
The
Pictures
Where is Vaiden, Mississippi?


Officials
and Dignitaries
Vaiden's
Officials
City Hall (previously, the old
1890 Vaiden Bank)
The current
Vaiden City Hall (as of 01/01/2016) is located in the building that was
previously used as the 1890-1970?) Vaiden Bank. The bank in this old building was created on
07/16/1890 and listed D.W. Bacon, Frank Hawkins, Jr., and J.C. Purnell as its
Incorporators. It continued until it moved into the location of the building
previously known as the new Summers’ Grocery building – about 40 yards behind
the bank (and to the south). The new Summers’ Grocery building was built
before 1968. The building that was previously known as Summers’ Grocery, sat
in the same location as the newer building. The old building – along with the
pool hall and another building that was used for storage – was destroyed in a
fire on back street in the mid-1960s.
After the fire, Mr. L.B. Summers built the
new store, but it was operated in this location for only a short time. Mr.
Summers died on February 22, 1968.
The Vaiden
Gristmill also sat behind – and slightly to the west of - the old Vaiden
Bank. It was torn down around the time
(give or take a year or two) of the backstreet fire.
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 (1890) 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
Tommy Thornton
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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