MY RIVERSIDE CEMETERY TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS
SCRAPBOOK PART VII

By Jonathan K.T. Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1995

(Page 36)

NOTES BY LOT

LOT 41, STOCKTON

south to north:

Grave-length slab tombstone:
Our Dear Sister
MARGARET O. STOCKTON
Born Dec. 9, 1872
Died Jan. 2, 1890

Grave-length slab tombstone:
Our Dear Mother
HELEN HAYNES STOCKTON
Born Sept. 18, 1844
Died Apr. 24, 1900

  1. U.S. Census, June 9, 1880, Jackson. Enumerator's Dist. 100, sheet 23:
    D. H. Haynes, 28, Tenn.; lawyer
    Rachel Haynes, wife, 17, La.
    Eleanor Haynes, mother, 60, Tenn. (father b. Maryland; mother, Va.)
    Hellen H. Stockton, sister, 32, Tenn.
    Alice B. Stockton, niece, 11, Tenn.
    Landon H. Stockton, nephew, 9, Tenn.
    Maggie O. Stockton, niece, 7, Tenn.
    Francis D. Stockton, nephew, 4, Tenn.

    IBID., sheet 22:
    Robt. Haynes, Jr., 37, Tenn; lawyer
    Drusie P. Haynes, wife, 36, Tenn.
    Willie Haynes, son, 8, Tenn.
    Landon C. Haynes, dau., 5, Tenn.
    Robert P. Haynes, son, 2, Tenn.
  2. Robert H. Cartmell "Diary", 17, Jan.-Dec. 1900, page 46:
    April 24, 1900. Mrs. Stockton sister of David H. &Robert W. Haynes and daughter of Landon Haynes dec. a brilliant man in ante war times and for some time after will be buried in Jackson tomorrow. She had lived here for many years.
  3. U.S. Census, June 7, 1900, Jackson:
    Landon Stockton, b. Feb. 1871, Tenn. RR telegraph agent
    Alice Stockton, sister, b. Aug. 1868, Tenn. Frank Stockton, brother, b. Aug. 1875, Tenn.
    David Haynes, uncle, Apr. 1852, Tenn. Lawyer
    Alfred Haynes, cousin, b. Apr. 1882, Tenn; photographer
    Landon Haynes, cousin, b. Feb. 1876, Tenn.; Mu s i cia n
    Drucia Haynes, cousin, b. Nov. 1882, Tenn. Walter Haynes, cousin, b. Feb. 1881, Tenn. RR clerk
  4. JACKSON CITY DIRECTORY, 1900-1901, page 244:
    Helen H. Stockton (widow of Frank D.), h. 414 s. Liberty.

 

LOT 204˝, HAYNES

Father of Helen Haynes Stockton, Robert Walter Haynes, David H. Haynes was LANDON CARTER HAYNES (December 2, 1816-February 17, 1875), whose remains are safely presumed to have been removed from Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee to Riverside in Jackson, Tennessee March 27, 1902. A native of Carter County, Tennessee, Haynes was a son of David and Rhoda (Taylor) Haynes. He attended Washington College in East Tennessee; was for a time a Methodist minister; lawyer-farmer. Having lived in Johnson City, Tenn. for years he moved to Memphis after the Civil War where he practiced law. Married Eleanor Powell and had children: Robert W., James, Helen, Mary A., David and Joseph E. Haynes. His grave and that of his wife are not marked, although both are almost certainly buried in this Riverside lot. See, BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF THE TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, edited by Robert M. McBride (Nashville, 1975), volume 1, 1796-1861, pages 348-349 for more about Landon C. Haynes who served several terms in the House of Representatives and Senate of the State of Tennessee.

There is only one tombstone on this lot, a government marker which reads:

1 Lt.
ROBERT W. HAYNES
Adjt/62 N.C. Inf.
CSA, 1840-1905

 

(Page 37)

GOODSPEED'S HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, Madison Co., 1887, pages 869-870:

        Hon. Robert W. Haynes, attorney at law of Jackson, Tenn., was horn in Washington County, Tenn., August 21, 1840, son of Landon C. and Eleanor M. (Powell) Haynes, both natives of Tennessee. See sketch elsewhere of father.] Robert, subject of this sketch, was reared to man-hood in his native county, attending Emory and Henry College, Virginia, three years. He then entered the university of North Carolina, from which institution he graduated after a two years' course (in 1862). In the meantime, upon the breaking out of the war, he entered the Confederate service in 1861, serving under Maj. Glover, until failing health compelled him to leave the service, and he then returned to school and graduated. After his graduation he re-entered service, and assisted in raising a company for Col. Fain's regiment, but served as aide on the staff of Col. James E. Rains, Eleventh Tennessee, commanding brigade of Stevenson's division, Gen. Kirby Smith's corps, serving thus in Bragg's Kentucky campaign. He then served as adjutant of the Sixty-second North Carolina Infantry, until 1863, when he accepted the position of aide to Brig.-Gen. Alfred E. Jackson, serving thus with the rank of first lieutenant until the surrender, being brevetted near the close to major, and appointed assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Maj.-Gen. John C. Vaughan, having been virtually raised in a law office. Mr. Haynes, after the war, perfected his knowledge of his profession, and in April, 1867, commenced the practice of law at Memphis with his father, and continued thus successfully until 1870, when he removed to Jackson, where he has since practiced. January 12, 1863, he was married, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Miss Drusie Powell, of Virginia. They have five children: Nellie, Landon C. (a girl), Robert P., Walter L. and Drusie Taylor. Mr. Haynes is and always has been an unswerving Democrat in political views. He represented Madison County in the State Legislature, serving two terms successively in the sessions of 1883 and 1885. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and is a member of the K. of P., K. of H., and K. of G. R., being one of the founders of the latter order, and Past Supreme Commander and Secretary of same. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which he has been an official for eighteen years, and for many years represented the district conference, being at present secretary of same. He has served for the past four years as lay delegate in the Memphis Annual Conference, and as secretary of the board of missions of the conference. He was elected at the Paducah Conference, in December, 1885, one of the alternate delegates to the general conference of the church. He is also president of the West Tennessee Sunday-school Convention, and is one of the present delegates to the International Sunday-school Convention, which will meet in Chicago in May, 1887.

 

Further biographical data is contained in his sketch on pages 398-399 of volume 11, 1861-1901 (Nashville, 1979), BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF THE TENNESSEE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, edited by Robert M. McBride. Specifically, that Haynes served in the 43rd and 44th General Assembly, House of Representatives, Tennessee, for Madison County, 1883-1887; married (2) 1897, to Mrs. Annie (Harris) Glass, a daughter of the Rev. W. T. Harris; died April 6, 1905 and buried in Riverside Cemetery.

The Masonic Grand Lodge of Tennessee, Nashville. Annual Return for Masonic Lodge 45, Jackson, Tenn., 1905, shows that Robert W. Haynes died April 6, 1905.

 

LOT 358-A, HOLT

Robert J. Holt may be buried in this lot. There is a tombstone base, 20 by 10 inches, with a 7 inch stub of the upright part of the tombstone, missing the rest of the stone, on this lot as well as a slightly larger base just to its northwest, with remainder of stone missing.

U. S. Census, June 3, 1880, Jackson. Enumerator's Dist. 100, page 8:
Robert J. Holt, age 41, born in Mississippi, with wife, Mary, age 34, with children: Ben, Lula, Minnie and Walter.

Jackson City Directory, 1891-1892, page 134, lists Mrs. M. E. Holt.

Jackson City Directory, 1896, page 95, lists Mary E. Holt, widow of Robert J. Holt.


AN UNKNOWN GRAVE LOCATION

Mrs. Sarah J. Gholson, aged 68, died March 31, 1857, Browflsville, TenfleSSee. Buried in Jackson, Tennessee.

WEST TENNESSEE WHIG, Jackson, April 10, 1857

        In Brownsville, on the 31st ult., Mrs. Sarah J. Gholson, of Jackson, Tennessee, age 68 years.
        The deceased, for many years, had been in a declining state, and after nine weeks' intense suffering, she breathed her last, feeling, no doubt, in the struggles of death, that her spirit would soon wing its flight to the blissful regions of immortality — to the heaven of rest, where sorrow is never known, and where love and harmony shall reign forever.
        Mrs. G. was a member of the Baptist Church, beloved and respected by all who knew her, and died in the triumph of a living faith. She left one child, a daughter, beside a multitude of relations and friends to mourn her loss, satisfied though that their loss is her gain.
        Her body was interred in the Jackson graveyard. Peace to her ashes!

Friends nor physicians could not ease,
Her mortal body from the grave.
Nor will the grave confine her here,
When Christ her Savior shall appear.

 


 

LOT 348-B, CHESTER

Dr S. H. CHESTER Feb. 24, 1840-June 10, 1898

ELLA RAGLAND, wife of Dr. S. H.
CHESTER
Mar. 5, 1855-June 2, 1910

WAT R. BEASLEY
June 10, 1871-June 16, 1962

MAIDA CHESTER BEASLEY Mar. 25, 1879-Sept. 29, 1963

  1. U.S. Census, Sept. 28, 1850, Civil Dist. 8, Madison Co., page 283:
    Robert I. Chester, 56, Pa.
    (real estate value, $50,000)
    John Chester, 23, Tenn. (doctor)
    Robert H. Chester, 21, Tenn. (lawyer)
    Martha B. Chester, 18, Tenn.
    William C. B. Chester, 16, Tenn.
    Andrew J. Chester, 13, Tenn.
    Samuel H. Chester, 10, Tenn.
    Affia Chester, fem., 21, N.C.
  2. THE JACKSON WEEKLY SUN, June 17, 1898:
  3.         At 7: 10 this morning, at his home on East Chester Street, after a lingering illness of nervous prostration. Dr. Samuel Hays Chester departed this life.
            Dr. S. H. Chester vas born in Jackson, Tenn. in February 1840 and was reared here. He was graduated from the literary department of the old West Tennessee College just previous to the breaking out of the war between the states. He joined the immortal Sixth Tennessee Regiment and followed the fortunes of that organization to the close of the war, after which he sought and received his diploma in medicine, having attended lectures at the most noted institutions of the North and East at that time. Throughout the war he was a patriotic soldier and never flinched from duty when it led him in the thickest of the fray. He was a member of John Ingram Bivouac and for two years was surgeon of that organization. In this city and throughout this section for years he enjoyed a fine practice in his profession and ranked deservedly high.
            He was a physician of the mind as well as the body. By his uniform genial disposition he added a ray of hope to the sombre hue of the sick room and many is the one upon a chouch /sic/ of misery who looked for his coming as much for the smile and the kind words that he brought as for the physic to heal the ills of the physical body. He was a man of infinitely kind disposition and one whom to know was to respect and admire.
            On June 14, 1878 Dr. Chester was married to Miss Ella Ragland of Brownsville who survives him with their two children, Misses Maida and Bessie.
            For some months Dr. Chester's health had been declining and his family and most intimate friends had seen dissolution written upon his face. Nothing was left undone to restore his health. He spent weeks at Hot Springs in Arkansas and immediately after his return, for a time, was much better, indeed, was able to be on the streets and to look after office practice, but when the second prostration came it was evident that he could not long survive and the end has been awaited by his family and friends in the shadow of an approaching sorrow.
            The death of Dr. Chester removed another familiar landmark. He was a son of the late Col. Robert I. Chester, who died recently in his 97th year and a brother of the late Dr. John Chester. The deceased had spent all of his life in Jackson and was one of the few left who grew up here during the first years of the existence of the town. His death will be deplored by the entire community in which is many an one whom he has benefitted in his kind, genial way.
            The funeral will take place from the residence at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, conducted by Rev. M. A. Matthews, assisted by Rev. G. T. Sullivan. Interment at Riverside.

     

  4. THE JACKSON SUN, Sept. 20, 1963:
    In the obituary of Maida Chester Beasley, it is stated that she was the widow of Watt R. Beasley. Left a nephew, Chester Marshall of Hollywood, Cal.
  5. THE JACKSON SUN, June 17, 1962:
    In the obituary of Watt R. Beasley it is stated that he married Miss Maida Chester in 1903. He was a native of Rutherford County, Tennessee.

 

(Page 39)

LOT 72, RUSH
[Lot 72, north in Tombstone Inscriptions]

Several persons of this name buried in this lot. That of J. W. Rush (1852- 1895) is just north of:

To the Memory of
Mrs. MARY A. RUSH
Died Mar. 16, 1897
Aged 74 Years.
Mother

THE JACKSON DAILY SUN, Mar. 16, 1897:

DIED.
MRS. MARY A. RUSH.

        This community was shocked this morning to learn learn that Mrs. Mary A. Rush had died suddenly at her home on Deaderick avenue. The call came without hardly a moment's warning.
        Despite her 74 years, Mrs. Rush was an early riser and as has long been her custom rose this morning about six o'clock. She had not completed her toilet before the summon came. It is presumed that she died instantly. She bad been in splendid health a short time previous and attended the Leegue services at Hays Avenue church last night.
        Deceased was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, in 1821. Her maiden name was Wideman. In 1838 she was married to Mr. Johns D. Rush. Six children was the result of the union. two of whom, Mrs. L. J. Wagner and Mr. James A. Rush, survive her.
        In 1856, she was left a widow and in 1870 moved to Jackson.
        She has been a faithful member of Hays Avenue church during her residence here, and lived a consecrated, Christian life.
        Mrs. Rush. was noted for her chattily and her willingness, even eagerness to help the afflicted and distressed.
        Besides the two children living, she leaves a number of grandchildren and innumerable friends who loved her and who will mourn and miss her.
        The funeral services will be held at hays Avenue church tomorrow at 2 p.m., conducted by Rev. W. A. Freeman, assisted by Revs. B. A. Hays and ____ [smudged]

 

LOT 82˝, RUSH

Several tombstones bearing this name on this lot. The two southern-most:

In Memory of.
W. H. RUSH (Masonic Emblem)
Born June 16, 1842
Departed this life, Dec. 24, 1876
Aged 34 Yrs. 6 Ms. 8 D.

SARAH A. KERSHAW, wife of W. H. RUSH
Born May 12, 1848
Died May 12, 1917

Jackson City Council Minute Book 1874-1877, page 525. Sexton's Report of persons buried in the city cemetery in the last month: Wm. Rush, age 34, died of pneumonia. Date of report, 2 January 1877.

U.S. Census, June 3, 1870, Jackson, page 314:
W. H. Rush, 28, Tn.
J. A. Rush, 23, Tn
J. Rush, male, 17, Tn.
Mary Rush, 27, Tn
/Apparently, all really born in S.C. Census-taker's carelessness, perhaps, listed Tenn./


WEST TENNESSEE DIRECTORY, Circulating Pub. Co., Louisville, Ky., 1872, page 193:
W. H. Rush, engineer
J. A. Rush, engineer
J. W. Rush, engineer
Mrs. M. A. Rush, widow (all living on Hays, corner of Huntington road)

Madison Co. Marriage Book, 1868-1871, page 214:
Wm. H. Rush married to Sarah A. Kershaw, June 15, 1871

IBID., Book F, page 56:
James A. Rush married to Mollie Cox, June 6, 1872
page 527:
Jacob Wideman Rush married to Sarah Catherine Brown, November 28, 1878

U.S. Census, June 1, 1880. Enumerator's District 100, page 2:
Mary W. Rush, 58, S.C.
Sarah W. Rush, 32, dau-in-law, 32, Pa.
Jacob W. Rush, 7, Tenn. grandson
John T . Rush, 6, Tenn . grandson
Jas. B. Rush, 3, Tenn . grandson

Madison Co. Deed Book 54, page 99:
James Carter sold part of Lot 78 (now 72) to Mrs. S. C. Rush, Jan. 21, 1896. Filed Jan. 21, 1896. Lot in Riverside Cemetery.

Death certificate of James A. Rush, Madison Co. gives his dates: Oct. 25, 1845- Sept. 6, 1915.

 

(Page 40)

LOT 256˝, HOLLAND

Tall, shaft tombstone; inscribed on southeast side:
WILLIAM HOLLAND, 1834-1902
Loyal to his God and every interest in life, a patriot to the core. 'He giveth his beloved sleep.'

northeast side:
HARRIET E. HOLLAND, 1847-1933
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. The world was made better for her having lived.

On south side of this tombstone is an individual tombstone inscribed:
W. Wolland, 1834-1902.

On north side are individual tombstones inscribed:
Harriet E. Holland, 1847-1922
Hattie B. Holland, 1890-1906

  1. U.S. Census, June 1, 1900, Jackson, Enumerator's Dist. 107, sheet 1:
    William Holland, b. May 1834, S.C.; dry-goods merchant
    Harriet Holland, wife, b. Nov. 1847, S.C.
    Edith Holland, dau., b. Dec. 1870, S.C.
    Carrie Holland, dau., b. April 1872, Tenn.
    Will Holland, son, b. July 1876, Tenn.
    John Holland, son, b. Sept. 1883, Tenn.
    Harriet B. Holland, dau., b. Nov. 1890, Tenn.
  2. CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY (Tenn.), 1899, Reprint of 1987. volume 10 Extended, pages 541-542:
  3.         Lieutenant William Holland, one of the leading business men of Jackson, is a native of South Carolina, born in May, 1834, at Greenville, son of J. W. T. Holland, and his wife, Susan Brochman. His family is of English descent, and was established in America before the Revolution. At the age of fifteen years Lieutenant Holland left his farm home to enter business life, and was busied in his new vocation until the night of April 13, 1862, when he left the store to enlist in the Confederate service. May 15th he became a member of the Butler Guards, Company B, Second South Carolina infantry, the regiment commanded by General Kershaw at that time. He joined the command at Richmond, and was first in battle at Manassas, July 18th to 21st, subsequently serving at Flint Hill, Fairfax Court House, and Falls Church. He fought through the Peninsular campaign and the Seven Days' battles before Richmond, reached Manassas again at the close of the great battle of 1862, was with his regiment on Maryland Heights when Harper's Ferry was captured, took part in the bloody battles of Sharpsburg, and at Fredericksburg was on the line in front of Marye's Hill. At Chancellorsville he was in the victorious ranks before the Chancellor house and heard the volley that laid low the immortal Stonewall Jackson, and he shared the service of his command at Gettysburg. After this he was elected lieutenant, and when the brigade accompanied Longstreet to Georgia and Tennessee he was detailed by Colonel Gaillard as quartermaster of the regiment, in which capacity he acted until after the assault on Knoxville. During the remainder of the war he commanded Company B of the same regiment, serving in that rank through the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor, and the campaign in the Shenandoah valley under General Early. At Berryville, in the valley, be was severely wounded in the face and arm, and subsequently was at his home on furlough until he rejoined his command in North Carolina, just before the battle of Bentonville, in which he participated. He was paroled at Greensboro, with the army, and then returned to his home and resumed his business career. In 1868 he was married in his native county to Harriet B., daughter of Dr. James M. Sullivan. by whom he has five children: Edith S., Carolina, William, Jr., John W., and Hattie B. His residence at Jackson began in 1871. He has enjoyed notable success in business affairs, and is recognized as one of the prominent men of the city.

     

  4. CONFEDERATE PATRIOT INDEX, 1894-l924. Tennessee Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Vol. 1., 1976, page 202:
    William Holland, May 12, 1834, Greenville, S.C., -Feb. 14, 1902, Co. B, Second S.C. Cavalry, CSA; married Nov. 5, 1868 to Harriet Sullivan (Nov. 5, 1847-June 24, 1934). Wife was a member of the UDC as were their daughters: Edith, b. Dec. 13, 1870, md. Everett Bond; Carrie, b. April 11, 1872.
  5. he biographical sketch of Wm. Holland, GOODSPEED's HISTORY OF TENNESSEE, Madison Co., 1887, page 873, furnishes death dates of his parents:
  6.         Wm. Holland, the popular dry goods merchant of this city, was born in South Carolina. He merchandised in his native State until 1871, when he came to Jackson and resumed the mercantile business here. He is the son of John and Susan (Brockman) Holland. The parents are natives of South Carolina, and died in 1884 and 1873 respectively. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Sullivan, of South Carolina, daughter of Dr. James Sullivan. She was born in 1847 and is the mother of four children: Edith, Carolina, Willie and John. He, wife and the oldest two children are members of the Methodist Church. He is a member of the K. of P., and in politics he is strictly Democratic. Mr. Holland spent his early life on the farm, and received his education in the common county schools.

     

    GRIFFIN FUNERAL HOME BURIAL BOOK, 1931-1933, page 513:
    Harriet Elizabeth Holland's parentage: James Madison Sullivan, Sarah Scott Mims

    IBID., 1959-1960, page 7:
    WILLIAM NOLLAND, SR., born July 21, 1876, died June 3, 1959, Parents: William Holland, Harriet Sullivan. Buried Hollywood Cemetery.

     

    (Page 41)

  7. U.S. Census, 1910, Jackson.
    Enum. Dist. 170, sheet 1-B:
    William Holland. 33, Tenn.
    Loraine W. Holland, wife, 26, Tenn.
    Harriett B. Holland, mother, 63, S.C.
    John W. Holland, son, 26, Tenn.

THE JACKSON SUN, June 4, 1959:

Obituary of WILLIAM HOLLAND, born July l, 1876; died June 3, 1959; married Loraine Wisdom /July 31, 1883-Sept. 16, 1975; dau. of John Wisdom and Kate Merriwether Wisdom/, June 9. 1908. His father, William Holland, Sr. had come with his family from South Carolina to Jackson in 1871, establishing a business in Jackson to which William, Jr. followed and later still, to his sons, William and Jack Holland. Lay leader of the Methodist Church; sometime trustee of Lambuth College; active in several local civic organizations; an official in the National Bank of Commerce, Jackson. Buried in Hollywood Cemetery. Children: William Holland, Jr. of Jackson; Kate (Mrs. Peers) Buckley, Duluth, Minn.; Harriet (Mrs. W. D.) McKinnie of Memphis; Jack Holland of Jackson. Grandchildren: Constance Holland, Jacqueline Holland, Kate Buckley, Elizabeth Buckley, David McKinnie, III., Loraine McKinnie, William Benton Holland. His brother, John W. Holland, was living, a judge in Coral Gables, Florida. Sisters, Mrs. Carrie Pullen of Greenville, S.C. and Mrs. Edith Bond of Jackson, Tennessee.

 

WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA, vol. 29 (1956-1957), page 1214:

JOHN WARTHEN HOLLAND, b. Sept. 30, 1883, Jackson, Tenn. A. B., Union University, 1904; L.L.B., Vanderbilt University, 1906, married Wingate Walker, Sept. 20, 1926. Practiced law in Jackson but moved in 1910 to Jacksonville, Florida. Practices law, became U.S. District Judge of Southern District of Florida, l936. /retired 1955. Died Coral Gables, Fla., November 14, 1969./

 

John Wisdom "Jack" Holland was a popular and prominent businessman of Jackson, who died June 8, 1991, aged 71 years. He was a son of William and Loraine Holland. Graduate of Davidson College in N.C.; served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1941-1945 and was wounded at Gaudalcanal in Nov. 1942; afterwards helped to operate the Holland family department store in Jackson. Active in civic and church (Baptist) affairs. Wife, Harriet Benton Holland. Children: William Benton Holland, Jackson; Lucy Wilkerson Holland, Dallas; Jeannie Holland Sweat, Memphis: two grandchildren: Michael and Jonathan Sweat. A sister, Harriet McKinney, died in June 1990. Bro. William Holland, Memphis. Sis., Kate Buckley, Duluth, Minn. (See, THE JACKSON SUN, June 9, 1991)

Interview, Aug. 19, 1995, vith Mr. Wm. Holland, b. 1910. Stated that he was born Aug. 25, 1910. Bro., Jack Holland, b. Dec. 25, 1919. Sis., Harriet Holland, b. Hay 16, 1917. Sis., Kate Holland, b. Apr. 22, 1914. Stated that the official closing of Hollands, a well-known department store in Jackson was on March 1, 1973. He moved to Memphis in 1985 and then in 1992 to Jackson, Mississippi. Mentioned son of Jack Holland, his brother, John Wilkerson Holland (Jan. 22, -June 20, 1954) buried beside father in Hollywood Cemetery. William Holland died March 24, 1997, Jackson, Miss.; widower of Louise Ray Holland; father of Constance Holland Lilly and Jacqueline Holland Sanders.

 

LOT 234, GATES

No individual tombstones on this lot. One large tombstone in mid-lot, inscribed on south side: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GATES. On north side inscribed these names:

west half:
BENJAMIN F. GATES, 1817-1898
ELIZABETH J. ROPER, Wife of B. F. GATES, 1823-1858
MILDRED A. ROPER (Aunt Millie), 1828-1889
ELIZABETH R. GATES, 1852-1873
MARY C. GATES, 1854-1873
ELIZABETH T. COCKE, 1830-1885
ROBERT GATES, 1840-1915
CALEDONIA JANE JESTER, wife of Robert Gates, 1850-1928

east half:
CALLIE P. GATES, 1867-1869
EDGAR A. GATES, 1873-1873
SALLIE A. GATES, 1870-1879
JAMES GATES, 1862-1884
NORMAN GATES, 1875-1903
NARCISA NEWSUM, wife of B. F. GATES 1831-1892
WILLIAM C. ESTES, 1874-1874
EMMA H. GATES, 1901-1902

Madison County marriage records show that B. F. Gates was married to Mrs. Narcissa M. Stone, May 4, 1859.

Robert Gates' death certificate, Madison Co. gives his dates: May 5, 1841-October 4, 1915.

 

(Page 42)

THE NATIONAL CYCLOPAEDIA OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPY, vol. 8 (New York, 1898), page 237:

        GATES, Robert, soldier, editor and promoter, was born in Henry county, Tenn., May 8, 1841. son of B. F. and Elizabeth (Jackson) Gates, both natives of Virginia. In 1854 his father moved to Jackson, Madison Co., where Robert grew to manhood, and where he made his home until 1889. When his state passed the ordinance of secession, he was one of the first in his county to respond. After service one year in the ranks, he was promoted lieutenant in the regular Confederate army and assigned to duty in the light artillery. Much of his service was as staff officer, and on special duty under Gen. Forrest in the army of Tennessee. For gallant conduct he was promoted to the rank of captain. On several occasions he was mentioned in the dispatches for gallant and meritorious deeds. He was a faithful soldier, being distinguished for loyalty and strict obedience to orders, regardless of the peril involved. After the close of the war he was one of the largest contractors in the rebuilding of the Mobile and Ohio and the Mississippi Central railroads, and made a large fortune, which he lost later in the same business. In 1889 Col. Gates entered the field of journalism on the staff of the old "West Tennessee Whig," afterwards the "Whig and Tribune," published at Jackson, and rapidly rose to the position of associate editor. In 1874, together with Hon. B. A. Enloe, a distinguished ex-member of congress, he founded the Jackson "Sun," which soon took rank as one of the foremost newspapers in Tennessee. Col. Gates had an important part in directing the politics of the state, wielded largo influence, and won for himself reputation as a writer that was not limited to the South, especially on lines of enterprise sad material progress. He also inaugurated the immigration movement from the northern states to the South, especially to Tennessee. Impressed with the fact that the negro problem would become more and more troublesome, he began through his paper, and by conventions and extensive lecturing, to tenet the people of the state in immigration, that the large unwieldly farms might be divided up, and thus give room for more white farmers and better cultivation. While commissioner of immigration under Gov. Bate (1884-85), he conducted large excursions of prospective purchasers over western and middle Tennessee, followed by state and interstate conventions that increased the harvest. A number of enterprises were located in Jackson by his indefatigable efforts. Col. Gates was right-of-way and subscription agent for the Tennessee Midland railroad, and contributed much to its building. In 1889 he became secretary of the Commercial Club of Memphis, and through his efforts a number of large manufacturing and commercial enterprises were located there. He was one of the organizers of the. centennial exposition of 1898, being one of the first officially appointed, and was identified with the management of the enterprise throughout the period of agitation and preliminary work. The writings of Col. Gates show a profound knowledge of men and public questions, as well as an exhaustive acquaintance with modern and ancient history. He is thoroughly posted in party politics, and has always advocated the cause of the people, honesty in high places and modern ideas. As a speaker and lecturer he is earnest, forcible and convincing. He is master of his subject. No man in the state is more deserving of the gratitude of the public. Col. Gates in 1896 became industrial and immigration commissioner of the Louisville and Nashyilie railroad, with headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. He was married, at Jackson, Tenn., Nov. 27, 1867, to Caledonia, daughter of J. C. and Eliza (Tate) Jester, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Virginia. They have two children: Emma E. H., wife of Pres. C. A. Folk of Brownsville (Tenn.) College, and Robert H., associate editor of the Jacksonville (Tenn.) "Daily Whig."

 

TRIBUNE-SUN, Jackson, April 10, 1879. At the residence of her brother, Mr. Robert Gates, in this city, on Wednesday evening the 9th inst., Sallie M., daughter of B. F. & W. M. Gates in the ninth year of her age. Her brother was raising h and educating her as one of his own children.

TRIBUNE-SUN, Jackson, Nov. 20, 1878, Benj. R. "Rip" Gates, youngest brother of Robert Gates, died of yellow fever, in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 13, 1878.

In the sketch about Captain Robert Gates, CONFEDERATE MILITARY HISTORY (1899), Reprint, Wilmington, N.C., 1987, vol. 10-Extended, page 496, is mentioned that "His father, B. F. Gates, Was a descendant of Thomas
Gates, governor of Virginia, and his mother, Elizabeth Jackson Roper, daughter of Gen. Fielding Lewis."

The history of the 6th Tenn. Inf. C.S.A. was written by Robert Gates (d. 1915), beginning on page 204 (accompanied by a picture of him in military uniform), in John B. Lindsley's THE MILITARY ANNALS OF TENNESSEE (1886), Reprint, 1974.

 

LOT 286˝ (not 386), NEELY

SAMUEL NEELY
Born/in Mecklenburg Co., N.C.
Died/Aug. 25, 1867
Aged 75 years

MRS. ROSANNA H.
Consort of/Samuel NEELY
Born/Dec. 27, 1791
Died/June 26, 1857
J. White /stone-cutter/ Memphis, Tenn.

U.S. Census, Sept. 26, 1850, C. Dist. 8, Madison Co., Tennessee, page 557:
Samuel Neely, 63, N.C.
Rosanna Neely, 57, S.C.
Samuel S. Neely, 29, N.C.
Williaiiam S. Neely, 27, N.C.
Margaret Caruthers, 25, S.C.

Samuel Neely was remarried, to Mrs. Archelius Ann Fogg, in Madison Co., July 1, 1858. Both relinquished an interest in the estates of one another by marriage contract, June 29, 1858. (Madison Co. Deed Book 20, page 627)

These Neely tombstones almost "miraculously" escaped destruction when the April 11, 1995 windstorm toppled a huge tree near them, falling as it did within a few inches of these antique tombstones.
 

(Page 43)

LOT 58, SCHEFOLD

Double tombstone:
ADOLPH SCHEFOLD, Father
1864-1953
EVA NEAL SCHEFOLD, Mother
1868-1921

  1. Obituary of Adolph Scheffold in THE JACKSON SUN, August 27, 1953
  2. Aged 89 years, he died in Jackson, August 26; came to U.S. from Germany at the age of 17; married Eva Neal, 1888. Retired as machinist with GM&O Railroad after 44 yrs. service in 1937. Survived by two sons, Carl and Frank Scheffold; several daughters: Mrs. Perry Moore, Sr., Mrs. O. V. Payne, Mrs. Mildred Kalweich, Mrs. Claud Vick, and Mrs. Nell Alderson

     

  3. Article pasted into "Scrapbook 2, 1946-1957," Madison County Historical Association. Courtesy of its present custodian, the Tennessee Room, Jackson-Madison Co. Library:
    Entitled, "Adam Schefold Had Been In Country 53 Years Before He Knew He Wasn't Naturalized" (July 1947)

        "I had been in this country 53 years before I knew I wasn't naturalized," said German-born Adam Schefold, his smile having lost none of its warmth after 86 summers on this earth. He added: "I wanted to go back to the old country for a visit, had already sent my papers and passage fee to Washington for the passport when they told me at the postoffice that my first naturalization papers were not recorded. It was quite a surprise."
        Mr. Schefold, the youngest and only remaining of 14 children was born in Wurtemburg, Germany on July 28, 1863. At the ripe age of 17, he decided to make a trip to America to visit, a brother in New Albany Indiana, and embarked from Antwerp, Belgium in 1880. "The trip was not without excitement," began the old gentleman with a trace of a German accent still remaining in his voice. "A few days out, the weather began to get rough and, the small ship was thrown around like a top. Before it was over we had lost two masts and the ship very nearly turned over and sank. There was a pretty sick group aboard, though no one was lost from the ship. We finally landed in Philadelphia and I went, from there to New Albany on a small, bouncing train."
        After 4 years at New Albany, Mr. Schefold moved to Pasadena, California where he encountered difficulties, "digging ditches, moving houses and doing anything to make, a living until I finally found a job in my profession, as a machinist." From there he moved back to New Albany and to Paducah, Kentucky where he worked for the I. C. Railroad. His next, stop was Jackson and the M&O Shops in which he remained for 50 years, a foreman 22 of those years. It was there he had the honor of working on the first locomotive with electric headlights for the M&O.
        In 1888 he claimed for his bride Miss Eva Neil, and 8 children were born to them. When asked if he liked Jackson Mr, Schefold smiled and said, "Well, I guess so. The children came so fast we couldn't have moved anyway, even if we had wanted to."
        "I remember the Franco-Prussian war," he began slowly. "The people would pile barrels in the streets and burn them when the battle had been won. Emperor Wilhelm was a tough one and really kept the people in hand. Actually there was a king on the throne in Wurtemburg but he was only a figurehead, with Wilhelm the ruler of all Prussia.
        "When I first reached Jackson., Irish Town was in full bloom, and it was as tough as they come. If a boy came to visit a girl from out of the district he had to watch himself. There was a pretty good chance he would get manhandled
somewhere before he reached his destination."
        Living with his daughter, Mrs. Perry Moore, and her family, on Cheater Street in the house which be built for himself and his late wife, he enjoys sitting in an easy chair, smoking his pipes and listening to the radio, along with talking with people.
        "It seems like the old saying, 'Out of sight, out of mind,' is true enough," he complained. "No one comes to see me any more." Recently, however, a gala time was had when a birthday party was given him by his daughter with some of his friends present: Mr. L. P. McHugh, R. F. Fitzgerald, J. W. Fisher, E. Ridings, Ernest Taylor, J. T Hubbell, and A L. Johnsey.
        One of the most interesting features of the family is his possession of a "family tree," dating back to the 12th century and written in German, which was compiled by a relative.

 

In this article, this man is called Adam Schefold although his tombstone, obituary & entry in Griffin's Funeral Home records indicate he was Adolph. In the latter, he is Adolph Sebastian Schefold, born July 28, 1864.

 

LOT 420, HOWLETT
[Lot 419-A in Tombstone Inscriptions]

north to south:

ARRINGTON B. HICKS
Sept. 5, 1889-May 16, 1915

ANNIE H. HICKS
Sept. 24, 1865- Sept. 5, 1946

J. R. HICKS
July 28, 1862- Sept. 29, 1920

Death Cert. #126, Tennessee: Arrington B. Hicks, Sept. 5, 1889-May 16, 1915. Parents: J. R. Hicks-Annie Howlett. Died from TB.

Death Cert. #528, Tennessee: John Robert Hicks, July 28, 1862- Sept. 29, 1920. Parents: R. B. Hicks-Lydia Withers. Died from cancer.

THE JACKSON SUN, September 5, 1946:

Mrs. Annie Hicks Dies In Sleep At Home Of Her Son

        Mrs. Annie Howlet Nicks, 81, beloved by people in all walks of life and one of the outstanding church workers of Jackson died in her sleep at the home of her son, Hugh W. Hicks, , 328 Westwood, president of the First National Bank, her death ending a long end useful life in this community.
        Her death came on the birth anniversary of her son the late Arrington Hicks to whom she was much devoted.
        Mrs. Hicks had keen to prayer service and Sunday School teaches's meeting at the First Baptist Church Wednesday night and retired in her usual good spirits. She had visited two of the hospitals during Wednesday to see friends who were ill.
        She was born in Madison County Sept. 24, 1865, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Howlett. She was married to John R. Hicks, July 258, 1887. Mr. Nicks died Sept. 29, 1920
        In addition to her son, Noah, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Spencer Truex of Jackson, two grandsons, Dr. Allen Truex of Cincinnati and Hugh Truex of Jackson. She was the last member of her family.
        Mrs. Hicks had been a life-long member of the Baptist Church. She was teacher of the Fanny Savage Class of the First Baptist Church, a leader in the women's missionary and other circles and actively engaged in other church work.
        She did a great deal of charity work. Whenever she found that she could be of service to those in trouble or in sorrow she always lent a helping hand and comforting voice. She had many friends among the poor all of whom were much attached to her.
        Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the First Baptist Church conducted by the pastor, Dr. Fed Kendall, and former pastor, Dr. W. C. Boon, of Louisville. Ky. Burial will be in Riverside.
        Pallbearer, are:
        Active—J. S. Edenton, Jr., Addison Johnston, J. Harris Smith, Joe Gest, Burns Hicks, Dick Howlett, J. Henry White, Dr. J. R. Thompson, Jr.
        Honorary—Directors and officers of First National Bank, Deacons of First Baptist Church, I. B. Tigrett, Dr. Warren F. Jones, Harris Brown, Ray Wisdom, John E. Brown, I. H. Wilson (Memphis), J. K Barber, Chas. Fanebuth [?], Carroll Little, Ridley Alexander, Hubert Owen, Tom Lawler, Dr. Chas. F. Webb.
        The remains will be at the Griffin Funeral Home until funeral hour.

 

Return to Contents