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 94

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 94

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MEMOIRS OF MISSISSIPPI.

Henry P. and Augustus L .; William H. started to California in 1849 and died before he had reached the end of his journey; Delilah married Hugh Ervin; Sophronia married Benja- min Williams. Henry P. Pope, son of John Pope, removed to Hinds county, Miss., where he made a fortune planting; later on he went to Bossier parish, La., and afterward to Texas, where he died in 1862, leaving a family of four children.

Jacob Pope married Sarah Lee and they reared a family of eight children: James, Ben- jamin, Sampson, Jacob, Richard, Mary A., who married a Mr. Morgan, and after his death was united in marriage to Judge Ebenezer Ford; Clarissa, wife of Benjamin B. Barnes, and Sarah, who married Solomon Ford, and after his death was married a second time, to Watson Ford. Sampson Pope, son of Jacob Pope, married Esther Barnes. They became the parents of sixteen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity: William, Mary, Jacob, Dickerson, Joseph, Harris, Sarah, Henry, James, Amanda, Allen, Willis, Salonia, Cordelia, Albert, and one who died in infancy.

Port Gibson Female college. This admirable institution of learning was established on the 3d of April, 1844, at which time a meeting of the board of trustees agreed that Mr. and Mrs. Harvie should open the school on Monday the 15th, both for boarding and day pupils. It is later recorded that the articles of agreement of the association were entered into September 11, 1843, and were signed by J. H. Maury, Benjamin G. Humphreys, Elias Bridgers, Joseph Devenport, John S. Chambliss, Peter C. Chambliss, D. G. Humphreys, D. S. Humphreys, E. S. Jefferies, N. Jefferies, Samuel Cobun, H. T. Ellett and G. N. Humph- reys. The college was founded in 1844, and in 1854 was incorporated, and in 1869 was deeded to the Mississippi annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The main building was completed and opened for pupils in 1844, and the annex has been built since the war. The present board of trustees are as follows: Hon. G. W. Humphreys, J. H. Gordon, John Burnett, Hon. E. S. Drake, G. J. Bahin, Hon. J. Millsaps, Henry Key, H. G. Millsaps, Rev. J. A. B. Jones, Rev. B. F. Jones, Hon. J. McMartin and Rev. J. A. Ellis. The present president is Miss M. E. Compton, and the students number ninety. The cur- riculum embraces the following departments: The primary and preparatory, in which the common branches are taught; the collegiate, which is divided into the schools of mathematics, natural science, moral science, history and the languages, and the musical department, in which special attention is paid to voice culture. The terms of the institution are within the reach of all, and, as the best of instructors are employed, the establishment is liberally patronized. The buildings can not be surpassed for convenience of arrangement. The rooms and halls are well ventilated, and the grounds, being extensive and well shaded, are well adapted to the health, comfort and improvement of the pupils.

Mrs. Celestia A. Porter, a resident of Coahoma county, Miss., and a lady of marked business ability, was originally from Cobb county, Ga., her birth occurring in that state on the 22d of November, 1824. She was the eldest of three children born to the union of Thomas R. and Eliza (Legg) Johnson, both natives of Georgia. The father was a soldier in the Mexican war, was also a participant in the Florida war, and received his final summons about that time. The mother moved to Mississippi in 1862 and died here in 1888. The maternal grandparents were Nathaniel and Lucy (Hampton) Legg, and the grandmother was a sister of Gen. Wade Hampton, the noted politician of Georgia. Mrs. Porter was reared in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, and received her education in the private schools of those states, having moderately good educational advantages. She came to Mississippi in 1848, and was here married on Feburary 18, 1851, to Mr. Edward D. Porter, a native of Ohio who came to Mississippi in 1837. Mr. Porter was in the Civil war, and held the rank LL

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of captain of his company until cessation of hostilities. He figured very prominently in all the fighting in Mississippi, and was an intrepid officer and a valiant soldier. His death occurred in 1871. Mrs. Porter is the owner of three hundred acres of land, and has one hundred and seventy-five acres under cultivation. She is a lady of more than ordinary busi- ness ability, and displays excellent judgment and discretion in the management of her fine farm, gathering from seventy-five to one hundred bales of cotton from the same, annually. The farm, which is situated on the Sunflower river, five miles south of Clarksdale, is in a good state of cultivation, and everything indicates industry and prosperity. Mrs. Porter is a member of the Methodist church and is a devout Christian.

J. C. Porter, of Lauderdale Station, Miss., was born on the 15th of October, 1815, in Union district, South Carolina, being the fourth of a family of seven children born to Elisha P. and Hollie (Cooper) Porter, both of whom were born in South Carolina, the descendants of Revolutionary parents. They grew up and were married in the state of their birth, resid- ing there for about thirty years, finally emigrating to Mississippi early in the forties, settling at Houston, in Chickasaw county. They purchased land near that town, and the father fol- lowed planting throughout the remainder of his days, becoming quite well to do. He was the owner of many slaves as well as a large amount of real estate, and became well and favor- ably known throughout his adopted county. He was an excellent citizen and neighbor, and he and his wife were worthy Christians. They died at their home in Chickasaw county in 1873 and 1865 respectively. Only two of their family are now living, Captain J. C., and Mary S., wife of Isaac Paulk, of Chickasaw county. Capt. J. C. Porter began planting for himself at the age of twenty-one years, but after some time removed from his native state to Alabama, and was married in Sumter county of that state in 1839 to Miss Nancy G. Lav- ender, by whom he became the father of fourteen children-six sons and eight daughters, eight of whom are living: Elmira J., wife of W. B. Clark; Elizabeth, wife of T. P. Porter, deceased; Eugenie, wife of Robert Taylor; Ellen B., widow of Dr. J. R. Webb; Hollie, wife of Robert Hunter; Alice, wife of D. L. Barr; Lemuel, a farmer and miller of Kemper county; and Isaac D., a merchant of Lauderdale. Captain Porter removed from Alabama to Mississippi in 1846, and took up his abode in Chickasaw county, where he was engaged in planting for six years, after which he returned to Alabama and there remained for seven years. At the end of this time he returned to Mississippi, and after spending some time in Kemper county, he came to the place where he is now living, at Lauderdale Station, in 1865. He successfully carried on merchandising at this point for twenty years, and succeeded in securing a large patronage throughout the country, doing an annual business of $30,000 to $60,000. He retired from the active duties of life in 1886, owing to defective eyesight, and has since lived in retirement. He has been a member of the board of county supervisors, was justice of the peace of Lauderdale county for a number of years, and for four years was mayor of Lauderdale Station. His wife died at her home in this county, in 1884, a consist- ent member of the Christian church, but Captain Porter has been a member of the Protest- ant Methodist church for many years, and has for the past forty years been a member of the A. F. & A. M. He is the owner of six thousand acres of land in Kemper county, seven hundred acres in Sumter county, Ala., one hundred acres in Lauderdale county, and a handsome residence and business property in Lauderdale; also five tenement houses. The Captain has been very energetic and enterprising, and has proven himself a man of shrewd business tactics, and sound and practical views. He is well known throughout the county, is the soul of honor in the conduct of his business, and has numerous warm friends. His property has been earned by hard and persistent endeavor, but he has been very liberal in

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the use of his means, and worthy enterprises find in him a hearty supporter. The Porters are noted for their generosity, warm-heartedness and upright principles, and being among the prominent citizens of Lauderdale county they have always moved in the highest social circles.

Dr. James G. Pou, a physician and merchant of Courtland, Miss., who, by his own abil- ity, has become prominent in his different callings, owes his nativity to Panola county, Miss., born January 24, 1849. His father, Henry P. Pou, was a native of the Palmetto state, was married there to Miss G. M. Chapman, also a native of that state, and subsequently, or in 1846, immigrated to Panola county, where he was engaged in tilling the soil. He was a sol- dier in the Creek Indian war, and for a few months also served in the Civil war. He is now seventy-six years of age and is still engaged in his life's calling. Of the eight children born to his marriage, Dr. James G. was the fifth in order of birth. The latter was educated in the public schools of Panola county, and the war coming on at a time when he should have heen in school, prevented his getting more than an ordinary English education. However, hy close application to the duties of life, he has gleaned a great deal of valuable knowledge since. He graduated in medicine from Tulane university, New Orleans, La., in 1871, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in the place of his birth and boy- hood, where he has continued successfully since. He is a clever and scientific practitioner, and is known all over the county. In 1880 he established a drug business in Courtland, and conducted the same under the firm name of J. G. Pou until 1890, when J. M. Fowler pur- chased one half interest in the business, and it is now conducted under the firm title of J. G. Pou & Co. They do a good business and are thoroughgoing, enterprising men. Dr. Pou was married in 1873 to Miss Mary E. Nelms, a native of Mississippi, and a daughter of Sam- uel H. and Mary (Caldwell) Nelms, natives of Alabama and Tennessee, respectively. Four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Pou: Mary Blanche, James Virgil, Arrah Viola and Theodora Alice, all at home. Dr. Pou started out to fight life's battles for himself, with lim- ited means, and, by his success as a practitioner and his excellent business ability, has become the owner of five hundred acres of land, one hundred acres of which are under culti- vation, his place of business and his fine home being in Courtland. He is a man of few words and is very attentive to business and his profession.

Absalom C. Powell, planter and dealer in livestock, Mount Carmel, Miss., is a well-known resident of Covington county. He was born in Darlington district, S. C., in 1811, the third of a family of seven children, named as follows: Sallie, who married David Dalrymple; Mary, wife of Kindred Griffith; Absalom C .; Martha; Margaret; Kate, wife of Benjamin Diggs, and John. The parents, James and Melissa (Stewart) Powell, were natives of Darlington district, S. C. The father was born in 1780, and was a son of John Powell, a native of North Caro- lina, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He was born in 1752, and died in 1834. He was a planter by occupation. James Powell was a soldier in the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch removed to Covington county in 1835, and settled within one mile of the plan- tation which he occupies. He was married in 1840 to Miss Angeline Lott, and of this union there have been born ten children, seven of whom are still living: Robert, Nancy, (wife of Benjamin Eastland), John, Katie (wife of Alexander Leonard), Thomas (deceased), William, Joseph, Melissa (deceased), Morgan and Howard (deceased). Mr. Powell had two sons in the Civil war, but both lived through the conflict. He belongs to no church, nor to any secret societies. He is a man of the highest character and a loyal citizen. Before the war he had thirty-three slaves, and like many of the Southern people lost heavily by the war. He has placed his land under cultivation, and it is well stocked with good grades of animals.

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The name of Isaac T. Powell is synonymous in Prentiss county with successful agricult- ure, for he has been one of its successful planters for many years. He was born in Hardeman county, Tenn., in 1839, and is the son of William and Sarah (Ingram) Powell, the father a native of South Carolina, born in 1800, and the mother of the same state, born in 1812. William Powell was reared to farm life, and after receiving the usual school- ing of his day, started out to make his own way in life. He was married in his native state to Miss Ingram, who is a descendant of one of the prominent families of South Caro- lina, and soon after moved to Tennessee, where their children were born and reared. The children were named in the order of their birth as follows: John R., who died before the war; Nancy, Mrs. Sanders, also died before the war; Needham J., in Texas; Alice, Mrs. Holmes, is now deceased; Amanda, Mrs. Crawford, now deceased; Louisa, Mrs. Brint, now deceased; William was taken prisoner during the war confined at Alton, Ill., and there died; he left three children: Richard H. resides near the old homestead in Tennessee; Isaac T., our subject; Mary, Mrs. Moore, died in Arkansas, and James was killed at the battle of Cross Roads, Lee county, Miss. The parents died in Hardeman county, Tenn., near Cranesville, in 1863, nearly at the same time, not a day between their deaths. The father was an honest, industrious citizen, was an old-line whig in politics, and was justice of the peace for a number of years. He and wife reared all their children. The paternal grand- father of our subject served in the War of 1812. Isaac T. Powell grew to manhood in Hardeman county, Tenn., secured good educational advantages, and at the age of twenty-one years enlisted in the Middleton legions, and was attached to the Ninth Tennessee infantry, commanded by Gen. Douglas. Mr. Powell enlisted as a private, and later was promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant. He participated in the battle of Corinth, and was all through the county where he now lives. He was at Coldwater, Shiloh and the fight around Jackson, Tenn. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, and was paroled at Corinth, Miss., in 1865. After the war he followed the occupation of his father, farming, and this has continued to be his chosen industry since. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Mattie Donaldson, daughter of John B. and Sarah (Fulghur) Donaldson, natives of Tennes- see. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson moved to Mississippi before the war, and both are now deceased, the mother dying before and the father after that eventful period. They had one son, Ben F., in the Confederate army. To Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born four interesting chil- dren, three of whom are living: Anna L., Sarah (died in 1883), Henry and John. The chil- dren are all at home. Mr. Powell is quite an extensive farmer, and has about twelve thou- sand acres of what is called the black land. He has of this about one hundred and fourteen acres under cultivation. He and Mrs. Powell hold membership in the Baptist church. He is a Master Mason, a member of Booneville lodge No. 305, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor. He is an active member of the democratic party. He is a selfmade man, having accumulated all his property by his own energy and enterprise, and has been a resident of this county since the war.

Capt. John Powell, a prominent commission merchant of New Orleans, and president of the Merchants' bank, also the Grenada Compress and Oil company at Grenada, where he has his residence, was born in Nottoway county, Va., in 1825, and is the son of Thomas W. and Martha Anderson (Leigh) Powell, natives of Nottoway and Amelia counties, Va., respectively. The parents were married in the latter county, and there Mr. Powell died in 1830, at the age of forty-five, being clerk of the county at the time. He also engaged in merchandising and was a prominent and successful business man. Mrs. Powell moved to northern Alabama in 1831, and five years later to Mississippi. Her death occurred in Yalobusha county in 1865,

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at the age of seventy-two years. She was the daughter of Rev. Zachery Leigh, a native of the Old Dominion, a planter, and a Baptist minister of considerable prominence. He was captain of a cavalry company under General Washington during the Revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Powell were born eight children-three sons and five daughters-only two besides our subject now living-two sisters who reside in Yalobusha county. One brother, Thomas, served in the Confederate army, cavalry, and died in Grenada, of yellow fever, in 1878. He was a planter by occupation. Another brother, Dr. William, was a prominent physician, and died in Grenada county in 1890. Capt. John Powell was educated at Grenada and in the languages at Preston, Miss. When twenty years of age he began for himself as a clerk in Troy, then Yalobusha county, and in 1855 the mercantile firm of Conley & Powell was formed at Grenada. Two years later they were burned out, and after this Mr. Powell served for about two years as station agent for the Mississippi Central railroad company. In 1860 he was elected to fill an unexpired term as sheriff of Yalobusha county, and was reelected at the next general election, serving about two and a half years in all, but when the war broke out he joined company H, Fifteenth Mississippi infantry, and operated in east Tennessee. He was in the battles of Rock Castle, Fishing Creek, etc., and after about six months came home to collect the taxes of his county, that being a part of his official duties as sheriff. Early in 1862 he organized a company (H), which he commanded, and joined the Forty-second Missis- sippi infantry. He served in the Virginia army and fought at Cold Harbor, Hagerstown, and many other places. In June, 1864, he was severely wounded in the thigh at Drewrey's Bluff, was disabled from further service, and from this wound he has never fully recovered. He spent some time in the hospital in Richmond and then came home. When he had sufficiently recovered he was employed as a traveling agent for different commission houses of New Orleans for five years, and in 1875 he founded the cotton commission house of Chaffe, Ham- ilton & Powell, of New Orleans, which was afterward Chaffe & Powell, and now Chaffe, Powell & West, one of the best known commission houses of the city. To this Captain Powell devotes most of his time, and his presence is required in New Orleans. In 1865 he was made treasurer of the Mississippi Central Railroad company, but at the end of about sixteen months was compelled to resign on account of his disability and wound. He placed himself in the hands of the celebrated surgeons, Drs. Warren Strong and Thomas G. Richardson, of New Orleans, and after a severe operation, in which they removed a portion of the thigh bone, he found much relief. Captain Powell has extensive planting interests in the Yazoo delta, and one plantation in Tallahatchie county furnishes employment for about one hundred negroes. The Captain started in life a poor boy, and lost what property he had accumulated prior to the war, being obliged, like many others, to start anew. For many years he has been a member of the Grenada lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 31. Although quiet and unpretentious, Captain Powell is one of Grenada county's most esteemed and worthy citizens. He is connected with its most worthy enterprises, both financially and officially, and possesses, in more than ordinary degree, the natural attributes essential to a successful public as well as private career. He is a thoroughgoing and live business man, and is prac- tically a selfmade man in a business point of view. In 1875 he was married to Miss Winnie, daughter of Dr. Willis M. and Sarah (Wilson) Lea, and a native of Mississippi. Her parents were born near Leesburg, N. C., and Danville, Va., respectively, and came to Marshall county, Miss., at a rather early date. The father was a successful physician and planter for many years, and died about 1880. He was a member of the secession convention, and had three sons killed in the Confederate army. Mrs. Lea is still living, and is seventy-eight years of age. Captain and Mrs. Powell are worthy members of the Baptist church, which he joined many years ago.

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John M. Powell is one of the most successful planters of Coahoma county and one whose honesty has never been questioned. His beautiful home is a model of neatness, taste and comfort, and indicates the refined taste and culture of both Mr. Powell and his wife. Mr. Powell was born in the county in which he is now residing, February 16, 1854, being the youngest of five children born to John M. and Cordelia (Penrice) Powell, the former born in the Old North state and the latter in Tennessee. Mr. Powell came to Mississippi in 1850 and located on the plantation on which his son, John M., is now residing, and engaged in planting, in which he was very prosperous. He was one of the first contractors on the Mississippi levee, being in partnership with Jacob Thompson, who was secretary under James Buchanan. Mr. Powell was one of the most prominent men in the delta, but died in New York in 1875. His parents were Ransom and Myra (Rolen) Powell, natives of North Carolina, where they were wealthy planters. The great-grand- parents were Thomas R. and Myra (Lewis) Powell, also of North Carolina. The maternal grandparents, Frank and Elizabeth (Smith) Penrice, as well, and the maternal great-grand- parents, John and Amy (Herod) Smith, were North Carolinians. The Penrice family origi- nally came from Wales and settled in Tennessee. John M. Powell was principally reared in Ohio, but received his education in Oxford, Miss., Ohio and Illinois. Upon leaving school he returned to his home in Mississippi and began merchandising and planting, the latter calling being conducted on the plantation which then belonged to his father and of which he is now the owner. He started in life with $1,000, and by a free use of brain and brawn he has made the remainder of his property by his own efforts, being now the owner of one thousand eight hundred and fifty acres of land, of which seven hundred and fifty acres are under cultivation, the most of which he has brought to its present excellent state of fertility by his own efforts. He has greatly improved his property in the way of build- ing, and in 1890 erected his handsome residence. Everything about his place indicates that a man of thrift, energy and enterprising views has the management of affairs. He is very thorough in everything that he undertakes, takes great pride in beautifying and adorning his home, is kind and considerate in his family, and is ever thoughtful of the comfort and happiness of his mother, who makes her home with him. He was first married in 1876, to Miss Ella Smith, a native of this state and a daughter of Jesse and Lucinda (Carr) Smith, natives of Kentucky. In 1885 his wife was called from earth, leaving one child: Lou S., who is now attending school at Helena, Ark. In 1890 he took for his second wife Mrs. Minnie C. Thomas, a native of Helena, Ark., and daughter of Alexander and Mary (Estell) Clemens, the former of whom was born in Arkansas and the latter in Louisiana. To Mrs. Powell's first union a daughter, Julia Estell, was born, who is attending school in her mother's native town. Mr. Powell is a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife and mother are Episcopalians, the latter heing now in her seventy-fourth year. Mr. Pow- ell has a sister living who is the wife of Rev. D. B. Ramsey, of Louisville, Ky. He is well educated, a good business man and, socially, is a member of the K. of P. He is deeply religious, honorable, philanthropic and public-spirited, and, as a business man, has not his superior in this section of the country. Although he is a lineal descendant of George Washington's and Gen. Dick Lewis' families, he does not boast of his ancestry, being suffi- ciently democratic to believe that "worth makes the man," no matter who the father may have been. His career has been such that the standard of morality among young men has become much higher in the community in which he resides, and in numerous ways he has helped to make Coahoma county a most desirable place in which to live. He is of com- manding presence, tall and slender, with fair hair and complexion and handsome and intel-

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ligent gray eyes. He is very neat in dress, is very courteous and hospitable, and takes great delight in entertaining his friends. His wife ably seconds him in every worthy move- ment, is devoted to her family, and does all in her power to make their home a cheerful and happy one. She is quite a talented artist, and the walls of their parlors are hung with the results of her brush.

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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 94

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