Newton County Mississippi Biographies and Biographical Sketches

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CARAWAY, Dr. John C. Biography

Dr. John C. Caraway, physician, Philadelphia, Miss., was born at Hickory, Newton county, Miss., and of the ten children born to the union of James E. and B, E. (Wall) Caraway, he was third in order of birth. The elder Caraway came to Mississippi with his parents when a child, and located with them in Jasper county. There they remained for some time. After growing up Mr. Caraway removed to Newton county of that state, married, and there passed the remainder of his days as a successful planter. During the late unpleasantness between the North and South he was in the Confederate army, but on account of ill health he did but little active service. He was an honest, upright citizen, and a man held in high estimation by all. His son, Dr. John C. Caraway, passed his boyhood and youth in assisting his father on the farm, and secured a good practical education in the common schools. He subsequently began the study of medicine and attended medical lectures from 1879 until the spring of 18S2, at Mobile and at the Louisville medical college, graduating from the latter institution in the last mentioned year. In the spring of 1883 he established himself at Philadelphia, Miss., and has since become one of the most extensive and successful practitioners in Neshoba county. Socially the Doctor affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and the Knights of Honor. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891.]

CARLETON, Eugene. Biography

Eugene Carleton, Decatur, Miss., a son of Montgomery and Martha S. (Dickinson) Carleton, was born in the state of Alabama, in the year 1840. At the age of fourteen years he came with his parents to Newton county, Miss. They located within one mile of Decatur, and there he has since lived; he was educated in the common schools, and was trained to agricultural pursuits. In 1803 he abandoned the pursuit of husbandry, and enlisted in the cause of the South, becoming a member of the Thirty-ninth Mississippi volunteer infantry under Colonel Shelby, aud serving until the close of the conflict. He was in the battles of Corinth and Port Hudson; from tho latter place he went to Georgia, and remained in that state until the close of the war. At Altoona he was wounded, and also at Franklin; he was twice taken prisoner, but was paroled Doth times. When peace was declared he returned to his home, and for some timegavehis attention to teaching school. He has for several years been prominently connected with the public offices of the county, and has made a faithful and efficient servant. He was in the chancery and probate courts previous to 1869, and in 1871 he was elected chancery clerk; for sixteen years he hold this office, his return for so many successive terms being a high tribute to his integrity and ability. In 1887 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and has since tilled this responsible position. Mr. Carleton was united in marriage, in 1807, to Miss Mary Keith, a daughter of M. M. Keith; she bore three children, and was called from this life in 1872. Mr. Carleton was afterward married to Miss Cornelia, daughter of M. P. Williams, of Newton county, Miss. Four children were born of this union. In December, 1890, our subject had additional honor paid him by being appointed postmaster of Decatur; his former connection with public offices has especially litted him for this position, which he is filling to the entire satisfaction of the public. He is the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres, adjoining the town site of Decatur; he superintends the cultivation of this, and is a planter. He belongs to the Masonic order; and also the Knights of Honor. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891.]

CHAPMAN, David T. Biography

David T. Chapman, Newton, Miss., one of the leading planters of Newton county, was born in Garlaudville, Jasper county, Miss., in 1839, and in the same year his parents removed to Newton county, where he grew to maturity with a large family of brothers and sisters. He was reared to the occupation of a planter, and received his education in the common schools. He was married in the year 1861, and soon after enlisted in the Southern cause, becoming a member of the Thirty-seventh Mississippi regiment, under Captain Loper. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and other important engagements. At the close of the struggle he returned to his home, and with a brave heart and willing hands he went to work to retrieve his fortunes, which had been so broken by the ravages of war. His efforts have met with a generous response, and to-day he is one of the most independent planters in the county. In 1878 the people called him to till the office of a member of the board of supervisors, and he served in this capacity four years. In November, 1881, he was elected to represent his county in the state legislature during the sessions of 1882 and 1883. He was reelected to this same position in 1885, and served during the sessions of 1886 and 1887. He is a stanch democrat, and as such has been honored by the people of his county. He has shown excellent qualifications for the transaction of public business, and is highly esteemed by his constituency. Mr. Chapman’s parents w'ere Edward E. and Talitha (Tool) Chapman, the father being a native of South Carolina. He came to Mississippi in the pioneer clays of that state, and saw the development of wild, uncultivated lands into the most fertile plantations. He was a devout Christian, a consistent member of the Baptist church, and his life was filled with good works. David T. Chapman and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. They are the parents of eleven children, all of whom are living. Mr. Chap man affiliates with the A. P. & A. M. fraternity, and is a Mason, both by precept and example. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891.]