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 132
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Mrs. Sarah H. Stirling was born on Lake Washington, Miss., on the 13th of April, 1836, being the second of five children born to John A. and Sallie Steen (Jefferies) Miller, natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Tennessee. When still in their early youth, they came to Mississippi, and Mr. Miller at once engaged in planting in Washington county, at which occupation he became very wealthy, being at the time of his death the richest man in the county. His daughter, Sarah H., became the wife of William H. Stirling in 1856, the latter being a native of Louisiana, and at that time operating a large sugar plantation in his native state. There he remained until 1873, when he came to Mississippi and located at the head of Lake Washington, on the plantation on which his widow now resides. Here he engaged in cotton planting, and at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest planters in the Yazoo delta. He devoted about $30,000 to improving their home shortly after their marriage,
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and it is now a commodious, substantial, well furnished and remarkably pleasant home. Mrs. Stirling was reared in Mississippi, and received her literary education in the city of New Orleans and Frankfort, Ky., and has given her four children excellent advantages also. Their names are Mary, Georgie Miller, Sallie Steen and Eleanor Corinne; all accomplished, intelligent and refined ladies. Mrs. Stirling is a practical business woman, and since her husband's death has successfully managed her large plantation, consisting of two thousand acres, of which about nine hundred acres are under cultivation. She is of Scotch descent, and comes of an exceptionally fine family, that settled in Louisiana while it was still under con - trol of the Spanish government, and is a great-granddaughter of Gen. Evan Shelby of Ten- nessee. Her husband was a son of Henry and Mary (Bowman) Stirling, natives of Louisiana and Pennsylvania, respectively, the latter inheriting German blood of her ancestors, who came to this country at a very early period and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. Stirling was a lineal descendant of Lord Belmore of Ireland. Mrs. Stirling and her daughters are members of the Episcopal church.
C. C. Stockard, M. D., a prominent physician of Columbus, Miss., has shown himself to be a physician of decided skill and merit, and is worthy the confidence and trust reposed in him by all classes. He was born in Macon, Noxubee county, Miss., July 24, 1853, a son of J. J. and V. A. (Rupert) Stockard, natives of Tennessee and Georgia, respectively, but about 1840 became residents of Noxubee county, Miss. Mr. Stockard opened the first mer- cantile establishment at Brooksville and sold the land to the Mobile & Ohio railroad for their depot at that point, and he it was who named the town Brooksville. He carried on busi- uess at this point until 1851, but was interested in the same calling at Macon until 1858. He then became a commission and cotton factor under the firm name of Rupert, Stockard & Co., at Mobile, Ala., in which business he was very successful until the opening of the war. During the early part of the war of secession he served as a cotton buyer for the government, but was subsequently in the militia, after which he again embarked in the commission business in Mobile, under the firm name of Cozart, Stockard & Co. This firm consisted of eight wealthy men who conducted business on an extensive scale, carrying on their operations at - Mobile, Memphis, New Orleans and New York, and continued in existence several years. Succeeding this Mr. Stockard moved to his plantation in Chickasaw county, but after a short time removed to West Point, Miss., where he was engaged in the hardware business for some time with Messrs. Bonner & Foster. He opened the First National bank at West Point, which was the second national bank to be opened in the state, and in numerous ways was an enterprising and pushing man of business. He is now a resident of Chattanooga, Tenn., and although in his seventy-fourth year is yet hale and vigorous. To himself and wife, a family of five children were born: Rupert, M. D., of Columbus; Dr. C. C .; Sidney Lea; Thomas W., died in 1878; Arthur, and Daisy, wife of C. V. LeCraw. C. C. Stockard, M. D., was reared principally on a plantation and was an attendant of the country schools until he was seventeen years of age. He then entered the University of Mississippi at Oxford, where he took a three years course in engineering, at the end of which time this branch of study was abolished in the institution, after which he decided to study medicine. In the fall of 1875 he began attending lectures at Nashville, and in 1877 graduated in his profession from Vanderbilt university. His first practicing was done in Washington county, Miss., where he remained until January, 1880, at the end of which time he went to Europe for the purpose of taking a clinical course. He spent the most of his time at Vienna, Austria, in the hospital of that place, the largest one in the world, and during this time pursued his researches with Prof. Carl Braun, a noted man of that country.
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He was absent from his native land about one year, but returned to this country with the con- sciousness of having improved every opportunity and of being able to take upon himself the arduous duties of a physician. He then came to Columbus, which city has since been his home and where, owing to his ability, he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. He keeps thoroughly apace with the progress made in his profession, and is a member of the state medical association and the Lowndes County association.
Hon. Thomas Ringland Stockdale is a member of congress from the sixth district of Mississippi, and as an American is all that the word implies. In his nature are embodied all those principles of sterling integrity, determination of purpose and indomitable energy so characteristic of the American people, and these have placed him among the foremost of his fellows. Just after the war of the Revolution, when the dark cloud that for seven long years had hung over the Western continent had cleared away, revealing in all its resplendent glory the new republic, that had risen from the altar of sacrifices, to take its place among the nations and powers of the world, the oppressed and down-trodden of the Eastern dynasties saw in the new government an organization destined to become the Mecca of those who sought the blessings of fraternity, liberty and equality. Among those who were attracted by the bright gleam of the star of the new republic, was one James Stockdale, who, leaving behind him the tender associations of kindred and home, came to the new world, and located in Pennsylvania, where he soon married a Miss Weir, and became the father of one son and four daughters. His son, William, was born in Greene county, Penn., where he spent his childhood. He had scarcely attained his eighteenth year when the War of 1812 plunged the country again into all the horrors of war, and threatened with disaster the flag that had floated so proudly above a peaceful and prosperous land. The spirit of bravery and patriotism of those who called the country theirs knew no limit. Immediately following the cry for aid came the steady tramp, tramp, tramp of those sturdy pioneers marching forth for the defense of their country and their homes, and among them was William Stockdale. He was married to Miss Hannah McQuaid, a Pennsylvanian, of Scotch-Irish descent, and they lived and died in Pennsylvania. Their union was blessed by four sons and three daughters, and of these James, who is deceased, was a member of the Maryland legislature, representing a Baltimore district. John M., now a resident of Washington, Penn., was twice chosen as Greene county's representative in the Pennsylvania legislature, and in 1884 was the democratic nominee for congress from his district. Robert P. Stockdale lives at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and Mrs. J. B. Wise of Washington county, Penn., is the only surviving daughter. Thomas Ringland Stockdale is the sixth child in his family, and was born in Greene county, Penn., February 28, 1828. During his boyhood, which was spent upon the farm, he experienced all the hardships and privations which fell to the lot of the youth of that period. The little district school near his home afforded him but meager advantages for an education, but young Stockdale attended it for a few weeks during the winter months, apply- ing himself to his studies with energy and diligence, and thus with the aid of his mother, a lady of exceptional culture, he laid the foundation for his education. Those early struggles of the pioneers made a lasting impression upon their after lives. It constituted the fire which separated the gold from the dross and awakened the men and women to a stern realization of the difficulties and responsibilities of life, and it may be truly said that the privations endured in his youth by Thomas R. Stockdale, and in the obstacles he met and fearlessly overcame was laid the foundation for the resolute determination, the tireless energy, and the unimpeachable honesty which were the chief attributes of his whole after life. At the age of twenty-one years he entered college at Waynesburg, Penn., and in 1853 became a student in
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Jefferson, now Washington and Jefferson college, becoming in 1856 the proud possessor of a diploma from that institution. Later in the same year he came to Mississippi and soon found employment as a teacher in the schools of Covington county.
In 1857 he became a resident of Pike county, where he accepted a position in the Holmesville academy, and while performing his duties he at the same time gave atten- tion to the study of law, and in 1858 had as his preceptor the Hon. John T. Lamkin, at that time one of the leading attorneys of the South and afterward the representative of his dis- trict in the Confederate congress. In the fall of 1858 he entered the University of Missis- sippi, where he applied himself with characteristic energy to the prosecution of his legal studies and by close application and assiduous effort completed both his junior and senior courses in one year, graduating in 1859. Returning to Holmesville he entered upon the practice of his profession. When the first shot crashed against the walls of Fort Sumter and awakened the people of both North and South to a knowledge of the real character of the impending conflict, Mr. Stockdale was among the first to offer his services for the defense of his state, and in April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of the Quitman guards and was soon elected lieutenant of his company. He soon won the appoint- ment of adjutant of the Sixteenth Mississippi regiment of infantry and before the close of 1861 was elected major of that regiment. Returning to Mississippi in 1862 he recruited and organized a company of cavalry and took the field as its captain. He was appointed com- mander of Stockdale's battalion of cavalry and in 1863 was commissioned major of volun- teers. As a reward for efficient service he was soon wearing the stars of a lieutenant colonel, and in 1864 was assigned to the Fourth Mississippi cavalry. He was severely wounded while commanding his regiment at the battle of Harrisburg (one of the engagements near Tupelo), July 14, 1864. Colonel Stockdale was paroled from General Forrest's army May 12, 1865, after having performed gallant and continuous service since 1861. An amusing inci- dent is related at the Colonel's expense, and may, perhaps, be found of interest in this connec- tion. Upon one occasion when the regiment was drawn up in order of battle, awaiting the command to participate in the engagement, and he was riding down the line with words of cheer and encouragement for his men, he noticed a soldier, whom for the occasion we will call Smith, dodging a bullet that went whistling by in close proximity to his ear. The Col- onel laughingly reproved him, telling him of the impossibility of dodging a minie ball. The Colonel had proceeded but a short distance when a huge shell from the Federal battery came shrieking through the air, and when directly above the Colonel burst with a deafening roar. Nature was stronger than military discipline, and down went the Colonel's head. Smith, who had been watching him, thereupon called out: "That's all right, Colonel, you dodge the big ones, and I'll look out for the little fellows." In the roars of laughter which followed this remark those present all forgot for the moment the dangers of the situation. The war being over, Colonel Stockdale returned to Holmesville and resumed the practice of his profession. In February, 1867, he married Miss Fannie Wicker, a native of Amite county, Miss., and a daughter of Adam Wicker, an extensive planter there. During that year they settled in Summit, Pike county, Miss., and in 1869 Colonel Stockdale became associated in the practice of law with the late Judge Hiram Cassedy, a prominent lawyer and leading jurist of the South. This partnership existed for twelve years, and the firm was widely noted for its strength and ability. In 1868 Colonel Stockdale was a member of the National democratic convention, was presidential elector on the democratic ticket in 1872, and again in 1884. In 1886 he was elected to the Lth congress; in 1888 to the LIst congress, and was re-elected in 1890. In the Lth congress he was a member of the
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committee on public lands and war claims, and in the LIst congress was a member of the committee on levees and improvements of the Mississippi river and public lands. The first session of the Lth congress will ever be memorable for its debates, the tariff discussion being the ablest ever had on that subject. It has shown more comprehensive grasp and more certain and detailed information among the members generally than has been heretofore displayed by even a few leaders. This has been both a school and an opportunity to the new man, and Mr. Stockade availed himself of the school and was equal to the oppor- tunity. His speeches are marked by vigor, clearness, logic and points, and at times rise into impassioned and commanding eloquence as in the peroration of his tariff speech on May 5, and in his eulogy on the soldiers of the war. He has a strong sense of humor, tells a story well and has surprises and quaint terms in his speech which keep the listener on the qui vive.
His talking has not interfered with his work, since few constituencies have had so tireless and efficient a representative. In this long session which, lasted ten months, he was absent only about a week and never missed a meeting of his committees-war claims and public lands. He voted on every proposition that came before the house. Out of the seven thousand cases before the war claims committee, he reported all from Mississippi and many from other states, and never had a report reversed by his committee, which is a most emphatic compliment to his industry, intelligence and sense of justice. He framed bills to remove the quarantine stations on the Mississippi coast; to hold a term of the federal court at Mississippi City; joint resolution to withdraw the public lands from sale; bills to build a bridge at Natchez across the Mississippi river; secured appropriations for the harbors and rivers in his district and bills giving pensions to many of his constituents.
His speech on the bill forfeiting land grants to railroads favored forfeiture for reasons clearly shown, whether the grants were earned out of time prescribed or not at all. He spoke also most effectively on the timber clause of the homestead bill. His speech on the claim of Mr. Poitevent, one of his constituents, was one of the ablest ever made on a private claim bill. He clearly exposed and unmercifully ridiculed the idea, which seems to have been the polar star of the Southern claims commission and still held by many republican members of con- gress, that a man in the South was necessary disloyal because a relative happened to have been a Confederate soldier, or because he was never hanged or had his house burnt over his head by the Confederate authorities. He illustrated by his own case a Confederate whose father, brothers and kin were all loyal Pennsylvanians. This speech let the light into many dark places and set Northern members to thinking. He put himself on record against extensive pleasure grounds for the few rich at the expense of the many poor, whether at Washington or in Yellowstone park, contending that the best use of the public lands is for homes for the peo- ple, and fields, woods and mines for their industry and enterprise. In his remarks upon the proposition to take the duty off of salt, he attacked the protection by the reductio ad absurdum. and said that the protectionists proposed to help God and alter the plan of creation. All his speeches are full of crisp, solid sentences that stick in the memory and turn up handy for quotation.
He supported with energy the bill to create a department of agriculture. Showed that it was in no sense class legislation, and that the prosperity, wealth, and even life of the nation depended upon the farmers. This tribute to the honest farmers will be appreciated in Mis- sissippi, which is essentially an agricultural state. Mr. Stockdale gave more study and thought, perhaps, to his tariff speech than to any other, for he realized that in that long array of able debaters and eloquent orators, if he would be heard at all, what he did say must be well said. His speech met the high expectation of his friends, was immediately recognized
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as a valuable contribution to the tariff literature, and is in great demand all over the Union by democratic clubs and speakers, and was praised in high terms by newspapers in New York, St. Louis, Detroit and elsewhere. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat said it was the first tariff speech by either party that clearly presented and advocated the right and interest of the negroes in tariff reform, showing that all they consumed was taxed too much and that they were still in servitude to the protected industries and needed another proclamation of emancipation before they could be free from the unjust imposition placed upon their hard earnings to enhance the wealth of the rich.
His speech on the Oklahoma bill is a masterpiece. It shows the speaker as student, lawyer and thinker, and completely answered the objections of the opposition. As a citizen he is public spirited, loves his country, state and town; as a public officer he is above sus- picion, ever zealous for the right and alert to properly fill the high station to which he has been called. As a speaker he is interesting and forcible, and in society amiable and pleasing. He is a man of commanding presence, being six feet three inches in hight, and his splendid physique gives him a knightly bearing that commands both admiration and respect. Colonel Stockdale and his family reside at Summit, where they have a pleasant home, where they are considered, in many respects, the leaders of local society. Five children have blessed their union, two of whom died in infancy. One son and one daughter still survive to brighten Colonel and Mrs. Stockdale's home, and make lighter the cares and burdens of their lives. The Colonel is a loving and indulgent father, and when in his home, surrounded by his loved ones, forgets for a while the cares of a public station, and gives himself over to the enjoy- ment of domestic life.
Colonel Samuel Stockett, a representative citizen of Wilkinson county, settled in the county in 1801, entering from the government the plantation now known as Gretna Green, situated on the line of demarcation between the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. Upon this plantation, which is still in the possession of his descendants, he lived during his life, as a large planter, and most honored and liberal citizen. He became very prominent in the county and in military affairs, and was colonel of the militia of the county in 1812, which commission he held for some years. He was a man of fine education and conspicuous ability, a great reader and a thorough student. He was a native of Maryland, where he was born, February 12, 1775, and where he was reared and educated. He died in Wilkinson county, Aug. 17, 1822, and is buried in the family cemetery, on the Gretna Green plantation. He was descended from Sir Lewis Stockett, of St. Stephens parish, Kent county, England, who was born in 1558 and died in 1603. Capt. Thomas Stockett, a great-grandson of Sir Lewis Stockett, coming to Maryland in 1658, settling at Annapolis, and there was united in marriage to Mary Wells, and died in 1671, leaving one son, whose grandson was the father of Col. Samuel Stockett, the subject of this sketch. Col. Samuel Stockett, in company with several other members of the family, removed from Maryland to Davidson county, Tenn., about where the city of Nashville now stands. Colonel Samuel, however, remained only a short time, but before leaving, he married Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Isaac Johnson and Mary Dunhand, and also a cousin of Postmaster general Cave Johnson. In 1801 Colonel Stockett, accompanied by his wife and her three brothers, Gov. Henry Johnson, Joseph Johnson and William Johnson, came to Mississippi, and Col. Samuel Stockett settled on what after- ward became the plantation known as Gretna Green. The result of the union of Colonel Stockett and Elizabeth Johnson were the following six sons and three daughters: Mary Allen, born in Davidson county, Tenn., in 1801, come to Wilkinson county with her parents, married Joseph Smith of Maryland and died without leaving descendants, in 1885; Isaac
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Johnson, born at Gretna Green in 1803, and died in 1803; Rachel Holliday, born at Gretna Green in 1805, married George Randolph, of Wilkinson county, and both died with yellow fever and without children in 1836; Joseph Johnson, born at Gretna Green in 1807, was educated in New Jersey, and was killed soon after his return from college, by the accidental discharge of his gun, in 1832; Sarah, born at Gretna Green in 1811, married Lorenzo Brown and died in 1851; William Noble, born at Gretna Green in 1813, and died in 1819. Samuel Henry, was born at Gretna Green in 1815. He was educated at Centenary college, and returned home and engaged in planting. He took great interest in the advancement of religion and was a member of the Methodist church. He was a steward in the Woodville Methodist church, and was very active in educational promotion and church work. He was a trustee in Centenary college, the Female institute at Jackson, La., and the Woodville Female seminary, and also a director in the West Feliciana railroad. He was a Royal Arch Mason. He married Lucy Elizabeth Holt, of Woodville, daughter of Dr. David Holt and Juliet White. To Samuel Henry was born eight children, four of whom lived to be grown, and who are now living with their mother. Samuel Henry died in 1871, and was laid to rest beside his ancestors. Thomas Galen, was born in Gretna Green in 1817 and died in 1879. He was educated at Centenary college and was one of the leading men of the county. He took some part in politics after the war, and was an extensive planter and a man of strong convictions. He first married Ellen Edwards, who died in 1844 with yellow fever, and by her had two sons and one daughter, all dying in infancy. He then married Mary Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of William Johnson and Elizabeth Randolph. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which she was very active. She was of a literary turn of mind, highly educated and had traveled a great deal. She lived for some years in Washing- ton city, with her uncle Gov. Henry Johnson, who was then representing the state of Louis- iana in the United States senate. She died in 1884, and was buried beside her husband. Isaac Johnson, was born at Gretna Green, July 19, 1819, and died March 1, 1870. Like his brothers he was educated at Centenary college, Louisiana, and followed planting for a liveli- hood. He took a lively interest in politics, was a strong states' rights democrat and a leading member of the Presbyterian church.
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