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 117

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 117

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all of which he made an excellent record as a gallant soldier and for distinguished bravery. He started in life as a merchant at Okolona, Miss., in which place he built the second house in 1846. After remaining thus engaged for six years, he gave up merchandising and moved to his farm, where he has lived ever since.

Abram Keller Shaifer (deceased) was so closely and intimately identified with Claiborne county, Miss., and his name was so familiar to all its inhabitants that it is only just to dwell upon what he has done, and the influence his career has had upon others, not as empty words of praise, but the plain statement of a plain truth. He was born in Frederick, Md., in 1778 his parents being of Swiss origin, and in the city of Philadelphia, Penn., he learned the trade of a hatter, but afterward followed merchandising in Tennessee, a calling he pursued with good success. He was an old line whig in politics, and although not an active politician he at all times tried to exercise his right of franchise for men of principle and honor. His determination, enterprise and intelligence were soon recognized and he became a leader in Claiborne county, the residents of which showed their appreciation of his many excellent qualities by electing him to the office of sheriff, a position he filled in an admirable manner for four terms of two years each, after which he refused to be a candidate for re-election. He made a beau-ideal public officer, for he was prompt in the discharge of his duty, fearless in his support of truth and right, and honorable in every particular. He held high rank in the Masonic lodge of Nashville, Tenn., and was a charter member of Washington lodge at Port Gibson. Personally and in every private relation and duty of life too much can not be said in his praise, for he was generous, high-minded and possessed the instinct and training of a true gentleman. His life was illustrated with kind and charitable deeds, and as the wealth and education which he possessed were self-acquired he may with truth be said to have been a selfmade man. As a father he was kind and indulgent, and as a friend was true and tried. He died in 1861, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, and his remains now repose in the Port Gibson cemetery. He selected Miss Elizabeth Hannah Humphreys as his wife, she being a native of Claiborne county, Miss., and to them a family of eight children were born: Sallie Ann, who died at the age of seventeen years; Henry Faulk, married and residing in Vicksburg, Miss. ; George Wilson Humphreys; S. P. (deceased); Esther Downing, who died at the age of thirteen years; Elizabeth K. is the wife of John Burnett, a merchant of Port Gibson; Margaret Smith, who died at the age of thirty years, was the wife of John C. Johnson, a planter of Copiah county; and Abraham Keller, who was named for his worthy progenitor. The latter is at the present time living on the old homestead four miles west of Port Gibson, on which place the battle of Port Gibson was fought May 3, 1863. Mr. Shaifer is well and favorably known by the citizens of Claiborne county, for he was born here on the 3d of May, 1833, and has resided here all his life, being one of its most reliable citizens. He was given the advantage of the country schools and the schools of Grand Gulf, and although he was mischievous and wideawake he managed to acquire a better education than the average boy. When a stripling he entered a mercantile establishment, where he remained six years, after which he began giving his attention to planting, and is now the owner of a fine plantation of four hundred acres, which he conducts in an admirable and skillful manner, everything about his home showing that a man of thrift, determination and energy is at the helm. He has been married twice, his first consort being Miss Elizabeth Chamberlain Giranet, a native of Claiborne county, Miss., their union taking place in the month of June, 1857, and resulting in the birth of four children: Benjamin Humphreys, a planter of the county; Abram Keller, who died at the age of eighteen years; George Giranet, who died young, and Edwin Thomas, also deceased. Mr. Shaifer lost his worthy wife in June, UU

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1864, and her remains now repose in the cemetery of Port Gibson. On the 23d of Novem- ber, 1865, Mr. Shaifer's second marriage was celebrated, his second wife being Miss Amanda C. Guice, whose birth occurred in Tensas parish, La., and resulted in the birth of a son, Percy Leon, who is a prosperous planter of the county and is married to Miss Lizzie Wheeler. Mr. Shaifer's love for his country caused him to enlist in the Confederate army in January, 1862, becoming a member of company K, First Mississippi light artillery, of which Capt. George Abby was commanding officer. Mr. Shaifer was mostly on garrison duty, which called him to Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Mobile, first siege of Vicksburg in 1862, and others. During the forty-nine days' siege of Port Hudson, Mr. Shaifer, with his command, suf- fered terribly for food, and for a long time was compelled to subsist on rats and mule carcasses. He tells many interesting anecdotes of the war, which are strictly authentic and would fill a large volume. The manner in which he and his brother comrades bore the untold hardships and privations of war proved that they were fighting for a principle and that their lives were nothing when compared with what they considered justice and right. At this siege Mr. Shaifer was paroled and was ordered to Selma, Ala., thence to Mobile, thence to Blakely and Spanish forts, his capture by the Union troops taking place at Fort Blakely. He was conveyed to Montrose, from there to Ship island on Mississippi sound, where he was kept three weeks, and was then taken to Vicksburg, then to Big Black bridge, where three thousand Confederates were paroled. Mr. Shaifer then returned home and began raising cotton, and although the war had caused many changes in Southern life, and reliable help was hard to obtain, yet he continued to prosper, and up to the present date has raised some cotton each year, although for the past fifteen years horticulture has received the greater part of his attention. He is an unswerving democrat, is warm in his support of his party, as a friend is true and stanch, and in his pleasant home he dispenses hospitality in an exceedingly liberal manner, and is well known for his polished and kindly manners. The house in which he resides was pierced by many bullets during the battle of Port Gibson, and a part of a shell and a whole shell passed through the roof. A musket ball crashed through the side of the house, piercing a frame which held the picture of Mr. Shaifer's mother. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor and the Knights and Ladies of Honor, all of Port Gibson. His brother, George Wilson Humphreys Shaifer, who makes his home with him on the old plantation, was educated in Oakland college. He was born on the 22d of January, 1822, and until the Civil war opened, with all its horrors, privations and sor- rows, followed the life of a planter. Being an enthusiastic Southerner in heart, he heartily espoused her cause, and in the month of September, 1863, became a member of company K, Twelfth Mi-sissippi volunteers, and was assigned to the army of northern Virginia, under Colonel Harris, and was in the thickest of the fight in the following bloody combats: Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, where he was wounded in the left hand and right arm, being incapaci- tated for about sixty days, then took part in the engagements at Yellow Tavern, Petersburg, and Fort Gregg, which was the last engagement fought under General Lee, and was for the purpose of keeping back General Grant so that Lee could get back, gain his supplies and make good his escape, but as the supplies were not at hand the attempt was unsuccessful. Mr. Shaifer surrendered at Fort Gregg, April 3, 1865, and as soon as guards could be formed, was sent to City Point, thence to Lookout Point prison, and on the 1st of July was taken to Washington. From there he went to Baltimore, thence by rail to Cairo and down the Mississippi river to his home. He was married to Miss Charlotte L. Clarke, a native of Claiborne county, by whom he became the father of two children, one of whom is deceased.

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The other, Mary, is the wife of L. C. Fisher, a merchant of Cayuga, Miss. Prior to the war Mr. Shaifer was a whig in his political views, but since that time he has been a stanch democrat. He was deputy sheriff of Claiborne county for four years, and was the first marshal of Port Gibson, being assiduous in his devotion to the duties of both offices. He was a volunteer in the Mexican war under command of Col. Jefferson Davis. He is a Master Mason and is a devout member of the St. James Episcopal church of Port Gibson. Both he and his brother Abram have inherited many of their father's worthy qualities, and have been prominently identified with the interests of this section from boyhood.

Hon. Garvin D. Shands, who was born in Spartanburg district, S. C., December 5, 1844, was the eldest child born to Dr. Anthony C. and his wife, Frances J. (Ferguson) Shands, both of whom were natives of South Carolina. Dr. Shands studied medicine in Augusta, Ga., and in 1842 took his degree at the age of twenty-six years, aud at once entered upon his practice. In 1868 he removed to Mississippi, after which he retired from the practice of his profession to some extent, spending the remainder of his days in Tate county, two miles from Senatobia. By good management and perseverance he acquired a large practice before the war, but of course lost heavily during that period. He died in 1876. His father was a teacher, and a local minister of the Methodist church in South Carolina. As a family they were adherents of the Methodist church. They took but little interest in politics, not being desirous of distinction in that line. The maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were Miles and Mary (Beasley) Ferguson, who were also natives of the Palmetto state. They belonged to the old-time gentlefolk. Garvin Shands passed his early life at the family home, and was educated at Wofford college, South Carolina. Having a taste for law, he chose that for his profession, and took his degree at the University of Kentucky in 1870. At the out- break of the war he responded to the call of duty, and entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Maj. Edward Manigault's battalion of South Carolina infantry, and at the end of one year in company C Sixth South Carolina cavalry, serving under Col. Hugh K. Aiken. These com- mands remained at and about Charleston, guarding that port until May, 1864, when the Sixth regiment was transferred to Gen. Wade Hampton's command, all further operations being conducted in Virginia. Mr. Shands participated in all the battles occurring in that state from May, 1864, to January, 1865. At the surrender he was at Hillsboro, N. C., with Johnston's army. In 1867 he removed to Panola county, Miss., where he engaged in teaching, and read law for two years; then, in 1869, went to Tate county, and from there to the law school of the University of Kentucky, graduating, as above mentioned, in 1870. Soon after this he opened an office in Senatobia, where he has built up an extensive prac. tice. In political life he has won honor and distinction, having been a member of the state legislature from 1876 to 1880, and was lieutenant-governor of Mississippi from 1882 to 1890. In 1870 Mr. Shands was married to Miss Mary E. Roseborongh, who was a native of Missis- sippi, her parents, W. D. and E. A. (Williamson) Roseborough, being natives of South Caro- lina. Mr. and Mrs. Shands have been blessed with five children. Hubert A., the eldest, graduated from the University of Mississippi at the early age of eighteen with high honor, and was immediately tendered the position of fellow in English literature. He is a brilliant young man, and fills the position with great ability. Mabel, the second child, aged seven- teen, is in her graduating year at Whitworth college, Brookhaven, Miss., where she has developed great musical talent. The other children, Audley W., thirteen years old; Harley, aged eleven; and Cecil, aged eight, are attending school in Senatobia. Following out the family traditions: Mr. and Mrs. Shands and their two eldest children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Shands has three times been a delegate to its general

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conference-at the sessions held in Nashville in 1882; in Richmond, Va., in 1886, and in St. Louis in 1890. He is an active member of the Knights of Honor. He has a large circle of friends who hold him in high regard, and in all his dealings is open and frank, fond and . proud of his bright family, and justly proud of his honorable public record.

Dr. J. R. Sharman, Meridian, Lauderdale county, Miss. This well-known and popular physician and surgeon was born in Jasper county, Miss., April 4, 1851. His father, Dr. E. L. Sharman, is a native of Georgia who came to Mississippi about 1821, and located in Jasper county, where he was numbered among the pioneer settlers, Paulding having been at that time regarded as a place of much importance and of greater promise. He was a graduate of the University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky., and practiced at Paulding for thirty-five or forty years. As a matter of special interest it may be stated that he attended Sim Adams, the editor of the Eastern Clarion, in his last illness. He is now living retired from his active professional duties at Shubuta, Miss., in Clarke county, having acquired a competency. He had six sons and seven daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter survive. These are Dr. J. R. Sharman, James Sharman, now a student at the University of Oxford, and Mrs. A. R. Johnson, of Birmingham, Ala. Dr. J. R. Sharman obtained his literary education in the private schools of his native county. He began to study medicine in 1874, and was gradu- ated from the Louisville Medical college in 1876, though he took a post-graduate course at the Polyclinic, New York city, N. Y., and two others at the University of Louisiana in New Orleans, La. He began his professional practice at Shubuta, Miss., and there lived until 1883, when he removed to Meridian, Miss., where he has met with much success. He is a member of both the county and state medical associations, and is regarded as an able and trustworthy physician. He was married in 1882 to Miss Mary Trueheart, a native of Missis- sippi who was educated at Mobile, Ala. They are the parents of three children: Fannie, Kate and Nellie. The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Honor, and of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mrs. Sharman is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. The Doctor is the owner of considerable real estate and quite a number of buildings in Meridian, Miss. Among his other property there may be mentioned the new and elegant Planters' hotel. at the corner of Sixth street and Twenty-fifth avenue, a three-story brick structure, modern in style and well appointed in every respect. Dr. J. R. Sharman is a progressive, enterpris- ing citizen, having at heart the advancement of the material interests of histown and county, and ranking high socially and professionally.

J. M. Sharp, merchant, Friar's Point, Miss., whose success in life is mainly due to his industry and good management, coupled with a pleasant, genial disposition, was born in Coahoma county, Miss., in 1863, and is the fifth of eight children, the result of the union of W. E. and Sarah (Rasor) Sharp. The parents were natives of South Carolina, and both were representatives of old and honored families. They emigrated to Mississippi about 1862, and the father followed the occupation of a planter until his death in 1875. The mother is still living and makes her home with her son, J. M. Sharp. The latter was left fatherless at the age of twelve years and the support of the family fell upon his shoulders principally. He worked and saved for the family, spending nearly all of his boyhood days thus employed, and as a consequence received but limited educational advantages. He remained on the farm until 1882 and then engaged as salesman at Friar's Point. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Sharp started in business for himself at the last mentioned place, and although he was in debt at that time, he has been very successful in his enterprises and is now considerered one of the most prominent business men of Friar's Point. He bought his store, 40x75 feet, one of the largest in town, and carries a full line of groceries, hardware, tinware, crockery, drugs,

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stationery, feed stuff, etc. His stock is valued at $2,500 and he does an annual business of $35,000. His marriage to Miss Minnie Johnson, of Memphis, occurred in 1889 and to this union one child, Robert L., has been born. Mr. Sharp has also bought a neat, comfort- able residence at Friar's Point. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

John T. Sharp, planter and merchant, Sharpsburg, Miss., the third in order of birth of a family of eleven children, born to the marriage of Edward and Nancy (Kennedy) Sharp, owes his nativity to Abbeville district, S. C., his birth occurring in 1836. The parents were natives of the Palmetto state also, and were of English and Welsh descent, respectively. The Sharps were pioneers of South Carolina and one of the oldest and most respected families in that state. The grandmother of our subject was born, lived and died in the same house. She was one hundred and seven years of age at the time of her death. The great-grandfather was killed in the Revolutionary war. Edward and Nancy (Kennedy) Sharp removed from South Carolina to near Rome, Ga., in 1848, and there passed the remainder of their days, the father dying in 1884 at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother in February, 1886, at the age of seventy-four years. Most of the children born to this worthy couple died early in life, but five are now living: John T., C. A., Mrs. S. A. Barker, V. A. and J. C., a farmer on the old homestead in Georgia. All but John T. reside on or near the old homestead in Georgia. The last named remained in Georgia until twenty years of age, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1856 he came to Mississippi and the same year went from there to New Orleans with only about $40 in money. Four years later, at the beginning of the war, he was worth $75,000 in chattels and money, having been a large contractor in railroad works. He took large contracts in the New Orleans & Jackson railroad, Vicksburg & Meridian railroad and the Mississippi Central railroad. In 1862 he connected himself with the engineer corps of the army of Tennessee, which position he held until the surrender, at which time he was near Augusta, Ga. After this he was obliged to engage with the Federal government a few months to enable him to get home. He built a large bridge across the Chatthoochee river at that time. In September, 1865, he took a contract to reopen the Mississippi Central road from Holly Springs to Jackson, Tenn., and in the course of a few years was again worth $35,000 or $40,000. In 1868 he formed a partnership with E. Richardson and engaged in levee building, having erected forty miles of the levee in Wash- ington and Bolivar counties. In 1875 he settled on his present farm, consisting of three thousand acres, and aside from this he is the owner of about two thousand seven hun- dred acres in Yazoo county. He did a big business in Vaughan station, in Yazoo county, for a number of years. In 1875 he also began merchandising at this place (Sharpsburg) and this business he still carries on. He now has under cultivation about two thousand five hundred acres, raises six hundred bales of cotton annually and besides raises all his own corn and forage. He is an active democrat in politics and frequently attends political conventions. Mr. Sharp was married in March, 1861, to Miss Susan Ewing, daughter of Jesse and Martha (Johnston) Ewing, both natives of Tennessee and early settlers of Mississippi. To Mr. and Mrs. Sharp were born two children: Lillie E., who died at the age of sixteen years with the yellow fever, and Thomas E., who is a partner with his father. Mrs. Sharp died in 1869, and in 1874 Mr. Sharp was married to Miss Ida V. Ewing, sister of his former wife. By this union were born four children: John T., Jr .; Edward, died at the age of five years; Leslie May and Ida Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp are members of the Methodist church of South Chapel. Mr. Sharp has been a very successful farmer, and although several times his fort- une has slipped from him, yet with indefatigable energy he has always been equal to the occasion. He is respected as one of the best and most useful citizens of the county.

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Dr. J. W. Sharp, physician, Wall Hill, Miss. Wall Hill and vicinity have a number of physicians, among whom prominently stands Dr. J. W. Sharp, a native of Morgan county, Ala. He was born on the 14th day of March, 1839, and his parents, John and Rebecca (Gil- lespie) Sharp, were both natives of Virginia. The paternal grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Hodge) Sharp, were born in America; but the maternal grandfather, Robert Gillespie, was a native of the Emerald isle, the maternal grandmother, Gillespie (Cathey), having been born in North Carolina. Dr. Sharp's parents removed from Alabama to Mar- shall county, Miss., in 1843, bought land two years later near Wall Hill, and there engaged in farming, that being the father's life occupation. He was justice of the peace in the county for a number of years, was one of the pioneers of the county, and was well and favorably known all over it. He and wife were worthy members of the Methodist Church South. The mother died in 1860, and the father in 1879. Dr. J. W. Sharp, the eighth of a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living, began for himself by enlisting in the Con- federate army at the age of twenty-one, Nineteenth Mississippi infantry, under Colonel Mott. He was in General Lee's army, and consequently in all the hard fighting throughout Vir- ginia. He was wounded twice; first at Petersburg, where he received a bad wound in the right hand, and at the same place he was shot in the thigh. He was assistant surgeon of his regiment, and was in the hospital at Danville, Va., at the time of the surrender. After the war he returned to his home in Marshall county, finished his medical education that he had begun before the war, having attended one course of lectures prior to that eventful period in the New Orleans School of Medicine. He was examined by the army board of physicians, and found qualified for the position to which he was appointed in the army. He graduated in 1866 from the New Orleans School of Medicine, and began the practice of his profession the same year at Wall Hill, where he has continued ever since. He has practiced in this place for twenty-five years, and is well known all over the county as a high-minded citizen and a successful physician. In his youthful days he studied under Drs. Alexander and Mabry, and ranks now as one among the leading physicians of Marshall county. He is now in partner- ship with Dr. Mims, who is also a successful physician of the county. In 1868 he was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Moring, daughter of J. S. Moring and Lucy (Dunn) Moring, and their union has been blessed by the birth of two sons and three daughters: Henrietta W., J. Sidney, Robert W., Minnie and Carrie. Henrietta is a graduate of the Grenada Collegiate institute at Grenada, Miss., and J. Sidney is now taking a literary course at the University of Mississippi, at Oxford. Dr. Sharp has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for thirty years, and was worshipful master for two years of Albert Pike lodge No. 385. He and Mrs. Sharp are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is also a member of the Tri-State Medical association of Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Thompson A. Shaw is one of the prosperous general merchants of Jefferson county, Miss., and by his superior managment and rare business ability and efficiency he has done not a little to advance the reputation the county enjoys as a commercial center. He needs no special introduction to the people of Jefferson county, for he was born here on the 30th of December, 1851, has always resided here and has taken a deep interest in the progress and development of this section. His great-grandfather was born in Ireland and became one of the early settlers of South Carolina, and in that state, T. B. Shaw, his son, was brought up, but in the early part of the present century became a resident of Jefferson county, Miss. Here his son, William Shaw, was born in 1818, his education being obtained in Oxford, Ohio. He was married in this state and county to Miss Mary A. McLaurin, a daughter of Peter McLaurin, formerly of South Carolina. Mrs. Shaw was born in Copiah county, Miss., and to

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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 117

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