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 59

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 59

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Among the very foremost of the professional men and also of the sturdy and independent class of planters of the state is James H. Maddox, M. D., physician and surgeon, and dealer in general merchandise, drugs, staple and fancy family groceries, Perthshire, Boliver county, Miss. He was born in Mercer county, Ky., on the 2d of July, 1849, the eldest of three children born to James and Ellen (Duncan) Maddox, both of whom were born on blue grass soil. The former was an extensive planter in his native state, but dropped his farming

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implements for service in the Mexican war, at the end of which he returned to planting, and in 1854 came to Mississippi, where he died in 1873, at the age of sixty-one years. He inherited Welsh blood of his parents, who were Virginians by birth, in which state their ancestors settled during the colonial history of this country. Dr. James H. Maddox came to Mississippi at the age of five years, but at the end of five years he was put to school in Louisville, Ky., the greater part of ten years being spent in educational institutions of that city, during which time he became an exceptionally well-informed young man. His learning was not confined merely to books, but he was well posted on general topics, and possessed an original and thoughtful mind, being, in fact, admirably qualified for a successful and useful career. He returned to Mississippi, and for the past twenty years has been a resident of Bolivar county. In 1870, at the age of twenty-one years, he commenced for himself without any capital whatsoever, but by applying himself diligently to business has made for himself not only the reputation of being a good physician, but a fortune of at least $50,000. He is extensively engaged in planting and is the owner of nine hundred and fifty acres of fine land, eight hundred acres being under cultivation, on which he is erecting a residence which, when completed, will cost at least $6,000, and will be a handsome and modern structure. His plantation is one of the most fertile in this section, and everything about it shows that a man of enlightened and progressive views and energy is at the helm. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Blanchard, a daughter of John and Mary (Whitson) Blanchard, and by her is the father of two bright and interesting children: Mary E. and John C. His present wife, whom he married in 1890, was formerly Miss Laura Love. Dr. Maddox is a worthy member of the A. F. & A. M. In personal appearance he is quite distinguished and possesses a fine physique. His hair and eyes are black. He is kind, generous and hospitable, and in him are found the characteristics of the true gentleman.

Hon. James S. Madison, who is classed among the most prominent and successful of Mississippians, is the son of L. W. and Frances Delilah Tucker, the father a native of Laurens district, S. C., born in 1818, and the mother of Marengo county, Ala., in 1829. The parents removed to Lowndes county, Miss., in December, 1850, and after remaining there five years removed to Noxubee county, that state, where they now reside. James S. Madison, one of a family of ten children, was born in Marengo county, Ala., in March, 1834, and was married in Noxubee county in 1876 to Miss Nettie Carpenter, of the same county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of six children, five of whom survive: Edmund C., James J., John L., Josie Inez, Winnie Lee and an infant daughter. Mr. Madison has been engaged in planting all his life, and from his extensive and very productive plantation he raises from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty bales of cotton annually. Mr. Madison was a member of the state troops under Colonel Patton, and in 1876, on the restoration of white rule, he was elected justice of the peace of his district. In 1885 he was elected to represent his county in the lower house of the legislature, and succeeded himself in 1887 and 1889. On the organization of the house in Jannary, 1890, he was chosen its speaker by acclamation, a com- pliment never before paid in the selection of a presiding officer. Among the members, when the vote was taken, were six republicans, all colored. On the expiration of the session of 1890, Speaker Madison was the recipient of many valuable presents; one of these, a silver water pitcher, was much prized because of its peculiar significance, in that it was presented by the six colored members as a token of their appreciation of his firm and impartial ruling during the session. Speaker Madison also received from the pages a gold-headed cane as a testimonial of their respect. On accepting it he expressed the hope that at some future day they (the pages) might rise to the distinction of representing their people, that some might

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attain to speaker, but expressed a fear that none of them would ever become as big a man as their present speaker. (Mr. Madison weighs three hundred and twenty pounds.) In 1888 Mr. Madison was the author of the bill for the relief of certain soldiers, sailors and servants of the late war between the states, resident in Mississippi, which feature has since been engrafted upon the constitution of the state. He was also the author of the bill requiring chancery clerks to keep ledger accounts against each office, each official and each line of road in the state; a bill making it a misdemeanor for failure to pay poll-tax, which bill the late constitution virtually repeats; the Madison assessment bill, a bill to equalize assessments which threw the counties into five different grades and the lands in each county in seven different classes, with a cash value upon each class. On the adjournment of the legislature Speaker Madison was by acclamation recommended to the people as a delegate to the con- stitutional convention, state at large, but circumstances intervened preventing his standing for the position. Mr. Madison is president of the Noxubee County Farmers' Alliance, which office he has held for two years, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His brother, Hon. John E. Madison, third child of the above mentioned union, was educated at Washington and Lee university, Virginia, and took a degree at law at the Mississippi State university, at Oxford. He was a prominent lawyer at Macon, and was the youngest member of the legis- lature of 1880. He was at one time editor of the Mississippi Sun, and later of the Noxubee Democrat, and a practitioner at the Macon bar at the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1890.

Hon. Eugene C. Magee was born in Ireland. In 1830 he was practicing law at Vicks- burg. In 1835 he represented Warren and Washington counties in the state senate.

Laurin R. Magee has resided in Covington county, Miss., since his birth, in 1825, and is one of a family of the following children: Mary A., Sarah, Caroline, Amanda, Turpen D., Laurin R., Jehu G., Emanuel I., Robert P., Warren G., Jane and Martha. The parents, Robert and Margaret (Graves) Magee, were natives of Chesterfield district, S. C. The father was born in 1791, and grew up to be a soldier in the War of 1812. His father, Philip Magee, was a native of either Virginia or South Carolina. Laurin R. passed his youth in his native county, and served in the war with Mexico under General Quitman. He was in the siege of Vera Cruz, and was a faithful and gallant soldier. At the close of this war he returned to his home, and before the gold fever had abated determined to go to California. In the spring of 1850 he made the journey, and after his arrival there he engaged in mining. Afterward he was engaged in packing supplies to the mines, and remained there until 1856, when he came back home. He was then married to Miss Euphemia Milloy, and engaged in agriculture, which occupation he has since followed. In 1863 he enlisted in the Fourth Mis- sissippi cavalry under Col. T. R. Stockdale, and served until the close of the war. Once more he returned from the battlefield to the pursuits of civilization, which have not been interrupted by the bugle call since 1865. Mr. Magee owns a plantation of one thousand acres of good land, and is one of the most successful planters in the county. He was presi- dent of the board of supervisors for the years 1886, 1887, 1888 and 1889. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and occupies a high social standing in the community. He and his wife have reared a family of nine children: Martha I., wife of A. I. Walker; Belle, wife of W. N. Williamson; Sallie, wife of R. A. Campbell; Virginia, Mary, Leroy, Eddie, Wade H. and Estella.

Dr. John W. Magee, a prominent physician and planter of Lincoln county, who lives seventeen miles northwest of Brookhaven, was a native of that part of Copiah county which was set off in the formation of Lincoln county. He was born in 1851, and is a son of Chester

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and Rachel (Hartley) Magee. His father was a native of Tennessee, his mother of Missis- sippi. They were married in Copiah county at the residence of Jesse Thompson, the father of Mrs. Magee, who had been previously married to a Mr. Hartley, and by whom she had four children: Jessie, Harvey T., Susan N. and Catherine. She has borne Mr. Magee six children-four sons and two daughters: Mary M., the wife of B. F. Andiug, a planter living in Lincoln county, and who has nine children-four sons and five daughters-of whom seven are living; James M., who married Anna Macillas, who is a schoolmaster, living in Texas and who has had, five children-two sons and three daughters- of whom one is deceased; Thomas C., who died at Corinth, during the war, and was brought home for burial; Evan, who died at home during the war, leaving a wife, formerly Miss Margaret Anding, and one child; Eliza J., who married J. L. Anding, and died leaving five children, of five sons and two daughters born to them. Dr. Magee was the youngest of six children. Both his father and mother died in the same week in 1866. At that time the subject of our sketch was fourteen years old, and he found a home with an uncle, J. H. Thompson, and three years later he took up the battle of life for himself as a schoolteacher. Later he attended the Summerville institute at Noxubee, county, Miss. After teaching for a time, he entered the employ of Thompson, Lamkin & Co., of Beauregard, Miss., as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. After serving there faithfully for a year, he engaged in planting, but after making one crop, he took up the study of medicine, in due time entering the University of Louisiana, from which he graduated after the usual course. In 1874 he began practicing medicine in Copiah county, Miss., where he has continued with much success until the present time, being in great demand throughout Copiah and Lincoln counties. In 1882 Dr. Magee was married to Miss Anna E. McRee, daughter of David and Epsey (Leech) McRee, who was born in Mississippi in 1853. (See sketch of Samuel P. McRee.) Mrs. Magee was educated at Whitworth Female college, at Brookhaven. She has borne her hus- band four children, three of whom are now living: David, Lamar, Johnnie, all of whom are living at home, Ida Belle having died in infancy. The family have occupied their present resi- dence since December, 1882. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South. Politically, he is a democrat, but he is not, in the ordinary sense, a very active politician, uever having sought or accepted offices of any kind, but, at the same time, his interest in the public weal is deep and abiding, and he has ever been a strong and will- ing supporter of churches, schools, and all laudable public enterprises. He is very promi- nent as a physician, and, socially, he is regarded very highly by all who know him.

M. G. Maggard is an Alabamian by birth, in which state he first saw the light of day in 1849. After attaining manhood on a farm he removed to Lauderdale county, Miss., in 1860, where he turned his attention to planting, with which calling he was thoroughly familiar. He is now one of the thriftiest and most practical of the planters of the county, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of its choice land. He is one of those progressive planters who makes his land strictly self-sustaining, and to this end raises a diversity of crops, corn and cotton, however, predominating. He began life for himself at the close of the war in very straitened circumstances, but at the present time is entirely free from indebtedness of any kiud and is the owner of a fertile and well-kept plantation. During the twenty-two years that he has devoted to agriculture he has never purchased a bushel of corn, which is more than the majority of the planters from his section can say. In the tilling of his land he employs home composts and commercial fertilizers, and being strictly self made, his example is worthy of imitation by others. He is of an honest, frank and generous disposition, is ener- getic and capable, and moves in the best society. He is a Methodist in his religious views

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and leads an exemplary life. In 1869 he was married to Miss Mollie Coker, of Lauderdale county, by whom he has six children: John, Effie, Pernecia, Maggie, Zula and Cynthia. Three children are married. The father of M. G. Maggard, David Maggard, was a Vir- ginian, born about 1818, and after reaching manhood was married to Miss Pernecia Gary, of Alabama.

J. H. Magruder, D. D. S., is a skilled and experienced dentist of Jackson, Miss., who, by his superior workmanship and his accommodating and agreeable manners, has built up an extensive practice. He was born in Yazoo City, Miss., in January, 1858, being the second in a family of eleven children born to Dr. A. F. and Julia (Abbey) Magruder, both of whom were Mississippians. The paternal grandfather, John H. Magruder, came to this state from Maryland, and at a very early day settled at Washington, Miss., near Natchez, but later he removed to Madison county, where he spent the remainder of his days. A sketch of the maternal grandfather, Rev. R. Abbey, of Yazoo City, appears in this work. Dr. A. F. Magruder, after finishing his literary education, began the study of medicine at Louisville, Ky., graduating as a medical doctor in 1855. After practicing in Louisiana and Madison county, Miss., he went to Yazoo City in 1870, where he was residing at the time of his death, in 1884. He was a fine general practitioner, but was especially skilled in surgery, and had a large practice. He was of a modest and retiring disposition, was a public-spirited citizen and his death, which occurred on the 14th of December, at the age of fifty-three years and eight months, was a great loss to his family and the community in which he labored. He was a trustee and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His widow, who survives him, also belongs to that church. Their son, J. H. Magruder, is a steward in the First Methodist church, Jackson. Their marriage was celebrated on the 2d of May, 1855. J. H. Magruder was educated at Yazoo City and in and near Nashville, Tenn. He began the study of dentistry in 1877, and graduated from this department of the Vanderbilt university, of Nashville, in the session of 1881-2. He first began practicing in St. Joseph, La., then at Hazelhurst, Miss., and finally settled in the city of Jackson, in January, 1889, and although he has been here a comparatively short time, he is already well known and has built up a splendid reputation and a fine practice. He is progressive and enterprising and gives every promise of becoming eminent in his profession. He is first vice president of the Mississippi State Dental association and keeps fully abreast of the progress made in his pro- fession. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge of Jackson. He was first married in October, 1883, to Miss Emma Wailes, daughter of Col. E. Floyd Wailes and niece of B. L. C. Wailes, a native of Louisiana, who died at Yazoo City on the 2d of January, 1885. In 1888 Dr. Magruder was again married to Miss Agnes Harris, of Hazlehurst, a daughter of Capt. L. B. Harris, a prominent lawyer of that place. She is a worthy member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church South and has borne her husband two children: Julia Ella and Freeland B.

Dr. Thomas B. Magruder (deceased) was born September 25, 1800, at the ancient family mansion, near Upper Marlboro, Prince George's county, Md., and had he lived one month longer would have reached the age of eighty-five years. After graduating in his pro- fession, Dr. Magruder determined to venture out to the then sparsely populated Southern states, and in 1822, rode on horseback from his native county to this region through the wild, uusettled intervening country, and at the end of a journey of two months, reached Port Gibson, which city and vicinity continued to be his home until his death. He entered at once upon a successful professional career, and he it was who established the first drug store in the town. A year or two after his arrival in this country he was united in

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marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harrington, by whom he became the father of three sons: Calvit, Hon. W. T. (see sketch), and the late gallant Captain Joseph M., who fell in defense of the lost cause and the land of his nativity. Mrs. Magruder died on the 5th of July, 1844, at the age of forty-six years, after having lived a useful and truly Christian life. In her day it was the custom of the Choctaw Indians, who then inhabited Claiborne county in great numbers, to camp at Gruders, as they pronounced the name, and they were always kindly treated by the mistress of Cabinwood. At her death large numbers of them attended her funeral and expressed the deepest sorrow for the loss of the friend whose kindness and cousideration for them never wavered or knew diminution. She was noted for her many acts of charity, and her truly Christian character is well worthy of emulation. In 1845 the Doctor wedded his second wife, Mrs. Sarah Olivia (Dunbar) West, daughter of Isaac Dunbar, of Adams county. Four sons and five daughters blessed this union, one son and two daughters of whom are dead. Those yet living are: Isaac D., Robert W., Mrs. Alice McDougal, Herbert S., Mrs. Anna T. Wade and Rosa. Dr. Magruder was an active participant in public affairs for sixty odd years, and scarcely a public meeting was held in which he did not figure conspicuously, and always in a useful way. He possessed an excellent memory, and the reminiscences of his career would fill a volume. There was not one of the olden time homes in the county which he had not visited in his professional capacity, nor a square mile which he had not traveled over. Very often in his early life he was called upon to act as arbiter in personal difficul- ties, and although of quick temper and great personal courage, he always advocated peacea- ble adjustment as the best way. He was for many years the only survivor of those who were participants in the Ross-Gibbs duel in 1826, being present in the capacity of surgeon and attended upon each of the participants when the affair was over. In 1839 the Doctor was elected to the lower house of the state legislature as a whig, of which party he was an earnest advocate and leader, and in 1842 was re-elected to the position. In the following year he was his party's candidate for the state senate against Gen. Parmenas Briscoe, but was defeated by one vote. In 1860 he was brought out by his adherents and admirers as a candidate for the state convention, which passed the ordinance of secession, and as he was a Union man in sentiment he was not a strong supporter of the measure, but advocated a convention of all the Southern states to secure united co operation before adopting the meas- ure. As the secession measure had found great favor with the masses, and owing to the great ability and popularity of his competitor, Hon. Henry T. Elliott, he was defeated. After the war was over he became an active, prominent and trusted democrat, and as a testimonial of his worth he was elected to the state legislature in 1881, at the age of four-score years. He was very active and earnest in his desire to do himself and his friends justice, and notwith- standing his advanced age he made an able and intelligent legislator, and during his entire term of service he was never absent from his seat. Although he was reared in the Episco- pal faith he became connected with the Methodist church after coming to Mississippi, but upon the establishment of an Episcopal church he at once transferred to it his membership, and with it remained connected until his death, its impressive and solemn burial service being read at his funeral and over his grave. He was also buried with Masonic honors, for of that order he had been a member from 1825, holding membership in Washington lodge No. 3. A volume could be profitably filled in writing of the life and adventures of this venerable and worthy man, but panegyric is not praise, nor is adulation a biographical ornament. He pos- sessed very social and refined tastes and his hospitality was often enjoyed by his numerous friends. Although he had his ups and downs in business life he always maintained the strictest integrity, and always managed to surround his family with many comforts, and give

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his children good educational advantages. During his last illness his physician, Dr. Redus, gave him constant attention, and his devoted children, grandchildren and sons-in-law were ever at his bedside anticipating every want with tenderness and affection. He told his phy- sician it was useless to minister to so feeble a frame, in which there was nothing to rally, nothing recuperative, and he expressed willingness and desire to leave his earthly life behind him and be at rest. He died Sunday evening, August 22, 1885, and was buried Monday afternoon from St. James' Episcopal church, Rev. Nowell Logan officiating. An immense concourse of relatives and friends paid their last respects to the dead and followed his remains to the city of the dead, where they now repose in peace. Of him it may be said: "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." R. W. Magruder, his son, was educated in the public schools of Port Gibson, and completed his literary education in the Port Gibson academy. At the age of eighteen years he began earning his own living, and in 1875 began the study of law under J. D. Vertner, of Port Gibson, being admitted to the bar in November, 1877. He successfully followed the practice of his profession until after the death of his father-in-law, Mr. Sims, at which time he took upon himself the man- agement of the latter's entire estate, in which capacity he has displayed much executive ability. He was married to Miss Carrie J. Sims, who was born July 7, 1860, and died December 10, 1880, having borne one child, John M. Mrs. Magruder was highly accom- plished, and owing to the many Christian qualities which she displayed she won the affec- tion and respect of all who knew her. Mr. Magruder is a democrat in politics, and is a suc- cessful and thoroughly practical business man. He possesses many of his father's amiable qualities, being hospitable, generous and kindhearted.

Hon. William T. Magruder (deceased), was one of the county's most illustrious citizens, and from the time of attaining his majority until his death he occupied himself incessantly with plans for the political and industrial advancement of his section. He was born in Port Gibson, Miss., January 16, 1825, and in that city was reared, his education, which thor- oughly fitted him for a life of usefulness, being received in his native city and in Oakland college. After attaining his senior year in this institution he left college to take up the study of law, but later abandoned this to become a disciple of AEsculapius. Failing eye- sight, however, compelled him to give up a professional life, and as he had been brought up to a knowledge of planting he began ardently to devote himself to this calling, being at that time in his nineteenth year. Being a young man of strong character and tireless energy he soon began to gather about him considerable means and, though assuming a debt of $5,000, soon purchased for $18,000 the plantation known as Askamala ; his sole property which was free from incumbrance being.two or three slaves and the same number of mules given him by his father. By careful management and industry he afterward became very wealthy and purchased two large tracts of land in addition to his home place, one being the Oak Grove plantation, making him the owner of nearly three thousand acres of some of the best land in the county, one thousand and three hundred acres being under cultivation. Mr. Magruder was deeply interested in the proper management and cultivation of his broad acres, and as he at all times endeavored to keep out of the beaten path and to adopt new and improved methods his operations were attended with remarkably satisfactory results. He possessed a brilliant intellect and his views, in nearly every instance, were intelligent, broad and comprehensive, and being devoted to the interests of the planters, their affection and respect for him was unbounded. His fidelity to his section and party was rewarded, and in 1884 he was elected by his numerous friends to represent Claiborne county in the state legislature, a position he filled with eminent ability for two terms. While a member of this

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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 59

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