Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 37

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 938

USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III > Part 37

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Alexis T. Harvey, president ; Allen Y. Harvey, vice-president and treasurer; and Hervey L. Lloyd, secretary. Though never an aspirant for official preferment, he is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, fraternally is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife hold mem- bership in the First Baptist church. On Dec. 17, 1899, was wit- nessed the marriage of Mr. Harvey to Miss Jessie May Malone, daughter of A. W. and Janie S. (Spinks) Malone, of Meridian, and of this union has been born one child-Elizabeth.

Harwell, James D., tax collector for the city of Meridian and one of the well known and honored citizens of Lauder- dale county, is a scion of one of the fam- ilies early founded in the patrician Old Dominion, of which he himself is a native son. He was born in Petersburg, Din- widdie county, Va., Feb. 12, 1844, and is a son of William T. and Emma C. (Butts) Harwell, both of whom were likewise born and reared in Virginia. The father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, having been a successful planter in Vir- ginia at the time of his death, which occurred in 1847. He was a son of Thomas G. Harwell, who also was born in Virginia, where the original ancestors, of English birth, located in the early colonial era. In 1850, when six years of age, James D. Harwell accompanied his widowed mother on her removal from Virginia to Greensboro, Ala. In 1852 the mother again married and they later removed to Sumter county, that State, where he was reared to maturity, re- ceiving a good common school education. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he entered the Confederate ranks, enlisting in Com- pany I, Twentieth Alabama infantry, which became a part of the Army of Tennessee, and he took part in the engagements at Port Gibson and Edwards Station, the siege of Vicksburg, where he was captured, being held as a prisoner until the autumn of 1863, when he was exchanged, thereafter taking part in the battles of Mission- ary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, the campaign from Dalton to At- lanta, Ga., taking part in the battles of Jonesboro, Franklin, Nash- ville and Columbia, and remaining in service until the close of the war, while he was several times wounded while in action. After the close of his valiant and faithful military career, Mr. Harwell returned to Sumter county, Ala., where he remained until 1872, when he came to Lauderdale county, Miss., having made his home in Meridian during the major portion of the intervening time. He was engaged in bookkeeping as a vocation for many years, and in 1896 he was appointed deputy sheriff of the county, retaining this incumbency for seven years, at the expiration of which, in August, 1904, he was elected tax collector of Meridian, for a term of four years. To the duties of this office he now gives his attention, while

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he has long been a stalwart in the camp of the local Democracy. He is identified with the local organization of the United Confed- erate Veterans, and with the Masonic fraternity, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church. In 1870 Mr. Harwell was married to Miss Anna T. Smith, daughter of William H. A. Smith, of Alabama, and she died in 1893, being survived by eight children, six of whom are now living-James M., who resides in Meridian ; Florence, who lives at home; Herbert F., of Meridian ; William M., of Meridian; Emma, now deceased; Betty J., now the wife of E. F. Bartlett, of Laurel, Miss .; John A., at school, and William D., who died in infancy. In April, 1894, Mr. Harwell married Miss Mary M. Friend, of Mobile, Ala., and she presides graciously in their pleasant home.

Hathorn, Claude Vernon, chancery clerk of the newly organized county of Lamar, is one of the popular young men of Purvis, and is prominently identified with local interests of important order, having served as president of the Lamar County bank and secretary and treasurer of the Purvis Light and Power Company. Mr. Hathorn has passed his entire life thus far in the fair old State of Mississippi, having been born in Covington county, Sept. 27, 1875, and being a son of Nevin C. and Susie (Cooper) Hathorn, the former of whom was born in Covington county and the latter in Lawrence county, this State, showing that the respective families have been identified with the history of the commonwealth from the pioneer epoch. Mr. Hathorn completed the curriculum of the public schools, including a course in the high school at Columbia, Marion county. In 1897, at the age of twenty-two years, he was appointed deputy chancery clerk of Marion county, remaining incumbent of this office seven years. He took up his residence in the town of Purvis in 1897, this being the second district of Marion county, and is now the judicial center of the newly organized county of Lamar, and in 1904 he was elected chancery clerk of the county, in which capacity he is still serving. In April, 1904, he was one of those primarily concerned in the organization of the Lamar County bank, which is capitalized for $15,000, and was made president of that institution, while he directed its administration with mature judg- ment, so that it is numbered among the solid banking houses of the State and has a strong supporting patronage. He was instru- mental in the organization of the Purvis Light and Power Company, of which he was made secretary and treasurer. His influence and aid are exerted in the support of all undertakings and enterprises which have for their objects the upbuilding of the city and county and the conservation of the general welfare of the community. Politically Mr. Hathorn is uncompromising in his allegiance to the Democracy as represented in its basic principles and policies, and he is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. On May 15, 1901, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hathorn to Miss Bessie Manar, daughter of William D. and Annie (Barber) Manar, of Purvis, and of this union two children were

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born, a fine son on Nov. 5, 1902-Carl Manar, and Claude Vernon, born Aug. 10, 1905.

Hawkins, Walter D., has maintained his residence in the city of Meridian since 1890, and has here attained prominence and success as a reliable and popular business man. He conducted a prosperous grocery business and is now one of the leading real estate and insurance men of the city. Mr. Hawkins was born in Looxahoma, Tate county, Miss., Nov. 5, 1869, and is a son of William B. and Martha E. (Atkins) Hawkins, sterling citizens of that section, where the father owned and operated a plantation and was also engaged in the mercantile business. The family later removed to Marshall WALTER D. HAWKINS. county, where Walter D. was reared and educated. That he made good use of his educational advan- tages is certain, for he soon put his scholastic acquirements to practical test, having taught for one year in the graded schools of Marshall county, after which he taught two years in the country schools of Benton county. In 1890 Mr. Hawkins came to Meridian, and after a six months' course in a local business college, he took a position in the freight office of the Mobile & Ohio railroad, in this city, where he remained as a trusted employe for five years, when he resigned his position and engaged in the grocery business on Nov. 15, 1895. From a modest inception he built up an excel- lent business, one standing second to that of few of the retail groceries of the city, and his establishment was finely A appointed, being metropolitan in stock and equipment. In September, 1904, Mr. Hawkins also engaged in the real estate and insurance business, having entered into partnership with Wyatt Easterling, under the firm name of W. B. HAWKINS. Hawkins & Easterling. In February, 1906, he retired from the grocery business and has since purchased the interest of Mr. Easterling in the real estate business, now conducting that busi- ness alone under the name of W. D. Hawkins, and he controls an excellent business in both departments of the enterprise, whose expansion has been rapid and substantial. Mr. Hawkins is also a stockholder in the Beatrice Cotton Mills, established in Meridian in 1905, and is president of the Meridian retail grocers' association, while he is known as a wide-awake business man and public-spirited citizen. He is the prime mover in the Mississippi retail merchants'

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association, of which he is the secretary. He is a supporter of the Democratic party and he and his wife are prominent members of the south side Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is chairman of the board of stewards, superintendent of the Sunday school and president of the Epworth League, while he is also honored with the presidency of the general organization of the league in the Missis- sippi conference. On April 23, 1895, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hawkins to Miss Jessie Newton Walker, daughter of the late John R. Walker, of Meridian, while the maiden name of her mother, who is still living, was Josephine Green. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have three children-Martha Josephine, Annie Sale and Helen Lowry.

Haynes, James E., president and gen- eral manager of the New Albany Clothing Manufacturing Company, at New Albany, Union county, is recognized as one of the progressive business men and public- spirited citizens of this section of the State. Mr. Haynes is a native of the city of Corinth, Miss., where he was born July 10, 1879, and there he received his educa- tional training in the public schools. He is a son of John W. Haynes, a prominent citizen of Corinth and a native of South Carolina. Mr. Haynes early initiated his association with practical business affairs and is known as a man of marked execu- tive and administrative ability. For four years he was identified with the Corinth Clothing Manufacturing Company, and in 1904 he removed from his native city to New Albany, with whose busi- ness and civic affairs he has intimately and prominently identified himself. In the year mentioned he organized the New Albany Clothing Manufacturing Company, which is incorporated with a capital of $50,000. A substantial brick building, two stories in height and 50x200 feet in dimensions, was erected for the accommo- dation of the newly established business, and the most improved machinery was installed in the plant which also has its own electric lighting and power system and which secures its water supply from its own artesian wells. Employment is afforded to a corps of about 200 hands and the industry has been successful from the start and has added materially to the commercial prestige and prosperity of New Albany. The average output of the factory is seventy-five dozen pairs of trousers a day, and the trade of the concern extends throughout the entire South. The enterprise is under the personal supervision of Mr. Haynes, who is thoroughly experienced in all details of the work and who had previously been manager of the Corinth Clothing Manufacturing Company. The New Albany company has a branch office in the city of Memphis, Tenn. Mr. Haynes is a loyal supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and is identified with various fraternal and social organiza-

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tions, including the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1902 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Herald Timleck, of Corinth, and they have two children- Walden and Vennie.

Hayes, James W., mayor of the attrac- tive Vicksburg suburb known as Speed's Addition, where he is the largest prop- erty holder, was born in the city of Vicks- burg, Feb. 22, 1857, being a son of Thomas and Mary (Taylor) Hayes, both of whom were born and reared in Lon- don, Eng., where their marriage was solemnized in 1845. Their bridal tour was a trip across the ocean to America, and they settled in Vicksburg, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Thomas Hayes was a most ardent sup- porter of the Confederate cause at the time of the war between the States, and was one of those concerned in the building of the breastworks about the city of Vicksburg prior to the historic siege, having at the time been in the employ of Victor Wilson, a prominent citizen. For twenty-two years he was a freight clerk for the Alabama & Vicks- burg railroad. James W. Hayes secured his early education in the school of the Sisters of Mercy in Vicksburg, the institution at that time being co-educational, and after leaving school he was employed for several years as clerk in local mercantile establishments. He finally engaged in the grocery business on his own account, and later in the restaurant and liquor business. For four years he served as marshal and tax collector of Speed's Addition, and in December, 1904, was elected mayor of the town, without opposition. As head of the municipal government he has given a liberal and progressive administration, redounding to the benefit of the town and its people. He was one of the founders of the town, is the largest owner of local realty and has been one of the chief factors in the upbuilding of the place. His residence is one of the finest in this attractive suburban district. Mr. Hayes is a stockholder in the Suburban Club, which maintains a fine resort and club house, offer- ing many attractions during the summer seasons, including theatri- cal performances. He is a stalwart adherent of the Democracy and is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are members of Christ Church, Protestant Episcopal, in Vicksburg. In 1889 Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Wilson, of St. Louis, Mo., and they have two children-James S. and Alpha R. By a former marriage Mr. Hayes has one son-James W., Jr.

Heard, Dr. Joseph Marion, was born in Morgan county, Ga., June 20, 1820, and removed with his family to Monroe county, Miss., in early life. He came of an illustrious line. His ancestor, Stephen Heard, of Scotch-Irish blood, came to this country from Ireland,

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settling on the coast of Virginia, afterwards removing to Georgia, where his conspicuous ability soon brought him into prominence. Heard county, Ga., was christened in his honor and he was Georgia's first territorial governor and served with distinction in the Revo- lutionary war and all his descendants, without exception, in all the States followed the flag of the Confederate States. By vocation a physician and planter, Dr. Heard occupied from the beginning to the end of his life's work-day an enviable position-always a ruling man in his community and a leading citizen in Aberdeen and Monroe county. In April, 1861, at the budding of the war between the States, at the age of forty-one, this man of notable attainments in science, letters, medicine, surgery and all the vocations that char- acterize his social class, enlisted as a private in the Van Dorn Reserves, a company made up at Aberdeen, then his home, which subsequently became Company I, of Mississippi's famous Eleventh regiment, composed of the flower of old Monroe's chivalry and man- hood. He was mustered into the Confederate service with his regiment at Lynchburg, Va., proceeding thence to Harper's Ferry, where the regiment became part of the Third brigade. His career as a private soldier was exceptional in that he was the enlivening spirit of the camp, march and bivouac, cheering the despondent, nursing the sick and sharing every trial and deprivation incident to soldier life and patriotic instinct. Willing as he was to carry liis gun in the ranks, and little as he cared for or sought advance- ment, there came a demand that he should go forth from the old mess and take position befitting his attainments and his country's needs, in a sphere affording scope for the exercise of his skill and learning, and thenceforward he served as surgeon with credit and distinction until the "furling of the banner" he loved so well. After the war and to life's ending, his eloquent tongue and pen were ever ready to vindicate the lost cause, and never but as a victor in the contest. His career in peace, like his record in war, was character- istic of his public and indomitable spirit and energy. Realizing the necessity for developing new lines of enterprise, he availed himself of his studies and researches in horticulture and as a vineyardist, and while all branches pertaining to fields, farm, garden and forest received attention, his energies were mainly devoted to make the grape bear its full share in the burden of our State's uplifting. In this walk no man in America was more successful-his wines elicit- ing praise and surprise all over the Union. This was a noble ending of a well-spent life and on Oct. 17, 1893, he passed away at the home of his devoted son, Walter, in West Point, Miss., leaving thousands to mourn the loss of a noble soldier, citizen, scholar, scientist and public leader.

Hawkins, Willis Noel, is one of the able and popular representa- tives of the newspaper fraternity in Mississippi, being editor and publisher of the Hazlehurst Courier. Mr. Hawkins was born in the city of Louisville, Ky., June 10, 1874, and is a son of Willis Noel Hawkins and Mattie Virginia (Cook) Hawkins, the former of whom was born in Nashville, Tenn., and the latter in Mississippi,

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both being of stanch English ancestry. Mr. Hawkins is a great- nephew of Governor Hawkins and a cousin of Governor Buchanan of Tennessee, and other representatives in both the paternal and maternal lines have been prominent and influential in public and civic affairs. When the subject of this sketch was a child, his parents located in Rankin county, Miss., where he was reared to maturity, securing his educational training in the schools of Brandon, that county. As a youth he entered upon an apprentice- ship at the printer's trade, and he has since continued actively identified with the "art preservative of all arts." In January, 1899, he became editor and publisher of the Copiah Signal, at Wesson, Miss., where he remained until 1900, when he removed to Hazle- hurst, the county seat, where, in March of 1902, he purchased the plant and business of the Hazlehurst Courier, of which he has since been editor and publisher, having brought the paper to a high standard and having a well equipped plant. He is making his enter- prise a distinctive success and is held in high esteem in both busi- ness and social circles, being a progressive and public-spirited citi- zen and doing all in his power to promote the best interests of his home city and county. He gives unqualified allegiance to the Dem- ocratic party and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. On July 18, 1897, Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage to Miss Josie Armstrong, daughter of Joseph S. Armstrong, of Raymond, this State, and they have two children-Andrew Armstrong and Ida Virginia.

Hearn, Sylvanus L., whose death oc- curred Oct. 24, 1906, was numbered among the influential and honored citi- zens and representative business men of West Point, Clay county, for more than a quarter of a century and attained a noteworthy success through well directed and honorable endeavor, being one of the substantial capitalists of this part of the State. He was born near Buena Vista, Chickasaw county, Miss., Nov. 5, 1849, and was a son of Asa and Mary (Crocker) Hearn, native respectively of Georgia and South Carolina. Asa Hearn was a son of Jacob Hearn, who removed from Georgia to Mississippi at an early day, subsequently returning to the former State, where he died at an advanced age, having been a prosperous planter. Mary (Crocker) Hearn came with her parents to Mississippi when a child of about five years, and was reared in Monroe county, where her marriage was solemnized. Of her family of three sons and six daughters, five are now living. From Chick- asaw county, Asa Hearn and wife removed to Choctaw county and later located in Attala county, where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life. He was a man of high intellectuality and noble attributes of character. He successfully engaged in teaching

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school for a number of years, and was a prosperous planter at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He entered the Confederate service, and died near Jackson, Miss., while with his regiment. He was a Freemason, a minister of the gospel, and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Baptist church. She survived him by many years, her death occurring in 1902 at West Point. S. L. Hearn was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home planta- tion, and while he attended the common schools as opportunity afforded, he was indebted principally to his honored father for his early educational training. The latter was known as one of the best teachers of his section and took much care in instructing his son. He was an alumnus of Mercer university, Macon, Ga. At the age of nineteen years, Mr. Hearn became superintendent of a farm, and continued to be actively engaged in agricultural pursuits for nearly ten years, in the meanwhile carefully conserving his resources. In 1878 he located in West Point and engaged in the general merchan- dise business, in which he continued a score of years, through this medium laying the foundation for his ample competency. For ten years he was vice-president of the First National bank of West Point, and about 1895 he assisted in the organization of the Bank of West Point and was its president for four years, when he resigned and again identified himself with the First National bank, in which he was one of the largest stockholders. In 1889 he founded the West Point Manufacturing Company (manufacturers of lumber and building material) of which he became president, remaining in this capacity until his death. Industrial and general business interests thus profited, not only from his capitalistic support but also from his distinctive administrative and executive ability, while through these means he contributed largely to the material development and prosperity of his town, county and State. In 1905 the Citizens' bank of West Point was organized, chiefly through his efforts, and the same was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, Mr. Hearn becoming president of the institution. From 1898 he gave his attention largely to his real estate investments. The family have substantial residence properties and store houses in West Point. Mr. Hearn was a loyal and public-spirited citizen. In poli- tics Mr. Hearn was a stanch Democrat, but never desired or held public office. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity, and was a valued member of the Baptist church. On April 18, 1872, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hearn to Miss Hattie P. Ware, daughter of Rev. James A. Ware, M. D., and Hattie (Pulliam) Ware. Dr. Ware was born in South Carolina, whence he came to Mississippi in an early day, locating in Pontotoc county, and becom- ing one of the leading physicians of the locality as well as a prom- inent clergyman of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Hearn became the parents of two children: Mary Ella, the wife of James M. White, who was for a number of years professor of history and civics in the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical college, but is now engaged in the mercantile business in West Point. He is one of the valued members of the State historical association, and

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a member of the board of trustees of the State Department of Archives and History. Mr. and Mrs. White have three children : Sarah Ware, Frank Hearn and James M., Jr. Carrie Agnew, the younger daughter of Mr. Hearn, became the wife of Rev. Henry P. Hurt, now pastor of the Bellevue avenue Baptist church in the city of Memphis, Tenn. She was summoned to eternal rest July 27, 1902, leaving one child, Carrie Hearn Hurt, only one month old, who is being reared in the home of her maternal grandparents. After the death of Mrs. Hurt, her father erected on the campus of the Blue Mountain female college, at Blue Mountain, Tippah county, a beautiful and substantial brick building of modern design and equipment, two stories in height, with nineteen rooms, and the same is dedicated to the education of worthy poor girls. Between thirty and forty girls now occupy this building and by industrial methods obtain their board at very low rates. In this way many noble young women will be able to secure good educational training and be lifted to a higher plane of usefulness than would otherwise be possible. The building was erected at a cost of several thousand dollars, and Mr. Hearn regarded the same as representing the most important and satisfactory investment he ever made. It is not only a fitting memorial to his noble, Christian daughter, but will also afford un- told blessings to generations to come. Mr. Hearn was a philan- thropist of a very high order, and gave liberally of his means to worthy institutions, objects and persons. His closest friends knew not, during his life, the extent or magnitude of his gifts and his charity. He is greatly missed by all classes.

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Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 37

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association Number of Pages: 938

Author: Rowland, Dunbar, 1864-1937, ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Atlanta, Southern Historical Publishing Association
Number of Pages: 938