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 88

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 88

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

circles throughout the state. He has been a resident of Indianola since 1888, soon after which the present law partnership of Chapman & Paxton was formed. This firm has a com- plete set of abstracts, and the extensive practice which they now command is but a natural result of their individual and coufederate action. They have a large clientage, their judgment is regarded as conscientious and safe, and in speech they are logical, concise and to the point. Mr. Paxton was married in Warren county, Miss., on the 12th of December, 1882, Miss Mary H. Noland, a daughter of H. P. Noland, becoming his wife. She was born, reared and edu- cated in Warren county and died in the month of February, 1890. She was a lady of very superior mental endowments, and in the domestic circle was a model wife and mother, being passionately devoted to her family, whose happiness and comfort was her chief aim and object in life. Her death was deeply lamented, not only by her immediate and sorrowing family, but by all who knew and loved her in life. She left three bright little daughters: Annie Aldridge, Jennie Ruth and Mary Noland. The Paxtons were among the first families of Virginia and in the Old Dominion A. J. Paxton, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born. He obtained a very superior education at Washington college, and in his native state fitted himself for the practice of law. In 1837, when a young man, he came to Mississippi and for several years practiced his profession at Vicksburg, after which he removed to Jack- son, continuing his practice there. In 1854 he located on a plantation in Washington county, and for several years past has been retired from the active practice of his profession. He is quite a distinguished character of Washington county, and has always taken an active interest in all questions pertaining to political affairs or to the advancement and building up of his state and county, being a member of the last constitutional convention. He was mar- ried at Jackson, Miss., to Miss Hannah M. Beazley, a native of that city.

Col. A. J. Paxton has long been a resident of this section of the state, but was born in Rockbridge county, Va., on the 18th of March, 1816, being the third of seven children born to Elisha and Margaret (McNutt) Paxton, both of whom were Virginians, the former being a farmer by occupation and a son of William Paxton, a native of Pennsylvania, but a farmer and resident of Virginia. The Paxtons are of Scotch-Irish descent. The wife of Elisha Paxton was a daughter of Alexander McNutt, a native of England, and once governor of Nova Scotia, who reared a large family of children. Col. A. J. Paxton was reared in his native state and received his education in what is now known as Washington and Lee university, and in the Virginia university, where he studied law. He began the practice of that pro- fession in Jackson, Miss., in 1838, but in 1850 came to Arcola, cutting his own road as he came, and engaged in planting, being now the owner of two thousand acres of as fine land as there is in this section of the country. Of this valuable plantation he has one thousand four hundred acres under cultivation, on which, in 1888, he erected a handsome and commodi- ous residence. He was married in 1847 to Miss Hannah M. Beazley, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Samuel P. and Susanna (Smith) Beazley, both of whom were Virginians. To Mr. and Mrs. Paxton, the following children have been born: Lucy, who is the wife of Frank Aldridge, a merchant and planter, resides with her parents; Andrew J., is married to Lena Wilmot, and is engaged in planting near his father; Alexander G., was married to a Miss Noland (now deceased) and is practicing law at Indianola; Hannah M., is the wife of A. J. Aldridge and lives at Arcola; Cornelia, is the wife of Porter C. Chapman, a lawyer of Indianola; Elisha and Samuel, who are at school at Sewanee, Tenn. Mr. Paxton enlisted in the Confederate army in the year 1864, being in the quartermaster's department at Lynchburg, Va. He was a member of the constitutional con- vention held in Jackson in 1890, and in his political views has always been a dem-

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ocrat. He is one of the oldest settlers in the delta, and has since taken an active interest in county affairs although he is not a politician. Being a nephew of ex-Governor McNutt, he was very intimate with him, resided in his family, and was his law partner for many years. In his younger days he had every opportunity of indulging his love of hunting, and being an excellent shot, many a bear has fallen a victim to his skill with the rifle. Although he is now seventy-five years of age he carries himself perfectly erect, and wears his hair and beard, which are almost white, quite long. He is neat and precise in his dress, is courteous and kindly in his manners, and is a very intelligent and entertaining conversationalist. He has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for his many worthy traits of character is honored and respected by all.

W. G. Paxton, a member of the firm of A. M. Paxton & Co., is a foundry machinist and manufacturing agent at Vicksburg, in which city he was born in 1838, being the eldest of eight children born to Alexander M. and Mary (Ellis) Paxton, both of whom were members of old Virginia families, the paternal ancestors having been residents of that state for many generations. Alexander M. Paxton was educated in the University of Virginia, after which he studied law and came to Vicksburg, Miss., to practice his profession, this being about the year 1830. In 1853 he purchased an established foundry and machine shop and conducted it with success until his death in 1886. He was a promoter of humane and benevolent insti- tutions of the city, was active in educational matters, and was president of the city board of trustees of the public schools of Vicksburg, and was a member of the board of trustees of the Agricultural and Mechanical college at Starkville, Miss. He was of distinguished and dignified appearance, was over six feet tall, and weighed about two hundred and forty pounds. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity. W. G. Paxton was educated in the Military institute at Lexington, Va., from which he graduated in 1860. In March, 1861, he became a member of a regiment of state troops that went to Florida, but in November of the same year he was transferred to Wirt Adams' regiment of cavalry at Bowling Green, Ky., and was appointed adjutant. He was in the battle of Shiloh, and was there placed in command of one hundred men, was assigned to Morgan's regiment, and started for Kentucky. He was captured at Lebanon, Tenn., and was confined in Nashville, Camp Chase, and on Johnson's island, being exchanged at Vicksburg, September 1, 1862. He afterward served as captain of an artillery brigade, provost-marshal, major of Miller's regiment of cavalry, and took part in the Georgia campaign, terminating in the fall of Atlanta, and was paroled at Jackson early in July, 1865. He at once embarked in business with his father, and has since devoted his attention to the foundry business. He was made secretary of the Vicksburg Hotel company at its organization and has otherwise interested himself in the business affairs of the city. He is a member of Vicksburg lodge No. 26 of the A. F. & A. M., and in this organization has been a member of Royal Arch chapter No. 3, and Magnolia commandery No. 2. He has presided over these branches, and in 1878 was grand commander of the Knights Templar and grand master of Masons in 1889. He is president of the Howard Associate society of the Red Cross. In 1867 he was married to Miss Lucy Gibbs, a native of Grenada, Miss., daughter of E. F. Gibbs, a merchant of Vicksburg, who died in 1855. To Mr. Paxton's union eight children were born, seven of whom are living: Janie, widow of W. M. Klein; Mary Lou; Alexander, who died in infancy; Lucy, W. G., Jr., Henry C., Edward G. and Shelby. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in this church Mr. Paxton has been superintendent and teacher in the Sunday-school. He is a member of the board of managers of the Young Men's Christian association. Charles B. Paxton, brother and partner of W. G. Paxton, was

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

born in 1846, and was educated in the University of Virginia. Upon arriving at suitable years he engaged in business with his father, but since the latter's death has been associated with his brother. He is a wideawake and enterprising young business man and is doing well financially. He is a member of the following secret and social societies: The K. of H., the K. of P., the A. L. of H., the A. O. U. W., the Order of Elks, Vicksburg lodge No. 95, and the Nogales Social club.

George H. Payne, one of the most prominent citizens and most successful planters in Tallahatchie county, was born in this county in 1857, a son of Dr. George W. and Florida (Simmons) Payne. His father was born in Virginia, his mother in Georgia. Dr. Payne was reared in his native state, and came with three brothers to Mississippi, afterward reading medicine and graduating from the Medical college at Louisville, Ky. He married in Talla- hatchie county, and passed the remainder of his life there, ranking among the leading physi- cians and planters. He practiced his profession with marked-success until his death in 1878. He fell a victim to yellow fever, and fifteen of his relatives, including two of his brothers, died also. These brothers were Joseph H. Payne, M. D., a prominent physician of Garner station, and William, a planter. His other brother, who came to Mississippi, died before the war. Dr. Payne was energetic, industrious, and in all the relations of life strictly honorable. He was a successful business man, and acquired a good home and considerable property. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity, having long been a member of the George Washington lodge No. 157, A. F. & A. M. His widow still resides on the old homestead. Before her marriage to Dr. Payne she had been married to Dr. Foster H. Thompson, who died in Tallahatchie county. Her father, Stern Simmons, was a native of Georgia who came at an early date to Mississippi, where he died before the war. He was twice married, his first wife, Mrs. Payne's mother, having died in Georgia. George H. Payne is the third of four children-two sons and two daughters. Of these, Robert died while young; Virginia is the wife of Henry C. Montgomery, of Le Flore county; our subject is the next in order of birth; Florida S. is the wife of Dr. J. R. Crow, of Charleston. Mrs. Payne had four chil- dren by her first husband, Dr. Thompson: Joseph, a planter of Tallahatchie county; John and Graham, both deceased, and Nannie, wife of Bolivar Bowen. Mr. Payne received his education at Charleston and at Garner station, and was reared to the life of a practical farmer on the farm where he was born and has always lived and will probably live the bal- ance of his life. This old homestead consists of five hundred and sixty acres of land, about two hundred acres of it being cleared. It is considered one of the best improved farms in the county, and has good buildings and fences and other evidences of prosperity. In 1885 Mr. Payne married Willie Blanche Herron, whose father came from Tennessee and was for some years a merchant at Charleston, where he died. His widow married R. Denman, and died in 1887. Mrs. Payne was born in Charleston, and was educated at Oxford Female college. She has borne her husband two sons and one daughter. Mr. Payne is a member of George Washing- ton lodge No. 157, A. F. & A. M., at Charleston. He is also a member of A. Macon Leigh lodge, Knights of Honor, No. 3233, of the same place. Mr. Payne is a man who stands high in every way among his fellow-men. He is a progressive, wideawake farmer and a prac- tical one as well. He is looked upon with confidence and trust, and is an earnest, useful citizen.

The commercial circle of Hernando, De Soto county, Miss., has no more conspicuous figure than Jordan A. Payne, whose career will be briefly outlined in the following space. He is the fifth of a family of nine children, and was born September 1, 1842, to Jordan and Nettie (Joyner) Payne. His father removed from Tennessee to De Soto county in 1833 and

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL

engaged in planting. He was reasonably successful in his occupation, and was recognized as a man of sterling worth by all who knew him. He was a son of William and Sarah (Burrus) Payne, natives of North Carolina. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Isaac and C. (Davis) Joyner, of North Carolina. They were all agricultural people and free from polit- ical ambitions. Jordan A. passed his boyhood and youth in De Soto county, attending the private schools of the neighborhood. When the late war came he was not slow to take up arms in defense of his country. He enlisted in 1861 in company K, Ninth Mississippi regi- ment, and served until he was honorably discharged. He then went to Virginia and attached himself to company C, Forty-second Mississippi, remaining with this regiment until the battle of Gettysburg, when he was taken prisoner; he was sent to Fort Delaware and held there as a prisoner of war until June 18, 1865. After his release he returned to his home and went to work with a will to replace what the ravages of war had swept from the country. He now owns upward of two thousand acres of land, which he is cultivating in cotton, corn and grasses. He owns a half interest in the business of Payne & Bell, which firm is one of the most reliable in the state, doing a business of $60,000 to $80,000 annually, and carrying a stock of $7,000 to $10,000; the house of business is owned by the firm and is one of the best built in the place. Mr. Payne was united in marriage in 1873 to Miss Mary Banks, of De Soto county, a daughter of Lemuel and Louisa (Tate) Banks, natives of Georgia. She died in 1874, leaving no children. Mr. Payne was married a second time in 1880 to Miss Sallie Bowdre, a Mississippian, and a daughter of Maj. A. R. and Lucy (Meriwether) Bowdre, of Georgia. Five children are the result of this marriage: Albert Bowdre, Lelia, Ava P., Clifford and Henry Grady. Mr. and Mrs. Payne are members of the Baptist church and he is a Knight of Honor. He is a man of unquestioned probity of character and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

L. C. Payne, a successful planter of Lee county, was born in Tennessee in 1839, and is a son of James and Elizabeth Payne, natives of Kentucky. James Payne was the son of Lawrence and Mary Payne. The subject of this notice received a fair English education, and at the age of sixteen years started out in life on his own responsibility. He was married November 7, 1860, to Miss Martha J. Moore, a native of Alabama, born May 20, 1845, and a daughter of John A. and Jane K. Moore, natives of North Carolina. The father was born November 24, 1807, and the mother was born November 7, 1814. They were both worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. They reared a family of nine children, eight of whom lived to maturity: Thomas F., deceased; William J , deceased; Sarah E., deceased; Robert G., who married Sarah Brombley; Jane K., wife of John English; Abra- ham, deceased; Lelia, deceased; and Martha J., the wife of Mr. Payne. Mr. and Mrs. Payne have reared a family of eleven children, nine of whom still survive: Reuben F., married Belle Morgan; Willard J. married Emma Knowles; Amy E., wife of Samuel Scrib- ner; Elizabeth J., wife of T. Monaghan; Ada A., wife of Nathaniel Coggins; Abraham A .; Jesse T .; Leo N .; Martha A .; John A., born January 4, 1865, died June 19, 1887; and Albert W., born June 29, 1877, and died October 7, 1881. Mr. Payne is the third in a family of five children. In 1861 he enlisted under Capt. John M. Simonton, and through- out the remainder of the war saw a great deal of active service. He was taken ill the first year of his enlistment, and came home, remaining six months; he reenlisted under Captain Ashcraft, in the Forty-first Mississippi regiment, and participated in some of the most noted engagements of 1862. He was sent back to Mississippi and transferred to the First Mis- sissippi regiment, participating in the engagement at Port Hudson, where he was captured; he was paroled, returned to his home, and after six months went to Atlanta, and thence to

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Tennessee, and after the surrender came back home again. He has since been devoted to planting, and owns a farm of six hundred acres, all of which is well improved and under good cultivation. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and contributes liberally to its support.

J. H. Peace was born in Coahoma county, Miss., July 22, 1861, the only child born to Dr. James A. and Elvira T. (Badget) Peace, the former of whom was born in North Carolina. He came to Coahoma county, Miss., in 1842, and here began the practice of medicine, having graduated from the Louisville Medical college. He became eminent as a medical practitioner, and also became prominent in the political affairs of this section, and served with distinction in the Mississippi legislature for one term. He was well known and highly honored through- out the county, and although very successful in the practice of medicine he gave this up in 1880, and from that time until his death, in 1890, he devoted his whole time to his large planting interests. J. H. Peace was reared on the plantation on which he is now residing, and acquired his education in the University of Mississippi at Oxford. For eight years prior to his father's death he acted as manager for him on the home plantation, in which capacity he was successful and showed good business tactics. By inheritance he has become the owner of a very fine plantation of four thousand five hundred acres, and has twelve hundred acres under cultivation. He erected his handsome residence in 1889 at a cost of $2,500, and has in other ways improved and increased the value of his property. He is extremely enterprising, is much averse to continually keeping in one rut, but shows much fore- thought and prudence in his ventures, and has never yet had occasion to regret the adoption of new and improved methods in conducting his affairs. His home is the abode of peace and plenty, and has about it an air of refinement and taste which does not belie the character of the inmates. In 1890 he was married to Miss Rose B. Strickland, a native of Mississippi and a daughter of Jacob and Frances (Bobo) Strickland, the former a native of Mississippi, and the latter of South Carolina. Mrs. Peace is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Peace is a Mason and a democrat. He is a cultivated and polished gentleman, and he and his wife move in the highest social circles.

Robert N. Pearce was born in Sumter county, Ga., in 1833, and is the elder of two chil- dren of Edmond and Amanda F. (Belcher) Pearce, who were also natives of Georgia. The parents emigrated to Yazoo county in 1841 and settled near Benton. The father died in 1844 and the mother lived until 1863. Both children lived to maturity. Mary E. married George H. Shell and bore him two children. She died in 1862. . Mr. Pearce passed his youth in his native county, receiving but a limited education. This was due to the death of his father, as he was then thrown upon his own resources. He went to work on a farm and followed this vocation until he was twenty-two years of age. In February, 1862, he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in company I, Third Mississippi volunteer infantry, Colonel Dyer, of Benton, commanding. He was in the engagements at Peachtree creek, Jones- boro, Atlanta, Bentonville and smaller battles and skirmishes. He was promoted to the office of first lieutenant. and at the time of the surrender was at Greensboro, N. C. On July 20, 1864, at Peachtree creek, he was wounded, though not seriously, in the back of the neck. After the battle of Franklin, Tenn., he was the only commissioned officer present belonging to his company, and the command naturally devolved upon him. He later com- manded two other companies, whose officers were killed, until the surrender. Mr. Pearce was married in 1857 to Miss Frances E. White, a daughter of Nathan and Rebecca (Hannon) White. The following year he settled on the plantation where he now lives. It then con- sisted of seven hundred and twenty acres, but he has made additions to the original until it

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now covers not less than one thousand eight hundred acres. He has improved the place with fencing, good substantial buildings and a comfortable, convenient residence. His principal crops are cotton and corn, and he has made the beginning of great improvements in the breed of his livestock. He now has some of the finest Jersey and Holstein cattle, with which the place in time will be fully stocked. The politics of the county have always been of interest to Mr. Pearce, and for four years he has been a member of the board of super- visors. He belongs to the P. B. Tutt lodge No. -- , A. F. & A. M., of which he he has been junior warden. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor, and is the lecturer of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce are worthy members of the Rocky Springs Mis- sionary Baptist church. They are the parents of six children: Cora R., deceased; Mamie, wife of S. W. Johnson; Josie S., wife of W. F. Heard, of Sunflower county; Edmond B .; Robert N .; and Mercy E., a student at Clinton, Miss. Mr. Pearce has ever been keenly alive to the needs of the community in which he lives, and has been generous in giving of his means to aid in its growth and development. He is a man of great popularity, and is the present candidate for sheriff of Yazoo county.

"They shunned not labor when 'twas due, They wrought with right good will; And for the homes they won for them, Their children bless them still."

The first of the Pearcefield family to locate in the state of Mississippi was James B. Pearcefield, the father of the subject of this sketch, who left his native state to locate here when a young man, he being one of the earliest pioneers of Jefferson county. He was born on blue grass soil, as was his father before him, his family being among the very first of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. After his removal to Mississippi, J. B. Pearcefield was married here to Miss Isabella Montgomery, daughter of John B. Montgomery, who was one of the first settlers of this region from the Palmetto state. After the celebration of his nuptials Mr. Pearcefield settled on a plantation, and in following this calling his efforts were attended with good results and he became well to do. After having passed a useful life he died in 1854, his wife surviving him several years, dying in 1878. The father of the latter located on the farm on which his grandson, P. M. Pearcefield, is now living, but at that early day the land was in a very primitive condition, heavily covered with timber and canebrake, which fur- nished homes for innumerable wild animals, many of which fell victims to Mr. Montgomery's trusty rifle. On this plantation he reared his family and resided until his death. P. M. Pearcefield and a sister, Mrs. James Lowe, of Harriston, Miss., are the only children born to their parents. The former was born in the county in which he is at present residing, on September 22, 1844, and obtained his education in a private school in this county. Upon the opening of the late war in 1861 he joined the Jefferson artillery, in Capt. Put Darden's bat- tery, and served with him until the close of the war, being gunner of his battery. He was blown up by the explosion of an ammunition chest in one engagement, but aside from being quite badly burned he was uninjured. At the close of the war he was paroled with his com- pany at Meridian, Miss., and returned to his home to take up the occupation of farming once more, the details of which calling he had learned of his father, and this has since received his attention. He has been fortunate in his enterprises, and is now the owner of his grandfather Montgomery's old homestead, which is a good, and under Mr. Pearcefield's watchful care, an admirably cultivated one. He was married in Franklin county, Miss., May 29, 1867, to Mrs. Amelia J. Herring, daughter of J. Monroe Brown, a native of Franklin county, but now a resident of McNair. Mrs. Pearcefield was born in Jefferson county, but was educated at Port Gibson, Claiborne county, Miss., leaving school an intelligent and accomplished young lady.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BUILDINGS, STARKVILLE.

CHICAGO,

and Co.

Suand pragspoon 41550

FOTO HA

٦٠٠

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

She was first married in Franklin county to Mr. Herring, who died while in prison at Camp Morton, Ind., while serving in the Confederate army. To her first marriage three children were born: D. M. Herring, who is a railroad agent and resides at McNair; Jennie, wife of S. L. Davis, a railroad contractor of Seneca, Kas., and Ida, an accomplished young lady. Mr. Pearcefield carries on all his operations according to the most advanced and progressive ideas, and he has long since gained the reputation of being among the very foremost agriculturists of this portion of the county. He early became acquainted with the duties of farm labor, and this fact, in connection with the industry, perseverance and energy which he has ever manifested, has done much toward bringing about his present good fortune. He owns about twelve hundred acres of excellent land, about three hundred acres of which are open and devoted to the raising of the usual Southern products. He has been interested in local pol- itics, and has served as a delegate to a number of county and congressional conventions. He is a Master Mason, and he and his accomplished and amiable wife, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, have many warm friends and are favorites with all who know them.

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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 88

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