of Dr. Joseph Wyatt Bibb), who was then president of the Alabama senate, by virtue of his office became governor. He continued in office until 1821. Dr. Joseph Wyatt Bibb and wife were the grandparents of N. B. Scott. Their only daughter (Fanny May Bibb, mother of N. B. Scott), was born on the 6th day of October, 1827, at Mooresville, Limestone county, Ala. She married Rev. William Parker Scott, a native of Tennessee, and brother of Chan- cellor Charles Scott. Rev. William Parker Scott was an Episcopalian priest, and was ordained August 14, 1853. He lived in Yazoo county, Miss., at the time of his death, on November 9, 1865. He was educated at Knoxville, Tenn., and was rector of the church in Yazoo City, Miss., at the time of his death. His wife died .April 14, 1868. N. B. Scott, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Alabama, studied law in the office of his cousin, Charles Scott, in Rosedale, Miss., and was admitted to the bar April 3, 1886. He married Miss Elizabeth Thomas, a native of Bolivar county, Miss., and daughter of Oscar D. Thomas and Mary (Yerger) Thomas. Mrs. Scott is a worthy member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Scott is practicing law in Rosedale, Miss.

Fourteen years devoted to the service of humanity sums up in a line the career, thus far, of Dr. S. A. Scruggs, who is one of the most successful and best known physicians of this section. The people of Lauderdale, as well as the surrounding counties, are familiar with his name, for twelve years of his professional career have been spent among them. He was born in Livingston, Sumter county, Ala., the sixth of nine children born to Josiah L. and Temperance (Arrington) Scruggs, the former of whom was born in Buckingham county, Va., and the latter in North Carolina. They both grew to maturity and attained their majority before coming to Alabama, where they married and spent the remainder of their lives. Josiah L. Scruggs was for many years in the drug business at Livingston, Ala. He died in

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

March, 1891, his wife having passed from life in 1875, both being worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Dr. S. A. Scruggs was reared in Sumter county, Ala., and received a practical and thorough education in the common schools. He attended lect- ures at New Orleans during the winters of 1875, 1876 and 1877, and graduated in March of the latter year. He entered upon his practice in Natchitoches parish, La., but a few months later returned to his old home in Sumter county, Ala., where he remained until 1879, since which time he has been a resident of Lauderdale, Miss. Here his name has become a house- hold world, for he has entered nearly every home in the town in his professional capacity, and where he has once been called, has been called again in case of need. Although his practice has always been a lucrative one, he conducts, in connection with it, a well-appointed drug store, which, under his able management, is proving a profitable source of revenue. He owns residence and business property in the town, and promises in time to win a handsome competency from his profession. Socially he belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and the K. of H., and while he is not a member of any church his wife is an esteemed member of the Episcopal church. He was married in Livingston, Ala., in 1882 to Miss Swassie Smith, a daughter of John T. Smith, and their union has resulted in the birth of three children: Ella Smith, Erma and Samuel A.

Wallace B. Scurr, Torrance, Miss., is one of the leading planters and stockgrowers of Yalobusha county. He was born in this county in 1840, and is a son of John L. and Lydia (Bray) Scurr. The parents were born in North Carolina, the father in 1806, and the mother in 1808; they were reared and married in their native state, and in 1837 they came to Missis- sippi, settling in the same place where our subject now resides. The father died there in 1867; he was an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a steward for a number of years. In his political opinions he sided with the Whig party, and clung to the Union until his own state seceded, when he went out with it. The mother died in 1877; she was a member of the same church, where she did active and zealous service in the cause of her Master. She had born to her six children-four sons and two daughters-all of whom but one lived to maturity: Elizabeth died at the age of twelve years; Susan married Cornelius Moore, but is now deceased; Benjamin died in 1861 (he was a member of the Fifteenth Mis- sissippi volunteer infantry, company G); Thomas died of wounds received in the war, July 27, 1864 (he was also a member of the Fifteenth Mississippi regiment); John W. is a resi- dent of Sunflower county (he was a member of the Fifteenth Mississippi, and was wounded while in the service); Wallace B. is the fifth child; he was reared on the place where he now resides, and sleeps in the same room in which he was born. He passed his youth in the ordi- nary fashion of planters' sons, attending the common schools of the neighborhood; he also attended Bascom's college, a Methodist institution at Trenton, Tenn. In 1866 he started out in life upon his own responsibility, locating at Hillside Place on Holmes creek. He devoted his time to the cultivation of his farm until 1873, when he returned to the home place. He was married in 1863, to Miss Lydia M. Cook, who was born in Hinds county, Miss., in 1842, a daughter of McKinney L. Cook. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and removed to Mississippi in 1836 or 1837. Her mother's maiden name was Jeanette Scott Winters, and she was born in South Carolina; to her nine children were born: Mrs. W. D. Smith, Mrs. Z. Wordlaw, Mrs. W. T. Ratliff and William A .; those deceased are, David T., J. W., McKinney L., Alice. Mrs. Scurr was born in Hinds county, and to her were born nine children: Wallace B., Jr., John L., Edmond D., Winter S., Thomas, McWillie, and Esme; Jennie M. and Benjamin died in their childhood. Mr. Scurr entered the Fifteenth Missis- sippi volunteer infantry, company G, in 1861, and served until the surrender, excepting the TT

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time he was disabled. He was taken prisoner February 21, 1862, and was held seven weeks. He was in the hospital during this time, and was again captured in Mississippi; but was soon released, however, on account of his wounds. He was at the bombardment of Vicksburg, and during the latter part of the war served in the commissary department, his headquarters being at Grenada. While not taking an active part in politics, he does not fail of his duty to exercise the right of suffrage, voting with the democratic party. He is a member of the board of supervisors from district No. 4, and takes an active interest in the public schools, and is a liberal supporter of all movements having for their object the upbuilding of the community. He is the owner of one thousand and forty acres of land, as fine as can be found within the borders of the county, and is a man of deep integrity of character, and has the pro- found respect of all who know him.

Col. Roderick Seal, Mississippi City, Miss., is one of the oldest residents along the gulf. He was born in Richmond county, N. C., December 31, 1817, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Nicholson) Seal, also natives of North Carolina. The father was a planter, and removed to Mississippi at an early day. He first settled in Greene county, and came thence to Hancock county, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was ninety years old at the time of his death, and was in full possession of all his mental faculties; he could see to read without the use of glasses, and was quite active. He was a colonel of the state militia for many years, and served in the War of 1812. He reared a family of three sons and five daughters, five of whom survive: Roderick, Mrs. Boardman, Christian, Mrs. Patsey Boardman and Capt. D. B. Colonel Seal left home when he was eighteen years of age, and went to Bay St. Louis. In 1838 he was appointed deputy clerk of Hancock county, and during the time that he held this position he devoted all his leisure time to the study of law. In Novem- ber, 1839, he was elected county clerk of Hancock county, and held that office continously eight years. In the meantime he engaged in the practice of law. The profession was not crowded at that day, and there was a wide field for his labors. He was elected to the legis- lature in 1850, and served one term. He had settled in Biloxi, Miss., and remained there until 1857. In that year he went to Pass Christian, Miss. In 1861 he was again elected a member of the legislature, and held the office until after the war was ended. In 1866 he was elected a member of the state senate, and was made president of the body. He was re-elected senator and discharged his duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. When the war ended, Colonel Seal found himself without a dollar, as all his means had been invested in slaves. He went to Mississippi City, and there resumed his legal practice. In 1888 he was again elected to the senate of the state, but resigned on account of ill health. He has held many offices in the gift of the people, and has always shown a fidelity and courage in caring for the interests of the people of his county that have won for him the highest regard of all classes of citizens. He is considered at the head of his profession, and there are few men on the coast better posted in all matters pertaining to the law. He owns a large amount of real estate along the coast, and large flocks of sheep and herds of cattle that are kept on Chandelier island. This is an island in the gulf, twen- ty-eight miles from Mississippi City, about forty miles long and two and a half miles wide; it has no timber, except myrtle wood, and is considered a very fine range. The Colonel is now somewhat advanced in years, but has an excellent memory, is quick in decision, and keen in judgment. He has been three times married. His first wife bore him four children, two of whom are living: Florian C., sheriff of Harrison county and Marshall.

Capt. D. B. Seal, attorney at law, Bay St. Louis, Miss., was born in Hancock county, Miss., February 24, 1836, and is a son of Jacob Seal. The father was born in Marion

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district, S. C., February 5, 1793, and was reared in his native state. He married Catherine Nicholson, who was of Scotch ancestry. She conld speak the Gaelic language with great fluency. The paternal grandfather, Charles Seal, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died in South Carolina. Jacob Seal served in the War of 1812, and was a colonel of the Mississippi state militia. He emigrated to Mississippi in 1823, and located in Hancock county, where he followed planting for a number of years. He died in Hancock county in 1883, at the age of eighty-nine years. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and while he was identified with the pioneer history of the county, he never sought public office. He had four sons and six daughters, four of whom are living: Roderick, a resident of Mis- sissippi City; Mrs. Christian Seal and Mrs. Martha Boardman, and Capt. D. B., the subject of this notice. He is the youngest living member of the family. He was brought up on a plantation, and had just begun to think of starting out in life to make a place for himself when the war broke out, and the battlefield became the scene of action, instead of the busy marts of the city or the halls of justice. He enlisted in the Confederate cause and raised a company known as Hancock rebels. He went out as captain, and during the siege of Vicks- burg he commanded the Thirty-eighth Mississippi regiment. Soon afterward he resigned, returning to his home. In 1865 he removed to Bay St. Louis. In 1861 he was elected a member of the legislature, and was re-elected in 1863; he served the full terms, getting a furlough for this purpose. In 1861 he was admitted to the bar, having studied law under Col. J. B. Deason, of Gainesville, Miss. After coming to the bay he began his professional work in earnest, and has since devoted himself to it most assiduously. He is the oldest lawyer in the bay, and has won a warm place in the hearts of the people, whom he has aided in many ways. In 1887 he was again elected to the legislature, and was re-elected in 1889. In 1867 he was elected a member of the constitutional convention, but this body never assembled. He was elected district attorney in 1872, and again in 1875. He was also city attorney for some time. He has held every office for which he has asked, and can truthfully say that he has received more votes than any opponent he has ever had. This is, indeed, a unique record in the political world. He has ever done credit to his constituency, and has acquitted himself, in the various positions he has held, with distinction. Captain Seal was united in marriage in 1867 to Miss Ivan Newman, of New Orleans, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Seal is a devoted member of the Roman Catholic church.

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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 114

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