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 137

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 137

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).

869

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Natchez. She is an accomplished and refined lady. Judge Boyd was a lawyer of great ability and of widespread reputation. In his death the state lost one of its brightest legal lights.

Capt. Micajah Surratt (deceased) was a prominent lawyer, a prosperous merchant and a very successful farmer, of Prentiss county, Miss. He was born in Alabama, graduated from the North Bend, Indiana, school, and became the husband of Miss Amanda Surrell, a native of Georgia. They became the parents of one child, Thomas, who was killed in war. Mr. Surratt was elected to the legislature from Tishomingo county a number of terms, before the war. He was a secessionist, and when the war came he volunteered in the spring of 1861 as a private in the Second Mississippi regiment infantry, under Colonel Faulkner, and B. B. Boone as lieutenant-colonel. He was promoted in the latter part of 1861 to regimental quartermaster, and continued to serve in that capacity until the surrender. He was in the campaign of Virginia, and was a true man to the cause he fought so bravely to defend, hold- ing the love and esteem of all by his many noble qualities of mind and heart. After the war he was appointed express agent at Booneville for the Mobile & Ohio railroad, and at the same time carried on a large merchandising business in that place. He was also quite deeply interested in agricultural pursuits in Prentiss county. He practiced law before the war, but after that eventful period abandoned it, preferring to pass the remainder of his days as a planter and merchant. His death occurred on his farm in Prentiss county and he was interred at Booneville. Mrs. Surratt is still living, and resides with her sister, Mrs. Fannie Cobb, near Athens, Clarke county, Ga. She is a member of the Methodist church, and he also held membership in the same. Mr. Surratt was a distant relative of Mrs. Surratt, who was hanged for conspiracy in the assassination of President Lincoln. Mr. Surratt reared a number of homeless children, and was one of the kindest and most hospitable of men. His doors were ever open to the distressed and needy, and a warm welcome was accorded to one and all.

Samuel R. Swain is a South Carolinian, born in 1838, but since his boyhood he has been a resident of the state of Mississippi. His father, William B. Swain, was born in the Pal- metto state in 1811, was a planter by occupation and followed this calling in Mississippi and Texas, moving to the last named state in 1871, passing from life in Hunt county in 1887. His wife was formerly Miss Susan Williams, of South Carolina, and two years prior to the death of her husband was called to her long home. The paternal grandmother was a Miss Ray, a native of Ireland, and the maternal grandfather was John B. Williams, of Scotland, who became a planter after becoming a subject of Uncle Sam. The wife of the latter was Drucilla Jolinson, also of Scotland. In the common schools of the state of Mississippi Sam- uel R. Swain was educated, and in the year 1863 began an independent career. Being a warm supporter of the Confederate cause, he, with youth's enthusiasm, enlisted in company D, First Mississippi light artillery, afterward participating in the battle and siege of Vicks- burg, the engagements at Mobile and Pensacola, and a number of skirmishes. He was mar- ried in 1860 to Miss Harriet A. Sales, a native of South Carolina, and a daughter of William M. Sales, also of that state, whose wife was Janes A. Guffin. To Mr. and Mrs. Swain a fam- ily of six children were born: William B., Mary Ray, Jennie Olivia, Nettie Arthur, Alonzo Paul and Sally. Mr. Swain has devoted his life to the occupation of planting, and now owns a half interest in six thousand three hundred acres of land, two thousand acres of which are under cultivation, and one thousand five hundred acres in woodland. On Walnut bayou he has one thousand four hundred acres of land, and of this one thousand and fifty acres are cultivated, three hundred and fifty acres being woodland. Mr. Swain is an excellent finan- cier, is very practical in his views, and keeps fully apace with the progress of his adopted

870

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

calling in every particular, and, as a reward, is in affluent circumstances. He is Much esteemed by all his acquaintances, and is especially liked by his farm hands. In the occupa- tion of planting he is connected with Capt. W. W. Stone, the present auditor of the state of Mississippi, and on their largest plantation they principally employ convict labor. Mr. Swain is an affable and pleasant gentleman, and as a conversationalist is intelligent and enter- taining.

Henry Clay Swayze, planter and stockraiser residing on Fairview plantation, is a descend- ant of old and honored families on both sides of the house. He was born near Kingston, Miss., in 1830, and his father, Solomon Swayze, was born in the same neighborhood on July 4, 1777. Solomon was married, in 1825, to May Onstard (nee Boyd), a native of North Carolina, born on May 3, 1792, and they passed the closing scenes of their lives in Kingston neighborhood, Mr. Swayze dying on September 7, 1833, and his wife in 1854. Mr. Swayze was the first American child born in the settlement. He was educated at home, and although he started out for himself with limited means he became quite a wealthy planter. He was the son of Richard Swayze, who came from New Jersey with a brother, Samuel, in 1772 and a colony of about thirty families settled on the Mandamns grant, which consisted of about twenty-five thousand acres, made by the English government to Capt. John Ogden. Samuel Swayze was a local Congregational minister and an active and prominent man. They left many descendants, and at one time there were twenty of the Swayzes in Kingston precinct. Grandfather Boyd came with his family from Tennessee down the river on a flatboat and settled on what is known as Boyd's lake, near Hutchins' landing, where Mr. Boyd became quite an extensive planter and where he probably spent his last days. Solomon Swayze was married twice, first to Elizabeth Carter, who was of the colony, and two children were born of this marriage: Richard and William Swayze; and his second marriage was to the mother of our subject, who had also been previously married to Morris Custard, who was one of the Swayze colony too. Henry Clay Swayze is the youngest of three sons living: Benjamin F., a planter of Wilkinson county, and Alexander Montgomery, a planter of Adams county. Henry Clay secured a fair education in Brighton, Adams county and was married in 1861, to Miss Catherine I., daughter of Hardy and Missouri (Thomas) Lajourner, the father born in the Palmetto state and the mother in Tennessee. Mr. Lajourner was a brickmason by trade, and also followed the occupation of a planter. He left four sons and four daughters, his daughter Catherine having been born in Adams county. To Mr. and Mrs. Swayze and wife were born twelve children, six sons and three daughters now living. For fifty years Mr. Swayze has lived on the old Mandamus plantation, and now has five hundred and thirty-three acres, with about four hundred and fifty acres cleared. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. fraternity, Harmony Lodge No. 1, for many years, and is a respected and law-abiding citizen.

H. S. Swayze, planter and dealer in livestock, Evans, was born in Yazoo county, in 1842, and has passed all his life within the borders of this county. He received his education in the common schools, and was trained to agricultural pursuits. In 1862 he entered the Con- federate service, enlisting in company B, Withers' artillery. He was in the siege at Vicks- burg, and at Port Hudson he was taken prisoner; was paroled and exchanged, and at Mobile was again captured and held until the surrender; he was taken to Ship island, where he passed many weary days until the release came. In 1866 he was wedded to Miss Jennie Handley, a daughter of Sebourn and Elizabeth (Stubblefield) Handley. When he began .

farming on his own account he had three hundred and twenty acres of land. By wise management and habits of industry he succeeded admirably, and to-day is the owner of twelve hundred and twenty acres, all of which is well improved, and one-half under excellent

871

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

cultivation. He gives special attention to the breeding and raising of fine horses, and has made a record in this branch of husbandry. He takes an active part in local politics, and is a member of the democratic county committee. He is an honored member of the Knights of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Swayze are the parents of seven children: Josephine, wife of James D. McKie, of Yazoo county ; Hayes, a student of medicine under Dr. Blundle; Lizzie, Nathan, Hardy, Clayton and Katie. The father and mother are consistent members of the Midway Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Swayze has been steward of this society for six- teen years, and has always contributed generously to the support of religious and educational movements in the community. His parents, Richard and Mary E. (Sojourner) Swayze, belonged to the earliest and most prominent of Yazoo county families.

Among the legal practitioners of Montgomery county, Miss., stands the name of Capt. David L. Sweatman, whose long residence here and his intimate association with the various affairs of importance have gained for him an extensive acquaintance. He was born in Han- cock connty, Miss., on the 25th of December, 1832, and is the son of D. L. and Penelope (Jolly) Sweatman, both natives of Georgia and she a daughter of Peter Jolly. Mr. Sweat- man located in the southern part of the state, on the coast, in 1825, and there he resided until his death, when Capt. David L. was but a child. After the death of her husband Mrs. Sweatman returned to Alabama. Capt. David L. Sweatman grew to mature years in Ala- bama, received a good education in the private schools, and when a young man returned to Mississippi. There he taught school in Noxubee and Winston counties for some time, and subsequently read law with Gen. W. F. Brantley, at Greensboro. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar and afterward formed a partnership with General Brantley, which continued until the death of the latter in 1871. During the late unpleasantness between the North and South, Captain Sweatman entered the Confederate army in 1861, Fifteenth Mississippi regiment infantry, and after serving with the same about two years and a half, on the reorganization of his regiment he was made first lieutenant of company D. After a year and a half with this regiment he was transferred to the quartermaster department, and the following years he was quartermaster of his regiment with the rank of captain. After this he joined General Brantley and served on his staff until the close of the war, following that general in the varied fortunes of the soldier until the surrender. He participated in a number of important engagements: Shiloh, where he received two wounds and was disabled for some time; Vicksburg; and at Baker's Creek, where he was with Long's division, and with him made his escape. He also participated in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Resaca. After termination of hostilities Captain Sweatman formed a law partnership with Judge Williamson, now circuit judge of this judicial district, and this partnership con- tinued until the appointment of Mr. Williamson as chancery judge. The Captain then formed a partnership with Walter Trotter, and this has since continued. They have a good law practice, and have had a number of important criminal and civil cases. Captain Sweatman has been the attorney for the Illinois Central railroad for a number of years, and stands at the head of his profession in that part of the state. He has been quite active in politics, and has ever given his support to the principles of the democratic party, but he has never been an aspirant for office. He was first married in Choctaw county, Miss., in 1867, to Miss Mary Peebles, a native of Choctaw county, Miss., and the daughter of Alpha Peebles. She was educated in Alabama, was a devoted wife and mother, and was a con- sistent member of the Methodist church. She died in 1881. There were born two children to this union, both daughters: Mary A. and Davis, both attending the Female institute at Jackson, Tenn. Captain Sweatman's second marriage occurred in 1882, to Mrs. Mary E.

872

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

Kittrell, a native of Georgia, but who was reared in Mississippi, receiving her education principally at Jackson. Mrs. Sweatman has four children by a former marriage and they are nearly all grown. This family are members of the Methodist church. Captain Sweat- man is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue lodge, chapter and council, and has repre- sented his lodge in the grand lodge at different times. He is a member of the Bench and Bar association.

James M. Switzer has been a resident of Bolivar county, Miss., almost from the time of its formation, and is one of its substantial and progressive planters. He was born in Mont- gomery county, Ind., September 8, 1831, the fourth in a family of eight children, born to John and Mary (Randolph) Switzer, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia. John Switzer was a mechanic by trade, which occupation he followed all his life. His father was a native of Germany, and came to America at a very early day, identifying himself with the interests of his adopted country, and proving a useful, progressive and highly honorable citizen of the state of Kentucky, where he finally located. The maternal grand- parents were Virginians, in which state their ancestors settled in colonial times. In the year 1845 James M. Switzer became a resident of the state of Mississippi, but prior to this was educated in the public schools of the state of Indiana. Upon his arrival in the state of Mississippi, he had little or no means, but by close application to business, he soon began to accumulate some means, and now his property, which is value at about $8,000, all the result of earnest, persistent and determined effort. He has two hundred acres of fine land, of which one hundred and fifty acres are under cultivation, besides a valuable amount of personal prop- erty, and is one of the substantial citizens of this section. In 1854 he was married to Miss Sarah Betty, by whom he became the father of nine children, three of whom are living at the present time: Alice F., Charles H. and Hattie D. Mr. Switzer has always thoroughly identified himself with the South, and when the late war opened, espoused the Confederate cause, and in 1862 became a member of the Forrest Scouts, under General Forrest, and was in active service until General Lee's surrender, proving himself a courageous, faithful and competent soldier. Upon his return home he commenced to upbuild the fortunes of his family, and his labors have placed them beyond the reach of want. He is beloved and popu- lar throughout the section in which he resides for his many worthy traits, and his kindness and simplicity of manner. He is an excellent neighbor, a faithful friend, and has proved himself a thorough gentleman and Christian in his walk through life.

Col. E. T. Sykes, of Columbus, is one of the foremost attorneys of Lowndes county, Miss. For nearly twenty years he has been associated in the practice of law with Capt. W. W. Humphries, under the firm name of Humphries & Sykes, and is in command of a large client- age. He was born in Decatur, Ala., March 15, 1838, and is a son of Richard and Martha A. Sykes, who were natives of Greenville county, Va., and cousins, the maiden name of Martha being likewise Sykes. The family connection was a large one. About the year 1834, the first of the name moved to Decatur, Morgan county, Ala., where in a few years all of the immediate family connection had moved and become extensive planters, as they had been in Virginia. In a few years thereafter, the Sykeses had also become large owners of the rich prairie land; in Lowndes and Monroe counties, Miss., and by 1842 most of the name had removed to the latter state, taking up their residence in Columbus and Aberdeen, Richard settling in Columbus. The Sykeses were among the first settlers of this section, and all of them became extensive and prosperous cotton planters, and though they lost quite heavily by the results of the war, they were nevertheless in good circumstances at its close. Richard, the father of Col. E. T., died December 19, 1870. His wife, who died September 4, 1866,

873

MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

bore him ten children, only three of whom are now living, viz .: Col. E. T. and Dr. R. L., of Columbus, and Dr. W. S., of West Point, Miss. The eldest of the ten children, Maj. A. J. Sykes, died in Aberdeen, Miss., on September 14, 1882, leaving, as his widow, Mrs. Georgia A. Sykes, one of the most accomplished ladies of the state, and four promising children; the eldest of whom, and who bore his name, has since died, while attending the law department at the Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn. He also left a large estate, which has been successfully managed by his widow and eldest son, Clifton R. Sykes. Richard Sykes, a great-uncle of Capt. E. T. Sykes, was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and was killed in one of its battles. Colonel James, a maternal uncle of the subject of this sketch, was a colonel in the War of 1812. E. T. Sykes was reared and obtained his early education in Columbus, Miss., but in 1858 he graduated from the literary department of the University of North Carolina, after which he became a law student in the University of Mississippi, at Oxford, from which he graduated in June, 1860. On March 27, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. George Lipscomb's company, which responded to the first call for troops by the president of the Confederacy, and as color bearer of the company left on same day for service at and near Tuscola, Fla., under Gen. Braxton Bragg, Confederate States army. He was soon after pro- inoted to the position of adjutant of his regiment, in which capacity he served until after the battle of Shiloh, when he was made captain of company K, Tenth Mississippi infantry, and so continued until after the campaign in Kentucky in November, 1862, at which time E. C. Walthall was made brigadier-general, and Captain Sykes was commissioned and assigned to duty upon his staff as adjutant-general. He remained on General Walthall's staff as adju- tant-general until June, 1864, when, and during the Georgia campaign, he was transferred to W. H. Jackson's division of cavalry, with which he served as division adjutant-general until the close of the war. Upon the cessation of hostilities he returned to Columbus, Miss., and once more entered upon his legal practice, where, in 1883, his knowledge of his profession, and his popularity with all classes, led him to be elected to the state senate, in which body he served with distinction and honor for a term of four years. He is one of the leading attor- neys of the state, is an able, forcible and eloquent speaker, is wise in counsel, cool in judg- ment, and is well qualified in every way to become eminent at the bar. He is a Knight Tem- plar, is past grand chancellor in the K. of P., which order he has represented in the supreme lodge, and is also a member of the K. of H. He has been an ardent friend and promoter of all public enterprises, and his zeal and influence in everything affecting the general weal, either of his city, county or state, has given him a wide and popular reputation. On Novem- ber 16, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Callie, daughter of Col. Isham Harrison, who was killed July 14, 1864, at the battle of Harrisburg, Miss., and Julia R., daughter of ex-Gov. James Whitfield, of Columbus. Of five Harrison brothers, two, viz. : James and Thomas, of Waco, Tex., were brigadier-generals of cavalry; Richard, a twin brother of Isham, was colonel of infantry, and Moses K., a brigade surgeon. Colonel and Mrs. Sykes have four children, viz .. Isham H., who is married to Miss Lida Williams, of Greenville, Miss .; Julia T., wife of William B. Hamilton; Augusta J., and E. T., Jr. Although Colonel Sykes has all the while been interested in planting, he never gives his farming interest his personal attention, but devotes his time exclusively to his profession. He is and has been for several years a member of the city council, is adjutant-general of the Grand Camp of Confederate veterans of Mississippi, and he and his accomplished wife are worthy church members-he of the Methodist and she of the Baptist.

Capt. Thomas B. Sykes, attorney at law, Aberdeen, Miss., was born in Decatur, Ala., in May, 1834. He was the son of Dr. William A. and Rebecca J. (Barrett) Sykes, who were

874

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

natives of Virginia. Both the great-grandfather and the grandfather were patriotic soldiers of the Revolutionary war. The parents of Captain Sykes emigrated to Virginia in 1830 and to Monroe county in 1844, where they purchased a plantation. The father was a physician, being a graduate of a medical college in Philadelphia, but after coming to Mississippi, he gave up his practice and devoted himself exclusively to planting. He died in 1873 and his wife died in 1850. Only five of his ten children are living, viz. : Thomas B., Mrs. R. J. Morgan (of Memphis), Capt. E O., Mrs. Paulina Cunningham and Dr. W. G. Captain Sykes was but nine years of age on coming to Mississippi, where he lived the life of a farmer's boy, going regularly to school; afterward he attended the University of Mississippi, where he graduated in 1854. He immediately entered the law department at Lebanon, Tenn., gradu- ating in 1856. In the fall of that year he went to Leavenworth, Kas., in time to see the bloody scenes enacted in the border warfare which tore that state almost asunder. He prac- ticed his profession in Kansas till 1861, also acting as agent for the Delaware tribe of Indians for the last two years of his stay there. In May, 1861, he returned to Mississippi and enlisted in company B, of the Twentieth Mississippi regiment. He went out as lieutenant and was promoted as captain of the company, but was soon transferred to the adjutant-general's department, serving as inspector of infantry; he was again transferred to Jackson's division of cavalry, where he remained till the surrender. He took an active part in all the engage- ments of the Tennessee army. He was captured at Fort Donelson, and kept a prisoner for six months, principally at Johnson's island. He was selected from this prison as a delegate to meet delegates from other prisons to arrange about making an exchange of prisoners. Fifty in all were chosen, but this number being considered too large, it was cut down to nine by General Wood. Captain Sykes was one of the nine, and going to Richmond, brought about the only general exchange of prisoners that took place during the war. After the close of the war he returned to Aberdeen, Miss., where he farmed for two years and then resumed the practice of his profession. He has been the recipient of many honors at the hands of his townsmen, being twice elected to the office of the mayoralty of Aberdeen. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church with his entire family for years, and the superintendent of its Sunday-school for eighteen years; president of the board of stewards, and president of the board of trustees for ten years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Honor, and Knights and Ladies of Honor. In February, 1865, he was married to Miss Maria H. Jones, of Hinds county, Miss. They have two daughters: Corinne and Mary D. He and his charming family live a quiet life on the plantation his father bought so many years ago, and where he died. It is one of the oldest and also one of the most beautiful places in Aberdeen. One of the most attractive and endearing features of the place are the magnificent groves of magnolia trees which were planted by the mother's hands so long ago, and which serve to keep her ever in fragrant remembrance.

Dr. William G. Sykes, of the firm of Clopton & Sykes, fire insurance agents of Aberdeen, was born in Monroe county in 1845, the son of Dr. William A. and Rebecca J. Sykes. Dr. W. A. Sykes, the elder, was born in Northampton county, Va., where he was married and moved to Decatur, Ala., and about 1842 came to Monroe county and settled on the prairie, seven miles southwest of Aberdeen, where he died in 1873, his wife having died in 1850. Both were devout members of the Methodist church. After the death of his first wife Dr. Sykes was married, a second time, to Miss S. A. Hobson, of Columbus, Miss. Dr. Sykes was a farmer's lad and received his common-school education in his native state, afterward graduating from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and practiced medicine with great success till he moved to Aberdeen, when he retired from active life and devoted

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 137

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