Hancock County Mississippi Biographies and Biographical Sketches

Search free Hancock County Mississippi biographies, biographical sketches of prominent families online.

CAZENEUVE, Joseph F. Biography

Joseph F. Cazeneuve, Bay Saint Louis, Miss., sheriff of Hancock county, was born in Bay Saint Louis November 28, 1855, and is a son of John B. and Harriet (Bontemps) Cazeneuve. The father was a native of France, and the mother was born in Bay Saint Louis. The maternal grandfather was born in France, and the maternal grandmother was a Spaniard. John B. Cazeneuve emigrated to America and located in Mississippi about the year 1851. He was married in New Orleans and came to Bay Saint Louis, where he engaged in contracting and building. He followed this vocation for many years. His death occurred March 12, 1874, but his wife survived until 1883. They were the parents of but one child, Joseph F., the subject of this notice. He received his education in his native place, and took a commercial course at St. Stanislaus college. Here he had a thorough training in bookkeeping, and secured a position as bookkeeper, which he held for nine years. He was then appointed deputy sheriff, and at the end of four years he was elected to the office of sheriff. He has held the office four consecutive terms, and is a candidate for reelection without opposition. His long years of service as bookkeeper were a strong testimonial of his fidelity, and since his connection with the office of sheriff the business has been transacted with the greatest accuracy and dispatch. Mr. Cazeneuve was united in marriage July 23, 1878, to Miss Martha Longren, of Bay Saint Louis. Six children have been born to them: Jessie H. R., Mabel V., Martha C., Louis F., Louisa G. and Mary I. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, and is secretary of the local branch. He is president of the St. Joseph Benevolent association, and holds the same position in the local building and loan association of Bay Saint Louis. Politically he affiliates with the democratic party, and is a member of the Bay St. Louis democratic club, of which he is vice president. He belongs to the Farmers’ Alliance, and is secretary of the local assembly. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He is a man of tine social qualities, is very popular in his town and county, and is numbered among the most progressive and enterprising citizens. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891.]

OATIS, Jeremiah Biography

The father of John Oatis was Jeremiah Oatis, a native of Georgia, and of Irish descent, who came to Hancock county, Miss., where he died in middle life. His wife, Jane (Sinkfield) Oatis, was a native of Georgia, whose forefathers were Germans. Mrs. Oatis survived her husband many years and married a second time. By her marriage with Mr. Oatis she had four children, of whom three were sons; the father of Mrs. Cannon was the second in order of birth. William died of paralysis while quite young. Jacob, who became a wealthy planter near Vicksburg, died at the age of seventy-two years. The daughter, Mrs. Mary Colvert, died in Hinds county. It may be regarded as somewhat singular that the above four children and Mr. Oatis himself, all died of paralysis. To the parents of the subject of this sketch were born the following children: Mary, who died unmarried, in 1885; John, who was killed at Chattanooga, Tenn., during the late war; Blanche is unmarried and makes her home with her mother in Monticello, Miss.; Edward died in Monticello, of a fever; David Judson was married and lives in Claiborne countv, where he is engaged in planting; he also has twice served his native county, Lawrence, as sheriff; Frank, who lives on the homestead in Lawrence county; and Will C. Cannon, w7ho was educated mostly at his home and at the private schools, and became a teacher before he attained his majority. After teaching for some time in Lawrence county, he was made deputy sheriff, in which capacity he served for three years. He was then made deputy county clerk. Three years later. 1887, he was elected circuit and chancery clerk, which office he has since held with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He pays the most devoted attention to the duties involving upon him, and he is one of the most popular officials in the county, being recognized, at the same time, as one of the most able business men. A democrat in politics, he is fully alive to the interests of his party. He was married December 28, 1887, to Miss Mary L. Huffman, a native of Summit, Miss., and a daughter of Dr. John and Mary (Graves) Huffman. Her mother was born in Vermont and reared in Now York, anil her father in Pike county, Miss. Five children wore born to them, two of whom are deceased; John, Mary L. and Farrar are living. Mary L. was reared and educated in Summit, graduating from Lea female college. To Mr. and Mrs. Cannon has been born one daughter, Hazel Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon are members of the Baptist church, of which Mr. Cannon is the clerk. Mrs. Cannon was formerly connected with the Presbyterian church. They have one of t ho most pleasant homes in Monticello, where they dispense the most liberal hospitality. They are well known and highly respected by all who have the honor of their acquaintance. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891.]