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 152

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 152

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

tion of the term for which he was elected he was again chosen to the same office, but he declined a re-election and purchased a place upon which he resided, in 1849, and engaged in farming. His original plantation contained between two and three hundred acres. He has added to it until he is now the owner of eight or nine hundred acres. Cotton and corn are the principal products. In 1849 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors, of which he was president for four years. He was married, the second time, to Miss Sarah Wright, the daughter of Elijah Wright and a native of Franklin county, Miss., and born May 10, 1818. Mr. Wade and his wife are both members of the Methodist church, of which he has been recording secretary. Mr. Wade is still vigorous, though the snows of four-score years have whitened his hair and beard. His step is light and elastic and his form is erect. He attributes being spared many of the ills of old age to his having led a temperate, careful life. He retains his mental vigor perfectly, his memory being phenomenal. He is of medium hight and build, and his eyes are as clear and bright as those of a boy. He has a bright, well-trained mind, and is strong in his convictions, and is a good reasoner. In his long career he has always enjoyed the esteem and respect of his fellowmen, and he has a wide acquaint- ance throughout the state.

W. A. Wade was born near Fayetteville, Moore county, N. C., in 1816. His father, Mark Wade, was a native of this county, and was born May 17, 1776, and was there married to Miss Celia Wright, also a native of Moore county. When Mr. Wade was about four months old, his father moved to Clarke county, Ala., where he remained about four years and engaged in farming. From this county he removed to Copiah county, Miss., in 1821, settling about five miles north of where our subject now lives, in what was then known as the Choctaw purchase. The country was then in its natural state, the nearest settlement was ten miles distant and the nearest mill was ten miles away. The Choctaw Indians were roaming about the forests and were seen almost daily. Mr. Wade took up about one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he improved and added to its area, until at the time of his death he owned five or six hundred acres. He had five children: Penelope, Nancy, Mary, Elizabeth, and W. A., our subject. Of these, only the youngest two are living. Mrs. Mark Wade died some time in the fifties, her husband dying in 1866. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. W. A. Wade was reared and educated in Copiah county, attending school whenever a teacher could be secured, at an old-fashioned, pioneer log schoolhouse. At the age of six- teen he became a clerk in a store at Gallatin, where he remained seven or eight years, when he was elected justice of peace, and served in that capacity about nine years, when he began farming. In 1843 he married Miss Elizabeth Carns, who was born in Copiah county in 1826. He began his career as a planter where he now resides, which was the homestead of his wife. He has added to his possessions here and is now the owner of a large tract of land, the prin- cipal productions being cotton, corn and potatoes; and stockraising, including horses, mules and cattle, also claims his attention. His plantation, four and one-half miles west of Hoylehurst and about one-half mile west of Gallatin, consists of three thousand four hundred and forty acres, about seventy-five per cent. of which is under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Wade have had ten children, of whom the following five are living: Mark; Nannie, the wife of J. W. Richard- son, of Texas; Mary, the widow of Capt. A. B. Lowe; William and Walter. Mr. Wade is a sensible, matter-of-fact man, strong in intellect and of retentive memory, and noted for his stern and unflinching integrity. In person, he is tall, slender, smooth shaven and is erect and as vigorous as a young man.

Daniel R. Wagner, president of the Bank of Water Valley, secretary and treasurer of

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the Yocono mills, and member of the firm of Wagner & Leland, occupies a conspicuous position in the business circles of Yalobusha county, and is more than justly entitled to a biographical sketch in this record of the leading men of the state of Mississippi. He was born in Union county, Penn., in 1840, and is a son of Andrew and Catherine Wagner, natives of Wittenberg, Germany. They were married in their native land, and soon after sailed for America, settling near Philadelphia; thence they went to Union county, Penn., and some years later returned to Philadelphia, where they died in the year 1849. Andrew Wagner, the grandfather of Daniel R., was a native of Germany; he immigrated to the United States about the same time his son came, and located in Philadelphia, where he lived the rest of his life; his death was in 1868. He reared a family of ten children, of whom Andrew, Jr., was the seventh. Daniel R. Wagner is one of a family of eight children, all of whom lived to be grown, and six of whom are yet living. He passed the greater por- tion of his youth in Philadelphia, and at the age of nineteen years he came to Mississippi. He first worked in the express office of the railway company, and at the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in company F, Fifteenth Mississippi volunteer infantry, and went to the defense of the stars and bars. Later he was with General Chalmers' escort. When General Price was retreating through Water Valley with his army, Mr. Wagner was taken prisoner and was carried to Alton, Ill., where he made his escape, going thence to Port Hudson, La .; there he rejoined the army. He was twice wounded, once at the battle of Shiloh, while his regiment was charging a battery, and on the retreat from Nashville, Tenn. After the first wound-a gunshot wound in the ankle he was transferred to the cavalry. After the surrender he settled in Water Valley, where he embarked in the mercantile trade on a very small scale, laying the foundation, however, of his future success and prosperity. The first firm was composed of W. H. Brister, W. B. Wagner and D. R. Wagner. Mr. Brister soon withdrew from the business, and the Wagner brothers built a fine two-story brick, which the firm now occupies. After several years of business success W. B. Wagner died, and D. R. Wagner became sole proprietor of the business, which had grown to immense proportions. He has, however, proven fully equal to the demand upon his judgment, tact and capacity. In 1887 Mr. Wagner was elected president of the Bank of Water Valley, a state institution, chartered under the laws of the state of Mississippi, with a cash capital of $35,000. Since he was chosen to fill this responsible position the business has increased from $18,000 to $100,000 per year. To him is also due the resuscitation of the cotton factory, which stood idle for several years. The value of this property to the city may easily be esti- mated, when it is known that seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds are used annually, and that the gross earnings amount to nearly $40,000 yearly. Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Maria G. Young, a daughter of Dr. John Young, a native of North Caro- lina and one of the oldest physicians of Water Valley. Mrs. Wagner was born and reared in Yalobusha county. She has had born to her six children: John H., assistant cashier of the Bank of Water Valley, is a graduate of the well-known Bingham school, of North Caro- lina; Jessie E., Corinne, Calista, George and Eugene. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, and are among the most zealous and liberal supporters. Mr. Wagner takes no special interest in politics further than to exercise his right of franchise; he votes the democratic ticket. The family are highly esteemed throughout the community.

George I. Wainwright, a well-known planter and the present treasurer of Clarke county, Miss., was born June 28, 1843, at Quitman, where he now resides. He is the third in a family of eight children of John V. and Martha (Risher) Wainwright. His father, a native of Mobile, was a son of Hastings Wainwright; his mother was a Singleton. The former

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passed his early life in the place of his nativity and came to this county about 1834, locating at Quitman, where he married. His mother was a daughter of James Risher, one of the earliest settlers in Clarke county, who became a prominent planter during the early period of the county's history, dying in 1858, his wife having preceded him in 1832. His father was a life-long planter, dying in 1879, his widow surviving him and living at Quitman. The father was a member of the Baptist church; his mother was connected with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. They had five children: Mary J. (who died young), Louise E., George I., James J., Sarah A., Green M. George I. Wainwright passed his early life as a farmer's boy of all work-acquiring such an education as was afforded by the public schools of the county. Before the war began he enlisted in the state's service. When war was formally declared in 1861, he re-enlisted in company B, of the fourteenth Mississippi regi- ment as a private, but was soon promoted to the rank of a sergeant. He participated in the battles at Iuka, Corinth, Vicksburg and Franklin, Tenn., where he was wounded in the right arm by a shell. He was confined in the hospital only sixteen days, and when the army left Nashville he walked from Franklin, Tenn., to Columbus, Miss. Returning to Clarke county he found employment at farming work. It was not long before he began planting for himself, and he is now the owner of quite a tract of land, located near Quitman. He is prominent as a planter; is a useful member of the Farmers' Alliance; has long been identified with the democratic party; is a Knight of Honor and a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a member. He was elected to the office of county treasurer in 1882, and has been re-elected at each election since. In March, 1866, Mr. Wainwright took unto himself a wife in the person of Mrs. Mary E. Walker, a daughter of Robert and Margins (Ezell) Walker, who is a native of Mississippi, born in the month of October, 1844, and who has had the following children: Elyett P., Leona, John A., William H., Arthur, Charles E., Edwin and Katie (who were twins).

P. M. B. Wait has served in the capacity of sheriff of Tate county, Miss., since 1881, which fact speaks volumes as to his ability, efficiency and popularity. He has made a bean ideal public official, for, besides being faithful in the discharge of every duty, he possesses undoubted courage and pluck, attributes very necessary for his calling. He was born in Greenville, S. C., the third child born to John C. and Jane A. (McCollough) Wait, who were born, reared and married in the Palmetto state, from which they moved to Mississippi in 1850, locating first in Panola county and in 1860 in Tate county. The father was called from earth in February, 1867, but is still survived by his widow, who bore him seven children, five of whom are living. P. M. B. Wait spent his youthful days in Tate county, and from here he enlisted in the Confederate service in 1862, being then but fifteen years of age. He was a member of company G, Adams' regiment of cavalry, in which he served throughout the entire war, participating in the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Jackson, Champion Hill, Port Hudson, Selma, Shiloh, Guntown, Bear Creek, Port Gibson, Coleman's Cross Roads, and Oxford, Miss., where he was wounded in the right shoulder by a minie- ball. He was mustered out of the service at Selma, Ala., May 5, 1866, after which he returned to Senatobia and engaged in planting, which he followed for some time. He was elected to his present position by the democrat party, of which he has long been a member, and, as above stated, has discharged the duties of this position in a highly satisfactory manner. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Alice Day Fuqua, a daughter of W. Y. and Martha (Brown) Fuqua. He lost his wife in 1878, after she had borne him four daughters. His second union took place in December, 1880, Mrs. Mary Stowers, widow of James Stowers, becoming his wife, her maiden name having been Matthews. This union has resulted in the

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birth of two sons. Mr. Wait is a member of the K. of H., the K. & L. of H., and the I. O. O. F. He and his wife belong to the Baptist church of Senatobia, and are highly esteemed in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Wait is a genial, whole-souled gentle- inan and has many warm friends.

Dr. James S. Walker is a gentleman who has become well known throughout the state as a practitioner of medicine and surgery, a safe and reliable banker and as a business man of sterling principles. He was born in Richmond, Ky., on the 12th of April, 1845, being the third son born to William Jason and Sarah (Stone) Walker, natives of Kentucky. The father was a merchant, planter and banker of note, and spent his entire life in Madison county, where he died in 1879, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He lived a life of useful- ness to his country and state, and his death was felt to be a great loss to the community in which he resided. His parents were William and Ann (Bates) Walker, who were of English descent, their ancestors coming from England and settling in Virginia during the colonial history of this country. The maternal grandparents, James and Katie (Harris) Stone, were also among the very early residents of Kentucky. Dr. James S. Walker was educated at Center college, Danville, Ky., and the University of Missouri, and subsequently graduated in medicine from the Jefferson Medical college of Philadelphia, Penn. He began practicing in Richmond, Ky., in 1865, but at the end of two years came to Greenville, Miss., and here was a very extensive and successful practitioner, until 1890, when he retired from practice and became president of the Merchants and Planters' Bank of Greenville. He was elected to this position in 1888, but did not take active charge until 1890. He was chief health officer of the county for about six years, but at last resigned the position, having in the meantime interested himself in planting. In addition to being a large landowner, he is a stockholder in the Delta Insurance company, of which he is also director and treasurer, and is the largest stockholder in the bank of which he is president, which has a capital of $150, - 000. Although his father was a wealthy man, he was compelled to look out for himself to a considerable extent in his youth, and it is in a great measure owing to this that while he was still young he was independent in thought and action and learned to rely upon his own

resources. Although he has not united himself with any church, he is a liberal contributor of his means to worthy enterprises, and is a man of strictly moral habits. Having come to Greenville in the days of its infancy, he passed through the yellow-fever scourge of this region in 1878. His first marriage was consummated in 1870, Miss Frances E. Dye, a native of Arkansas, and a daughter of William H. Dye, of Virginia, becoming his wife. To them one child was born: Frances, who is now residing at home. He was called upon to mourn the death of his wife in 1871, and in 1878 he was married a second time, to Miss Belle O. Blanton, who also died, in 1884, a native of Washington county, and a daughter of Dr. O. M. and Martha R. (Smith) Blanton, for a sketch of whom see Dr. Blanton's sketch. His second union also resulted in the birth of one child, Sarah Stone, who resides with her parents. In personal appearance Dr. Walker is prepossessing, has a fine physique, and handsome and intelligent grayish eyes. His conversational powers are excellent, and although dignified, he is very easy in his manners and inspires others with ease and confi- dence. He. is highly cultured, and his naturally brilliant mind has been broadened and strengthened by mingling with the world and by contact with the business affairs of life. While a practitioner of the healing art his reputation was most enviable, and his services were in demand over a very large scope of territory. As a business man, his honor has been unassailable, for any transaction not straightforward is looked upon by him with con- tempt. Being of a modest and quiet disposition, he does not seek or desire public notoriety,

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but nevertheless is deeply interested in the welfare of his county and in the wellbeing of his fellow mortals. The bank of which he is the efficient president is a prosperous one, and is situated in one of the most desirable locations in the city in a handsome building on Pop- lar street, between Washington avenue and Main street.

Hon. Joel P. Walker, a prominent lawyer of Meridian, Miss., was born in Lauderdale county, of this state, October 3, 1840, a son of John R. and Martha A. (Felton) Walker, natives of North Carolina. His father was a member of the North Carolina legislature and some of his ancestry figured quite prominently in the Revolutionary war. John R. and his brother Joel P. came to Mississippi in the year 1836 and located in Lauderdale county, where they purchased land near Lauderdale Springs. They were extensive slaveowners and everywhere noted for being mild masters. They both died in this county. John R. Wal- ker had twelve children-six sons and six daughters-of whom nine are still living. The eldest of them was the subject of this sketch, who was reared on a farm, and received his primary education in the public schools. In 1858 he entered Chapel Hill college, in North Carolina, and was a student there at the time of the capture of Fort Sumter by the Confed- erates. Being fired with a martial spirit, he immediately started for home and a few days thereafter joined the Lauderdale zouaves. He was in the fight at Leesburg, where his lieu- tenant was killed and succeeded him in that office, and later, through the influence of Colonel Barksdale and others, he was commissioned as captain, with a view to recruiting a new com- pany, but the conscription act having come into effect, this design was thwarted. He next joined the Second Mississippi cavalry and was elected second lieutenant of his company. He was captured at Oxford, Miss., with the majority of his company, and taken to Alton, Ill., and thence to Camp Chase, and thence to Baltimore, Md., being kept a prisoner for four months, when he was exchanged at Petersburg. He rejoined his regiment at Spring Hill, Tenn., and was under the command of Generals Armstrong and Forrest most of the time until the close of the war, and was himself in command of a body of men detailed to him from different brigades. After the surrender he came back to Lauderdale county, and was elected a member of the first legislature that convened after the war. He served three snc- cessive sessions and was the second youngest man in that body. While a student in college at North Carolina he had read law, and after the expiration of his legislative term he resumed his study, which he pursued diligently in connection with planting, and being duly admitted to the bar began his practice. He was district attorney under appointment by Governor Alcorn, and filled this office nntil the expiration of his term in connection with his legal practice, seeking no other official position until, in 1883, he was elected to represent his district in the state senate for a term of four years, at the expiration of which he was re-elected for another term of the same duration, and this office he accepted only at the earnest solicitation of friends. During all of his active career he figured quite prominently and had a strong influence in local and state politics, though he has followed his profession as closely as possible and devoted his attention as little as possible to public affairs, except during his terms in office, when he filled the various high positions to which he had been chosen with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. His name was strongly discussed in his district at one time as an available one for a congressional canvass. He bas many warm friends throughout the state. He is prominent in Masonic circles and is a mem - ber of the Knights of Honor. He was married in 1867 to Miss Mary Johnson, who lived but eleven months after their union. April 4, 1871, he married Miss Sallie, a daughter of Dr. Joseph M. Reynolds of Hinds county, Miss. By his first marriage he had one daughter, who is the wife of E. C. Williams. He has three sons and two daughters living by his sec-

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ond marriage: Joseph P., Hallie C., Wallace R., Paton E. and Sallie R. The family are communicants of the Episcopal church. The law firm of Walker and Hall, of which our subject is the senior member, stand deservedly high at the Mississippi bar, and are the attor- neys for the Meridian National bank of Meridian, Miss.

Hon. John A. Walker, of Walker's Bridge, Pike county, Miss., is among the substantial merchants and planters of this part of the state. He was born in Pike county, near where he now resides, May 6, 1843. His father, Hon. Elijah Walker, was a native of Georgia and was born in Lincoln county, and there he was educated and passed his early years. While yet a young man he came to Mississippi, and was married at Columbia, to Miss Hester Adams, a daughter of John Adams, one of the pioneer families. After his marriage he located in Pike county, near the present home of our subject, where he improved a plan- tation and reared a family, and passed a prosperous and commendatory life, which terminated in 1858, his widow surviving him until January, 1871, when she died at an advanced age. Mr. Walker was a prominent member of the Baptist church, with which his wife was also long identified. They were consistent Christian people, whose lives were in accordance with their professions. Mr. Walker was for a number of years a justice of the peace, and filled other local positions creditably to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow- citizens. John A. Walker is the youngest son of a family of two sons and three daugh- ters, the fourth child in the order of nativity, born to his parents. His brother, Andrew Walker, was a soldier in the Sixteenth Mississippi infantry, and died near Carterville in 1861, early in the Civil war. Our subject spent his youth in his native county, and received his primary education in the public schools near his home. In 1861 he enlisted in the Quitman guards of the Sixteenth Mississippi regiment, with which he served in the army of Virginia under Generals Lee and Jackson, participating in a num- ber of engagements, among which were those at Cross Keys and Winchester, Va., the seven days' fight around Richmond, and the second battle of Bull Run. In the last named engagement he received a gunshot wound through the leg, which disabled him from further service for six months, during which time he was in the hospital. After his recovery he returned to his regiment, and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam, Get- tysburg, the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg. He was captured by the Federals at Weldon railroad, and held a prisoner at Point Lookout, Md., until the close of the war, when he was paroled. While a prisoner, Mr. Walker attended a private school taught in the prison by Professor Morgan, of South Carolina, who was also a prisoner of war. Mr. Walker had the advantage of this fine educational opportunity for about five months before the surrender. After the close of hostilities he returned to his home in Pike county, and engaged in planting. In 1872 Mr. Walker built a store, and engaged in merchandising at his present location. He embarked in this trade in a small way, and his progress has been such that he has since not only had to frequently increase his stock, but also to build additions to his place of business. His sales now reach $75,000 annually. As a matter of historical interest it may be stated that he was the first one engaged in merchandising at this point. A busi- ness man of superior ability and a skillful manager of affairs, Mr. Walker has acquired a fine property, and now ranks among the wealthy men of Pike county. He has ever taken an active interest in politics, and has always supported the principles and candidates of the democratic party. He has held several local offices, having served as a magistrate and as a member of the board of supervisors for eight consecutive years and as a delegate to the county and state conventions, and to him is given the honor of having cast for Pike

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county the vote for Governor Stone. At this time, August 8, 1891, Mr. Walker is a candi- date for representative of Pike county in the lower house of the legislature. He is a man of ability and unquestioned honor, and if elected to represent the county, will do so with dignity and credit. Mr. Walker was married in Pike county, in 1866, to Miss Mollie McGe- hee, daughter of S. C. McGehee, a prominent and influential man and a member of one of the leading families of Mississippi. He is an active member of the Masonic order and of the K. of P., in both of which he has been connected officially.

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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 152

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