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 128

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 128

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).

814

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

Of nine children only five are living. Our subject spent his boyhood days in Kemper county, where he enlisted in 1861 in the Kemper Legion, in the Thirteenth Missis- sippi regiment. He began his military career as a private, but in 1863 was promoted to the position of assistant surgeon, which he held during the remainder of the war. He was in the fights at Leesburg, Fredericksburg, Millword, and numerous others, important and other- wise. When Knoxville was taken by the Federals in 1863, the Doctor was in charge of a Confederate hospital at that place. He was educated at the University of Louisiana, in New Orleans, and established himself in Kemper county, in 1855, in the practice of his profession. He was married in 1866 to Laura Hand, daughter of Dr. T. J. Hand of Kemper county, who has borne him seven children, five of whom are living: Gilmore; Bertha and Sherrid, who died in infancy; John, Mary, Manley and Peter. Mr. and Mrs. Spinks are members of the Baptist church. The Doctor is a prohibitionist in his principles, though he acts and votes with the local democratic party. He has been an active worker in the prohibition cause at home. As a physician, he has been successful, having acquired a large and remunerative practice, and he is a member of the County Medical association. He is an enterprising and public-spirited man, deeply interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of his fel- low-men. To churches and schools he is especially devoted, and it is known that he can always be safely counted upon to contribute of his means or otherwise aid any worthy object in which his fellow-citizens are interested.

E. E. Spinks, D. D. S., of Meridian, Miss., was born in Kemper county, of this state, in the month of October, 1835, a son of John and Margaret (Kelly) Spinks, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. They came to Mississippi in 1833, spending the remain- der of their lives in Kemper county. The father was one of the honest sons of the soil and became reasonably well-to-do. Dr. E. E. Spinks was the youngest of their nine children, and was reared in Kemper county, receiving his education in the common schools. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service, the following year becoming a member of company A, Thirty-fifth Mississippi regiment, with which he served until the surrender. The first twelve months of his service he held the rank of first sergeant, after which, until the war closed, he hield the rank of second lieutenant. He was captured at the siege of Vicksburg, but was soon paroled. At the battle of Franklin, in November, 1864, he was seriously wounded by a gun- shot in the head, which came very near ending his life. He was given the most careful atten- tion, and, after a long sickness, was once more restored to health. When the war was over he began the study of dentistry, and for the past twenty-five years has been an active practi- tioner, and in the twenty years of this time that he has been a resident of Meridian he has become widely known as a skillful and experienced dental surgeon. His office is well fitted up and furnished, and he has all the latest improved instruments for the successful conduct of his work. In 1858 he was married to a Miss Ball, by whom he has one child, Maggie. His second union took place in 1873, Miss Vallie Garner becoming his wife and the mother of his seven children: Garner, Mary, Enoch, Vallie, Henry, Virginia and Ruby. Dr. and Mrs. Spinks are members of the Baptist church, and, socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., belongs to Mount Barton lodge of the K. of P., the American Legion of Honor, the K. of H., and the Knights of the Golden Rule. He has passed all the chairs in the K. of P. fraternity, and has been treasurer of the K. of H. since its organization.

Louis Spotorno, one of the progressive merchants of Bay St. Louis, Hancock county, Miss., and the present city clerk of Bay St. Louis, has been identified with the interests of the place since 1888. He was born in New Orleans in 1851, and is a son of Louis Spotorno, Sr. His father was also a merchant in Bay St. Louis from 1854 to the time of his death,

815

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

which occurred in 1871. Young Louis Spotorno was brought to the Bay when a child three years of age, but was taken back to New Orleans during the Civil war. He received his education at St. Stanislaus college, Bay St. Louis. At seventeen years of age he entered a wholesale establishment at New Orleans, in which he was a clerk for eight years. He then embarked in the mercantile business on his own account. In 1888 he came back to Bay St. Louis, and has since made it his home. He carries a good stock of merchandise, and has a free delivery of goods system, which is a great convenience to the patrons of his store. Mr. Spotorno was elected city clerk in 1890, and has made an efficient officer. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor and of the Knights of Pythias. He was united in marriage in New Orleans, to Miss Matilda Olivari, by whom he has seven children.

Emory J. Spratlin, planter, was born in Arkansas county, Ark., March 7, 1863, and in his native state and Mississippi he was reared, although the greater part of his education was obtained in the schools of Tennessee. His advantages were excellent, for his father was a warm patron of education, and while acquiring his knowledge of books, his time was improved to the utmost, thereby fitting himself for a practical and useful life. In 1884, at the age of twenty-one years, he began an independent career with a small capital, but instead of squandering it, as many would have done, he gradually increased his capital, and is now the owner of a large plantation, situated on the bank of the Mississippi river, five miles west of Rolinsonville, which is a thrifty little town on the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas rail- road, twenty-eight miles south of Memphis. His land comprises four hundred and eighty acres, two hundred acres of which is in a good state of cultivation, and very fertile, producing as large crops as any like amount of land in the county. He possesses many sterling quali- ties and habits, prominent among which are honesty, morality, industry and perseverance. He is a member of the K. of P. fraternity, and he and his brother, William A., are democrats in politics, and are deputies to J. W. Johnson, who is sheriff of Tunica county. They are reliable and trustworthy young men, and although William is an aspirant for the office of sheriff, they have taken but little interest in politics, preferring to devote their time to their business, the latter being a wideawake young business man of Tunica. In personal appearance, Emory J. is tall and slender, and has dark hair and eyes. He has been a resi- dent of Mississippi since 1875, and on his plantation has a beautiful and comfortable resi- dence. He was the third of five children born to John W. and Martha (Montgomery) Spratlin, the former of whom was born in Alabama, and the latter in Arkansas. John W. Spratlin was a stockman, while a resident of the state of Arkansas, and in that state was called from life in 1872. He warmly espoused the Confederate cause during the Civil war, and served throughout the entire war, making a faithful, brave and efficient soldier.

H. F. Sproles, D. D., pastor of the Baptist church of Jackson, Miss., was born in Holmes county of this state in the month of January, 1844, the second child born to Wilson R. and Mary Ann (Fortune) Sproles, who were native North Carolinians. The paternal grandfather, Richard Sproles, came to Mississippi about 1836 and settled in Holmes county, where he opened and dug the Castalian springs, which afterward became one of the finest summer resorts in the state of Mississippi. Mr. Sproles first tilled the soil, but later became a merchant, in each of which occupations he made money. He served for some time in the Confederate army, making a brave and faithful soldier. He died in 1882, his wife having passed from life in 1851. Rev. H. F. Sproles was an attendant of the common schools until the opening of the Civil war, when he enlisted in company D, First Mississippi light artil- lery, and served until the war terminated, being wounded on several different occasions. He was in the engagements around Vicksburg, and just two days before Lee's surrender he was

816

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

badly wounded at Mobile, Ala. In 1865 he studied under Rev. C. C. Lee, of Holmes county, continuing until September, 1866. He then entered the Southern Baptist Theological sem- inary, and, by studying during vacations also, he graduated in May, 1870, soon after becom- ing pastor of the Baptist church at Carrollton, Miss. After remaining at this place for nine years, he in 1880 came to Jackson, where he has since been located. In 1890 the board of trustees of Mississippi college conferred the degree of D. D. upon him. He is president of the convention board of missions of the Baptist state convention, and since locating in Jack- son he has built up the membership of the church, and is held in high esteem by his congre- gation as well as by his ministerial brethren. He is laboring hard for the erection of their new church edifice, and in every respect is a faithful worker in his Master's vineyard. He was married in 1870 to Miss R. A. Pickel, a native of the Palmetto state, and by her is the father of four children: Mary P., Marion Olive, H. F., Jr., and James Arthur.

Capt. John T. Stanford, Carrollton, Miss., was born in Duplin county, N. C., February 17, 1834, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Maxwell) Stanford, who were also natives of Duplin county, N. C. The father was born in 1799, and in the year 1840 removed to the state of Mississippi, settling in Carroll county, where he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1880, and his wife survived until December, 1888. Our subject is the third of a family of four sons and four daughters: A. D., a planter of Warren county Miss., was a soldier in the Confederate army and was wounded in the service; J. H. was also a soldier and was killed at Harrisburg, Miss .; Sam was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, and one sister is deceased. John T. spent his youth in the neighborhood of his birth, and in 1861 he enlisted in the Eleventh Mississippi volunteer infantry, and was promoted from one office to the next until he was made captain in 1863 after the battle of Gettysburg; he participated in the engagement of Seven Pines, the seven days' fight around Richmond, Malvern Hill, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, and Gettysburg; in the last named he received a wound which disabled him for some time; he was taken prisoner and held for fifteen months at Baltimore and Fort Delaware; he was paroled, came home, was exchanged, returned to the front, and was finally paroled at Appo- mattox courthouse, having followed General Lee's army through the war. After the surrender he returned to Carroll county and settled on the old home plantation. He was married here in April, 1867, to Miss Mildred Taliaferro, a native of Alabama, and a daughter of John and Celina Taliaferro. The Captain and his wife have six children: Samuel, Sarah Clementine, James H., Anna Laura, John T., Jr., and Margaret P., who is now ten years old. Before the war Captain Stanford was a member of the whig party, but he is now a conservative democrat; he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and is president of the local Alliance. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a council Mason. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, also all of the children with the exception of the youngest. Captain Stanford is a man of high integrity of character and moral worth, and is highly esteemed in the community as a neighbor, friend, and citizen. In the time of his country's need he went to the front and fought and bled in the cause which he had so heartily espoused.

Aaron Stanton, a prominent planter of Adams county, Miss., is a resident of Stanton sta- tion, where he has a fine home, Brandon Hall. He was born on Traveler's Rest plantation, twelve miles east of Natchez, in 1840, and is the son of David and Anna (Winston) Stanton. David Stanton was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1812, and in 1820 came with his parents to Natchez, Miss. He was educated at Jefferson college, and after marrying, settled near Wash- ington, where he followed planting until about 1843, when he removed to Natchez. There he followed merchandising until the breaking out of the war. He then joined the Tenth Mississippi infantry as lieutenant and served until the fall of 1862, when he resigned, having

817

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

fought at Shiloh, Munfordsville, Shelbyville, etc. After the war he carried on his planting industry until his death in August, 1890. He was a selfmade man, of good business ability, conservative in politics and industrious in his habits. He accumulated a fortune before the war, but met with reverses afterward. Two of his brothers, Frederick and William, came from the Emerald isle to Natchez, Miss., about 1816, engaged in merchandising, and in 1820 returned to their native country and brought over their parents, Aaron and Varina Stanton, who died here. Frederick and William became prominent and wealthy citizens and both died shortly before the war. Mrs. Stanton, the wife of David Stanton, was born at Traveler's Rest plantation in Adams county, and is still living. She is an Episcopalian in her relig- ious preferences. Her father, Gen. Samuel L. Winston, was one of three brothers who were triplets, born in Raleigh, N. C., in 1788. In 1795 he came with a brother- in-law, Mr. Williams (who afterward became lieutenant - governor of the state) to Adams county, and there passed the life of a successful planter until his death in 1831. He served in the Seminole war and was aid-de-camp to General Jackson in the War of 1812 at New Orleans. His two brothers, Judge Lewis and William, also came to Adams county at quite an early day and were prominent lawyers. The former died here in 1825 and the latter in 1834. Judge Lewis was at one time judge of the southern district of Mississippi. Their father, Major Joseph Winston, was a native of the Old Dominion but died in North Carolina. He was a major in the Revolutionary war and was presented with a sword for gallantry at the battle of King's mountain. Ann W. Hoggatt, who became the wife of Gen. Samuel L. Winston, was also born on Traveler's Rest plantation in Adams county in 1800, and died in the same neigh- borhood in 1882. Her father, James Hoggatt, was born in Bedford, Va., in 1753, and from there he went to Tennessee, where he married a Miss Bell, who died in Tennessee. Afterward Mr. Hoggatt married Miss Grissella Newell, and about 1800 came to Adams county, where he purchased large tracts of land east of Washington. He became an extensive planter and a breeder of race horses and had a training track on his plantation. There he passed the clos- ing scenes of his life in affluence. Aaron Stanton, the subject of this sketch, was one of four children, only one besides himself now living, Samuel W., who is a planter at Natchez. Aaron was educated at Jefferson and Oakland colleges and at the breaking out of the war he joined a company of cavalry and served as lieutenant, most of the time under Gen. Patrick Cleburne, until the close of the war. He fought at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and all through the Georgia and Atlanta campaign. He went back with General Hood to Tennessee, and fought at Franklin and Nashville, and theu retreated into Mississippi. He afterward rejoined General Johnston in North Carolina and surrendered with him. He was wounded at Resaca, Ga. After peace was declared he returned home and on the 12th of October, 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth Elmina Brandon, daughter of Girard and Charlotte (Smith) Bran- don. The father was a son of Gov. Girard C. Brandon, born in Wilkinson county in 1818, and his wife in Adams county in 1821. They were married in the last named county about 1841, and at once settled on the plantation known as Brandon Hall, at Stanton station, where Mr. Brandon erected a fine mansion in 1856, the one in which Mr. Stanton now resides. Here Mr. Brandon spent the remainder of his days as one of the most prosperous farmers in Adams county, owning at the breaking out of the war about $1,000,000 worth of slaves. He died in 1874 and his widow three years later. Both were members of the Episcopal church. Mrs. Stanton was born at Brandon Hall, and by her marriage became the mother of four children, viz .: Charlotte S., wife of Dunbar Surget Merrill; Anna W., wife of Arthur E. Shaw, who is secretary and treasurer of Bessemer rollingmills at Bessemer, Ala .; Agnes and David Brandon. The latter is now finishing his education at the University of the South at

818

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

Sewanee, Tenn. The eldest daughter was educated at Hollings institute, Virginia, and the younger, Agnes, at Columbus college, Mississippi. Mr. Stanton lived on Cedar Grove plantation near where he was born until 1875, and since then on the old Brandon Hall place, which contains about eighteen hundred acres and produces about three hundred bales of cotton annually. Mr. Stanton has never aspired to office, but is active in the interest of his party and for the general welfare of the county. He is a typical Southern gentleman and a man of many friends. His wife and all the children are active members of the Episcopal church at Natchez.

Frederick Stanton (deceased). There are few selfmade men but what have had an interesting history connected with their early struggles, and a few facts connected with the past life of the above mentioned gentleman will give some idea of his usefulness in the different walks of life. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1798, and in 1817 immigrated to the United States, forming, while on the voyage, the acquaintance of A. T. Stewart, who afterward became a merchant prince of New York city. After a short time spent at this place Mr. Stanton came direct to Natchez, where he at once began to make his own way in the world as a clerk, but by 1820 had accumulated sufficient means to enable him to embark in business for himself, and he soon after established the flourishing cotton houses of Stanton & Buckner, of Natchez, and Buckner & Stanton, of New Orleans, which at one time were the strongest firms in both cities. So in love did he become with his adopted country, and in such a prosperous condition were his business affairs, that he soon sent for the other mem- bers of his family in Ireland, and the numerous people of that name in Adams county are the descendants of this family. In addition to his mercantile interests, Mr. Stanton also gave a considerable amount of his attention to planting, and in this he likewise prospered. In 1827 he was married to Miss Huldah Helm, of Kentucky, a daughter of Thomas Helm, and by her became the father of ten children, four of whom are living: Frederick, Newton H., Elizabeth, wife of Maj. John Rawle, and Verina B., widow of Mr. Gaither. In 1857 Mr. Stanton erected the magnificent residence in Natchez, which is, perhaps, the finest private residence in the state of Mississippi to-day. The residence occupies the site of the old fort of the Natchez Indians, the grounds occupying the block embraced by High, Monroe, Pearl and Commerce streets. It was erected at a cost of $130,000, was magnificently furnished at a cost of $40,000, and the beautiful marble mantels, which adorn each room, were carved in sunny Italy. The wood carving is also very artistic, beautiful and unique, and the chande- liers are works of art. The furniture was all made in Paris, and in making a tour of the wide and spacious halls, the stately parlors, receptionrooms, the diningroom (which can seat half a hundred guests) and the sleeping apartments, the effect is, indeed, almost oriental in its beauty. The grounds are no less beautiful, for stately live-oaks shade this ideal home. Mr. Stanton did not long survive to enjoy the beauty and comfort which, by his own unaided efforts, he had acquired for his loved ones, and in 1859 he was called from the scene of his earthly labors, leaving to his children the record of an untarnished name. His widow sur- vives him, and with her son-in-law, Maj. John Rawle, and family, still occupies the home erected for her by her husband.

Maj. William Starling, chief engineer of the Mississippi Levee district of Greenville, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in January 25, 1839, and was the third in a family of nine children born to Lyne and Maria (Hensley) Starling, the parents natives of the Bluegrass state. The father was a merchant of New York for many years, and in 1858 moved to Illinois, where he followed agricultural pursuits. At the breaking out of the war he was appointed assistant adjutant-general under General Crittenden, and later held the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He -

819

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

was in the battles of Shiloh, Stone river, Chickamauga, and the whole Atlanta campaign. In 1866 he came south, followed planting in Mississippi, and then bought a large estate, Sunnyside, situated twelve miles below Greenville. The plantation was one of the finest in this section, and there were one thousand six hundred acres under cultivation. Mr. Starling, who was a worthy member of the Presbyterian church, died in 1876. The mother is still liv- ing, and makes her home with her sons, William and Lyne, both residents of Greenville, where the latter is engaged in merchandising. She is also a member of the Presbyterian church. Maj. William Starling was educated at the University of New York, which he entered when fourteen years of age; graduated in 1856, and immediately began reading law in the office of Alexander & Green, then, as well as now, an eminent firm of attorneys in New York; removed with his parents to Illinois in 1858. In 1861 he entered the volunteer ser- vice as lieutenant of company G, Third Kentucky cavalry, Federal army, and was afterward transferred to the Ninth Kentucky infantry with the rank of captain. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of major, and retained that rank in the veteran corps, and besides numerous minor engagements, was in the great battle of Murfreesboro. Mr. Starling has an enviable war record, and retired from the service only on account of sickness. After the war he came South, and joined his father in Arkansas in 1867. In 1882 the estate was sold to the Calhoun land syndicate, and the same year Mr. Starling, who had removed to Green- ville, entered the service of the Mississippi levee board as assistant engineer. In 1884 he was promoted to the position of chief engineer, and still continues to hold that office. He became identified with the interests of the South, and is enthusiastic as to its prosperity. He has attained considerable prominence in the Masonic fraternity. He is at present grand scribe of the Grand lodge of Mississippi; is commander of Delta commandery No. 16 of the · Knights Templar, and high priest of the chapter. He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The Starling & Smith company, general merchants at Greenville, established their busi- ness in that city in 1888, and carry a stock of goods valued at about $30,000. They do an annual business of about $300,000, are live business men and merit the success by which their efforts are rewarded. In 1890 they erected a fine two-story brick block on Poplar street. Lyne Starling was originally from Kentucky, his birth occurring at Frankfort in 1848, and is the son of Lyne and Maria (Hensley) Starling (see sketch of William Starling). He was educated at Yale college and graduated from that institution in 1871, after which he resided on his father's plantation in Arkansas until 1882. He then came to Greenville and engaged in the Bank of Greenville as corresponding clerk until he went into business for himself. He was married in 1872 to Miss Kate C. Watson, of Kentucky, the daughter of Henry Watson, who was from one of the old families of the state. To this marriage were born four chil- dren: Henry, Lyne, Jr., Inez and Maria. Mrs. Starling and her son, Henry, are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Starling is vice president of the Citizens' bank. and a direc- tor of the Greenville cotton compress. He is the owner of considerable town property.

Mrs. Martha Steele, who is engaged in planting, and is a well-known lady of Copiahi county, is the widow of Archibald Steele, and was born in Mississippi in 1836, a daughter of James D. and Lucretia (Corley) Cammack. Archibald Steele was born in Tennessee in the year 1819, a son of Peter and Anna Steele. Peter Steele died in Tennessee about 1828, and in 1830 his wife came with her family to this state, first settling in Marion county, but after living on a plantation there for about fifteen years, they removed to Copiah county, where Mrs. Steele lived till her death. Her son was a selfmade man, who, beginning with very little capital, but a willingness for hard work, gained an enviable reputation among the

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 128

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