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 120

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 120

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"In memory of Mr. Charles Shreve, who died of yellow fever August 31, 1878; Mrs. Margaret Shreve, his beloved wife, who died September 9, 1878, and their son Charles Shreve, who died September 11, 1878. The terrible scourge of yellow fever carried to their graves these excellent people, whose demise caused a pall to spread over our entire city. The

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

position Mr. Shreve held in this community, the integrity of his character, and his benevo- lent disposition render his death a serious public calamity and an irreparable loss to many who confided in him as a friend and a counselor. Mr. Shreve was born in Mount Holly, Burlington county, N. J., November 25, 1813. He was the fourth son of Charles and Rebecca (Cox) Shreve. He was left early without parental privileges, and was reared by an aunt who belonged to an old Quaker family. His paternal grandparents came to this country from Holland in the early part of the eighteenth century and settled in Burlington county, N. J. His maternal grandparents came from Scotland about the same time and settled in the same place. Dr. Alexander Ross, his great-grandfather, came to this country after com- pleting his course in Edinburgh university. He was an uncle of the Hon. John Ross, chief of the Cherokee nation, whose descendants have been the most prominent and influential men of the nation for many years. He was married to a Miss Becket, whose mother, a Miss De Normandie, belonged to a French Protestant family who fled from France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes. His mother, Rebecca (Cox) Shreve, was the daughter of Richard and Jane (Ross) Cox. Richard Cox was a major in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Shreve was twice married-first to Miss Corianna H. Brashear, of Kentucky, July 21, 1846, who died in Buffalo, N. Y., August 13, 1850. He was married, a second time, to Miss Margaret B. Hackley, of Kentucky, in August, 1853. He left one child by his first wife, Robert S. Shreve, now of Louisville, Ky., and four by his second wife, one of whom, Charles Shreve, died a few days after his father. Mr. Shreve began life in that county's speculative age, when young men sought to lay the foundation for business by learning the principles of a profession. When about fifteen years of age he was received as an appren- tice into the well-known drug firm of John Hart, in the city of Philadelphia, and there by patience and industry he qualified himself for a signally successful business man. He first came South in October, 1835, and after remaining a few weeks in Natchez came to Port Gib- son and entered the drug store of Samuel P. Bernard, where he remained as clerk till 1836, when he went to Grand Gulf, where he continued in business until 1852, when he finally settled in Port Gibson. As a man of honor and integrity Mr. Shreve had no superiors. The nobility of his character won for him the highest esteem of his fellow-citizens. The ideal of his life was raised above the plane on which suspicion and criticism are wont to link. There was nothing covert or ambiguous about him. He would never allow himself to stand in a false position, and his fidelity to truth was unswerving. As a business man he was the full representative type of those old-fashioned principles which have become almost obsolete. He relied on industry, economy and strict perseverance as the elements of success. His economy was gilded with benevolence. The poor could pay a noble tribute to his memory. As a man of moral rectitude and sincerity of purpose Charles Shreve had no superior in Port Gibson: He was a thorough Christian gentleman and resigned himself complacently to his Almighty. Mrs. Shreve survived her husband but a few days. For many years she had been an invalid. She was born in Bardstown, Ky., where she continued to live until 1853, when she married Mr. Shreve, and came to Mississippi. For many years she had been a member of the Presbyterian church. She was affectionate and kind in her domestic relations, to which she particularly resigned herself. She was entirely free from all ostenta- tion or fondness for display. There is no compensation for the loss of a loving, faithful mother. In a few days Charles Shreve, Jr., died, in the twenty-third year of his age. He was a model young man, and was just budding into useful manhood. His moral character was unimpeachable, and he at all times exerted a wholesome influence over his associates. He had chosen the medical profession as his life duty, and had been read-

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ing under the directions of Dr. Russell with a view of attending the next term of lectures in the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Medical college. He was a young man of more than ordinary attainments naturally. He was advised to flee from the terrible scourge, but sacrificed his young life to remain with his adored parents. Thus were consigned to the tomb three per- sonages in the history of Port Gibson who were central figures in its business and social arena."

Hon. Joseph K. Shrock, a prominent farmer and merchant of Attala county, Miss., was born in Kershaw district, S. C., on the 6th of May, 1821, and is next to the youngest of seven children born to Henry and Mary (Fletcher) Shrock. The father was born in Penn- sylvania, and was of German descent. When a youth he went to South Carolina, married Miss Mary Fletcher, who was of Irish descent, and in 1834 came to Madison county, Miss., entering three hundred and twenty acres of land near Camden. He served with the South Caro- lina troops in the War of 1812. He was a hard-working, industrious man, but owing to hard times and security debts he lost the most of his property in his old age. His death occurred in Madison county in 1854. The mother had died in 1824. Our subject's paternal grand- father was a native of Germany, and immigrated to the United States at an early day, settling in Pennsylvania. Of the seven children born to the above mentioned union, six grew to maturity, but only two, besides our subject, are now living: Elizabeth Purivance, of Cam- den, and Nancy A. Shrock, who makes her home for the most part with Joseph K. The latter became thoroughly familiar with the duties of farm life at an early age, but owing to his father's straightened circumstances his educational advantages were limited. How- ever, his greatest desire was for a thorough education, and he took advantage of every opportunity to perfect himself in his studies. He was also favored in one or two instances, when he received instruction from a very thorough educator of the time. In this way he fitted himself for teaching, but owing to a delicate constitution he was obliged to abandon his intention of securing a collegiate education, being several times almost prostrated by over- exertion. Having taught several terms of school with gratifying success he entered a store as clerk, in Camden, and there remained in that capacity until 1847, when he and Mr. Pur- viance purchased the store and stock of goods. From that time until 1859 they carried on the most extensive business of any firm in Madison county, their sales in dry goods alone amounting to from $30,000 to $40,000 per annum, while in other lines it was in proportion. In 1859, on account of ill health, Mr. Shrock sold out his interest in the business, and bought twelve hundred acres of land in the edge of Attala county, having on it a steam saw and grist- mill. Living on this farm during the dark and stormy days of the Civil war, and surrounded by a community of needy white people, Mr. Shrock's mill was the means of relieving a great deal of the suffering. He assisted in clothing and feeding the destitute, and having a prac- tical knowledge of physic he ministered to the physical wants of the community in many cases where medical skill could not be obtained. So skillful did he become in this that even to this day his advice in sickness is called into use as much as any M. D. in the vicinity. In 1865 Mr. Shrock built a store and put in a stock of general merchandise, which he has largely increased from time to time. As he is well advanced in years he has taken his sons into partnership with him, and the firm is now known as Shrock Bros. & Co. They do a general merchandise and supply business, and their stock invoices about $6,000. In politics Mr. Shrock is a conservative democrat, and in 1875 and 1876 he represented Attala county in the legislature. He was married on the 15th of October, 1848, to Miss Caroline Fitler, a daughter of William and Eliza Fitler. Mr. Fitler was born in Pennsylvania, and of a wealthy family of Philadelphia. To Mr. and Mrs. Shrock have been born seven children,

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six of whom are living. Mrs. Shrock died in 1880. Socially Mr. Shrock is a Chapter Mason, and he is a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises.

Among the prominent members of the planting community of Anding, Miss., is Cole- man C. Sibley. He is a native of Madison county, Miss., born September 14, 1835, and is the eldest of a family of three children. His parents were John and Matilde (Thrasher) Sibley. The father was a native of Tennessee, and was engaged in planting the greater part of his life. He was among the earliest settlers of Madison county, and was a witness to its development from a wild, uncultivated country to a fertile group of plantations. He died in 1854. The paternal grandfather was Jesse Sibley, a native of South Carolina. Coleman C. was brought up amid the scenes of his birth, and acquired his education in the private schools. He chose for his vocation in life that of planting, and is the owner of six hundred and ninety acres of choice land. He has through his own efforts places of one hun- dred and seventy-five acres under cultivation. He has for many years been a leader of the democratic party in his county. He was elected to the office of assessor of the county in 1865, and again in 1866 and 1867, being removed by the government. He was also justice of the peace four years. He was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in 1861 in company I, Eighteenth Mississippi volunteer infantry, and serving until the close of the conflict. He was in the following named battles: Manassas, Leesburg, seven days' fight around Richmond, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Sharpsburg, Chickamauga. In the battle of Petersburg he was seriously wounded in his left arm, which was finally amputated; he was carried to the hospital in Richmond, where he remained six weeks; he then returned to his home and did not reenter the service. Mr. Sibley was married in 1865 to Miss Mary E. Lee, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of John and Susana Lee, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and of Georgia. They have had born to them seven children, Susanah I. (deceased), Carrie B., John A., Adolphus M. and Jesse E. (twins), and Edwin and Ethel. The parents are worthy members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Sibley is connected with the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and also with the Farmers' Alliance. Movements of public interest have ever received his sympathy and aid, and he has always been held in the highest esteem as a citizen and neighbor.

Hon. Walter Sillers, one of the younger members of the Bolivar county bar, is a native of Jefferson county, Miss., born 1852, and the youngest of three children born to Joseph and Matilda (Clark) Sillers, the father a native of Mississippi and the mother of Ohio. The father followed the occupation of a planter and in 1854 came to Bolivar county, settling on Lake Beulah, where he opened a large plantation. He became one of the influential men of the county. In 1862 he entered the Confederate army in Colonel Montgomery's company and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He was taken prisoner in 1864, and died in the prison at Vicksburg in April, 1865. He was also a veteran in the Mexican war; was in Cap- tain Crump's company and Col. Jefferson Davis' regiment. The mother was a sister of Gov- ernor Clark. The paternal grandfather, James Sillers, was a native of North Carolina. He came to Mississippi at an early period in that state's history, settled in Jefferson county, and became one of the most extensive planters of his time. He reared a large family of chil- dren, and his descendants are residing principally in Mississippi. Much of the youth and early manhood of Walter Sillers was spent in the school at Oxford, Miss., and after finishing his literary education, or in 1874, he entered the office of Colonel Montgomery, where he began the study of law. In the following year he was admitted to the bar at Rosedale and immediately began practicing his profession, although in connection he also carried on plant- ing. He is the owner of one thousand acres of land, with six hundred acres under cultiva-

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tion, and has cleared about two hundred acres himself. He owns a good residence in Rose- dale and other town property. He has been twice married, first in 1880, to Miss Ida Gayden, a native of Bolivar county, who died in 1883, leaving one child, Maud, and his second marriage occurred in 1887 to Miss Florence Warfield, a daughter of Colonel War- field, of Kentucky. Two interesting children have blessed the last union-Walter and Mary. Mrs. Sillers is a member of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Sillers is a menber of the Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias orders. He is an active politician, and has been county attorney for the past eight years. In 1886 he was a member of the general assembly.

Like all native Mississippians who come of prominent families, Dr. J. L. Simmons, drug- gist, Clarksdale, Miss., is of an energetic, enterprising and intelligent disposition. He was the third of four children born to the union of Stearne and Elizabeth (Harper) Simmons, both natives of the state of Georgia. The father came to Yalobusha county, Miss., in 1830, cleared many acres of land and became one of the prominent planters of that section. He died in 1847 and the mother received her final summons about the same time. Both were con- sistent members of the Baptist church. Dr. J. L. Simmons was reared in Yalobusha county, received a thorough literary education there, and began the study of medicine in the office of a physician about 1858. He soon after entered the University of Louisiana and graduated from that institution in the class of 1861; then filled with a strong desire to aid the Southern cause he enlisted in company F, Twenty-first Mississippi regiment, and was in the battles around Richmond in 1862. He also participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg, and others, about eight in all. He was captured at the last-named engagement, but was released just prior to the surrender. Afterward the Doctor located near Dublin, Coahoma county, practiced his profession there for five years and then went to Friar's Point, where he started a drug store, at that time the only one in the county. In 1884 he came to Clarksdale and started his present business, erecting a good business building. He carries a full line of drugs, cigars, tobacco, toilet articles, paints, oils and every description of drug- gists' sundries usually kept in a first-class store. In 1872 he was wedded to Miss Anna Davis, of Marshall county, and the daughter of Maj. W. L. Davis, a planter of that county. The fruits of this union have been three children-two sons and a daughter: Fannie, Lawrence and William. The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Honor orders. He is president of the Clarksdale Compress and Warehouse company, vice president of the Clarksdale Bank and Trust company, and is a stockholder in the Clarksdale Brick and Manufacturing company. In politics he is a stanch democrat, and has held a number of offices of trust and honor. He held the office of treasurer of Coahoma county for eight years, is at present a member of the board of aldermen and treasurer of Clarksdale. Dr. Simmons is the owner of six hundred acres of fine land in Texas, all well improved and an excellent piece of property. He also owns two hundred and seventy acres near Clarksdale, one hundred and thirty-five acres in cultivation. He is a good business man and has accumu- lated considerable property. He has retired from the practice of his profession. The Doctor is above the medium hight, has brown hair and beard and is a fine-looking man.

Hon. Peter Simmons, planter, Lexington, Miss. Captain Simmons was born in Franklin county, Tenn., on November 8, 1831, and was the eldest of a family of four sons and two daughters born to Capt. John and Ann (Hudnall) Simmons, both native Virginians. The father was born in Bedford county, in 1796, went to middle Tennessee when a young man and there received his education. He was a man of superior literary taste and ability. He followed merchandising and planting in Tennessee until 1830, when he came to Mississippi,

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made a location, and then returned to move his family there. They settled in Madison county in 1832, opened a large plantation, and Mr. Simmons became one of the wealthy and prominent men of the county. He resided there for forty years and then moved to Yazoo county, where his death occurred in 1880. His wife received her final summons five years later. Of the six children born to this union Hon. Peter and two sisters are the only survivors. The sons were all planters, and one of them, John, was one of Walker's soldiers and assisted in Nicarauga. Another son, William, was a soldier in the Confederate army, and Benjamin, the third son, also served in the Confederate army, holding the rank of lieutenant and was acting colonel of his regiment when killed. The two daughters, Mrs. Marietta Walker and Mrs. Bettes Cowan, are widows and are residents of Yazoo City. Capt. Peter Simmons passed his boyhood days in Madison county, and was educated at La Grange college, near Louisville, Ky., graduating in the class of 1850. He then returned home and remained with his father, assisting on the plantation, for several years. He subsequently began merchandising in Canton, sold goods there a few years, and then moved to Kosciusko county, where he carried on merchandising up to 1859. He was married in Holmes county in May of that year to Miss Margaret D., daughter of Col. W. H. Johnston, of Holmes county, but formerly from Louisiana, and a brother of Gov. Isaac Johnston of Louisiana. After his marriage Captain Simmons settled in Holmes county, near Tchula, and has been a planter in that and Yazoo counties ever since. He bought residence property and located his family in Lexington in 1865, and there has made his home up to the present time. He has a beautiful suburban home in the western part of the town, and has everything comfortable and convenient about his place. During the war he served in the state militia, and first belonged to an independent company for home protection and was stationed at Grenada and Holly Springs. He was captain of his company and was in some skirmishes. but no general engagements. He has ever been active in politics; was elected chancery clerk in 1875, and held that position four consecutive years. In 1888 he was elected to represent Holmes and Yazoo counties in the legislature, served with credit and efficiency, and during that time was a member of several committees. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Knights of Pythias, and he and Mrs. Simmons are worthy members of the Presbyterian church, in which she takes a deep interest. They have reared two children: Mrs. Tullia Johnson, wife of J. C. Pinkerton, of Lexington, and Miss Maggie P. Simmons, attending college at Pass Christian institute, will graduate this year (1891). Mr. and Mrs. Simmons have one grand child, Katheryn Pinkerton.

Col. John M. Simonton Shannon has been so closely identified with the history of Lee county, Miss., that a sketch of his personal career is a desirable addition to this work. He was born in Lawrence county, Tenn., in 1830, and is a son of Gilbreath F. and Evelina (Buchanan) Simonton. The father was born May 13, 1799, in North Carolina, and was a son of John Simonton, a native of North Carolina. The paternal ancestors emigrated from Scotland to America, and served as soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather of our subject was a thrifty planter, and at one time owned twelve thousand acres of land in Tennessee, which he divided among his children. He married Jane Falls, a native of North Carolina, a daughter of Major Falls, of Revolutionary fame, who was killed at the battle of R --- mill. Gilbreath F. Simonton was reared in Tennessee, and was a merchant and planter by occupation. Politically he was a stanch Whig, but was not an aspirant to public office. In 1850 he removed to Mississippi, settling first at Carmengo; later he went to Shannon, where he passed the remainder of his days. He died July 24, 1881. His wife was born in 1814, and died March 21, 1878. She was a devoted member of the Primitive Baptist

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church, and was a woman of unusual force of character. They reared a family of eight children to mature years; two died in infancy: Dr. William F., G. F., Ethe Jane, Haney B., Robert Ross, Mrs. E. J. Raspberry, Mrs. Sarah A. Thomison, Mrs. Evelina M. Lowe, Margaret E. and John M. Colonel Simonton was educated in the common schools, and in the fall of 1850 he engaged in business at Carmengo, Miss. For six years he carried on a thriving trade, and then removed to Shannon, where he formed a partnership with Mr. Buchanan. In 1859 he was elected to the senate. When the war broke out he resigned his place in the senate, left his store in the hands of an agent, and went to the defense of the Southern cause. After the close of the struggle he was interested for a time in a saw- mill, and also gave some attention to farming. He was united in marriage to Miss N. Ruth Potter, of Giles county, Tenn., a daughter of W. W. Potter. Her father was a graduate of Yale college, and was one of the pioneer educators of the South. Mrs. Simonton was born in 1835, and died in 1881. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from childhood. Six children were born to the Colonel and his wife: Sarah E., wife of James K. Whitesides, Anna Ethe, Ruth P., John M., Jr., Gilbreath P. and William W. Our subject was married, a second time, April 8, 1885, to Miss Flora Porter, of Aberdeen, Miss., a daughter of Benjamin F. Porter. Colonel Simonton enlisted in the Confederate service, and from the beginning seemed destined to meet all the horrors of war, as well as to receive the honors and distinction which courage confers. To trace his steps through all those five years of carnage would only serve to awaken the bitterness of the saddest of experiences. He was in many of the most noted engagements of the war, and was often thrown in the closest relationship with his superior officers. His great care for the men under his command won him innumerable stanch friends, who to this day are filled with gratitude to him. He had the greatest courtesy shown him on many occasions by the officers of the opposing side, and certainly gleaned all the sweet that was mixed with the bitter. He was promoted from one rank to another, until he was finally made colonel of the First Mississippi infantry. He suffered some severe bodily ailments during his service, and had one operation which nearly cost him his life. After the war was ended he represented his district in the first session of the state senate, and was elected to the reconstruction convention in 1885. In 1866 he was elected to the senate to represent the district composed of Itawamba county, and was elected president of that body, but was not permitted to serve out his term, for reasons of disfran- chisement under the reconstruction acts of congress. He was relieved from disability by the general act of congress; elected to the senate from district composed of the counties of Itawamba, Monroe and Lee, in 1884, and for five years discharged the duties of this office. In 1890 he was a member of the constitutional convention. He has been chairman of some very important committees in the senate, where his excellent judgment gives his opinions much weight. He has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the South, and has manifested that interest by an unflinching devotion to his rights of citizenship. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

C. A. Simpson, Pass Christian, special deputy collector of customs of the Pearl River district, Miss., was born in the city of New York, January 8, 1859, and is a son of C. A. and Mary (Malay) Simpson, natives of Ireland. The parents immigrated to America, landing in New York city; there the father died in 1859. They reared six children, three of whom are living: John (superintendent of immigration, New York city), Rosanna, and C. A. (the subject of this biographical notice). After the death of the father, in 1863, the mother removed to Mound City, Ill. She was married again in 1862 to Thomas Ryan, who was a shipcarpenter and foreman of the navy yard at Mound City. He died in Texas, and the mother came 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 120

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