in Jefferson County, Mississippi
Besides being familiar to the people of Jefferson County, this gentleman’s name is known throughout the state of Mississippi, for he has been a State figure in Odd Fellowship. Mr. McClure attended school in Fayette and at Jefferson College in Adams County, and finished his collegiate course at Washington and Lee University, at Lexington, Virginia. Upon the recommendation of Gen. G. C. Lee, president of the latter institution, he was made a member of the faculty of Jefferson College, teaching there for eleven years. He gave up the college life to enter business, and has been as successful in the latter as he was qualified for the former. Mr. McClure is thoroughly conversant with the needs of Jefferson county and is, at all times, willing and ready to enter, lead or follow in any progressive movement. Though his popularity would have se cured for him political offices, be has never sought office. He is the senior member of the large mercantile firm of McClure & Harper.
One of the earliest settlers of the State of Mississippi was the grandfather of Mr. M. C. Harper, who was born in Jefferson county, November 5, 1852. He graduated at the University of Mississippi in 1873 and after his graduation accepted the chair of mathematics in Jefferson College, which position he held for thirteen years. Resigning his collegiate position, Mr. Harper entered the mercantile business In 1887 with the Hon. James McClure and the firm of which he is a member is now one of the largest in the western portion of the state. No man in Jefferson county is more alive to the requirements which go to advance the industrial and commercial interests of the county, and the progressive spirit shown by men of Mr. Harper’s stamp could well be copied.
That a young man can occupy the highest positions in the business world is fully proven in the life of the subject of this article. Mr. Stewart was born in Greensburg, La., September 18, 1880, and attended the L. M. and F. College at Liberty, Miss. For two years he was associate editor, of the Liberty Herald, and is a graduate of the Massey Business College at Montgomery, Ala. For one year he was a bookkeeper in. McComb City, Miss., afterwards going to Montgomery, Ala., where he held the position of cashier of the Evergreen Mercantile and Banking Company, also occupying the position of secretary and treasurer. He came to Fayette in November 1903, to accept a position with. McClure and Harper, and is still connected with this firm.
The present head of the dry goods department for the large firm of McClure and Harper, Mr. Turnipseed was, born in Amite county and received his business training in Liberty, Miss. He came to Fayette September 7, 1903, and is one of the trusted and energetic employees of his firm. Mr. Turnipseed has a wide circle of friends and is a man of splendid business ability.