DeSoto

DeSoto

(also known as)

The Village of DeSoto

History

DeSoto was once an Indian settlement along the Chickasawhay River, named after Hernando DeSoto who visited and stayed with the Indians while on his expedition across the unknown territory.

With the white man slowly immigrating to the west, they followed the trace to DeSoto. The Indian trace grew longer as it began to connect with Mobile, Alabama and Savannah, Georgia. Needing to cross the Chickasawhay River, a covered bridge was built for their venture further west. Although, some settlers chose to end their journey and make this Indian village their home and creating a township.

It was not until 1896 that the town’s people petitioned Governor George M. Adams to incorporate the town, which he did on November 18, 1896 naming it Village of DeSoto. As times changed and people moved on, with less than one thousand residents, the town asked the elected Governor Connors to dissolve their corporate town. On November 28. 1934, Governor Connor did just so and it was recorded on December 3, 1934.

Known Officials of DeSoto

Justice of the Peace

1912 A. Martin

Constables

1912 J. J. Ivey, R. E. D., No. 1

DeSoto Post Masters

(Post Office was established March 18, 1856 and discontinued February 28, 1959)

3/18/1856 - 4/21/1857 Joseph P. Hookley

4/21/1957 - 4/16/1861 James M. Knight

4/16/1861 - 7/9/1866 Wilson J. Knight

7/9/1866 - 6/12/1883 Miss Felicia A. Knight

6/12/1883 - 11/2/1886 William F. Smith

12/10/1897 - 6/28/1898 George M. Adams

6/28/1898 - 1/15/1915 John P. McFadden

1/15/1915 - 6/12/1915 Jesse I. Newton

6/12/1915 - 6/30/1943 Francis A. Todd

6/30/1943 - 2/28/1959 Beatrice M. Mabry.

Sheriff

1860 Thomas S. Parker

1900 J. S. Dabbs

Deputy Sheriff

1850 Thomas S. Parker

1900 A. A. Weems

Board of Police - 1896

George M. Adams

E. F. Martiniere

J. H. Weems

A. G. Jones

S. J. Ferrell

H. W. Baskin

J. N. Shirley

J. P. McFadden

R. S. Ferrell

C. V. Akins

J. W. Knight

J. B. Sumrall

W. W. Wilborne

Known Businesses

(Taken from the U. S. Federal Census')

Blacksmiths

J. P. McFadden & J. A. McGraw (1900)

George W. Roberts (1910)

Carpenter

Archie White (1900)

John D. Thompson (1910)

General Stores

G. M. Adams, C. V. Akins, J. N. Shirley, Blanche Pippen, J. H. Spickard, J. H. Weems (1900)

J. R. Shirley, C. V. Akins, Leonard Carmichael, (1910)

Joseph E. Newton, K. C. Mabry, J. P. McFadden, F. A. Todd, Charles B. Brashier (1930)

Mechanist

F. R. Brock (1900)

Hotel/Inn

Maggie Couch (1900)

Nancy Sumerall (1910)

Saw Mill

George Roberts (1900)

William G. Mizelle (1910)

Physician

S. L. Ferrell (1900)

Rosier Dedwylder (1910)

Telegraph Agent (Railroad)

W. W. Williams (1900)

Ministers

Matthew R. Jones (1910)

Matthew R. Jones (Methodist) (1930)

Albert P. Wells (Baptist) (1930)

Millner

Fannie McFadden (1910)

Barber

Elbert G. McDonald (1910)

Teachers

Virgie Grundy, Jesse J. Newton, Eva Adams (1910)

Eva Ford, Ed J. Cooley, Nellie O. Cooley (1930)

Drug Store

James C. McDonald (1930)

Cotton Gin

John A. McNeal (1930)

Tin Merchant/ Tin Yard

Asa Spickard (1930)

General Repair Shop

John D. Thompson (1910)