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 74

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 74

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

following engagements: Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, was in all the battles of Hood's raid, and was at Port Gibson, Snyder's Bluff, Franklin and Blakely. Since that time Mr. Morris has followed planting and is one of the thoroughgoing, substantial men of the county. He is pleasant and social in his intercourse with all and has many warm friends. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist church and a liberal contributor to the same.

John T. Moseley (deceased) was a prominent merchant and banker of Kemper county, Miss., at Old Wahalak. He was born in Powhatan county, Va., in 1797, and was a son of William and Rebecca (Townes) Moseley. His father was a native of Virginia and became a prominent lawyer. Mr. Moseley was reared and married in Virginia. His wife was Mary W. Montague, daughter of M. Montague. She has borne him ten children: Nancy Rebecca, Sallie I., Wortley, Mariah, William X., George M., Mary W., Pattie, John T. and Anna B. Mr. Moseley moved to Mississippi in 1835 and located at Old Wahalak. He was for many years engaged in planting and selling general merchandise, and there in 1837 he opened the first bank, of which he was general manager and cashier. He was one of the most success- ful business men in this section, an Odd Fellow, and his wife a member of the Baptist church. He was a strong democrat, and while a resident of Virginia held several official posi- tions in the state of Virginia. He was a prominent feature in the controversy which has become so well known in this county. He died in 1883 and was buried at Old Wahalak. His wife died in 1882 in the same county. He left a large estate, which included a considerable tract of land. John T. Moseley, Jr., was born in this county in 1845, at Old Wahalak. He received his early education here, and spent one year in school at Virginia. In 1863 he enlisted in company F, of the First Mississippi cavalry, though then but eighteen years of age. He took part in many hotly contested conflicts. He was in an engagement at Frank- lin and in many battles and skirmishes throughout Georgia. He was made a prisoner of war at Selma, Ala., but escaped and came home. After the war he engaged as a clerk for a grocery firm at Mobile. In 1872 he engaged in farming and has a tract of twelve hundred acres of land, which was a portion of his father's estate. For four years under the adminis- tration of President Cleveland he was in the railway mail service on the Mobile & Ohio railroad.

Robert J. Mosley, a well-known agriculturist of Kemper county, was born in Monroe county, Ala., in 1834, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Butler) Mosley. Robert Mosley was born in the year 1800, and is a son of Joel Mosley. He was a native of North Carolina, and was married in that state, immigrating to Kemper county, Miss., in 1838. He was first married to Rachel Riddle, but the children of this union are deceased. The second mar- riage, to Mary Butler, took place in Alabama, and eight children were born to them: William, Mary A., Conbacy, Sarah, Robert J., Amanda, Travers and Drucilla. The mother was born in South Carolina in 1812, and died in 1876; she was a member of the Baptist church. The father died in 1860 ; he was a prosperous planter, and a man of excellent business qualifications. He also belonged to the Baptist church. Robert J., the subject of this notice, was reared on a farm in Kemper county, and now resides on his father's old planta- tion, which consists of six hundred acres. He was married September 9, 1858, to Marian Gewin, a daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Newcomb) Gewin, natives of Alabama and Virginia respectively. Mrs. Mosley was born in Mississippi in 1843, her parents being early settlers of Kemper county. Her father was a man of wealth and influence, and an honored citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Mosley have had born to them thirteen children, three of whom are deceased: Mary E. is Mrs. Dr. Gewin, Anna is Mrs. Tartle, Robert lives in Meridian, Emma is Mrs. Davis, Gewin, Earl, Mattie, Howard, Walter and Ernest; those deceased are Richard,

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Donnie B. and Marian. The parents are members of the Baptist church. Politically, Mr. Mosley is identified with the democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic order. In 1862, when there was a call for volunteers in the defense of the Southern cause, he enlisted, and served three years and four months. He was in the Thirty-fifth Mississippi volunteer infantry. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg; was at Corinth and Atlanta, Jones- boro and Chattanooga, and a number of skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Vicks- burg, and again at Blakery, from which point he was sent to Ship island, where he was held until the end of the war. He was a faithful and valiant soldier, and was loyal to his con- victions to the end. Mrs. Mosley died October 30, 1887, and was buried at Blackwater church.

B. F. Moss, whose postoffice address is Mico, Jasper county, Miss., was born in Jones county, of this state, January 16, 1834. He is a son of Benjamin and Sarah E. (Hossey) Moss, both of whom were natives of South Carolina. Coming to Mississippi at an early day, they located in Wayne county, subsequently removing to Jones county, where he died in 1837. His widow removed to Jasper county, where she later married Rev. Isaac Anderson, and moved with him to Greene county, where she died in 1871. She was the mother of ten children, namely: Elizabeth, John, Ann, Samuel, Benjamin F., Andrew J., and three who died in infancy, by Mr. Moss, and one by Mr. Anderson, named Almeda. Benjamin F. Moss was educated in the home subscription schools of Jasper county, and since he was sixteen years old has fought the battle of life single-handed. He was married in Jasper county, Miss., September 22, 1853, to Miss Jane J., the daughter of William and Jennie (Collins) Hossey. After his marriage he located in the southwest part of Jasper county, and remained there until 1869, when he located upon the plantation upon which he now resides, and which has been his home ever since, except during two years, when he resided at Paulding, Miss. In 1874 he was elected to the office of assessor of Jasper county, in which he served with great fidelity for two years. In 1881 he was elected sheriff of Jasper county, and served one term to the entire satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. His wife died in March, 1882, and in 1883 he married Mrs. Mary E., the widow of John Wade, deceased, and a daughter of

James and Pernelipa Ellis. Mr. Moss became the father of nineteen children, named as fol- lows: Madison, Sarah J., William F., Saphronie A., deceased; Benjamin D., deceased; Beulah, Ada, Elizabeth E., Robert L., deceased; John W., deceased; Benjamin B., Samuel, Bert, B. L. These children were by his first wife, and Virgie V., Luther B., William F. and George H., who were twins, and an infant son, who died unnamed. Mr. Moss is the owner of one thousand nine hundred and fifty-five acres of land, of which there are about one hundred and sixty-five acres under cultivation. In 1861 he enlisted in company E, of the Eighth Mississippi regiment, and served until the close of the war. Upon the organiza- tion of the company he was elected a lieutenant of it, and in 1862 he was promoted to the rank of captain, and served in this rank. He participated in a number of battles, and was wounded in the left hand at the battle of Missionary Ridge. Besides this engagement, he was in engagements at Murfreesboro, Resaca, Selma, Ala., and a number of skirmishes. At Selma he was captured by the Federals, but made his escape by swimming the Alabama river, and came home to Jasper county. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Baptist church. In all the relations of life he has the esteem of those with whom he comes in contact. His interest in the affairs of the town and county is great. He is always ready with his influence and money to aid any worthy movement, having in view the enhancement of the public weal.

Lewis A. Moss is a merchant of Edwards, Miss., who was born in New York city

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March 8, 1840, the youngest of thirteen children born to Benjamin A. and Alice (Davis) Moss, both of whom were born in England, and came to the United States in 1832, settling in New York city where the father followed the calling of a merchant until 1849, when his death occurred. Lewis A. attended the public schools until about twelve years of age, when he ran away from home and went to California, where he remained until 1855, at which time he returned to his home in New York. While in the wild West he made plenty of money, receiving for his services as high as $150 per month and board. Upon his return to New York he began conducting an auction business, which he continued until he came South, in 1857. He first settled in Georgia where he remained until 1861, at which time he entered the Confederate service, joining company E, Fourth Georgia infantry, his entire service being confined to the state of Virginia, during which time he participated in the seven days fight at Richmond. He was ill in the hospital for some time, which prevented him taking part in the invasions of Maryland and Pennsylvania. He surrendered with Johnston, at Charleston, N. C., after which he came to Vicksburg, Miss., and engaged in general merchandising at which he was quite successful. Since 1875 he has conducted his present business in Edwards, and from a small beginning the business has increased to immense proportions, and now amounts to about $100,000 annually. He is the owner of about sixteen hundred acres of land, which he operates in connection with his store, of which twelve hundred and one acres are under cultivation, devoted to the raising of cotton and corn. He is said by many to be one of the greatest politicians of the state, but has interested himself in politics only at the earnest solicitation of his many friends. He has never held any political office himself, nor does he desire to, but has been instrumental in adding largely to the votes received by his political friends, and has always been a stanch democrat. He has been an alderman of Edwards for fourteen years, and is one of the school trustees, in both of which capacities he has done effective work, being especially interested in the cause of education. He has donated large sums of money to public enterprises and is very generous in aiding the needy and deserving poor, the generous and kind bestowal of his gifts, being warmly appreciated. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order and Royal Arch chapter, the K. of P., the K. of H., the American Legion of Honor, the Free Sons of Israel, and the I. O. of B. B. Mr. Moss was married April 14, 1871, to Miss Fannie Weil, a native of France, and by her became the father of nine children, three of whom are living, Carrie, Benjamin and Jacques, the other children dying in infancy. Although Mr. Moss began life for himself with no means he has been very successful, and now worth about $75,000, all the result of honest and per- sistent endeavor and good financial ability. His career, although somewhat checkered, has been an honorable one, and he has few, if any, enemies.

Dr. R. P. Moss, College Hill, Miss., has been prominently identified with the history of Lafayette county, for the past forty-seven years, and is well worthy of mention in this connection. He was born in Spartanburg district, S. C., in June, 1815, and is the seventh of a family of twelve children born to James and Emily (Harrison) Moss, natives of North and South Carolina respectively. The paternal grandfather was the son of one of six broth- ers who immigrated to America in the colonial days, and settled in Virginia; the mother was of Scotch descent. The parents reared their family in South Carolina, and there passed the remainder of their days. The father was a farmer, and a man of plain, practical habits; he died in 1859, and his wife died in 1829, in Spartanburg district, S. C. Dr. Moss, and one brother who lives in Texas, O. H. Moss, are the only surviving members of the once large family. The Doctor came from South Carolina to Abbeville, Miss., in 1844. He was then a single man, and a graduate of the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania,

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He at once entered upon the practice of his chosen profession which he continued in Abbe- ville and vicinity for four years. In 1847 he was married to Miss Lucy A. E. Blakeley, a daughter of Samuel Blakeley. The following year he bought the farm on which he now lives; he continued his practice in connection with his agricultural pursuits until the out- break of the Civil war. He was conscripted into the service in 1862, and served in the state militia under Colonel Brumley, doing guard duty. After the war he resumed his labors on the farm, and has continued to earn his living by tilling the soil. He and his wife have had born to them eleven children-six sons and five daughters: James A. (a practicing phy- sician at College Hill), Samuel W., Oliver M., Robert L., Susan E.(wife of Dr. G. G. Buford), Sarah E. (wife of William P. Wadkins, of Memphis), Joseph E. W., Frances C. and Harriet Irene; the other two died in infancy. The Doctor is an unassuming man of practical habits, and takes no part in political affairs. He owns six hundred and forty acres of excellent land, three hundred of which are in a high state of cultivation. His son Robert attended the University at Oxford two years. Three daughters, Caroline, Elizabeth and Harriet, are students at the Female college of Oxford; Susan is a graduate of the Clarke Female insti- tute. The family move in the best circles of society, and would be considered a desirable addition to any community. They have lent not only their influence to educational and religious enterprises, but have contributed liberally of their means. They are consistent members of the Presbyterian church.

Gen. Christopher H. Mott (deceased) was a prominent lawyer and politician of Marshall county for many years. He was born in Holly Springs, Miss., and was a student of Dr. Whitehorn. He served in the legislature several terms. He entered the Confederate army as a private, was elected colonel and subsequently brigadier-general and was killed at Will- iamsburg. He left a beautiful and accomplished wife, who afterward married Maj. John Phillips, of Columbus, Miss.

Like many of the representative citizens of Oktibbeha county, Miss., Capt. W. C. Muldrow was originally from the Palmetto state, his birth occurring in Darlington district in 1828, and his parents, Simon C. and Louise Adaline (Cannon) Muldrow, were natives also of that state. Simeon C. was born in Sumter district on the 18th of February, 1798, and was the son of John and Mary (Ellison) Muldrow. John Muldrow was reared in the Palmetto state and was married on the 7th of November, 1785, to Miss Ellison, who bore him six children, of whom Simeon C. was the youngest. The eldest son, Robert Muldrow, was at one time presi- dent of a railroad in South Carolina and a very wealthy man; a daughter, Agnes, married a Mr. Wilson; John Boyd Muldrow is a farmer in South Carolina; Matthew E. is also a farmer, and Mary married a Mr. Bingham. Simeon Connell was reared on a farm in Sumter county, educated at Princeton college and then studied law. He was married in Darlington district to Miss Louise A. Cannon, a native of Darlington district, born January 3, 1809, and the daughter of William H. and Sarah Ann (McTyre) Cannon. After his marriage Mr. Muldrow began practicing law in Darlington district, continued this three or four years and then removed to Claiborne county, Ala., where he followed tilling of the soil for two years. From there he went to Lowndes county, Miss. The six children born to his marriage are named in the order of their births as follows: William Cannon (subject), Robert (deceased, see sketch of Col. Muldrow), Sarah Ann Cordelia (deceased), Mary Louise (deceased), Eliza Jane (deceased) and Henry Lowndes (now in Starkville, see sketch of Colonel Muldrow). The father of these children continued farming in Lowndes county for five or six years and then removed to Oktibbeha county, where he was engaged in the same occupation up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 18th of December, 1853. He came to Mississippi .

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with limited means and amassed considerable wealth. He was a man of fine intellect and was a great reader. Although he took no active part in political affairs he was well posted on all the popular topics of the day. He was a member of Oktibbeha (now Albert) lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Starkville, and he and wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church of old school. Four years after his death his widow married Isaac N. Davis, a native of Elbert county, Ga., and a gentleman who stood high in state affairs. He was a state elector on several occasions, served a number of years as state senator and was an orator of great eloquence at one time. He was educated for the legal profession, but followed agricultural pursuits the principal part of his days. He was a whig politically, but after his marriage with Mrs. Muldrow he changed to the democracy. Mr. Davis died on the 26th of June, 1860, and his widow survived him eight years, her death occurring on the 6th of June, 1868. William C. Muldrow received but a limited education in the public schools of his native district, but by his own exertions has become well posted on all subjects of interest and now has a good practical education. After the death of his father he took his place behind the plow, assumed charge of the plantation and, besides supporting the family, he paid off a debt on his father's estate amounting to $25,000. This property consisted of five hundred acres, to which William C. has added to, from time to time, until it increased to about twenty-five hundred acres. He sold that and now owns nearly seven hundred acres of land, five hundred acres of which are under cultivation. Like most of the farmers in the county, his principal crops are corn and cotton, and he is interested in stockraising. His farm is located on the Illinois Central railroad, five miles from West Point and one-half mile west of Muldrow. His brother, Colonel Muldrow, owns a large tract of land east of Muldrow Station. The land owned by our subject is in a high state of cultivation, and his system is productive of excellent results. He takes great pride in his farm, which, as before stated, is less than half a mile from the station which was erected by the Illinois Central railroad for the con- venience of Captain Muldrow and his brother, Colonel Muldrow, of Starkville. Captain Muldrow's residence is beautifully situated and is surrounded by a fine park of about five acres, which is dotted here and there with great oak trees and many beds of choice flowers. The Captain exhibits great taste, not only in the selection of plants, but in the care and training of them. An archway covered with sweet-scented honeysuckle is over the front gate, the entrance to the house is up a broad flight of steps and from the front balcony a lovely view is obtained of the surrounding country. Everything is cozy and convenient about his place and his doors are ever open to his friends, of whom he has a host. In the latter part of 1860 Captain Muldrow enlisted as a private in company C, Fourteenth Missis- sippi infantry, serving about six months. At the battle of Fort Donelson he was captured and taken to Camp Douglas, where he was kept about nine months. He was exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. By permission of President Davis the brother of our subject organized an independent company of cavalry, which Captain Muldrow joined as second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant in about a year and a half, and then became captain. He was in all the battles of General Sherman's raid and was in the engagements in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina up to the line of North Carolina. He surrendered at Washington, Ga., and after returning home resumed his former occupation. The Captain has never married, his "home life," to quote his own words, "being so pleasant that I did not think of leaving it." He is a very genial, whole-souled gentleman and bears his years as lightly as many twenty years his junior. His farm is his pride and his most constant thought.

Col. Henry L. Muldrow, the most prominent lawyer of Starkville, and president of the

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People's Savings bank at that place, was born in Lowndescounty, Miss., in 1838. His parents, Simeon C. and Louise A. (Cannon) Muldrow, were natives respectively of Sumter and Darling- ton districts, S. C., the father born in 1798 and the mother in 1809. The elder Muldrow, passed his youth on a farm, received good educational advantages, and subsequently gradu- ated from Princeton college, New Jersey. After this he studied law and practiced his pro- fession for a few years in South Carolina and then removed to Claiborne county, Ala., where he led the life of an agriculturist. He was married in his native state about 1826, and in 1837 removed to Lowndes county, Miss., where he was among the first settlers. He located in the woods on Tibbee creek, improved a good farm, and there resided until about 1845, when he removed a few miles farther west into Oktibbeha county, again settling in the woods. He was a man of talent and excellent judgment, who by his honesty and industry amassed a good property. He never aspired to public positions, but was ever ready and willing to assist in all enterprises of a laudable nature. His death occurred in 1853. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He was one of three sons and three daughters, born to the marriage of John Muldrow, who was of Irish descent and probably a native of the Palmetto state. The latter spent all his life, following the occupation of a planter in South Carolina, and served under General Marion in the Revolutionery war. The mother of Colonel Muldrow died in 1868. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a lady of rare accomplish- ments, having received her education at Barromville, N. C., a school of considerable note at that time. Her father, Hon. William H. Cannon, was of Scotch-Irish origin, was a wealthy planter, and one of the prominent men of South Carolina, representing the same in the state senate. He reared two sons and four daughters, the eldest son, Capt. William H., holding the rank of captain in the Florida war. Col. Henry L. Muldrow was one of three sons and three daughters, born to his parents, all the daughters dying when young. The eldest son, Capt. William C. Muldrow, is now one of the leading planters of Oktibbeha county. He was a captain in the Confederate army. Another son, Maj. Robert Muldrow, was a graduate of the State University of Mississippi, and when a young man represented Oktibbeha county in the legislature. His residence was in Kentucky, but died in Mississippi, in 1873, while visiting relatives. He served as major in Wirt Adams' cavalry during the war and was once wounded. Col. Henry L. Muldrow's early educational training was good, he having gradu- ated from the literary department of the University of Mississippi in 1856, and from the law department in 1858. He then practiced at Starkville until April, 1861, when he joined the Oktibbeha rescue, afterward company C, Fourteenth Mississippi infantry as lieutenant, and was captured at Fort Donelson. He was imprisoned at Johnson's island for about seven months and was then exchanged. Upon the reorganization of the company he was made captain and operated in the Western campaign, in many of the most severe engagements until after the fall of Vicksburg. He then received orders from the war department at Rich- mond to raise a company of mounted scouts, which he did, and was then authorized, with Col. R. O. Perrin, to organize a regiment of which the latter was made colonel and Captain Muldrow, lieutenant-colonel. Upon the death of Colonel Perrin, which occurred soon after, our subject became colonel and commanded the regiment in General Johnston's army until the close of the war, surrendering with him after struggling gallantly with the enemy for four years. Prior to the war, in 1860, Colonel Muldrow was married to Miss Eliza D. Ervin, a native of Lowndes county, Miss., and the daughter of James W. and Ann J. (Jennings) Ervin, the father born in South Carolina and the mother in Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin were married in Mississippi, and after the death of the latter in 1860, Mr. Ervin removed to Alabama, where he followed planting until his death. To Colonel and Mrs. Muldrow was born a daughter,

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Annie Louise, who is still living. Mrs. Muldrow is a member of the Presbyterian church. After the war Colonel Muldrow resumed the practice of law and his official career began in 1870 as district attorney of the sixth judicial district, serving about two years. He represented Oktibbeha county in the memorable legislature of 1876, and also served with credit and distinction in the XLVth, XLVIth, XLVIIth and XLVIIIth congress, declining re-election. In 1885 he was appointed first assistant secretary of the interior by President Cleveland, served until the close of the administration and then resigned. He then returned to his practice with his former partner, Hon. Wiley N. Nash, also one of the prominent lawyers of Mississippi. Colonel Muldrow was made president of the People's Savings bank. at Starkville, upon its organization in 1889 and he has since filled that position. He is also largely engaged in planting. The Colonel is a true type of the Southern gentleman, genial and hospitable, and he has secured a wide circle of friends, whom he holds tenaciously.

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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 74

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