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 159

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 159

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F. M. Weed, agent for the Louisville & Nashville railroad at Ocean Springs, Miss., is a native of New England, born in the state of Vermont in 1850. He is a son of Judge F. A. Weed, of Burlington, Vt. Believing the West afforded greater opportunities for the rising generation, our subject went to Texas in his early manhood and engaged in cattle and sheepraising. Finding the frontier life extremely severe, he determined to return to his home and re-enter school. This he did, and was graduated from the high school of Hines- burg, Vt. He then secured a situation with a railway company, and has since been devoted to this business. For fourteen years he has been in the employ of the Louisville &

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Nashville railroad company, stationed during this period at Ocean Springs, Jackson county, Miss. No higher tribute could be paid to him than the fact of his being kept in charge of the business at this point for so great a length of time. He has been faithful to the inter- ests of his company and has never shirked a duty. He is a master of all the details of the business, and is well worthy of the confidence which his employers repose in him. Polit- ically he is an uncompromising democrat. He was chairman of the last county convention, and is chairman of the present senatorial convention, comprising Hancock, Jackson and Har- rison counties. In all the deliberations of that body his counsel is sought and his opinions carry conviction. He is one of the most promising men in political circles in Jackson county, and a bright future is predicted for him. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he holds a high official position. Mr. Weed was united in marriage to Miss Alice A. Lyon, of St. Albans, Vt.

Robert S. Weir, Vaiden, Miss. Among the pioneers to settle in Carroll county, Miss., was the family of Dr. H. H. Weir. The Doctor was a native of Virginia, and was educated in his native state, graduating from the Washington college, now Washington and Lee uni- versity, and from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. He was married to Jane T. Steele, also a Virginian. He settled in Carroll county about the year 1834, when Indians were numerous, and wild animals roamed at will. The tavern at which he boarded was not graced with a door, and at night a barricade was made of tables and other furniture to keep out the beasts of the field. When, finally, the Doctor built a residence with the lux- uries of planed floors and doors, some of the settlers said he was stuck up and was putting on airs. The territory in which he practiced covered many miles. He was very successful in his practice, and won many warm friends. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church, and served as an elder in the same. He was very liberal in his support of the church, and gave generously to all charitable purposes. He died in Carroll county, Miss., in 1858. His wife survived him many years; her death occurred in 1881.

Robert S. Weir, son of the above, is one of a family of five sons and one daughter. One brother died just as he reached maturity; one died at the age of fifteen years. Of the living members, one brother, William Weir, is a merchant in Texas; Rush C. is a successful drug- gist at Vaiden; the sister, Ophelia, is the widow of Samuel T. Lockhart. The two brothers are unmarried, and they, with the widowed sister and her daughter, constitute a happy family. They have a beautiful home in Vaiden. Robert S. was educated at the University of Oxford, and was graduated from that institution in the year 1858. He entered the Confed- erate army in 1861, enlisting in the First Mississippi cavalry as a private. After a year and a half he was transferred to the commissary department, in which he served until the close of the war. He then returned to Carroll county, and in 1865 he engaged in the drug business in Vaiden. In a few years he disposed of his interest, selling to his brother, who still con- tinues the business. He then embarked in the general mercantile trade, and carries a large and well-selected stock of goods. He is one of the solid, substantial men of Carroll county. He is generous and accommodating to his patrons, is of the highest moral character, and is justly esteemed one of the leading citizens of the county.

William S. Weissinger, M. D., Hernando, Miss. In reviewing the lives of those men in the three great professions, ministry, medicine and law, none command greater respect than the members of the medical fraternity. It may well be doubted if any one enters so fully into the soul life of another as he whose care is for its vehicle, the body. William S. Weissinger, one of the most honored physicians of the state of Mississippi, was born in Car- roll county, Miss., June 17, 1847, and is the third of a family of ten children. His parents,

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Alexander and Cordelia (Strong) Weissinger, were born and reared in Perry county, Ala. The father came to Mississippi about the year 1846, and located at old Middleton. In the latter days of his life he engaged in planting. Before the war he was a large owner of slaves, and hired his negroes out. He enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861, being a member of the Fourth Mississippi regiment. He served until the close of the conflict, and passed from this life in 18 -. His father was a very wealthy planter, and for thirty-three years was a member of the legislature of Alabama. He and his two brothers emigrated from Ger- many to this country, landing at Charleston, S. C., near which point they settled. The maternal grandparents were George J. and Caroline (Nall) Strong, natives of Georgia and North Carolina, respectively. Theirs was a family of agriculturists, and commanded vast wealth; they were of English extraction. Dr. Weissinger was reared in Carroll county, Miss., and there received his education. In 1863 he enlisted in the service of his country, and served until the declaration of peace. He was a member of Captain Dun's company of state troops under Gen. J. Z. George, and was afterward in the Vaiden artillery, First Mississippi regiment. He was at Meridian at the time of the surrender. When the oppor- tunity came to settle to more peaceful occupations the Doctor began teaching school, reading medicine during his leisure hours. After pursuing this plan for two years he attended a course of lectures at Louisville, Ky., and in 1869 he began the practice of his profession in De Soto county. After two years he received the degree of M. D. from the Tulane Med- ical college, of Louisiana. He has devoted his efforts to a thorough understanding of the science, and has been a close student of all advanced methods of treatment. He has built up a large and profitable practice, and takes a front rank among his brothers. He is the first vice president of the Tri-State Medical association of Mississippi, Arkansas and Ten- nessee, and is now serving his second term in this office. During three terms he was presi- dent of the De Soto County Medical association. The Doctor was united in marriage in 1872, to Mrs. L. A. Holmes, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Raiford and Harriet (Boone) Whitley. Her father was from Kentucky, and the mother, a descendant of Daniel Boone, was born in North Carolina. Dr. and Mrs. Weissinger are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He belongs to the Knights of Honor, and is the medical examiner of the fraternity at Hernando. In addition to his professional duties he conducts a considerable amount of planting; he owns eleven hundred and eighty acres of land, eight hundred of which are in a high state of cultivation. He also owns his residence and office. The Weis- singer family is well known for the strict integrity and uprightness of its members. Many have been men of talent and ability, notably George J. Weissinger, an uncle to the Doctor, who was junior editor of the Louisville Journal with George D. Prentice, and who wrote some of the ablest articles that ever appeared in that publication. Two of the Doctor's brothers were faithful soldiers in the late war. Although Dr. Weissinger has made a great deal of money in his practice, he has been a liberal supporter of all worthy enterprises, and is exceedingly benevolent. The poor and needy and less fortunate always find in him the most generous aid and sympathy, and he is beloved both by his patrons and the citizens of his county.

John R. Weissinger, one of the selfmade men and a prosperous planter of Coahoma county, Miss., was born in Carroll county, Miss., December 4, 1857, being the eighth of ten children born to Alexander and Cordelia S. (Strong) Weissinger, both native Alabamians. Alexander L. Weissinger became a resident of the state of Mississippi about the year 1849, and in Carroll county was engaged in planting until his death, in 1865. He was of German descent and a worthy and respected citizen. John R. Weissinger was reared in Mississippi,

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and was educated in the public schools of this state and at Oxford, aud upon leaving school he began for himself as a planter in Montgomery county, later in Le Flore county, and then in Coahoma county. In 1889 he opened a hardware house in Clarksdale, and has since done an annual business of about $35,000, his stock of goods being valued at about $15,000. He owns his business house, which is one of the best in the city, and in addition to his mercantile establishment operates three hundred and seventy-five acres of land. Upon starting out to make his own way in the world he had no means, but through his own per- severance and industry he has been very successful, and is now wealthy. He is eminently a selfmade man, for in addition to earning his own living and caring for his mother, he has educated himself, and is a remarkably well-informed and intelligent gentleman. His prop- erty has not been the result of speculation, but has been the result of hard and persistent endeavor, and the accumulations of many years. Notwithstanding his success as a man of business, he is modest and unassuming, but possesses sufficient confidence to at all times rely upon his own judgment and to think for himself. Socially he belongs to the K of H. and the K. of P., in both of which organizations he holds official position. He was married in 1886 to Mrs. Julia Stone, a native of Mississippi and a daughter of John J. and Matilda W. (Allen) Fort, both of whom were born in Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Weissinger three children have been born: John Fort (deceased), John Robert and Julia Cordelia. Mr. Weissinger has cared for his mother for a great many years, and is a devoted son as well as a faithful and considerate husband and father. His father, with three brothers, served in the Confederate army until the close of the war; were gallant defenders of the Confederacy, the former being an officer of rank.

Dr. Jacob P. Welch. The earliest member of the Welch family of whom authentic history is known, lived near the Welsh border in England over two hundred years ago. Jacob Welch, the great-great-grandfather of Dr. J. P. Welch, was born in England in 1662 in sight of the Welsh mountains. He was the first of the family to attempt a settlement in the new world, but his religious belief was very dear to him and on account of the persecution he was compelled to undergo he sought a home for himself and family in the, then, wilds of America, locating near Richmond, Va., about 1690. He reared five sons, of whom Dempsey, the youngest, was the great-grandfather of Dr. Welch of this sketch. Dempsey Welch was born on the old homestead in Virginia and his posterity, and that of his four brothers, are residents of the Western and Southern states. He was married to Miss Priscilla Perry, a near relative of Oliver Hazzard Perry and James Lawrence of naval fame. After his marriage he moved to South Carolina and later to Georgia, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1792. Together with his sons he fought throughout the Revolutionary war, willingly offering his life for the country he loved. He left a family of five sons and two daughters, Jacob Welch, who was probably his eldest son, being born about 1740 and died about 1807. He was of very handsome and commanding presence, possessed elegant and courtly manners, being, in fact, a gentleman of the old school. He has three sons and five daughters. His son Warren was born in 1780 in Johnson county, N. C., and was exceptionally gifted in the use of the violin, handling the king of instruments with a skill that was the admiration of all. He was married to Miss Mary McCullers on Christmas day, 1805, after which he settled in Burke county, Ga. When the War of 1812 came up he enlisted in the service, and after it was over he removed to Warren county, Ga., later to Lawrence county of the same state and finally to Wilkinson county, Ga. In 1815 he removed his family on packhorses to Montgomery, Ala. (then called New Philadelphia), and after- ward floated on a barge to Monroe, Ala., where he remained a few months, afterward

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removing to Amite county, Miss., and years later to the state of Louisiana. In January, 1821, he returned to Alabama in order to make arrangements to remove to that state. His wife was a noble woman of rare attainments, was a model wife, mother and friend, and was a devoted Christian. She died in St. Francisville, La., in 1821, only a few days after the departure of her husband for Alabama. Her children soon found homes with different families throughout the neighborhood and after the death of their father, which occurred in Monroe county, Ala., in 1832, they were compelled to fight the battle of life for themselves single handed. Dr. Jacob Perry Welch, the eldest child, was born in Burke county, Ga., in 1807, and with the seven other members of his parents' family, was given the advantages of the common schools in his youth, and was reared on a farm. Dr. Welch has inherited his father's taste for music, and in early life was quite famous as a violinist. In 1836 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsyl- vania, after first studying with Dr. Wimberly of Twiggs county, Ga. After finishing his medical studies he began practicing in Jefferson county, Ga., and was soon after invited by Dr. Stokes, of Cool Springs, Ga., to engage in a copartnership, which lasted one year. Dr. Welch then located in Washington county, Ga., and during the year and a half that he remained there he built up a good practice. He next went to Saundersville, of the same county, where he also obtained a good practice and remained until 1851, since which time he has been a resident of Lauderdale county, Miss., a period of forty years, having during that entire time been a resident of his present homestead. He successfully followed his profession until age and its attendant infirmities demanded his retirement in 1870. He has been an agriculturist the most of this time also and has, at different times, owned over four thousand acres of good land. He arose to eminence in his profession, for he believed in the old saying that what was worth doing at all was worth doing well, and this seemed to have been his motto through life, for he showed sound judgment in everything in which he engaged. He was married July 14, 1840, to Miss Martha S. Whitaker of Georgia, by whom he has had twelve children: Mary C., Warren P., William Thomas, George W., Sarah C., Jacob W., Martha S., Samuel W., Eugenia A. and James M. Two children died in infancy. Four children are married and five are living. The Doctor is a Mason of over fifty years' standing, in which he has attained to the chapter. He has been a member of the Missionary Baptist church for thirty-seven years, being baptized with his daughter, Mary C. Dr. Welch was at one time a candidate for legislative honors, and was defeated by only one vote, although he was prevented by sickness from making the canvass. He is benevolent, charitable, and has always been a patron of education. He is in every sense of the term a selfmade man, and throughout life has been the soul of honor, never owing a cent that he did not pay.

James N. Welch was born in Covington county, Miss., and there grew to maturity. He is the only child born of the union of Caleb and Susan (Robertson) Welch. Caleb Welch was born in Covington county, Miss., near the plantation he occupied for so many years, in 1829. He received a limited education, and was trained to the vocation of farming. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted, but was soon discharged on account of disability; he re-enlisted twice afterward, but with the same result. He was then commissioned to look after the families of soldiers. This office he performed faithfully, and with the greatest consideration and kindness. In 1870 he was appointed treasurer of the county, as a democrat, and held the position until the impeachment of Governor Ames. After that he was elected for one term. He died in 1885. His parents, James and Martha (Hill) Welch, were natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively. They reared a family of twelve children, and

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lived to a ripe old age. Their last days were spent in Covington county, Miss. Susan (Robertson) Welch was a daughter of Norval Robertson, a native of Georgia, born in 1797. He removed to Mississippi at an early day, and was one of the pioneer ministers of the gospel. He was a preacher for forty five years, and for forty-four years was pastor of one church. He died in Lawrence county, Miss., in the eighty-second year of his age. He was a man of unusual ability, and of marked force of character. He wrote a little work on parliament- ary law, and was the author of a little work, entitled The Church Member's Hand-Book of Theology. The latter had a wide circulation, and reached a second edition. James N. Welch, at the age of twenty-two years, was married to Miss Anise Rogers, a daughter of Timothy Rogers, of Covington county. Since his marriage he has devoted his time to farm- ing and milling. He owns eleven hundred acres of land. He has been a member of the Missionary Baptist church from his twenty-fourth year, and a deacon since 1880. He has four living children, and is highly in favor of progress in education, and all other progressive moves.

B. R. Wells has been a resident of Hinds county, Miss., all his life, for here he was born on the 8th of September, 1838. He is the fourth child born to William and Mary (Wade) Wells, the former of whom was born in the Old North state in 1806, and came to Mississippi about 1832, purchasing and entering land in Hinds county. He accumulated a considerable amount of real estate, which he has since divided among his children. He is residing on a good and valuable plantation, and is in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency and a hale and hearty old age. The Wells family is of English descent. B. R. Wells obtained his first knowledge of the world of books in the common schools, but at the age of sixteen years he entered Mississippi college at Clinton, in which institution he remained two years. He then engaged in planting and managing his father's affairs, coutinuing until he attained the age of twenty years, when he was married and began the battle of life for him- self. His father kindly gave him five hundred and eighty-seven acres of land and all the slaves on it, and his prosperity has been such that since the war, although at that time he lost a great deal of valuable property, he has added at different times about six hundred acres, and now cultivates four hundred acres, averaging about one hundred and thirty bales of cotton and twelve hundred bushels of corn yearly. He raises cattle for the market, and also sells quite a number of horses each year, in fact, he is a wideawake, progressive and enterprising man of business, and has a valuable plantation which he is constantly seeking to improve. In 1885 he took an interest in a stock of general merchandise at Bolton, which he continued to hold for three years, but the most of his attention has since been given to his plantation. In 1862 he enlisted in company I, sixty days' troop, but when this time expired he re-enlisted, and went to Virginia with company I, Eighteenth Mississippi infantry. After remaining with this command for about five months he returned to his home, and joined the Twenty-eighth cavalry, in which he served during the remainder of the war. He was a participant in the engagements at Malvern hill, Savage station, the Atlanta campaign, and was with Hood at Franklin. He was then furloughed home for thirty days, after which he became a member of Chalmers' division at Columbus, Miss. He was paroled at Gaines- ville, Ala., after which he returned to his home to resume the management of his plantation and to build his fortunes anew. He was married in 1859 to Miss Robertson, of South Carolina, and by her has had a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living: B. H. (a lawyer, of Raymond), Ida C., Sudie, W. S., Eva, Maggie, Cecil, Clifford and Sidney. Mr. Wells is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the K. of H., socially, and is quite active in local politics.

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William M. Wentworth (deceased). This gentleman was well and favorably known to the majority of the residents of this section, for he at all times identified himself with the interests of this county, and it is but just to say that his good name was above reproach and that he won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was born in Franklin county, Miss., on the 24th of April, 1816, and on a plantation on Dry bayou, in the western part of this county, he was reared to manhood. His entire schooling amounted to only about three months, but, notwithstanding this fact, he became a well-informed man and took an active part in the affairs for the progress and development of the county. He was married here to Miss Lucretia Atkins, and here followed the occupation of a planter until 1849, when he removed to Meadville, where he spent the rest of his life, seventeen years of his life being spent as sheriff of the county, with but one intermission. At the commencement of the reconstruction period he resigned this position and for a few years held the office of justice of the peace, being elected in 1876 chancery clerk and ex-officio recorder, the duties of which office he was ably discharging at the time of his death, December 20, 1889. He filled this position in a most able manner. As a public servant he was efficient, honest, punctual and industrious, and to all with whom he came in contact he was uniformly cour- teous. He was a stanch Union man during the war, and at first worked earnestly for its preservation, strongly opposing secession, but during the latter part of the war served a short time in the Confederate army, although exempt from service. He was in every respect a selfmade man, and by his honesty and the moral courage which he displayed in at all times expressing his views, he became very popular throughout this region and wielded

considerable influence. Although he was not identified with any religious creed, he was a liberal supporter of the church, and all measures of morality, education, etc., received from him a hearty support. His parents were early settlers of the county, and here his mother passed from life, the father dying in the state of his birth while there on business, this being when William M. was a boy. Mrs. Wentworth was born in Franklin county, Miss., and was called from life on the 18th of May, 1888, being at the time of her death a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her father, John Atkins, came from South Carolina, and died in Franklin county many years ago a well-to-do planter. William M. Wentworth was the eldest of two sons and one daughter, the other members of the family being Rowan, who died in Lauderdale county, Miss., and Nancy (deceased). After

the death of their father their mother married again, becoming the wife of Benjamin Dorsey, by whom she reared a family, all of whom are now deceased. To William M. Wentworth and his wife ten children were born, five of whom survive: Nancy (wife of E. L. Middleton, of Natchez), William J. (a planter, of Concordia parish, La.), Wiley M., Ernest H. and Anthony D. Ernest H. was born in Meadville in 1857, was given a good education in his youth, and after becoming competent became his father's deputy, remaining so until the latter's death. In January, 1890, he was elected to fill the unexpired term, and is making a very creditable official. He was married on the 25th of December, 1886, to Miss Lula A., daughter of Rutillias K. and Margaret Scott, from Alabama, who became residents of Franklin county since the war, Mrs. Scott dying here in April, 1890. Mr. Scott is still living. Mrs. Wentworth was born here and has borne her husband one child. They are the owners of eight hundred acres of land in different tracts, and are well calcu- lated, by temperament and inclination, to enjoy their prosperity. Mr. Wentworth is a mem- ber of Ben Franklin lodge No. 11, of the A. F. & A. M., which he joined in 1886, and is now secretary in and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, his wife being a Presby- terian in faith. Mr. Wentworth's long experience as his father's deputy made him very

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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 159

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