USA > Mississippi > Newton County > History of Newton County, Mississippi from 1834 to 1894 > Part 26
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wounded, he assumed command of the regiment and handled it with great skill and bravery. He was after- wards elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, and continued with it until he was elected Supreme Court Reporter, when he resigned.
After the war he located at Forest, Miss., was elected district atttorney, and served the State in that capacity for several years with distinguished ability. After declining a re-election he removed from Scott county to Okolona, Miss., and continued the practice of law. From Okolona he removed to Birmingham, Ala., and there pursued the practice of the law until he was ap- pointed to a position in the Department of the In- terior under Mr. Cleveland's second administration, and which position he now holds. He is a lawyer of marked ability.
HON. S. H. TERRAL.
The following sketch is contributed by Col. J. J. Shannon :
JUDGE TERRAL, who served three years as district attorney in Newton county, from 1876 to 1879, is a native of Jasper county. He was the son of Rev. Jas. S. Terral, one of the pioneers of that county, and one of its most prominent and esteemed citizens. He was educated at the University of Mississippi, and read law at Quitman in the office of his brother, the heroic and lamented Col. Jas. S. Terral, who was killed at the head of his regiment in the battle of Corinth. He was admitted to the bar in 1859, but the war coming on in 1861, he organized a company in Clarke county and was mustered into the 37th Mississippi regiment, and was afterwards elected major, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. Among the many gallant sons of Mississippi who perilled their lives in
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defence of the "lost cause," there was none whose bravery and devotion to the South surpassed that of Major Terral.
At the close of the war he returned to Quitman and resumed the' practice of law. He soon occupied a prominent position at the bar, and in November, 1871, was elected district attorney, which office he held for eight years. In 1876 the judicial districts were changed and he was assigned to the 8th district, which included Newton county. He was an able and vigorous prose- cuting attorney, and during the time he held the office he had no superior in the State.
In May, 1892, he was appointed circuit judge of the seventh district, which position he has held continu- ously since that time. Besides his legal attainments, which are of the highest order, his well known integri- ty, his patience, impartiality and uniform courtesy to the bar, have made him popular wherever he is known.
He still resides at Quitman, where he was admitted to the bar in 1859, and is universally esteemed and ad- mired by the people of that county. Though twenty years in office as district attorney and judge, he is still in the prime of life and we trust has still before him many years of usefulness and honor.
HON. GREEN B. HUDDLESTON.
GREEN B. HUDDLESTON was born in the State of Georgia in the year 1846, and removed with his father, J. F. N. Huddleston, to Decatur, in Newton county, in the year 1856. He attended the schools at the place of his residence, and at a very early age, after the war commenced, went to the army. In one of the battles in which he was engaged, he received a wound which resulted in the loss of one of his legs. He re-
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turned home, and after the war went to school at Cooper Institute, at Daleville, a short term, and re- turned to Decatur and taught school and studied law alternately. He was admitted to the practice in 1867 or 1868, and removed to Philadelphia, Neshoba county, and married the daughter of Dr. Eliab Fox. He after- wards removed to Forest, in Scott county, and was elected representative in 1873 and did good service for the county. He was elected in 1875 as district attor- ney for the 8th judicial district, and continued in that position for twelve years, having very little opposi- tion. Mr. Huddleston is a fine lawyer, and from the beginning showed brilliancy in his profession. He may well be considered the ablest lawyer the county has ever furnished. He is amiable in disposition, genial in his intercourse with men, a devoted friend and pleasant companion ; he is a forcible speaker, and always comes to the front in any body of men in which he is thrown, either legal or political. He is living at Meridian, and is receiving a good practice.
R. S. M'LAURIN.
The following sketch is contributed by S. H. Kirk- land, Esq .;
R. S. McLAURIN was born March 14, 1855, near Tren- ton, in Smith county, Mississippi, and was reared on a farm, attending the common schools of the country until 1876, when he entered Roanoke College, Virginia, remaining for one session. He returned home and en. tered immediately upon the study of law in the office of his brother, Senator A. J. McLaurin, in Brandon, Mississippi, and was admitted to the bar at the April term, 1878, of the circuit court of Smith county, at Raleigh, Mississippi. He at once entered upon a lucra- crative practice, and attained high rank as a lawyer.
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He remained at Raleigh until April, 1882, when he moved to Brandon and formed a copartnership with his distinguished brother, which continued until Jan- uary, 1888. He was elected district attorney for the 8th district of Mississippi over three able and formid- able competitors at the November election, 1881, and filled the office so ably and acceptably to the people that he was re-elected for the next term without oppo- sition. He has, by his skill and conscientious devo- tion to duty, retained the confidence of his constitu- ents ; his genial and generous nature has made him the idol of a large circle of friends. He married Miss Annie Jack, of Brandon, Mississippi, December 24, 1890.
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CHAPTER XL.
SKETCHES OF THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF THE PEOPLE-CHURCH HISTORY OF NEWTON COUN- TY AND THE MOST PROMINENT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CONNECTED WITH IT SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION. BY REV. N. L. CLARKE.
THE opening up of a new country to Christian civili- zation, and its attendant blessings, has ever been an interesting event in human progress ; and has been ob- served with interest while going on, and its history read with pleasure in after days. Such scenes of in- terest have transpired in all the States of our heaven- honored country ; and wonderfully in our own be- loved State. Few of the States of America, if any, have presented a fairer opening to the home seeker than Mississippi. Blessed with a delightful climate, a fruitful soil, an abundant supply of wood, timber for all purposes, and water without stint; reaching to the gulf on the south, near to, and in part embracing the Tombigbee river on the east, and lined by the great Father of Waters on the west, it was favorable, not only for agriculture and easily procuring a living, but also for convenient transportation and trade with sur- rounding States ; just such a country as the honest, in- dustrious and law-abiding citizen would wish to make his home in ; especially in the more elevated parts of the State, in which our own county is situated.
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Newton county is a part of the territory of the State obtained from the Choctaw Indians by the United States in the treaty of Dancing Rabbit, in the year 1830, and is pleasantly situated on the upper waters of the Chickasahay and Tuskalameter rivers.
The desirable character of the country led to its early settlement by white people ; a few as early as the year 1833. This early beginning was soon added to, so that by 1835 quite a population was scattered over the county. This citizenship, at the first, was chiefly from the southern and older parts of the State, and southwestern Alabama; though as the country came more into notice, valuable additions were made from Georgia and other eastern States.
Among the early settlers we may name the Blake- leys, Clearmans, Gilberts, Fergusons, Sims, McFar- lands, Hollands, Wests, Saffolds, Prices, Thompsons, Grahams, Johnstons, Thames, Lopers, Millers, Paris, Ellis, Redwines, Wauls, Paces, Herberts, Jones, Cook- seys, Merchants and Boyds, with many others who had homes in the county-valuable citizens, men of energy and of fine property, who gave their aid in establishing order, and in putting the machinery of law in motion. Among this early citizenship were found firm and active friends to education, so that schools were encouraged from the early settlement of the country. There were also devoted, pious Chris- tians, and of the various religious orders that have been common in this State. The country was pleas- ant and productive, and while fields were being opened for support, and houses erected for family comfort, the great interest of religion also received attention. We regret that we now know so little of the men who first labored in these interests in our beloved county. But they, with their labors and the generation for whose
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good they toiled, now belong to the past. Now and then, it is true, we see monumental remains of their labors, and pick up scraps of history that throw light upon their times, their character and their work. Those plain but faithful men did pioneer work, laying the foundation upon which others have continued to build. Raised up with the privileges of the gospel, citizens moving into the county felt a great lack with- out it; hence encouraged ministers of their acquain- tance to visit and preach for them ; first in their own houses in various parts of the county. Soon, however, buildings were erected for public convenience. These buildings, humble it is true, answered the double pur- pose of church and school-house. These primitive buildings though, soon gave place to more commo- dious, and these to still better, so that at this date the buildings in the county for purposes of worship and education, reflect great credit on the citizenship of the county for piety, energy, intelligence and numbers. So far as is known the gospel was first preached in New- ton county as early as 1834, or at furthest in 1835, by Rev. John McCormick, and at the residence of Mr. Wm. Blakeley, who, in 1833, moved into the county and made his home in the now Hickory community. This early beginning in gospel work in the county, was kept up and increased by various ministers, some resident in the county and some from other counties.
Among the early settlers in the county, there were ministers of the gospel, Rev. Mr. Redwine, Episcopal- Methodist, resided for a time near Decatur, and preached to the people. Of his history, labors and success we know but little. Wade H. Holland, near Mount Vernon, in the south part of the county ; Cader Price, near New Ireland, and James Merchant, near Decatur, were early settlers, and Baptist ministers ;
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and though they remained in the county but for a short time, yet they labored faithfully in the cause of Christ, and did much to prepare the way for future success. These were incipient stages in a great work in a new field. Yet it was a beginning, the fruit of which was not allowed to perish.
PROTESTANT METHODISTS.
The field so early entered by the Rev. Mr. McCor- mick, was diligently cultivated by himself and others, both ministers and lay members, so that they were working in an organized form as early as the year 1836, and building up Protestant-Methodism, of which order Mr. McCormick was a laborious and successful minister. Likely their first church was organized at this date, 1836. Soon other ministers of the same or- der came to their help. Of these we name Elisha Lott, Spencer H. Bankston, Phillip Napier, Chas. F. Gillespie, James E. Taylor, - Gilbert, and likely others of less note. These were able and energetic men, men of influ- ence in building up their denomination, and winning souls to Christ. With them were able and efficient lay members, with their devoted wives, who gave them- selves to the work. Among these we may name as fore- most, the Blakeleys, Jones, Gilberts, Clearmans, John- stons, Lopers and Houstons. At what point they first constituted we have now no way of knowing. This we know, however, that as early as 1845 they had sev- eral churches that were active and energetic in work- as Johnston's camp ground, Blue Springs, and Bethel. These were in the eastern and southeastern part of the county. In after time, they had a place of worship four miles west of Decatur, known as Lilly Dale. These interests grew, and from the date, 1846 to 1855, in- 26
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creased in members and influence, so that at the last date they had in the county four churches, and mem- bership reaching three hundred and fifty. About this time, however, we mark the beginning of a declension in their interests. Several causes led to this. Several of their ministers grew old and died, or quit the field ; others, leading men, connected themselves with other religious orders, so that at this time but one small church exists in the county, with one minister, the Rev. Wm. Gilbert. These people were pioneers in Christian work, in morals and education ; and did much to aid in the development of a new and interesting country. We may add to the list of ministers already named : A. Y. Davis, W. W. Garrison, Hillery Bounds, Dan'l Bankston and Wm. Reaves. Davis moved to the northwest, Bounds to Texas, and Bankston was lost in the war.
EPISCOPAL METHODIST.
In the early history of our county we find among the population valuable citizens identified in faith and practice with the Episcopal Methodists, and members of that order, both ministers and laymen. The fact of Mr. Redwine's early residence in the Decatur com- munity, has already been named; just when he came, how long he remained, the extent of his labors and the results, I have no means of knowing. This we know, that while in the county he preached to the people, held camp-meetings, and labored for the good of the people. While this was so, near the centre of the county, John and Edward Waul, Episcopal Methodists, and valuable citizens, located in the south-east part of the county, secured ministerial aid, and constituted the Spring Hill church. It is most likely that the minis- ters aiding in this early work were Joel and James
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Carstaphen, and also likely Rev. Mr. Shockley, who at a very early time had charge of a circuit embracing Newton county. This church, so early organized, yet lives and labors in the cause. I have no way of know- ing in what year the itineratizing work was begun by the M. E. Church in Newton. So early, however, as 1841, the Rev. Mr. Shockley, then a citizen of Neshoba county, had charge of a circuit embracing Newton and Jasper counties. Mr. Shockley was a man of fine per- sonal appearance, vigorous minded and a ready and forcible speaker. He died at Paulding, Miss., while on his work -- likely in the year 1843 - leaving his work -to other hands ; nor do I know to whose hands.
A gap here occurs in the history of the work of the M. E. Church that I have no facts with which to fill up. There existed churches in different parts of the county from its early settlement, as Spring Hill, De- catur, White Plains, and quite early at Chunkey. About the year 1848, the Rev. Mr. McCurdy, a Meth- othist Episcopal minister, moved from Alabama and settled north-west of Decatur, and gave attention to the interests of his people. Mr. McCurdy was a farmer, of vigorous mind, and in speaking rather strong than eloquent. Likely in the year 1850, the Rev. Mr. Bart- let moved to the south-east part of the county, and located at the place since known as Chunkey station, a pious, devoted man. and an earnest preacher. These men, though most of the time only local preachers, yet exerted an influence for good, and helped the cause they loved. In the year 1848, the Rev. Mr. McGruder had charge of the work in Newton county, and was aided by Mr. Taylor, of Hillsboro. During no year since then have the churches been destitute of pastoral oversight, and almost every year has witnessed an - : advance in the cause, either in increase of member-
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ship, a widening of their influence, or the improvement of their houses of worship in comfort, or in appearance and value.
I give here the names of the ministers that have had charge of this interesting work as far as I can get them : Redwine, very shortly after the county was possessed by white people, Shockley, McGruder, Mc- Curdy, Bartlet, Vance, Smith, Deskins, Wedgeworth, Daniel McDonald, Murdoc McDonald, Fikes, Hays, Cox, Meadow, Carmack, Renfroe, Hinds, Boyles, Mc- Donald, Chatfield, Cotton, West, Peebles, Downer, Rivers, Parker, Morse, Williams, Armstrong, Bancroft and Royner ; a gifted, able minister, raised up in our own county. It is well known that there were others that were connected with the itinerating work in the county, but I have not been able to obtain their names. These were orderly and pious men, of various force of character and grades of eloquence, but all devoted to the interest of the work committed to their charge. Under their labors the interests of Methodism has had a steady advance in the county. These laborious pas- tors have been connected with the labors and yearly aid of the Presiding Elders, of which order of ministers I find the following names: Nicholas, Green M. Rodg- ers, B. B. Whittington, J. M. Pew, H. H. Montgomery, Wm. Price, H. J. Harris, Williams, Gann, Learie, Lit- tle, McDonald and R. J. Jones, Sr. These are all the names of Presiding Elders I have been able to obtain. Under the labors of these able and efficient ministers, both pastors and elders, aided by able and influen- tial private members, men and women, Episcopal Meth- odism has advanced in the county, and increased in numbers and influence. They now report in the county ten churches aggregating three parsonages, a member- ship of 1,000-113 joining in 1893-610 persons in Sun-
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day-school last year, and church property amounting to $11,075.
A fair exhibit of the strength of Episcopal Method- ism in the county, and the means by which this state of progress has been brought about, would lead me to make honorable mention of many pious and devoted lay members, both men and women, who have labored in this work. But in a notice so brief but few of these can be mentioned. Prominent among these I name the Watts', Lopers, Everetts, Browns and Selbys, of New- ton ; Wauls', of Spring Hill; Barnets, Rainers, John- stons and Wauls', of Hickory; Clarke and others at Chunkey ; Barretts and Graham and Johnston and Addys, of Decatur : Hortons, at Conehatta ; Chandler and others, at Lawrence ; Wells', at Union. These, with many others that might be named, have labored with untiring zeal for the building up of the cause they loved. Some have grown old in the work, and have died and passed to their reward, leaving their work in younger hands ; but their works remain, enduring monuments of their energy and zeal. These have been great and good men and women, who have left their impress on society, and whose labors have served to advance morality, piety and intelligence in our beloved county. The readers of this sketch, no doubt, will call to mind many others who might with equal pro- priety be named, and feel that the writer may aim to discriminate for one against another. By no means ; all cannot be named, and in selecting, many of great worth may be left out, the names not occurring to the mind of the writer.
PRESBYTERIANS.
At an early day in the settlement of East Missis- . sippi, Presbyterians formed a very respectable part of
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the population ; and some of these were in Newton county-men of means, character and influence ; Adams, Patterson and Dansby, at Decatur and vicin- ity ; Willises and Vances, near Erin ; McFarlands, Thompsons, Evans' and McRaes, in the south and southwest. These were valuable citizens, and soon had preaching for themselves and families, more or less convenient. Likely the Rev. John H. Gray was the first minister of this order that preached in the county. At a very early period he moved to Missis- sippi from Alabama, and located in Jasper county, es- tablished preaching, founded a school, and gave to the locality the name Montrose. Mr. Gray was a man of fine ability, finished education, and in the prime of life. Associated with him was Prof. J. N. Waddell, a young man, an able educator, and minister of the gospel. These able men preached in the country as they had opportunity. Soon they established a preach- ing placefin the lower part of Newton county-estab- lished a church, to which they gave the name Mount Moriah. This body still lives and works, and has prospered. The originalf ounders have grown old or died, and the work has passed into younger hands, active and intelligent men who labor to build up the cause of Christ.
For a time the Presbyterians had no other organiza- tion in the county. Some years after, though, they constituted at Erin, and further on after at Lawrence, and more recently at Newton. It would be pleasant to the writer and gratifying to the reader if I could give the names of the ministers that have had charge of this work in the county through the years past to this time. This I cannot do, but come as near the facts as possible. In the years 1849-'50, Mr. Adams, who succeeded Mr. Waddell, was preaching in this part of
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the county, and had his home at Montrose. Mr. Adams was from the North, and had labored in Greene county, Alabama, before coming to Mississippi. Mr. McDon- ald was in the country before this, but just the place of his labors I am not able to state. Mr. Money for a time traveled through the county, likely as an evan- gelist. I remember McRae, King, Bell, Moseley, Em- merson, Smythe, Bingham, Coit, West, Kerr and D. L. Barr, who is the present efficient pastor of the Presby- terian churches in Newton county, with the exception, it may be, of Erin. The membership of these churches are respectable, pious and attentive, and churches in a growing and prosperous condition. This brings us to the present time, with the following showing as to the status of Presbyterianism in Newton county : Four churches, with houses of worship, one parson- age, one resident minister and a membership of 114. Much might be said of the intelligence, ability and zeal of the ministers who have labored in this work through such a course of years, and their faithful co- workers, but space does not permit. Good and great men they were.
PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS.
In contemplating the moral and religious condition of Newton county it is necessary to make mention of the Primitive Baptists. The existence of this church in Newton county is the outgrowth of the divi- sion that took place in the Mount Pisgah Asso- ciation in 1843. The division grew out of a differ- ence of opinion on the subject of Missions, 'Home and Foreign, and Christian benevolence in general ; those opposing missions withdrawing, some as churches, some as individuals. Those churches
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formed a separate denomination, bearing the name Primitive Baptists ; of which order there are several churches, making altogether a creditable membership with resident pastors who preach to their people. These ministers, as well as they can be remembered, are, McGee, Ferguson, Ishe, Stamper, Hollingsworth, Dunnegin and Smith, as also some liberated gifts. These Baptists have in the county six churches, with a membership of 170 persons. Their churches are · composed of orderly, valuable citizens, trustworthy and law-abiding; and, though opposed to missions, as understood and practiced by other orders of Chris. · tians, yet are attentive to sustain worship in their own congregations, and by their own pastors ; maintaining strict discipline among their own membership, and are . earnest advocates for spiritual Christianity and relia- bility of character.
REGULAR BAPTISTS.
Regular Baptists were found among the very first settlers of Newton county, respectable in numbers and character. Of these we may name the Prices, the Paces and Smiths in the west ; the Phelps, the Wal- tons, the Millers and Paris in the northwest; the Thames, Thomas and Johnstons in the northeast; the Harrises, the McGees, the Fergusons and Everetts in · the southeast; Wests, Hollands, Nichols, Simmons and Merchants, near the center and southern parts of the county. These were citizens of character, farmers who gave aid to society and strengthened the moral bearing of the population as it increased.
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