Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 81

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 81

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five children all of whom remain beneath the home roof, namely: Jessie, Anna, Florence, Ida and Joseph W., Jr.

Robinson, Lewis Edwin, M. D., was born and bred in Mississippi and is doing honor to his native State through his able labors in one of the most exacting vocations to which a man may turn his attention. He is successfully established in the practice of medicine in Magee, Simpson county, while he is associated with Dr. John D. Wilkinson in the ownership of the Palace drug store. The doctor was born in Raleigh, Smith county, Miss., Sept. 2, 1870. His father, George Robinson, was born in Alabama, and he is now a success- ful general merchant and honored citizen of Pelahatchee, Rankin county, while his wife, whose maiden name was Melissa Crook, was born in South Caro- lina, both families having been founded in Mississippi in an early day. George Robinson was a valiant soldier of the Confederacy during the Civil war, having enlisted as a private in Company C, Eighth Mississippi infantry, and having been detailed as regimental courier, in which capacity he served until Colonel Wilkinson, com- mander of the regiment, was killed, near Atlanta, Ga., July 20, 1864. After that the regiment was consolidated with the Fifth Mississippi, both having been practically decimated through severe losses in killed and incapacitated, and thereafter they served under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston throughout the operations in Georgia. Mr. Robinson participated in a number of the important battles of the great civil conflict, and among the more notable may be mentioned Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Altoona, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Spring Hill and Franklin. . In the engagement at Franklin, Tenn., he was wounded, Nov. 30, 1864, and was thereafter incapacitated for further active service during the few remaining months of the war. In the early part of the war Mr. Robinson was at Pensacola, Fla., and was a participant in the memorable bombardment at that point. His regiment was a part of the army of Tennessee and operated in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Kentucky. Dr. Robinson attended the high school at Sylvarena as a member of the class of 1894 and he made so good use of his opportunities that he became eligible for peda- gogic honors, having been engaged in teaching in the public schools for a period of about five years. He completed his preparation for the profession of his choice by entering Memphis Hospital medical college, in Memphis, Tenn., where he was graduated in 1899, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In November of the same year he located in Magee, where he has since been actively engaged in professional work, in which he has met with marked success, while he is to be considered as one of the pioneer physicians of the town, which was not incorporated at the time he here took up his abode,

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nor was the railroad then completed to this point. He is local sur- geon for the Gulf & Ship Island railroad and is county health officer, while he is identified with the various medical societies, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a member of the Baptist church, as is also Mrs. Robinson. He is a member of the directorate of the Bank of Magee, and is associated with Dr. Wilkinson in the conduct- ing of the finest drug store on the line of the Gulf & Ship Island rail- road, the well equipped establishment in Magee being one which would be creditable in a metropolitan center. On Christmas day, 1904, Dr. Robinson was married to Miss Prudie Franklin, daughter of John M. and Belle (Myley) Franklin, of Magee.

Rogers, Judge William McMillan, the subject of this sketch, was born in Stark- ville, Miss., July 25, 1850, being the fifth of a family of eleven children. His father, James Calvin Rogers, was born Oct. 11, 1820, in Chester, Fairfield district S. C., and his mother, Elizabeth McMillan, was born May 23, 1824, in Columbia, S. C. His ancestors on his father's side were Scotch- Irish and were specially noted as filling honorable positions in the learned profes- sions, chiefly as ministers and teachers. Not least among the distinctions be- longing to his lineage is the fact that for as many generations as it can be traced not a single instance can be found where dishonor tarnished the family escutcheon. His father was a captain of volunteers and a recruiting major under General Harris, of Columbus, Miss., during the Civil war, and his brother, Oscar, entered the army as a mere boy and was captured and died in a Northern prison. His maternal ancestry was also Scotch-Irish, his mother being the daughter of Mr. John McMillan, a widely known, wealthy and influential planter living near Muldon, in Monroe county, Miss. He too had a large family of children, and they and their descendants are prominent in the professional, business, social, and religious life of the State. William, even as a child, was conspicuous for his intellectuality as well as his purity of heart and love of truth, his mother having been heard to say that he never caused her a moment's pain or anxiety. These qualities distinguished him through life. He displayed from childhood a great love of books and aptitude for study, and had to be constantly restrained lest he should by study overtax his physical strength. In 1868 he entered Washington (now Washington and Lee) university at Lexington, Va., remaining there one year. The honor he won as a student is attested by a certificate of high scholar- ship signed by Gen. Robert E. Lee, then the president of the uni- versity, and his family still cherish a personal letter from that noble chieftain commending William Rogers in the highest terms. After an interval spent in teaching, William entered the University of Virginia, taking the A. M. degree in 1875, having done in three years

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the work of four. After another interval of teaching at Holly Springs, he entered the law school of the University of Virginia, taking the course in a single year, a record made, it is said, by only twenty men during the whole history of the university. He declined a profess- orship in Davidson college and returning to his home at Starkville began the practice of law, first in partnership with Neill W. Carothers and then alone. He was remarkably successful, so much so that eight years later, in 1885, he was appointed judge of the Sixth circuit court in the district. In 1888, as a result of a redistricting, he was transferred to the Second district and removed to Oxford, Miss. On Oct. 11, 1881, he was married to Juliette Barry Frierson, daugh- ter of Rev. Samuel Reese Fierson and Mary Evelyn (Barry) Frier- son, of Starkville, and their home was blessed with four children, all now living-Reese Frierson, James Calvin, Mary Barry and William McMillan. His wife's lineage was no less honorable than his own. Hon. William S. Barry, the distinguished lawyer and president of the secession convention of Mississippi, was her maternal uncle. Judge Rogers served as circuit judge with great credit to himself and the State until his death July 31, 1890. He was zealously de- voted to the profession of law. He never entered the field of politics and was a stranger to the arts of the politician. A vacancy having occurred on the supreme bench of the State, he was very largely endorsed for the appointment. Although unsuccessful, it was thought by the bar that the honor was one that awaited him but for his early death. Judge Rogers from childhood was an earnest Christian and a member of the Presbyterian church, and for many years an effi- cient and prominent elder in that church. He was a member of the S. A. E. fraternity but not a member of any other secret or fra- ternal order.

Robertshaw, James, a banker of Green- ville, was born at Hebden Bridge, York- shire, England, April 3, 1846. He is a son of Thomas and Eliza Robertshaw, the former a native of Heptonstall, England, and the latter of Dublin, Ireland. The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Peninsular war, and was at the battle of Waterloo. Later he held a commission under the British government and was stationed on the Island of Jamaica. While on his return home to Yorkshire the mother of the subject was born at Dub- lin. He was a scholar and a botanist of considerable note. The maternal grand- mother was of Spanish origin. Several uncles of James Robertshaw were also in the battle of Waterloo. In the old churchyard and the parish records of Heptonstall the name of Robertshaw dates back to the fifteenth century, and in the mountains of Yorkshire it has been respected as long as the family remained there, until within comparatively recent years. James Robertshaw was educated

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in his native town, and since coming to this country he has been connected with banking institutions in various capacities, but chiefly as bookkeeper. He located at Greenville in February, 1872. He has done some literary work, being the author of "Volney Randolph" and "Merivale," as well as a number of addresses to bankers' con- ventions, and has other work either partially completed of in con- templation. In political matters he is a Democrat, and in social and fraternal circles belongs to the Elysian club, in which he holds a life membership, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On Jan. 6, 1873, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Hanway, the daughter of Daniel Moloney, a native of Ballycunaghan, Ireland. Her mother was a Miss Matthews. To this marriage have been born the following children: Elizabeth, Nellie, Birdie, William, Eva, Malcolm, Irene and Frank.

Robertson, William W., M. D., who is engaged in the practice of his profession at McComb, Pike county, and who is president of the city board of health, is one of the prominent and successful phy- sicians and surgeons of this section of the State. He was born in Hazlehurst, Co- piah county, Miss., May 14, 1864, being of Scotch-Irish descent. He is a son of John R. and Rhoda (Ellis) Robertson, the former of whom was born in Georgia and the latter in Mississippi. Dr. Robert- son was reared to maturity in Copiah county, where he prosecuted his studies in the common schools, finally entering Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., in whose medical depart- ment he was graduated in 1886, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. He had previously prosecuted his medical studies under effective private preceptorship and had practiced in Copiah county two years. In the year which marked his graduation in Vanderbilt university he located in McComb, where he has built up a large and representative general practice, commanding the confidence and high regard of the community and being known as a loyal and public- spirited citizen. He is a member of the American medical associ- ation, the Mississippi Valley medical association and the Pike county medical society. His services as president of the city board of health have been particularly faithful, discriminating and effective, and he has served two years as a member of the board of aldermen. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being identified with various Scottish Rite bodies and also with the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Woodmen of the World. In 1889 Dr. Robertson was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Bishop, daughter of John C. Bishop, who was born in England and who was for thirty years a trusted employe

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of the Illinois Central railroad. Dr. and Mrs. Robertson have three children, Hazel and May Clara, daughters, and William Bishop, a son. Rose, W. Thomas, the able and pop- ular cashier of the American National bank, of Vicksburg, was born near Mor- ristown, Titus county, Tex., March 7, 1867, and is a son of John Baldwin and Nancy Maria (Ensminger) Rose, the for- mer of whom was born in Pike county, Tenn., in 1844, and the latter in Mont- gomery county, Va., in 1841. Francois Rose, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared in France, whence he came to America in 1777, as one of the companions of General Lafay- ette, under whom he rendered valiant service for the cause of the colonies during the War of the Revolution. After the war he settled in Maryland, whence he later removed to North Carolina, in which State was born his son Zachariah, father of John Baldwin Rose. Rev. Zachariah Rose became a prominent member of the clergy of the Baptist church, and he settled in Tennessee, where he married, his wife having been a member of the numerous and prominent Cate family of that State. The parents of Nancy M. (Ensminger) Rose were Elijah and Sarah (Cook) Ensminger, the former being of Dutch extraction, and they settled in McMinn county, Tenn., where they passed the remainder of their lives. The parents of the subject of this review resided at Mount Pleasant, Tex., where Mrs. Rose died in 1900. After her death Mr. Rose removed to near Texarkana, Ark., where he still resides. John B. Rose enlisted in the Confederate service in 1861, becoming a member of the Twenty-ninth Tennessee volunteer cav- alry, with which he participated in a number of important battles, including those of Fishing Creek, Shiloh and Corinth, while he re- moved to the State of Texas soon after the close of the war. W. Thomas Rose secured his early educational discipline in the public schools of Titus county, Texas, and he early gained valuable and systematic training in business affairs. The first important posi- tion to which he was called was that of treasurer of a large mercan- tile corporation in Greenville, Miss., and he remained incumbent of this position until 1896, when he was elected cashier of the Mer- chants' and Planters' bank, in Greenville, Miss., serving in this capa- city until 1902, when he entered upon his duties as cashier of the American National bank, of Vicksburg, having been elected to this position at the time of the organization of the institution, in Decem- ber, 1901. His marked discrimination and executive ability have been potent factors in furthering the rapid and substantial upbuild- ing of the institution, whose operations are based on ample capital and large experience, so that it ranks among the solid and prosper- ous banking houses of the State. In politics Mr. Rose is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party but he has never sought or held

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official preferment of any description. In a fraternal way he is iden- tified with the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights and Ladies of Honor. He is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, as is also Mrs. Rose, and both are identified with the parish of the: Church of the Holy Trinity, in Vicksburg. On Sept. 18, 1900, Mr. Rose was united in marriage to Miss Frances Harriet Smith, daugh- ter of Dr. George and Mary (Greenway) Smith, of Warren county, Miss., and they are prominent in the social life of their home city.

Ross, Theophilus Erskine, of Hatties- burg, is one of those able physicians and surgeons who are effectively upholding the- prestige of the profession in Mississippi, and in Perry county his practice is of. significantly representative character. Dr. Ross was born in Philadelphia, Neshoba county, Miss., on Feb. 18, 1864, and is a son of Robert M. and Susan E. (Speers) Ross, the former native of South Caro- lina and the latter of Virginia. The doc- tor was amply fortified in the matter of preliminary educational training, having completed the curriculum of the public- schools, and in taking up the work of his: professional education he became a student in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Md., where he completed the pre- scribed course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1888, securing simultaneously his well earned degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. His initial work in the practice of his profession was done in Neshoba county, where he met with distinctive success, his choice of vocation being only amply justified by the high reputation he attained. In 1892 he removed to Hattiesburg, where he has taken due precedence as one of the able representatives of his profession, while his devotion to his work is of the most insistent and unequiv- ocal order. He is a member of the American medical association, as well as the medical societies of his county and State, and he utilizes all available means to keep himself in perfect touch with the ad- vances made in all departments of his profession. He is chief surgeon. of the Mississippi Central and the Gulf & Ship Island railroads. The doctor has local capitalistic interests of importance, being a member of the directorate of the First National bank of Hattiesburg, vice- president of the Hattiesburg Compress Company, and president of the Hattiesburg Realty Company. He is a firm adherent of the Democratic party and takes a loyal interest in public affairs of a. local nature, while in a fraternal way he has risen to the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite Masonry and is also identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Wood- men of the World On Nov. 8, 1892, Dr. Ross was united in mar- riage to Miss Dora Mars, daughter of Henry and Martha (Dewess) Mars, of Neshoba county, where she was born and reared. Of the

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five children of this union all are living except the fourth, Mary, who died at the age of twenty-two months. The others are: Erskine, Dora, Robert and Martha S. Dr. Ross is a member of the Missionary Baptist church and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. His half-brother, Robt. M., served in Perrin's regiment from Mississippi during the Civil war. Dr. Ross also had six uncles (his father's brothers) in the Civil war, all being members of the Eleventh Mississippi: Bollivar, who served throughout entire war; Erskine, who came home from Vicksburg and died shortly after from disease; Chilli, who was killed in Virginia; Hazerd, who served throughout the entire war; George was killed in service; and Lee served through- out the war.

Rowland, Peter Whitman, physician, of Oxford, Miss., was born Feb. 25, 1861, at Oakland, Miss .; son of Dr. William Brewer Rowland and Mary (Bryan) Rowland. (For ancestry see sketch of Creed Walker Rowland). Dr. Rowland was educated in the private schools of Memphis, Tenn., and at Oakland academy, after which he entered the Memphis Hospital medical college, from which he was graduated in 1882, with the degree of M. D. In 1882 he located in Coffeeville, Miss., for the practice of his profession, where he re- mained fifteen years. In 1887 he took a post graduate course in the New York Polyclinic and pursued studies in the hospitals of New York and Phila- delphia. In 1897 he located at Oxford, Miss. He was elected presi- dent of the Mississippi medical association in 1894; was appointed a member of the State board of health from the Second congressional district in 1900 by Gov. A. H. Longino and was re-elected a member of the board by the State medical association in 1904. In 1903 Dr. Rowland was elected to the chair of Materia Medica in the medical department of the State university. He is a member of the Presby- terian church and of the fraternal order of Masons. On Jan. 15, 1885, he married Eugenia Susan Herron, daughter of Samuel B. Herron and Victoria (Bridgers) Herron of Coffeeville, Miss. Dr. and Mrs. Rowland have four children, Mary Victoria, Francis Herron, William Brewer and Peter Whitman.

Rowland, Creed Walker, was born at Oakland, Yalobusha county, Miss., Nov. 25, 1852; son of Dr. William Brewer Rowland and Mary (Bryan) Rowland, natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee. His mother was a direct descendant of Charles Moorman of Louisa county, Virginia, who emancipated his slaves in 1778. William Brewer Rowland was the son of Col. Creed T. Rowland and Matilda (Brewer) Rowland of Henry county, Va. Creed T. Rowland moved to Missis- sippi about 1840 and settled in Lowndes county. After remaining there a few years he removed to Aberdeen, Monroe county, and lived on his plantation, "Rowland Place," near that city, dying there in 1866.

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He was the son of Michael Rowland and Elizabeth (Hairston) Rowland, natives of Henry county, Va. Michael Rowland served in the Revo- lutionary war and took part in the battle of Guilford Court House. He was the son of Andrew Rowland a descendant of John Rowland of Surrey county, England, who immigrated to America in 1635, and resided in Virginia. Creed Walker Rowland was educated in the schools of Oakland, Miss., after which he engaged in bookkeeping for the firm of Green D. Moore & Sons. His father having died, he assumed the care of his mother, at the early age of seventeen and assisted in the education of three younger brothers. In 1885 he was a member of the mercantile firm of F. B. Herron & Co., and in 1890 established the firm of C. W. Rowland & Co., which continued until 1899. He is at present in charge of the accounting office of the Newberger Mer- cantile Company of Coffeeville, Miss. Mr. Rowland is a member of the Presbyterian church, and of the fraternal order of I. O. O. F. In October, 1885, he married Corinne Herron, daughter of Samuel B. Herron and Victoria (Bridgers) Herron, of Coffeeville, Miss. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have two children, Marcelle and Martha.

Rouse, Hezekiah K., representative of Pearl River county in the State legislature, is one of the leading citizens of Poplarville, where he is a member of the firm of Rouse Brothers & Smith, general merchants, has also been prominent in connection with educational work in this section of the State and is known as a young man of forceful individuality and sterling worth. Born in Marion county, Miss., Sept. 18, 1874, Mr. Rouse is a son of Burwell M. and Esther (Wallace) Rouse, both of whom were born in Marion county, where they maintained their home up to the time of their death, the father being a farmer by vocation. After completing the work of the com- mon schools of his native county, Mr. Rouse availed himself fully of the advantages of the high school at Lumberton, where he made himself eligible for pedagogic honors, doing very successful work as a teacher in the public schools and gaining still further recognition along this line, since he was elected superintendent of education for Pearl River county when but twenty-one years of age. He brought to bear marked energy and enthusiasm and his record in the office stands to his lasting honor and proved of great benefit to the systematic work of education in his field of jurisdiction. At the expiration of his four years' service in this capacity Mr. Rouse was marked for still higher preferment, since he was then elected to represent Pearl River county in the State legislature, for a term of four years. A most fitting tribute to his admirable work as a legislator was given in his re-election for a second term of four years, in 1903. He has taken a lively interest in all branches of the work of the lower house and has been active on the floor and in committee work. Within the first session after his election he introduced and carried successfully to passage a bill providing for the appropriation of $11,000 for the establishing and maintaining of an agricultural experimental station for southern Mississippi at McNeill, and during the session of 1904 he succeeded in having the supporting fund aug- mented by $13,000. This valuable adjunct to the furthering of the

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industrial interests of the State will stand as a lasting monument to the energy and good judgment of Mr. Rouse. He is an able exponent of the principles of the Democracy and is an earnest worker in the party cause, while in a fraternal way he is identified with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. In September, 1903, Mr. Rouse entered into partnership with his brother, Daniel S. Rouse, and with H. Solomon Smith, and engaged in the general merchandise business in Poplarville, under the firm name of Rouse Brothers & Smith, and the firm have a well equipped store in which they cater to a large and appreciative patronage, the enterprise represented being one of the leading ones of the sort in that section of the county. On Feb. 27, 1901, Mr. Rouse was united in marriage to Miss Eddie Caver, daughter of John H. and Effie (Pace) Caver, of Newton county, this State, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Rouse have one child, Hillrie Kirk, who was born June 24, 1903.

Rouse, Lewis C., M. D., official physician and surgeon for the Stonewall Cotton Mill Company, at Stonewall, Clarke county, and also local surgeon for the Mobile & Ohio railroad, is one of the ably qualified members of his profession in this section of the State and is meeting with much success in his chosen vocation. Dr. Rouse was born in Fayetteville, Cumberland county, N. C., Jan. 22, 1857, and is a son of Capt. Martin H. and Elizabeth (Atkinson) Rouse, who are now residents of Pensacola, Fla., where the father is general manager of a steamboat line. He served with marked gallantry as a soldier of the Confederacy during the Civil war. Dr. Rouse attended the South Georgia college at Waycross, Ga., during his youth, and later was matriculated in the Atlanta College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, in the city of Atlanta, where he completed the prescribed course of study and was graduated as a member of the class of 1901, receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. While prosecuting his studies he also passed eight months as interne in the Grady hospital, Atlanta, where he gained specially valuable discipline through his clinical work. After his graduation Dr. Rouse located in Enterprise, Miss., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession for two and one-half years, at the ex- piration of which he moved to Stonewall, same county, as physician and surgeon for the Stonewall Cotton Mill Company, in which capa- city he is now rendering most satisfactory service, while he also con- ducts a general practice in this community, receiving a gratifying support, and is local surgeon for the Mobile & Ohio railroad. He is a member of the Clarke and Wayne county medical society, of which he is secretary and treasurer, the Mississippi State medical society, the Association of Surgeons of Southern railways and the American medical association. In politics the doctor gives allegi- ance to the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. On Sept. 7, 1902, Dr. Rouse was united in marriage to Miss Cora Hassell, who was born in Alabama and who was reared and educated by her foster-father, Judge Thaddeus A. Wood, of Gulfport, one of the most distinguished members of the

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Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 81

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