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 115

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 115

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Elbert B. Seale is a member of the prosperous mercantile firm of Seale & Byrd, of Roxie, Miss., the members of which, by their excellent management, business ability and efficiency, have built up an extensive patronage, and have done not a little to advance the reputation the county enjoys as a commercial center. Mr. Seale was born in Greene county, Ala., in 1827 (March 11), being the fourth of nine children born to Wright and Nancy (Cane) Seale, who were born in Georgia October 4, 1796, and February 13, 1804, respect- ively. They both came with their parents to what is now Amite county, Miss., in 1807, and were here married in 1821, removing three years later to Greene county, Ala., where they resided until 1832. At this date they returned to Amite county, and here Mrs. Seale was called from life in 1842. A year later Mr. Seale was married to Catherine Whittington, and in 1844 took up his abode in Franklin county, settling two miles south of the present town of Roxie, where he was called from earth in December, 1865. He had been a member of the Baptist church since 1826, and was a successful and practical farmer and a man of sound views, notwithstanding the fact that he received a limited education in early life. Thomas Seale, his father, was born in Georgia on the 7th of July, 1759, and was married five times. He was a private soldier during the Revolutionary war, was a planter by occupa-

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tion, and died in Greene county, Ala., November 12, 1825. He was the father of fourteen chil- Iren. The maternal grandfather, John Cane, was a Georgian, born June 24, 1751. In 1807 he brought his family to Amite county and improved a good place on Amite river. He died there about 1847. Elbert B. Seale is one of six surviving members of his father's family. Elijah W. is a planter of Morehouse parish, La., and was a soldier in the Confederate army during the war; Pascal H. was also in the Confederate army, and is a planter of Franklin county; Sarah J. is the wife of Charles F. Gates; Amanda is the wife of John Chambers, and William T., who was a private in the Confederate army and afterward served as a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of Franklin county, are the other members. Elbert B. was sent to the district schools near his home when his services were not needed on the home farm, and at the age of eighteen years he began farming for himself. In 1845 he was mar- ried to Miss Lizetta, daughter of Aaron and Lucretia Van Normand, natives of Canada, their marriage taking place on Long Island. They were early settlers of Amite county, the father dying here in 1862 and the mother in 1851, the former being a blacksmith by trade. Mrs. Seale was born in Liberty, Amite county, June 24, 1830, and died, having borne four children, of whom are living: Thomas G., and Nancy E., wife of Millard F. Byrd. His second union took place on the 23d of November, 1881, Mrs. Elizabeth Buffkin, a daughter of James Carlisle, becoming his wife. Mr. Carlisle died in Lawrence county, this state, in 1844, having come thither from Georgia. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, was with Jackson at New Orleans, was an earnest member of the Baptist church, and was an honest and upright citizen. His wife, formerly Miss Mary Bishop, was born in the state of Georgia, dying in Lawrence county in 1840, also a member of the Baptist church. Mrs. Seale was born in that county in 1830, and in 1850 was married there to Solomon Buffkin, who was born in Copiah county and died in Franklin county in December, 1877, she having borne him two daughters. When first married Mr. Seale resided for eight years in Liberty and kept a hotel. He then came to Franklin county and engaged in farming and merchandising six miles east of Roxie, where he continued until 1877, at which time he moved to the town, where he has since conducted a general mercantile establishment. In connection with this he owns and conducts five hundred and seventy-five acres of laud, which is in three tracts, which is excellent and valuable property. He is the present mayor of the town, was formerly a member of the A. F. & A. M., and for thirty years has been a mem- ber of the Baptist church, his wife having been a member of the same for about forty years. Mr. Seale is quiet and unassuming in manner, but takes a deep interest in matters pertaining to the general welfare of the county. He has never aspired to office, his greatest aim being the advancement of the cause of Christianity.

S. Seaman, Handsboro, who has lived the greater portion of his life in Harrison county, Miss., was born in Jackson county, Miss., in 1831, and is a son of William C. and Catherine (Sheffield) Seaman. The father was a native of Staten Island, N. Y., and emigrated to Mississippi at an early day, locating in Jackson county. He subsequently removed to Harrison county, and was elected clerk of the circuit and chancery courts. He died near Biloxi, Miss. The mother of our subject was a native of South Carolina. They reared a large family of children, S. Seaman being the seventh born. He passed his youth in Harrison county, and was educated in the common schools. During the war he was detailed to work in the railroad shops. He had just opened business in partnership with J. T. Liddle, but this was necessarily suspended until the close of the war. He then resum d his plans, and carried them out successfully. When he had accumulated a comfort- able fortune he retired from active business, and is now enjoying the fruits of his early years

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of industry and self-denial. He was married in 1865 to Miss Susan A. Baxter, a native of South Carolina. Four children were born to them: Emma A., W. S. Lily, May and Percy P. Mr. Seaman is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a man of excellent judg- ment, and superior business qualifications. He has been a loyal citizen, and has been an ardent supporter of home industries. Mrs. Seaman is a worthy member of the Baptist church.

Talbot H. Selby, one the most enterprising citizens of Newton county, Miss., was born in what is now Choctaw county, Ala., where he lived until he had reached man's estate. He then came to Lauderdale county, Miss., where he resided until 1860, a period of about one year; he then located in Newton county, where he has continuously resided excepting the time spent in the service of his country. He enlisted in company B, Second Mississippi cavalry, in May, 1862, and did valiant service; he was detailed to assist at regimental head- quarters, and acted in this capacity until the close of the conflict. His associate in this work was Frank C. Armstrong. When the war was ended he came home, and secured a situation as bookkeeper with Watts & Nimocks, in whose employ he remained until the spring of 1869. He made a trip to New Orleans at this time, but did not stay any length of time; he came back to Newton and was employed by Richardson & Co., as bookkeeper; he is an expert accountant, and possesses the entire confidence of his employers. Mr. Selby was united in marriage in 1862 to Miss Kate, a daughter of Thomas H. Massey, of Fayetteville, N. C., and a most estimable woman. She has had born to her seven children, only four of whom survive: Robert is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a member of the Mississippi conference (he is now located at Flora, Miss.), Eunice, Kate and Henry. Seth E. Selby, the father of our subject, was a native of North Carolina, where he lived until he was twenty years of age; he then removed to Alabama and was there married. About the 1856 he came to Mississippi, and in 1872 located in Newton. He died in October, 1887, but his widow still survives. He was a most exemplary man, a worthy mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church with which he united in early life, and a thoroughly respected citizen. Talbot H. Selby is connected with the Masonic order. the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of Honor, belonging to the lodges at Newton. He is an untiring worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which he is a member.

A number of years passed in sincere and earnest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty incumbent upon the different official positions he has filled, and his success in the legal profession have served to place Hon. B. A. P. Selman, attorney, Booneville, Miss., among the leading and most influential men of the county. He was born in Itawamba county. Miss., in 1849, and of the eight children born to his parents, Dr. Thomas and Mrs. (Allen) Selman, he was the eldest in order of birth. His paternal grandparents, Benjamin and Sallie Selman, were natives of Tennessee and Virginia respectively. They moved from Tennessee to Texas in 1841, were among the pioneer settlers, and he was very prominent in politics, being a member of the legislature for some time. The maternal grandparents, Matthew and Rebecca (Drummond) Allen, were prominent citizens of Benton (now Calhoun) county, Ala., and he was an active politician, representing that county in the legislature for some time. Both died in Alabama, the grandmother in 1857, and the grandfather in 1866. Dr. Thomas Selman was a native of Franklin county, Tenn., born in 1819, and was reared to the arduous duties of the farm. He studied medicine and in 1842 moved to Itawamba county, Miss., where he practiced his profession seven years. In 1847 he was married in Jacksonville, Ala. to Miss Allen, a native of the Palmetto state, although reared in Alabama, and after his marriage the Doctor moved to Fulton, Itawamba county, Miss., where he resided for some time. From there

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he moved to Pontotoc county of that state, practiced medicine there for thirty years, and then settled in Baylor county, Tex., where he resides at the present time. To his marriage were born the following children: B. A. P., A. K. (who died at the age of twenty-one years), Mattie A. (married H. S. Hunter and died at the age of thirty-five years, leaving a family): Mary E. (now Mrs. W. H. Elkins, resides in Texas); Cora (married Louis Deprew and died in 1889); Louella (died at the age of ten years); Alma (married Mr. Jones and her death occurred in 1888); and Ada (married S. Suttlemeyer and is now a resident of Baylor county, Tex. ) The mother of these children died at her residence, five miles west of Guntown, Miss., in 1866. The father followed his profession all his life and in connection also carried on farming. He was one of the first treasurers of Itawamba county, and is hon- ored and respected wherever known. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Missionary Baptist church, in which his wife also held membership. He is public-spirited and is active in all laudable enterprises. Hon. B. A. P. Selman divided his time in early life in assisting on his father's farm and in attending the common schools, where he received a good prac- tical education. He then studied law with General Finley, of Tupelo, and in 1870, at the age of twenty one years, he commenced practicing at Guntown. He came to Booneville in 1872 and has been a resident of that town ever since. He was married in 1879 to Mrs. Fannie E. Chamber, a native of Ripley, born in 1850, and the daughter of J. B. and Mary L. (Hind- man) Ellis, both natives of Tennessee, the father born in 1819 and the mother in Knoxville, in 1823. She was a sister of General Thomas Hindman, who was killed at Helena, Ark., in 1867. Her father was Col. Thomas Hindman. Her parents moved to Ripley, Miss., about 1840 and the father practiced medicine up to the time of his death, at Booneville, in 1878. He was married about 1847. To our subject and wife were born two living children: Lucile (who died at the age of two years); Louis and Mabel. Mr. Selman is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity and he is a member of the Knights of Honor organization. He is a prom- inent politician, represented Prentiss county in the legislature in 1882, 1884, 1886, was chair- man of the committee in 1882, and was a member of the judiciary committee in 1884 and 1886. He takes part in and gives his hearty support to all enterprises worthy of notice. He has been engaged in gardening for the last four years and has been quite successful in a business way. He was mayor of Guntown for many years.

John H. Semmes is one of the foremost planters of Lauderdale county, where he owns a good and fertile plantation of four hundred acres, of which three hundred acres are under cultivation, which he devotes to the raising of vegetables and garden supplies for the city of Meridian. Corn and cotton are also raised to a considerable extent, and besides being exceptionally thorough and practical, he is also very energetic and enterprising. He was born in the county in which he now lives in January, 1850, the fourth of ten children born to Maj. Francis C., and Mary E. (Hubert) Semmes, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Georgia. Francis C. Semmes was taken by his parents from his native state to Georgia, at which time he was but a lad, and there he grew to manhood, was educated and married. After spending some time in that state after the celebration of his nuptials he, in 1845, came to Lauderdale county, Miss., where he purchased land and engaged in planting, making this his chief occupation for the remainder of his days. He was a member of the Mississippi legislature at the time the ordinance of secession was passed, and voted for that measure. When the war opened he entered the Coufederate service, and as he was in ill health and not able to perform active duty, he was placed in the quartermaster's depart- ment and during his service was stationed at Meridian, Miss. After the war he resumed his planting operations on the land now owned by the subject of this sketch, where he owned

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one thousand acres of land, having prior to the war been the owner of about sixty slaves. He was of a very hospitable and kindly disposition, and during the war his doors were thrown open to the sick and wounded soldiers, there often being as many as fifteen or twenty in his home. He was beloved and highly respected by all and at the time of his death, in November, 1867, he was a consistent member of the Catholic church. His widow, who died in November of the following year at her home near Meridian, Miss., was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. When eighteen years of age John H. Semmes began to make his own way in life as a planter, and at the time of his marriage, in 1873, was in good circumstances. Miss Mary Scanlan became his wife, she being the daughter of Edwin Scanlan, of Newton county, Miss. To them three sons and six daughters have been born: Sarah, Jane, Katie, Joseph, John, Mary, Ella, William (deceased) and Celia. Mrs. Semmes has been an invalid since 1887, being partially paralyzed. Both Mr. and Mrs. Semmes are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Semmes has never aspired to any political position in his life, but has attended strictly to his business and now has a fair share of this world's goods. He is liberal in the use of his means.

Charles E. Sessions, the eldest of nine children born to Richard R. and Mary (Gibson) Sessions, owes his nativity to Chicot county, Ark., where his birth occurred on the 25th of March, 1854. He passed his youthful days in that state, and secured a thorough educa- tion in the Military university at Nashville, Tenn. When it became necessary for him to select some calling in life he very naturally, perhaps, chose the one to which he had been reared, and which he has continued to follow up to the present time. He started out to fight life's battle for himself when twenty years of age, and as his means were limited all he has made is the result of his own industry and good management. He is the owner of two thousand acres of land, thirteen hundred acres under cultivation, and he also owns stock in several enterprises in Friar's Point. Mr. Sessions chose Miss Mamie Hutchins as his companion in life, and their nuptials were celebrated on the 12th of April, 1878. She was born in Adams county, Miss., and is the daughter of John O. and Aubin Hutchins, natives of Mississippi and Virginia respectively. The result of this union has been the birth of four interesting chil- dren, all living: Richard M., Charles E., Aubin A. and Sidney D. In his political pref- erence Mr. Sessions is a democrat of the first water. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Knights of Pythias. Although a young man Mr. Sessions is regarded as one of the representative citizens of the county, and is a thoroughgoing, enterprising young man. As far as his means will allow he has contributed to all worthy enterprises, and especially those pertaining to the good of the country. He is most social and pleasant in his intercourse with all, and has a host of warm friends. He is of medium hight. rather slender, and has a fair complexion. His parents were natives of Mississippi and Missouri, respectively, and were representatives of old and honored families. The father was an extensive planter and followed that industry until 1874, since which time he has retired from the active duties of life. He now lives alternately in Mississippi and Illinois. He has three sons residing in Friar's Point, all promising young men, one being postmaster at that place and the others prominent citizens. The maternal grandparents of Charles E. Sessions were John W. and Martha L. Gibson, natives of Scotland and Louisiana, respectively. The paternal parents were Richard Sessions and Nancy Cordell, of Sampson county, N. C.

Maj. J. F. Sessions, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, is chairman of the Mississippi railroad commission and ex-officio chairman of the board of control of the Mississippi penitentiary. He was elected by the legislature in March, 1886, re-elected in 1888 and again in 1890. The late constitutional convention of Mississippi having changed

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the term from two to four years and made the office elective by the people, Major Sessions was again nominated by the democratic state convention on the 15th of July, 1891, for the term ending December 31, 1895, and will no doubt be again elected by the people in Novem- ber, 1891. Major Sessions is a native of Franklin county, Miss., where he was born in 1838. His father was Jesse Sessions, who came from North Carolina to Mississippi about the beginning of the present century and was a successful planter. He died on his plantation near the present village of Knoxville, Franklin county, Miss., on the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas railroad, in 1842. He was preceded by his elder brother, Joseph Sessions, in the removal from North Carolina to Mississippi. This brother (together with several others who followed later) located in Adams county and was a successful planter, engaging somewhat in public affairs. He was a member of the constitutional convention which con - vened in the town of Washington, near Natchez, in 1817, and which formed the constitution under which the Mississippi territory was admitted into the Union as a state the same year. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Richard Sessions, who lived and died in Sampson county, N. C. His grandmother was Esther Boone, who was a daughter of Joseph Boone and a niece of Daniel Boone, who became famous as a frontiersman in Kentucky. His mother was Edney Kell, a native of Franklin county, where she died in 1847. Major Ses- sions was married in 1861 to Miss Eliza S. Dunckley, of Wilkinson county. They have two children-a son and daughter. The former is a medical student at Tulane university in New Orleans, and the daughter, Ada, is the wife of J. J. Proby, Esq., an attorney of Natchez, Miss. Major Sessions was a captain in the Seventh Mississippi regiment during the Civil war, until after the Kentucky campaign of General Bragg, when, on account of failing health, he resigned. After recovery he organized a cavalry company, which formed a part of the regiment commanded by Colonel Powers. In an engagement near Clinton, Miss., Captain Sessions, in July, 1864, lost an arm, after which he was promoted to be major of the regi- ment and served with it until the surrender, except during a few months while he was in command of the post at Woodville. After the surrender he began the practice of the law in Meadville, having graduated in 1860 at the law school of the University of Mississippi; he also graduated from Centenary college, Louisiana, in 1859. He was elected to the legislature from Franklin county in 1869 and re-elected in 1871, serving these two terms as one of a corporal's guard of democrats who withstood successfully many iniquitous schemes of the negroes and their carpetbag allies, during the dark days of reconstruction in Mississippi. He afterward served a fragmentary term in the state senate, representing the district com- posed of the counties of Lincoln, Lawrence and Pike, he having removed in 1873 to Lincoln county, locating at Brookhaven, and continuing in the practice of law until his election as railroad commissioner in 1886.

Among the steady and substantial old citizens of Jackson, Miss., Mr. E. von Seutter deserves a place in the front ranks. Though he himself remarked, "I am neither a politi- cian nor a financier," yet we find him one of those happy and superior combinations of edu- cation, information, talent, æsthetic tastes, integrity, and push which stamp him as a citizen of unusual worth, notwithstanding his modesty and retiring habits. The youngest son of an aristocratic family in Germany, Mr. von Seutter, when twenty-one years of age, landed in New Orleans in 1848, to visit and see the far West. Soon disenchanted and homesick he accepted an urgent invitation from an old schoolfriend, Mr. Max Kuner, of the subsequent firm of Downing, Moody & Kuner, of Vicksburg, Miss., to join him in the jewelry business. Mr. von Sentter, with mechanical and artistic talents, enhanced by a careful education, including drawing and geometry, soon mastered the watchmaker's and jeweler's trade and

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taught himself engraving. In a few years, or in 1851, he established himself in business in Raymond. There he toiled and saved, and finally bought out a daguerrean artist, and added that financial lever to his business, and in two years, with plenty of money (hard and honor- able earnings of toil), he went back to Austria to his family and "the girl he left behind him." He was married in grand style and brought his young bride, whose maiden name was Julia Hoch, to the home he had prepared for her in Mississippi, to be his life companion and the light of his home. The old inhabitants of Raymond speak in the highest terms of Mr. and Mrs. von Seutter, where they had made their home and prospered in business and children, until the Civil war swept away everything they had possessed. Undaunted, after the war Mr. von Seutter gradually paid his Northern creditors, and having moved to Jackson, Miss., slowly but surely ascended again in business. The following article is taken from the Clarion-Ledger, and only does Mr. von Seutter justice: "Seutter always succeeded in everything he has undertaken, and has guarded his honor all through as sacred, and as a thing of priceless value. His record has been an exemplary one, such as any man might be proud of. He is known thus in all portions of the land, and where he is best known, is where he is most admired. Without capital, speculation, or lucky windfall, step by step only, Mr. Seutter weathered the destructive war, epidemics, fires, bank failures, and hard times. It was slow work, slow but sure work, as Mr. Seutter with less covetousness than pride and integrity, ever discarded 'cheap goods' that yield large profits. But now he reaps the benefit of his honorable dealing and toil these forty years, by the most flattering apprecia- tion and patronage of the public. So much for Mr. Seutter the jeweler."

There is nothing which more impresses the visitor to town or city with its refinement, prosperity or happiness, than elegant suburban dwellings clad in flowers aud verdure, and in that respect Mr. von Seutter's Ivy cottage, the artist's home on North State street, presents a perfect little Eden, with its wealth of flowers and trees, its vines and waving banana trees and exotics, with its fresh, green lawn, its clean walks and general artistic and pict- uresque arrangement, all of which is the result of his active mind and hands. Here the genial Mr. von Seutter may be found, untiring in attending to and enjoying his home, after his indefatigable labors in his prosperous jewelry business. He is a business man of sterling qualities, ever ready to contribute to all worthy enterprises, and is an honor and ornament to the city of Jackson. His union with Miss Hoch, in 1853, resulted in the birth of seven children, three of whom are living: Armin, a photographer of Jackson; Edward Raymond, who is in the jewelry business and the optician of Meridian, is married to Miss Nettie Major, of Kentucky, and has two children; and Carl, who married Miss Mary Holbrook, a native of Mississippi, is associated in business with his father in Jackson. The family are members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. von Seutter is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. fraternities. His stock of goods, which is of the best quality, amounts to about $20,000, with which he does an annual business of about $18,000. He possesses decided literary tastes, and has written an autobiographical narrative of himself entitled "The Immi- grant," published and copied by several papers, and some poetry of decided merit, of which the following is an example:

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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 115

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