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 66

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 66

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

of whom emigrated to Texas at an early date except three: Littleton and James and Martin, who died in the state of Mississippi.

Jefferson county, Miss., has many estimable citizens, but she has none more highly respected, or for conscientious discharge of duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than is Abram J. Melton. He has been intimately connected, not only with the farming and stockraising interests, but also with mercantile life, and as each of these branches of business has received his attention from early boyhood, he has gained for himself a reputation which may be a source of pardonable pride. His birth occurred in Selma, Ala., January 17, 1839, and as he was thrown upon his own resources at an early day, his opportunities for obtaining an education were somewhat limited. At the early age of thirteen years he entered a general mercantile store at Selma, where he remained as a clerk for about six years, thus obtaining a thorough knowledge of mercantile life. When the mutterings of war first resounded throughout the land he cast aside all personal consid- erations, gave up his position and with the enthusiasm of youth and full of patriotic devotion to the land of his birth, espoused the cause of the Confederacy, enlisting as a private soldier in company F Fourth regiment of Alabama infantry, but was soon promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Later he was transferred to the Third Alabama cavalry with the rank of captain, and at a still later period was promoted to the rank of quartermaster. He was a participant in many of the leading engagements of the war and on four different occasions was severely wounded, first at Manassas, second at Shiloh, third at Perryville and fourth at Murfreesboro. He remained in the service until the 26th of April, 1865, when he returned to his home. On the 12th of February, 1863, he had married Miss Chestina Farley, a daughter of G. P. and Charlotte P. Farley, of this state and county, and upon the close of hostilities he settled here and engaged in planting, but with the expectation of bettering his financial condition he went to the state of Louisiana, but while there unfortunately lost a large amount of property and money by the overflow of the Mississippi river. Nothing daunted, he returned to Jefferson county, Miss., and with the courage, perseverance and indomi- table pluck and energy which have ever characterized his endeavors he set about retrieving his losses, and on land which he rented he once more started anew. This state of affairs did not last long, however, for being a man of exceptionally shrewd views and very pushing, it was not in the nature of things that he should long remain a renter, and he soon gathered about him considerable means. In time his well established reputation as an able financier brought him safe returns and he is now the possessor of six thousand acres of valuable land, well improved and well tilled, for all is under his watchful eye. A fine steam cottongin and grist- mill add much to the appearance of prosperity which surrounds his property, while on his broad acres a fine herd of five hundred head of cattle, as well as a large number of horses and mules, are pastured annually. Mr. Melton does not confine himself merely to the raising of cotton, but also raises hay and his own corn. He has at all times endeavored to keep out of the beaten path, and the new, improved and valuable farm machinery that is used on his plantation fully testifies to his progressive, enterprising and intelligent views. He ships large quantities of tomatoes and small fruits to different cities in the spring of the year, also. He has an excellent blacksmith and repair shop on his place, and in his mercantile house, which he established in 1885, he carries the best assortment of general merchandise to be found in the county. He gives employment to about two hundred Africans the year round, and will soon require the help of many more in a large oilmill which he expects to erect in the year 1891. Here he will use about nine hundred tons of cottonseed during the year. He has already purchased this year, for shipment, about seven hundred tons of seed, and

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twelve hundred bales of cotton. His handsome and commodious residence is beautifully located on a rising piece of ground near the center of his plantation, and in this typical Southern mansion he and his accomplished and amiable wife delight to welcome their friends. In disposition Mr. Melton is genial and liberal, distributing his wealth with an unstinted hand wherever it is essential to the pleasure or welfare of himself and family or those around him, and as a result commands the respect and liking of all with whom he comes in contact. He and his wife have no children of their own, but they have reared and educated two orphan children, a boy and girl, both of whom are now grown. For the past fourteen years Mr. Mel- ton has served as a member of the board of supervisors, and in this capacity has had abundant opportunity to display his practical and intelligent views. The term self-made man may be appropriately applied to Mr. Melton, for since a young lad he has earned his own living and the magnificent property of which he is now the owner has been earned by his own efforts. For the admirable way he has conquered the many difficulties that have strewn his pathway he deserves great credit, and where many others would have fainted and fallen by the way- side, he has kept sturdily on, and is now reaping his reward in the shape of a handsome competency and the admiration and respect of his numerous friends.

E. W. Melvin, farmer and merchant, Camden, Miss., is a descendant of Irish ancestors on his father's side, his grandparents being natives of the Emerald isle, from which they emigrated to the United States in about 1790. His father, Robert E. Melvin, was born in Washington county, Penn., but was married in Kentucky to Miss Nancy Waller, a native of Shelby county, Ky. In 1845 they removed to Pike county, Mo., thence to Hinds county in 1851, and settled in Jackson, where he acted as deputy clerk for a number of years. During that time he studied law under Judge Clifton, and practiced his profession until the opening of the conflict between the North and South. In 1875 he entered the ministry of the Baptist church, which he continued until his death, in August, 1890. The mother died in 1864. Four of the five children born to this union grew to maturity, and one besides our subject is now living: Mary E., wife of J. A. Fleming, of Madison county. E. W. Melvin was born in Pike county, Mo., in 1849, but until eleven years of age was reared in Hinds county, of this state. He then went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained six years, but on account of the uncle not living up to his promise of sending him to school, he ran away and came to Madison county. He began attending school when in his nineteenth year, and spent six years in getting an education. He attended the Cooper institute, in Lauderdale county, for one year, and by close application to his books received a good education. He subse- quently came to Camden, taught school from 1875 to 1878, and in 1880 began merchandis- ing where he is now located. He started with a stock of general merchandise valued at about $2,000, and has increased this from time to time, until at present he carries a stock of goods valued at about $8,000, and does an annual business of about $40,000. About 1887 he bought two hundred acres of land, engaged in farming, and has since added six hundred acres, making eight hundred altogether. He also owns several small tracts in the county, amounting to about eight hundred acres more. On his farm here he has a large water- mill and gin, which he operates successfully. He is actively engaged in raising Poland China hogs, and has at the head of his herd a fine thoroughbred animal imported from New York. - Mr. Melvin was married in 1875 to Miss Elizabeth A. McMurtray, daughter of J. A. and Telitha (Cobb) McMurtray, natives of the Palmetto state. To this union have been born six sons: Marion E., Walter G., James H., Robert A., George M. and John W. Socially Mr. Melvin is a member of the Knights of Honor. He and Mrs. Melvin are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church at Camden, of which he is elder, and he has been superin- tendent of the Sunday-school for the past ten years.

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Hon. T. L. Mendenhall was born August 19, 1830, in Anson county, N. C. When fifteen years of age his father, Dr. William Mendenhall, died, in consequence of which he received only an academic education. In 1849 he emigrated to Westville, Simpson county, Miss., where he now lives. In 1855 he was elected clerk of the circuit and probate courts of said county, and performed the duties of these offices twelve years, having been reelected five times. During his service as clerk, he devoted his spare time to reading law, and after he declined to become a candidate for reelection, in 1867, he obtained license to practice law, which profession he has followed ever since. In 1873 he was elected democratic state sena- tor from the counties of Simpson, Smith, Covington, Jones and Wayne, for the term of fonr years, and consequently was a member of that body during the notable impeachment trials of Governor Ames, Lieut. - Gov. A. K. Davis and G. W. Cardoza. In 1890 he was elected a delegate to the state constitutional convention from Simpson county and represented his county in that capacity.

Mrs. Roena V. Mendrop was born in Southampton county, Va., a daughter of Newet Drew, who was born in the Old Dominion in 1804. He was a farmer and distiller, and was the owner of an immense amount of land and an extensive distillery. He was married to Miss Lucy Wesbrook. His father was a planter by occupation, and soldier during the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Mendrop received only a common school education, and at the age of eight years she left her native state with her mother's family, and with them located first near Memphis, Tenn. In January, 1851, she came to Vicksburg and settled on a plantation belonging to Judge Noland, on the Big Black river, but at the end of two years purchased the Morgan place, and in 1864 became the owner of her present plantation, which consists of three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred of which are under cultivation. She was married January 3, 1856, to C. A. Betts, of Virginia, and by him became the mother of four children: James T., Carlous E., Lucy A., and Mary A. Mr. Betts was a planter by occupa- tion, and while just in the prime of life was cut down by the hand of death in December, 1865. On the 15th of May, 1869, his widow married E. W. Mendrop, a Prussian by birth, who served in the Confederate army in Barnes' cavalry company, Stark's regiment, enlisting in 1861, and continuing in the service until 1865. During this time he was a participant in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Corinth, Forts Henry and Donelson, Missionary ridge, the engagements before Atlanta, Port Gibson, and other important engagements. To Mr. Mendrop and his wife the following children have been born: Susie, Herman, Roena, George, Grace, Ernest and Elden; Herman is deceased. Mr. Mendrop, who died in 1884, was an honorable and useful citizen, and his death was regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Mendrop is a member of the Baptist church and is justly proud of the large family she has reared.

Dunbar Surget Merrill, planter and stockbreeder, Natchez, Miss. Major Merill, the great-grandfather of Dunbar S. Merrill, held the rank of major in the Revolutionary war and was one of those who assisted in removing the British prisoners to Canada, which many others refused to do. His son, Dr. Ayres P. Merrill, was a native of Pittsfield, Mass., and a man of education and learning. He came to Natchez when a young man and was married there to a Miss Jane Moore, a native of Adams county, Miss. The Doctor was cashier of the Agricultural bank a number of years, but afterward removed to Memphis, Tenn., where he resided for some time. During the last years of his life he was an invalid and died in St. Cloud hotel, New York city, in 1874. He was a surgeon in the Seminole war. His son, Hon. Ayres P. Merrill, was born in Natchez, Miss., where he was ably tutored, and he was a graduate of Harvard college in the class of 1849. After this he studied law in New

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Orleans, with the late distinguished Hon. S. S. Prentiss, and practiced his profession in that city until about 1854, when he returned to Natchez. He was there married to Miss Jane Surget, who was a native of Adams county, Miss., and who died in 1864. She was the daughter of Frank Surget, a wealthy planter of Adams county, and a granddaughter of Peter Surget (see sketch of James Surget). Her mother was a Miss Dunbar, danghter of Sir William Dunbar. After his marriage Mr. Merrill settled at Elmscourt, a place in the suburbs of Natchez, and engaged in planting until after the war, when he removed to New York city. He was there engaged in the firm of Goodman & Merrill, Southern commis- sion merchants, and continued with the same until the death of Mr. Goodman, when business was suspended. He continued to reside in New York and during General Grant's first term in the presidential chair he served about three years as minister to Belgium. He was then compelled to resign on account of paralysis. He died at his home near Natchez in 1883. He was the owner of considerable real estate there, valnable business interests, and was the owner of residence property in New York city, and a summer residence at Newport. To his marriage were born seven children: Catherine B .; Ann M., wife of H. Albert de Bary, of Antwerp, Belgium; Dunbar Surget, Ayres P., Jennie, Frank and Surget. The third child in order of birth, Dunbar Surget Merrill, was born on Elmscourt plantation, near Natchez, in 1859, and was educated at Brussels and Paris. Since the return of the family to Natchez he has followed planting and is an energetic young man. He was married in 1887 to Miss Charlotte Stanton, who was born at Brandon hall, Adams county, Miss., and who is a daughter of Aaron Stanton and the great-granddaughter of ex-Governor Gerard Brandon (see sketch of Aaron Stanton). Since his marriage Mr. Merrill has lived on his present farm, Hedges plantation, consisting of eighteen hundred and fifty acres, which he has greatly improved since becoming the owner. He is engaged in breeding a fine grade of Ayershire, Devon and Jersey cattle. To Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have been born two interesting children.

Ayres P. Merrill, a prosperous planter of Adams county, Mississippi, is residing at his beautiful country seat, Elmscourt, which is situated about one and one half miles from Natchez. He was born in 1862 to Ayres P. and Jane (Surget) Merrill, both of whom were born in Adams county, the father receiving his literary education in Harvard college, after which he studied law and practiced for a short time. He afterward turned his attention to planting but was also in business in New York city as a commission merchant. During President Grant's administration he was sent as a minister to Belgium but died in his native land in 1882. His father, who also bore the name of Ayres P. Merrill, was a physician and a native of Massachusetts. In an early day he became a resident of Natchez and for some time was a surgeon iu the Mexican war. He was connected with the commercial bank and other business enterprises and died at the St. Cloud hotel in New York in 1873. His wife was a Miss Moore. Mrs. Jane (Surget) Merrill was a daughter of Frank Surget, an early pioneer and the richest and most successful planter of this section, who passed from life here on his home plantation. Mrs. Merrill died in 1865. Ayres P. Merrill, the immediate sub- ject of this biography, is one of a family of ten children, seven of whom are living: Catha- rine, Anna M., wife of H. Albert de Bary, of Belgium, Dunbar S., Jennie S., Ayres P., Frank S. and Eustis. Ayres P. Merrill was educated in Burlington, N. J., and at Brussels, Bel- gium. In 1883 he was married to Miss Pauline, daughter of Dr. Walter, a native of New York, and Jane Stewart, a native of Natchez, Miss., the former of whom came to Natchez, Miss., in youth and was married here, this place afterward being the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart until their death, which occurred during the war. Mrs. Stewart was a daughter of Hon. Aylett Buckner, a Virginian who went with his parents to Kentucky, coming in 1832 to

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Natchez, where he practiced law until just prior to the war, when he retired from active life. He was United States attorney for the closing up of the Mississippi state bonds of the Plant- ers' bank, was a faithful official, and was noted as a talented and brilliant attorney. His wife was Charlotte Buckner, who was born in Adams county and died here about 1886. Mrs. Merrill was born in Natchez but was given a thorough education in the city of New Orleans. She and Mr. Merrill are members in good standing of the Episcopal church, are prominent people of this section, and move in the highest social circles in Natchez. Elmscourt, their home, is one of the old-time houses of Adams county and is still kept in good condition and style. It has one hundred and forty-two acres of park, woodland, garden and cultivated fields, and the house, which is a stately and imposing mansion, is situated on rising ground and is completely embowered by a magnificant park of magnolias and liveoaks. Flowering plants and shrubs border the driveway to the house, and taken all in all it is an ideal home.

Dr. J. F. Merritt was born in Fayette county, Ala., and when but a child was brought to Tippah county, where he grew to manhood and received a common school education. At the breaking out of the Civil war he entered company C, of the First Mississippi cavalry, and served until the battle of Selma, Ala., in 1864. Here his command was captured, but Dr. Merritt succeeded in making his escape and returned to his home in Mississippi and engaged in teaching school and studying medicine. In 1869 he entered the Medical University of Kentucky at Louisville, and after leaving this institution he located at Connorsville, Marshall county, Miss., where he remained until 1873. Since that time he has resided at Blue Moun- tain and has devoted his time to the practice of his profession, his name becoming a very familiar one in many homes. He has shown himself eminently worthy the trust and confi- dence reposed in him by all classes, and has unquestionably shown himself to be a physician of decided merit. At the time of his locating in Blue Mountain there was but one family in the place, Gen. M. T. Lowrey's, but it is now a thriving little town and Dr. Merritt is its leading physician. He is a member of the Tri-State Medical association, which comprises Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas, and is eminently capable of successfully practicing his calling, for he makes a point of keeping thoroughly posted in his profession, and also relies upon his own sound judgment in the treatment of his cases. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been a member of the Baptist church since 1860. He has been remark- ably temperate all his life and is a liberal patron of all worthy enterprises, aiding them by every possible means. He was married in 1858 to Miss Sarah J. Robinson, of Tippah county, by whom he has four daughters and two sons.

Oren Metcalfe has been a resident of the state of Mississippi since the year 1833, and dur- ing the long term of years that he has resided here he has been earnest and able in his advocacy of what he thinks best calculated to promote the best interests of his country. Being a man of indomitable will power he has been the means of pushing many enterprises that have come up before him to a successful issue, and as his leading characteristics are extreme frankness, honesty of purpose and energy, his influence is widespread. He was born in Connecticut in 1810, the youngest of twelve children born to Thomas and Sybil (Chapin) Metcalfe, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Connecticut. The paternal grandfather came from England and settled in New Hampshire, but his son Thomas after- ward moved to Connecticut, where he met and married Miss Chapin. In this state he resided for many years, but in 1819 he again made a change of residence, this time taking up his abode at Chardon, Ohio; but here he passed from life three years later, having been one of the honorable, successful and worthy tillers of the soil of the different states in which he resided. His widow, who lived to be ninety-three years of age, passed from life in Ohio,

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having been an affectionate mother and a true Christian. After leaving the common schools, where he received his education, Oren Metcalfe began clerking in a store, a calling he followed for some years, but in 1830 made a trip to Natchez to visit his brother Asa B., who was a prac- ticing physician, but soon after returned to Ohio, where he remained three years longer. He then took up his permanent abode in the state of Mississippi and for some time thereafter was engaged in merchandising. In 1838 Miss Zuleika, a daughter of Joseph B. and Amora (Cox) Lyons, became his wife, and after a married life of thirty-three years he was called upon to mourn her death, the date of her demise being May, 1871. To them a family of twelve children were born, three sons and two daughters of whom are living: Zuleika (wife of George D. Lawrence, who is a resident of Vicksburg, Miss., and is the present superintendent of the southern department of the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas railroad), Anna (wife of James S. Fleming, merchant, a resident of Natchez), Richard Inge (a clerk in a bank), James B. (a lawyer at Seattle, Wash., he being the first attorney-general of that territory and now the head of a well-known legal firm of that city known as Metcalfe, Turner & Burleigh), and William, who is a lawyer of Oregon. The members of the family that are deceased are as follows: Joseph A., Thomas W., who was killed during the war; Julius O., Charles, John Inge, Medora and Belle. Mr. Metcalfe followed the occupation of merchant until 1850, being also engaged in planting; but in 1851 he was elected to the office of county sheriff, and as the duties of his trial term was discharged in a manner highly satisfactory to all, and very much to his credit, he was reelected to the position at each succeeding election until he had filled the office for twelve years, at the end of which time he was appointed for one year longer by Governor Sharkey. At the end of this term he once more embarked in mercantile life, and for five years followed an active business life, during which time his efforts to accumulate some worldly goods were highly successful and reflected great credit upon his ability as a financier, his sound judgment and practical views. At the end of this time he engaged in his present business, that of general life and fire insurance, and now represents the Queen insurance company of England, the Providence of Washington, R. I., the Security of New Haven, Conn., and the Home of Georgia. In May, 1850, Mr. Metcalfe was appointed trustee of Jefferson college, and four years later was elected treasurer of that institution, which office he has since continuously held, being the oldest trustee and officer. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church of this place, a position he has filled for some thirty-five years, and for his many Christian qualities, his kindness, charity and love for his fellowmen, his friends are numerous and his enemies extremely few.

P. S. Miazza, proprietor of the Commercial hotel of Greenville, Miss., was born in Jack- son in 1866, the fifth of six children born to Angelo and Elizabeth (Quinn) Miazza, the for- mer a native of Italy and the latter of Illinois. P. S. Miazza attended school until he was eleven years only, at which age he began working in a printing office at Jackson, later enter- ing a telegraph office, where he remained two years. He then went to Wesson, Miss., where he secured employment in the Mississippi mills. In January, 1881, he became an office boy in a hotel belonging to L. Fragiacomo in Jackson, and during this time his evenings were spent in attending night school, where he finished a commercial course in about a year and a half. He was soon advanced to the position of clerk in the hotel and for several years there- after was manager of Mr. Fragiacomo's hotel. After remaining with him until July, 1890, he came to Greenville and purchased the Scobely house, near the Louisiana, New Orleans & Texas railroad depot, and changed the name of this establishment to the Commercial House. He had it thoroughly renovated, repaired and refitted up from garret to basement and now has seventeen well appointed sleepingrooms, a pleasant parlor, samplerooms, etc., and a

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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 66

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