Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 64

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 64

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

McCarty, Joseph A., the efficient and popular president of the board of supervisors of Clarke county and one of the progressive agriculturists and stock growers of the county, has a well improved plantation near the village of Enterprise, which is his postoffice ad- dress. Mr. McCarty was born in Choctaw county, Ala., June 4, 1869, and is a son of Daniel McCarty who was born and reared in Alabama, whence he removed to Mississippi in 1872, settling in Clarke county, where he engaged in planting and became one of

556

MISSISSIPPI

the substantial and honored citizens of this section. He was with the Alabama reserves during the latter part of the Civil war and was uncompromising in his loyalty to the cause of the Confederacy, while in politics he never wavered in his allegiance to the Democratic party. He died in 1895. Joseph A. McCarty was about three years of age at the time of the family removal to Clarke county, and here he was reared to maturity on the home plantation, while he duly completed the curriculum of the public schools, including a course in the high school at Enterprise. He has never found it expedient to abate his allegiance to the great basic art of agricul- ture, through which he has attained success, being one of the pro- gressive planters and representative citizens of the county and one who has shown a most helpful interest in public affairs of a local nature. In 1895 he was elected a member of the board of super- visors of the county, being the youngest representative in that body, while he has ever since continued in tenure of this office, having been re-elected in 1899 and 1903, and having been president of the board. He is a stalwart advocate of the principles and cause of the Democ- racy and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Enterprise. On Dec. 19, 1894, Mr. McCarty married Miss Rilla A. Cross, daughter of A. W. Cross, who is now a member of the firm of C. F. Cross & Company, general merchants, in Enterprise, to which place he removed from Jasper county, where Mrs. McCarty was born. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty have three children, namely: Aden, Bryan and Alice.

McNeill, Christopher C., a member of one of the sterling families of Mississippi and incumbent of the office of treasurer of Clarke county, was born in Lauderdale county, this State, Nov. 20, 1850, and is a son of Alexander McNeill, who was born in North Carolina, of Scottish descent, and who came to Mississippi when a young man, becoming one of the substantial planters of the State and here continuing to make his home until his death, which occurred in Clarke county, in 1877. Christopher C. received a good common school education and he has been identified with agricultural pur- suits from his boyhood to the present, being the owner of a well improved landed estate near Quitman, the county seat, and giving his personal supervision to the property. He has for many years been a prominent factor in public affairs of a local order and is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Clarke county. He was a member of the county board of supervisors for a period of six years, and in 1895 he was elected county treasurer, serving four years. In 1903 he was again called to this office, for a second term of four years, showing that the people of the county have due appreciation of his fidelity in handling and conserving the fiscal interests com- mitted to his charge. He is a deacon in the Baptist church at Quit- man, of which his wife also is a devoted member, and he is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias, though not actively affiliated at the present time. On Sept. 7, 1876, Mr. McNeill was united in marriage to Miss Kizzie E. Dunham, daughter of Pinckney Dunham, of Clarke county, and she died in 1891, leaving six children, namely :

557

BIOGRAPHICAL

Viola, wife of R. P. Jones, of Shubuta; Helen, wife of E. O. Bagby, of Peterson, La .; and Octavia, Walter, Ada and Samuel. On Christ- mas day of 1894 Mr. McNeill consummated a second marriage, being then united to Miss N. Elizabeth Brunson, daughter of W. L. Brun- son, of Clarke county, and they have one son, James.

McNair, William G., manager of the Centerville Cotton Oil Com- pany at Centerville, Wilkinson county, is one of the prominent and popular citizens of this thriving town. Details in regard to the family history are given in the sketch of the life of his brother, Rob- ert W., of Brookhaven, so that a further resume is not demanded in the present connection. Mr. McNair was born in Covington county, Miss., June 1, 1863, and he was afforded the advantages of the public schools of Brookhaven, including a course in the high school. He has held various positions in connection with railroad- ing interests, with which he became identified when a youth. He has been employed by the Illinois Central and Yazoo & Mississippi Valley railroads, by which latter he was employed for thirteen years. In 1900 he retired from railroad work and took up his residence in Centerville, where he assumed the position of manager of the Centerville Cotton Oil Company,-an incumbency which he has since retained. He is a member of the board of directors of the company. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias, is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party. In 1893 Mr. Mc- Nair was united in marriage to Miss Mary McNair, daughter of A. K. McNair, M. D., of Fayette, Miss., and they have three children, Marian, Adrienne and Stephen Duncan.

Mclellan, Vardaman S., M. D., of Canton, is one of the able phy- sicians and surgeons of Madison county and has an excellent prac- tice in his chosen field of endeavor. He was born at Durant, Holmes county, this State, June 3, 1870, and is a son of Samuel J. and Mary (Frizell) Mclellan, both of whom were likewise born at Durant. The doctor's paternal great-grandfather, William McLellan, removed from Georgia to Holmes county, Miss., in the territorial epoch in this commonwealth and became one of the first settlers near Durant, where he secured a large tract of land. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, as was also one of his brothers. Dr. Mclellan secured his early educational training in the schools of Durant and Bowling Green, and he then took a partial course in the medical department of the University of Nashville, Tenn., after which he entered the Ken- tucky School of Medicine, in Louisville, in which he was graduated and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1891. In 1900 he took an effective post-graduate course in one of the leading medi- cal colleges of the city of New York and a second course in 1906. After his graduation he was engaged in the practice of his profession at Durant for four years, at the expiration of which he located in Canton, where he has attained to even more distinctive success and prestige in the work of his chosen vocation. He is a member of the Mississippi medical association, is president of Madison county medi- cal society and is health officer of Madison county. He is a stalwart

558

MISSISSIPPI

supporter of the Democratic party and is secretary of its execu- tive committee in Madison county. He is affiliated with the Ma- sonic fraternity, Woodmen of the World, Knights of Honor, and Knights and Ladies of Honor. On May 17, 1895, Dr. Mclellan was . united in marriage to Miss Annie Brock, daughter of Walter D. Brock, a representative citizen of Carroll county, Miss., and they have three children, Walter Vardaman, Mary, and William Henry.

McMillan, Alexander, is one of the old and honored business men of the city of Meridian, where he is engaged in the wholesale and retail hardware trade, with which he has here been identified for nearly forty years. His career has been marked by the most scrupulous integrity of purpose and to him is accorded the unreserved esteem and confidence of all who know him or with whom he has had business dealings. Mr. McMillan was born in London, Eng- land, in the year 1839, being a son of Alexander K. McMillan, a native of Scotland, whither he went to the city of London, remaining in England until 1851, when he immigrated with his family to America, being employed for a time in the city of New York and then removing to Mobile, Ala., and finally coming to Mississippi. He established himself in the hardware business at Enterprise, Clarke county, where he remained until 1868, when he located in Meridian, where he continued in the same line of enter- prise until his death, which occurred in 1874. The subject of this sketch secured his early education in his native land, having been about twelve years of age at the time of the family removal to the United States. In 1856 he became associated with his father in the hardware business at Enterprise, Miss., and thereafter the two were the founders of the Meridian business of which he is now the head, the same dating its inception back to the year 1868. At the time of the war between the States Mr. McMillan enlisted in the Enterprise Guards, but was discharged on account of physical disability, serv- ing thereafter in light duty in the commissary department. Since the war he has been continuously engaged in the hardware business and he stands today as one of the representative merchants and substantial citizens of Meridian. He is a stanch Democrat, takes a loyal interest in local affairs but has never been a seeker of office. He and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. In 1862 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McMillan to Miss Bettie Hudson, who died in 1871, and who is survived by three sons, namely : W. A., now of Pensacola, Fla., Samuel Thomas, now of Newton, Miss., Horace Alexander, of Meridian. In 1873 he wedded Miss Bettie E. Smith, who was born and reared in Mississippi, and they have one daughter, Almedia, living at home.

---

559

BIOGRAPHICAL

McNair, John Clement, M. D., is engaged in the practice of his profession at Fayette and is one of the prominent and successful physicians and surgeons of Jefferson county. Dr. McNair was born at Brookhaven, Lincoln county, Miss., Oct. 5, 1872, and is a son of Thomas C. and Flora (Gilchrist) McNair, both of whom were born in Jefferson county, this State, of Scotch-Irish lineage. Mr. McNair completed a course in the high school at Union Church, and then entered the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical college, at Clark- ville, after leaving which he was matriculated in the medical department of Tulane university, in the city of New Orleans, where he was graduated in 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He at once engaged in the practice of his profession in Fayette, where he has since maintained his home and where he has built up a large and successful business. In politics he is aligned as a sup- porter of the cause of the Democracy, his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he is affiliated with the Masonic frater- nity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In December, 1900, Dr. McNair was united in marriage to Miss Anna Abbott, daughter of William Abbott, of Natchez, Miss.

McNair, John E., who died at his home in Brookhaven, Lincoln county, in January, 1874, is emin ntly entitled to a memoir in this work, for he left a definite impress upon the legal, judicial and edu- cational history of the State, and was representative of the highest order of citizenship. He was born in Richmond county, N. C., Aug. 8, 1808, and was a son of Alexander and Effie (Little) McNair. His father was born in Scotland, whence his parents immigrated to America and located in North Carolina when he was but six years of age. In the Old North State Alexander McNair was reared to manhood and in an early day he removed to Mississippi and located in Simpson county. He became a successful planter and was promi- nent in local affairs of a public nature. He died in that county, at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife died a few years before he did. They became the parents of eleven children, all of whom are now deceased. John E. McNair, the immediate subject of this sketch, came to Mississippi when a youth, having been accorded excellent educational advantages in his native State. After coming to Mississippi he taught school for a time and finally studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was several times elected district attorney of his county and afterward popular vote placed him upon the circuit bench, a position which he filled with marked ability for twenty years, and being finally deposed under the odious "carpet- bag" regime after the close of the Civil war. In 1870 he located in Brookhaven, where he was at the head of the Peabody school for some time. He was elected mayor of the town and held that office at the time of his death. He led a very active life, was an able lawyer and was regarded as one of the leading jurists on the circuit bench of the State during his incumbency of the office. He was a stanch Union Democrat and was always well fortified in his opin- ions in regard to matters of public polity. He was for many years

560

MISSISSIPPI

an elder in the Presbyterian church and was a man of the most ex- alted integrity and honor in all the relations of life. He married Miss Adeline Watts, who was born in Lexington, Miss., a daughter of Reuben Watts, who came to this State from Georgia, about 1830, eventually becoming one of the prominent and influential citizens of Covington county, where he died. Mrs. McNair survived her husband by several years. They became the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom seven are living.

McNeil, Myron Sibbie, is one of the representative members of the bar of his native town and county and is a member of the State senate. He was born in Crystal Springs, Copiah county, Sept. 28, 1873, and is a son of Rev. Jarrot Wesley McNeil and Lucy Ann (Bob) McNeil, both of whom were like- wise born in Mississippi. The paternal ancestors came from Scotland to North Carolina, from which State representa- tives came to Mississippi in an early day. Rev. Jarrot W. McNeil was edu- cated at Alford academy, New York, where he was graduated with first honor, and he later was ordained a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, identifying himself with the Mississippi conference. Later he gave his attention more particularly to educational work. He died in Crystal Springs in 1895. Senator McNeil is indebted to the public schools of Copiah county for his earlier educational training, and he also had the advantages of a cultured and refined home. He then entered Lexington normal college, at Lexington, Miss., where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was also graduated from the law department of Millsaps college, in Jack- son, this State, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He had previously read law under excellent private preceptorship. He was admitted to the bar in 1898 and forthwith began the practice of his profession in Crystal Springs, where he has forged to the front as one of the able and successful lawyers of this part of the State. He is a loyal and zealous advocate of the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and in August, 1903, he was elected to represent the Eleventh district, comprising Copiah county only, in the State sen- ate, for the regular term of four years. He has taken an active part in the deliberations of that body and has been assigned to various committees of importance. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, South, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On July 6, 1904, Senator McNeil was united in marriage to Miss Deborah Martin, daughter of Monroe Martin, a well known citizen of Copiah county.

561

BIOGRAPHICAL

McPhearson, John T., whose finely improved landed estate is lo- cated ten miles northeast of Waynesboro, Wayne county, on rural free mail delivery route No. 2, is one of the representative farmers and business men of this section of the State and also has the dis- tinction of being a veteran of the Civil war, in which he rendered loyal service to the Confederacy. He was born in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Aug. 8, 1842, being a son of Lorenz D. and Rebecca (Savage) Mc- Phearson, the former of whom was born in South Carolina and the latter in Tuscaloosa, Ala. From Alabama the father came to Mis- sissippi and located in Monroe county, whence he removed to Wayne county in 1856, here passing the remainder of his long and useful life, which was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was a stanch Democrat and was a man of sterling character, commanding the respect of all who knew him. He died in 1882, at a vencrable age, and his wife passed away in 1884, both having been consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Of their children our are living. John T. McPhearson was a child of about six years at the time of his parents' removal to Mississippi, and here he was reared to manhood, completing the curriculum of the common schools and then continuing his studies in Rose Hill academy, in Jasper county. At the outbreak of the Civil war, shortly after his nine- teenth birthday, Mr. McPhearson tendered his services in defense of the Confederate cause, enlisting as a private in Company C, Thirty- seventh Mississippi infantry, which was mustered in at Columbus, Lowndes county. The regiment was first under fire in the battle of Iuka, and also took part in the engagements at Abbeville and Corinth, while winter quarters were maintained at Snyder's Bluff. In April, 1862, the regiment was a part of the forces which routed

the Federal troops at Fort Pinkerton, and it then went to Vicks- burg, where it was stationed during the memorable siege. After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment was in parole camp at Enterprise for a few months, and when an exchange was effected the command was ordered to Mobile, Ala., and thence into Florida, having several engagements with the enemy and proceeding as far as Shoal river. About thirty days later the regiment was ordered to Rome, Ga., from which point it proceeded on the march to Resaca, taking part in the battle there and in the campaign which followed, leading up to the battle of Atlanta and that at Jonesboro, from which latter point the command returned to Dalton and thence proceeded into Tennessee, taking part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville and other . ngagements of minor importance. The regiment then went on to North Carolina, but Mr. McPhearson, being incapaci- tated on account of illness, was sent home on furlough, and after the close of the war he received his final parole, at Meridian. He soon took up the practical duties of business, securing a position as sales- man in a mercantile establishment in Isney, Ala., and being thus engaged until 1868, when he turned his attention to farming, with which basic industry he has ever since been identified, while in the connection with his well directed and successful operations in this line he also conducts a well equipped general store and operates

36-III

562

MISSISSIPPI

a grist and saw mill and also a cotton gin, giving his personal super- vision to his varied interests and being recognized as one of the county's most progressive business men. Mr. McPhearson is a stalwart Democrat in his political adherency, and in a fraternal way he is a popular member of Sam. Powe Camp, No. 1144, United Confederate Veterans, taking a deep interest in his old comrades in arms and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Big Rock, Wayne county, of whose board of stewards he is a valued member. On Jan. 7, 1868, Mr. McPhearson wedded Miss Isabella Pittman, daughter of John W. Pittman, of Wayne county, and they have three children: Eliza, who is the wife of Dr. A. O. Lomox, of Langsdale, Clarke county; and Mary and John L., who remain at the parental home.

McRae, Murdoch L., who was one of the substantial planters of Wayne county during his residence in that county, of which he was sheriff, is a veteran of the Civil war and is one of the highly es- teemed citizens of his section, while he is also a representative of one of the pio- neer families of the State. He was born in Wayne county, Miss., Sept. 15, 1840, and is a son of Farquard and Rachel McRae, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1799, and the latter in South Carolina in 1805. Farquard McRae came to Mississippi in an early day and took up his residence in Wayne county, where he became a successful farmer and stock-grower and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1851. He was county treasurer at the time of his demise and was a man who stood high in the esteem of all who knew him, while he wielded much influence in local affairs of a public nature. His wife died in 1898 and of their children five are living. Ex-Governor McRae, of Mis- sissippi, is of a collateral branch of the same family. Murdoch L. McRae was educated in the common schools of Wayne county and early began to familiarize himself with the details involved in the work and management of the homestead farm. In 1862, at the age of twenty-two years, Mr. McRae went forth in defense of the cause of the Confederacy, having been unable to enlist at the out- break of the war by reason of the fact that he found it incumbent to remain at home and care for his widowed mother and other mem- bers of the family. He enlisted as a private in the Wayne Rifles, the first that went out from Wayne county, and the same was mus- tered in as Company B, Thirteenth Mississippi infantry. He was a participant in the battle of Chancellorsville and then took part in the campaign which led up to and included the battle of Gettysburg. The command then returned to Virginia and was thence sent to Chattanooga, Tenn., taking part in the battle of Chickamauga, and then being stationed in the investment of Chattanooga for one month,

563

BIOGRAPHICAL

after which the regiment assisted in the besiegement of Knoxville until the defeat of General Bragg at Missionary Ridge. The com- mand then went into winter quarters in eastern Tennessee. In the spring the regiment joined General Lee in Virginia, taking part in the battle of the Wilderness, where Mr. McRae was twice wounded. He was taken to the hospital at Richmond, and was granted a fur- lough of sixty days, which he passed at his home. He rejoined his regiment in Virginia and was a participant in General Early's cam- paign, while the winter was passed in front of Richmond, on the surrender of which city his brigade was with the last body of troops to pass through the city. At Sailor's Creek his entire division was captured, and he was taken to Point Lookout, Md., where he was held prisoner until July, 1865, when he was paroled. He was elected sergeant of his company and served as such, but he always carried his rifle and was ready to respond to the call of duty. After the close of the war he returned home and again identified himself with agricultural pursuits, continuing until 1870, when he located in Mo- bile, Ala., and engaged in the commission business. After about one year he returned to Wayne county and here he was actively concerned in farming and stock-growing until 1880, when Governor Stone appointed him sheriff of Wayne county, an office of which he remained incumbent for the ensuing six years, while in 1890 Governor Stone again conferred upon him the appointment of sheriff, and he served an additional five years, giving a most able adminis- tration. His health has been much impaired since that time and he lived practically retired on his attractive farm of 110 acres, one mile from Waynesboro, until his removal to Leakesville. In poli- tics Mr. McRae is one of the stalwart Democrats of Wayne county., and he has always manifested a loyal interest in public affairs. He and his wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian church at Waynesboro, and he is an elder in the same. having held this position for the past thirty years. He has been commander of S. H. Powe Camp, No. 1144, United Confederate Veterans, from the time of its organization, in 1897, and his old comrades accord to him the full measure of esteem and confidence that is so justly his due. He is also identified with the Masonic fraternity. On Dec. 17, 1873, Mr. McRae wedded Miss Virginia Hamrick, daughter of James Ham- rick, of Choctaw county, Ala., and they have five children : J. Thorn- well, a merchant of Green county, Miss .; Perlena, Willie, Estelle and George B., who remain at the parental home. In 1905 Mr. McRae and family moved to Leakesville, Greene county, Miss., where they reside at this writing.

McNair, Reuben W., the popular chancery clerk of Lincoln county, is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of the county and he has served in various positions of public confidence and trust. He was born in Simpson county, this State, Feb. 19, 1849, and is a son of John E. and Adalina (Watts) McNair, both being of Scotch- Irish lineage. Mr. McNair completed his youthful educational training in Zion seminary, in Covington county, this State, and thereafter he continued to be actively engaged in agricultural pur-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 64

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