Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 97

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 97

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Ventress, James Alexander, lawyer, plant- er and publicist, was born in 1805, near Clarksville, Robertson county, Tenn., where his parents, Lovick and Elizabeth (Stewart) Ventress, settled about the close of the Eighteenth century, having moved from North Carolina, to which State they had come from Virginia in 1796. He was of English and Scotch lineage, the father of Lovick Ventress having come from Warwickshire, England, about 1760, set- tling first near Norfolk, Va., and later removing to North Carolina, while Eliza- beth Stewart was descended from the well known Stewart family of Scotland. In 1809 Lovick Ventress, accompanied by his family, his brother-in- law, Duncan Stewart, who had served as surveyor of Tennessee and later became lieutenant-governor of Mississippi, and some other rela- tives, removed to the Territory of Mississippi, locating near the site of the present town of Centerville, Wilkinson county, where the father engaged in planting. After a short time his health became impaired and he returned to Tennessee, where he died while still in the prime of his manhood. His widow survived him many years and finally passed to her eternal rest in Wilkinson county, Miss. James Alexander Ventress, the immediate subject of this sketch, received his elementary education in the local schools and an academy at New Orleans, La., after which he spent nine years in Europe, studying in England, Scotland, France and Germany, and spending some time in Rome. In the University of Edinburgh he was a student under John Wilson, whose writings, under the pseudonym of Christopher North, are known throughout the literary world. Dr. Wilson observed that young Ventress was an apt pupil in philosophical studies and tried to induce him to adopt that branch of learning, with a view of succeeding to the chair of moral philosophy in that celebrated institu- tion. While in Scotland he formed the acquaintance of Sir Walter Scott; in Paris he was a frequent visitor at the home of the Marquis de La Fayette; and when he went to Berlin to enter the university there he carried letters of introduction to no less a personage than Baron Humboldt. His association with such men as these broadened his ideas and developed all the latent powers with which nature had

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endowed him. Even at the age of twen y-five years he contributed articles to scientific and literary magazines in both France and Eng- land; read papers before the Institute of France that elicited words of commendation from the eminent scientists of Europe; and while a student in the Academie de Paris he was honored by the Conseil d'Administration, which elected him a collaborateur correspondent of the Revue des Deux Mondes. He also wrote several dramas that received favorable comment from scholars, and translated a number of German and French books into English. Upon his return from Europe he took up the study of law and in 1841 was admitted to the bar by William L. Sharkey, then chief justice of the Mississippi supreme court. Although well equipped for the practice of law, Judge Ventress preferred to devote his time and attention to his planting interests, the study of literature, and the cultivation of his taste for scientific investigation. While a student at Berlin he invented an improved cannon and a cuirass, both of which he presented to the Polish government, receiving therefore the thanks of that unhappy country. After his return to his native land his investigations and experiments led to a number of inventions, some of which he patented but never made any effort to make money out of them, being in cir- cumstances that placed him above mere monetary considerations. While the Civil war was in progress he invented an improved bullet and presented it to the Confederate government. With a due regard for the public weal he took a keen interest in all questions affecting the institutions of the State and nation. Though he was by no means a politician, he was a firm believer in the principles advocated by the Democratic party and was a prominent figure in its councils; was a presidential elector; served as State senator; was speaker of the Mississippi house of representatives at a time when some of the foremost men of the State occupied seats in that body; and at one time was urged to accept the nomination for governor. Few Missis- sippians have done more to advance the cause of education than did Judge Ventress. While in the legislature he worked assiduously for the establishment of the State university at Oxford, and was a trustee of that institution from its inception in 1841 until his death. During the stormy period preceding the Civil war he upheld with all the vigor of his mind and manhood the doctrines of State's rights and national union. Although he believed the constitution of the United States gave the States the right to secede, he deemed it inex- pedient to exercise that right. When the Mississippi legislature, in 1851, called a convention to discuss measures for "the redress of grievances " he was a member of the convention and made a strong argument for the preservation of the Union. In 1860 he addressed an open letter to the mayor of Philadelphia, Pa., in which he empha- sized his views on this subject. This letter was widely copied by the newspapers and received favorable comment from the greatest states- men of the country. Nothwithstanding his pronounced views on the question of secession, when the people of Mississippi voted to sever their connection with the national government he cheerfully sacrificed his personal opinions and stood loyally by his State. On May 25,

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1848, Judge Ventress was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Davis Pyncheon, daughter of Judge Stephen and Elizabeth (Trask) Pyncheon of Brimfield, Mass. The Pyncheons came to England with William the Conqueror in the Eleventh century. The first of the name to come to America was Col. William Pyncheon in 1630, who came over as a charter member of the Massachusetts Bay colony, of which he was the first treasurer and afterward assistant governor. His son, John Pyncheon, was a major in the colonial troops during King Philip's war. Elizabeth Trask was a daughter of Dr. Israel Trask, who served in the Continental army in the Revolution and was a delegate to the Massachusetts constitutional convention. Of the five children born to Judge and Mrs. Ventress a son and daughter died in childhood. Those living are Lawrence Trask, born Aug. 5, 1850, one of the largest and most successful planters in Wilkinson county. He was educated in the State university; was for twenty years president of the board of supervisors of Wilkinson county ; is now president of the Planters' Mercantile Company of Woodville, and also president of the Citizens' bank of Wilkinson county. James Alexander, born Feb. 14, 1853, was educated in the University of Virginia and is now a successful planter. William Pyncheon Stewart, born May 28, 1854, was also educated in the University of Virginia and adopted the law as a pro- fession. A sketch of his life appears elsewhere. The family name was originally spelled "Fentress," its earliest history tracing back to the vicinity of Cherbourg, France. In all the years since then it has been borne by none more honorable and worthy than him whose name heads this article. Judge Ventress was not a member of any church, but he was nevertheless a man of pure morals and high ideals, generous and hospitable, and one whom to know was to love and respect. The heavy losses he was forced to suffer by the fortunes of war, and the changed conditions brought about by the great inter- necine conflict, no doubt hastened his death, which occurred on June 26, 1867. His widow, who was a member of the Presbyterian church, survived him until May 10, 1877, when she, too, passed away.

Vick, John Wesley. It is regretable that no record has been kept of the earlier ancestry of Rev. Newet Vick. By some of the descendants it is believed to be Scotch, while a suggestion is made of pos- sible French origin. In French history the name is honorably mentioned, and it is known in several countries of the old world. However this may be, three brothers settled in Virginia, in the early days of that State, aiding in its prosperous development. The Rev. Newet Vick was a descendant of one of them. In 1808, coming from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley to Wheeling, W. Va., Mr. Vick ob- tained a flat boat with which to descend the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. On this trip he was accompanied by his devoted and brave

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wife Elizabeth Clark. With several children they went forth to endure the hardships of the almost unknown land, beyond the do- minions of the worshippers of the "Great Spirit." Elizabeth Clark might well be endowed with the courage of the pioneer, as in her blood ran the ancestral fervor of George Rogers Clark, who it is said, conquered three States from the British power in the Northwest; the conquest of Vincennes being mentioned in history as "one of the most daring deeds of the Revolutionary war." After long travel, Mr. Vick reached Mississippi, stopping for a while at "Spring Hill," in Jefferson county, where he remained several years. While here, the first Methodist conference of the Southwest was held at his home. In 1814 he began preaching in the northern part of Warren county. In the words of a religious biographer, Mr. Vick "was the first local preacher that ever moved into the territory of the original Mississippi conference, including Mississippi, Alabama and Louisi- ana." With his family and a nephew of his wife, Foster Cook, Mr. Vick located on fine tracts of land in "Open Woods" about seven or eight miles northeast of the city, his possessions gradually extend- ing to include a large portion of the present site of the city of Vicks- burg. A number of relatives and other Virginia families gathered around him, forming the nucleus of an increasing settlement. Be- lieving that the lands north and east, then possessed by Indians, would be, finally, purchased by the government and settled by white men, Mr. Vick began to lay off lots for the future city of Vicks- burg. The site presented, in his judgment, peculiar facilities for settlement. This work was stopped, temporarily, by the death of Mr. Vick, which took place in 1819, in the prime of a useful life, shortly after a visit to Natchez, during which he contracted yellow fever. On hearing of his death, Elizabeth, his wife, mournfully turned away her face, dying in a few hours. Both were buried in the family cemetery at Open Woods, and on their tombstone was inscribed this affecting reminder, "United in life, in death we are not divided." After the death of Mr. Vick, his wishes, in regard to the future city, were carried out by the Rev. Mr. Lane, who had married his oldest daughter. Mr. Lane was of the grand presence which has so often distinguished the members of our Methodist ministry. In his will, Mr. Vick bequeathed to the city of Vicks- burg, the court house site, which it is said he had thought of as a place of residence; a plan prevented by his untimely death. Mr. Vick had modestly refrained from asking that the city of Vicksburg be named for him; but those who carried out his plans deemed the name of the founder, the proper title to be given it. The eldest son of Rev. Newet Vick, Mr. Hartwell Vick, was a man of fine per- sonal appearance. He belonged to the first mercantile firm of the city, and, as other members of the family of Mr. Vick, was left con- siderable property in land. Mr. Hartwell Vick lived only until 1833, and was buried in the family cemetery at Open Woods. Three children-Charles, Henry and Mary Elizabeth-survived him. Of these, only Elizabeth married, leaving descendants in the county surrounding the city. Of the three remaining sons of the Rev.

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Newet Vick-John Wesley, William and Newet Vick-John Wesley alone survived the Civil war. Both William and Newet died un- married. Mr. William Vick built the home now owned by Mrs. Bettie Willis which passed into the hands of Mr. Edward Lane, a grandson of the Rev. Newet Vick and son of Mrs. John Lane, who was the eldest daughter of Rev. Newet Vick. Vick, Edward and Eugenia Lane, her children, have left descendants in the city, among them being the families of Mrs. Lulu Stanton;' Mrs. Jennie Dyer, Will and John Lane and Dr. Warren King, a well-known physician of the city of Vicksburg. Lucy Vick, afterwards Mrs. Lucy Irwin, owned as her place of residence the site now owned by Mr. W. L. Wells. Her daughter, Lou, afterwards Mrs. Harvy Shannon, graced its social and religious life as few others have done. Amanda Vick became the wife of Rev. C. K. Marshall, an eloquent divine, known on both continents. A noted bishop has called him the "Apollo Belvidere of Methodism." Her daughter Lucy (deceased), after- wards Mrs. McDowel, was a gracious belle in Vicksburg society. Mrs. Woolfolk and Mrs. DeMoss, other daughters, are still residents of Vicksburg. Eliza Vick married Mr. Morse, who was one of the early merchants of the city. Lou and Emily Morse, her daughters, have left descendants in New Orleans and elsewhere. Emily Vick, during her youth, lived with her uncle, William Vick, and after her marriage to Mr. Anderson, spent the greater portion of her life in New Orleans. Of her two children Minnie and Willie, the latter only for a short while survived her. Miss Martha Vick lived with her brother William till her death in 1851, being then buried with her parents and brother Hartwell at Open Woods. Mary Vick- afterwards Mrs. Henderson, left two sons, William and Frank Hen- derson, who moved with their families to Texas and Arkansas. Ma- tilda Vick (Mrs. McCray) left descendants represented in Will, Mittie and Amanda McCray and their families. Mrs. Mittie McCray South- mayd lived in New Orleans, and afterwards in Chicago. Amanda McCray married into the Magruder family of Port Gibson, Miss. Ann Vick Irwin left a daughter who married her cousin, Will Mc- Cray. We have said that Mr. John Wesley Vick was the only one of the four sons of the Rev. Newet Vick, who survived the Civil war. For a number of years John Wesley Vick was the sole male representative of his father's family. He was the owner and builder of what was familiarly known as the Vick homestead. He had no military tastes, and was opposed to secession, but later gave his sympathy to the cause of the South, which he believed supported his hereditary interests. He was too old for active service, but two sons-Thomas and Hartwell-engaged in the struggle between the States. Both of these sons died, unmarried, during the lifetime of Mr. Vick, Thomas dying in a steamboat explosion, about one year after the war. Mr. Vick was thrice married, his first wife being Harriet Brabston, the mother of Thomas and Hartwell Vick. His second wife, Letitia Booker, of the family of Judge Paul Booker of Kentucky, lived only a short while, leaving a daughter also named Letitia. Letti Vick Downs died in 1880, leaving two sons, Alfred

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and James Downs. Alfred Downs, with two children, is still living, as an attorney-at-law at Chattanooga, Tenn. The descendants of James Downs moved to New Orleans. The third wife of John Wesley Vick was Catherine Barbour, a cousin of Letitia Booker. Both of these women were descendants of the family of George Washington. Catherine Barbour was the great-granddaughter of Anne Willis, who was the first-cousin of George Washington, and the daughter of Mildred Warner, his aunt and godmother. Henry Willis, the father of Anne, was the founder of Fredericksburg, Va. About the year 1755, Anne Willis was married at Lee's Spring (now Warrenton White Sulphur) to Duff Green a large planter of the French Broad. Three of the family of Duff Green have honorable records in the French and Indian war, besides furnishing twelve officers to the Revolution. Major Barbour, the father of Catherine Bar-bour, was an officer in Barbee's regiment, in the War of 1812, and a de- scendant of the family to which belonged Governor Barbour of Virginia, and Judge Philip Pendleton Barbour of the U. S. supreme court, while one of the family was minister to the court of King James. In the year 1845, and with Catherine Barbour as a bride, Mr. John Wesley Vick began married life anew, in the Vick home- stead. Mr. Vick was a home-loving man, quietly affectionate in his family, resisting as far as possible all efforts to bring him into official life. On one occasion, however, he had control of the railroad then building north of Vicksburg. A large sum of money was offered him to stop the railroad at Greenville, which proposition Mr. Vick refused, as being injurious to the city and State. Mr. Vick gave the site for the Methodist church, on which this ornamental structure is now reared. In addition to his Vicksburg property he possessed large planting interests, at Anguilla, about sixty miles above Vicks- burg, where his youngest son, also a prominent planter, now resides. Catherine Barbour died in 1867, the year following the death of Thomas Vick. Letitia Vick died in 1880 and Hartwell in 1881. Mr. Vick survived only seven years, these sad blows to his happiness. At his death in 1888, he was buried at Danville, Ky., between his

wives, Letitia Booker and Catherine Barbour. The children of John Wesley Vick and Catherine Barbour are Catherine (Kate), Vick, (deceased), Martha Elizabeth (Mattie), Mary Ellen, Amanda and Newet Vick. Miss Kate Vick was a woman of unusual literary attainments and musical gift; Mattie Vick was united in marriage to Mr. Roderick Perry, a merchant of Russellville, Ky., where she now lives with her son Wesley Perry, an attorney of that city. Amanda Vick was married in 1880 to Dr. S. D. Robbins, individual mention of whom appears in this volume. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Robbins are N. Vick Robbins, attorney-at-law, Kate and Amanda Robbins. Mary Ellen Vick married in 1886 Mr. Otho Singleton Robbins, a younger son of Colonel Robbins. He is a prominent attorney of the Vicksburg bar and a member of the Mississippi legis- lature and is named for Congressman Singleton, an intimate friend of his father. The children of Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Robbins are Mam- mie and Fannie Robbins. Mr. Newet Vick, the sole male representa-

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tive of his father's family, is living at Anguilla, where the estate of Mr. John Wesley Vick is divided among his children. To the Vicksburg settlement started by the Rev. Mr. Vick, Mr. Foster Cook and a few others, came two brothers of the Rev. Mr. Vick, namely: Mr. Thomas and Mr. Burwell Vick. The descendants of Mr. Thomas Vick have disappeared. It is not known whether any of them are in the State. Mr. Burwell Vick left three children-Henry, Martha and Gray. Gray died unmarried, Martha Vick married Mr. Willis. Her home is yet standing in the city of Vicksburg. Her descendants are Mr. John Willis, now deceased, who was a large planter at Pan- ther Burn, and his daughter, Mrs. Fannie Johnson. Mr. Henry Vick also made his home in Vicksburg. Among his descendants are the family of Dr. Phelps at Nitta Yuma. Mr. Foster Cook also became a prominent citizen of the city and county, leaving as de- scendants, the well known families of Rev. Edwin and Judge Henry Cook.

Vick, Newet J., who resides upon and is manager of the old home- stead plantation of the family named "Anguilla" and situated one- half mile from the village of the same name, is a popular representa- tive of one of the old, influential and honored families of the State, with whose history the name has been identified since 1806. His grandfather, Newet Vick, was the founder of the city of, Vicksburg, which is named in his honor. The subject of this review was born in the city of Vicksburg, July 26, 1858, and is a son of John Wesley Vick, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume, and Catherine (Barbour) Vick, the former of whom was born in Jefferson county, this State, March 1, 1806, and the latter of whom was born in Dan- ville, Ky., in October, 1818. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, in which he held the rank of major. Dr. Thomas E. Vick, a brother of the subject of this sketch, became a colonel in the Confederate service at the time of the Civil war, and he also served as brigadier-general of State troops in Louisiana, under ap- pointment of the governor of that State. Newet J. Vick passed his boyhood days in Kentucky, where he secured his preliminary edu- cation. At the age of fifteen years he entered the Southern uni- versity, at Greensboro, Ala., in which he was graduated in 1877, with the degree of Master of Arts. In 1880 he was graduated in the law department of the famous University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. He has never been actively engaged in the practice of his profession but has found his technical knowledge of great value in connection with the management of his extensive business interests. After his gradu- ation in law Mr. Vick came to his father's plantation in Sharkey county, and here he has since maintained his residence. He assisted his father as bookkeeper on the estate until the death of the latter, which occurred March 1, 1888, at which time the several heirs came into possession of the property and Mr. Vick became manager of one-half of the estate,-a position of which he has since remained incumbent. "Anguilla" is one of the fine plantation properties of this section of the State, being improved with a large and hand-

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some residence and other excellent buildings and being maintained under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Vick is a man of progressive ideas, strong mentality and gracious personality, and his homestead is notable for its refined hospitality. He has managed the plan- tation with distinctive ability and is one of the representative plant- ers of his native State, where his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances. He is well fortified in his views as to matters of public policy and is a Democrat in his political allegiance, though he advocates the protective tariff policy. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Mr. Vick is a bachelor. Hicks, James Stowers, is chancellor for the Fourth chancery district of Mississippi and an ex-member of the State legislature. He was born in Fayette, Jan. 29, 1858, and is a son of Edward H. and Elizabeth J. (Stowers) Hicks, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Mis- sissippi. The father was for many years engaged in the practice of law in Jefferson county and served two terms as district attorney, also having represented the coun- ty in the State legislature. The subject of this sketch secured his early education in the public schools of his native county and thereafter engaged in teaching for several years, proving a successful and popular member of the pedagogic pro- fession and in the meanwhile reading law while engaged in teaching. He was admitted to the bar in 1885, in which year he established him- self in practice at Fayette, where he remained until 1892, when he removed to Bolivar county, where he was engaged in professional work for the ensuing six years, at the expiration of which he re- turned to Fayette, where he has since controlled an excellent prac- tice. Mr. Hicks is a Democrat in his political proclivities and for seven years served as attorney for the board of supervisors of Jeff- erson county. He served two terms as superintendent of educa- tion for Jefferson county and was serving his fourth term as repre- sentative of his county in the State legislature, when he was appointed by Governor Vardaman, in April, 1906, chancellor for the Fourth chancery district of Mississippi, comprising the counties of Sharkey, Warren, Claiborne, Jefferson, Adams, Wilkinson, Franklin, Amite and Pike, and took office on Aug. 1, of the same year. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Woodmen of the World and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, his wife being a member of the Presbyterian church. In 1900 Mr. Hicks was united in mar- riage to Miss Myrtle Graham, daughter of William H. Graham, of Jefferson county. Judge Hicks has four children-Florine, Ivy, Wilma and Janie.

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Wagner, M. W. In this publication is accorded representation to a great number of the members of the city coun- cil of Meridian, and among the valued and prominent members of the body is Mr. Wagner, who is a representative of the Third ward. Mr. Wagner was born in Upson county, Ga., on Sept. 6, 1859, but was a child at the time of his parents' removal to Pike county, Ga., where he was reared and educated. He first came to Meridian in the year 1877, here remain- ing three years, after which he returned to Georgia, where he remained until 1889, when he again came to Meridian, where M. W. WAGNER he became associated with his uncle, Capt. A. B. Wagner, in the undertaking business, and he has since been numbered among the representative citizens and business men of the city. He has ever been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and has been a zealous worker in its cause, while his eligibility for offices of trust and responsibility was given patent recognition when he was elected to represent his ward in the city council, in 1901, his course being such that he was chosen as his own successor in 1903. Concerning his official service the following apprecia- tive estimate has been given: "During his incumbency of this office Mr. Wagner has evinced the same care, intelligence and business sagacity in the service of the municipality that have character- ized the conduct of his private affairs and marked him one of the successful business men of the community. He has been an active and zealous member of the municipal legislature, giving his time and best thought to the public service, solicitous for the public welfare, and the CAPT. A. B. WAGNER strong advocate of every public improvement consistent with the city's financial resources. As a member of the special water committee Mr. Wagner has been the zealous champion of a betterment of the water facilities, an all important department of the public service, and his attitude at all times is that of an earnest and public-spirited citizen." Mr. Wagner is a member of the Presbyterian church. In April, 1891, he married Miss Bettie B. Burwell and they have two children-A. B. Jr., now (1906) thirteen years of age, and Sallie Lewis, aged nine.

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Mississippi : comprising sketches of towns, events, institutions, and persons, arranged in cyclopedic form Vol. III, Part 97

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