USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III > Part 23
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Daughtry, Josiah B., D. D. S., was actively engaged in the practice of den- tistry in Brookhaven for many years and is one of the venerable representatives of his profession in the State. He is now engaged in the insurance business in Brookhaven, where he has conducted an agency since 1869, having the distinction of being, with one exception, the oldest insurance man in Mississippi. He has served in various public offices and is also an honored veteran of the Confed- erate service in the war between the States. Dr. Daughtry was born in Pike county, Miss., Feb. 29, 1836, and is a son of Enos and Mary Ann (Ratliff) Daughtry, the former of whom was born in Buncombe county, N. C., Dec. 4, 1806, and the latter of whom was born in Pike county, Miss., Aug. 30, 1816. As a boy Enos Daughtry came to Natchez, Miss., with his elder brother, and he remained in that locality until 1834, when he removed to Pike county, where he made his home until 1839, in which year he purchased land in Hinds county, where he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until 1846, when he sold the property and removed to Lawrence county, which continued to be his home until the time of his death, which occurred Dec. 4, 1893. His widow is still living, at the venerable age of ninety years (1906). Enos Daughtry was a successful planter and was a substantial citizen, honored by all who knew him. He was visiting at the home of the subject of this sketch at the time of his death. After due preliminary training in the common schools of Monticello, Lawrence county, Dr. Daughtry continued his studies in a seminary at Mount Zion. He then entered the Ohio dental college, in the city of Cincinnati, in which he com- pleted the prescribed two years' course, being graduated as a mem- ber of the class of 1859. He immediately established himself in practice at Brookhaven, continuing in the work of his profession there until April, 1862, when he subordinated his personal interests to go forth as a soldier of the Confederacy. He first enlisted as a private in Ward's battery of Mississippi artillery, later becoming a member of Richards' battery. He joined his command in Virginia,
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serving under General Lee, and later his company became a part of Poague's artillery. He took part in the battles of Bristow Station, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, second Cold Harbor, and the engagements around Petersburg, continuing in the service until the final surrender and having been with General Lee's forces at Appomattox at the time when the glorious cause of the South was brought to final defeat. He was paroled at Appo- mattox, April 9, 1865, and immediately returned to his home, re- suming the practice of his profession in Brookhaven and gained prestige as one of the leading dentists of that part of the State. He continued in practice until 1883, when he retired. From 1870 until 1886 he conducted a drug store, and in 1869 he there engaged in the fire insurance business, in which he has continued to the present time, having a large and representative clientage. Dr. Daughtry is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and he served more than eleven years as mayor of Brookhaven, having first been appointed by Governor Stone to fill a vacancy and having subsequently been elected five terms of two years each. His long retension of the office of chief executive of the city indicates how strong a hold he has upon popular confidence and esteem. In 1902 he was elected justice of the peace, and by re-election still remains incumbent of the office. He is affiliated with the United Confed- erate Veterans and the Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Honor. He has also been a Mason since 1868, being a member of Blue Lodge No. 241, at Brookhaven, and Knights Templars Com- mandery, No. 18. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. On Oct. 20, 1860, Dr. Daughtry was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Richards, daughter of James and Margaret (Collins) Richards, of Sharon, this State. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the five children of this union : Molly is the wife of Alexander C. Bullett, a prominent member of the bar of San Antonia, Tex .; Josie became the wife of Thomas C. Moore and is now deceased; Eliza remains at the parental home; Jyme is the widow of James Nixon; and John Harmon died at the age of twenty-four years, just after having been admitted to the bar at Houston, Tex.
Davis, Thomas F., of Yazoo City, is one of the prominent mem- bers of the banking fraternity in the State and is now cashier of the Delta Bank and Trust Company, of Yazoo City, one of the most successfully conducted financial institutions in the famous delta district of the State. Mr. Davis was born in Camden, Ker- shaw county, S. C., Jan. 14, 1862, and is a son of Rev. Thomas F. and Mary Boykin (McCaa) Davis. His father was an able and honored member of the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal church and he continued in the work of the priesthood until his death, which occurred at Camden, S. C., in the autumn of 1865. His widow still survives and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. F. B. Lippitt, of Atlanta, Ga. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review was Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Davis, who was a native of North Carolina and who was bishop of the diocese of the Protes-
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tant Episcopal church of South Carolina at the time of his death, which took place in 1872, at Camden. His wife preceded him to the life eternal and both are interred in the cemetery at Camden, as is also their son, Thomas F. (2d), father of the subject of this review, who bears the full patronymic. The maternal grandfather was a prominent physician and surgeon of South Carolina and was for many years engaged in the practice of his profession at Camden, where his death occurred. Thomas F. Davis, third, whose name initiates this sketch, was afforded the advantages of the University of the South, at Sewanee, Tenn., in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1881, with the. degree of Bachelor of Arts. Shortly after his graduation he became a teacher in a private school, retaining this position for six months, at the expiration of which, with the desire of preparing himself for a practical business career, he took the position of messenger in the bank of Negus, Ireys & Company, of Greenville, with whom he remained for three years and was advanced to a position of responsibility. He resigned in 1885 to accept the position of collection clerk in the Bank of Green- ville, with which institution he was identified until 1889, when he resigned to become the cashier of the Bank of Rosedale, at Rose- dale, Miss. In 1895 he resigned this executive office and assumed the position of cashier of the Bank of Yazoo City, with which he was thus connected until 1904, when he resigned to take the cashier- ship of the newly organized Delta Bank and Trust Company, which was incorporated in that year and which has met with most un- qualified success under its able management, solid financial back- ing and splendid resources. The concern now has the largest de- posits of all banking houses in Yazoo City and exercises most beneficent functions in its various departments. Mr. Davis is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, is a thirty-second-degree Mason and both he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Cox, daughter of Philip G. and Eliza Cox, of Yazoo City, and her death occurred in 1893. She is survived by three children, namely : Thomas F., Jr., F. Bruce, and Philip G. In the city of Jackson, this State, Dec. 31, 1895, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Davis to Miss Annie Hemingway, daughter of Col. William L. and Elizabeth McC. Hemingway, and they became the parents of five children-Annie, William McC., who died May 31, 1902; Henry P., whose death occurred June 29, 1902; Elizabeth and Benjamin Exum.
DeGraffenried, Thomas C., a physician of Meridian, Miss., was born at Sawyerville, Ala., Sept. 6, 1879. He is a son of Emanuel T. and Susan (Scey) DeGraffenried, both of whom were natives of Alabama. Dr. DeGraffenried is a lineal descendant of Christopher DeGraffenried, who was granted two thousand acres of land by Queen Ann, and who founded the town of New Burn, N. C. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Southern university of Greensboro, Ala., and entered the medical department of Vander- bilt university in 1899, from which he was graduated in 1904 with
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the degree of M. D. He located in Meridian for the practice of medicine in 1905. He is a member of the societies of Maccabees, American Citizens and Phi Delta Theta and of the Hale county, Ala., medical society and Lauderdale county medical society.
Davis, Orlando, was one of the dis- tinguished members of the bar of the State, served for a number of years on the circuit bench, and left a definite im- press upon the legal and civic history of Mississippi, so that it is most consonant that a tribute to his memory be incor- porated in this work. Judge Davis died at his home, in Holly Springs, in 1898, at the venerable age of eighty-five years, and secured in the honor and esteem of all who knew him. He was born in eastern Tennessee, in 1813, and in his native State he was educated, depending upon his own resources in pursuing both his academic and professional studies. As a young man he came to Mississippi and for many years he was engaged in the practice of law at Ripley, Tippah county, gaining distinction as a well forti- fied legist and having become one of the leading members of the bar of the State. His law library was for a long period recognized as the finest of the sort in the State and his advice was sought by his professional confreres throughout the commonwealth, so profound was his legal learning and so mature his judgment. He removed to Holly Springs in 1868, at the time of his appointment to the office of judge of the circuit court, by Governor Alcorn, and he presided on the bench for the ensuing six years, after which he resumed the practice of his profession, also giving supervision to his varied capitalistic interests. He was president of the Bank of Holly Springs for many years, having been chosen incumbent of the position in 1878 and having finally retired when his advanced age prompted him to resign the responsibilities of the executive office. He was a man of great public spirit and was prominent in political affairs for many years. He was elected a delegate to the State convention in 1861, which passed the ordinance of secession from the Union and was a signer of that historic document, being also a stanch supporter of the cause of the Confederacy during the progress of the war. His political allegiance was given to the Democratic party and he was identified with the Masonic fraternity. As a young man Judge Davis was united in marriage to Miss Martha McGee, daughter of Dr. William McGee, who was one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons of middle Tennessee for many years. Mrs. Davis is deceased, and the three surviving children of this union are: Fannie, the wife of Judge E. S. Ham- mond, of the United States court in Memphis, Tenn .; Mrs. Hall, the widow of John P. Hall, who maintains her home in Holly Springs. Mr. Hall was a prominent merchant of this city for
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many years. Mrs. Hall has two sons-O. D., who is engaged in the wholesale mercantile business in Holly Springs; and John P., Jr., who is a traveling salesman. The youngest daughter of the subject of this memoir likewise resides in Holly Springs. Judge Davis was a man of lofty integrity of character and his was a genial and kindly nature. He was essentially humanity's friend and his benefactions were many but invariably unostentatious.
Dennison, Franklin V .. , a leading cotton factor of Natchez, was born in Clarks- burg, W. Va., June 5, 1868, being a son of Minter B. and Minerva J. (Phurr) Dennison, the former a native of Lexing- ton, Ky., and the latter of the State of Virginia. Minter B. Dennison was for many years actively engaged in business, being a merchant and also operating a flour mill. He and his wife still maintain their home in West Virginia. Franklin V. Dennison duly profited by the ad- vantages afforded in the public schools of his native town, where he fortified him- self for the active duties of life. After leaving school he became identified with the dry-goods business in Wheeling, W. Va., in which city he remained until 1895, when he came to Natchez, and for the ensuing five years he was concerned in the steamboating business on the Mississippi river, being asso- ciated with his father-in-law, Capt. Thomas Prince. He then en- gaged in his present line of enterprise as a cotton factor and general broker, having purchased the business of J. C. Folwer, and having been very successful in his operations. In 1893 he was elected to represent the third ward on the board of aldermen, resigning the office a few months later, on account of his removal to another ward. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party and is a member of the city executive committee of the same. He is one of the prominent and popular members of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being past exalted ruler of the same, while he was the first trustee of the lodge chosen for the long term at the time when the lodge was providing for the purchase of a suitable home. He is also identified with the Prentiss Club, a social organization of the representative business men of the city. He takes an active interest in public affairs, particularly those of a local nature, and is one of the loyal and progressive business men of Natchez. On July 20, 1892, Mr. Dennison was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Prince, who was born in Wheeling, W. Va., being a daughter of Capt. Thomas Prince. Mr. and Mrs. Dennison have five children: Thomas D., Martha M., Margaret C., Genevieve and Franklin V., Jr.
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Denny, Walter M., of Pascagoula, is one of the leading members of the Mis- sissippi bar and has been a prominent figure in public affairs, having repre- sented his native commonwealth in cong- ress and having lent dignity and honor to the State through his services in public office and in the practice of his profession. Mr. Denny was born at Moss Point, Jackson county, Miss., Oct. 28, 1853, and is a son of Walter and Nancy (McKen- non) Denny, both native of Greene county, Miss. At the outbreak of the Civil war the father of the subject of this review enlisted for service in a com- pany of Mississippi volunteers, but as he was too old for active field service he was transferred to a clerical position in the Con- federate military department. He served as sheriff of Greene county, which he also represented in the State legislature. He was en- gaged in lumber manufacturing during the major part of his active business career, and the closing years of his life were passed in Moss Point, Miss., where his wife also died. Of their four children all are living. After duly availing himself of the advantages of the public schools, Walter M. Denny entered Roanoke college, Va., where he continued his studies for one year, while his technical dis- cipline preparatory to entering the work of this profession was secured in the law department of the University of Mississippi, at Oxford, where he was graduated, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In earlier life he was engaged in the mercantile trade, at Moss Point, and in November, 1883, he was elected chancery clerk of Jackson county, continuing in tenure of this office for the long period of eleven years and resigning the same upon his election to congress, in November, 1894, from the Sixth congressional district of the State. During his term in congress Mr. Denny accomplished a most important work for his native State, securing an appro- priation for the surveying of the channel for the port of Pascagoula. This survey was later completed and led to governmental ap- propriations for the work of deepening the channel to seventeen feet in the river and to twenty-one feet in the Pass. This work is now in process of completion and will be of inestimable value as a public improvement. Mr. Denny was a delegate from Jackson county to the State constitutional convention of 1890, and he has at all times shown a lively interest in the welfare of his home State, while he is an influential factor in the councils of the Democratic party in Mississippi. Since retiring from congress Mr. Denny has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he is now associated with his elder son, Walter M., Jr. Mr. Denny is a member of the Presbyterian church, as was also his wife, whose death occurred June 24, 1903. On March 30, 1875, Mr. Denny led to the marriage altar Miss Hulda Randall, who was born and
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reared in Jackson county, Miss., having been a daughter of Lyman and Celeste (Delmas) Randall, of Moss Point. Of this union were born eight children, all save one of whom survive their mother, their names being here entered in order of birth: Walter M., Jr., Catherine, Celeste and Huldah (twins, the former having died July 19, 1903), Lyman R., Nancy, Grace and Irene.
Dent, Albert Walter, attorney at law, and ex-senator of Mississippi, is engaged in the general practice of his profession at Mendenhall, and he is one of the lead- ing members of the bar of Simpson county. He was born in Cato, Rankin county, Miss., April 26, 1874, and is a son of James M. and Lydia Elizabeth (May) Dent, native respectively of Rankin and Simpson counties and representatives of old and honored families of Mississippi. James M. Dent served as a private in the Confederate ranks during the Civil war, having enlisted in Company H, Tenth Mississippi infantry, and having taken part in many of the notable battles of the great internecine conflict. Among the principal engagements may be mentioned Shiloh, Mum- fordville and Perryville, Ky .; Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Mis- sionary Ridge, Tenn .; Dalton, Atlanta and Jonesboro, Ga .; and Franklin, Tenn. After completing the curriculum of the public schools Albert W. Dent entered Mississippi college, at Clinton, where he continued his academic discipline under most favorable conditions. He later was matriculated in the law department of the University of Mississippi, at Oxford, and was there admitted to the bar in 1897. He initiated the active work of his profession by locating in Westville, Simpson county, whence he removed to Mendenhall in 1901, having since been engaged in practice there and having built up an excellent business in both departments of his professional work. He is one of the zealous and efficient workers in the ranks of the Democratic party in his native State, and in 1899 he was honored with election to the State senate, from the Fourth senatorial district, comprising the counties of Simpson, Covington, Marion and Pearl River. He was an active working member of the deliberative body of the legislature, and it was within his term that Hon. Andrew J. McLaurin was elected to the senate of the United States. Mr. Dent has a representative clientage and enjoys marked popularity in both professional and business circles, as well as in connection with the social life of his home community. He is a stockholder in the Bank of Pinola, Simpson county and has other local interests of a capitalistic order. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Woodmen of the World, while he is a member of the Baptist church, his wife being a member of the Presbyterian church. On Feb. 22, 1902, Mr. Dent was united in
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marriage to Miss Mary Lou McCallum, daughter of Dr. Dodridge and Kate (McLaurin) McCallum, of Westville, Simpson county, and their pleasant home is a center of gracious hospitality.
Dinkins, Edwin Dancy, of Charleston, is one of the representative members of the bar of Tallahatchie county, being as- sociated in practice at Charleston with James H. Caldwell, while at Sumner, in the same county, he has further profes- sional alliance, an office being there main- tained under the firm name of Dinkins, Caldwell & Ward. Mr. Dinkins was born in Canton, Madison county, Miss., May 24, 1867, and is a son of James A. and Margaret (Wadlington) Dinkins, the - former of whom was born in Mecklen- burg county, N. C., in November, 1822, while the latter was born in Vernon, Madison county, Miss., in 1828, being a member of one of the prom- inent pioneer families of that section of the State. James A. Dinkins served during the entire course of the Civil war, as a member of the Eighteenth regiment of Mississippi infantry, with which he took part in many of the most important battles of the great conflict, including the first battle of Manassas and the engagement at Lees- burg, while his command was a part of General Lee's forces which that noted patriot and soldier surrendered to General Grant, at Ap- pomattox. Edwin D. Dinkins secured his earlier educational training in the public schools of Madison county, and he took up the study of law in the office of R. L. & H. J. McLaurin, of Rolling Fork, Sharkey county. He made rapid progress in his technical reading and was admitted to the bar of his native State in October, 1893. He was thereafter engaged in practice at Rolling Fork until August, 1895, when he removed to Charleston, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in the work of his profes- sion. In. December, 1897, he entered into partnership with James H. Caldwell, under the firm name of Dinkins & Caldwell, and they have since been associated in practice in Charleston, while at Sumner they are associated with Robt. L. Ward and Thomas B. Dudley under the firm name of Dinkins & Caldwell, Ward & Dudley. Mr. Dinkins is one of the most uncompromising advocates of the basic principles for which the Democratic party has ever stood sponsor, and in 1896 he was a presidential elector on the party ticket in the State. He is a members of the Tallahatchie county and Mississippi State bar associations and of the Knights of Pythias, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church. In Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 2, 1895, Mr. Dinkins was united in mar- riage to Miss Pearl Cayce, daughter of John M. and Virginia I. Cayce, of Franklin, that State. Of the children of this union Marjorie was born Oct. 7, 1895 ; Virginia C., Dec. 5, 1896 ; Edwin L., May 10, 1899 ; and Hermine, July 23, 1902.
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Dickerson, Louis D., M. D., has been engaged in the practice of his profession in McComb, Pike county, since 1894, and has built up a large business as a phy- sician and surgeon, being recognized as one of the leading members of his pro- fession in this section of the State. He was born in Simpson county, Miss., Sept. 11, 1869, and is a son of John and Jane (Mullen) Dickerson, the former of whom was born in South Carolina and the latter in Mississippi. The father, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was a prominent and influential citizen, having been a leader in the councils of the local Democracy and having served sixteen years as judge of the probate court of Lawrence county. Dr. Dickerson availed himself of the advantages of the common schools and in making his plans for the future he determined to fit himself for the medical profession. He finally entered the celebrated Bellevue Hospital medical college, in the city of New York, from which institution he was graduated in March, 1894, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He also attended the medical department of Tulane university, in New Orleans, for one year. Shortly after his graduation he located in McComb, where his practice has increased in scope and importance with the develop- ment and upbuilding of this thriving little industrial city, and he has met with unequivocal success and gained a strong hold upon popular confidence and esteem. He is a member of the American medical association and of the Mississippi State medical association, and of the Tri-County and Pike county medical societies. He is chief surgeon for the Liberty-White railroad, physician and surgeon for the J. J. White Lumber Company and the McComb City Cotton Mills. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, and he is identified with the Masonic fraternity. On Oct. 23, 1895, Dr. Dick- erson was united in marriage to Miss Ada M. Williams, daughter of John H. and Sarah (Brinson) Williams, of Lawrence county. To this union there are two children : J. Beverley and Marjorie.
Dobson, Colonel Sol, of Brandon, is incumbent of the office of chancery clerk of Rankin county and is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of this section of the State. He was born in Covington, La., on June 22, 1840, and when he was a child one year of age his parents, Joseph J. and Nancy M. (Mangund) Dobson, came to Rankin county, Miss., where he was reared to manhood. His father was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, whence he came to America in 1838, when a boy, locating in Mill- edgeville, Ga., whence he later went to Louisiana, where he was married and where he continued to reside until his removal to Mis- sissippi, as has been noted. He was a trader and died while in Alabama. His wife died in Rankin county, Miss. Colonel Dobson was afforded the advantages of the common schools of Rankin
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