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 70

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 70

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Col. F. A. Montgomery, attorney at law, of Rosedale, Miss., was born in Adams county, of this state in 1830, the only child that lived beyond infancy born to Thomas Jefferson and Martha (West) Montgomery, who were also natives of this state, the former being a planter by occupation and dying when the subject of this sketch was three years of age. The Montgomery family originated in the famous old Waxhaw settlement of South Carolina, and like the majority of the settlers they were of Scotch ancestry, but previously residents of the north of Ireland. They became wealthy settlers of South Carolina, for those early days, but were robbed and impoverished by the British tories during Revolutionary times. Alexander Montgomery, the first of the name known in this country and the grandfather of the immedi- ate subject of this sketch, was born in South Carolina, and first removed from his native state to Tennessee, thence to Mississippi, at which time he was wholly without means. He received limited educational advantages, but he possessed a vigorous and inquisitive mind and always desired to know the why and wherefore of everything, great or small. He rapidly acquired property and position, became a leader of the republican party, was year after year placed at the head of the legislative ticket, filled the prominent and responsible position of speaker of the house, and had he lived two years longer would have undoubtedly been elected governor of the state of Mississippi. He first married a daughter of Maj. Richard King, and secondly a Miss Swayze, both members of highly respected and very prominent families that came to Natchez when the country was under Spanish rule. By these wives he became the father of a large family, and a number of his sons became prominent in Mississippi history and left many descendants who now reside in the state. He himself came of a very influential fam- ily, and was related both by blood and marriage to some of the most noted and prominent people of the South. It is to such men as Mr. Montgomery that the gratitude of the pres- ent generation is due, for he was not only a believer in law and order, but he was a patron of all good works and his efforts in behalf of suffering humanity were unceasing. The mater- nal grandfather, Cato West, was born in Halifax county, Va., was of an influential family and sprung from an ancient earldom of England. He was a man of talent, education and fortune, and, with his father-in-law, Col. Thomas Green, emigrated to Georgia, thence to Natchez, where he settled and became an ardent republican, leading the opposition to Governor Sargent. He became secretary of the territory under Claiborne, and after the latter went to New Orleans, he conducted the executive office. He was frequently elected to the legislature, and on several occasions presided over the senate. He possessed an original and brilliant mind, was a forcible writer and speaker, and during early times was a leader of the territory. He was a resident of Pickering (now Jefferson) county, and was a very extensive and prominent planter there for many years. Col. F. A. Montgomery, whose name heads this sketch, was educated chiefly at Oakland college in Jefferson county, but also spent one year at Allegheny college, in Meadville, Penn., after which he returned to his home. In 1848 he was married to Miss Charlotte Clark, of Ohio, whose father came to this

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

state in early life, here spending the rest of his days. Her brother Charles, who was a lawyer, came to this state also at an early day, and being exceptionally talented soon rose to eminence. His qualities of leadership were signally displayed in the arena of politics, and he was regarded as one of the most able, active, indefatigable leaders of his party in the state, his numerous friends showing their appreciation of his ability by electing him to the legislature. He went out as a captain of a company in the Second regiment of Mis- sissippi volunteers for the Mexican war; was soon elected colonel, in which capacity he served until the war ended. When the Civil war came he was first a brigadier-general of state troops, afterward becoming major-general, and as soon as the Confederacy was formed he was appointed, by Jefferson Davis, a brigadier-general in the Confederate army and com- manded a division at the battle of Shiloh, where he wa's wounded in the shoulder. He also commanded a division at Baton Rouge, at which place was so severely wounded in the hip that he was unfitted for further duty. At this time he was taken prisoner and conveyed to New Orleans, where he was exchanged and returned home. He was at once elected governor (in 1862) of Mississippi, at the end of which term he was re-elected. After the war closed he was taken a prisoner to Fort Pulaski, and upon being released returned to his home in Bolivar county and resumed the practice of law, receiving the appointment, in 1876, of chancellor of his district, and died in 1877, while serving in office. He was for many years a conspicuous leader in the affairs of the state and was well known for his sagacity, skill and sound and practical views on all subjects. After the celebration of Mr. Montgomery's nuptials, he con- tinued planting, first in Jefferson county, but since 1855 has been a resident of Bolivar county. In 1858 he opened up a plantation on the Mississippi river, which he called Beulah, and where the present village of that name now stands he cut the first cane and made many improvements in the way of buildings, etc., which were destroyed by the Federal soldiers during the war, with the exception of one negro cabin. The first election in the county after his arrival was held in 1855, and at that time he was elected president of the board of super- visors, a position he held until the opening of the war, when he cast aside personal considera- tions to enlist in the Confederate army in defense of home and friends, and was chosen captain of a cavalry company, which he organized, called the Bolivar troops, it being the first com- pany to be organized in the county. He was in many bloody combats along the Mississippi river, the most noted of which was Belmont, and upon the reorganization of his regiment he was elected lieutenant-colonel, an office he held until the war closed. He often commanded his regiment and was in the campaigns of Hood and Johnston, and while with them was captured at Selma, Ala., and was taken to Columbus, Ga. Here he was sick for some time and after being paroled returned to Mississippi and entered upon the practice of law. He was elected to represent the county in the state legislature in 1879, serving by re-election for three terms when he declined further re-election and once more began giving his time exclu- sively to his practice, and for years has been one of the leading lawyers of the county. He is one of three oldest men who came as pioneers to this county, and it can with truth be said that there is not a man of greater personal popularity or who possesses intelligence of higher or more practical or useful order than does he. As a citizen he has been of material benefit to the section in which he has resided, and as an officer he was cool in judgement, fruitful in resources, skillful in planning, excellent in execution and no braver or more courageous sol- dier ever faced the enemy.

Colonel Montgomery about seven years ago united with other old comrades in forming an association, which has met annually since in some part of the state, and with the pledge, as long as any are left, to continue to meet. This association is composed of surviving

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members of the four regiments, comprising a cavalry brigade commanded by Gen. Frank C. Armstrong, a splendid man and gallant soldier, who now lives in Washington, D. C., and whose name is a household word among them. From its organization till the present time Colonel Montgomery has each year been honored by being elected the president of the association, and its gallant commanders were honored by being permitted to name it the Armstrong Brigade association. The brigade was composed of the First (of which Colonel Montgomery was lieutenant-colonel), Second, Twenty-eighth and Ballentine's Mississippi cavalry regiments. General Armstrong's letter, which follows, explains itself, and is here inserted as a well deserved tribute to this gallant soldier, who, though not a Mississippian, commanded Mississippi troops, and is closely allied to the family of the late Col. W. A. Perry, of Gainesville, Washington county. It is signed Frank C. Armstrong, and dated Washington, D. C., May 30, 1891:

COL. A. F. MONTGOMERY, PRESIDENT OF ARMSTRONG'S BRIGADE ASSOCIATION:

My Dear Colonel :- I am in receipt of a notice of the annual reunion of the "Armstrong Brigade," which I had the honor to command. It is with more than usual regret that I am compelled to write that my engagements will not permit me to be with you on the 3d of June. Each year I have promised myself the great pleasure of meeting in reunion my dear old comrades of the great war time, but I am again disappointed. My heart and sympathy are, and always will be, with the Confederate soldiers, and thongh the banner under which we marched and fought together has gone down, the sentiments of honor and courage inculcated outlasted the war, and will always be the heritage of those who survive it. The lesson of faith, self-reliance and soldierly manhood were never stronger than among those who shared the blanket, drank from the same canteen, and divided the last rations. I should have particularly liked to have been present and added my share of respect, honor and love to those heroic Mississippians who gave their lives under the battle flag of our states and onr cause. I will do it, in spirit, in memory. I will never forget the fortitude, courage and unfaltering valor of the First, Second, Twenty-eighth, and Ballentine's Mississippi cavalry, during all my service with them, and particularly in the last days of the Confederacy, when all was dark, and delay the only hope. Every regiment, company and man seemed to vie with each other as to who could stand the most in the front of overwhelming odds, and the manly, soldierly manner in which they all did their duty to the end. I hope the association will be made a per- manent one, and the yearly reunions many. Again regretting that I can not be with you and my old com- rades, I am, faithfully your friend.

Colonel Montgomery is descended from families historic in the early days of Mis- sissippi, and has been an honor not only to. the state, but also to his illustrions name. His residence was the first to be erected in the town of Rosedale, and besides the ground on which his residence is located he owns several acres in the town. To himself and wife twelve children were born: Louisana, who died in 1868, at the age of nineteen years; Jefferson, who is married and a successful lawyer of Rosedale; Tillie, principal of the schools of Rosedale; Martha, wife of E. H. Moore, a sketch of whom appears in this work; Harriet, wife of Dr. John W. Dulaney, of Rosedale (see sketch); Frank, who is married and the leading law- yer of Tunica county; Lottie, Fadjie; Joseph, a lawyer of Quitman county, and Anna. Two children died unnamed. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Montgomery may be said to be the father of the church of that denomination at Rosedale. He has contributed to it large amounts of money and has in all ways aided its advancement and the handsome structure is a monument to his Christian spirit and liberality. He was the first city attorney of Rosedale, a position he filled one year, and socially is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Bolivar lodge No. 210. The Colonel is stately and commanding in appearance, being tall and slender, in complexion is a blonde, and is known throughout this section as a charitable, kind and hospitable gentleman.

Lafayette Montgomery is the efficient passenger agent for the Illinois Central railroad at Jackson, but in 1855 was born in Madison county, the third in a family of eight chil-

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

dren born to Andrew J. and Susan L. (Dixon) Montgomery, who were also born in this state, the father's people being among the earliest settlers of southwest Mississippi, and the mother's, who were of English descent, of Jefferson county. Andrew Montgomery was a planter, in which occupation he become quite successful. He died in Madison county in 1868, his widow still surviving him. Lafayette F. Montgomery was educated in the public schools, which he attended until 1868. In 1870 he become an employe on the Illinois Cen- tral railroad, in the employ of which company he has been continuously ever since. In 1878 he remained faithfully and fearlessly at his post, notwithstanding the fact that yellow fever was raging, and for this act of bravery and disinterestedness he was promoted to an easier and more lucrative position soon after. He first filled the position of telegraph operator, then became chief clerk of the freight office, was then made assistant ticket agent, then ticket agent and is now agent of the passenger depot at Jackson, which position is a responsible one. In 1884 he was married to Miss Clara Atkinson, a native of this county and a daughter of Hon. . Thomas Atkinson, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Mrs. Montgomery was called from life in 1885, leaving one child, which also soon died. Mr. Montgomery is a gentleman in every sense of the word and is a pleasing and entertaining conversationalist. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Knights of Pythias.

Capt. W. A. Montgomery, of Edwards, Hinds county, Miss., is one of the successful and talented attorneys of the state and has made his way to the front in the practice of his profession, for he possesses in a more than ordinary degree the natural attributes essential to a successful career at the bar and in public. He was born in Winston county, October 18, 1844, a son of C. W. and Olivia F. (Moore) Montgomery, the former of whom was also born in Mississippi, although his ancestors were natives of the state of South Carolina, coming thither about 1820 and settling near Starkville. The mother's father, Gen. William Moore, was a Tennesseean, and won his title while serving in the War of 1812 and Indian war, and was a representative to the Tennessee legislature for many years Capt. W. A. Montgomery was called from school at Murfreesboro, Tenn., by his father, who desired that his son should be near him during the pending struggle between the North and South, and soon after returning to the state of his birth he enlisted iu the Hinds county light guards for three years or during the war. This enlistment was, however, against his father's wishes, and the latter was instrumental in securing his release. He was later made a member of the Raymond fencibles, of the Twelfth Mississippi regiment, and remained with this regiment until the spring of 1862, when he was discharged, on account of ill health; went into the service again in the fall of the same year, with the First Mississippi regiment of state militia. In May, 1863, he rejoined the regular army as a scout, reported to General Pemberton for duty, and the first work given him was the burning of the Dillon bridge over Fourteen-mile creek, which he performed successfully, and with seventeen men and a hastily constructed breastwork impeded Grant's whole army for almost an entire day. He took part in the battle of Champion's hill, and during the progress of that noted battle made himself so couspicuous for gallantry that Gen. Wirt Adams had him detailed as a regular scout, after which he took part in the engagements at Clinton, Jackson, Livingston, second battle of Champion's hill, Coleman's plantation, Mechanicsburg, Concord church and Grand Gulf, during which time he so won the respect and admiration of his superior officers that he was commissioned captain March 4, 1864, and was authorized to raise a company of mounted men for service on the Mississippi front. During his career as a scout he captured many prisoners, and kept the Union army in constant dread of Montgomery scouts. The Captain served his state most conspicuously during the oppressive carpet-bag reign of

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Governor Ames, when he was among the number who incited the populace by his leadership to such determined opposition to the governor that he was compelled to disband his colored troops, stationed at different points throughout the state, and a great eyesore to the whites. He commanded the five hundred men who marched to Jackson and brought Governor Ames to a full knowledge of their determination, and to submission. Captain Montgomery was elected to the state senate from Hinds and Rankin counties, to fill the unexpired term of A. R. Johnson, in 1868, and ably and faithfully did he discharge every duty of this responsible position. He has interested himself in all enterprises looking to the advancement of his county and state, and is exceptionally well known, respected and liked throughout Hinds county. He was first married to Miss Mella Dupree, a daughter of Capt. James Dupree, of Brownsville, Miss., with whom he lived happily until 1882, when he was called upon to mourn her death. To their union five children were born: Patrick H., Charles W., Ollie, Hugh R. and W. A., Jr. In 1884 he was married to Miss Bettie C. Henry, of Mississippi, by whom he has one child, William A. The Captain is a Royal Arch Mason, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F., the K. of P., the K. of H. and the American Legion of Honor. The Captain has always been a man of indomitable pluck and energy, and in addition to his brilliant career as a soldier he ranks among the highest civilians, and has been a valuable acquisition to the county of Hinds. He is a strict member of the Baptist church, and joins heartily in all the moral reforms advocated by that sect.

B. S. Moore, planter, Kosciusko, Miss. On his present homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres of good tillable soil, one hundred acres of which are under cultivation, Mr. Moore is actively engaged in stockraising in connection with his farming. His parents were natives of Alabama, and in that state their nuptials were celebrated. They moved to Mississippi in January, 1855, located in Scott county, and there the father died in 1875, after following the life of a successful agriculturist. He was a member of the Methodist church, a member of the Grange, but took very little interest in politics. His widow is still living and makes her home at Walnut Grove, Leake county, Miss. The paternal grandfather was a native of Tennessee but was a resident of Scott county, Miss., at the time of his death. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin Sims, was a native of Georgia, and was a Baptist minister. He died in Mississippi. B. S. Moore, the only child born to his parents, owes his nativity to Mississippi, his birth occurring in Scott county in 1855, shortly after his parents moved to that county. He grew to manhood there, received his education and in December 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Bailey, a native also of Scott county, Miss. Since that time Mr. Moore has been engaged in planting, and although his farm is not as large as some it is one of the best improved in the county. He raises a superior grade of stock, principally Jersey cattle, and is enterprising and progressive. He has ever taken an active part in politics and at the present time is a candidate for circuit clerk. He is a worthy member of the Metho- dist church, contributes liberally to the same, and gives his hearty support to all worthy movements. He is a Royal Arch Mason, having joined Morton lodge No. 254 in 1879 and he obtained a dimit from that lodge and joined Bethel lodge No. 107, in 1886. He is senior deacon of the same. He is also a charter member of Springdale lodge, Alliance, held the office of vice president for two terms, and is now the incumbent of that position.

C. C. Moore, merchant and planter, was born in 1842, in Chickasaw county, where he still resides, three miles from Houlka, on a plantation of which he is now the owner. His father, Lewis Moore, was born in Georgia in 1803, a son of John and Willie (Rice) Moore, both of whom were native Georgians and at an early day removed to Alabama. John Moore became a wealthy planter, and he and his wife reared a family of seven children, of whom Lewis

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was the eldest. The latter was reared in Alabama, and his early advantages for acquiring an education were rather limited, although he was an intelligent and well informed man. His marriage to Miss Rice took place about 1828, at which time she was in her fifteenth year, a daughter of Hopkins Rice, a very successful planter of Greene county, Miss., origin- ally from North Carolina. Mr. Moore became a resident of Chickasaw county, Miss., in 1840, settling on the plantation of which the subject of this sketch is now the owner, at which time he purchased three sections of land, and some years later a section of prairie land at Egypt, Miss. Lewis Moore and wife reared ten out of the eleven children born to them. all of whom married with the exception of one who was killed while serving in the Confederate army. They are: Elizabeth J. (wife of B. F. Fitzpatrick, of Mobile, Ala.); John P. (a banker, real estate agent, planter and merchant, of Helena, Ark.), Mary A. (the deceased wife of Dr. J. B. Rockett), William T. (a merchant and planter of La Grange, Ark.), J. H. (who commanded company H, Eleventh Mississippi infantry, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg on the 5th of July, 1863), L. C. (is a planter of Chickasaw county), C. C., J. B. (a planter and magistrate of Pickens county, Ala.), Cora F. (widow of S. C. Pippin, of Helena, Ark.), and Dora A. (wife of Mr. Bass, a merchant of Helena, Ark.). The parents have been members of the Baptist church for many years, in which church Mr. Moore held the position of deacon. He died on the 16th of February, 1866, his wife's death having occurred on the 5th of February. The boyhood days of C. C. Moore were spent on a plantation near Houlka, Miss., but at the age of fourteen years he was sent to Marietta, Ga., where he attended a military school for some time, and attended an edu- cational institution at La Grange, Ala., until the opening of the war. In 1861 he organized a company of infantry (company D), of which he was elected first lieutenant, and became a part of the Fourth Confederate regiment, so called because it was made up of companies from Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. He was a participant in the battles of Fort Pillow, New Madrid, Island No. 10, being captured in the last named engagement and con- veyed to Camp Chase, at Columbus, Ohio, thence to Johnson's island in Lake Erie, three miles from Sandusky, where he was kept nine months and was then exchanged. He then returned to Vicksburg, but soon went to Jackson, where he joined General Tillman's com- mand, and was in the battle of Baker's creek. He was next at Vicksburg, from whence he retreated across the state to Montgomery, Ala., where his regiment was recruited, and acted as military conductor on the railroad between Montgomery, Ala., and West Point, Ga., in which capacity he served until the close of the war. Upon his return home he engaged in planting, on his own account, on the old homestead, on which he has ever since been actively engaged in planting. He is the owner of two sections of land, and is actively engaged in cultivating about five hundred acres. He makes cotton his principal crop, raising a sufficient amount of other products to make his plantation self-supporting. He is a progressive planter, believes in building up and enriching the soil, and is at present experimenting with the commercial fertilizer. He gives some attention to stockraising. At the beginning of 1878 he engaged in merchandising at Houston, purchasing the stock of goods belonging to A> L. Hill & Son. At first the firm name was Jamison, Moore & Co., but in January, 1889, Mr. Moore sold his interest in the business and started for himself with a new stock of goods. He has been a successful business manager, has proved himself an able financier, and now commands a large patronage. He was married on the 19th of March, 1866, to Miss Mollie L. Jamison, who was born in Pontotoc county, Miss., July 23, 1851, a daughter of Andrew J. and Amarilla (Stone) Jamison, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have four living children: Andrew J. (the eldest, is a clerk and bookkeeper

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in his father's store at Houston; he was married December 31, 1890, to Miss Nettie Evans, daughter of Dr. J. L. Evans, of Houston), L. Evans (is attending school at Starkville), Inez and C. C., Jr. (are at home). Zelia A. and Paul Bertram died in childhood. Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a charter member of the Knights of the Golden Rule, of Houston. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church at Hous- ton, in which he is a steward. His sound and practical views on all subjects, his capability and his honorable business methods admirably fit him for any position within the gift of the county, but he does not aspire to political life, the turmoil and strife of politics being very distasteful to him.

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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 70

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