USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III > Part 80
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he was about fifteen years of age and having gained the remainder of his education in the broad school of experience. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Arkansas, where he was residing at the outbreak of the Civil war, when he became first a member of the Voltigers and later of the City Guards of Camden, that State, which was assigned to the Sixth regiment of Arkansas infantry, Tom Hind- man's Legion, Claiborne's division of the Confederate army. He remained with this command two years, within which he partici- pated in many important engagements, among which should be mentioned the following: Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Bowling Green, Corinth, Mumfordsville, and many skirmishes. At Mur- freesboro, Tenn., he was seriously wounded, being shot through the head. The ball entered on the left side of his nose and came out beneath his right ear, breaking the roof of his mouth. He was in a hospital at Atlanta, Ga., for thirteen days and was then granted a furlough of thirty days, which had expired on his arrival home, but was extended thirty days longer. He was then assigned to duty in the chief quartermaster's department at General Price's head- quarters, and during the last two years of the war he served as special courier to General Price. While in the command of General Price he took part in the celebrated raid into Missouri, also partici- pating in the engagements at Poison Springs, Marks' Mills, Sabine and several spirited skirmishes near Camden, Ark. He received his honorable discharge at Camden, Ark., in May, 1865. After the war Mr. Reynolds returned to his boyhood home in Oktibbeha county, Miss., where he has since resided continuously, and where he has been consecutively identified with agricultural pursuits. About a quarter of a century ago he removed from his plantation to the city of Starkville, where he has since remained and where he has an attractive residence. He owns about 2,000 acres of valuable farm- ing land in the county, renting the greater portion but giving a general supervision to his various properties. He is a Democrat in politics, is affiliated with the United Confederate Veterans, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. On Jan. 22, 1867, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Buntin, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Dean) Buntin, of Oktibbeha county, and of their ten children five died in infancy. Concerning the five living children the following brief record is entered: Mary Elizabeth is the wife of J. Wallace Mc- Williams, of Monroe, La .; Archibald W. is manager of the cotton warehouse in Starkville; Henry H. is engaged in the insurance busi- ness in Starkville, where he is also representative of the International Harvesting Machine Company; Annie remains at the parental home; and Martha J. is the wife of Eugene B. Ferris, director of the agri- cultural experiment station at McNeill, Miss. Mr. Reynolds is held in unqualified esteem in the community which has so long been his home and he has served as justice of the peace continuously since .1886
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Rhodes, James A. T., one of the promi- nent real estate dealers operating in the city of Meridian, has here maintained his home for many years and is a well known and highly esteemed citizen and business man, also having the distinction of being a veteran of the Confederate service in the war between the States. Mr. Rhodes was born in Pike county, Ala., July 8, 1846, being a son of Young S. and Cather- ine (Rich) Rhodes, the former of whom was born in Sampson county, N. C., and the latter in Butts county, Ga. The father was a carriage maker by trade and was an early settler in Georgia, where he took part in the Indian wars of the pioneer days. His wife was a daughter of Maj. Daniel Butler Rich, who was a gallant officer in the Indian wars in Georgia and who was severely wounded while in the service. The parents of the subject of this sketch passed the closing years of their lives in Alabama. Mr. Rhodes was reared and educated in his native State, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, to which he was devoting his attention at the time of the out- break of the Civil war, having in the meanwhile taken up his resi- dence in Mississippi. At the age of eighteen years he tendered his services in defense of the Confederate cause, enlisting as a private in the Twenty-fourth Mississippi cavalry, which was attached to Gen. Wirt Adams' brigade. He was with his command in the vari- ous campaign operations in Mississippi and made a record for faithful and gallant service, continuing with his regiment until the close of the war, when he received his parole. His interest in his old com- rades is indicated by his membership in the United Confederate Veterans. After the close of the war Mr. Rhodes located at Marion, Miss., where he engaged in the work of his trade. A few years later he removed to Meridian, the county seat, where he has since main- tained his home and where he continued in the work of his trade until 1877, since which year he has been engaged in the real estate business, being now one of the pioneers in this line of enterprise in the city. He handles all kinds of realty, including improved and unimproved city property and timber and farm lands. His books at all times show desirable investments and he controls a large and sub- stantial business, based upon a reputation for unassailable honor and integrity. He is a stalwart in the camp of the Democratic party but has never sought public office. He is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and both he and his wife are zealous members of the 41st Avenue Baptist church, of which he is a trustee. On Jan. 2, 1867, Mr. Rhodes was united in marriage to Miss Marie Louise Thompson, daughter of Joseph A. Thompson, who was a well known resident of Lauderdale county. They have five children: Herbert A. resides in the city of New Or- leans; B. Howard is associated with his father in business; Hugh
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G. is a clerk in the Meridian office of the New Orleans & North Eastern railway; Annie May is the wife of William D. Rainey, of Mem- phis, Tenn .; and Herman Y. is engaged in the insurance business in Memphis.
Rich, Charles Wesley, who has the dis- tinction of having been for three consecu- tive terms mayor of the city of Hattiesburg, Perry county, is a citizen whose sterling qualities are appreciated, while his influ- ence has ever been on the side of progress and has been manifested with unstinted liberality of spirit. He is one of the lead- ing business men of Perry county, where he has varied and important interests, being president of the Rich Lumber Com- pany and the People's Coal and Ice Com- pany. Mr. Rich was born at State Line, Wayne county, Miss., Feb. 28, 1862, and is a son of Sterling D. and Anna Elizabeth (Daniels) Rich, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Alabama, while the father became one of the prominent and influential citizens of Wayne county. Charles W. Rich secured. his early educational training in the public schools at Waynesboro, in his native county, and soon became identified with the manufac- ture of turpentine, becoming familiar with all details of the indus- try, in which he continued to be concerned until 1887, when he en- gaged in the lumbering business at Richburg, Lamar county, where he owned and operated a large saw mill. In 1896 he took up his residence in Hattiesburg, which has since been his home and the headquarters of his business operations. He was the organizer of the two companies of which he is president, and the operations of each are based on ample capital and experience, with the best of facilities for the handling of all details involved. Mr. Rich is a stal- wart adherent of the Democratic party and has shown a lively in- terest in the party cause, as well as in public affairs of a local nature. Though he has never sought official preferment his popularity and unmistakable eligibility led to his being placed in nomination for the mayoralty of Hattiesburg, in 1901, and he was elected by a most gratifying majority, while the popular verdict placed upon his ad- ministration of municipal affairs is best shown in the fact that he served his three consecutive terms in that capacity. He is popular in both business and social circles, and with him friendship is inviol- able, even as are his principles of integrity and honor. He is affil- iated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men. On Feb. 28, 1883, Mr. Rich was united in marriage to Miss Laura Heustis, daughter of Dr. James F. Heustis, of Mobile, Ala., and she presides most gra- (iously over their attractive and hospitable home.
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Rigby, William T., has done a noble and noteworthy work in connection with the establishing and improving of the Vicksburg national military park, and his labors entitle him to recognition in this historical compilation. Mr. Rigby was born in Red Oak Grove, Cedar county, Iowa, Nov. 3, 1841, and in that State he was reared to maturity. In August, 1863, he entered the Union service, becoming second lieutenant of Company B, Twenty- fourth Iowa volunteer infantry, and being promoted captain of his company, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. In September, 1865, with a view to properly supplementing his common school education, he entered the freshman class of Cornell college, Iowa, in which he was graduated in June, 1869. Thereafter he continued identified with agricultural pursuits in Cedar county, Iowa, until October, 1895, when he was elected secretary of the newly formed Vicksburg Na- tional Military Park Association and took charge of the work of securing legislation by congress authorizing the establishment of the park. He was appointed one of the three commissioners for the establishment of the park, under the direction of the secretary of war, March 1, 1899, and as acting chairman and chairman of the commission he has been in charge of the work from that time to the present. He has spared no effort in carrying forward the work and the park is one which will prove a source of pride to the State and the nation.
Riley, Franklin Lafayette, Ph. D., au- thor, teacher, lecturer and editor, is in- cumbent of the chair of history of the State university at Oxford. He was born near Hebron, Lawrence county, Miss., Aug. 24, 1868, being a son of Franklin L. and Balsorah (Weathersby) Riley, both natives of Lawrence county, Miss. The father was a valiant soldier in the Con- federate ranks during the Civil war, hav- ing served four years as a member of Company B, Sixteenth Mississippi infan- try, and having been part of the time with the forces of General Jackson in Virginia. His command made formal sur- render at Fort Greeg, at the close of the
war. Edward Miles Riley, grandfather of Franklin L., was born in South Carolina, in 1796, and he died in 1873. He came to Mis- sissippi from Georgia in 1816 and settled near Hebron, Simpson county, becoming one of the pioneers and influential citizens of that section. He was greatly interested in military affairs, having been
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a captain in the State militia, and his sword is still in the possession of the family. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Shows. He was a son of Edward Riley, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., about 1747 and who served as a member of a South Carolina regi- ment during the War of the Revolution, after which he located in Georgia, while he passed the closing years of his life in Rankin county, Miss. Of his military service it may be said that he enlisted in 1778, being a member of a company commanded by Captain Greer, Colonel McCrary's regiment, and was in the command of General William- son and later that of General Greene. He was several times wounded in the great struggle which determined the independence of the United States. The original American progenitors of the family came to the new world from Ireland, early in the eighteenth century. The mother of Professor Riley was a daughter of Duncan Weathersby, who came from Georgia to Mississippi and located in Lawrence county, while his wife, whose maiden name was McDaniel, was a member of a family which early settled in Franklin county, coming here from Georgia. Professor Riley graduated at Mississippi col- lege, Clinton, Miss., receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts with the first honors of his class. The same institution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts in 1891. From 1889 to 1893 he was principal of the high school at Hebron, Miss. In 1893 he became a graduate student in Johns Hopkins university and during 1895-6 he was fellow in history in that celebrated institution. In 1896 he was elected to membership in the Phi Beta Kappa and in June of that year the Johns Hopkins university bestowed upon him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In 1896-7 he was president of Hillman college, a school for young women, at Clinton, Miss. In the autumn of 1897 Professor Riley became a member of the faculty of the University of Mississippi, occupying the chair of history and rhetoric, and in 1900 the two branches of work were divided and a separate chair of history established,-the first in the State,-Pro- fessor Riley being retained as its incumbent. The course in history is now required of all candidates for admission to that institution. Under the administration of Professor Riley this important depart- ment of university work has been brought to a very high standard, and the student body has been signally appreciative of the advan- tages afforded, while the development has been most gratifying since the segregation of the chair of history from that of rhetoric. In 1900 Professor Riley published a valuable history of Mississippi, which is now an adopted text for use in all the public schools of the State. He has also made many contributions to the publications of the Mississippi historical society, which publications he founded and still edits, and to the reports of the American historical associ- ation, as well as to numerous historical and literary reviews. In 1898 he accomplished a splendid work in bringing about the reor- ganization of the Mississippi historical society, which had become practically defunct, and he secured from the legislature the first appropriation ever devoted to the publication of contributions to the history of the State. Through his work and influence the legis-
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lature of Mississippi was induced to establish the State Department of Archives and History and he has been an active member of its board of trustees since its organization. His efforts have been marked by unflagging zeal and enthusiasm, and the State owes him a debt for what he has done in connection with historical work in and out of the university. The professor is identified with a large number of learned societies. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. On July 15, 1891, Professor Riley was united in mar- riage to Miss Fanny T. Leigh, daughter of Charles and Emily (Poole) Leigh, who removed from Virginia to Alabama and thence to Texas. Professor and Mrs. Riley have five sons and one daughter, whose names are as follows: John Powell, Franklin L., Walter Hillman, Herbert Adams, Charles Leigh and Fanny Leigh. Professor Riley is an active member of the Baptist church of his home town, which church he serves in the twofold capacity of deacon and superintend- ent of its Sunday school.
Rivers, James Henry, mayor of the city of Meridian, has brought to bear in his administration of municipal affairs a lib- eral, aggressive and broad-gauged policy which has inured materially to the benefit of the city in which he has maintained his home for a quarter of a century and in whose welfare he has ever manifested a loyal interest. The honored mayor was born in Marengo county, Ala., Feb. 23, 1851, and when he was a lad of eight years his parents, William and Mary (Ellis) Rivers, removed from that State to Mississippi and took up their residence in Lauderdale county, where he has ever since maintained his home and where his parents continued to re- side for a number of years, the father having been a prosperous planter. Both died in Lexington, Miss. Touching the early life and subsequent advancement of Mayor Rivers a local publication has given the following epitome: "Mr. Rivers' early years were spent upon the farm, where were laid the foundations of that splen- did and virile manhood which designates him today. He attended the neighborhood schools of his time, when not engaged in farm duties, and as a young man he came to Meridian, where he engaged in railroad work, soon being entrusted with important and respon- sible positions in the physical maintenance and construction-depart- ments. Making his permanent home in this city, he early took an active interest in municipal affairs, being repeatedly elected to the offices of both councilman and alderman, in both of which capacities he was always conspicuous for his loyal adherence to the interests of his constituents and the public welfare when they seemed at variance with those of private corporations. Mr. Rivers took and kept a conspicuous place in the government of the city through the period of its greater growth and development, and thus when he
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came forward, in 1902, as nominee for the office of mayor he had made a record with which his fellow citizens were familiar, making the race squarely upon this record and justifying the endorsement accorded by the voters of the municipality, who accorded him a flattering support at the polls, while it may be said that his election was due directly to his strong, earnest and consistent advocacy of the municipal ownership of the water supply and service of the city. He entered upon his official duties in January, 1903, and his record amply justified the confidence of the people so that he was logically chosen as his own successor in the election of 1905. Mayor Rivers is a man of great personal magnetism. Big-hearted and generous, he makes friends and keeps them; upright and conscientious, he possesses the unqualified confidence of all who know him, and both as citizen and official he is esteemed and honored by the people among who he has lived for a quarter of a century." He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen, Benevolent Knights of America, Beavers, and Red Men. He was married in 1875 to Miss Emma L. Dennis, they had one child named Ollie, a resident of Meridian, who has four children, namely: J. C., Mattie, Pope, and an infant. Roane, Simeon M., who died at his home in West Point, Clay county, Nov. 14, 1903, was recognized as one of the most able members of the Mississippi bar, and as a man he commanded the unquali- fied confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was born at Sarepta, Cal- houn county (then a part of Lafayette county), Miss., Aug. 20, 1850, and was a son of Dr. Andrew and Sarah Jane (Clark) Roane, the former of whom was born in Knoxville, Tenn., and the latter in Hop- kinsville, Ky. Dr. Roane became one of the leading medical practitioners of Monroe county, Miss., where he continued to reside until his death. The doctor was a son of Archibald Roane, who was a student in a college at Lancaster, Pa., at the inception of the War of the Revolution.
He withdrew from college to enter the service of the colonies, having been a soldier in the command of General Washington, and having been present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown. He was the second governor of Tennessee, a member of the convention which formed the first con- stitution of that State, and served on the bench of both the circuit and supreme courts. Archibald Roane was a cousin of Col. William Campbell, who gained fame in the battle of King's Mountain, in the Revolution, and who married a sister of Patrick Henry. James Roane, brother of Archibald, was likewise a soldier in the War of the Revolution, was captured and died of starvation while held a prisoner on a British vessel. The subject of this memoir was of the same immediate family line as United States Senator William H. Roane, of Virginia, and Judge Spencer Roane, of the supreme court
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of that State; the latter married a daughter of Patrick Henry. The maternal great-grandfather of Simeon M. Roane, served during the seven years of the Revolution and was ninety-five years of age at the time of his death. Mr. Roane's brother, Judge Archibald T. Roane, was a valiant soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war, having been a captain in the cavalry command of General Forrest. He was a member of the lower house of the Mississippi legislature for six years and of the State senate for four years; he served on the circuit court bench six years Simeon M. Roane, the immediate subject of this sketch, was afforded the advantages of the schools of his native town and supplemented this discipline by a course of study in the University of Mississippi, after which he studied law under effective preceptorship and was duly admitted to the bar. He began the practice of his profession in Calhoun county and later located at Walthall, Webster county. He returned to Calhoun county and located in Pittsboro, whence he removed, in 1888, to West Point, where he continued in successful practice until his death. There he entered into partnership with Hon. A. F. Fox, who later became a member of congress. During the time of Mr. Fox's term in congress Mr. Roane was associated in practice with J. J. McClellan. He was too young to enter military service at the beginning of the Civil war, but was significantly loyal to the cause of the Confederacy, and in the summer of 1864, when about fifteen years of age, he be- came a member of Captain Horton's company of reserves, with which he continued in service until the close of the war, and with which he took part in engagements at Coffeeville and Grenada, Miss. Mr. Roane was a stalwart Democrat in his political adherency, and while a resident of Calhoun county he served as a member of both branches of the State legislature. He was especially strong as a corporation and commercial lawyer and his clientage was of most representative character. He was assistant division counsel for the Southern railway and local attorney for the Illinois Central railroad. He held membership in the State bar association, was a Knight Templar Mason and a noble of the Mystic Shrine, and was also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, as is also his widow, and he was a man of generous, kindly disposi- tion, ever devoted to his family and loyal in friendship. On June 30, 1875, Mr. Roane was united in marriage to Miss Alice Fox, daugh- ter of Rev. James Fox, of Calhoun county, Miss. They became the parents of five children: Mary died in infancy; Augusta is the wife of John J. Stevens, of Montgomery, Ala., Kathleen is the wife of Eugene Cross, of West Point, Miss .; Lala is the wife of Ulpian E. Cross, of Jackson, this State; and Andrew F. died in infancy. Mrs. Roane was summoned to the life eternal April 6, 1888, and on June 7, 1892, Mr. Roane was united in marriage to Miss Ella Logan, daugh- ter of Hugh and Mary (Morrison) Logan, of Selma, Ala., the former of whom was born in South Carolina and the latter in Alabama. Mr. Logan was a resident of Woodland, Miss., at the time of his death, and his widow still resides in this State. Mr. and Mrs. Roane
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became the parents of three children, and two of the number sur- vive their honored father-Laura Wildie and Mary Emma. Nannie died in infancy. Mrs. Roane still maintains her home in West Point and is prominent in the social life of the community.
Robb, Joseph H., who is successfully engaged in the general insur- ance business in Greenville, is a member of one of the honored pioneer families of Washington county and is one of its well known and highly esteemed citizens. He was born in that county, on March 27, 1842, and is a son of John H. and Anna (Bain) Robb, both of whom were born in Lexington, Ky., the former in the year 1800 and the latter in 1817. Both families trace their lineage back to stanch Scottish origin, and Joseph Robb, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was numbered among the pioneers of Kentucky. John H. Robb came to Mississippi about 1837 and became a successful planter of Washington county, raising large amounts of cotton and also being engaged in the hemp business for a term of years. He died in this county in 1851 and his wife was in Nashville, Tenn., at the time of her death on Dec. 31, 1900. Joseph H. Robb secured his early educational discipline in the schools of Lexington, Ky., after which he continued his studies in Transylvania university, in that city, an institution later merged into the Kentucky State university. In October, 1862, Mr. Robb enlisted as a private in Company D, Second Kentucky cavalry, commanded by the celebrated General Morgan, whose raids through Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky brought him into much prominence as one of the most intrepid of the Con- federate officers. With that command Mr. Robb served until the close of the war. He was captured during the Ohio raid, and was held a prisoner eighteen months, at the expiration of which he was exchanged, joining his command and remaining with the same until its final surrender, at Washington, Ga., in May, 1865. After the war Mr. Robb became a planter in Washington county, where he has ever since maintained his home. In 1866-7-8 he served as deputy sheriff of the county, during the turbulent period of reconstruction, and thereafter he conducted a general country store for several years, in connection with his agricultural operations. In 1887 he engaged in the insurance business, meeting with good success in that field of enterprise, and in 1900 he opened an office in Greenville, where he has built up an excellent business as a general insurance agent, representing leading fire, life and accident insurance com- panies. In politics he has been a life-long supporter of the Democ- racy, and he has held various offices of trust, including those of justice of the peace, county assessor and county treasurer, while for the past twelve years he has been notary public. He is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and Woodmen of the World, and he and his family are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church. On Jan. 19, 1871, Mr. Robb was united in marriage to Miss Martha Buckner, who was born and reared in Washington county, Miss., being a daughter of Dr. Thomas H. and Louise (Montgomery) Buckner, who came to this State from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Robb have
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