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 125

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 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Robert M. Smith, planter, Mayersville, Miss. This branch of the Smith family is the oldest now living in the county, the father, Robert M. Smith, Sr., having settled here in 1845, and there is but one other family now in the county who settled here at an earlier period. Robert M. Smith, Sr., was born in the blue grass regions of Kentucky, but came to Missis- sippi in 1832, and was married in 1847 to Miss Margaret Charr, a native of Tennessee. Mrs. Smith went on a visit to Missouri and there, in the year 1848, Robert M. Smith, Jr., was born. The elder Smith was a man of more than usual influence in the community, was firm in his convictions and was sensitive of his honor. Public offices were bestowed upon him on account of his intelligence, tact and integrity, and these talents commanded for him the respect of every citizen in public affairs. He served as magistrate for many years, also held the office of treasurer of the county, was a member of the board of county police, and was also a member of the levee board. He was not in active service during the Civil war, but was provost marshal in Issaquena county a portion of that time. He was a manager for twenty-seven years, twelve years for William Cannon, and fifteen years for Stephen Duncan. He commenced planting for himself in 1858, and during the war lost nearly all his property, having to commence almost at the beginning in 1865. He was unusually successful in that occupation, and at the time of his death, in 1877, he was one of the sub- stantial men of the county. To his marriage were born nine children, Robert M. being the eldest. The others were: W. J. (died in 1883); Martha C., wife of F. B. Hill, of Patter- son, La. ; Mamie E., wife of Will E. Collins, of Mayersville; Preston H., resides in Issaquena county ; Lee S., of Louisiana; L. W. (died in July, 1890); Lurena, wife of James P. Heath, of this caunty; and Hampton P. (deceased). The mother of these children is still living. Mr. Smith was a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. F. & A. M., being a charter member of the old Preston lodge, the first in the county. Robert M. Smith, Jr., was educated in Issaquena county, and at the age of twenty-two started out to make his own way in life. His first venture was in the mercantile business at Clover Hill, this county, where he remained from 1867 to 1873, when he closed out and engaged in planting. In 1878 his father's estate demanded his attention, and he took charge of this, remaining thus employed until 1890. He has been twice married, first in December, 1873, to Miss Linda Sibley, XX

796

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

daughter of John T. Sibley, of New Orleans, La. She died in July, 1874, and on the 1st of January, 1890, Mr. Smith took for his second wife Miss Emma Woodry, daughter of John Woodry, of New Orleans, La. Both of her parents died when she was quite small. Mr. Smith's first wife was a member of the Presbyterian church, but his second wife is a Metho- dist, and Mr. Smith holds membership in the same church. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor of Vicksburg, Miss. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one child, a son, Robert M., who was born on the 13th of January, 1891. The eldest son for three suc- cessive generations has been named Robert M., thus retaining the old family name. Mr. Smith is the owner of seven hundred and eighty acres of land, with five hundred acres under cultivation, on which are annually raised about three hundred and fifty bales of cotton. He has one of the finest city residences and owns considerable property besides. He is quite a popular man in the county, and makes many warm friends wherever he goes. He is extremely fond of hunting, and always keeps a number of fine dogs. His complexion is quite fair, and he is about five feet eight inches in hight, and weighing about two hundred and twenty pounds.

No work devoted to the history and the commercial and professional interests of Mississippi could be complete without some mention of the well-known gentleman, Dr. Sidney O. Smith, a native-born Mississippian, who has attained high rank in his chosen profession. His parents were John D. and Margaret P. (Mize) Smith. The former was a native of Georgia, born in 1809, the latter of Alabama, born 1829. They were the earliest pioneers where they first settled in Mississippi, and where they spent the greater part of their lives, removing in 1870 to Covington county and thence to Lincoln county. There the father died in 1884, the mother surviving him. They were the parents of six children: Ophelia R., Lerona V., Cornelia, Neulan B., Sydney O. and another who died in infancy, unnamed. Of this family the subject of this notice was the first born September 17, 1861, and was educated principally at the Byhala high school, of Lin- coln county, Miss., and in 1878 began the study of medicine, under the direction of Prof. W. H. Dixon, and Dr. E. A. Rowar, of Wesson, Miss. In the winter of 1880 and 1881 he attended lectures at the medical department of the Tulane university, at New Orleans, La., formerly known as the University of Louisiana. Later he read medicine for a time at Raleigh, Miss., under the instructions of his brother, Dr. D. L. Smith, and was at the same time engaged in teaching school. In the fall of 1881-2 he took a second course of lectures at Tulane university, from which he was graduated with high honors in March, 1882. He soon after located in Lincoln county, Miss., and, for a short time, practiced his profession there, but removed to Wesson, Miss., where he was a resident practitioner until March, 1884. From that date until June, 1884, he was engaged in the practice of medicine at Natchez. Miss. At this time his father was taken with his final illness, and Dr. Smith returned home to render him such assistance as was in his power to give. After his father's death, he returned to Wesson, Miss., where he resumed his practice, and on the 27th of Novem- ber, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna M , a daughter of W. W. and Anna L. (Waddell) Robeson. In January, 1885, he again took up his residence in Natchez, Miss., where he practiced with some success until October, 1885, at which time he returned to Wesson, Miss. He removed in January, 1889, to Ellisville, where he has since remained, having acquired a successful and extensive practice, and won the confidence of the public generally, and also that of his professional brethren. In April, 1891, he formed a partner- ship with Dr. Robert L. Turner, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The Doctor is a member of the State Medical association, of the Masonic order, of the Knights

797

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

of Pythias and of the Baptist church, while his wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They are the parents of three children: Sydney W., Annie J. and Nellie L.

William M. Smith, merchant and farmer, Booneville, Miss. Between the years 1830 and 1840 the state of Mississippi received many emigrants from other states, and among those who sought out homes in the wilderness were Joseph and Nancy (Mussy) Smith, natives of Georgia and the parents of our subject. They were married in their native state, but subsequently moved to a place near Birmingham, Ala., thence to Fayette county of that state, and in 1836 they came to Mississippi, locating six miles south of Ripley, in Tip- pah county. The country was wild and unsettled, and Indians were numerous, but during the year 1836 many settlers poured into the state. Mr. Smith was a blacksmith by trade, but in connection with this he also engaged in tilling the soil in Tippah county, until 1844, when he removed to what is now Prentiss county, near Blackland. There he resided until the breaking out of hostilities between the North and South, when, with his wife and daughters, he moved to Fayette county, Ala. There his death occurred when eighty- three years of age. He was a stanch democrat, took an active part in politics and was well posted on the issues of the day. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 with General Jack- son, of whom he was a great admirer and one of his most earnest supporters. He was a leading member of the Methodist church, as was also his wife, and was a very liberal sup- porter of the same. He was one of a large family of sons in Georgia, but he was the only one who came West. His marriage was blessed by the birth of seven children-five sons and two daughters-all of whom lived to be grown, and four are yet living : John died in Corinth, Miss., just before the war; Mrs. Eliza Roseman (deceased); James B. was in the army of Virginia, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness; he left a wife and several children, one of his sons serving in the army with him. R. Allen (retired) resides in Fayetteville, Ala., and was a saddler in early life; he was born in the year 1819, and was a soldier in the Civil war, holding the rank of captain of a company at Shiloh; William M. (subject); Thomas B. was a soldier in the Civil war; he is now keeping hotel at Fort Worth, Tex. ; and Mrs. Mary Ann Hubbert resides in Walker county, Ala. William M. Smith emigrated to Mississippi with his parents when fifteen years of age, received his education in the schools of the county, and in 1842 began working for himself. One year later he went from Tippah to Prentiss county, settled in Blackland in the west part of the county, and there entered wild land, which he continued to cultivate until 1880, when he came to Booneville. He was mar- ried to Miss Nancy Ray, a native of Tippah county, Miss., born in 1821, and the fruits of this union were three children, all sons, two of whom are yet living. The mother of these children died about 1855. She was a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The children were named: A. Gaines Smith, Franklin Smith, who died when young, and Dr. William A. Smith, the latter a practicing physician at Sherman, Miss. He served in the cavalry during the latter part of the Civil war. A. Gaines Smith. now a prom- inent merchant of Booneville, was born in Tippah county, Miss., and reared in what is now Prentiss county. He received a good practical education in the common schools, and during the war served in Hawkins' battery of sharpshooters in General Wood's brigade, Claiborne's division, as sergeant. He was in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, etc., and was captured on the 22d of July, 1864. He was carried to Camp Chase, Ohio, and retained there until May, 1865. After being released he returned to his home, began farm- ing, and in September, 1866, he came to Booneville, where he has been engaged in merchan- dising ever since, with the exception of one year in Mobile, when he was interested in the produce commission business. He is now engaged in a general dry goods merchandising

798

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

business. Mr. Smith is a democrat, and one of the leading men in the place. He was mar- ried to Miss Lon M. Norwood, a native of Kentucky, born near Bowling Green, and the daughter of B. F. and Ann M. (Webb) Norwood, both natives of North Carolina. Her parents were married near Carthage, Tenn., and Mrs. Smith was the eldest of the children born to this union. Her people came to Mississippi about the breaking out of the war, and the father followed the occupation of a tobacco grower to some extent. He is now deceased, but the mother is living, and resides in Mississippi. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born nine children: Edgar G., Jessie, Willie, Annie Lee, Lota, Ray, Dora, Douglas, Bessie and Lil- lian, all daughters but two. Edgar married a Miss Johnson, and resides in Monroe county, Miss. The father of these children is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is quite a prominent Mason, was master of his lodge for five years, district deputy grand master for four years, and was re-elected to that position of the first district of Mississippi in 1891. To return to the father of the above-mentioned gentleman: After the death of his first wife, William M. Smith married Mrs. Martha E. Pressley, a native of the Old North state. To this union were born two daughters: Anna P. and Dora (deceased). Anna P. is the wife of P. M. Walker, who is a merchant of Booneville, and a brother of Dr. Walker, of Baldwyn, Miss. Miss Dora, who was educated at Florence, Ala., and who was a highly accomplished young lady, died in 1886. The mother of these children died on the 24th of September, 1889, when about seventy-two years of age. She was a member of the Baptist church, in which she was a very active member and a devoted worker. She was educated at Wake Forest, N. C., and was the daughter of Oscar Pressley, a sailor on the ocean. During the war Mr. Smith took no active part. In politics he affiliates with the democratic party, and socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Brownville lodge No. 305. He has held the office of taxcollector and other minor offices in the county.

Dr. A. J. Smythe, physician, Bethany, Miss., was born in old Pontotoc county (now Lee), Miss., on February 29, 1856, and was the only child born to the union of Anson G. and Caroline (Humphreys) Smythe, both natives of South Carolina. The paternal grandparents removed from South Carolina to Alabama at an early day, resided there for several years, and then removed to Carroll county Miss., near Vaiden, where the grand- father located and passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1868. In con- nection with his occupation as a farmer he also followed the blacksmith trade. The mater- nal grandparents came to Mississippi in 1839. Anson G. Smythe studied medicine in the office of Dr. Cross, at Lexington, Miss., in his youthful days and subsequently attended med- ical lectures at New Orleans. He located in Prentiss county, near Baldwyn, in 1842 he practiced his profession there, and was married the same year in the house where his son, Dr. A. J. Smythe, now lives, one mile east of Bethany, Prentiss county. In his youthful days he followed surveying a considerable portion of his time. His wife died at Bethany in Novem- ber, 1876, and was a consistent member of the Bethany Presbyterian church. The father died on July 2, 1884, at the same place. Hewas a free thinker and was one of the leading physicians in the county. Dr. A. J. Smythe was educated at the Kentucky Mili- tary institute near Frankfort, and in the fall of 1877 and winter of 1878 he attended medical college at New Orleans at what is now known as Tulane university, although prior to that he had read medicine for several years in his father's office. He graduated at Bellevne Hospi- tal college, New York, in 1881, and then returned to Prentiss county; began practicing his profession at Bethany, where he has remained up to the present writing. He was married in 1878 to Miss Emma Richey, daughter of Robert Richey, of Lee county, Miss., and they had born to their union six children, two sons and four daughters: Mabel, Caroline, Nancy, Gor-

799

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

don, Emma and Andrew J. Dr. Smythe owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, has sixty acres under cultivation, but gives this very little attention, for his whole time is taken up with his large and lucrative practice. He has resided in the community where he now lives all his life, with the exception of a few years during the war, when his father moved with his family to Aberdeen for protection, and remained there until the war closed, when they returned to their former home. The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Honor and Mrs. Smythe is a member of the Presbyterian church.

John A. Snell is the present efficient incumbent of the office of county treasurer and was born in Lowndes county in 1847, a son of Reuben H. and Elizabeth (Love) Snell, natives of South Carolina, but early emigrants to Lowndes county, Miss., where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father having followed the calling of a planter. Their union resulted in the birth of seven children. John A. Snell was reared on his father's plantation and was given the advantages of the public schools of Lowndes county, in which he improved his time to the utmost and became a proficient scholar. In January, 1864, he enlisted in company I, Sixth Mississippi cavalry, and served until badly wounded at Harrisburg. Miss., July 14. 1864, his right leg being taken off by a shell. After being confined to the hospital for about two months he returned home and was engaged in planting until he was elected assessor in 1875, and county treasurer in 1877, the duties of the last named position being filled by him continuously and with ability ever since. The people of this section have known him from his birth and the confidence which they have in him is therefore intelli- gently placed, for they have had every opportunity to judge of his character and qualifica- tions. He has shown himself to be capable and trustworthy and his kindness and courtesy have won for him much popularity and the good will of all. He is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, and socially belongs to the K. of H.

W. P. Snowden, planter, Deerbrook, Noxubee county. Miss. W. P. Snowlen is the son of James A. and Sarah S. (Holder) Snowden, who were born in Utica. Oneida county, N. Y., in 1806, and Winchester. Franklin county, Tenn., respectively. The parents were married in 1835 in Winchester, Tenn., and their son, the subject of this sketch, was born in that place in 1837. In 1845 he removed with his parents to Chickasaw county, Miss., where they settled on a farm. Here his mother died in 1849. The father, with five children, removed to Monroe county, near Aberdeen, in 1851, at which place the family resided when the Civil war broke out in 1861. W. P. Snowden was one of the first men mustered into the Confederate service in Monroe county. He went out as a private in the Eleventh Mis- sissippi, commanded by Col. W. H. Moore, and after reaching Harper's ferry was put in the brigade of General Bee. He was in all the engagements of the Virgini" army prior to the battle of Gettysburg, where he received two severe wounds, and was captured by the enemy. Previous to this battle he received three wounds, one at Malvern Hill and two at Sharpsburg. After his capture at Gettysburg he was imprisoned at Johnson's island, where he remained until exchanged, March 14, 1865. After returning to his command he suc- ceeded to the captaincy of his company. On reaching home, after the surrender of General Lee's army, he found that all his property had been destroyed or confiscated by the Fed- eral cavalry, not having as much as a change of clothes left. He then began life anew as a tiller of the soil, went to work and by industry and economy soon regained a part of his fallen fortune. Mr. Snowden was married in 1872 to Miss Dora Blanche Henson, of Aber- deen, who died in 1874, leaving an infant, Dora Blanche. He was afterward married to Miss Mollie G. Bush, of Noxubee county, where he now resides with his family. He has two daughters by his second marriage: Eva Bush and Corrie Delle. His family are all living

800

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

with him. Mr. Snowden is now in comfortable circumstances, and has considerable landed interests in Noxubee, Lowndes and Monroe counties. The career of Mr. Snowden since the war presents an example of industry, perseverance and good management, rewarded by substantial results, well worthy the imitation of all those who start out in life, as he did after the war, with no capital except a good constitution and a liberal supply of pluck and energy.

Martin U. Sojourner, a planter of Copiah county, was born in Orange district, S. C., in 1833, the son of Roderick and Lovisa Sojourner. His father, also a native of South Car- olina, led the life of a planter from his youth np. He married Mrs. Lovisa Sallie Young. This lady was three times married; her first husband, Mr. Young, was the father of four children, all of whom are deceased; to her and Mr. Bolin, her second husband, were born two children, one of whom, the widow of D. F. Fanning, is now living; by her last husband, Mr. Sojourner, she has three children: Friday W., killed at the siege of Vicksburg; Bridges H., of Copiah county, and Martin U. Roderick Sojourner was a member of the Masonic order, and he and his wife were both identified with the Baptist church. He came with his family to Mississippi, locating in Copiah county in 1841, where he remained until his death. At the age of twenty-one, our subject began life for himself by taking up the career of a planter, and he has proved himself to be a very successful farmer. His plantation is in good repair and almost invariably produces good crops. His life-long interest with the planting business has naturally inclined him toward movements that will benefit agricult- ure, so that one expects to know that he is a well known member of the Farmers' Alliance. In 1853 he married Amanda E. Sandifer, a daughter of William T. and Catherine Sandifer, and of a very old and estimable family of Copiah county, who has made him the father of three children: Lafayette B., of Copiah county; Mary A., wife of Albert Trayler, Copiah county ; John C., who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sojourner and their family are all members of the Baptist church. Our subject pursued his vocation so successfully that he is now regarded as much more than a well-to-do planter. In addition to his other operations he raises thoroughbred Jersey cattle and fine hogs. He has reached that point in his career where he is enabled to take life easily, but though having a sufficiency of this world's goods for all he needs, he does not relax one whit in his brisk business methods. He is a man who stands deservedly high in the community, and one who is equally well liked for his jovial ways.

Hon. Thomas H. Somerville, lawyer, Winona, Miss., inherits sturdy Scotch blood from his paternal ancestors, his grandfather, James Somerville, having been a native of Scotland but emigrated to the States prior to the Revolution. The latter's son, Samuel Somerville, was a native of the Old Dominion. and was reared to mature years in that state. He was mar- ried there to Miss Jennie B. Farish, also a native of that state, and the daughter of Colonel Far- ish, of an old and prominent Virginia family. Mr. Somerville followed farming in Culpeper county, was a successful farmer, and in that state reared his family. He was an honest, indus- trious citizen, and a man respected by all for his noble qualities of mind and heart. His family consisted of six sons and four daughters. One of his sons, Hon. Thomas H. Somerville, subject of sketch, was born in Culpeper county, Va., on September 19, 1850, and there passed his boyhood days, and received his education at Washington and Lee university, graduating from the law department of that institution in June, 1872. After finishing his education he came West, located first at Carrollton, Miss., where he entered into a law part- nership with his cousin, Col. James Somerville, and two years later he located at Vaiden, Carroll county, where he continued practicing law until 1876. He then returned to Carroll- ton and continued his law practice at that place for a number of years. Mr. Somerville is a

801

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

stanch supporter of the principles of democracy, and was elected to represent his county in the legislature in November, 1879, serving in the lower house. He served on a number of committees and was chairman of the committee on corporations. After his term in the legis- lature he resumed his law practice at Carrollton and there continued until 1887, when he moved to Winona, Montgomery county, forming a law partnership at that place with Mr. McLean, his present law partner. Mr. Somerville is also associated in the practice with Hon. Monroe McClurg, of Vaiden, and is a man of good legal ability. He is noted for his pertinacity, industry and strict fidelity to the interests of his clients, and as a safe counselor he has the confidence of the people. He devotes his entire time to the practice of his profes- sion. Mr. Somerville was married at Carrollton on June 4, 1878, to Miss Ella Vasser, a native of Carrollton and the daughter of Dr. G. W. Vasser (see sketch). Mrs. Somerville was educated at Bardstown, Ky., and at New Orleans, La. Four children are the fruits of this union: Hugh Vasser, Theresa, Mary Hartwell and Ellen Douglas. The last named died at the age of five years.

Frank Souter, the subject of this sketch, was born in Lawrence district, S. C., in 1829, where he lived until he was eighteen years old, when he came with his parents to Pontotoc, Miss. There he made his home until his marriage, which occurred in December, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Duncan. He purchased a farm of eighty acres of land, upon which he was successfully engaged in planting until 1858, when he embarked in the sawmill and lumber business, which he continued until the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Con- federate army in 1861, and after two years' service was discharged on account of disability. Returning home, he was elected to the office of supervisor, which exempted him from further participation in the war. He was a member of the board of supervisors from 1862 till 1866. He was an ardent supporter of Governor Alcorn, believing his principles to be such as were best for the general public. In 1866, finding himself physically unable to continue in the lumber business, he began merchandising at Toccopola, in the western part of the county, where he carried on a successful trade on the same floor for twenty-two years. He was burned out in November, 1887, and shortly afterward located in Pontotoc, where he became a member of the firm of Wood & Souter, and engaged somewhat extensively and exclusively in the handling of hardware. Mr. and Mrs. Souter became the parents of ten children, only three of whom are now living: Laura, the wife of W. H. Wood, of Pontotoc; Sue, who is a member of her father's family, and J. B., who is studying medicine. Mr. Souter is an active member of the Pontotoc lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and has been since 1848. As a Christian gentleman, he has ever been ready to aid in the upbuilding of the cause of his acknowledged Master. His liberality is well known in that direction, wherever his acquaintance extends.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 125

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