USA > Mississippi > Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III > Part 92
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
793.
BIOGRAPHICAL
as far famed as the institution ; attesting how efficiently President Kincannon has met the great demands made upon him, and far sur- passed the expectations of the board and even the best of his friends. So distinguished have been his services to the I. I. & C., that re- peatedly has he been called to similar positions in other States .. But these have moved him little, for to his own State duty and affection have held him inflexibly firm, supremely loyal. But when, in November, 1906, he was called to the chancellorship of the State university under circumstances similar to those which called him to the presidency of the I. I. & C., and attended by like appeals to his patriotism, the case was far different; and the decision of it for a few days was very doubtful. The earnest pleas of the faculty and the student body of the I. I. & C., the petitions of the citizens of Columbus, and numerous letters and telegrams from the friends of the college all over Mississippi urging him not to leave the- position in which he could best serve his State and than which none could yield him higher honor, evidently had great weight and no doubt impelled him to decline for duty's sake the chancellorship to which in other days he had ardently aspired. With that im- portant question settled, President Kincannon, happy in his work,. still in the prime of life, gives himself constantly to his family, and to his heart's next love, the college, which he looks on almost as a father on his child. For it, he plans and dreams still better and larger things; and anticipates with confidence and joy the fulfill- ment of his hopes in the years ahead. Victory and achievement bring wounds and often leave ugly and lasting scars. Happily no. scars remain as a result of the strenuous life President Kincannon has led from early manhood. In climbing upward his hand was always extended to uplift his friends, whom he thus bound to him by hooks of steel ; and of his opponents he never asked more than he gladly gave, a fair and open field. Inevitably, however, animosi- ties and prejudices were provoked in these contests; and even his fellow teachers in some instances were disposed to depreciate his. ability and discount his splendid efforts. But as time and again in recent years the State has even thrust upon him her . highest gifts, most of those who once opposed and misunderstood have been convinced, and frankly confessed their mistake to him or to his friends. The unanimity with which thus he is now accorded pre- eminence in his profession delights his host of friends, and is a fitting crown to the unparalleled honors he now wears so worthily and modestly.
Taylor, Thomas E., secretary and bookkeeper for the company of which he is a member, is well known throughout the State and enjoys marked popularity, having been for a number of years identified with the hotel business, in the capacity of clerk, and having made an enviable reputation in this connection. He was engaged in the Law- rence House, Jackson, for about five years, then went to the Piazza hotel, in Vicksburg, where he remained until the opening of the new Carroll hotel of that city, which was brought to front rank among Southern hotels largely through his efforts and personal popularity ..
794
MISSISSIPPI
He was pronounced and recognized as one of the best hotel men in the South, withdrawing from the business only when it became im- perative for him to assume responsibilities in connection with the business enterprises founded and maintained by his father. In 1902 he was elected to represent the third ward of Jackson on the board of aldermen, and was chosen as his own successor in the election of 1904, while he has shown at all times a lively interest in public affairs of a local nature and is one of the representative young men of the city as is also his brother and associate, Robert S. Thomas E. is identi- fied with the Masonic fraternity and other leading social orders, and is an ardent advocate of the principles of the Democracy, as is also his brother. Both are married.
Keesler, Samuel Reeves, of Greenwood, is one of the representative business men and popular citizens of this section of the State and is prominent in connection with the State troops, in which he holds the office of major-general, through appointment by Governor Vardaman. General Keesler was born at Rock Hill, York county, S. C., in 1866, and is a son of Samuel and Sallie (Caston) Keesler, MISS the former of whom was born in North Carolina and the latter in South Carolina. The lineage is traced to stanch German derivation in the agnatic line. The sub- ject of this review was educated in the schools of Charleston, S. C., and he con- tinued a resident of the Palmetto State until he had attained the age of twenty-four years when, in 1890, he took up his residence in Green- wood, Leflore county, Miss., where he has since maintained his home and where he has been prominently identified with various business interests of important order. He is proprietor of the Keesler Insur- ance and Realty Company, member of the firm of Malone & Keesler, cotton buyers and factors, and is president of the board of trustees of the city schools. He was for thirteen years second vice-president and general manager of the Greenwood Compress & Storage Company, whose interests were signally advanced through his able efforts and marked executive ability. He was one of the original stockholders in the local Electric Light and Water Company but has now disposed of his interest in the same. He has extensive plantation interests in Carroll county and is a stockholder in the First National bank, of whose directorate he is a member. The general is a stanch adher- ent of the Democratic party and is a loyal, progressive and public- spirited citizen. He was appointed major-general, commanding Mississippi national guards, by Governor Vardaman and has proven a most able and popular officer. He is affiliated with the Masonic fra- ternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1894 was solemnized the marriage
795
BIOGRAPHICAL
of General Keesler to Miss Charlotte M. Parish, and they have four children-William, Samuel R., Jr., Charlotte W. and Isabella.
Tabor, Joseph A ., M. D., one of the repre- sentative physicians and surgeons of Jack- son county, is a successful practitioner in Pascagoula, where he is held in high esteem as a skilled member of his pro- fession and as a citizen, his practice being of representative character, while he is popular in the business and social circles of the town. Dr. Tabor was born in the city of Chicago, Ill., Feb. 26, 1870, and comes of stanch German lineage. He is S. a son of John and Magdalena (Pazel) Tabor, the former of whom was born in Prague, Austria, and the latter in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. The parents of the doctor removed to Chicago in the year 1863, and were residents of the city at the time of the great fire of 1871. The father followed the vocation of merchant, but he and his wife are now deceased. In the public schools of Chicago, Doctor Tabor secured his fundamental education, and in 1889, at the age of nineteen years, he located in the city of New Orleans, La., where he entered the employ of the Louisville & Nashville railroad in a mechanical capacity. In that city he took up the study of medicine, finally entering the medical department of Tulane university, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898. His early experience in the profession was somewhat different from that of the average young physician, for at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, in 1898, he enlisted for service, as assistant surgeon of the Eighth United States infantry. He accompanied his regiment to Chickamauga, thence to Tampa, Fla., and on to Cuba, being the first surgeon in the corps of General Shafter to land on the island. He was with the command in its engagements at El Caney, July 1, 1898; San Juan Hill, July 2, and was at the extreme right during the battle of San Diego. Having previously suffered an attack of yellow fever, the doctor was prac- tically the only real immune from the disease to be found in his entire brigade, and this fact led to his being called upon to act as brigade surgeon during the greater portion of the time, and he was personal surgeon to General Ludlow while in the field, while his labors were most arduous and exacting, amply testing his professional ability and his physical and mental powers. He returned with his regiment to Montauk Point in September, 1898, was transferred to Huntsville, Ala., in the following month and finally resigned his commission in November, 1898, to engage in the private practice of his profession. In May, 1899, Doctor Tabor located in Pascagoula, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in the work of his profession. He is a member of the American medical association, the Mississippi State medical society and the Jackson county medical society, of
<
:96
MISSISSIPPI
which last named he is vice-president. The doctor is an appreci- ative member of various bodies of the Masonic order being affiliated with Gulf Lodge, No. 419, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was Worshipful Master at the time of the preparing of this sketch; H. L. Houza Chapter, No. 108, Royal Arch Masons; Biloxi Commandery, No. 19, Knights Templars, at Biloxi; and Hamasa Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Meridian. He controls a large practice in Pasca- goula and vicinity and is one of the popular young physicians and surgeons of the county.
Tate, Eastman F., the president of the Bank of Pickayune, Hancock county, is a representative of one of the prominent families of Mississippi, which has been his home from the time of his birth. He was born in Pearl River county, this State, March 31, 1868, and is a son of Eastman R. and Martha A. (Wheat) Tate, the former of whom was born in the State of North Carolina, while the latter was born in Pearl River county, Miss. The father and mother are living, the father having been a farmer by vocation during the greater portion of his active business career. Eastman R. Tate rendered val- E. F. TATE iant service to the Confederacy as a. soldier during the Civil war, having been a member of the company commanded by Capt. A. E. Foxworth, of Columbia, Miss., in the Seventh Mississippi infantry which saw arduous service in the great fratricidal conflict. He took part in numerous battles and skirm- ishes and made a record to which his descendants may point with pride. He whose name initiates this sketch received a good common-school education in his native county and when he was nineteen years of age he assumed connubial responsibili- ties and prepared to face the problems of an independent career in connection with the practical activities of life. In 1890, about three years after his marriage, Mr. Tate assumed a position as salesman in the general store of his father-in-law, W. E. Stockstill, in Pickayune, and he remain- ed thus associated for a period of fourteen years, having in the meanwhile acquired an interest in the business and attained marked success in a financial way. In February, 1904, Mr. Tate effected the organization of the Bank of Pickayune, E. R. TATE which was duly incorporated with an authorized capital of $50,000. The bank instituted business June 1, 1904, when it threw open the doors of its attractive modern building, which was erected for the
797
BIOGRAPHICAL
purpose, the structure being a substantial brick building two stories in height, while the banking office is handsomely equipped in quarter- sawed oak, with fire and burglar proof vault and all other appliances and conveniences of an up-to-date banking house. The officers of the institution are as follows: Eastman F. Tate, president; Daniel Carver, vice-president. N. D. Thames, cashier; J. L. Megehee, assist- ant cashier; and B. F. Smith, bookkeeper. The bank secured a substantial support from the initiation of operations and is in a very prosperous condition, having declared excellent dividends, besides adding several thousand dollars to its surplus fund. Mr. Tate is also president of the Pickayune Realty and Improvement Company, which he organized in June, 1904, with a capital stock of $10,000, and in December of the same year he farther exemplified his enter- prise and progressive ideas by organizing the Rosa Lumber Company, which is capitalized for $60,000 and which owns and operates a large and well equipped sawmill, besides a large and valuable tract of timber land, in Hancock county. He is also a large stockholder in the Bank of Poplarville, in whose organization he was instrumental. Mr. Tate takes a lively interest in public affairs, particularly those of a local nature, standing ready to lend his aid and influence in the support of enterprises and measures tending to further the material and civic welfare of his home city and county and being known as a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party. Both he and his wife are prominent and zealous members of the Baptist church. On Aug. 22, 1887, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Tate to Miss Ida M. Stockstill, daughter of W. E. and Eliza (Burke) Stockstill, well known and honored residents of Han- cock county. Mr. and Mrs. Tate have five children, namely : Dora, William E., Lena May, Minnie M., and Anna M.
Tatum, Thomas Dabney, manager of the ice and cold-storage plant and business of the Gulfport Development Company, at Gulfport, Harrison county, Miss., was born in Trenton, Dade county, Ga., Oct. 27, 1879, being a son of Gaines W. M. and Louise (Grav) Tatum, the former of whom was likewise born in Dade county, while the latter was born in the State of Tennessee. Mr. Tatum secured his early educational training in the public schools of his native State and supplemented this by a com- mercial course in Mountain City business college, in Chattanooga, Tenn. After leaving school he secured a position in the office of the Southern Express Company at Chattanooga, and in 1900 he was transferred to Gulfport, Miss., as messenger for the same company. Three years later he resigned this incumbency to accept his present position, in which he has given most efficient service and proved a capable executive as well as a courteous and popular one. The ice and storage plant of which he has the management was erec-
598
MISSISSIPPI
ted primarily for the purpose of supplying the Great Southern hotel, but so great were the capacity and facilities afforded that the service has been extended to give accommodation to the entire city, while the enterprise is one of marked importance and value, the plant having a capacity of 100 tons daily. In 1903 Mr. Tatum was elected to represent the second ward of Gulfport as a member of the board of aldermen, to fill an unexpired term, and in 1904 he was re-elected, without opposition, for a full term of two years. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, of which latter he is past chancellor, while in the same he has also served as district deputy for the Mississippi district in which he now main- tains his home. He is a stanch Democrat in his political proclivi- ties, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.
Taylor, James M., M. D., is successfully established in the practice of his profession in the thriving little village of Ruleville, Sunflower county, his prestige having here grown apace with the rapid upbuilding and progress of the town, while he is known as an able and conscientious physician and surgeon. Dr. Taylor was born at Duck Hill, Montgomery county, Miss., on Sept. 21, 1861, and is a son of Benjamin B. and Elizabeth (Canley) Taylor, the former of whom was born in Alabama and the latter in Virginia. About the time of the doctor's birth his father left home to go forth as a soldier in the Confederate ranks, and he served valiantly and faithfully, as a private in Company A. Fifth Mississippi infantry. Dr. Taylor completed his academic or literary education in the University of Mississippi, and he then entered the medical department of Vanderbilt university, in Nashville Tenn., where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1889, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He thereafter took a post-graduate course in the medical department of Tulane univer- sity, in the city of New Orleans. For several. years he was engaged in the practice of his profession in Winona, in his native county, meeting with much success, and he then came to his present location, where he has met with a most gratifying reception and built up a large and representative professional business. The doctor is a stanch Democrat, but has never sought official preferment. He is a member of the Clarksdale Six Counties medical association whose membership is composed of the representative physicians of six counties in this part of the State. He is a member of the State medical society and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. On May 4, 1898, Dr. Taylor was married to Miss Mattie Kindred, daughter of Davis and Rebecca (Jones) Kindred, of Kilmichael, Montgomery county, and they have three children-Wauwice, Von- tice and James Derwood.
799
BIOGRAPHICAL
Tackett, Walter P. The legal profes- sion in Holmes county has an able repre- sentative in the person of Hon. Walter P. Tackett, of Lexington, who is a member of the law firm of Tackett & Elmore, and who is an ex-member of the State legis- lature. He has not only attained to distinctive prestige in the work of his pro- fession but has also been a prominent figure in the ranks of the Democratic party in Mississippi. Mr. Tackett was born at Richland, Holmes county, this State, June 4, 1862, being a son of Dr. John and Bettie (Dulaney) Tackett, the former of whom was born at Huntsville, Ala., Nov. 27, 1815, and the latter of whom was born at Beaufort, N. C., Feb. 19, 1827. Dr. Tackett came to Mississippi as a young man and became one of the prominent and successful physicians and planters of the State, continuing in practice for many years. At the time of the Civil war he tendered his services to the Confederacy, having volunteered as a soldier several times and having been sent back to Holmes county to give needed professional care to the sol- diers and their families, while he also contributed most liberally to the support of the cause in other ways. He continueda resident of Holmes county until his death, which occurred Dec. 3, 1891, and he was held in the highest regard and affection in the community which had so long represented his home and the scene of his self- abnegating labors. His devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal March 12, 1902, both having been zealous members of the Baptist church. Walter P. Tackett duly availed himself of the ad- vantages of the common schools of his native county, after which he was matriculated in the University of Mississippi, being gradu- ated in 1884, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, and com- pleting the prescribed course in the law department of the same institution, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1885. In March, 1886, he engaged in the work of his profession at Greenwood where he was associated with Judge S. R. Coleman for one year, at the expiration of which he located in Lexington, which has since been his professional headquarters and his home. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Hon. E. F. Noel, this associa- tion continuing four years and in the autumn of 1895 he formed a professional alliance with Hon. Sydney McC. Smith, of whom indi- vidual mention is made in this publication. This partnership con- tinued until September, 1906, when Mr. Smith was appointed judge of the Fourth judicial district. Soon after this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Tackett and Hon. H. H. Elmore formed a partnership under the firm name of Tackett & Elmore. The firm controls a large and important general practice and is one of the leading con- cerns in the legal field of this section of the State. Mr. Tackett has been an alert and effective worker in the cause of the Democratic
800
MISSISSIPPI
party. and in 1892 he was presidential elector for the Fifth district. He was a delegate to the national conventions of his party in 1896 and 1900. In 1888 he represented Holmes county in the State legis- lature, in 1893 he was district attorney, proving a most able public prosecutor, and for several years he has served as chairman of the Democratic executive committee of Holmes county. Since 1900 has been a member of the board of trustees of the Mississippi indus- trial institute and college, at Columbus. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, and Knights of Honor. He and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church. On July 1, 1896, Mr. Tackett was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Dyson, daughter of John L. and Elizabeth (Drennan) Dyson, of Lexington, her father having been for many years a prominent member of the bar of Holmes county. Mr. and Mrs. Tackett have two children,-John R., who was born June 22, 1898, and Elizabeth Dyson, who was born Oct. 11, 1900.
Taylor, James T., of Ellisville, is the superintendent of schools for Jones county, and is specially well equipped for the responsible duties of his office, having shown marked administrative ability and having been identified with educational work during the years which have given representation to his independent career. He was born in Newton county, Miss., on Nov. 9, 1873, and is a son of Richard J. and Nancy J. (Reynolds) Taylor, the former of whom was born in Georgia and the latter in Newton county, Miss., while they now maintain their home in Jones county, this State, where the father is engaged in photographic work. Richard J. Taylor enlisted in the Thirteenth Mississippi infantry at the outbreak of the Civil war, but was soon afterward discharged on account of impaired health. Later he joined the Thirty-ninth regiment, with which he served until the close of the war. He took part in the first battle of Bull Run, the siege of Port Hudson, was with Johnston in the siege of Atlanta and in the operations through Georgia, while he served under Hood until relieved at Tuscumbia. He enlisted as a private in the Thirteenth Mississippi, and was made color sergeant of his command, while he was appointed brigade clerk at Port Hudson and also served as such after the siege of Atlanta. James T. Taylor secured his education in the public schools of Mississippi, having completed a thorough course in the high school at Ellisville, and has been consecutively identified with educational work ever since leaving school. He has shown enthusiastic interest in the work of his profession, and his patent eligibility led to his election to his present office of county superintendent of schools for Jones county, in the autumn of 1904, his election being for a term of three and a third years. In his ad- ministrative capacity he has charge of seventy schools, and he is
4
801
BIOGRAPHICAL
sparing no effort in unifying the work and promoting efficiency in all departments of the school system of the county. He is a stalwart adherent of the Democratic party, fraternally is a Mason, being master of the Masonic lodge at Ellisville, and is prominent in Royal Arch Masonry. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South, while Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Missionary Bap- tist church. On May 13, 1900, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Taylor to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of Latson D. and Wiley J. (Roberts) Anderson, of Jones county. Professor and Mrs. Taylor have three children-Gladys Jane, Thomas Benton and Her- bert Douglas.
Temple, James Harbert, M. D., of Sem- inary, Covington county, is one of the sons of Mississippi who have honored the commonwealth through their ability and service in the exacting profession of medi- cine and surgery. Dr. Temple was born in Attala county, Miss., Aug. 5, 1866, and is a son of Anderson F. and Mary Ann (Hughes) Temple, the former of whom was born in Copiah county, Miss., and the latter in Alabama. Anderson F. Temple joined the ranks of the brave defenders of the Confederate cause when the Civil war was precipitated upon a divided nation, having enlisted as a private in the Twentieth Mississippi infantry, in which he served four years, having been promoted captain of his company. His command was a part of General Loring's division and took part in the battles of Shiloh, Franklin, Iuka and Corinth, besides many minor engagements, principally in Mississippi. At Fort Donelson Mr. Temple was cap- tured, but four months later was exchanged and rejoined his regi- ment. He is now residing in Attala county, Miss. His wife died on Aug. 12, 1890, in Attala county. Dr. Temple gained a good funda- mental education in the public schools of Mississippi, and his tech- nical course in medicine and surgery was secured in the Louisville medical college, one of the leading schools of the sort in the middle South, the same being established in the city of Louisville, Ky., and he was there graduated and received his degree Feb. 20, 1890. He then located in McCool, Attala county, where he was engaged in prac- tice about a year, after which he passed twelve years in successful professional work at Hesterville, that county, whence he removed to Seminary in 1903. In his new field of endeavor his efforts have been put forth with the same ability and devotion, and the result is that he has built up an excellent practice and gained prestige as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of that section of the State. He is local surgeon for the Gulf & Ship Island railroad and is an appreciative member of the American medical association, Mississippi State medical association and also of the Covington county medical society. As a Democrat he has manifested a lively
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.