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 97

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 97

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Dr. J. J. Price is one of the prominent druggists of Clarksdale, and by his social and pleasing manners has built up a good trade and won a host of warm friends. He is the third of five children born to John J. and Sarah R. (Hunter) Price, his birth occurring in Alabama in 1844. The parents were natives of South Carolina, in which state their nuptials were celebrated, and in 1837 or 1838 they removed to Alabama, where the father was engaged in tilling the soil until his death in 1850. He was an officer of the county militia. The mother's death occurred in 1888. Both were members iu good standing in the Methodist Episcopal church. J. J. Price attained his growth and received a good practical education in Alabama. In 1861 he came to Mississippi, settled at Enterprise, Clarke county, and early in 1862 entered the Confederate Military hospital at Enterprise as assistant druggist. There he remained until December, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-seventh Missis- sippi regiment infantry, and was in many of the most prominent engagements, from the battle of Resaca to Atlanta. For a time he was in the medical department, then in the ranks, and was with General Hood in his campaign in Tennessee, taking part in all those bat- tles-Franklin, Spring Hill, etc. He was at Greensboro, N. C., at the time of the surren- der. After this he went to Enterprise, followed farming until the fall, and then engaged in clerking, which he continued until 1872. He went from there to Augusta, Ark., and three

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years later embarked in business for himself as a merchant under the firm name of Price & Wise. In 1875 he sold out and came to Clarksdale to take charge of the mercantile business of John Clark. Remaining with Mr. Clark until December, 1879, he then started his pres- ent drug business at Clarksdale. He erected a neat cottage residence a few years ago, and in 1889 erected his fine business building and another brick store on Front street; he also owns a tract of timber land. Mr. Price was married in Hinds county, Miss., in 1870, to Miss Bettie McRae, a native of that county, and the daughter of William McRae. Her mother's maiden name was Wells, and she was a descendant of an old and very prominent family. Mrs. Price is also related to Governor McRae. To Mr. and Mrs. Price have been born five children, two daughters living and three sons deceased. Those living are Maud and Blanche. Mr. Price was one of the organizers of the Clarksdale Bank and Trust company, and has been a member of the city council since the incorporation of Clarksdale, with the exception of one year. He is one of the promoters of all public enterprises in Clarksdale, Coahoma county. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Knights of Pythias orders. In addition to the complete stock of drugs that he carries, Mr. Price has toilet articles, paints, oils, glass, school books, and stationery.

Melville C. Priddy, planter, owes his nativity to the state of Tennessee, his birth hav- ing occurred in Shelby county, October 10, 1838. He was the third of eight children born to his parents, John H. and Mariah A. (Priddy) Priddy, native Virginians. The father removed from his native state to Tennessee about 1830, and was a contractor and builder and a very fine architect of Shelby county for many years. In 1870 he removed to Memphis, where he is now residing at the age of seventy-seven years. He was left a widower in 1870, and four years later he married a Mrs. Smith of Memphis. The Priddys are of Scotch-Irish ancestry and were among the oldest and most prominent families of Virginia. The paternal grandfather, William Priddy, and the grandmother, whose maiden name was Crenshaw, were also natives of the Old Dominion. Melville C. Priddy was brought up in Memphis, but was educated in Macon, Tenn. At the age of thirteen years he became a salesman in a country store, where he remained three years, after which he went to Memphis and kept books for John C. Lonsdale for three years, subsequently becoming clerk on a steamboat plying on the Mississippi. He retained this position until the breaking out of the war when he, from New Orleans, enlisted in company H, Miles' Louisiana legion, and was at once made orderly sergeant. Soon after this he was promoted to sergeant major of his command and in the siege of Port Hudson received a slight wound. Being cut off from his command after the surrender of this place he joined Morton's Tennessee battery of Forrest's artillery and served until the war closed, participating in all the engagements of his company. He surren- dered at Gainesville, Ala., in May, 1865, and returned to Memphis, where he remained two years, after which he came to Coahoma county and began merchandising. Seven years later he went to Friar's Point and for four years held the office of chancery and circuit court clerk of the county, after which he entered the employ of the Mobile & Northwestern railroad company as bookkeeper and cashier, in which position he remained three years. He then filled a responsible and remunerative position in Helena, Ark., for six years, and in 1887 came to his present plantation, which contains two thousand three hundred and eighty-two acres, of which six hundred and fifty are under cultivation. All this property he has made through his own exertions, and although his early labors were severe he surmounted the many difficulties that strewed his pathway and in the various employments in which he has been engaged he has acquitted himself creditably. He is genial, hospitable, and pos- sesses a kind heart, and his intercourse with those around him has been very harmo-

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nious and cordial. He was married in 1870 to Miss Emma Stothart, a native of Tennessee, but her death occurred three years later. In 1876 Mr. Priddy took for his second wife Miss Blanche Miles, of Mississippi, a daughter of William P. and Musidora (Alcorn) Miles, the mother being a sister of ex-Governor Alcorn. To Mr. and Mrs. Priddy one child has been born, Miles, who is attending school at Clarksdale, Miss. Mr. Priddy is a mnem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, is a Mason and a member of the American Legion of Honor. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Capt. John T. Priestly, planter, Canton, Miss. Captain Priestly's father, James Priestly, was born in Tennessee, and came to Mississippi in 1832, locating among the first settlers of Canton, the county seat of Madison county. He was quite a prominent physician, and min- istered to the physical wants of his fellow-men in that county until his death, in 1855, of yellow fever. He married Miss Susan Nelson, also a native of Tennessee, and her death occurred in 1890. His parents, John T. and Hannah Priestly, were natives of Tennessee, and the maternal grandfather, Bevily Nelson, was also born in that state. Of the seven children born to James and Susan Priestly, Capt. John T. was the third in order of birth. He was born in Madison county, Miss., April 3, 1840, and was educated in the Canton high school until 1857, when he took a commercial course in Gundrey's Commercial college, Cin- cinnati, Ohio, graduating the same year. He has figured quite prominently in the politics of the county, was sheriff from 1875 to 1881, and was an efficient officer. He is considered one of the leading citizens of Madison county. During the early portion of his life he fol- lowed merchandising, but failing health compelled him to retire to the farm, where he has resided since 1872. He is a planter, and, jointly with his wife, owns nineteen hundred acres of land, with nine hundred and fifty under cultivation. He also has some buildings in Can- ton valued at $3,000. Mr. Priestly was married, in 1868, to Miss Stella Shackleford, a native of Mississippi, and the daughter of Judge Thomas and Sarah T. (Moon) Shackleford, natives, respectively, of Mississippi and Tennessee. This union resulted in the birth of three chil- dren: Thomas S., Pauline and Sadie. During the Civil war, or in 1861, Mr. Priestly enlisted in company I, Tenth Mississippi regiment infantry, a volunteer company known as the Madi- son rifles, and served in the same until 1862, when the company was disbanded, the time of enlistment having expired. He then went to Virginia with Gen. S. D. French, and was with him until after the fall of Vicksburg. After this he joined a company known as Harvey's scouts, with which he remained until the war closed. He was in all of General Sherman's raids, and being with a scouting party was in many dangerous places. He was shot through the left lung while in the mountains of Georgia, and was disabled for duty for a short time. He was in active service at the time of the surrender. Mr. Priestly and family are members of the Episcopal churchi, and he has shown his appreciation of secret organizations by becom- ing a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias. He has ever been identified with the best interests of the county, and is held in high regard by his friends and neighbors.

Francis M. Prince, the present sheriff of Kemper county, has for many years been promi- nently connected with the history of this section of country, and is deserving of a place in the record of Mississippi's loyal citizens. He was born at Jones' Bluff, Sumter county, Ala., September 25, 1835, and is a son of Richard and Susan R. (Jackson) Prince. The father was born in Virginia in 1804, and was a son of John Prince; he removed with his father from Virginia to South Carolina at an early day, and there received his education in the common schools. In his youth he determined to follow husbandry, and removed to Alabama, locating in Sumter county, where he became a prosperous planter. He was mar,

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ried in Barbour county, Ala., but resided in Sumter county until his death, which occurred in 1845. He was a member of the Baptist church, and a stanch adherent to the principles of the democratic party. He was a soldier in some of the Indian wars, and was once justice of the peace. The mother of our subject was born in Alabama in 1812, and was a daughter of Randie Jackson; her family were from Georgia, but removed to Barbour county, Ala., at an early day. Richard Prince and wife were the parents of children named: Martha, Sophronia, Francis M., John R., William, Enos, Mary and Jefferson. The mother died in 1880. She belonged to the Baptist church. Francis M. grew to man's estate in his native county, and then removed with his mother and the rest of the family to Noxubee county, Miss., where they settled on a farm. Just before the war he was married to Miss Sarah E. Coleman, a daughter of James Coleman, and a native of Sumter county, Ala., born in 1837. Her father was a native of Georgia, and her mother was born in Alabama; both died in Mississippi. Mr. and Mrs. Prince have reared a family of three children: Maud, Ina and Ella. Maud married H. F. Weever, and Ella is the wife of J. J. Chetham. Mr. Prince enlisted, in 1861, in company C, Third Mississippi volunteer infantry, and took part in many of the fiercest of battles; among them, Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Perryville, Murfreesboro and Franklin, but he was never taken prisoner. On coming home he engaged in agriculture, and in 1865 he removed to Kemper county, harvesting his first crop in 1866. He and his wife are both members of the Christian church. Politically he is a demoerat. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace, and again in 1889, the people of the county further showed the confidence which they repose in Mr. Prince by electing him sheriff of Kemper county. He has been a brave and most efficient official, and has been true to his convictions under all circumstances. He is a member of Summerville lodge No. 133, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the chapter. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He has met with marked success in all his business undertakings, and especially in his farming; he owns about eleven hundred acres of land, and in view of the fact that he has accumulated his property solely through his own efforts, too much can not be said in praise of his excellent judgment and wise man- agement.

One of the wealthiest planters of the state is Capt. W. Berry Prince, Carrollton, Miss. He was born in Jefferson county, Miss., September 26, 1826, and is a son of the Hon. W. Berry Prince. The father was a native Mississippian, and a well-known planter of Washing- ton county. He was a member of the legislature at the time of his death, which occurred about the year 1830. Captain Prince passed his boyhood and youth in Washington county; he attended school at Alton, Ill., and at Frankfort, Ky .; he finished his college course at Oakland college, Mississippi, graduating in the class of 1849. In June, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza K. Terry, a daughter of the Hon. William Terry, of Jefferson county. Mr. Terry afterward became a resident of Carroll county, and was one of the most successful planters within her borders, accumulating a large estate. Mrs. Prince was born near Rodney, Jefferson county, Miss., and is one of a family of three daughters: Mrs. Will- iam Helm is now deceased; Mrs. Sarah T., wife of Evan Jeffries, of Claiborne county, and Mrs. Prince. The mother of Captain Prince, after the death of her husband, was married a second time; her second union was with Mr. John A. Miller, of Greenville, Miss. He was a large planter, and left a fine estate. Mrs. Miller had four daughters by her second marriage. Captain Prince is the only son. Soon after his marriage he located in Carroll county, on Pine Bluff plantation. Before the war he was the second largest planter in the state of Mis- sissippi, but in 1862 he abandoned his private interests, and enlisted in the Confederate army.

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He was made captain of a company, and served as a scout and home guard. At the close of the first year he was compelled to resign on account of failing health; after a short rest at home he took a number of his slaves and went to the Alabama Salt works, and manufactured salt for the Confederate army, remaining there until the close of the war. After the final surren- der he returned to his home in Carroll county, and again took up the pursuits of peace. He has devoted his time and attention exclusively to planting, and has been eminently success- ful. At this time he is one of the most extensive planters in the state, owning two planta- tions in Carroll county, one in Le Flore, and another in Washington county. Captain and Mrs. Prince have had born to them two children: Robert Prince, and a daughter, Shelby, a young lady greatly beloved for her many fine traits of character. Captain Prince and family reside on the plantation adjoining the town of Carrollton; this place is well improved, having a large, two-story dwelling, and many modern conveniences. Mrs. Prince is a lady of amiable disposition, and has won many warm friends.

William B. Prince, grandfather of Robert Prince, planter, Greenville, Miss., was one of the first settlers of Washington county, Miss., locating on Lake Washington, and was among the best known of the pioneers of that county. He acquired a good property, held numerous positions of trust and honor, and died at Clinton while on his way to the legislature at Jack- son, to represent his people in that body. He was a man of sterling qualities, and had the respect of all. His son, William B. (father of subject of this sketch), is a resident of Carroll county, Miss., where he is well known and highly esteemed, and was a gallant officer in the Confederate army during the Civil war. He was married to Miss Eliza K. Terry, a native of Mississippi and daughter of Maj. William Terry, a man well and favorably known in cen- tral Mississippi. Robert Prince, who was born to the above mentioned union, owes his nativity to Claiborne county, Miss., born March 26, 1851, and was reared on his father's plan- tation. He attended preparatory school at Dinwiddie Station, Va., and afterward entered Washington and Lee university, Virginia, where he remained two years. He subsequently attended the Western Military academy of Henry county, Ky., at that time presided over by Gen. Kirby Smith, where he completed the course. He then returned to Washington county, Miss., and has since been engaged in planting. He has always favored all enterprises of a laudable nature, is liberal and whole-souled, and a man who has a host of warm friends. He devotes his time and energy to his plantation, and is now the owner of twenty-two hundred acres of land, with twelve hundred under cultivation. He has farmed extensively and success- fully and is one of the leading men of Washington county. He now resides in Greenville, whither he lately moved in order to educate his children.

Hon. R. N. Provine is a native-born resident of Calhoun county, Miss., his birth occurring within a few rods of where he now lives, in 1840. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Creek- more) Provine, were married and settled the above place in 1839. There the father resided until his death in 1846. He was born in Tennessee in 1808, and was the son of John Provine, a native of South Carolina, who moved from his native state to Tennessee, and was one of the founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The latter died in the last named state at the age of seventy years, an honored and esteemed citizen. His family consisted of five children-four sons and one daughter-all of whom lived to be grown, but all now deceased with the exception of the youngest son, who is now living in Tennessee. The latter is a retired minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is one of its most noble and earnest workers. The father of our subject was the eldest member of this family and was reared in Tennessee. He came to Mississippi in about 1836, settled below Grenada, and there sold goods until coming to the above place at Cole's Creek. His marriage to Miss Creekmore

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occurred after coming to this state. Mrs. Provine's father, Dr. Creekmore, was a native of North Carolina, but moved from that state to Tennesse and thence to Mississippi, where he was among the early settlers. The country was then in a wild and unbroken state, Indians were plentiful, and Dr. Creekmore, although often warned to leave the country, continued to reside there and practiced his profession until age prevented. He was a man universally respected, and was ever ready to extend a helping hand to all in distress. He was a liberal supporter of the church, and was in favor of all Christian denominations. He was strongly opposed to secret organizations, and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and for his services his second wife now draws a pension. He died in 1868, at the age of seventy-seven years, and was one of the county's best men. To . his first marriage were born ten children-five sons and five daughters-two of his sons being killed in the war, James M., at Seven Pines, and Leonidas at a battle in Virginia. His daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. Provine), is also deceased. She was born in Tennessee in 1823, and died in the year 1866. She was a member of the Baptist church, and one of the most active and earnest workers in the same. Her father was married the second time to Miss McKelvy, of Mississippi, who is yet living on the old home place, settled by him in 1835. She is in her seventy-second year, is highly respected, and is a worthy member of the Baptist church. The remainder of the children by the Doctor's first marriage are: Hiram C., Will- liam R., H. C. (resides in Texas), Mrs. Nancy E. Martin (resides near the home place), Mrs. Sarah G. Simpson (near by), Mrs. Mary F. Bryant (resides at Grenada), Millinium (wife of Dr. West of Grenada), and Robert (who died at the home place after the war). After his marriage Mr. Provine resided on the home place, and carried on farming until his death, as above stated, in 1846. He was a member of the Baptist church. At his death he left a wife and four children, of whom R. N. is the eldest. John W. enlisted in the Forty-eighth Mis- sissippi regiment in the army of north Virginia, and was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania, Va., on the 12th of May, 1864. Foster is a merchant of Coffeeville, Miss. (see sketch), and Nancy J. (wife of I. C. Steele) resides in Banner, Calhoun county. The mother continued to reside on the home place until 1857, when she was married to Mr. T. A. Mitchell, who located in Pittsboro, Miss., where they resided until the war, after which they returned to the home place in Calhoun county, and there she died soon after. Mr. Mitchell died in 1888. R. N. Provine passed his youthful days on the home place, and as he was but a boy six years old when his father died, a great prospective responsibility rested on his shoulders, he being the eldest child. He was married at the age of twenty years to Mrs. Nancy Goyen, a native of Alabama, in Pickens county, born 1840. She was left an orphan at an early age, was reared by her brothers and sisters, and received her education in the common schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Provine have been born nine children-eight sons and one daughter: J. Finley was edu- cated at Oxford university, Miss., and the Nashville university, and is now engaged in mer- chandising at Coffeeville, Miss; John W. is now in Germany, taking a special course in chemistry (in 1888 and 1889 he was assistant professor of chemistry at Oxford, Miss., where he was educated and where he was appointed to the position. He always stood at the head of his classes, and is an unusually bright young man); Robert F. also attended the University of Oxford, and is also well educated (he is now engaged in merchandising at Big Creek, Miss.); Charles graduated at Oxford in 1890, was well advanced in his classes, and is now taking law courses in Austin, Tex .; George H. is in the junior class at Oxford; James M. is now in the sophomore year in the same institution; Edgar, in the preparatory depart- ment; Oscar T. is at home taking lessons under his brother, preparatory for the university; and Lizzie May, attending Lancaster Female college at Oxford. Mr. and Mrs. Provine are

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rearing an orphan, Emma McMahan; though not taking their name she is treated in all respects as one of their own children. They have taken great pains to educate their family, and before sending their children away to school Mr. Provine erected a school building, employed a teacher, and had school ten months every year. This school he kept up until 1890, making it free to all the poor of his neighborhood. He has been very successful as a planter and merchant, and assists liberally in all public enterprises for the good of the county. During the late war he enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Mississippi regiment volunteer infantry, and served from 1862 until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Murfrees- boro and Chickamauga, and was slightly wounded at the battle of Lookout Mountain, where he was captured. He was sent to Johnson's island, and there remained until the surrender. He was in command of a company all the time of his service, and held the commission of first lieutenant. When not in command of his company he was in command of some other, taking charge of a company of sharpshooters at one time. When peace was declared he left Johnson's island, returned to the home place, and met his wife and child, whom he had not seen since August, 1862. In speaking of it, Mr. Provine says, "That day was the hap- piest day of my life." After the war Mr. Provine had very little left, but eighty acres of land, and on this he laid the foundation of his present fortune. He is now the owner of four thousand five hundred acres of choice land, and has about fourteen hundred acres under cultivation, lying along Yalobusha river. This he has well stocked, and under a fine state of cultivation. In 1868 he had one store at Cole's Creek, and an interest in one at Coffeeville, Miss. He is now one of the leading merchants of the county. Mrs. Provine and all her children are members of the Baptist church, and liberal supporters of the same. In politics Mr. Provine is a democrat, and represented Calhoun county, Miss., in the legislature in 1882 and 1883.

L. F. Provine is the senior member of the firm of Provine Bros. & Co., Coffeeville Miss., and occupies a conspicuous position in the business circles of Yalobusha county, where he was born in 1844. He is a son of Samuel F. and Elizabeth (Creekmore) Provine, natives of Tennessee. The father was born in 1808, and was the son of John Provine, a native of Kentucky, who was a son of John Provine, a native of North Carolina. His father was also named John, and he emigrated from Ireland to America, although he was descended from a family of French Huguenots. The grandfather was a minister in the Cumberland Presby- terian church. He was married in Tennessee to Nancy Calhoun, whose family had been early settlers in that state. To them were born five children-four sons and one daughter. The father of our subject was the eldest child. He was reared near Lebanon, Tenn., and received his education in the common schools. He remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty-five years of age, and then came to Natchez, Miss. In 1837 he came to Yalo- busha county, and invested in lands. He was engaged in farming, and also dealt in real estate to a large extent, owning lands in Chickasaw and Calhoun counties. He was a stanch whig, and member of the Baptist church. His death occurred in 1846, in December. His wife was born in 1823, and was a daughter of Robert W. Creekmore, an early settler of this county. He was born in Virginia in 1795, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He came to Tennessee from Virginia, and was there married to Nancy McGowen, of Virginia. They settled in Tallahatchie county, Miss., and in 1835 they came to Yalobusha county, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Creekmore died in 1856. To them were born ten children, all of whom lived to be grown. Mrs. Provine died in 1866. She was married a second time to Thomas A. Mitchell, of Mississippi, but no children were born of this union. The result of the first marriage was four children, all of whom lived to maturity: Robert N.,

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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 97

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