Greenville Advocate from Greenville, Alabama • Page 21

THE ADVOCATE, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1903. THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS and wiaa published as the best written cn the subject. Mrs. Ockenden Is a pleasing and fascinating writer and loves her pen, but is eminently domestic. She believes and practices as she has written: "The floor to sweep, the bread to bake And clothes to mend, Are humble tasks made beautiful As God doth send." She is a woman whose amiability, sweetness, tact and good sense grow upon one as you know her.

She has lived in Montgomery several years and her home is one of the most cultured in the Capital city. But nowhere in Alabama is she more appreciated and loved than in Greenville. She is Secretary of the Ladies' Memorial Association of Montgomery and has written perhaps thirty-five Memorial poems, besides "The History of the Monument on Capitol Hill," which has been sent by request to Washington, New York, Louisiana, Kansas, Texas and Arizona. Secretary Root paid her the compliment of placing her resolution with regard to the removal of the Confederate dead to Arlington, on file in the War Department of the United States. Her words to "Dixie," composed in 1861 while a pupil of Mrs.

Emily Ver-derey Battey's school were sung to the companies who marched away and are still sung at Confederate Reunions In Butler. The finest compliment probably ever paid to our associate was from a distinguished lecturer who said, "The strongest lines I have ever found, outside of Shakespeare, are in 'Southrea', by an Alabama writer." On motion of the larte Col. Powell she was made a life member while Col. Stanley was President of the Association. While an associate of the Advocate a gold medal and $100 were offered by Col.

Estelle, of the Savannah News for the best weekly paper advertising the Gulf States, their resources, scenery and statistics. The award was made at the Louisville Exposition and the Advocate won the prize. Gen. Stanley presented Mrs. Henry with the $100 while he retained as a most valuable souvenir the handsome gold medal.

A Trade Issue of the Advocate showing the resources of our state was gotten out and sent to the Cotton Exposition at New Orleans. No prize had been offered, but the management, appreciating Mrs. Henry's work, presented her with a beautiful gold chain. In 1887 the subject of this sketch was married to Mr. A.

Ocken-den, of England, and moved to Florida, resigning her position on the Advocate and as president of the Memorial association of Butler county. In this ideal clime she wrote a great deal and for one poem the Youth's Companion paid one dollar per line. While residing there Mr. Ockenden got up an exhibit for the Sub-tropical Exposition. Mrs.

Ockenden was editor pro tem of The Lake County News, which advertised the County and was distributed free. Their labor of love was for the county. The $1,200 prize they won was paid into the treasury. "Southrea," a charming poem, arose from a reward being offered for the best poem commemorating the munificence of. Jay Gould to the south during a yellow fever epidemic.

It received the commendacio.i cf the judges a most acceptable officer and would aave been re-elected, but for the pro COL. C. E. HAMILTON. Judge Advocate General.

Col. C. E. Hamilton is one of the blest and most popular of Greenville's attorneys. His success at the bar lias been phenomenal and his rise in the profession has been rapid and deserved.

He is now the junior member of the firm of Powell Hamilton, which is recognized as one of the Strongest legal firms in South Alabama, Senator D. M. Powell being the senior member. Mr. Hamilton was born in Green-Tille January 10, 1868, and has lived on the same lot ever since.

Two years ago the old homestead was torn down to give place to the very handsome home now considered one of the very best in the city. A picture of said home embellishes this issue. After attending the high school in Greenville he graduated at the University of Lebanon, Ohio, and later graduating in 1889 at the law school of the State university. In 1892, Mr Hamilton was elected Ity attorney and in the same year formed a partnership with Col. J.

C. Richardson. The partnership estend-ed over several years until the election of Col. Richardson to the office of judge of the Second judicial circuit. Four years ago Col.

Hamilton eerved the city as mayor. He made vision made in the city charter that a mayor can not succeed himself. The people not being willing to do without his services immediately elected him on the council, a position which he had previously filled a number of times. Besides his law practice Mr. Hamilton derives a handsome revenue from his large plantation situated only a few miles from the city.

In politics he is a democrat of the old school, and in religion a Presbyterian. He is a director of the bank of Greenville and is also interested in several other enterprises of the city. After the election of Gov. Jelks to the high office he now holds, he appointed Mr. Hamilton Judge Advocate General on his staff, with the rank of colonel.

Col. Hamilton is yet a young man and his success points to achievements yet in store for him. He has associate partners in his practice at Hayne-ville, Luverne, Andalusia and Evergreen, all in this judicial circuit, and his practice is very large. Several years ago Mr. Hamilton married Miss Daisy Hereford, of Baton Rouge, La.

Two children, a son and a daughter, are the joy of the young parents and light of their beautiful home. most affectionate encouragement from ner Parents, who to this day she re- sards as the most appreciative read- ers she ever had. Some of her war poems are very Confederacy than any man living, placed "Reunion Bells" in the Archives at Richmond, Va. The latter was written for the unveiling of the monument at Tuscaloosa and was recited by Col. McCorvey.

She was married in 1867 to CapL G. Lj Henry, an ex-confederate of rare genius and brilliant acquirements. After ten years efie was left a widow, only one child surviving the father. She them turned to her pen for support. As contributor firs and afterwards associate, she worked on the Greenville Advocate about ten years and known to our readers as I.

M. P. H. She was the first -woman editor In the Alabama Press Association. HON.

THOMAS M. OWEN, I Director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery. The Alabama department of archives and history represents a new and valuable phase of state activity, inaugurated at the session of the legislature, 1900-1901. The establishment of this department grew out of a demand majle by the people for a recognition and support of the duty 1 which the state owed its public records (archives) and its history. In meeting its duty in this way Alabama occupies a unique position.

While numbers of other states render ample aid and assistance to the cause of history, Alabama is the first state to elevate the work to a separate department, co-relating other state departments. Since she has acted, Mississippi has established a similar department, and agitation has begun in other states looking to similar legislation. The object and purpose of the department are set forth in a very comprehensive way, and are declared to be "the care and custody of official archives, the collection of materials bear ing upon the history of the state, and of the territory included therein, from the earliest times, the completion and publication of the state's official records and other historical materials, the diffusion of knowledge in reference to the history and resources of the state, the encouragement of historical work and research," etc, etc. Its headquarters are located in the state capitol, and visitors find it's rooms the most attractive and -interesting features of the historic old building. Already there have been brought together a large number of rare books, pamphlets, newspaper files, maps, prints, charts, relics, paintings, photographs and manuscripts.

These are invaluable to the student of our history. Mr. Owen, the director or tne ae- partment, is one of the most enthu- siastic of the state officials. He is constantly at his desk, and is succeeding in arousing the greatest interest in the work of his department. The following sketch of Mr.

Owen is taken from the Alabama official and statistical register, 1903, pp. 16-17: "Thomas McAdory Owen, of Birmingham, was born at the residence of his maternal grandfather, near New Jonesboro (two miles below Bessemer), Jefferson county, December 15, 1866, and is the son of Dr. William M. Owen and wife Nancy L. McAdory, both of whom now reside near Bessemer.

Dr. Owen, who was a gallant confederate soldier, is a native of Tuscaloosa, and is the son of Judge Thomas Owen and Dolly Payne Williams of that place, his wife is the daughter of Major Thomas McAdo ry and wife Emily Owen of Jefferson county. Mr. Owen received his education in the common schools, and at the academy of Professor I. W.

McAdory, Pleasant Hill, Jefferson county. He graduated at the University of Alabama in 1887, taking the degrees of A. B. and LL. and received the honorary degree of A.

1893. He practiced law at Bessemer, 1887-1894; Carrollton, 1897-1900, and Birmingham, 1900-1901. He was city solicitor for 'Bessemer, 1890-93, Assistant solicitor of Jefferson county, 1892, and chief clerk division of post office inspectors, post office department, Washington, 1894-97. He was chairman of the democratic executive committee of Jefferson county, 1890-92. Mr.

Owen hast for years taken a deep interest in all forms of historical work and enterprise; he has been the secretary of the society of the sons of the revolu tion in Alabama since its organization. April 16, 1894; was one of the founders of the southern historical association at Washington, April 24, 1896S and has been secretary of the Alabama historical society since its reorganization, June 21, 1898, and is now the commander of the Alabama division, united sons of confederate veterans. He has published several books and pamphlets of an historical character. As chairman of the Alabama history commission he prepared its report, which stimulated the establishment of the department of archives and history of Alabama, of which was elected first director, March 1901, for a term of six years." CURTIS HURLEY LEWIS, Superintendent of Education of Butler County. Among Greenville's substantial citizens is classed the name of Mr.

C. H-Lewis. He was born in Lowndes county January 31, 1864; moved to this county in 1885. After attending the county schools Mr. Lewis completed his education, at the Troy Normal college.

He been twice married, his first wife being Miss Janie Adams, of Manning-ham, who only lived five years after her marriage. Three children blessed their marriage. Mr. Lewis' second marriage was to Miss Rosa Lee- Knowles, of Troy. They are now residents of Greenville, having moved here-two years ago.

tHf On the 1st of September, 1898, Mr. Lewis was elected county superintendent of education and filled that office so satisfactorily to the people that he was, at the next election, reelected over very formidable competitors. Mr. Lewis is a member of the firmt of Peagler, Lewis who do ar extensive general mercantile business, carrying a very large and varied stock. Mr.

Lewis is of a very quiet and affable disposition. He is popular with the teachers of the county as well as with all his customers and friends throughout the county. ttg RESIDENCE OT JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL C. E. HAMILTON.

MRS. I. M. P. OCKENDEN.

Mrs. I. M. P. Ockenden is a daugh- ter of the late Judge B.

F. Porter. At the time of her birth her parents were residing at Tuscaloosa, Judge Porter being one of the trustees i Last year the Memorial of the university. His law class was Society of Maryland selected "A One-the nucleus on which was formed the Armed Soldier's Story" for the poem chair of law. The Druid city had no i from Alabama for a Memorial volume, more interesting couple than Jurlg That Poem has been placed in the Ar-and Mrs.

Porter when she and they cbives of Maryland. Rev. Wm. J. Jones, were in their in the I 'ho is said to know more about the the University of Alabama; and was I i chairman of the advisory board which 1 was instrumental in securing the lo- cation in Montgomery of St.

Marga- rpfs hnsnilal In politics, he is a democrat. Mr. Coleman has re-entered the ac- tive practice of law in the city of Montgomery, while retaining his of ficial connection with the supreme court. He occupies a very unique position in the judicial history of the state. Fnr thp first timp sinnp thp ps.

tablisnment of the supreme court, the reporter of the decisions of the su preme court is absolutely up with the court. Every case that has been decided has been published or is now in the hands of the printer for the Alabama reports. When it is remembered that at the time Mr. Coleman went into office of the reporter of decisions, the Alabama reports were several years behind, It can but be a source of congratulation to Mr. Coleman that he has succeeded in bringing the reports absolutely up, something that is so much desired in the state.

Under these circumstances the entering into active practice will not. In any way, interfere with the discharge of the duties of Mr. Cole man's office; while by reason of his training and experience, he will be able to bring unusual equipmest to his practice. Mr. Coleman Is very public spirited, and has at all times taken a keen and lively Interest In all public questions and In those things that tend to ths uplift of his community and the upbuilding of his city or stats.

PH4Rcc rm SHAKES COLEMAN. Phares Coleman, of Montgomery, re i ler oi decisions ot supreme court, was uorii oa, ai livings- luu. ana is tne son of Judge Au- gusius A. Loleman (son of Jas. Boy-kin Coleman of Camden district, South Carolina), now of Birmingham, and his wife, Amanda Malvina, daughter of John C.

Phares, of Sumter county, Ala. Judge Coleman has had a long and honorable public career. He was memoer oi tne secession convention or Alabama, 1861. and colonel of the Fortieth Alabama regiment, C. S.

and is now judge of the Tenth judi cial circuit. Phares Coleman, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the private schools of Greensboro, the prepara tory department of the Southern Uni versity, 'and was graduated with de gree of A. at the latter in 1882. 1 He was graduated from the Univer-1 sity of Alabama with the degree of A. in 1883, and from the law department in 1885, with degree of LL.

B. In 1885. Mr. Coleman entered upon the practice of law at Greensboro. In 1887 he was appointed secretary to the supreme court of Alabama, and since 1894 he has been the reporter of the supreme court.

Mr. Coleman has been president of fhe Montgomery library association since 1900; Is a member of the board of directors of the commercial and industrial association of Montgomery; is a steward in the Methodist church; is a Knight of Pythias; is a member of the advisory board of the Alumni Society of halcyon days ilien ur, the capital and educational centre of the state a charmed circle of intellect, beauty and chivilry met t' ere in their lonely eontntrn bom Only four or five years of her life, were spent hei- 3s her parents moved to North Ceorg-'a, and i'rom then to the beautiful mountains of North Alabama, where her childhood had passi away until the war sent Ite family again southward and her school days were finished In Greenville. She tiegan to rhyme before she could read, the inheritance coming from be father, who rid have won repntUion as poet had not the law possessed charm. Her childish efforts met.