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 75

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 75

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John J. Mulligan, of Vicksburg, Miss., is probably the most successful and extensive plumber in the entire South. He came to Vicksburg in youth as a mechanic, having pre- viously learned the trade of a tinsmith. He soon engaged in business for himself, and is now doing a very large, reputable and lucrative business. He does an extensive wholesale business in tin, copper and sheet iron, tinners' supplies, fire and burglar-proof safes, engines, boilers, etc. He owns valuable property in Vicksburg, on Mulberry street, where he car- ries his stock, and from which he does his extensive business. He has recently completed the plumbing and cornice work on the new Vicksburg hotel and the Piazzo hotel. His fine work may be seen throughout Mississippi and adjoining states. Besides being a first-class plumber, he is filling the following responsible positions creditably to himself and satisfac- torily to the citizens of Vicksburg: Treasurer of the Vicksburg Building association, treas- urer of the Vicksburg fire department, president of the Washington fire department, and first lieutenant of the Catholic Knights of St. John.

Robert Mullin (deceased) was a resident of Grenada county, Miss., for over half a cent- ury, and during that period was one of the county's most active and prominent citizens. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1818, and when a mere boy crossed the ocean to America, locating first in Dayton, Ohio, with a sister, Mrs. Margaret Thompson, who had immigrated to the United States a number of years before. In 1829 Mr. Mullin went to Kentucky and from there to Mississippi in 1838, locating at old Troy, Yalobusha county, a few miles below Grenada, on Yalobusha river, where he engaged in shipping cotton. Later he embarked in merchandising on a small scale, having but little to start with, but by his energy and close atten- tion to business, soon became one of the leading merchants of the place. In all other enter- prises undertaken by him he was very successful, and he purchased large tracts of land to which he added from time to time. About 1850 he purchased the place that he afterward named Evergreen plantation, consisting of twenty-two hundred acres of the choicest land in the county, and on this erected a large, two-story brick house, a very handsome and imposing structure. This building, standing on an elevation covered with magnolia and evergreen trees, commands a lovely view of the surrounding country and is picturesque in the extreme. On retiring from merchandising, Mr. Mullin made this place his home, where he wished to spend the rest of his days in quiet, but during the war he lost a great deal of his means, and after cessation of hostilities, he again engaged in merchandising in Grenada. There he worked with the vigor of former years and soon became one of the leading merchants of the county. He continued in business until 1884. He was a man of strong, vigorous mind, great originality, and was possessed of a high sense of honor and excellent judgment, which exerted a great influence over those with whom he came in contact, and he was often con-

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sulted for his opinion on different subjects. No one ever thought of doubting his word or impunging his motives. He was very conscientious, strictly honest in all his dealings and a thorough Christian man, although not a member of any church. In his early life he had joined the Methodist church, but thought he could not comply with all its rules and there- fore withdrew. He led a good, moral life and those who knew him best loved and appreci- ated him most. He always contributed liberally to all worthy enterprises brought to his notice and with a willingness that made him popular with all. His death, which occurred on the 31st of May, 1885, was the occasion of universal sorrow, for all felt the loss that would be sustained by the departure of such a man. He was married in May, 1843, to Miss Mary Walton, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of Harris and Mary (Edwards) Walton, natives respectively of Tennessee and Georgia. Harris Walton and his family moved to Mississippi as early as 1838, settled in Marshall county, but the same year came to Yalobusha county, where he opened up a large plantation. He died at the age of fifty-eight years, and his wife when forty-six years of age. Both were members of the Methodist church. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are yet living, and Mrs. Mullin being the eldest. She was nearly grown when she came with her parents to Mississippi. She is still living, is a member of the Methodist church and resides in Grenada with her daughter, Mrs. Laurance. She was a true companion to her husband and is one of the best of women, esteemed and respected by all. To Mr. and Mrs. Mullin were born nine children, six of whom survive at the present time: Appolis, wife of Capt. J. B. Wilson, resides in Bowling Green, Ky. ; Annie, wife of Mr. Lake, of Memphis, Tenn .; Cora married John W. Griffis, of Grenada; Lillie, wife of F. G. Winn, of Clairmont, N. H. ; Blanch married Samuel Lau- rance (deceased), who was a member of the firm of Doak & Laurance, merchants of Grenada, and to this union was born a bright little girl. The youngest of this family, Robert W. Mullin, was born on Evergreen plantation and supplemented the primary education received at Grenada by a thorough course in Roanoke college, Virginia, from which he graduated in 1882, taking a special course. From there he went to Bowling Green, Ky., engaged in stock trading for a few years and then returned to the old home place, where he has since resided engaged in stockraising. He is advanced and progressive in his ideas and is one of the prominent planters and stockfarmers of Grenada county. He selected for his companion in life Miss Effie Thomas, daughter of B. F. Thomas, and her death occurred on the 17th of April, 1890, at the age of twenty-one years. She left an infant daughter, Mary. Mrs. Mullin was educated at Blue Mount college, Ripley, Tenn., and was a lady of refinement and culture. Mr. Mullin adheres to the democratic party in his political views.

P. W. Mulvihill, dealer in general hardware, tinner and plumber, of Natchez, Miss., is the son of Michael and Mary (Creigan) Mulvihill, natives of Ireland; the father born in County Kerry and the mother in Limerick. The parents were married in their native country, and in 1848 sailed for Canada, where they remained but a short time and then moved to New York state. There they remained for about two years, and then moved to Illinois, and thence in 1858 to Natchez, Miss. Later yet they moved to Vicksburg, where the mother received her final summons, and where the father still resides. Although now retired from the active duties of life, he was formerly a railroad contractor and a merchant. He is a member of St. Mary's cathedral. He had two brothers and two sisters to cross the ocean to America. Mr. Mulvihill was the father of eleven children, only three sons now living, as follows: M. J., a prominent merchant at Vicksburg and one of the city's representative citizens, E. P., who is a hardware merchant at Colorado, Tex., and subject. Two daughters and four grandchildren died with yellow fever in Vicksburg in 1878. P. W. Mulvihill was

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born in New York city in 1850, secured a liberal education at the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, in Natchez, and in 1866 learned the tinner's trade, at which he worked for seventeen years. In the meantime he established himself in the hardware business, and now has an annual trade of probably $20,000. He is an energetic, thoroughgoing business man, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him. For four years he has been alderman of the Second ward; is a director in the Natchez Safe Deposit and Trust company; is president of the Phoenix Fire Company No. 7; was treasurer of the St. Joseph Total Abstinence and Benevolent society, and was once an officer of the state Knights of Workmen of Mississippi. He was married to Miss Bridget Gleeson, a native of Ireland, and daughter of John and Mary Gleeson, natives also of the Emerald isle. Her parents came to the United States and settled in Natchez in 1853. There they both died, the mother in about 1880 and he ten years later. To Mr. Mulvihill's marriage were born nine children, and he and family are members of St. Mary's cathedral.

There is no name more worthy of mention in the memorial department of these vol- umes than that of Jesse P. Myer, of Ellisville, Miss., who is the largest and most extensive retail merchant and cotton dealer in southern Mississippi, if not the largest in the state. This gentleman is a native-born Mississippian. His birthplace was in Jasper county, and he was born July 15, 1855. His father was Solomon Myer, who was born in Metz, Germany, about the year 1819, and came to the United States when quite young, settling about 1851 in Mississippi, where he married Miss Amanda Alexander, subse. quently removing to Jasper county, where he became a merchant. Later he became a merchant of Clarke county and removed thence in 1883 to Jones county, where he died in February, 1891, his wife, who survived him, making her home with her son, Jesse P., at Ellisville. They were the parents of ten children: Joseph (deceased), Mary E., Amelia L., Jesse P., Josephine R., Sallie O. (deceased), Alexander S. (deceased), Nettie Forest, Charles S. and Ada C. Mr. Myer was educated at Shubuta, Miss., and at the age of seventeen years became a salesman in the employ of M. Greenhood, of Shnbuta, a merchant of that place, in whose service he remained for several years. In 1879 he formed a co-partnership with N. B. Shelby to carry on a mercantile business at that place. This partnership was terminated by mutual consent in 1883, and Mr. Myer came to Ellisville, Miss., where he opened a store individually. Beginning with limited capital he gradually increased his stock as his trade warranted until now his business is very extensive. Some idea of its growth may be obtained when it is stated that in the first year he shipped three hundred bales of cotton and in 1890 he shipped more than four thousand bales. He carries the largest stock of general merchandise in southern Mississippi and ranks among the leading merchants in the state. He makes a specialty also of dealing in wool. He draws a very extensive and rapidly increasing trade from an area extending from sixty to seventy-five miles in all directions, and he has come to be known in the mercantile circles throughout the South. The town of Ellisville may be said to be coexistent with his enterprise there, and he has led in all improvements and done more perhaps than any other one man to secure its advancement and commercial prosperity. Mr. Myer was married in Heidelberg, Miss., May 14, 1884, to Miss Alice Lee Weens, a daughter of Lewis H. and Mary (Bachelor) Weens, who had four children: Alice Lee, Rutledge, Clara and another who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Myer have had two children, Charles S., deceased, and Alma A. Mr. Myer is a. member of the Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. The career of Mr. Myer illustrates what may be accomplished by characteristic American pluck and energy combined with unswerving honesty and faithfulness to commu-

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nity and to self; and such sketches as this point examples to the rising generation that may be followed with credit and success and result in still greater glory to Mississippi and the new South.

Prof. C. H. Myers was born in Union county, Miss., in February, 1861. He is a son of P. B. and Martha (Goodrich) Myers. His parents were natives of Alabama, and in that state they grew to maturity and were married. They removed to Union county in 1851, where Mr. Myers bought land and engaged in planting. About the beginning of the war he removed to Memphis Tenn., where he became a merchant. After the war he removed to a plantation near Memphis, which he managed in connection with his mercantile business until 1866, when he removed to Marshall county, Miss. His wife having died while he lived in Memphis, he married Miss Elizabeth Bridgewater. She soon died also, and he married for his third wife, Miss Jennie Wesson, of Marshall county. By his first wife, he had seven children, by his second wife, he had one child, and by his present wife, he has had three children. From Marshall county, he removed to Union county, where he engaged in plant- ing. He was practically a successful business man, who never sought political preferment. Professor Myers began life for himself as a planter and schoolteacher. Having a great desire to so educate himself that he might become a successful teacher, he became a student at the State university at Oxford, in 1883. In 1884 he established a private school at Myrtle, Union county, where he has remained until the present time. His success here has been such that he has built up a small college, of which he is principal and owner. This institution has been of great usefulness to this part of the state, and its continued success seems assured. The number of pupils enrolled in 1891 was one hundred and fifty. In 1884, solely with his own capital, he built a good school building, which is adequate to the demands of the time. In 1887, the school having grown so rapidly that the accommodations were insufficient, he erected an additional building, and the college is now well equipped, both as regards buildings and apparatus. The institution is known as the Myrtle normal college, and is attended by students of both sexes. In 1890 Professor Myers obtained a charter of this college from the state legislature. Some idea of the growth of this institu- tion may be had from a comparison of the roll of 1884 with that of 1891. The total num- ber of students in the first mentioned year was sixteen. The college has good boarding facil- ities, and the college property embraces twenty acres of land on which are the college buildings and a fine residence, all of which Professor Myers is the sole owner. He deserves, and has been awarded great credit for his success in this useful enterprise, which is constantly growing in the confidence of the people in this and surrounding counties. The Professor is assisted in the management of the college by Mrs. Myers, who graduated at Oxford in the class of 1880. He married Mrs. Myers, who was Miss Jennie M. Ritz, in 1887. She is a daughter of Edmond and Jennie (Lark) Ritz. Her father was a native of Germany, and her mother was born in South Carolina. They were married in the state just mentioned in 1859, and removed from there to Washington, D. C., where they lived for ten years, when they located in Oxford, Miss. Mr. Ritz died in Memphis, Tenn., in 1883. Professor Myers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, aud Mrs. Myers a member of the Baptist church. Professor Myers is almost wholly absorbed in the building up of the college, and it has been an honor to himself and a lasting benefit to the community, but he finds time and means to devote to laudable public enterprises of all kinds, which are of advantage and benefit to the community in which he lives.

On page three hundred and sixty-seven of this volume appears a biographical sketch of the late Hon. R. F. Beck (deceased). Mr. Beck died August 18, 1891, after the article

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mentioned had been printed, and it is deemed proper to supplement the above mentioned sketch with further details of the life of this remarkable man. In addition to the many pub- lic offices which he held, and the duties of which occupied so much of his valuable time, he still found leisure to devote himself to the demands of official positions such as the following: He was president of the following organizations: The Vicksburg Building association (for twelve years), the Yazoo and Tallahatchie Transportation company, the Vicksburg Builders and Traders' exchange, and the Gibraltar Publishing company, and he was an officer in the Vicksburg Wharf and Land company, the Delta Wharf and Land company, the Vicksburg Transfer company, the Vicksburg Wharf, Boat and Elevator company, the Delta Wharf, Boat and Elevator company, the Mississippi Home Insurance company, the First National bank of Vicksburg, the Vicksburg Fair association, the Vicksburg Driving club, the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks, and the Catholic Knights of America. All of these organi- zations held special meetings and passed suitable resolutions in respect to his death, and each sent to his late residence a beautiful floral offering. Almost every carriage, public and private, in the city was brought into requisition at his funeral and large numbers of people attended on horseback. The board of mayor and aldermen attended in a body and the city had a delegation of mounted police in uniform present. The carriages that bore the floral offerings were all beautifully draped in mourning, and the horses and drivers were decorated with crape. The procession to the cemetery was probably the largest ever seen in Vicks- burg. The following account is taken from a local paper:

Such an assemblage of the people as turned out yesterday to pay the last honors to the remains of Hon. R. F. Beck, has not been seen in many years. No less than seventy-six vehicles were in the pro- cession, which extended several blocks, and spacious St. Paul's, where the funeral rites were celebrated, was so densely crowded that it seemed impossible for another person to gain admission. The ceremo- nies, which were grandly impressive, consisted of a requiem high mass, by Rev. Father Monti, and a chastely eloquent funeral oration, delivered by Rev. H. A. Picherit, whose polished and beautiful thoughts were never more appropriately expressed, even though he has delivered on frequent occasions productions which have moved the most stoical to tears, than on this occasion. His long friendship for the deceased gave him abundant qualifications as his eulogist, and this was most fittingly demonstrated in his touching tribute to his many virtues.

The ceremonies at the church took place about 9 A. M. At their conclusion the mournful pro- cession was reformed; the casket, buried beneath rare flowers, was reverently borne to the funeral car, and the march to the cemetery began. There were present in the funeral cortege Mayor R. V. Booth and the other members of the city council, preceded by Marshal Hammett and a detachment of police on horseback, the members of the Builders' exchange and representatives of all the city's institutions and organizations.

Upon reaching the cemetery, the last rites of the church were pronounced by Rev. Father Picherit, the casket was deposited in its last resting-place, and the sorrowing throng turned sadly away.

During the morning business was generally suspended by the members of the Builders and Traders' exchange, in honor of their deceased president.

Mr. Beck was a friendless young stranger when he located in Vicksburg at the close of the war, but he was possessed of brains, health, industry, good habits and indomitable energy. He soon became a builder and contractor, in which avocation he met with great success and which he followed until the day of his death. He was so constituted that be was a leader in whatever he devoted his energies to, whether it was business, political or social in its character. In the exciting events of the period following the war he took an active part, and was a prominent factor in the movement that overthrew radical rule in Vicks- burg. He was first elected alderman and afterward mayor of Vicksburg. Soon after he was elected sheriff of his county, and re-elected two or three times. Later he was again elected mayor of Vicksburg for two successive terms. He took great interest in every

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movement that promised to aid the growth or welfare of the city, and no movement for the public good failed to receive help from him. His death while in the prime of life and at the zenith of his mental vigor, was a loss to Vicksburg and to the state. He was a devout mem- ber of St. Paul's congregation, and it was his regular custom to attend mass in the sacred edifice. In his death the church lost a true and stanch friend, and this may be said amso of schools, which he assisted and encouraged in the most liberal and praiseworthy manner. His character may be summed up in the statement that he was a devoted husband, a loving father, a true friend and a thoroughly good man, and his place in the community will be hard to fill.

CHAPTER XIV.

CITIZENS' PRIVATE MEMOIRS, N.

apt. George W. Naron, a member of the mercantile firm of Naron, Son & Mancill, at Maben, also the firm of G. W. Naron & Sons, Atlanta, Chickasaw county, was born in Coweta county, Ga., April 16, 1828, and was the third of nine children born to Thomas and Mary (Corker) Naron, natives respectively of South Carolina and Kentucky. The parents were married in Coweta county, Ga., and from there removed to Chambers county, Ala., thence to Randolph county, and in 1842 came to Chickasaw county, Miss., set- tling in a tent in the woods. Two years later they removed to near Little Rock, Ark., and there on the 22d of July of the same year (1844) Mr. Naron received his final summons .. Mrs. Naron died two days later. The father was something of a speculator, and was of rather a roving disposition. He was a man of great endurance and was thoroughly acquainted with Indian life, having served in the Creek war as a sergeant, leaving a wife and several children at home, who were frequently obliged to protect themselves from the Indians by hiding in the woods. Mr. Naron was one of seven sons and one daughter born to the marriage of Eli Naron, who came to Chickasaw county in 1844, followed planting, and there passed his last days. He was in the War of 1812. His father was from the old country. Capt. George W. Naron became thoroughly familiar with the duties of the farm at an early age, but his educa- tional advantages were not of the best, never having attended school more than six months altogether. He began for himself when sixteen years of age, and during the Mexican war he was in the quartermaster's department, serving about eight months in General Taylor's command. He then returned to Mississippi and in 1849 married Miss Mahala Few, a native of Morgan county, Ga., born in 1822, and the daughter of Clement and Sallie Few. Mr. Few was a successful planter, and died in Chickasaw county, Miss. His wife died in Georgia. Mrs. Naron, who died June 11, 1890, was the mother of seven children, four of whom are now living, viz .: Sara F., deceased wife of Rev. R. P. Gore; William W., a merchant of Eupora; J. Riley, died in 1891; Martha J. was the wife of F. P. Sinclair, of Eupora; Alonzo C., a

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merchant of Atlanta, Miss .; Rebecca O., wife of T. J. Mancill, of Maben; and Laura E., died in infancy. The mother of these children was a devout member of the Baptist church. Captain Naron was one of the early settlers of Chickasaw county, where he made his home until recently, when he moved to Maben, Oktibbeha county. He has followed the occupation ofpa farmer all his life, and is the owner of about thirteen hundred acres in Chickasaw, Cal- houn and Webster counties, all the result of enterprise and industry on the part of the family. About 1875 Mr. Naron began merchandising at Atlanta, and since then has devoted his atten- tion largely to that business, owning a large store at Maben and another at Atlanta. Early in the war Mr. Naron was made lieutenant of company H, Thirty-first Mississippi infantry, and later became captain of the company, operating in Mississippi the first year or two. He fought at Chickasaw Bayou, Baker's Creek, Jackson, and then on to Resaca, fighting all the way to Atlanta. From there he went to Franklin and Nashville, back to Mississippi, and rejoined General Johnston in North Carolina, surrendering with him after over four years of hardship and suffering. He was wounded three times. During that time his wife and chil- dren struggled hard to make a living and battled vigorously against all opposition. The Captain was for a number of years a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, Atlanta lodge No. 362, having taken the past master degree, and he is now a member of New Hope lodge No. 224, at Maben. He is a member of the Baptist church. His wife was a noble companion, and much of his success in life the Captain attributes to her. She displayed wonderful fortitude during the war and supported the family instead of going to her people.

Wiley Norris Nash, of Starkville, Miss., is the son of Stephen Evans and Mariah Jane (Stanton) Nash. His father was born in South Carolina, October 27, 1807, and died on his plantation in the western part of Oktibbeha county, July 16, 1863. His mother, a native of North Carolina, was born October 12, 1822, and died in Starkville, Miss., October 26, 1859. His mother's family were among the pioneers of Alabama, and his father's family were pioneers, both of Alabama and Mississippi. The antecedents of this gentleman, when both lines are considered, have, first and last, occupied important places of trust and honor in positions religious, legal, political and military, extending back to and including the Revolu- tionary war. From this family have sprung worthy and honorable ministers, soldiers, judges and statesmen. The Nashes do not claim lineage from any great or titled family, yet the older members, or a number of them, claim a traditional motto, of which they are very proud, the English of which is "Faithful in everything."

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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 75

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