Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 74

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 74

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).

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been born the following children: Josie Elise, Aug. 29, 1894; Alex- ander Gallatin, Jr., Oct. 4, 1897; Dorothy Buie, Oct. 1, 1899, and John McNutt, May, 1902.

Paxton, Andrew J., of Greenville, is the owner of a fine landed estate in Washing- ton county, being one of the leading plant- ers of that section, while he is a repre- sentative of one of the prominent pioneer families of the State. He was born on the Homestead plantation, near Arcola, that county, Sept. 5, 1856, and is a son of the late Col. Andrew J. and Hannah M. (Beas- ley) Paxton, native respectively of Vir- ginia and Tennessee. Colonel Paxton was born in Rockbridge county, Va., March 18, 1816, a son of Elisha and Margaret (McNutt) Paxton, both native of the Old Dominion, where the former was a farmer by vocation. His father, William Paxton, was born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish lineage; the wife of Elisha Paxton was a daughter of Alexander McNutt, a native of England and at one time governor of Nova Scotia, while his son, Alexander G. McNutt, was the twelfth governor of the State of Mississippi. Colonel Paxton was educated in Virginia, taking a course in law in the famous old university of that commonwealth, and in 1838 he began the practice of law in Jackson, Miss., having been for a num- ber of years a professional associate of his uncle, ex-Governor Mc- Nutt, in whose home he resided. In 1847 he came to Arcola, Wash- ington county, being compelled to cut his own road, and he became' one of the pioneers and the most extensive planters of the Yazoo delta, his estate comprising more than 2,000 acres of most produc- tive land. His beautiful plantation home was erected in 1888. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, being assigned to the quartermaster's department at Lynchburg, Va. He was always an uncompromising Democrat and was influential in public affairs, though never a seeker of office. He was a delegate to the State con- stitutional convention of 1890 and was one of the most picturesque and prominent figures in that notable assembly. He was a life- long member of the Methodist church, was a man of high intellectu- ality and was essentially a courtly and gracious gentleman of the old school, commanding the esteem of all who knew him. He died in 1900 and his wife passed away in 1890. They are survived by seven children. Andrew J. Paxton, Jr., subject of this sketch, was reared on the fine old homestead plantation and was afforded liberal educational advantages, having been four full years a student in the University of Mississippi. He has always been closely identified with the great industry under whose beneficent influences he was reared, and he has been the owner of homes in Carroll, and Lowndes counties, while his present landed estate, in Washington county, comprises 1,090 acres. He has resided in Greenville since 1902,

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and there has one of the most attractive homes to be found in the city. He is a Democrat in his political allegiance and is essentially progressive and public-spirited in his attitude. In 1880 Mr. Paxton was united in marriage to Miss Lena Wilmot, who was born in Ken- tucky, being a daughter of J. L. Wilmot, who came to Mississippi in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Paxton are the parents of the following chil- dren : A. J. Paxton, Jr., Nellie B., Mary Margaret, now the wife of Wm. Storling; Lena W., Wilmot F., Lawrence L. and Annie.

Pearman, William L., a planter and merchant of Cleveland, was born in An- derson district, S. C., Feb. 29, 1844. He is a son of Benjamin and Drusilla (Mc- Gregor) Pearman, both natives of South Carolina, the former of Abbeville and the latter of Anderson district. The father was a planter all his life and died in 1880 in the same house in which he began housekeeping. The maternal grand- father, William McGregor, was a major in the Seminole war. William L. Pear- man was educated in the common schools of his native State and in December, 1861, enlisted in the Confederate service as a private in Company E, Twentieth South Carolina infantry. He was at Charleston during the entire siege of 1863, afterward being trans- ferred to the Army of Northern Virginia, his first battle in that State being that of Cold Harbor or Gaines' Mill. From Cold Harbor he went to Petersburg and from there to the Shenandoah Valley, where he served under Gen. Jubal A. Early. Next his regiment was or- dered to Richmond and later started to Savannah, Ga., but was met by the Federal forces under Sherman at Salkehatchie. His brigade fell back to Greensboro, N. C., where it was stationed at the time of its surrender. At the battle of Berryville, Va., Mr. Pearman was struck on the head by a spent ball, which sent him to the hospital for three months, this being the only wound he received during his entire service. After the war he returned to South Carolina and in 1867 came to Mississippi. He first located in Tippah county, but in 1869 removed to the plantation where he now lives. Here he has 500 acres under cultivation, as well as a large tract of valuable tim- ber land. Ever since coming to Bolivar county he has been engaged in planting and merchandising, and is regarded as one of the success- ful men of the county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Honor, and he and his wife both belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. In politics he is an unswerving Democrat, but is not particularly active in political work. On April 5, 1874, Miss Viola Beevers became Mrs. William L. Pearman. She is the daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Rawls) Beevers, living near Brookhaven. To this mar- riage have been born eleven children, nine of whom are still living, viz: Margaret; Roberta, now the wife of J. L. Smith, of Cleveland;

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Minnie, who married Leslie Poe, of Bolivar county; Arthur, Pearl, Ruby, Weldon, Benjamin and Lillian.

Parsons, Ira Lee, M. D., is one of the successful and popular representatives of the medical profession in his native coun- ty, being engaged in general practice in Brookhaven. He was born on the family homestead, in Lincoln county, Miss., Nov. 6, 1875, and is a son of William F. and Ophelia (Herring) Parsons, both of whom were likewise born in this State, being of Scotch and Irish lineage, respectively. After due preliminary discipline in the public schools Dr. Parsons entered Missis- sippi college, at Clinton, where he con- tinued his studies for three years, after which he was matriculated in the medical department of Tulane university, in the city of New Orleans, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. In the same year he opened an office in Brookhaven, meeting with favorable reception and soon building up a representative practice. He is held in high esteem both as a physician and as a citizen and is one of the popular young repre- sentatives of his profession in Lincoln county and for several years he has been local surgeon for the Illinois Central railroad and city health officer of Brookhaven. He is identified with the State and county medical associations, is a Democrat in his political proclivi- ties and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Woodmen of the World. In 1902 Dr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rose Seavey, daughter of Edward E. Seavey, a resident of Georgia, and they have one son-William Seavey.

Pennebaker, Thomas Jefferson, M. D., one of the eminent physicians of Cotton Plant, comes of good Irish stock. His grandfather, Samuel Pennebaker, was an early immigrant to this country from Switzerland. Dr. Pennebaker's parents were Hon. Wyand and Mary (Goodwin) Pennebaker, the latter of whom was of Irish and Dutch descent. The father was born in Kentucky and came to this State when he was twenty-five years of age after living some years in middle Tennessee. During his residence here he was always prominent in public affairs. For many year he was justice of the peace and for two terms represented Tippah county in the State legislature, beside which he was deputy sheriff for a number of years. He was one of the most influential factors in the organization of Union county. His death occurred Jan. 19, 1887, while a resident of Cotton Plant.

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Dr. Pennebaker was born in that part of Tippah county which is now Union county, March 25, 1859. After receiving a preliminary education in the schools of his native county he attended the Nash- ville medical college. In 1890 he began the practice of his profes- sion at Cotton Plant and has since been engaged in it. He came at once to be known as a physician of skill and ability and his practice steadily increased, until now it extends not only over Union county but into many of the adjoining towns and counties. Dr. Penne- baker is a member of the Union county medical association and of the State medical association. Dr. Pennebaker's wife was formerly Miss Virginia McBride, a daughter of John A. McBride and a grand- daughter of Robert McBride, a native of Ireland, one of the first white inhabitants of Tippah county. John A. McBride was a former sheriff of Union county, and had served four years as a member of the Confederate army during the Civil war. To Dr. and Mrs. Penne- baker have been born seven children-Mattie Lucille, Robert, John, William, Thomas, Charles and Mary Virginia.

Pepper, Archibald McDowell, a rising young attorney of the Holmes county bar, was born at Lexington, April 23, 1870. He is a son of Daniel Gilbert and Mary Emily (Stansbury) Pepper, the former born at Charleston, S. C., April 15, 1835, and the latter near Lexington. The sub- ject of this sketch received a preliminary education in the Lexington public schools, and those of Brookhaven and Sardis, and the Webb school of Bellbuckle, Tenn. He was matriculated at Princeton uni- versity of Princeton, N. J., and after com- pleting a four-year course was graduated in June, 1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He also attended the Summer law course in 1893 under Prof. J. B. Minor at University of Virginia. He then entered the law department of the University of Mississippi at Oxford and in 1895 was given the degree of Bachelor of Laws and admitted to prac- tice in the State and Federal courts. Immediately after graduation he returned to Lexington and formed a partnership with E. F. Noel · under the firm name of Noel & Pepper and has since continued most successfully the practice of his profession. In politics he belongs to the Democratic party but has never held nor aspired to office. While at Oxford he became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity, and while at Princeton was identified with the Uni- versity Cottage Club, the American Whig society and in 1893-1894 was president of the Southern society of Princeton. His religious affiliations are Episcopal, being a communicant of St. Mary's Epis- copal church at Lexington. At the present time he is vestryman and lay rcader of that congregation. On April 14, 1897, Mr. Pepper was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Boothe, daughter of Judge James B. and Annie Estelle (Hill) Boothe of Sardis. To this union

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have been born two children-James Boothe, and an infant who died.

Perkins, William W., of Batesville, merchant, planter and manufacturer, is one of the distinctively representative men of that section of the State, being promi- nent both in business and civic affairs, while he is also one of the sons of Missis- sippi who donned the gray uniform and rendered most faithful service in defense of the cause of the Confederate States. Mr. Perkins was born in Yalobusha county, Miss., March 4, 1838, being the third in order of birth of the ten children of John W. and Louisa A. (Mellugin) Perkins, both of whom were born in Hickman county, Tenn. Wright Perkins, father of John W., was born in America, of Scotch parentage, his father having come from Scotland to the New World in the colonial days. The Mellugin family traces back to stanch Irish stock, and the ancestors of Mr. Perkins on both sides were valiant soldiers of the Colonial army dur- ing the War of the Revolution. John W. Perkins came from Ten- nessee to Mississippi in 1832, the State having at that time an Indian population far outnumbering the white settlers. He was a skilled mechanic but upon settling in Yalobusha county he gave practically his entire attention to the management of his plantation, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of that part of the State, while in 1853 he became a resident of Panola county, where he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits until his death, which oc- curred in 1878, at which time he was sixty-seven years of age. His devoted wife survived him by many years, passing away in 1895, at the venerable age of eighty-two years. They were folk of sterling character and their lives counted for good in all the relations. The father was loyal to the South when the Civil war was inaugurated, and four of his sons were soldiers in the Confederate army, while one of the number sacrificed his life in the cause. William W. Perkins passed the first sixteen years of his life in Yalobusha county, in whose schools he secured his early educational training, which was supplemented by study in Eureka academy, at that time a well conducted institution in Panola county, whither the family had removed. During the years 1859-60 he was engaged in teaching in the schools of Yalobusha and Tallahatchie counties, and when the call to arms was made by the Confederacy he was among the first to offer himself as a soldier, having shortly before taken up the study of law, but subordinating all personal considerations for the sake of the principles for which the South was preparing to do battle. On March 27, 1861, he enlisted in the Panola Guards, with which he proceeded to Pensacola, Fla., where the command remained until February of the following year, then proceeding to Cumberland Gap and taking part in the brisk skirmishing at that point. His com-

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pany was a portion of the Ninth Mississippi regiment, commanded by Col. J. R. Chalmers. Though entitled the Ninth, this was the first regiment sent out from Mississippi. While in Florida the com- mand assisted in the reinforcement of Fort McRae, took part in the fight at Santa Rosa Island and was in action in numerous skirmishes prior to taking part in the battle at Cumberland Gap, as noted. In April, 1862, at the expiration of his term, Mr. Perkins was mustered out and returned to his home, where he forthwith assisted in the organization of Company B, Fourteenth Mississippi battalion of light artillery, and was elected second lieutenant of the company, with which he was in service until the siege of Vicksburg, where the command capitulated. Upon exchange of prisoners being effected, three companies were organized under general orders, July, 1864, as Yates' battery, named in honor of Capt. G. H. Yates, now of Cross Plains, Tenn. The organization was effected by General Forney, and Mr. Perkins was retained as lieutenant of this battery, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. He took part in the series of spirited engagements which characterized the Georgia campaign and was surrendered with General Johnston's forces at Greensboro, N. C., April 26, 1865. Of his military career another has written as follows: "He was in almost constant engagements from the time he enlisted until the close of the war, and his career was marked with bravery and faithfulness." After the surrender he returned home, in company with a number of his comrades, making the entire journey on foot and being ill, jaded and disheartened when he arrived at his destination. But the courage which had sustained him through so many fierce contests on the battle fields came to his aid when he found that problems of equally strenuous order were facing him. Through the ravages of the war his entire family was destitute and his father's property a wreck. He and his brothers went bravely to work and measurably restored the home to its wonted condition of prosperity. On Jan. 5, 1866, Mr. Perkins arrived in Batesville equipped with one Confederate uniform and a silver half-dollar which his dying brother had given him at Vicksburg. He became clerk in a general store, retaining this position until 1867, when he engaged in the same line of enterprise in partnership with M. B. Jones, the two purchasing the stock and business of the store in which Mr. Perkins had been employed, while their joint capital at the time was but $2,400. This proved the basis of the very successful career which has since been recorded of the subject of this sketch. He remained associated with Mr. Jones until the latter's death, Aug. 30, 1900. The business, thus organized in October, 1867, was con- tinued with the same partners, until it was closed, Jan. 1, 1901. Mr. Perkins is still engaged in the same business, in partnership with his sons, and their large and finely equipped general store controls the largest business of all of the sort in Batesville, and the repu- tation of the concern is unassailable. Mr. Perkins is also engaged in the manufacturing of cotton gins, feeders and various specialties in the way of farming implements, the well equipped plant being located in Batesville and representing one of the leading industrial

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enterprises of Panola county. He is the owner of a large landed estate, which is operated under his supervision, and he is known as one of the substantial men of the county, while his success is the more gratifying to note by reason of the fact that it has been won through his own earnest and well directed efforts, while no spot or blemish mars the record of his career. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, but has never been an aspirant for office. He is a mem- ber of the State commission to which is assigned the work of deter- mining the location of the various Mississippi troops in the Federal Park at Vicksburg. He and his family are members of the Method- ist church, and he is identified with the Knights of Honor. In 1870 Mr. Perkins was married to Miss Mary J. Jones, who was born and reared in Mississippi, being a daughter of Peter B. and Emiline (Polk) Jones, the latter of whom was a relative of Pres. James K. Polk. To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins were born six children-Howard J., Florence N., Louis M., Clifford P., Fred P. and Gladys. Mrs. Per- kins died April 5, 1897.

Perlinsky, Joseph, is one of the pioneer business men and honored citizens of the thriving little city of Canton, with whose mercantile and civic interests he has been identified for the long period of forty years. He is one of the leading general merchants of the town and his standing in the community is unassailable. Mr. Perlinsky was born in Gostyn, Prussia, Oct. 18, 1849, and is a son of Elias and Leah (Metz) Perlinsky, both of whom were likewise native of that place, where the venerable father still resides and where he was long engaged in butchering and live stock business. His wife died Feb. 28, 1898. The subject of this sketch was afforded the advan- tages of the schools of his native land, where he remained until he had attained to the age of seventeen years, when he set forth to scek his fortunes in America. He landed in New York city Sept. 21, 1866, and from the national metropolis he came to Jackson, Miss., where he was employed as a clerk in a general store for one year. He then took up his residence in Canton and established himself in the general merchandise business, in which he has continued dur- ing the long intervening years and in which he controls a large and representative patronage. His political support is given to the Democratic party, and for a number of years he was a member of the board of education of Canton. He and his wife are members of the reformed Jewish church and he is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of B'nai B'rith, the Masonic fraternity, and the Knights of Honor. On Oct. 10, 1877, Mr. Perlinsky was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Mayer, daughter of David and Fanny Mayer, both native of Alsace, Germany. Concerning the children of this union the following brief record is entered: David was born in 1878; Hattie, who was born in 1880, is the wife of Fred Feibelman, of Jack- son, Miss., and they have one child, Herbert; Pauline was born in 1885, and Isadore was born in 1893.

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Pickering, William H., M. D., estab- lished in the practice of his profession at Collins, Covington county, was born in this county, July 8, 1861, and is a scion of an old and honored family of the county, since here were born both of his parents, John and Mahala (Speed) Pickering. John Pickering served in the Confederate ranks during the Civil war, having been a mem- ber of the Twenty-eighth Mississippi in- fantry and having given four years of his life to battling for the cause of the South. Among many other engagements he took part in the siege of Vicksburg, while he personally witnessed the meeting of Gen- DR. WM. H. PICKERING erals Pemberton and Grant at the time the terms of surrender were arranged. Dr. Pickering was the second of seven children, six of whom are living. In the order of their birth they were: Benjamin T., living on the old homestead, five miles east of Collins; William H .; Kate, deceased; Keziah H .; Mary, wife of E. F. Guthrie, of Collins; Jas. M., living on the old homestead at Pickering; Henrietta E., wife of Jas. A. Lewis, of Mobile, Ala. The father died April 7, 1903. Except for the time he spent in the Confederate army, his entire life was spent in Covington county, where he was engaged in farm- ing. The distance from his place to the nearest railroad in the early days was sixty miles. He was a conscientious, Christian man and both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Baptist church. Dr. Picker- ing's mother is living on the old home- stead with her eldest son. Dr. Pickering was reared and secured his early education in Covington county, where he has thus far maintained his home and where the respect and confidence of those who have reason to know him best are COL. JOHN C. WILKINSON freely accorded him. Prior to taking up the study of medi- cine he devoted his attention to farming. In 1899 he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Alabama, in Mo- bile, duly receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He began the practice of his profession in Pickering, Covington county, which town was named in honor of his family, and there he remained until October, 1904, when he established his home in Collins, where he is securing the most gratifying support and meeting with unqualified success in his professional work. He is a member of the county and State medical associations and takes a vital interest in their affairs. His political allegiance is accorded to the Democracy, and in a fra- ternal way he is a Master Mason. Oct. 25, 1883, Dr. Pickering was

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united in marriage to Miss Kate C. Wilkinson, daughter of Col. John C. and Mary A. V. (Spaulding) Wilkinson, of Mount Olive, Coving- ton county. Colonel Wilkinson was in Hood's command during the Civil war and met his death July 22, 1864, in the ever memorable battle of Atlanta, having shortly before been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. He and his brother met death practically side by side, and both were hurried off the field on one litter, the place where they fell being about three-fourths of a mile south of the site of the present monument erected to the memory of General Mc- Pherson. They were buried in the locality, with other of their brave comrades who there sacrified their lives. Dr. and Mrs. Pickering have three children-Bertha May, Bertram Ernest and Carrie Irene.

Perrault, C. H., the efficient incumbent of the office of sheriff of Adams county, whose home is in Natchez, was born in that city Sept. 28, 1854. His father was Armand L. Perrault, who was born in Chalon, France, in 1811, came to this country in 1829, and lo- cated first in Louisiana. For several years his residence continued in that State and then he moved to Louisville, Ky. It was there that his marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Owen was solemnized. In 1840 he removed to Natchez and lived there until his death in 1885. As a representative from the Second ward of his city he served one term in the Natchez city council. He was a quiet, unassuming man who never sought political preferment nor in any way attempted to bring himself into public view, attending to his duties as a supply dealer in a business-like manner. The subject of this sketch received his educational advantages in the parochial schools of his home city. After school days he embarked in the clothing business with his brother, Thomas E., and for twenty-four successive years he was successfully engaged in it. In 1903 he was an independent candidate for the office of sheriff of Adams county and in the election of November he was elected with a good majority over his Demo- cratic opponent. As the incumbent of an office of public trust Mr. Perrault has proved himself worthy, capable and honest-a fit ser- vant of the people.

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Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 74

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