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 136

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 136

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

During his long residence in the county naught has ever been said derogatory to his honor, and for his many estimable qualities he has many warm personal friends. He has done his part in converting the wilderness into productive fields of cotton, and no more worthy pioneer can be found in the county.

Col. William R. Stuart, an old resident of Ocean Springs, Miss., is entitled to distinc- tion as the chief promoter of pecan culture in the South. He is a plain, unpretentious man, with strong convictions of right and wrong. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party. He has been prominent in public affairs, and was a member of the Louisiana consti- tutional convention of 1852. He was born near Centreville, Kent county, Md., November 18, 1820, a son of William R. and Ariana (Frazier) Stuart. His paternal and maternal grand- fathers were both natives of Scotland, and early settlers in Maryland. In that state Mr. Stuart was reared, and there he remained until he was twenty years of age. In 1840 he came down the river from Wheeling, Va., during which journey he made the acquaintance of Col. Nolan Stewart, who resided in Baton Rouge, La. At the invitation of Colonel Stewart, who had taken a fancy to the young man, Mr. Stuart visited him, and remained with him between two and three years. During that period he received some excellent commercial training, and when he left the Colonel was well equipped for the struggle of life. He went to New Orleans, and embarked in the sugar business, and also did some trading in cotton. He conducted this business until 1871, and then came to Ocean Springs, Miss. While a resident of Louisiana he owned a fine plantation. Since coming to Mississippi he has done much to improve the breeds of livestock in this state, and has given a great impetus to the culture of the pecan tree. He sells plants and seeds from Maryland to California, and in Jamaica and Australia. He has fifty acres of trees, and in an excellent paper read before the executive committee of the Mississippi horticultural society, he gives an interesting bit of his experience. He says: "Pecan culture is my hobby. When I was fifty-six I bought the largest and best paper-shell pecans I could find, paying $1 per pound for them, and planted the nuts. When sixty-eight I sold $305 worth of pecans; when sixty-nine, I sold $700 worth. This year I will get $1,500 to $2,000 from the sale of my young trees and nuts. Pecans have off years. A planter putting out five hundred trees in a grove, ought to plant one hundred trees every year, then he will have plenty of pecans every year." The Atlanta Constitution said of him recently: "Mr. W. R. Stuart, of Ocean Springs, Miss., is the father of pecan culture in the South. 'I began,' said he, 'at fifty-six years of age. I am now seventy-one, and make more money out of pecans than I do out of cotton. The young men of the South ought to think of this. There is unlimited money in pecan culture in the South, and I am anxious to see our people plant pecan trees just as they do apple or peach trees. They will make the South rich.' "

The report of the secretary of agriculture for 1890 contains a full-page illustration of Colonel Stuart and his pecan orchard and makes complimentary mention of his enterprise:

The Hickoria pecan is one of the best of all nuts, and is found wild only in North America. It abounds in the rich river and creek bottom lands of the Mississippi valley, especially in Texas, Louisiana and Missis- sippi, Indian territory, Arkansas and Missouri. Even as far north as southeastern Iowa it grows wild : but the region of profitable culture does not probably extend so far north as the other species of the hickory fam- ily. In the Gulf states is found the best climate for this nut, and already there are considerable orchards of it planted there. It is needless to expect success in poor soil, for like all nut trees the pecan grows to the greatest perfection iu rich, moist alluvium. Many of the lands subject to periodical floods along the Mississippi river and tributary streams might be planted to the pecan with great profit. Once well estab- lished, these orchards in rich bottoms would yield large quantities of the very best nuts, and would not be injured by the floods, which usually occur long before the time of gathering the crop. There is great

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variation in the nuts as to size, shape, thickness of shell, and quality of the kernel. The illustration plate 1, fig. 1, shows the character of the ordinary wild nut; and fig. 2, the large, choice, wild nuts sent to market. Fig. 3 is a very choice variety named Stuart, in honor of the originator, Col. W. R. Stuart, Ocean Springs, Miss. This is one of the largest and best in quality and thinnest shelled of any that I have yet examined. Fig. 4 represents another variety by the same originator, named Van Deman by him, as a compliment to myself. It is also very large, and thin shelled. Either of these varieties can be crushed in the hand. Fig. 5 is a cut of a choice variety received from Lonis Biediger, of Idlewild, Tex., and named Idlewild by me, as I thought it well worthy of propagation under a distinct name. A very choice variety is also shown in fig. 6, which was obtained from E. E. Risien, of San Saba, Tex. Distinct differences will be noticed in the shape of the varieties, and these are only a few of a large unm- ber of choice kinds which have been sent to this office. It is only just to mention that in addition to the above the following persons have large and delicious pecans, which it will pay any one who con- templates growing this nut to procure: T. V. Munson, Denison, Tex .; O. D. Fanst, Bamburg, S. C .; B. M. Young, Morgan City, La .; Arthur Brown. Bagdad, Fla. The illustration on plate 2 is of a tree thirteen years old, on the farm of Col. W. R. Stuart, of Ocean Springs, Miss., and shows the typical size and shape of a pecan tree grown in the open field. It has been bearing for three years past.

Dr. W. W. Stuart, physician, Clarksdale, Miss., for many years a leading physician at Clarksdale, Coahoma county, Miss., was the second of seven children born to Enoch and Ann (McNeill) Stuart, his birth occurring in North Carolina in 1835. The parents were also natives of North Carolina and the father followed the occupation of a farmer the principal part of his life. The elder Stuart moved to west Tennessee in 1839, and from there to Coahoma county, Miss., in 1856, receiving his final summons there in 1864. Upon coming to Coahoma county he settled in the eastern part, opened a farm, and was among the early pioneers, the country being at that time wild and unsettled. The mother died in Tennessee in 1849. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Stuart passed his boyhood and youth in west Tennessee and was well educated at La Grange, of that state. In 1856 he began the study of medicine, and attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1858. In 1859 he began practicing in the vicinity of what is now Clarksdale, and has been in constant practice here since. He ranks among the oldest physicians (in practice) of Coahoma county, and has been identified with the section of country in the vicinity of Clarksdale since his early manhood. He is of studious habits, is highly esteemed in the community and has always had a large and lucrative practice. Several years ago he opened a drug store at Lyons, this county, and though not giving it his personal supervision, still conducts the business here. He has a good store and a fair share of the trade. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Shufordsville lodge, and is a member of the Knights of Honor. He is also a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons, and health officer of his county. Dr. Stuart is of medium stature, with fair complexion, and has dark hair, eyes and beard.

Marlen Stubblefield, one of the leading agriculturists of the farming community of Ben- ton, Yazoo county, was born in Dallas county, Ala., in 1818, and is a son of William H. and Agnes (Etherage) Stubblefield, natives of the state of Georgia. The father came to Yazoo county, Miss., in 1832, and settled seven miles east of Benton on a quarter section of land, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was very successful in his farming, and at one time owned ten thousand acres of land in this county. He died in 1858, and his wife died in 1826. He married a second time, and this wife lived until 1883. He was the father of six children, five of whom are living: Marlen, the subject of this notice; W. Henry, ex-sheriff of Yazoo county; Stephen, who lives in Texas; David, a farmer of this county; and Simon, a son of the second marriage, who lives on the old homestead. Mr. Stubblefield came to Yazoo county with his parents at the age of thirteen years, and grew up amid the scenes of

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pioneer life. At the age of twenty-four years he bade farewell to his father's home, and started out in the world for himself. He was first employed as overseer and manager of plan- tations, and by economy and good management he succeeded in saving money to invest for himself. He purchased eight hundred acres of land and four negroes. At the breaking out of the Civil war he owned twenty-five slaves and stock enough to work the whole farm. He raised all the meat and provisions, and all the supplies that could be home-made. During the war he was iu the home militia, being first lieutenant of cavalry. At the close of the war he resumed his agricultural pursuits. For the past eight years he has lived on his present farm; it consists of three hundred and twenty acres, but he has owned as high as fifteen hun- dred acres of land, which he has divided among his children. He has always taken an active part in the political affairs, and has ever been an ardent supporter of home industries. He was married August 3, 1847, to Miss Elmira McCormick, a daughter of John C. and Sarah (Dukes) McCormick, natives of Georgia. Three children have been born of this marriage who have lived to mature years, and three died in infancy. William Henry is a farmer in this county, Fountain B., resides at home, and Wyech F. lives at Benton. Mr. Stubblefield is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Farmers' Alliance. He and his wife belong to the Baptist church, and the sons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of more than ordinary experience, and is well informed on all the topics of the day. He has been identified with the growth and development of the county, and has contributed liberally of his means to all charitable purposes.

Thomas B. Stubbs was born in the state of Georgia, February 20, 1820, and is a son of Thomas B. and Catherine P. Stubbs, also natives of Georgia. His father was a merchant and planter, and before the war was possessed of great wealth. He died in 1863, at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife passed away in 1867. Both were buried in the family graveyard in Tippah county, Miss. Thomas B., Jr., is the third child and the first son of a family of fourteen. He came to Mississippi in 1841, and embarked in the mercantile trade at Holly Springs; he remained there about a year, taking his stock at the end of that time to Pontotoc, where he was but a short time; thence he moved to Carrollville, where he carried on both a mercantile and agricultural business until 1871. In that year he located in Bald- wyn, Lee county, and has devoted his time and attention to commercial interests. For four- teen years he has been postmaster, and has made a faithful and efficient officer. In August, 1852, he was married to Miss Virginia L. Marks, a native of Virginia, born August 3, 1827, and a daughter of Lewis L. and Mary Marks. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs: Sarah E .; Thomas F., who married Miss Mollie Elliott; Catherine P., deceased; Mary L., wife of Robert E. Mckinney; Edward P .; M. E., deceased; Rozelia D., deceased, and Charles H. Mr. Stubbs is a democrat, but has never aspired to public office. His first vote for president was cast for General Harrison. He is a Mason of high degree, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Stubbs, Sarah E. and Mary L. are members of the Christian church, while Thomas F. is a Baptist. The war played as serious havoc with Mr. Stubbs' fortunes as it did with so many others, but by energetic effort he has succeeded in regaining a portion of his property. He is an advocate of all enterprises that tend to the elevation of the masses, and the progress and growth of the country.

Capt. Zacheus P. Stutts, Yazoo City, Yazoo county, Miss., is the youngest of a family of five children, born November 23, 1835, to Henry and Elizabeth (Burroughs) Stutts, natives of North Carolina. The father was a wealthy planter; he died in 1852, and his wife passed away in 1848. The paternal grandparents were Jacob and Frances Stutts, of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather, Zacheus Burroughs, a very wealthy planter, was a native of North

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Carolina. Our subject was reared and educated in the place where he was born, "Moore county, N. C., and was trained to the business of planting; he has always followed this voca- tion, and is the owner of five hundred acres, two hundred being under cultivation. He also owns an interest in three thousand two hundred and eighty acres known as Tyrone plantation. He has been twice married: October 26, 1856, he was united to Mrs. R. L. Pruitt, of Ala- bama; July 13, 1886, he married Miss Josie V. Carter, of Mississippi, a daughter of R. N. and Elizabeth Carter, natives of Alabama. In 1862 he raised a company of cavalry, of which he was chosen captain; he held this position until 1864, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. In 1861 he had volunteered his services to his country but was refused admittance to the army, on account of disability. In his political opinions he adheres to the principles of the democratic party, with whose action he has been prominently connected in this county. He was twice elected a member of the board of supervisors, in 1887 and 1889, and made president of the board both times. He is now a candidate for the state legislature, and bids fair to win in the race, having received the nomination by a large majority over all his opponents. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church, and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He has been a stanch supporter of home enterprises, and has been a telling factor in the development of the county. He is honored and respected as a citizen, is kind, hospitable, and obliging as a neighbor, and an ornament to his community.

John A. Suddoth, mayor of Clarksdale and secretary and treasurer of the Clarksdale Compress and Warehouse company, is a native-born resident of Mississippi, his birth occur- ring in Chickasaw county in 1849. He was the eldest in a family of seven children born to John O. and Mildred (Taliaferro) Suddoth, the former a native of the Old Dominion and the latter of South Carolina. The father emigrated to the state of Mississippi at an early day and engaged in merchandising at Houston, Chickasaw county. In 1859 he came to Friar's Point, opened a store and became a most extensive merchant, continuing in trade until his death in 1865. He was an active citizen, and in his personal appearance was rather tall, with auburn hair and brown eyes. His people were among the prominent families of Virginia and other members of this family are now residing in Coahoma county. The mother died in 1888. Both were members of the Baptist church. John A. Suddoth was ten years of age when he came to Coahoma county, and as his educational advantages during youth were rather limited he is mainly self educated. He began clerking at an early age and followed this for a long time, continuing the same occupation after coming to Clarksdale in 1873. In 1878 he began business for himself and carried this on until early in 1890. In 1880 he was appointed the first mayor of Clarksdale, and so ably and well has he filled that position that he has been re-elected each successive year. By his marriage, which occurred in 1880, to Miss Ruby Miles, a native of Mississippi and a niece of Governor Alcorn, Mr. Suddoth became the father of four children: Ittaline, Gertrude, Marie and Norwood. He has been quite active in politics and was a member of the board of supervisors of Coahoma county from 1878 to 1881, being for two years president of that body. He is one of the leading and public-spirited citizens of Clarksdale. In all enterprises that promise to contribute to the good of Clarksdale or Coahoma county Mr. Suddoth may be counted on to take a leading part. In 1889 he was one of the organizers of the Compress and Warehouse company, and he was then elected sec- retary and treasurer of that corporation. He is the president of the Clarksdale Building and Loan association, and is a stockholder in the Clarksdale Bank and Trust company. He is the owner of considerable city property.

. John L. Sullivan, Greenwood, Miss, The subject of this notice is a native of Missis-

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sippi, and was born November 14, 1864, in Calhoun county. His father, Jesse S. Sullivan, was also a native of Mississippi, born about the year 1817; he married M. C. Baily, a daughter of Samuel Baily, and also a native of Mississippi. The father died about 1867, when John was yet a small boy; the mother is still living. John L. Sullivan is one of a family of five sons and one daughter. He spent his youth in Tallahatchie county, where he received a fair business education. In January, 1881, he came to Le Flore county. In 1883, although he had been a resident of the county but two years, he was appointed to the responsible position of deputy sheriff, serving under Mr. Terry and Captain Bashet. He did a large portion of the office work, and became familiar with all the details of the business. At the general election in 1889 he was elected sheriff of the county, and has filled the office with great credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. He is a candidate for re-election, and will in all probability succeed himself. When he came to the county he was a poor boy, his only capital being that with which nature had invested him. He has, however, used that to the best advantage, and has made his way to a position of influence in the county. Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage in Le Flore county, November 27, 1888, to Miss Ella O. Lucas, a native of Grenada, Miss., and a daughter of John O. Lucas, now deceased. Mr. Sullivan is said to be the youngest sheriff in the state of Mississippi, and is a member of the Association of Sheriffs of Mississippi, of which he is secretary, and of which A. E. Anderson, sheriff of Sunflower county, is president. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Knights of Honor. He is a young man of unusual qualifications, and extraordinary business talent. He is possessed of sterling traits of character, and there is little that may not be anticipated for a man who has made so striking a record so early in life.

Jacob Sumrall, a prominent farmer and miller of Clarke county, was born in that county November 28, 1835, the eldest of six children of Elisha Woods and Margaret (Watts) Sum- rall. His father was born while his parents were en route from North Carolina to Tennessee, in 1809, a son of Levi and Agnes (Gibson) Sumrall. He was reared to farm life, and in 1832 settled with his parents in Clarke county, the father dying in that county in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Sumrall were married in 1830, the mother having been a daughter of James and Nancy Watts. Her father was a native of South Carolina who moved to Georgia; her mother, born in South Carolina, came with her parents to Mississippi at an early day, locat- ing in Wayne county. There Mrs. Margaret Sumrall was born in 1815, and there married at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Watts was a planter all his life, and lived in Clarke county from 1836 to 1862, when he died, his wife having died the previous year. The father of our subject died in 1849. He was a life-long member, and from 1841 to the time of his death was a minister of the Baptist church. His mother is still living at the age of seventy-six, making her home with Jacob Sumrall. The six children born to this union were: Jacob, Nancy, Elisha, Elijah, John and James. Of these John, Jacob and James are living. Their maternal grandfather, James Watts, served in the Indian war. Mr. Sumrall was reared and educated in Clarke county. He entered the employ of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad company at the age of eighteen, remaining with that corporation twenty-one years, becoming one of their most trusted and popular conductors. In 1875 he resigned this position and was then engaged in farming and in the manufacture of turpentine until 1888. In 1890 he estab- lished a saw, gin and gristmill. He began to buy land in 1856 and gradually added to his possessions, until he is now the owner of about one thousand acres in Clarke county, about one-tenth of which is under cultivation. He is also largely interested in stockraising. In 1856 he married Mary, a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda (Raspberry) Sumrall, who were old residents in Clarke county, their grandparents having been pioneers in this state. Mrs.

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Sumrall was born in this county in 1837. She has presented her husband with seven chil- dren: Melissa E., now Mrs. Rogers, of this county; Gehu, a resident of Texas; Rufus W., of Clarke county; Grace E., now Mrs. Meeks, also a resident of Clarke county; Milton B., Jerusha and Laura, who are living at home. Mrs. Sumrall is a member and her family are attendants upon the services of the Baptist church. Mr. Sumrall is a successful, selfmade inan, who, while acquiring a competency for himself, has been liberal in his aid to all general interests. His public spirit is proverbial. Politically he is a democrat, a member of the Masonic order, also of the county fair committee, upon which he is active and influential.

James Surget, planter and fine stockbreeder, in Adams county, Miss., is the son of James and Catherine (Lintot) Surget. The father was born in Baton Rouge, La., in 1785, and the same year he was brought by his parents to Adams county, where he spent the bal- ance of his days as a very successful planter, accumulating all his property by push, economy and industry. He became quite wealthy. His death occurred in 1855. His wife, who was born in Adams county, died in 1838. She was the daughter of William Lintot, a native of Connecticut, in which state he married Miss Grace Mansfield, also a native of Connecticut. They came to Adams county at a very early day, passed through all the hardships of pioneer life and passed the closing scenes of their life here. He was a well-to-do planter. Peter Surget, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Rochelle, France, and while a young man came to New York, where he married Mrs. Catherine Hubbard. While there Mr. Sur- get was engaged in merchandising, trading with the West India islands. He afterward removed to Baton Rouge and from there, in 1785, he came to Adams county, where his death occurred in 1796. He was a man possessed of indefatigable will power, energy and industry. He was thoroughgoing and a very successful business man, as well as a shrewd trader. He was the father of six sons and five daughters: Peter, Jacob, Frank, William, Charles, James (father of our subject), Mrs. Jane White, Mrs. Stocker, Frances, Mrs. Catherine Char- lotte Bingaman and Catharine Pilmon. Several of these sons became successful planters. James Surget, Jr., was born in Adams county, in 1837, and was the second of three children- a son and two daughters. One of the daughters died in infancy and the other, Mrs. Kate S. Minor, is the widow of the late John Minor, who was born at the old Concord, or Governor Gayoso place, near Natchez, in 1831. The latter was educated at Natchez and later gradu- ated from Princeton college. He was married iu 1855 and spent the remainder of his days in Adams county as a prominent planter and stockbreeder. He resided at Oakland, near Natchez, but at the time of his death, which occurred in 1869, he was in New York, whither he had gone for his health. He was a son of William J. Minor, who was a son of Don Steven Minor, who was prominent in the Spanish times of Mississippi (see sketch). James Surget was educated in Adams county, and at an early age was left a handsome prop- erty by his father. This he has since managed with success, owning two fine plantations in Louisiana, viz .: Ashley and Waterloo, and four in Adams county, viz. : Featherland, in part; Cherry Grove, the home place, eight miles southeast of Natchez; Linnwood and Rokeby. For twenty years or more Mr. Surget has been extensively and successfully engaged in the breeding of fine stock, thoroughbred running horses, perhaps the best in the state, also Ayer- shire and Devon cattle, Southdown sheep and Essex hogs. One of his plantations he devotes almost wholly to the breeding and raising of stock. He was married in 1873 to Miss Cath- arine Boyd, a native of Adams county, and a lady. possessed of all the qualities that make a cultured and noble woman. She was the daughter of the late Judge S. S. Boyd, a native of Portland, Me., where he remained until a young man. He then came to Natchez and was there married to Miss Catherine C. Wilkins, a native of Adams county and still a resident of

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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 136

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