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The
Pictures
Where is Vaiden, Mississippi?
Officials
and Dignitaries
Vaiden's Officials
City Hall
In 1860, the Charter of the Town of Vaiden was
adopted; the highlights as follows: The Mayor, four Selectmen, one Assessor
and Collector of Taxes and a Treasurer, shall hold office for one year; then
subsequent elections shall be on the first Monday in February. The
qualifications for electors for the offices shall be the same as how provided
for by law, namely; to entitle elector to vote for members of the legislature
with elections under inspection of Justice of Peace and two Freeholders, who
shall certify the results to Secretary of State; whereon the elected Mayor
shall be commissioned by Governor as Mayor of said Town. Elected officers
meet as soon as practicable, take and subscribe oath required by
Constitution; subsequent meetings regulated by laws of Corporation, which is
authorized to ordain and establish. A majority of said Board shall constitute
a quorum.
Powers of Mayor and Selectmen include: Sue and be sued; plead and be
impleaded; purchase and hold real and personal estate, not exceeding $30,000;
power to raise necessary sums of money for town by taxes levied on real and
personal estate; power to establish and regulate patrols within corporate
limits; open and repair necessary streets; order owner or agents to make
necessary improvements and repairs on streets in front of lots or houses;
power to prohibit sale of vinious and spirituous liquors, except for medical
needs. In absence of named officer, Mayor has the power to be Justice of
Peace.
Vacancies occurring by death or resignation or removal shall be filled
by Board until time of regular elections.
Treasurer of said Corporation, Assessor and Collector, shall enter into
bond, payable to Mayor, and Selectmen, in such amounts as prescribed by said
Board.
City Hall Exterior -- April 2001
City Hall Interior -- April 2001 -- Money
Turntables from Old Bank
City Hall Interior -- April 2001 -- Money
Turntables from Old Bank
Ed. Note: When the Vaiden Bank was in this location,
there was a heavy, thickly-knit wire mesh (bulletproof -- possibly 2 to 4 gauge) "fence"
about 4 feet tall, on the top of the teller window frames. This fence was
topped with a row of very sharp spikes extending to within 8" to
12" from the ceiling. These spikes prevented anyone from climbing over
during a robbery. The wire mesh fence and spikes have disappeared since the
old Vaiden Bank became the City Hall in the 1970s. The gun portholes are
still beside the teller window. These were used in the old days by tellers
who decided to shoot back during a robbery.
Photos of the Gun Ports
and Turntables
Photo 1 -- Photo 2 -- Photo 3 -- Photo 4
Photo 5 -- Photo 6 -- Photo 7 -- Photo 8
Photo 9 -- Photo 10 -- Photo 11 -- Photo 12
Mayors
? Sproles -- circa 1867 -- CLICK HERE for more information; James
Trotter -- 1881; John E. McClurg -- 1885, 1934, 1936-38, 1946; John J.
Armstrong -- 1893-1914; J.L. Seale -- 1915, 1930-32, 1948-50; J.C. Miley --
1917-18; J.W. Conger -- 1919; J.N. Armstrong -- 1920-21; X.A. Brock -- Short
Term in 1930 to fill unexpired Term of E.L. Conger; C.G. Boyette -- 1932-34,
1936-38; Weldon Baskin -- 1946-48, 1957-65; H.G. Collins -- 1950-53; J.W.
Armstrong -- 1953-57; B.F. Wiley -- 1965-75; Claude Hatcher -- 1975-77.
John Coleman
Tommy Thornton
George Turbeville
Mel Hawthorn – 2009 – present (see article)
Marshals
J.P. Cain -- 1885, 1904-05; H.C. Blackmon -- 1893;
J.W. Ward -- 1912-16; M.O. Huffman -- 1917-22, 1929-36; J.C. Allen, J.O.
Miley, S.R. Wright -- 1922 Short Term; J.M. Summerville -- 1923; V.A. Gee --
1925; W.A. Switzer -- 1935-42; A.J. Grantham -- 1942-48; Joe Smith -- 1948,
1961; A.B. Parker -- 1961-69.
Aldermen
R.R. Hawkins --
1904; J.E. McClurg -- 1904, 1914-18, 1930-34; James Summerville -- 1904,
1912-17; John J. Armstrong -- 1904; C.L. Armstrong -- 1904; J.E. Phillips --
1909, 1914-17; W.N. Gaston -- 1912-18; Dr. P.T. Flowers -- 1912-22; S.P.
Armstrong -- 1912-25; C.H. Tillman -- 1921-25; John C. Calhoun -- 1921-25;
D.E. Anderson -- 1918-19; J.C. Bennett -- 1919; A.J. Moore -- 1919; J.G.
Fullilove -- 1920, 1940-46; B.W. Holmes -- 1929-30, 1940; R.L. Rosamond -- 1929;
W.A. Avery -- 1929; J.H. Grantham -- 1930-34; P.A. Bennett -- 1934-46; D.D.
Fullilove, Jr. -- 1934-46; L.H. Johnson -- 1934-40; Dr. M.E. Arrington --
1940-46; J.M. Vandiver -- 1942-46; V.F. Anderson -- 1946-1977; H.B. Caldwell
-- 1934-1946; Anderson Austin -- 1946-5?; L.H. Braswell -- 1946-53; N.B.
Hambrick -- 1946-48; W.S. Ward -- 1948-50; Manuel B. (Buster) Grantham --
1950-53; J.O. Cearley -- 1953-65; Taylor Everett -- 1953-57; Herman L. Johnson -- 1953-1977; T.A.
Dulin -- 1953-57; T.A. Noah -- 1957-65; C.A. Austin -- 1961-69; Dennis Welch -- 1965-1977; J.W. Eades -- 1965-69;
H.S. Milner -- 1965-77; Lethal Cross -- 1969-73; C.E. Huggins -- 1973-77
Early 1900 Aldermen were paid $1.00 monthly compared
to the 1975 salary of $50.00 monthly.
Treasurers and City Clerks
S.E. McConnico -- 1885 Treasurer; A.J. McConnico -- 1904-05 Treasurer.
City Clerks
J.C. Calhoun; W.M. Armstrong; J.E. Phillips; Dr. P.T. Flowers; O.J.
Moore; James Summerville; D.D. Fullilove, Jr.; L.H. Braswell; Lillie
McDougal.
Contracts, Ordinances and
Resolutions
August 7, 1927 -- The Town of Vaiden contracted with
Mississippi Power and Light Company to buy electricity operating thirty-seven
street lights for residential and commercial lighting, covering a twenty-five
year period.
May 10, 1929
-- The issuance of $26,000 in bonds to establish and construct a water works
system, was authorized.
1938 -- A total of thirty-six mills was fixed and levied against all
taxable property to provide the following funds: street, light, water bond,
City and Separate
School Districts,
School Improvement, and General Fund.
1938 -- An ordinance was authorized under Mayor C.G. Boyette, to adopt
as official, the map of the Town of Vaiden, which was made from an original
1885 Monroe McClurg map, with additions.
1939 -- A $3,000 bond was issued to repair and extend the present water
works facility, and to add a filtration system. In 1957, a water softener was
purchased.
1952 -- The Board voted for "Garbage Pick-Up" in the Town,
approved streets graded and ditched under the Highway Dept. Supervision,
voted to black-top a portion of the Town streets at a $25,000 expense, with
the bond issue approved. Mr. W.M. Caddess
was appointed as Water Superintendent
to read meters, collect water bills, etc.
1953 -- Three fire alarm boxes were purchased, and used until 1973,
when a three-way telephone system was installed.
1954 -- A "Volunteer Fire Department" and the purchase of a
used Fire Truck for $300 was approved.
1962 -- Mr. J.C. Patton, a Professional Engineer from Lexington, Mississippi,
was hired as Construction Supervisor for a limited time. Much was
accomplished during this period; $30,000 bond issue for street improvements,
$12,000 bond for water supply improvements, a new 12" well and new pump
were installed by Carlos Well Supply Company of Memphis, Tennessee,
at a cost of $11,000.
1964 -- A lot on the corner of Lee and Magnolia Streets was purchased
from B.W. Holmes for $500. A building to house the fire
truck, City Hall, and a warehouse area was erected.
1965 -- Municipal boundaries of the Town of Vaiden were extended to
include a total of 847 acres; another extension in 1969 totaled 1,157 acres;
with a final extension in 1973, making a grand total of 1,343 acres included
in the Corporate limits. This incorporated one mile of Interstate 55, north
and south.
1965 -- Barth and Associated, Inc., of Jackson, Mississippi,
were employed as Engineers for the Town of Vaiden.
1968 -- A contract was let to McDougal Plumbing & Heating
Contractor at a $409,739 cost to extend the water and sewer
lines, which was completed in 1970.
1970 -- The one-story brick building located on the southwest
intersection of Lee and Mulberry Streets was purchased from Holmes County
Bank & Trust Co., the Bank's former home, erected in 1890. As the present
City Hall, including Mayor and Tax
Collector's Offices, it is unique with its bullet-proof plate-glass partition
and two gun ports in view, as well as the bulletproof mesh above the windows,
topped with needle-like spikes. The exterior brick walls were subsequently renovated.
1972 -- The Town contracted with the Shongalo Rural Water Association
to furnish them Town water at a minimum rate of $220 monthly for the first
440,000 gallons; 40 per M average.
1972 -- The Town contracted with Herndon Well & Supply Company,
Inc., at a cost of $24,800 for a new well , pumping 500 gallons a minute of
pure water, without treatment, into the water tank and mains.
1974 -- Street Signs were
installed in Vaiden.
1975 -- At a cost of $15,035.99, a new Garbage Truck, a 13 yard
Standard Packmaster rear-end loader mounted on a 2 1/2 ton Chevrolet Truck,
was purchased from Bob Ellis Chevrolet of Winona, and Hall Supply &
Equipment Co., Inc., of Jackson,
Mississippi.
In 1975, the water and sewer rates were: Minimum bill -- $3.50 for the
first 3,000 gallons. Sewer rates were 1/2 of the water bill. In the same
year, the tax rate was set at 24 mills, and the assessed value of the Town
was $775,865.
Officials: Claude Hatcher, Mayor; V.F. Anderson, Alderman; Herman L.
Johnson, Alderman; Charles Huggins, Alderman; Henry S. Milner, Alderman;
Dennis E. Welch, Alderman.
Employees: Mack L. Boykin, Attorney; Lillie McDougal, City Clerk; W.M. Caddess, Water Superintendent; I.B. Griffin, Street Superintendent; James M.
Gerrish, Chief of Police; John W. (Jack) Fullilove, Policeman; Walter H.
Browning, Policeman; Mrs. Alton Parker, Radio Operator. At this time, the
Town owned three Police Cars, with Policeman on 24-hour duty.
Early Improvements
The Cumberland Telephone Company installed the first Telephone Exchange
in Vaiden between 1898 and 1900. During this period, the employment roster
listed many of Vaiden's prominent citizens, namely, Operators Misses Nye,
Cain, Boyette, and Eleanor Wright. Miss Evelyn Eades was employed as Day Operator
for twenty years, with two assistants. Other dependable employees were Messrs
Charlie Boyette, Charlie King, and Craig and Ed Conger. Tom Clifford Vaiden
had the distinction of being the Telephone Exchange's first messenger boy.
Order of Commerce
The only Order of Commerce in Vaiden was organized on March 18, 1922, by
civic-minded Dr. P.T. Flowers, Dr,. C.D. Alexander, and Mr. Cade Armstrong.
Responding to the call for community togetherness and unity for the Town's
advancement, nearly 100 businessmen rapidly joined this prestigious
organization. The Chamber of Commerce was very active in securing better
roads for this section, and instrumental in inducing new industries to locate
here. Unfortunately, this once-spirited Chamber no longer exists.
Roads
The year 1930 witnessed the first gravel highway through Vaiden,
followed in 1936 with one of the best paved highways in America,
which is known as Highway 51. Hugh White was Governor during this period.
This nationally-recognized highway first extended from Chicago to Gulfport, later to New Orleans, and introduced tourism to Mississippi on a large
scale.
Town Improvements – 1975
The 1975 Improvement Program for Vaiden included better housing;
renovated vacant lots; adequate drainage; Control Program for livestock,
animals, and poultry; Control Program for rubbish; approved refuse storage,
collection, and disposal; effective insect and rodent control; approved
sanitary sewage system; and an improved water supply.
Supervisors -- Beat 5
The first "Supervisors," actually the Carroll County
Board of Police, met March
11, 1834, in the home of George W. Green. They were: Daniel W.
McEachern, Thomas Matthews, Edmunds G. Whitehead, Woodward Applewhite, and
John Rodgers. These men appointed local planters, businessmen, etc., as
overseers to build the early roads of the country. There is no record of how
long these men kept their office, not of who followed. The Mississippi Constitution of 1890 fixed the
term for County
Officials at four
years. Prior to that time, the terms had been set at two years. Beginning in
1892, the following record exists for elected Supervisors: Rufe E. Hoge,
1892-1899 (two terms); Henry W. Hill, 1900-1903; W.D. Morgan, 1904-1907; G.N.
Michie, 1908-1911; W.D. Morgan, 1912-1915; W.P. Stuckey, 1916-1919 (died
while in office, succeeded by John R. Heggie); Charles G. Boyette, 1920-1927
(2 terms); James Somerville, 1928-1935 (2 terms); Marion Ely, 1936-1948 (3
terms); Weldon Baskin, Jr., 1948-1955 (2 terms); W.C. "Monkey"
Welch, 1956-1971 (4 terms); Vernon "Buddy" Welch, 1972 -present.
Circuit Clerks
In 1874, Carroll
County was divided into
two districts. The Chancery Clerk keeps an office in the 1st District (Carrollton), while the
Circuit Clerk keeps the 2nd District office in Vaiden. Each official serves
as deputy to the other. Circuit Clerks are as follows: James P. Nabors,
1892-1911; John C. Allen, 1911-1919; Fred C. Smith, 1919-1940; Claude
Hatcher, 1940-1955; G.W. Tuberville, Jr. (left in September, 1964, before his
term expired to take over the County Welfare Office, where is is presently
employed -- Mrs. Lynn P. (B.F.) Wiley, his deputy was appointed to serve
until a special election could be held); Ralph Self, 1964; Charles Ellis, at
present.
County Tax
Assessors -- Vaiden Natives
W.C.
"Lum" McDougal, first Tax Assessor; D.D. Fullilove, ???? (served
part of a term).
County Sheriffs
-- Vaiden Natives
John McKenzie; James Somerville, 1897-1900; W.C. "Lum"
McDougal, 1904-1907 (killed while in office
-- His accused slayer's public execution was the last "hanging" in Carroll County). Mr. McDougal (11/19/1867 - 10/26/1907)
is buried at Evergreen
Cemetery in Carrollton, MS,
in Lot 106, with his wife Helen Brewer
McDougal (1872-1948).
Deputy Sheriffs
Around 1914, a Gentleman's Agreement gave the 2nd District the right to
elect the Deputy Sheriff to serve in Vaiden. Men who have served through the
years are: Walter P. Kennedy, L.M. Jones, Samuel R. Wright, William W. Milner
-- Mr. Milner left in February, 1935, to assume the office of Vaiden
Postmaster and W.L. Randle served the remainder of his term, Louis McDougal, H.R. "Charger" Michie, R.W.
"PeeWee" Miller.
Cotton Weighers
R.S. Allen; R.H. Dulin, 1912-1924; T.P. Whisnant. 1924-1931; B.C.
McDougal, 1932-1944; Kim Pollard, 1944-1947; George Crook, 1948-1952; Dudley
Stewart, 1952 - (after Mr. Stewart's term, the office was abandoned).
Constable and Justice of the Peace
-- Beat 5
1892-1895 --
W.H. King (JP), J.C. Calhoun (JP), G.R. Traxler (Constable)
1896-1899 --
W.H. King (JP), W.C. Billingsley (JP). James Kidd (Constable)
1900-1903 --
J.L. Cain (JP), J.C. Calhoun (JP), J.L. Seale (Constable)
1904-1907 --
J.L. Cain (JP), G.N. Michie (JP), W.C. Thomas (Constable)
1908-1911 --
T.A. Brock (JP), G.N. Michie (JP), E.L. Conger (JP), W.C. Thomas (Constable),
J.W. Word (Constable), H.A. Heggie (Constable)
1912-1915 --
R.B. Smith (JP), E.L. Conger (JP), W.M. Girner (Constable)
1916-1919 --
R.B. Smith (JP), B.C. McDougal (JP), W.M. Girner (Constable)
1920-1923 --
T.A. Brock (JP), W.M. Girner (Constable)
1924-1927 --
G.A. Grantham (JP), Jim Pollard (JP), D.R. Devine (Constable)
1928-1931 --
D.R. Devine (JP), James Pollard (JP), E.H. Armstrong (Constable)
1932-1935 --
D.R. Devine (JP), W.H. King (JP), H.R. Michie (Constable)
1936-1939 --
James Pollard (JP), A.J. Grantham (Constable)
1940-1943 --
E.H. Armstrong (JP), W.A. Switzer (Constable)
1944-1947 --
E.H. Armstrong (JP), A.J. Grantham (Constable)
1948-1951 --
Lloyd Welch (JP), A.J. Grantham (Constable)
1952-1955 --
E.H. Armstrong (JP), A.J. Grantham (Constable)
1956-1959 --
R.L. Rosamond (JP), Taylor Everette (Constable)
1960-1963 --
Homer Tucker (JP), Taylor Everette (Constable)
1964-1967 --
R.L. Rosamond (JP), Elton Williams (Constable)
1968-1971 --
J.H. Putman (JP), Ed Davis, Jr.(Constable)
1972-1975 --
Charles Ellis (JP), Ed Davis, Jr. (Constable)
1976- --
Charles Ellis (JP), Ed Davis, Jr. (Constable)
Legislative Personalities
Senators
1848-1850 --
Benjamin Kennedy (died while serving his term)
1940-1944 --
Vernon F.
Anderson
1948-1952 --
D.D. Fullilove, III
Representatives
1838-1840 --
Benjamin Kennedy
1846-1848 --
Benjamin Kennedy
1848-1852 --
Dr. C.M. Vaiden
1856-1860 --
S. Hawkins
1870-1872 --
J.C. McKenzie
1872-1874 --
W.H. Armistead
1876-1878 --
Dr. C.M. Vaiden
1880-1882 --
T.H. Somerville
1882-1888 --
H.C. Williamson
1890-1892 --
E.L. Conger
1897- -- Monroe McClurg
1900-1904 --
A.J. Coleman
1924-1928 --
C. Garland Hatcher
1928-1932 --
A.J. Coleman
1932-1936 --
Walter Elliott
1936-1940 --
Estes Armstrong
1940-1944 --
John Seales
1944-1948 --
Grover G. Bennett
1944-1948 --
Mrs. Mable Wilson (J.B.) Bruce
1948-1952 --
Mrs. Mynelle McClurg (T.C.) Vaiden
1952- -- Clarence A. Pierce, Jr. -- Mr. Pierce was the first
representative from the 2nd District to be re-elected. He was Chairman of the
Highways and Highway Financing and Chairman of Interstate Cooperation.
Lawyers of Vaiden
Judge Carter Glass, father of Fred Glass, Sr.
Joe Hirsh, left Vaiden for Memphis, where he established a law firm.
Amos A. Armistead, born in Vaiden in 1863. Spent childhood and a
greater part of his life in Vaiden. Law degree from University of Mississippi.
Practiced in Vaiden until 1890.
A.J. McConnico, Jr., was born in Vaiden on February 20, 1875. He
graduated from Mt.
Hermon Academy,
Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1895, and from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island,
in 1899, Ph.B., LL.B. He practiced law from 1902 until 1908. In 1909, he was
appointed Consul at St. John's
Quebec. He served as Consul as
follows: Guadalahara, Mexico, 1919; Bluefields, Nicaragua,
1924; Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, temporarily, 1928; Hull, England,
1929. He retired in 1936, and died in 1969 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Fred Glass, Sr. Practiced in Vaiden and Winona for many years.
Simon Turner. A resudent of Carrollton,
came to Vaiden to practice. Married Miss Alice Tolbert.
William Conger. Practiced in Vaiden for many years.
Frank Hawkins. Practiced law for a short time and then was made
Superintendent of Vaiden Public Schools.
A.J. Coleman. Son of Calvin James and Aurelia Reeves Coleman. Born December 29, 1871, at Emory, Mississippi.
Educated in Carroll
County schools, French Camp Academy,
and University
of Mississippi. Married
Lillian Louise Cearley of Oxfors. They had three children: Mary Louise, who
died in infancy, Mrs. Jerred Aurelia (J.J.) Huffman of Eupora, and Alfred
Jeremiah Coleman of Texas.
Elected to State House of Representatives in 1903, and again in 1927. I 1948,
was a member of Democratic States' Rights Party or "Dixiecrats."
Went to Texas
on "Dixiecrat Special." He served as attorney for the Federal Land
Bank and Illinois
Central Railroad. He was a Mason and a member of the Shongalo Presbyterian
Church. He died July 2,
1957.
M.L. Boykin. Practiced in Vaiden for many years. Served for many years
as Attorney for the Carroll
County Board of
Supervisors and the Town of Vaiden.
John Shands. Practiced in Vaiden at two different times during the
1950s and 1960s. Mr. Shands was married to the former Virginia Alice Price
and had five children; Alice, Mark, Louisa
(died in infancy, and is buried in Tupelo,
MS), Rachel, and Morgan.
Luther Gilmer. Born in Clinchfield,
Virginia. Married Henrietta B.
Gilmer, B.S. Degree, University of
Louisville, Kentucky,
1948. LL.B. Degree, University
of Mississippi, Oxford, 1954. Practiced
law in Vaiden from 1955-1959, returned in 1975. Was the Mississippi Attorney for the Federal Land
Bank, New Orleans, 1959-1968. Employed for Disaster Counsel, SBA, Jackson,
Mississippi, 1973-1975.
Some of the lawyers who were Vaiden natives but never practiced here
are: Ike Stone, T.L. Haman, David Sanderson, Pittman Stone.
Statesmen
J.Z. George. Born 1826. Moved to the vicinity of Shongalo in 1834 and
attended Richland
Academy there. Married
Miss Elizabeth Young of Carrollton.
Served in the Mexican War. Served as Reporter of the Mississippi Supreme Court (while living in
Vaiden). Member of 1861 convention which passed Ordinance of Secession.
Served in the Civil War. Served as Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court. Elected U.S.
Senator.
Earl Brewer. Born six miles east of
Vaiden. Educated in Carroll County Schools and received his training in law
at the University
of Mississippi. Served
one term as a member of the State Senate. Served as District Attorney. He
became the only Mississippi Governor ever elected unopposed in 1911.
Monroe
McClurg. Born March 19,
1857, near Vaiden. County
Representative in 1897.
Member of the Mississippi
Constitutional Convention in 1890. Attorney General of Mississippi from 1900-1905. Chairman of
the Building Commission of the New Capitol. Represented Mississippi in Boundary dispute with the
State of Louisiana.
Married Ida Blanch Williams of Vaiden in 1881.
Dr. Larkin S. Rogers (1859-1920) was born in Carroll County
near Vaiden. He attended the University
of Oxford, Mississippi, for two years, then took
medical courses while studying medicine under Dr. B.F. Kittrell at Black
Hawk. He taught school between terms when he was a student at the University
and while taking medical courses. Whle teaching school at Blackmonton, one of
his pupils was Earl Brewer, who later became Governor of Mississippi.
Dr. Rogers was elected to the legislature from Holmes County
in 1907. While a member of the legislature, he served on the Committee of
Appropriations, Banks and Banking, Benevolent Institutions, and was Chairman
of the Committee on Public Health and Quarrantine. During the session of
1908, he introduced and had passed a bill giving equal rights and privileges
to all members of a family to mileage sold in the state. During the session
of 1910, he introduced a Joint Resolution which was adopted, calling on
members of congress from this state to ask for an appropriation to survey the
Big Black River with view of draining low
lands along this stream for agricultural purposes. He also introduced, and
carried through successfully, a bill for a State Charity
Hospital at Jackson. In recognition
of his efforts to get this institution, the legislature voted unanimously to
name it the "L.S.
Rogers Charity
Hospital."
In 1919, Dr. Rogers
was elected to the office of State Treasurer and assumed the duties of this
office in January, 1920. Dr. Rogers
died suddenly on October 14, 1920. On October 15, the day of his funeral,
both capitol buildings were closed all day out of respect for his memory.
James Somerville, Jr., son of James Somerville, Sr., and Anna Liddell Somerville, was born in
Vaiden on July 24, 1892. Mr. Somerville was tutored for seven years by his
stepmother, Elizabeth Liddell Somerville, his own mother's cousin. He
furthered his education at Vaiden
High School, French Camp Academy,
military school, and Washington
and Lee University. He majored in Greek,
Latin, history and economics, receiving a B.A. in 1912, and an M.A. in 1913.
Phi Beta Kappa, 1912, Phi Delta Theta -- Editor Rimg Tum Phi (University
newspaper). Mr Somerville held a principal University Fellowship at
Washington & Lee and served three years as an Assistant Professor of
History. He taught at Marion Institute, Alabama, and was Headmaster of Chamberlain-Hunt Academy at Port Gibson, Mississippi.
In April, 1917, Mr. Somerville was turned down for active war duty
because of his eyesight. He volunteered for overseas service with the YMCA
and was assigned to Russia.
The trip took five months through the Arctic Ocean
to Murmansk, Russia, and one week by freight
car to Moscow.
Thus began a six year (1918-1924) period of service organizing Russian famine
relief operations (four years with the YMCA, two years with the American
Relief Administration under Herbert Hoover).
While in Russia,
he met and married Olga Svetouchin in 1923. She died in 1963.
1925 -- Entered the U.S.
Government service with the Bureau of Foreign Commerce as specialist in
Russian affairs. 1926 -- Appointed Trade Commissioner in the office of
Comercial Attache in London.
18 years of service in London Embassy, ending in 1944, included the
following: Special reporting 14 years on Soviet Russian economic trade
policies and activities; five years reporting on markets for U.S.
agricultural products; seven years on markets for U.S. forest products --
including three years assignment at the request of the national Lumber
Manufacturer's Association as Acting Lumber Trade Commissioner. Also on
request of the State Department, did special reporting on British system of
export credits and other forms of foreign trade financing.
1939 -- Transferred to State Department Foreign Service, continuing
previous reporting as modified by war conditions.
1940-1941 -- Appointed Embassy Liason Officer with British Ministry on
Economic Warfare. ON entry of U.S.
in World War II, he was appointed Director of this division.
1943 -- Appointed First Secretary with Embassies to the six exiled
governments then established in London.
1944 -- Appointed as Principal Economic Officer in American Embassy, Tehran, Iran.
1947-1948 -- Served as Acting Chief of Mission, Tehran Embassy.
1949-1952 -- Special assignment to Department of Commerce in Washington as
Director, Eastern European Division and consultant on Middle Eastern Affairs.
1952 -- Retired from State Department, July 31.
1954-1974 -- Foreign representative for New York engineering firm, active in field
of electric power.
1954-1974 -- Established own firm, James Somerville Associates, for
purposes of acting as Washington
representative and overseas consultant for principal power engineering client
and other noncompetitive engineering firms. Missions included ten months in
three trips to Brazil in 1952 and 1953 and six months in 1954 and 1955 in
Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Lebanon; also trips to Brazil, Argentina,
Uruguay and Peru in 1956.
In 1965, Mr. Somerville married Marjorie Newcombe of London, England.
They redided in Arlington,
Virginia.
It is interesting to note how Mr. Somerville climbed the ladder of
success from his first job at Vaiden Brick Company, where his father was
manager. He was paid five cents an hour to haul bricks from the mold to the
dryer. Later, he worked as Sexton of Shingalo Presbyterian Church for 50
cents per week.
Fredrick M. Glass, Jr. Born in Vaiden, he graduated from Winona High School and the University of Mississippi.
Mr. Glass is President of Prudential Funds, Inc., of New York. He has served in key capacities
with airlines and as President of the Airport Operator's Council. IN 1961, he
served as Chairman of a task force on national aviation goals and was with
the New York Port Authority for six years.
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