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 73

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 73

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Capt. William Walker Moore, planter and merchant, was born in Madison, Miss., Jan- uary 12, 1841. His parents were James J. and Elizabeth (Fleming) Moore. His father was born in Haywood county, N. C., in 1808. His mother was a native of York district, S. C. His paternal grandfather, Dr. William Moore, was of Scotch descent. The Flemings came

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

from the north of Ireland, and on the maternal side of the latter family he traces his descent to Pennsylvania stock and to the Carolinas. His granduncles participated in the Revolu- tionary war, one of them, William, dying after the war from wounds received in battle. Gen. Francis Marion, being a cousin of the Moores of that generation, it is not improbable that some of them were of his cavalry force. Walker Fleming, uncle of our subject, served in the War of 1812, and family history places him at Fort Moultrie at the time of the attack on Charleston. James J. Moore, Capt. Walker Moore's father, was left an orphan by the early death of his father, and at an early age went forth to battle with the world, almost entirely untrained except to physical toil. Going to South Carolina he married there in 1830. In 1835 he removed to Madison county, where he remained until his death, in 1844, at the age of thirty-six. During his residence there, by industry and economical management, he obtained a sufficiency for the support and education of the large family. Not long after his removal to Mississippi he and his wife, although they had long been connected with the Presbyterian church of the old school, became members of the Cumberland Presbyterian organization then springing up in that part of the country, and in the faith of this church they lived and died. The mother survived to see the youngest of the children grown and married and passed away in 1878. The children in order of their birth are: Jane, Eliza, Mary Fleming, John Leander, Gustavus Adolphus, Roxana, William Walker, Catherine F. and Josie M. Of these all the males served in the late war until their mili- tary service was terminated by death or discharge. John Leander was in Texas when the war began and served with the Texan troops during its entire period. Gustavus Adolphus enlisted in company M, of Wirt Adams' regiment of cavalry, in 1862, and was one of the sergeants of that company. He contracted measles in the camp in northern Mississippi and partially recovered, but died of a relapse brought on by exposure. Capt. William Walker Moore attended the country schools near his home in his boyhood and then spent one and one-half years at Bethel college, Tennessee, and entered the sophomore class of the University of Mississippi in 1859. In 1861, while a member of the junior class, he joined a company of cavalry which had been organized by Captain, afterward General, John Davis, nephew of President Davis, which was nominally in the Tenth Mississippi regiment, although it was really the second regiment in order of organization. He also soon fell a victim to measles, became unfit for duty and was finally discharged in 1861. A part of the time he spent in the marine hospital near Pensacola. Returning home, his health was so far recruited as to enable him to assist in raising a company in answer to a call from the governor for sixty- day troops, and he was in the field again within three months from the time of his discharge. Of this company he was chosen orderly sergeant. Its captain was R. B. Campbell, a brother of Judge Campbell, of the supreme court and a veteran in the Mexican war. The com- pany was of Bartlett's regiment and Alcorn's brigade. Notwithstanding the shortness of the campaign upon which it entered scarcely a man in the company escaped sickness. Returning home after being mustered out of service, Captain Moore assisted in enlisting men for a cavalry company which was organized by the election of W. R. Luckett as its captain, Addison Harvey as first lieutenant, William Walker Moore as second lieutenant, and John Smith, Jr., as third lieutenant. They received marching orders about June, 1862, to join Wirt Adams' regiment in northern Mississippi. Mr. Moore served in this company and this regiment until the close of the war. He became first lieutenant of the company, when Lieu- tenant, afterward Captain, Harvey was detached, and became its captain when Captain Luckett was killed. He served through the various skirmishes and battles in which the company participated from the battle of Boonville, July, 1862, to the battle of Sipsey, April

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3, 1865, under command at different times of Generals Chalmers, Crosby, Bill Jackson, Arm- strong, Adams and Forrest. There were many instances in Captain Moore's military career which would make interesting reading, did space permit their narration in these pages. They show that he was an intrepid soldier and that he possessed many of the qualities of a military leader. He was in command of the outposts under General Gregg at the battle of Raymond, May, 1863, when the Confederates surrendered to superior numbers only after a severe fight. July 4, 1864, he was placed for a time in command of Captain Yerger's com- pany, which was in front of the charge which routed Elliott's brigade. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the Captain placed himself in command of a party of retreating scouts, who were being hard pressed by the Union cavalry, and saved the day for the Confederate cause. During the following November, while on a furlough, he hastily got together a small body of volunteers and did gallant service, though some may think it reckless, in defense of the Mississippi Central railroad bridge, near Canton, which was finally saved by Captain Yerger's arrival with two companies after Captain Moore and his devoted followers had been worsted by overwhelming numbers. The Captain was paroled at Gainesville, Ala., May 10, 1865. He married Miss Ernestine Watson, of Jefferson county, Miss., September 7, 1865. His wife's parents were Louis C. Watson and Martha Blanton, both natives of Jefferson county, Miss. The children by this marriage were: Anna, Gustavas Adolphus, Lewis C. Watson, Blanton Fleming, and James, Jr. He lived in Jefferson county until 1875, engaged in agri- culture, has since lived in Issaquena and Sharkey counties, where he has planting interests, and in Vicksburg, but his home at present is in Port Gibson, Miss. He married his second wife, Miss Julia Rowan, whose parents were Thomas Rowan and Miss Clara Green, of Jefferson county, Miss. The children of the last marriage are: Clara C., Eliza, William Walker (deceased), Lilly, Kate and Helen Ross. In religion Mr. Moore is an Episcopalian, and he has a license from the bishop as lay reader, in which capacity he has acted since 1880. His wife is a Presbyterian. He served part of a term as magistrate for the people of Jeffer- son county, Miss., an office which he resigned on his removal to another locality. He ran for the legislature in Sharkey county, and was defeated. He was elected and served a term as a member of the board of levee commissioners from Sharkey, and was elected a member of the town council at Port Gibson and resigned on account of conflict of official duties with private affairs. He has had invitations at every election since becoming a citizen of Clai- borne county to become a candidate for a member either of the house of representatives or the senate of the state legislature, but has declined. He is a member of no secret society.

Prof. Waldo W. Moore, president and principal of the Fairview college, located at Binnsville, Miss., is one of the most prominent educators of the state. The school which he now controls was opened in 1887, and has continued with an increased attendance each year. The faculty is composed of able and experienced teachers, each of whom is fully equal to the demands of his position. Binusville is to be congratulated upon having a school so well equipped, as all well-ordered educational institutions must elevate the tone of the community. Professor Moore was born in Sumter county, Ala., February 26, 1860, and is a son of Capt. A. M. and Martha (Elliott) Moore. His father was born in Marengo county, Ala., August 6, 1830, and is a son of Robert and Ladocia (Hamilton) Moore, natives of Ten- nessee and North Carolina respectively. The paternal grandparents removed from Tennessee to Mississippi in 1816. Captain Moore was married in Sumter county, Ala., May 9, 1851, and four children were born of the union: Margaret E., now Mrs. McCaskill; Ladocia, who died in August, 1863; Rev. Marcus H., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; and Waldo W. The mother of these children was born in Greene county, Ala., in January,

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1831, and was a daughter of Andrew and Anna (Knox) Elliott, natives of Tennessee. She died January 8, 1862. Captain Moore was married again in September, 1865, to Mary McCaskill, a daughter of Allen McCaskill, of South Carolina. She was born in South Car- olina, in March, 1837. The result of this marriage was six children: Fannie C., Kate, Etta, Hans H., Andrew M. (who died in May, 1875) and Carrie. Mrs. Moore died January 25, 1891. In 1861 Captain Moore enlisted in company I, Fortieth Alabama volunteer infantry, of which he was elected captain. In 1864 he was taken prisoner in Georgia, and was sent to Johnson's island, Ohio. The most noted engagements in which he took part are Vicks- burg, Atlanta and Lookout Mountain. He resigned in 1865. In January, 1867, he came to Kemper county, and located three miles south of Binnsville, where he followed farming for thirteen years. In 1881 he embarked in the mercantile trade, opening a store in Scooba. The same year he was elected a member of the house of representatives of Mississippi and filled the office very acceptably one term. He and his wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South, as was also the mother of Professor Moore. The Captain was at one time a member of the Masonic order. . Professor Moore was educated at the Southern university at Greensboro, Ala., and was graduated June 24, 1885. His first engagement was with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in Lawrence county, Ala., where he remained until the opening of the school which he so ably conducts. He was married January 21, 1886, to Miss Hattie C. Jagers, a daughter of A. and Cornelia (Le Gette) Jagers. Her mother was a native of South Carolina, and removed to Kemper county about 1851. Her father was born in Mississippi. Professor Moore and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is democratic in his political opinions, and stanchly supports all issues of the party.

Benjamin H. Morehead is a successful merchant and planter at Ingleside, and is one of the best known, most popular and successful citizens of which Claiborne county, Miss., can boast. His birth occurred here in the month of July, 1841, to Bushrod W. Morehead, a native of Kentucky, in which state he resided until grown, receiving there his literary education. He then entered the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Medical college, and after graduating came to Mississippi to practice his profession, settling at Grand Gulf. After remaining there but a short time he came to Port Gibson, and followed his profession until his death in 1843, having obtained an eminent position as a practitioner and a very large practice among the leading citizens of this section. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Hughes, who was born and reared in Claiborne county, Miss., her father being Benjamin Hughes, a native of Kentucky, who came to Mississippi in his early manhood. One of his sons, Col. Henry Hughes, wrote a very creditable book on sociology, and during the war was first a private in the Claiborne guards, was afterward made captain of the same and was pro- moted to the rank of colonel of the Twelfth Mississippi regiment, serving until the reorgan- ization of the regiment, and dying in 1862 of inflammatory rheumatism, which was the result of exposure. Mary Ann (Hughes) Morehead was the eldest of four children, all of whom lived to be grown and were educated in Claiborne county, with the exception of Mrs. Morehead, who was an attendant of the female seminary kept by Mrs. Tevis, at Shelbyville, Ky. After graduating and returning to her home in Mississippi she was married to Mr. Morehead, by whom she became the mother of three children: Julia Tevis (McAlpine), who resides on a plantation near Ingleside; Benjamin H. and a child that died in infancy. After the death of Mr. Morehead his widow married R. W. Harper, M. D., a native of Maryland, but at the time of his marriage a practicing physician of Port Gibson, which place continued to be his home until his death in April, 1867. This union resulted in the birth of one son,

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Henry H., who is now an eminent lawyer of Barnum, Tex. He graduated from the law department of the University of Texas, since which time he has been in the active practice of his profession. The mother of these children remained a widow until her death, which occurred in the fall of 1876, she being an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and also of the benevolent aid society at the time of her death, which occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. McAlpine, near Ingleside. Benjamin H. Morehead attained his majority in the county of his birth, and with the exception of the time spent in the service of the Con- federacy and when at school, has always resided here. He had just entered the senior class of the Oakland college when the war broke out and he immediately dropped his books, and in May, 1861, enlisted in the Claiborne guards, with which he served until after the seven days' fight around Richmond. He was wounded at Frazier's farm on Monday evening, June 30, 1862, his right arm being broken by a minie-ball. He then remained at home on fur- lough until he could again use his arm, when he became a member of the Fourth Mississippi regiment, of which he was made adjutant, serving in this capacity until the close of the war. He was in the skirmishes around Port Gibson and the engagement at Harrisburg, this being the principal battle in which he participated. He was active and faithful and did honorable service for the Confederacy, and won an excellent reputation for courage and fortitude. He was paroled at Jackson, Miss., in 1865, and returned home to take up the duties of planting and merchandising, and although he commenced at the bottom of the ladder, he has made steady progress toward the top and is now in easy circumstances financially. After following merchandising in Grand Gulf for three years he for one year worked with Mr. McAlpine. The following year he was married to Miss Mary T. Session, a native of Claiborne county, born and reared where she now lives, and after their marriage they settled on a plantation belonging to the latter, and about the time of the construction of the Louisville, New Orleans & Texas railroad Mr. Morehead opened a store at what is now called Ingelside, where he has since been doing a good business, the place receiving its name from the plantation of which he is the owner. Mrs. Morehead was educated at home by a private tutor, but finished her education in New Orleans. She is a daughter of Richard W. Sessions, a native of Adams county, Miss., and an early planter of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Morehead seven children have been born, whose names are as follows: Robert H., who was educated at Chamberlain & Hunt's academy, at Port Gibson, is the depot agent at Ingleside; Richard S., who assists his father in the store, received his education in the same institution as bis brother; Benjamin H., Howard S., Maria, William H. and Julia, all of whom are attendants at the above named academy. Mr. Morehead is a member of the Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias at Port Gibson, is a democrat in politics and has been a member of the board of supervisors of the county, and in this capacity, as well as in every-day affairs of life, he is well liked and very popular. Mrs. Morehead is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a worthy and estimable lady.

John D. Morgan, of the well-known firm of Morgan, Robertson & Co., wholesale and retail grocers of Columbus, Miss., was born in the town in which he is now doing busi- ness in December, 1841, a son of John M. and C. L. (Prowell) Morgan, natives of South Carolina. The father came to Lowndes county, Miss., in 1835, his wife's arrival in this state preceding his by three years, and here they met and married. He was born in 1808, and consequently upon his arrival in this state he was about twenty-seven years of age. He first made his way hither on horseback in 1833, in order to view the country and buy land, and here purchased a tract in 1833, about seven miles west of Columbus, which was totally unimproved. He moved his effects hither in 1835, crossing the Tombigbee river on what

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was know as "Cold Friday," the coldest day that was ever known in the history of this country. He immediately located on and began improving his plantation, and in a little log cabin, which he erected, he lived in until 1846, when he moved to the house in which John D. Morgan is now residing, near Columbus, on the east side of the river. Here he died in 1877, his widow still surviving him, being now in her eighty-fourth year, and probably the oldest resident of the county. They were married in 1837, and their union resulted in the birth of three children, two of whom are living: Mrs. E. M. Moore and John D. The Morgan family originally came from Virginia, but in an early day became residents of South Carolina. The paternal grandfather and grandmother died in Mississippi and South Carolina respectively, the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Prowell, dying in the former state. The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812. John D. Morgan was reared and educated in Columbus, but in 1861 left home and friends to take up arms in defense of the Confederate cause, becoming a member of the Tombigbee rangers. After serving until 1862 he received a discharge on account of disability, and went to his farm in Texas to recuper- ate. After some time he enlisted with General Maxy's command, with whom he served until the 'close of the war, surrendering in June, 1865, at Hempstead, Tex. He continued to make his home in Texas until 1869, after which he returned to Columbus, Miss., and in 1870 engaged in the mercantile business in the building now occupied by Walker & Donoghue, with whom he remained until 1884, when he built the large three-story brick building, 120x872 feet, where he is now doing a wholesale and retail business. Mr. Morgan has large landed interests in Texas, besides some excellent property which he owns in Lowndes county, and in the city of Columbus. He is a practical and experienced man of business, is a shrewd financier, but his property has not been acquired at the expense of others, or by wronging a soul. He was married in 1866 to Miss Mary C. Couch, a native of Alabama, by whom he has three children: Judson A., John M. and Eugenia R. Mrs. Morgan and her children are members of the Baptist church.

John H. Morgan, clerk of Benton county, Miss., was born in Shelby county, Tenn., and there passed his boyhood and youth. On account of the breaking out of the war his early educational advantages were not of the best, but being a man of thought and observa- tion he has made up for this to a great extent. He located in Tippah county, Miss., in 1868, and was residing where he now lives when the county of Benton was formed off Tippah and Marshall counties. He erected the first residence in Ashland, and was appointed a member of the board of aldermen of the town at the time of its organization. In 1871 he was appointed chancery clerk, a position held for one year, and then held the position of deputy chancery clerk under Allen Talbot and William Heedspeth. He then returned to Germantown, Shelby county, Tenn., in 1873, and was there married to Miss Mary Rogers, daughter of Jerry Rogers, of that place. The fruits of this union have been four interesting children. In 1877 Mr. Morgan was elected mayor of the town and was its first postmaster. He held the former position until 1883, when he was elected county clerk, and has held that office since. He discharges the duties of this office in a very efficient manner, and has fully testified to the wisdom of the people's choice. Mr. Morgan is a son of Dr. William N. and Mary (Welburn) Morgan, natives of Virginia and Alabama, respectively. Dr. Morgan graduated in medicine in Philadelphia, and was extensively known as a successful physician and surgeon. He died in 1867, at the age of fifty-three years. He had a brother, Rev. J. H. Morgan, who was a famous minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and who ministered to the spiritual wants of his fellowman during almost his entire life.

J. H. Morris is the president and general manager of the Morris Ice company, of Jack- DD

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son, Miss., and in discharging the duties of this position he has shown himself to be thor- oughly competent and reliable. He was born in the city in which he now resides in 1846, the second of five children born to William and Martha (Jarvis) Morris, the former a native of New York and the latter of Maryland. William Morris came to Mississippi about 1837 and settled at Clinton, as a jeweler, but removed to Jackson in a short time and started a bank, which was the. first and only one in the city until his death in 1854. Mrs. Morris survived him until 1866, when her death occurred. J. H. Morris was a resident of Jackson until the opening of the war, and there received a thorough and practical education. In 1861 he enlisted in the Burt rifles of the Eighteenth Mississippi regiment, army of northern Virginia, and was with this command until 1863, participating in all the engage- ments until the battle of Seven Pines. He was then discharged from the service on account of being under age and returned to Jackson, but was soon after appointed to the rank of lieutenant by General Johnston, later to first lieutenant, and finally brevet captam, and com- manded his company for some time. He surrendered at Greenville, Ala., in 1865. His brother, William P., was born in 1844 and entered the Confederate army in 1862, and served until the close, mainly in the medical department. He was in the siege of Port Hudson when captured, was exchanged at the close of the war, and died in 1865, soon after his return home. Upon his return to Jackson, J. H. Morris became assistant agent of the Illinois Central railroad at that place, and retained this position until 1872, when he began dealing in ice and coal. In 1880 he built the first ice factory in Mississippi, but this was unfortunately burned in 1884. Mr. Morris at once erected his present factory, which is one of the very best in the country, and supplies, not only Jackson, but the surrounding country with ice. In 1884 the business was incorporated as the Morris Ice company and Judge J. A. T. Campbell was chosen president, and J. A. Morris, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The latter is now president and manager. Mr. Morris is an active and progressive man of business, and has made the business in which he is now engaged a decided success. He is the owner of much valuable property in West Jackson, and has erected and is the owner of several stores. He has been a hard worker for the democratic party, and although he has been a member of numerous conventions and on many important committees, he would never accept any office, much preferring to devote his attention to his business. He was married on the 12th of March, 1891, to Miss Lavinia Shelton, a daughter of Judge David Shelton (see sketch). Mr. Morris is a handsome gentleman of medium stature, has black hair and eyes, and is most courteous, genial and social. He has a very pleasant residence, and is devoted to his wife and home.

J. W. Morris, planter, Lexington, was born in South Carolina in 1842, and his parents, James and Mary Malvinia (Weems) Morris, were also natives of that state. The parents moved to Mississippi in 1845, and the father followed planting in Holmes county until his death in 1875. He was born in the year 1811. He was not a politician, but preferred the quiet, uneventful life of a farmer. J. W. Morris, the only child born to the above mentioned union, was but three years of age when he came with his parents to Mississippi. He was married in 1867 and subsequently resided in Durant for some time. From there he moved to Kentucky, made his home there for ten years, and then, returning to Holmes county, he located on his present place, where he has resided ever since. He has followed the occu- pation of a planter and is also the owner of a steam sawmill. His farm, which consists of sixteen hundred acres, has about six hundred acres under plow. His principal crops are cotton and corn. Mr. Morris enlisted in the Confederate army in 1861 as a private and served during the entire war in company G, Fourth Mississippi regiment. He participated in the

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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 73

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