The “Swamp Fox”

“Our band is few, but true and tried,
Our Leader frank and bold;
The Federal Soldier trembles,
When Dickison’s name is told.”

Of all the men who achieved greatness while serving in the Civil War, Charles Hemming (Hemming Plaza) immortalized Florida’s Confederate General J.J. Dickison.

In 1888, when the Confederate War Memorial, which Hemming donated, was unveiled in Saint James Park (later Hemming Plaza) it was J.J. Dickison, Company H Calvary commander who was honored.

But why would he choose Dickison?

In Jacksonville’s Old City Cemetery, a high-relief granite block, complete with the Confederate flag, stands tall proudly reminding us of a Confederate General who led his men into numerous Civil War battles and survived to tell about it.

In 1816, John Jackson Dickison was born in Monroe County, West Virginia. He was raised in South Carolina and received his military training in the state militia. He advanced to the position of cavalry officer. Between 1855 and 1857, Dickison moved to the Ocala, Florida (Monroe County), area and purchased a plantation. Named “Sunnyside”, its crops made Dickison a wealthy man. He married twice and had two sons; Charles and R.L. Dickison.  Both served under their father’s command.

If statisticians kept records of Civil War commander’s fatalities per conflict, Dickison would win by a landslide. Miraculously, nearly every one of his 170 to 175 brave soldiers survived. Throughout the war, Dickison’s sharp military strategy disrupted nearly every Union mission on the east coast of Florida. Union officers nicknamed Dickison “Dixie.” Under his leadership, many Union troops were either caught or killed. Proof of his effectiveness can be found in captured Union documents. They describe the necessity to capture or kill Dickison or “Dixie” at all cost. Several assassination squads were sent to complete this task but Dickison and his troops traveled such distances in short periods of time that no troop could discover his exact location.

General Dickison, 45 years old, was requested by Confederate southern commanders to lead soldiers against former countrymen. The United States had split in two and the warring factions would not halt the fighting until one side or the other surrendered.

If the phrase “lead by example” did not originate with General J.J. Dickison, he definitely drove home the expression. Dickison fearlessly led charge after charge into direct fire, guns blazing and sabers waving. Records attest to the fact that in nearly every battle, he was outnumbered by five to one. One particular skirmish his troops were outnumbered thirty-five to one.

His first duty was to serve as First Lieutenant under Captain John M. Martin, Marion Light Artillery. This brought him to the area surrounding Fort Clinch. While on a mission to round up Union misfits, Dickison rode his horse around a corner right into well-armed Union forces. Rather than surrender or die, Dickison directed his steed to leap an impossible barrier expecting disaster. Instead, his horse (like lifted by angels) easily cleared the impediment.

On July 2, 1862, he was ordered to create and command a new cavalry unit.

His first true recognition came in the form of the letter below addressed to Confederate command:

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I directed Captain Dickison, of the Second Florida Calvary, who had just returned from a most successful raid east of the Saint John’s, to endeavor to get in the rear, and concentrated on a large a force as I could at Newnansville. The enemy meetings, perhaps, more opposition than they had anticipated, fell back and were followed by Captain Dickison, who attacked them on the mainland, near Cedar Keys; and though his force was outnumbered five to one, the enemy retreated to Cedar Keys, after a sharp skirmish, leaving a portion of their dead on the field. Captain Dickison reports that he killed and wounded between sixty and seventy, and captured a few, with very slight loss on his part. I have heretofore frequently had occasion to report the gallant and valuable services of Captain Dickison and his command, and to present the captain, as I do now, to the favorable notice of the Government.

Very respectfully yours, Sam Jones, Major General, Commanding

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Imagine the fear of Federal soldiers when suddenly the ground begins to tremble and shake from hundreds of hooves pounding the ground. When they would finally catch a glimpse of Dickison’s threatening “war chief like face” with his mounted soldiers following close behind, it would be too late, their fate was sealed.

Loading a gun or even raising it in defense would take too long. The Federals would run, die or surrender. And though it sounds impossible, Dickison would not risk his men or their horses. Instead, he used speed and surprise to his advantage.

It was going to be a sweltering hot day on August 17, 1861, when Dickison received word that Federal troops had invaded Starke and burned Confederate train cars. He rallied his Calvary and moved toward Gainesville, their next position. The sun was just rising and cool dew was still fresh when Dickison and his 175 mounted soldiers swarmed down on the ransacking Federals. In minutes the battle was over. They struck with such violence that “A savage, scattered fight follows. The federal force is utterly dispersed.” According to published reports, 28 federals are killed, 5 are wounded and more than 200 are captured. Scattering like scared deer, over 125 escaped with their lives into the woods. After such a violent skirmish, Dickison proudly reported that only one of his soldiers died. Five of his men were wounded.

On October 24, 1861, Dickison was alerted to plundering by 50 federal soldiers. He reported that the troops were made up of “blacks and whites.”  Again with his swift attack strategy, the soldiers were easily overwhelmed
and defeated. Ten Federals were killed and eight wounded. This time, not one Confederate soldier was wounded. Dickison reported, “By the protection of Divine Providence all come out safe.”

On April 22, 1864, N. Talley, Acting Assistant Adjunct General wrote of Dickison: “The faithfulness, promptness and superior judgment which you at all times manifested, give assurance of your possession of those soldierly qualities which inspire confidence, and command respect and admiration everywhere.”

In a letter dated May 24, 1864, Assistant Adjunct General Barth reported to Confederate Headquarters “Crossing the St. Johns River in small boats, Captain Dickison surprised and captured the enemy’s detachments at Welaka and Fort Butler, taking eighty-eight infantry and six cavalry prisoners, with the arms and equipment. Captain Dickison and his men then returned safely to their camp, bringing in the whole of their capture, after an absence of forty-four hours, during which time they traveled eighty-five miles, and affected the results detailed, without the loss of a man.”

Capture of the Columbine

One of his most successful and daring missions involved the capture of the heavily armed Federal war ship “Columbine.” It sailed down the river towardPalatka, transporting over 148 Federal soldiers and several significant pieces of artillery. Knowing the banks of the river like the back of his hand, Dickison advanced his men into protected tree lines. His sharpshooters hid patiently waiting for Dickison’s signal of attack. Artillery was readied for the order to shell. The entire outcome rested on the ability of Dickison’s men to remain silent and not fire until the ship was within sixty yards of shore.

At the exact moment necessary to succeed, Dickison raised his saber signaling his men to attack. Before the Union forces could fire their weapons, the Dickison’s artillery had lofted 20 shells on board the ship. The sharpshooters and other soldiers unleashed a rain of lead killing and maiming defenders on board.

After less than one hour, the flag of surrender was quickly visible. Dickison had captured the war ship, dozens of weapons, food stores and several large pieces of artillery. In addition, the remaining 60 soldiers surrendered without a struggle. One third was injured. After ravaging the ship for supplies, Dickison had the ship destroyed beyond repair. Only one soldier in Dickison’s command was slightly injured in the conflict. He was stunned by the sound of an exploding shell but recovered days later.

Lake City “Columbian” News July 1864 – Regarding Captain Dickison

“Who is there who has read and known of the dashing exploits and repeated captures, accomplished without loss of blood or the sacrifice of a man, can but stand in awe, and wonder how, by what skill, and stratagem, such feats were accomplished? Surely they were not commonplace. To the understanding of the citizens, they evince that he is a man of gifted military genius, born to command . . .”

Loss of Charles Dickison

After several small skirmishes in June and July, Dickison was informed of a significant force heading toward Palatka. On August 2, 1864, he quickly intercepted the contingent and forced them to surrender. Suddenly, without warning, the prisoners exposed previously concealed weapons and opened fire.  Dickison’s son, Sergeant Charles Dickison, was shot through the heart. He fell from his horse mortally wounded. Sadly, Charles joined a limited number of losses his father J.J. Dickison suffered throughout the entire Civil War.

What greater sacrifice could one man give in his service to his country?

Hemming – Dickison Connection

There is no record of Charles Hemming serving with Dickison. Records reviewed for this story reveal that two of Hemming’s closest friends Seth Barnes and W. Ives served in Dickison’s Company H, Second Florida Calvary.

In fact, in the midst of one conflict, Seth Barnes followed Dickison who was attempting to capture a Federal commanding officer. When the officer failed to surrender and belligerently stated “shoot me and be damned” while raising his weapon toward Dickison, Dickison wounded the officer and Seth Barnes fired the fatal shot instantly killing him.

Dickison died in 1902 but not before being honored by Charles Hemming and the men he so gallantly served.

*R.M.S. TITANIC DISASTER VICTIM – MAN OF GOD*
*FLORIDA’S ONLY TITANIC VICTIM*

Imagine you are a passenger on the RMS Titanic and you wake up to learn that the ship will sink within the hour. You know that the ship is hundreds of miles from any shore and that there are only enough lifeboats to save women and children.

After giving your loved one a hug and kiss, you watch helplessly as she disappears by lifeboat into the darkness.

Now, you scan the faces of those left behind with you. The drawn glare of their faces says it all; “We’re going to die!” It would be at this moment that the true nature of a man would be revealed. You watch in dismay as several passengers, unable to endure the wait of their destiny, jump overboard into chilly waters, never to be seen again.

Suddenly, the ship you are left aboard seizes and stands vertically in the water tossing everything on its deck into the freezing water. The piercing pain of freezing water engulfs your body while total darkness adds to the misery. Now, hundreds of other passengers in your situation scream in agony and claw in desperation. Your senses cannot absorb the overload. You can only pray for a rapid death. Only the tiny oil lamps on the lifeboats hundreds of yards away are visible.

But, at least one real victim, Dr. Robert James Bateman of Jacksonville, Florida, was at peace knowing that he was departing to enter the heavenly warmth of God’s Kingdom.

In seconds, all was eerily silent. The non-swimmers would drown first and sink straight to the bottom of the vast ocean. When swimmers attempted to save non-swimmers, some were pulled under due to the sheer fright and survivor instincts of the non-swimmers.

Additionally, the weak elderly unable to hold on would slip below the surface. Debris chunks slam into others pulling them beneath the cold dark waters.

Finally, hypothermia (death in seven minutes from the freezing waters) attacks the remainder making it impossible for them to stay afloat.

Thrashing about lessens their survival time in freezing waters.

Those fortunate few who could pull themselves onto large floating debris would freeze to death as well.

Miraculously, three people left on board the sinking Titanic found some means of survival on their own and were rescued by those in lifeboats. The lifeboats could have saved others but were warned not to attempt such a maneuver since frightened drowning passengers might overwhelm and swamp the lifeboat to the detriment of everyone on board.

Robert James Bateman, Florida’s only Titanic victim, was born on October 14, 1860. By 1881, he was ordained a minister (21 years of age). He traveled to Europe where he served as a pastor in Wales, Ireland and England.

Whether he grew weary of religious service or just needed to earn money to survive, Reverend Bateman later joined his father in the construction industry. His father was a mason, and Robert served as his apprentice.

The “calling” pulled Reverend Bateman back into religious service. Florence Crittendon Mission in Baltimore, Maryland, beckoned Reverend Bateman to serve as its Superintendent, a job which Bateman accepted with pleasure.

In the late 1890’s, he moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he founded his own non-denominational People’s Tabernacle church. He also traveled surrounding areas as an evangelist.

At the turn of the century, Jacksonville, Florida, had developed into a popular resort destination. The warm climate, combined with the huge influx of money from these tourists, created unexpected fallout of beggars, drug dealers and prostitutes.

In order to keep the downtown presentable and respectable, anyone not meeting certain standards was banished to the southern part of town named LaVilla. This included individuals that earned money from the street. Wealthy men would visit the area to satisfy their vices. Located just outside of downtown, LaVilla nearly touched the property of the new Duval County Courthouse. Reverend Bateman penned a poem about the LaVilla area:

“Foul Tenderloin, least wholesome spot in town,
Where vice and greed full many a man brings down…
Vile hovels of licentiousness and lees,
Haunts of base youth from which virtue flees;
How many hide behind your gaudy screen,
Where hollow happiness befouls each scene?
The dancers there, filled from the foaming cup,
Attempting each to hold the other up…
These are your “charms” dank section;
Spots like these, that on the morning after fail to please.”

Reverend Bateman heard of the need for a mission in Jacksonville and left his organization in Knoxville to start the Central City Mission. He was now fulfilling his calling and was responsible for saving many lives.

Daily, he made sure that those in need had hearty meals and a soul-saving sermon. His popularity grew, and soon he was invited into Jacksonville’s inner circles to provide them with spiritual direction.

Through his efforts, those with money sponsored his ongoing good deeds and charitable acts for those in need.

Early in 1912, his fate was sealed when he traveled to London to visit family and inspect a successful charitable center similar to his mission in Jacksonville. His sister-in-law, Ada E. Balls, was to return home to the United States, and Reverend Bateman agreed to accompany her. When purchasing their tickets, they were offered a special rate to return on the brand new RMS Titanic. It was an offer hard to ignore.

Unbeknownst to anyone, soon after the Titanic departed, Reverend Bateman took two postcards from the cabin desk and penned them to his wife and nephew. He mailed the postcards when the Titanic retrieved supplies in France.

According to the Belfast Telegraph newspaper (September 2007), one of Bateman’s postcards was only one of two cards mailed that surfaced years after the Titanic sank. In 2007, Dr. Bateman’s postcard was auctioned for $15,000 Euros.

The Titanic departed on Good Friday.

As the passengers waved confidently knowing they were on the “World’s Largest and Unsinkable Passenger Ship,” the ship left the dock.

Four days later at approximately 2:00 a.m., the ship struck an iceberg with such force that it ripped a huge sinking gash in its impenetrable armor. Earlier that evening, Reverend Bateman had held a service on board the ship. He requested that the band play “Nearer, thy God to thee.”

His sister-in-law claimed that she was one of the last passengers to abandon the ship. As her lifeboat was lowered into the water, Reverend Bateman’s last words to her were: “Put your faith in God. If I don’t meet you again in this world, I’ll meet you in the next.” Then, he removed his scarf and tossed it to her.

It is believed that, after the last lifeboat was cast off, Reverend Bateman convinced several men to help him unlock the gate that kept 3rd Class passengers below deck. His final act, according to his sister-in-law, was to lead the band in the hymn “Nearer, thy God to thee.” Several survivors were convinced this was the hymn they heard, but others dispute this claim.

Nearly three quarters of Titanic’s 2,233 passengers, who four days earlier had joyously waved toward the docks as the “World’s Largest and Unsinkable Passenger Ship” left port, were dead.

Sixty-percent of the second class passengers died that night.

Twelve days later, Reverend Bateman’s body was discovered floating face down in the Atlantic Ocean. He was identified by his jewelry and the contents in his pockets. On his person were a gold watch and chain, a fountain pen, a lighter, gold cuff links and a Masonic charm pin. According to the archives, he was the 174th deceased passenger recovered. This number was stamped on a badge attached to his toe.

According to records, his wife appealed to the Mayor of Jacksonville and a federal District Court judge to retrieve his remains.

Most First Class and Second Class victims’ bodies were taken to Nova Scotia where they were buried in a mass grave. Third Class passengers without identificaiton were buried at sea. To be respectful to the dead, the undertakers surmised each victim’s religious affiliation and bury them accordingly.

Finally, on May 6, 1912, Reverend Bateman’s body left Nova Scotia on a steamer for the long journey to Jacksonville. The steamer left for New York with 130 coffins (including Reverend Bateman’s), two chaplains, one undertaker and a “large quantity” of ice.

Before burial, a memorial service for Reverend Bateman was held. A tremendous number of city residents attended the service. Eleven ministers presided over his “hero’s style” funeral.

Reverend James Bateman was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery.

A simple flat ground level headstone marks Reverend Bateman’s actual burial site. One hundred yards away, a single lonely cenotaph contains the following words: “Dr. R. J. Bateman. Born on Oct. 16, 1860. Died on April 15, 1912. He lost his life in the wreck of the S.S. Titanic.” The cenotaph was erected and paid for by the Woodsmen of the World.

Eerily, several weeks after the disaster, his widow and nephew received their postcards. They were postmarked Cherbourg, France.

His wife’s postcard read, “I feel that my trip has not been in vain. God has singularly blessed me. We had a glorious revival… It was the Time of My Life.”

His nephew’s postcard read, “Tom, if this ship goes to the bottom, I shall not be there, I shall be up yonder. Think of it!”

When his widow and nephew pried open the Reverend’s locked rolltop desk in his office, everything appeared to be prepared and organized as though he expected not to return.

A hand-written card contained a poem Reverend Bateman wrote before leaving:

Do you shudder as you picture
All the horrors of that hour?
Ah! But Jesus was beside me
To sustain me by His power.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread
And with Jesus’ arm to cling to
Could I have one doubt or dread?

The last survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster died on May 31, 2009. She was just nine weeks old and traveling with her parents when the disaster struck. Now, none of the survivors of the 1912 Titanic disaster are living.

*TWO TITANIC SURVIVORS (12 YRS. OF AGE IN 1912)*
*LIVED TO A RIPE OLD AGE*
*BURIED IN EVERGREEN CEMETERY, JAX., FLORIDA*

Two children, brother and sister, heading to Jacksonville, Florida, survived that fateful night.  They left their native country in order to join their father in America.

Louis Garrett died in 1981.   His sister, Amelia Garrett, died on March 8, 1970.  They are buried in separate family plots in Evergreen Cemetery.

Five days before his 60th birthday on March 10, 1821, Jackson was appointed by President Monroe as the first Governor (Military Governor) of the then Territory of Florida preceding William Duval (Duval County) the first Governor elected after Florida became a state. Governor Jackson served as Territorial Governor for ten months.

From its inception in 1791, our town (Jacksonville, Florida) was called Cowford. Indians had named the area Wacca Pilatka meaning “Cows Crossing Over.” The exact location of the Ford (where cows could swim across the river) was at Liberty Street behind the current Duval County Courthouse and King Street on the Southbank. The Spanish considered this point so significant to its continued commerce that a fort was built on the southside. The Spanish named it Fort St. Nicholas.

When Isaiah Hart named our city Jacksonville, Florida, in 1822 (honoring Andrew Jackson), it immediately followed Jackson’s appointment as Governor.

Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, in a location known as the Waxhaws Region just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Several books describe the Waxhaws as a geographical territory directly on the border of North and South Carolina which spreads into both states named after the Waxhaws tribe.

His father and mother had fled Ireland to escape British rule. Not long after Jackson was born his father died of natural causes. His mother raised the boys to hate the British crown.

Jackson’s brothers were poorly educated. His mother requested that Andrew work hard on his studies. Andrew Jackson was educated in a poorly built meeting house which used split log benches instead of chairs. Instead of a public educational system, wealthy or well-todo citizens would contribute funds to allow poorer local boys educational opportunity.

At 14, he was called to duty along with his two brothers to fight the British. One brother died in the first skirmish. Jackson and his older brother were threatened by a British officer. He requested that they clean
mud off of his shoes. Defiantly, the brothers said, no. With that, he struck Jackson’s brother head with his sword. Turning, he attempted the same maneuver with Jackson. Jackson raised his left hand to thwart the
blow. Jackson saved his own life but lost most use of his left arm with the damage received. His brother died days later from a Smallpox outbreak in the area. His mother, who was nursing others with the disease, died soon afterward after becoming infected. Jackson was now the only family member left alive.

After these altercations with the British, Jackson was determined to study harder and do something with his life. He decided to request the assistance of a local judge to train him in the law. Soon he was practicing the law and making a serious fortune working in hard to reach locations.

His legal career could be described as accelerated. Soon he was made a judge in Tennessee.

He performed well in his judgeship for eight years then retired in 1804.

He bought the Hermitage (Hermitage, Tennessee) property in 1804 which included 400 acres of cotton. Over the next few years he expanded the property to 1000 acres. At his peak, he owned 40 slaves to work this real estate.

In a military capacity he advanced to Major General of Tennessee, a job that required serious attention but gave him sufficient time to plant crops. Jackson also began to raise race horses. This led to the altercation below.

Jackson called out a Charles Dickinson, the son-in-law of a man who owed him money for a horse. Dickinson had defamed Jackson in the paper and Jackson requested a duel. Dickinson was known as the best shot in the country. On the day of the duel, Jackson killed Dickinson but was shot squarely in the chest. The shot was deflected by two of his breast bones which shattered. Jackson left the chaotic scene of onlookers and was 20 miles away before he told his friend (a surgeon) that he had been wounded. He did not want anyone at the scene to know he had been shot.

When the British threatened New Orleans in 1812, Jackson led 5000 troops against 7500 British troops and won a deciding victory.

In 1814, Jackson led troops to battle with the Indians capturing 20,000,000 acres of land from the Creek Indians. Sam Houston and Davey Crockett fought alongside him in this battle.

In 1817, President James Monroe ordered Jackson to lead troops against the Seminole Indians in Georgia. Once the conflict began, Jackson took the battle into Spanish Florida. His orders were to stop the conflict once and for all. Jackson believed that for complete success he would need to capture Florida from Spain. In what some claim was “exceeding orders”, Jackson moved into Florida and succeeded in his mission. For this success, he was made Florida’s first military Governor.

Jackson was elected President of the United States on March 4, 1829.

Despite participating in 11 major wartime battles during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Indian War and seizing Florida from Spain, Jackson avoided major personal injury.

However, on January 30, 1835, Richard Lawrence, an unemployed house painter, made history by attempting the first ever assassination of a sitting President Andrew Jackson.

It happened as the President exited the Capitol building with an entourage (including Davie Crockett); Lawrence burst through the crowd and lowered his pistol point blank at his chest. To the surprise of everyone present, when he pulled the trigger the gun failed to fire. Not to be deterred and with onlookers and President Jackson immobile in disbelief, Lawrence quickly retrieved a second gun from his belt and pulled the trigger. Some called it “Divine Intervention” when this second gun failed to fire sparing the President a surely mortal wound. Non-believers and scientific specialists claimed the high humidity of the day ruined the gunpowder in his gun.

Instantaneously, the now very angry President Jackson began beating the man with his cane. While onlookers restrained the President, Davie Crockett and others captured the assailant.

President Jackson was re-elected for a second term which ended March 4, 1837.

Jackson’s image has graced millions of printed treasury bills. Today, it is etched on the $20 bill. Before 1928, it was engraved on five earlier U.S. currencies including the Confederate $1000 bill.

We should be proud that our namesake has four identical horse monuments (like the one next to the Jacksonville Landing) including one near the White House. In addition, he has six cities named after him, five counties, a state park, a boulevard, a highway, a high school, every $20 bill since 1929, a postage stamp, an army installation, a Fort, Chicago’s 3rd largest park, a golf course and his original childhood family cottage.

President Andrew Jackson died June 8, 1845. His grave site is not far from his Hermitage Estate.

God Bless you Andrew Jackson.

The original Florida state flag was totally white with the circular state seal in the middle from when Florida became a state until 1900 when two red bars were added. These solid red diagonal stripes (known as a red saltire or St. Andrew’s cross) criss cross the flag providing a subtle reminder of time when the United States was divided.

The Governor responsible for this addition, Governor Francis Fleming, requested that State adopt this change in order to avoid its flag from appearing like a white flag of surrender. He may have had an ulterior motive since he was a proud Confederate Veteran. Requesting that the red saltire not include white stars or remain solid red suggests that the Governor could have predicted the day when someone might challenge flags’ associated with the Confederacy. And with these minor modifications, Florida’s flag would remain intact.

Today, the only state flag containing a full Confederate battle flag is the state flag of Mississippi. Though attempts have been made to remove it, the latest referendum (in 2001) failed to achieve the necessary votes.

Arkansas’ flag contains a portion of the Confederate battle flag. It avoids criticism because its blue-striped white-starred ribbons are not crossed but form a diamond. Also, the shade of blue is darker than the Confederate battle flag’s shade of blue.

South Carolina, Alabama and Florida raised the actual Confederate battle flag over their statehouses almost 100 years after the Civil War. South Carolina placed the Confederate battle flag on its statehouse in 1962. It remained there in defiance of boycotts until it was finally removed in 2000. Alabama flew the Confederate flag from 1963. Once it was lowered for renovations to the statehouse (1992), it was never raised again. Florida was still flying the Confederate battle flag on its capitol building in 2000. Raised in 1978, it flew alongside the Spanish flag, the French flag and the British flag, historically the four flags that had flown over the state. When the Confederate flag was removed for renovations, Governor Jeb Bush suggested that it never fly over the capitol again. It has not been flown since.

While State flags bearing portions of the Confederate Flag are being challenged, modified or mothballed, Florida’s state flag remains unchallenged.

Buried in the Old City Cemetery just a mile east of Hemming Plaza, lies the body of the 15th Governor of the State of Florida (1889 – 1893), Francis Philip Fleming. He was a member of the famous Fleming family who owned 1000 acres of the area known as Fleming Island, just south of Orange Park, Florida. This property was part of a Spanish land grant presenting in 1790, to the Governor Flemings’ paternal grandfather, George Fleming (a descendant of the barons of Slane) for his “distinguished and extraordinary service, to which he contributed both his property and person in defense of the said province at different periods, sacrificing and abandoning his property, as a faithful subject, worthy of every recompense for his love, fidelity, and patriotism.”

George married Sophia, a wealthy Swiss immigrant “of wealth and prominence.”

Their son Lewis Fleming (the Governor’s father), was born in 1798, distinguished himself as a Major on the staff of Governor Richard K. Call. Lewis was mentioned in the Indian War battle of Wahoo Swamp for his “gallantry.” He died in 1862.

Miraculously, the family’s plantation estate home (built in 1825), known as “Hibernia” escaped destruction during the Civil War. It was described in one writing as “a white structure on the river … with square columns, two stories high, support galleries on its north and east sides, and the high gabled roof is shaded by a patriarchal oak.”

Against all odds, the officer sent to destroy “Hibernia”, Colonel Guy V. Henry, 1st Massachusetts Calvary, was a distant relative of the family. In April 1864, disobeying direct orders, he spared the property leaving this residence as the only Civil War era plantation homes which survived destruction in North Florida.

Fleming’s father, Colonel Lewis Fleming, was married twice. His first wife, Augustina, was a direct descendant of the Conqueror of Mexico, Hernando Cortez. They had three children, George, Sophia, and Lewis I. Fleming. His second wife Margaret Seton Fleming, Governor Fleming’s mother, was of the Irish Seton family.

To write that Francis Fleming had a gifted life would be an understatement. From an early age Fleming was schooled at the plantation by private tutors. When war broke out between the states, he served as a Confederate Captain. His brother, Charles Seton Fleming, also a proud Confederate Officer, was wounded and captured in Williamsburg, traded for Union prisoners, recovered from his wounds and finally rejoined his division. Captain Charles Seton Fleming was killed in a skirmish at Gains Farm, Virginia, June 3, 1864, while leading a gallant charge at Cold Harbor. He was buried where he died on the battlefield. Twenty-nine years later on June 3, 1893 (his last year as Governor), Francis Fleming found the burial site, extracted the body and moved it to a new burial plot in Richmond, Virginia. Governor Fleming had
fought in the Gains Farm battle and may have prayed over his brothers remains. This would explain his knowledge of Charles’ burial site.

On May 12, 1868, Francis Fleming passed the Florida bar and began practicing as a lawyer with the firm was known as Fleming and Daniel. His step-brother, Colonel Lewis I. Fleming and Colonel James J. Daniel were law partners in one of the most prominent firms in the state of Florida. It was not long before Francis was promoted the firm became known as Fleming and Fleming.

On May 23, 1871, Francis Fleming married, Florida Lydia Pearson, daughter of Supreme Court Justice Bird M. Pearson. They had three children: Francis Philip, Jr., Elizabeth Fleming, and Charles Seton. Francis, Jr. and Charles Seton both graduated from law school and joined the Fleming and Fleming firm. In 1888, when he decided to run for the state’s highest office the Yellow Fever epidemic struck killing his two law partners. Even with such loss, he drove on and was elected Governor in 1889.

A state-wide census was performed in 1890. It recorded Florida’s population at 391,000, which included 27,000 in Duval County. This made Duval County the largest county in the state.

Governor Fleming took control of the state immediately following the destructive effects of the 1888 Yellow Fever quarantine. He had personally been touched by its death and destruction. The area of North Florida was affected the most by this illness but it killed as far West as Tampa striking fear in Florida citizens and even visiting tourists who provided aconstant form of revenue. The worst part of Yellow Fever was that it was not clear what caused the malady. What was well-known was that it only appeared in the summer months and had never continued past the first freeze. Today, we all are aware that it was carried by the mosquito but in 1888, everyone had a theory of its cause. The most trusted medical and scientific minds of the day believed it to be an airborne epidemic.

Since Yellow Fever struck nearly every summer, Governor Fleming was not about to have a repeat of 1888 during his term. He hired a retired physician and formed the State Board of Health. This was a feat which no one can deny saved thousands of lives in the short term and still saves lives to this day.

In his first year, he was responsible for establishing a new method for assessing property for state taxes, making counties pay for a portion of its criminal court costs, establishing a bureau of immigration, building a state prison, creating a office of state Chemist, establishing a fisheries commission, carefully revising the pension laws, creating a railroad commission, and many other well-needed state overhauls.

The state was teetering on financial ruin when Fleming took over. Luckily, during his reign as Governor, huge Phosphate mines were discovered in Marion County. This proved to be the first natural mineral source located and a much needed vein of revenue. Another tremendous issue of the state when he took office was the housing of dislocated Indians. To solve this issue, he set aside three separate tracts of land and put them in trust overseen by a newly formed Indian Commission made up of three prominent men. The Indians were given this land to live on in perpetuity.

After his Governorship, he was offered many political positions including a seat on the Supreme Court. He turned down them all and returned to private life. He practiced law in his Fleming & Fleming firm until his health failed. On December 20, 1908, Governor Fleming died. He had suffered a slow and painful death.

The Florida Historical Quarterly had this to say of Governor Fleming: He was “a thoughtful and affectionate husband and father, a devoted friend, a brave soldier, a loyal and patriotic citizen, a faithful public officer, a wise counsellor (sic), an ardent and zealous churchman, and a conscientious, charitable, and consistent Christian gentleman, his memory will long survive among those for whom he made the world better for having lived in it.”

God Bless You, Governor Francis P. Fleming and family.

If you travel there, the six top sites to visit include Pikes Peak, the United States Air Force Academy, the historical town of Colorado Springs, the picturesque mountain zoo (with more giraffes than any zoo in the world), the Colorado Springs Hotel and finally the treasure of nature “Garden of the Gods” rock formation.

Just 4 ½ miles from the “Garden of the Gods” in Colorado’s Evergreen Cemetery, rests our city’s own Charles Cornelius Hemming. His name you may recognize and immediately associate with Hemming Plaza in the center of downtown Jacksonville.

In 1899, our town council renamed St. James Park (St. James Hotel bordered the park) to Hemming Plaza to honor Hemming and his gift of the Confederate Civil War Monument. He had paid $20,000 for the monument honoring those fallen Confederate soldiers of the Civil War. Measuring the relative value of money in 1898 using the Consumer Price Index, this $20,000 is similar to a $535,000 donation made today.

What you have never been told of Hemming is that at an early age he was a true American hero. Charles Cornelius Hemming was born September 16, 1844, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Growing up, Hemming had two very close friends from Lake City, W.M. Ives and Seth S. Barnes. The boys nicknamed him “Charley.” He cherished the title and allowed close friends to use it until the day he died. The three companions agreed that just as soon as they were old enough to leave Florida and had a few dollars to spend they would move to Texas to fight Indians and kill Buffalo. While Hemming and Ives studied in school, Barnes became an apprentice of a local Jacksonville jeweler.

In spring of 1861, Barnes and Hemming started classes in Florida’s first state-supported institution of higher learning, East Florida Seminary (founded 1853) in Ocala.

Almost immediately after they started school, hostilities broke out between the North and the South. Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. By the Fourth of July, 1861, the three friends were ready to join the war. Hemming enlisted in Company A, 3rd Florida Regiment, Ives enlisted in Company C, 4th Florida and Seth enlisted in J.J. Dickison’s, Company H, 2nd Florida Calvary. During the war, Seth was wounded but survived his wounds.

EAST COAST SEMINARY CLOSED ITS DOORS AFTER MOST OF ITS STUDENTS JOINED THE WAR. IN A LAND TRADE, THE STATE OF FLORIDA MOVED SEVERAL OF EAST FLORIDA SEMINARY BUILDINGS TO GAINESVILLE. THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA USED THESE BUILDINGS UNTIL 1911 FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. UNVERSITY OF FLORIDA TRACES ITS ROOTS AND FOUNDING DATE TO THE ERECTING OF THAT FIRST SEMINARY BUILDING IN 1853. EPWORTH HALL (A FORMER EAST COAST SEMINARY BUILDING, CIRCA 1884) STILL STANDS IN GAINESVILLE AS A TRIBUTE TO THAT PERIOD.

Hemming fought in every battle of the Western Army that the Florida troops aided. He became seriously ill just before the battle of Chickamauga and was sent home to Jacksonville to recuperate. Just as soon as he regained his health, he rejoined his men and fought in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862, where he was wounded.

Hemming participated in the famous battle of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 25, 1863. Over 64,000 Confederates engaged 56,000 Union soldiers. The Union lost 753 soldiers and only 361 Confederate soldiers were killed. The number of wounded on both sides were tremendous. Figures from the war attest to the fact that 4,722 Union soldiers were wounded and 2,160 Confederates were wounded. A strange figure that may even up the death calculations is that the Union had 349 missing soldiers and the Confederates had 4,146. This may be due to Confederate bodies being obliterated by cannon fire.

Hemming was captured during this battle and sent to a Federal prison in Nashville. He was quickly moved by train to a prison in Rockville, Illinois. It was December 1863 when he arrived in Rockville and temperatures dropped to 40 degrees below zero setting records as the coldest temperatures ever recorded in that region.

The commanding officer, Colonel Shafter, offered Hemming his release if he would provide details of Confederate troop sizes and movement. Hemming refused and as punishment was ordered placed in irons for three days.

While in captivity, Hemming regularly wrote to an aunt in New York. It was suggested that Colonel Shafter may have treated Hemming better believing he was of Northern birth. On September 28, 1864, after nearly one year in captivity, Hemming escaped to Canada. His escape was made possible by friends in prison who had acquired different articles of Federal clothing. Dressed as a Federal officer, he strolled safely out the front gate of the prison.

Once safely in Canada, he was assigned to the “Raiders” a “Special Forces-like” intelligence division, commanded by Captain John Y. Beall. During a spy mission, which Hemming aided, Captain Beall was captured and hanged. Hemming narrowly escaped and continued the mission. Disguised as a Federal officer (possibly utilizing his prison escape costume), Hemming entered Union fortifications from Niagara Falls to Chicago. At each location he stole maps and charts to assist the Confederate cause. Three times he was captured and each time made a successful escape. Failure to escape would have resulted in his certain death.

January 1865, Hemming was assigned the duty of courier of secret documents from Canada to the War department of the Confederacy in Richmond. This extremely dangerous mission required his traveling to New Brunswick then Nova Scotia, hopping a ship to the West Indies and then finally reaching Cuba. His ship was fired upon but successfully escaped capture. In Cuba Hemming rode in an open boat to the Southern tip of Florida. Still holding the secret documents, he found transportation to Richmond but ended up walking a large part of the distance. The total distance he traveled by train, ship, boat, walking and horseback avoiding capture and calamity is close to 4000 miles.

March 1865, he finally completed his mission started months earlier in Canada and safely delivered the dispatches. His final orders were to meet up with his friends (Barnes and Ives) and rejoin his old regiment now stationed in Raleigh. Either in Richmond or Raleigh he was given a brand new Confederate uniform. His friend Ives commented about this uniform in his personal notes.

The war officially ended April 9, 1865, though a battle occurred on May 13, 1865. According to notes left by his friend, Hemming arrived in Raleigh, North Carolina, the evening of April 10, 1865 (Hemming was just 21 years old), rejoining friends Barnes and Ives. The next morning at dress parade in front of his two friends and hundreds of fellow soldiers, the adjunct, Frank Phillips announced the promotion of Hemming to Sergeant Major of the 1st Florida Consolidated Regiment for his “Meritorious Conduct as a Soldier.”

The war over, Hemming returned to Jacksonville. He had served his Confederacy proudly for four years and five months. On April 6, 1867, the three friends met at Ives parent’s home in Lake City. They were ready and prepared to keep their pledge made years earlier to leave for Texas.

Ives was required to stay behind for several months so Barnes and Hemming boarded a train to Brenham, Texas. Having narrowly escaped death in the war, Barnes and Hemming arrived in Brenham as the scourge of Yellow Fever struck and the men faced death again. Both men contracted the fever. Barnes died of his illness August 10, 1867, but Hemming recovered.

Dr. John P. Key, Brenham’s physician for more than 22 years, died the following month, also from Yellow Fever.

Maybe witnessing the horrific sights and sounds of the war dead and dying prepared him for what he was about to see and do next. It is written that Hemming worried more about others with the illness than himself. To the astonishment of those around him, he visited the sick and dying sometimes just wiping a brow or consoling a loved one.

Other times he was seen holding the ill and listening to them. If someone died of their illness, he pitched in to dig the grave and bury the deceased with a prayer.

No mention is made of how Hemming met Dr. Key’s daughter, but he married Lucy Key the following year in 1868.

Hemming’s first civilian job after the war was working on the docks of Galveston. Tired of manual labor, he searched for meaningful employment. It was in Gainesville, Texas, that he found work as a bank teller and banking would be his career for life.

Maybe his good deeds during the Yellow Fever epidemic helped or his marriage to Dr. Key’s daughter, but in 1870, he was hired by the bank of Giddings & Giddings back in Brenham, Texas. He provided them with 11 years of faithful service.

Hemming returned to Gainesville, Texas, joining the Gainesville National Bank. Still continuing on his banking career path, he worked his way up to bank President and by 1896 was elected the President of the Texas State Bankers’ Association. Around that time he mentioned to an old friend that he considered Texas the “Greatest Country in the World.”

While serving as a Confederate soldier, Hemming pledged to build a monument honoring Jacksonville’s Confederate soldiers who had given their lives for the South. This goal drove his never-ending ambition for success.

In 1896, Hemming traveled to Ocala, Florida, for a reunion of the United Confederate Veterans. It was at this meeting on February 22, 1896, that he announced that he was donating and erecting a large Confederate Memorial in honor of their lost comrades. He added that a site had not been selected. This message (that he had not selected a location) was telegraphed to Confederate Veterans chapter in Jacksonville the next morning and city officials scrambled to invite Hemming to the city and attempt to secure Jacksonville as the site this unique memorial would be erected.

Jacksonville pulled out all the stops to demonstrate to Hemming that the St. James Plaza would be a perfect location to erect his war memorial. In fact, the city leaders including former Governor Flemming and Retired Commander Charles Towers promised that it would replace an elaborate fountain currently placed in the center of St. James Park.

Hemming kept the entire State of Florida in suspense when he returned to Texas. He promised that the city that would be selected would be notified after he conferred with his wife. He reminded everyone that the gift would be made jointly between he and his wife Lucy, and that she was his “helpmate in every worthy effort and noble plan.”

Of course everyone knows that Charles and Lucy Hemming selected Jacksonville.

The next two years required tremendous effort on the part of memorial designer (selected from a list of worthy artisans) who won the nationwide design competition. Once the final design was drawn and approved, a Chicago manufacturing firm, owned by George H. Mitchell, carved then assembled the marble portions. Upon its completion, Mitchell boarded a train (along with the monument) and supervised its installation in Jacksonville.

On June 16, 1898, in front of nationally well-known dignitaries and the Florida Governor, the memorial was finally unveiled. The pomp and circumstance surrounding the unveiling was a sight to see. Finally, the Chief of the Fire Department climbed a fire ladder and removed the cover. The crowd cheered! Though his family represented him, Charles Hemming sent his wishes but did not travel for the presentation.

What is perplexing is how humble he must have been to not have included his name or likeness on the memorial. There is not a single reminder of Charles Hemming inscribed on it. Hemming had no idea the Plaza would be renamed “Hemming Plaza.” To avoid all the attention by not even attending the unveiling says even more about his character.

By 1900, Hemming was extremely wealthy. He purchased the El Paso County Bank. He renamed it the the El Paso National Bank and appointed himself as the bank’s first President. Within months, Hemming opened a branch in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and relocated his family to that city.

Hemming’s final visit to Florida is documented in a Live Oak newspaper dated February 12, 1909. He attended a reunion of his United Confederate Veterans Civil War in Ocala. The article mentioned that Hemming’s brother, A.D. Hemming, was the former tax collector of the county. Hemming’s visit was to include travel to Tampa in order to visit its Sub-tropical Mid-Winter Fair.

By 1910, he invested a portion of his massive wealth into 2/5th interest in the largest tract of cattle land in Colorado located in Greenland, Colorado, just north of Colorado Springs. With its 16,280 acres of land the partners could manage 2500 head of cattle and 500 horses and still have room for 1000 acres of planting crops and 2000 acres of hay.

This expanse of land was part of the original Greenland Estate founded in 1878 by Isaac J. Noe. It is known as Greenland Ranch and still stands today. The Greenland Ranch cattle brand is the oldest registered brand in Colorado. Public tours of the site are available. It remains the largest ranch ever protected by the Federal Government in the State of Colorado.

What makes history so interesting are the research paths. Some paths may take days to quantify and lead nowhere while others may suddenly appear after minimal study leading to historic treasure. Here is one such discovery. In 1889, Hemming donated several acres of land and secured $15,000 (half of its cost) for a school 15 ½ miles South of Gainesville, Texas. The citizens were so moved by his generosity, that when the town developed into a city they named it Hemming, Texas. The city reached a population of 125 but in 1907 was wiped out by a tornado leaving just one building which survived the destruction. The city of Hemming limped along into the late 1970s when the town (with less than 10 citizens) disappeared from the map.

Another discovery involved Hemming’s children. He and Lucy had two sons and four daughters. One son, Wilmer DuPont Hemming, married Dorothy Deane Weston from Dalton, Massachusetts. Her father, Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Byron Weston (1880-1883), was a wealthy cloth milling magnate whose mill in Dalton produced most of the fabric used in bank notes and public documents in the United States Government. Dorothy’s sister, Julia Carolyn Weston McWilliams, gave birth to a daughter named Julia. This daughter became the world-renowned beloved chef and cookbook aficionado, Julia Child.

Charles Hemming died in 1916 and was followed by his loving wife Lucy in 1935.

Today, Hemming’s gift, the Confederate War Memorial, is the city’s oldest and tallest monument. It stands as a true testament to the dynamic man who lived 89 years in examplinary fashion. God Bless you, good friend, “Charley.”

PHOTOGRAPHS OF CHARLES HEMMINGS GRAVESITE WERE TAKEN BY WILL DEBOER, EVERGREEN CEMETERY MANAGER. MY SINCERE THANKS TO HIM FOR THIS ASSISTANCE.

This week’s Headstones: Who’s Who is dedicated to the life of a Jacksonville treasure who passed away August, 28th, 2009, and one of the most fascinating women I have ever met, Grace Bell Seagraves Rogers. She was a direct descendant of several of Florida’s most influential citizens.

I met Grace while completing a book on the history of the founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris. It turned out that Grace Rogers’ mother, Grace Mann, had dated Paul P. Harris (Paul asked for her hand in marriage) 10 years before young Grace was born and during the time Paul was developing and founding Rotary Club organization. In fact, she read the first club by-laws. Today, Rotary has 1.2 million members world-wide.

Grace Rogers’ grandfather, Austin Shuey Mann, made it rich as an attorney who held several northern patents (one may have been a high-heel shoe) in the late 1800’s. He moved to Florida buying large tracts of citrus acreage (originally named Mannville now known as Citrus County) near Tampa. In 1883, Mann was elected to the Florida State Senate and represented Hernando County from 1883 to1887. He was present at the 1885 Constitutional Convention. In 1887 he was instrumental in the division of Hernando County into Citrus, Pasco, and Hernando Counties. Also during this year he moved to Brooksville and bought a newspaper business. In 1891, he was elected into the Florida House of Representatives on the Farmers’ Alliance ticket.

Grace Rogers’ aunt who is listed as “one of the most influential women in Florida of the 20th Century” (she started a movement that saved the Florida Everglades) married William Sherman Jennings, who served as Florida’s First Governor of the 20th Century (1901-1905). Governor Jennings was the first cousin of Presidential hopeful (Presidential candidate 1886) and one of the United States most famous orators, William Jennings Bryan. Grace Rogers’ mother Grace served as Governor Jennings’ personal secretary during his term as Florida’s Governor.

The story, I thought, was all about Paul Harris but little did I know it would end up being all about Grace and her family. I first met Grace after her 91st birthday. George Linville (local realtor and great friend), explained that he had read a story about her mother written by a local Jacksonville historian in the Rotarian magazine. He said interviewing her might add additional information to my story. Knowing that few people live to the ripe old age of 91, I asked George, “Is she still alive?” He replied, “Yes, and she is still working every day.”

I immediately called her business, Pier 17, and asked to speak to Grace Rogers. Grace actually answered the company phone, saying, “This is she.” I told her that I was working on a book which about Paul Harris and asked if I could interview her about her mother. Grace said, “Come right over. I can talk right now.”

Pier 17 is located on Lakeshore Boulevard off Roosevelt Boulevard just behind the Chamblin Bookmine. It carries all types of water sport items and parts for any nautical need. Its inventory of nautical maps is one of the largest in North Florida. Grace opened its doors in 1963 along with a marina. After selling the marina in 1977, she moved the store to its current location where it was known as “The Largest Nautical Store in the Southeast”.

I walked in the door of Pier 17 and noticed a graceful woman in full command behind the register. It had to be her. “Grace?” I called out. “Joe?” she asked, adding, “Come closer so I can see you.” Long ago, Grace had lost a significant portion of her sight but her memories were clearer than most people with perfect vision. To compensate for her failing sight, she utilized a magnification device which enlarged a single word in print to 19” wide and 10” tall. She devoured words reading numerous papers and magazines throughout the day one word at a time. The device would also enlarge photographs, bills and invoices.

When people talk of Grace, they speak about her business prowess, her outstanding attention to detail and overall love of people. But I want you to know that a giant part of Jacksonville history has evaporated with the passing of this woman. She not only knew Jacksonville’s history but had lived it. When the now famous Jacksonville historian Wayne Wood moved to Jacksonville, it was Grace who described to him in detail the stories of Jacksonville’s past and drove him around town pointing out significant historical sites.

Even at 91, her mind was as sharp as a tack. I personally believe that she had a photographic memory. If not, she had developed one from the loss of her sight. Customers entering the store would ask for an insignificant nautical part from their boat manufactured 20 years earlier. As though she were the entire GOOGLE database of nautical parts, Grace would instantly recite its aisle, location and bin. I think some customers actually came to the store to test this ability. But Grace also had trust in mankind. She would request payments of $200 from a customer and expect that the amount was what the person handed her in return.

As a child, Grace grew up at Atlantic Beach. She spoke of the high times she had along the ocean and about riding the now long gone train from Atlantic Beach down Atlantic Boulevard to the current location of Friendship Fountain on the Southbank of the St. Johns River every day to school. She would then ride the ferry across the river and then jump on the street car to her school John Gorrie. After school she would ride the street car to the ferry, take the ferry to the train, and then board the train for a ride back home to Atlantic Beach.

Her journalism skills were honed at age 15 when she began writing a column for the Florida Times-Union. The column lasted four years and covered teenage life at the beach. Grace lettered on both the swimming and basketball teams of Lee High School where she graduated. Soon after graduation, she married Alex Seagraves, a Georgia native raised in Jacksonville. Alex was a graduate of Georgia Tech. The two had met when Grace was just 14. Grace was proud to show me his Adonis-like photograph in a bathing suit, asking, “Was he something or what?”

For the Jacksonville history book, Alex and Grace built the first home on Lake Shore Boulevard along McGirts Creek. Grace lived in the home the remainder of her life. She was proud to mention that they purchased this waterfront lot for $650.

Alex’s family owned a large car repair business and Grace helped with the books. These skills led to a job with the IRS. With her uncanny ability to read, comprehend and store nearly everything she read or saw Grace quickly moved up to the head of the accounting branch of the state IRS. This was a feat that no other woman had ever achieved. After 20 years, she took early retirement in that position.

Grace and Alex purchased additional property along the Ortega River for a dream they had of building and owning a marina. But sadly, Alex died of cancer before the dream materialized. One year later, Grace married family friend, Norman Rogers. Norman’s family owned a large hardware store at the turn of the century. The two executed on the planned marina and completed its construction in 1963 with enough room for 144 boats. Norman passed away in 1985.

Grace loved to work but saw it as a means to live a fulfilling life. She loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Europe and all over the United States.

While with the IRS she had an extended stay in Washington, D.C., which provided the opportunity to attend lavish parties at the many embassies in the city. Grace was truly the “bell of the ball”. She also spent an extended period a time traveling San Francisco.

She was active in civic, cultural and business organizations throughout her life. In addition to her ownership of Pier 17, she held the following leadership roles: Manager and Owner of Seagraves Nursery and Florist (1936-1943); President of the Woman’s Civic Chorus (1942); President of Jacksonville Opera and Choral Society (1943-1960); National Vice-President, National Association of Internal Revenue Employees (1952-1959); President, Florida District, National Association of Internal Revenue Employees (1952-1959); Executive Board Member, Jacksonville Museum Maritime Society (1985-1996); Founded and Incorporated the Maritime Heritage Society (1995-Present); and Founder, Incorporator and First National Vice-President of the Bell Family Association of the United States.

A story about Grace would be incomplete without including her devoted daughter, Cynthia, who worked tirelessly alongside Grace at Pier 17 for over 25 years. When Grace had to finally give up her car (a classic 1964 Lincoln) at age 93, it was her daughter who brought her to work every day. Grace’s health held up until half way into her 95th year but she was never deterred from going to work. Cynthia cared for Grace and made sure she made it to the office, the love of her life. Grace had a son William whom she spoke highly of but I never had the pleasure to meet him.

Grace loved to hug her good customers and long time salesmen who sold her new inventory throughout the years. Her stories were unending and her sense of humor was dry and witty. When we spoke of the possibility of dying (four years ago), she told me that she was not fearful of dying and that her heart was right with the Lord. But to make the moment lighter, she joked, “I’ll die at the hands of a jealous wife”. Grace was a proud member of Riverside Park Methodist Church from 1932 until the day she left this earth.

Grace died at home she and Alex built just shy of her 96th birthday.

Grace, you squeezed every drop of excitement out of a long and fulfilling life and used up every second of time God blessed you with to do good deeds for others.

Thank you for sharing your life history with me.

One last note: In the 1980’s, Grace Rogers was called by a construction crew who was destroying a home in Springfield. They had discovered a box in the attic of their newly purchased home. In the box were dozens of letters from Paul Harris to her mother, Grace Mann. To my surprise, she also was given the other half of the letters in which Grace Mann replied to Paul Harris. These letters survived because in the day, it was customary for a man to hold his fiancés letters and return them to her if and when they broke of the engagement. Grace Mann had wrapped them neatly with a colorful ribbon and placed them away in the attic. Grace Rogers provided those letters to me for my research and donated the originals to Rotary International for its archives.

Lion and Tiger Tamer, Animal Trainer and Showman

Only one headstone in the city of Jacksonville has a giant granite Lion guarding its safety. This is the memorial of one of the greatest showman of animal acts of the late 1800’s, Colonel Percy James (P.J.) Mundy. Using the words “Retired Circus Magnate” to describe Mundy’s life, his Florida Times-Union obituary barely mentioned the fact that a half dozen Mundy Animal Shows traveled all over world entertaining millions.

When the exceptional 30 acre amusement park known as Luna Park opened at Coney Island, it was Colonel Mundy who dominated the animal acts with his “Mundy’s Menagerie” consisting of over 200 wild animals ranging from lions to dozens of elephants. His hired entertainers combined acts involving, birds, dogs, cats, horses, buffalo, elephants and even pigs. Other rare
animals were added as the show expanded. Soon, the show was so large that it had to be performed in the Hagenbeck Hippodrome.

Thanks to Percy Mundy, Luna Park showcased more elephants than any other park in the world. With attendance exceeding a million per year, early employees who speculated on a show percentage versus salary earned 6 figure incomes in one year. Annual salaries for showmen like Colonel Mundy exceeded 7 figures.

When Colonel Mundy partnered with Midway pioneer Gaskill, the two had 6 elaborately carved and painted wagons specially arranged to attract the hordes of visitors. These wagons were of the finest quality and manufacture by the Leonhard Manufacturing Company in Baltimore.

While operating his show at Coney Island, Mundy was also the proprietor of the North Avenue Zoo.

Colonel Mundy (Colonel is probably a stage name) as he was known, was born in Exeter, Devonshire, England, February 24, 1863. He moved to the United States in 1885, bringing with him an established act of performing individuals and animals.

One thrilling act involved a motorcycle rider recklessly riding inside a giant sphere. In Kentucky, one of the riders lost control and died in front of thousands of witnesses.

Though he traveled across the country entertaining crowds of onlookers, his permanent home was built in Rochester, New York. It was there that on December 30, 1888, he married his wife, Bridie.

One of the funniest stories of his life involved a run-in with a lion in his Rochester home. He was walking through his living room in the dark when he stepped directly into the open mouth of a lion rug. The sharp teeth pierced his shoe and tore into his foot. P.J. screamed in pain and a house guest came running. Upon entering the room the guest asked what had happened. Standing in total darkness, P.J. exclaimed, “There is a lion in the room and he has bitten me.” Fearing the worst, the guest turned on the lamp to discover the true culprit. They both had a good laugh.

In 1903, he nearly lost his life attempting to separate two of his lions. His largest lion, Prince, turned and leapt at Colonel Mundy first biting his defensive left arm and then biting deep into his thigh. An assistant tossed him a chair. When P.J. attempted to strike him with it, Prince broke it into two pieces.

Finally, a crowbar was used to loosen its grip and pull his fangs from his thigh bone. Recovery required nearly 6 months of hospitalization. It left a teacup size deep scar in his thigh and a useless left arm.

By the following season he had regained his health and was prepared to entertain again.

In 1909, Mundy was requested to perform for the Dixieland Exposition in Jacksonville. As with most new transplants from the North, he came to Florida just to stay a few months. He was enchanted by the people, the weather and the opportunity to develop real estate. Another motivating factor involved the opportunity to provide trained animals to the up and coming movie production studios. With his wife’s approval, he decided to stay in Jacksonville and retired that same year. Several years later his sold his traveling shows and his stationary Coney Island show.

The wealthy entertainer turned his sights on developing Jacksonville’s Southside along San Jose Boulevard. Just north of where he was laid to rest, he purchased a large tract of land and built a mansion on a bluff overlooking the St. Johns River naming it “Hollywood Park”. In the mid-30’s, they sold a portion of the property which became known as the Ardsley Development. Today it is possible to drive on Ardsley Road and Mundy Drive just off San Jose Boulevard where it splits with Hendricks
Avenue.

Colonel Mundy and Bridie invited many of Jacksonville’s finest along with visiting dignitaries to their home. When they were not entertaining guests, they would normally be touring the world. Stories of their adventures provided much pleasure to local Jacksonville residents. To stay busy, he bred his show dogs for neighbors.

One of Colonel Mundy’s last acts was the promotion of the extension of Hogan Road to Jacksonville Beach. This occurred in the early 1920’s when Jacksonville Beach was still known as Pablo Beach. For his unselfish devotion to the project, the final portion of the road to the ocean was named Mundy Drive.

In his final years, his health deteriorated. Several strokes acted as setbacks but while there were those who expected the worst, Colonel Mundy would soon recover. Just before his final stroke that ended his life, Colonel Mundy and Bridie completed a tour of New York and Maine. They were married 55 years.

Residents of Jacksonville said that the Mundy home “Hollywood Park” was like a museum stuffed with treasures from world travel and visits to isolated points in Europe and the Far East.

P.J. Mundy died December 12, 1943.

Erected at Evergreen Cemetery, stands the oversized monument of Wellington Willson Cummer and his wife, Ada Gerrish Cummer. This granite stone is oddly shaped. At over 6 ft. tall and nearly 14 ft. wide it is the largest of its style in the cemetery. Not only is it larger than most, but the property surrounding it is unobstructed indicating the family owns one of the largest plots in the cemetery. Two enormous planters stand as sentries guarding the site. This monument faces the giant Cummer mausoleum directly across the street. These two structures truly capture ones imagination and begs the question “Who was this man?” and “How did he earn the wealth to afford such a memorial?”

Anyone who has lived in Jacksonville, Florida, for any period of time has visited the Cummer Art Gallery. So, the easiest conclusion to draw is that this was the famous man responsible for its construction. In fact, it is common knowledge of Jacksonville residents that a portion of the existing museum structure was part of the Cummer family home.

This was not Wellington Cummer, but Wellingtons’ son Arthur Gerrish Cummer who inherited the family name, fortune, and work ethic established years earlier. Arthur benefited from direct tutelage from both his grandfather, Jacob Cummer and his father, Wellington.

If you were to travel to Cadillac, Michigan, today and mention the name Wellington Cummer, you would probably get a better answer to the questions above than in Jacksonville, Florida. Wellington’s dynasty days of extreme wealth building first occurred in Cadillac, Michigan, then moved to our wonderful city.

What was unique about the Cummer family at the time was the fact that for years they lived in both Cadillac, Michigan, and Jacksonville, Florida.  Initially they called Cadillac home, but later in life they chose Jacksonville as their home and final resting place.

Wellington was born on October 21, 1846, in Toronto, Canada, to Jacob and Mary Ann Snider Cummer. Jacob was a flour miller by trade and owned a significant farm. As soon as he was physically able, young Wellington assisted in most of the required day to day farming chores. But, though Jacob wanted Wellington to understand farming and hard work, he also made sure he studied at the local schools.

In 1860, the family moved to Newaygo, Michigan. Jacob bought a saw mill and a stave mill. Wellington completed his high school studies in Newaygo then traveled to Waterdown, which is near Hamilton, Ontario, (near Niagara Falls) for grammar school. He then moved to Toronto and attended Bryant & Stratton Business College where at age 18, he graduated in 1864.

After graduation, he joined his family in Croton, Michigan, where they had moved a year earlier in 1863. His father had sold the mills in Newaygo for
a profit and established a flour mill and camping supply business there in Croton.

The family moved to a nicer home in Cedar Springs, Michigan, about 25 miles from Croton. For two years, Jacob and Wellington bought and sold lumber.

Utilizing their accrued wealth, Jacob and Wellington purchased a large tract of pine forest in Morley, Michigan, about 12 miles from Cedar Springs. Here they enlisted Wellington’s Uncle J. Walter Cummer, to build a mill and process the lumber. The Cummers were now lumbermen.

In 1876, Jacob and Wellington moved to Cadillac, Michigan. It was here that Wellington met and married Ada M. Gerrish on October 11, 1871. For the next 16 years, Wellington and Jacob harvested and manufactured lumber from their pine forest holdings. Their creed of “honesty and integrity” carried the family name and business “into every civilized country in the world.”

In 1878, Wellington purchased the finest home in the city of Cadillac. It was built by George Mitchell, the city’s most successful lumberman (before the Cummers came to town). Mitchell was also Cadillac’s first Mayor.

The family kept and maintained the home until 1922 when it was purchased by George Mitchell’s grandnephew and industrialist Charles T. Mitchell. The home is open for tours today and is listed on the national record of historic places.

As the wealth accumulated, so did the acquisitions. Jacob and Wellington owned both the Cummer Electric Light Company of Cadillac and the Cadillac and Northeastern Railroad.

In 1888, Wellington was elected Mayor of Cadillac. Later he served on the Cadillac School Board for five years. He also represented the city, casting its vote for United States President.

When the Cadillac area forest was completely harvested in 1892, Jacob finally retired from the day to day operations. Most men would retire at this point, but not Wellington; he purchased large tracts of forest outside the city and continued milling.

In Norfolk, Virginia, he formed another milling operation which became the largest producer of southern pine of all southern states. In 1902, after 9 years conducting business in Virginia, he sold his shares. It was during these 9 years that Wellington made trips to Florida and acquired large pine tracts.

In 1896, he finally was prepared to build an operation in Jacksonville. He built two saw mills and began pine production. Almost all was lost to fire the following year. Fire consumed one saw mill, a planing mill, four large dry kilns, tramways and 6 million board feet of timber which was ready for market.

The total value of the loss was estimated at $162,000, of which only $110,000 was insured. Not to be defeated by disaster, Wellington rebuilt the plant and enlarged its capacity by 42 percent. It was known as the “largest lumber plant south of the Mason Dixon line.” Not long after the reconstruction, he built a chemical plant to process the pine sap released by the lumber mills.

In 1899, he was moving so much lumber from Jacksonville that local rail lines could not keep up with shipping requirements. To solve this dilemma, he built his own railroad known as the Jacksonville & Southwestern railway.  At 80 miles in length, this became a key section of rail necessary to move his lumber, passengers and other Florida freight. The train engine from Cummer’s rail operation is on display at the Jacksonville Beaches Museum and History Center.

Jacksonville became his full-time home and legal residence in 1902. When the men of Cadillac queried why they were moving to Jacksonville, the answer they received was, “to turn boys into men.” Wellington brought his two sons, Arthur and Waldo into the family business in 1903. In that same year, he sold his interest in the rail line to a Gainesville businessman.

You might say the family had reached its peak of business. The family now owned 220,000,000 feet of Cypress and 100,000,000 feet of Pine. This equaled 500,000 acres of the state of Florida which honored Wellington with the title of “the largest land owner in the state.” Cummer and Sons now employed over 800 men; 375 men in Cadillac, Michigan, and 425 men in Jacksonville.Waldo and Arthur, like their father and grandfather, began expanding their holdings. They formed the Cook-Cummer Steamship Line.

While building this empire, Wellington and his wife focused on social issues. They were well-known in the philanthropic circles. In 1895, Mrs. Cummer, believing in the power of education for the young, convinced Wellington to build a free kindergarten for the youths of Cadillac, Michigan. Through their generous endowment, over 150 children per year (rich and poor alike) attended the kindergarten. All fees and expenses were paid for by the Cummers.

One writer penned it correctly when he wrote, “[They] have established and maintained an institution which will preserve [their] names long after the imposing monument and the costly mausoleum have crumbled into dust and passed from the minds of men.”

Wellington Cummer died on Christmas Day, 1908.

His inscription on his monument reads:
*An oak has fallen – in the time of changing leaves*
*And somber haze – a man has fallen – in his prime*
*And this the triumph o’er the tomb*
*The man who slumbers does not die*
*His life doth other lives illume*

An obituary of Wellington W. Cummer printed in the Ocala Evening Star reported that his funeral was “one of the most largely attended ever held in Jacksonville.” It went on to mention that most businesses closed during his funeral in utmost respect for the man.

Wellington’s son, Arthur, is buried directly across from his parent’s headstone in a massive Egyptian influenced mausoleum. Arthur requested that his mausoleum be sealed with a ton of concrete. There are no entrances.

God Bless Wellington and Ada Cummer and the entire Cummer family.

In Evergreen Cemetery, under a canopy of moss-covered giant old growth oak trees, stands a tremendous two ton granite boulder with the name BARNETT carved in high relief on its side. This is all that remains of the Barnett Bank dynasty which dominated the state of Florida for nearly 125 years. Positioned on the ground directly in front of this boulder is a 1 ft. by 2 ft. headstone marking the final resting place of bank founder, William Boyd Barnett. His two sons, heirs and banking giants in their own right, Bion and William, rest nearby.

Born in Nicholas County, West Virginia on September 2, 1824, William was the son of William Barnett, Sr., of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. William Barnett, Sr., served as a Captain in the Pennsylvania regiment during the War of 1812. Prior to the war, he was recognized as a pioneer of West Virginia and Ohio.

William Boyd Barnett moved from Ohio to Indiana where he met and married Leesburg, Indiana, native Sarah Jane Blue on November 9, 1848. Sarah’s father, Dr. Elijah Blue, was a successful Leesburg physician.

Their first child, a son, William D. Barnett (Will), was born April 3, 1852, in Leesburg. The family then moved to the “Far West”, which in those days was known as Kansas. Two daughters were born in Kansas but sadly died shortly after birth. It was in Hiawatha, Kansas, that William B. Barnett (already a wealthy man) partnered with former Kansas Governor E.N. Morrill and Vermont Banker Lorenzo Janes to form the Barnett, Morrill and Janes Bank. It was located in a second floor room in the stone corner drug store. The initial investment was $1500 and which was funded solely by Mr. Morrill. Morrill had recently received a windfall from selling land to the railroad.

Morrill and Janes Bank are still in business today. In fact, its tall office bank building is constructed on property Janes purchased 153 years ago for his home.

Mrs. Barnett gave birth to Bion Hall Barnett on October 7, 1857. It was after this birth that her health began to deteriorate. Young Will Barnett moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1874 to start a furniture business. His father William and his mother Sarah visited from Kansas the following year. During this visit, Sarah’s health improved and they decided to settle in Jacksonville.

William sold his business interests in Hiawatha, Kansas, and moved his wife and 19 year old son Bion to Jacksonville, March of 1877. That year, the nation’s economy took a serious downturn and young Jacksonville lacked the improvements of larger cities. It had poor roads, little electricity, no city water and a poor sewage system. It was written that the city’s poor sanitation led to the two major outbreaks of Yellow Fever.

With a population of just over 10,000, local citizens considered it a folly when the Barnett family opened a bank to compete with the three well-established local banks. William B. Barnett was not deterred and established the Bank of Jacksonville. Since William was using $43,000 of his own money to start this venture, even seasoned bankers calculated that this business would not last long.

The bank was small and employed only three employees, William Boyd Barnett, his son Bion, and a teller. Times were tough and only $11,000 was deposited into the bank that first year.

A single conversation changed the outcome of the Barnett family and their
bank. Bion learned that Henry L’Engle, current Duval County Tax Collector,
was not happy with his banking arrangements with a competing bank. This
competitor was charging a $6.25 fee to L’Engle’s account for transfers between banks in Jacksonville and those in New York. Bion offered to waive the fee if Henry transferred the tax funds to the Bank of Jacksonville. L’Engle accepted his offer immediately.

As luck should have it, the following year Henry L’Engle was appointed Florida State Treasurer. The Bank of Jacksonville profited from its relationship established by Bion and the state depository accounts were moved to its bank. Sadly, the September 1888 Yellow Fever epidemic *(detailed in a previous *A Simpler Life* story) claimed the life of the Honorable Henry A. L’Engle.

When its capital reached $150,000, William Barnett applied for a national
charter and renamed the bank The National Bank of Jacksonville. By 1893,
The National Bank of Jacksonville announced deposits had reached the $1
million mark.

In 1895, the entire state citrus crop was destroyed by a hard freeze. This stressed the banking system but the Barnett family bank survived. Jacksonville’s “Great Fire of 1901” destroyed over half the local businesses but miraculously the National Bank of Jacksonville was the only bank spared by the fire.

Sadly, William Boyd Barnett died September 2, 1903. His son, Bion, was appointed Vice-President and took control of the business renaming it Barnett Bank to honor his father, the bank founder.

Will and Bion successfully ran Barnett Bank long into the 20th Century. When Bion reach 92 (he lived to 101), his son, William Barnett, became the final Barnett to administer the family’s control. According to published reports, Barnett Bank officials did not anticipate the power and wealth of newly formed regional banks. It is suggested that due to this misstep Barnett Bank was sold in 1998, abruptly ending its 100 plus year dominance of Florida banking.

Its towering bank building in Jacksonville (once the tallest building in Florida) still stands proudly overshadowing and dwarfing the city’s downtown skyline. Built only two blocks from the original 1877 bank William founded, it is all that reminds us of the family that once controlled banking in the city and positively enhanced the lives of tens of thousands of local citizens for over a century.

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Joseph Miller is a life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and an active member of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. As a historian, he recently completed his first book on the Founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, titled “That Paul Harris.”

Joseph can be reached at JaxHistory@gmail.com.

This installment of Headstones: Who’s Who takes us far from Jacksonville, Florida, to Washington, D.C. It was here that William Pope Duval died suddenly and was buried in the Congressional Cemetery (as was customary in the day). The Congressional Cemetery, constructed along the Anacostia River, was founded in 1807 and contains the remains of former Congressmen and many influential early American leaders. The cemetery contains landowners, speculators, builders, architects, mayors of Washington, D.C., and Civil War veterans.

Several famous names of those interred who were not Congressmen include composer John Phillip Sousa, F.B.I. Director J. Edgar Hoover, Silent Film Actress Mary Fuller, and Choctaw Indian Chief Push-Ma-Ha-Ta. When it became easier to move deceased Congressmen back to their home states, burying the majority of Congressmen here was discontinued.

Without Congressmen’s bodies, Congress allocated funds to provide Cenotaphs (Greek for empty tomb) for each deceased Congressmen in the Congressional Cemetery. A cenotaph is a memorial or headstone without a body below it (like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier). In the Congressional Cemetery, there are dozens of such memorials. This tradition was eliminated in the late 1800’s due to the expense.

What makes researching history so interesting is that while reading source documents, you might trip over a topic so unique it can lead you down a different path. That is what happened in the last couple weeks. While busily researching the Cummer family, I discovered a listing of Florida counties (written in the late 1800’s) and the description regarding the origin of these counties. I took a moment to read the chapter. This, in turn, led me to Duval County, Florida. Established on August 12, 1822, Duval County was the fourth county named in the state. This document described how Duval County was named for William Pope Duval, the first territorial governor of Florida (1822-1834) who served twelve years.

Governor Duval, son of Revolutionary War hero Major William Duval, was born near Richmond, Virginia, on September 4, 1784. Governor Duval’s great-grandfather was Marin Duval, a Huguenot immigrant who settled in Maryland in 1643. Marin, built the first brick home in Richmond, Virgina. Marin’s young son, William Duval (Governor William Pope’s father), planted a oak tree on this site. It still stands today.

William had become known locally as a “unlucky boy” who was always getting into trouble. Since he was the youngest of the children, he was also considered the runt of the litter. The added pressure of being a hero’s son was too much to bare. Immediately following a childish prank gone wrong and a serious flogging he made up his mind to leave home. At age 14, William Pope Duval boldly told his father that he wanted to become a hunter and trapper in Kentucky. Since Kentucky was sparsely populated, hunting sounded attractive to many young men, including young William.

In order to appease his son’s nature, William’s father provided him with substantial funds for his travels but denied him the horse and servant, which William requested. In response to William’s request, he stated, “You will race the horse and break your neck and you will lose your servant!” Without horse or servant, he expected William to give up on his quest. However, William just packed and walked out. As his sister ran alongside him, she said, “Will I ever see you again.” His response is one for the history books, “I will return when I am a Congressman.”

The “unlucky boy” suddenly became lucky. By chance, William met one of Kentucky’s finest hunters out in the woods. He offered William room and board then trained him in the finer skill of hunting. Over the next year and a half, William honed his skills and became the type of hunter any Kentuckian would have been proud to hunt alongside.

Physically, he developed muscles and a tough demeaner. He was now a force to be reconned with around town.

Whether divine intervention or part of William’s larger plan, hunting was suddenly ignored, and studying law became his passion. It was written that when he put his mind to something, he focused harder than any human being and became so passionate about his mission that he would achieve his goal. At age 18, in 1804, he passed the Kentucky bar exam and began the practice of law. That same year, he married Nancy Hynes. They established a home and a law practice in Bardstown, Kentucky.

In 1812, when Indian attacks threatened local communities, William was given command of a mounted company of volunteers. His heroic actions along with his outstanding legal career endeared him to his new home state of Kentucky. In 1813, they elected him to represent their state in Congress. He had finally achieved the dream. After serving a full term and asking not be re-elected, he returned to Kentucky to his practice of law.

His next honored position came in 1821 when Florida became a U.S. Territory. He was asked to move to Florida and serve as its Northeast Florida Federal District Judge. In 1822, President James Monroe appointed him Governor of the newly-created state of Florida. He was so popular that he was reappointed by President John Quincy Adams and again by President Andrew Jackson, serving as Governor a total of twelve years. He established a record that no Florida Governor has surpassed.

His hunting skills in formidable years prepared him best for his negotiations with the Florida Seminole Indians. William became the “de facto” Indian negotiator in Florida. The Indians respected him for his peaceful dealings. William was not a push-over. Once when a senior Indian overstepped his bounds, William grabbed him by the throat in front of over 50 Indians, startling everyone in the room.

William was made bigger than life by authors. During his lifetime, those around him asked him to tell his tales of hunting in Kentucky and his stories of dealing with Indian Chiefs. Washington Irving took notes of his stories while riding in a stage coach with William from Virginia to Kentucky. Through the writings of author Washington Irving (regarding Ralph Ringwood aka William Pope Duval) and author James K. Paulding (regarding Nimrod Wildfire aka William Pope Duval) everyone in the nation read and knew something of Duval’s life experiences.

Washington Irving claimed that not one word about Duval was fictionalized by his writings. When visiting Tallahassee in 1827, Ralph Waldo Emerson described Duval in his notebook writing “Gov. Duval is the button on which all things are hung.”

Originally, state business was conducted half the year in St. Augustine and the other half in Pensacola. During his administration, William moved the state capital to Tallahassee, Florida. At first he ran the state from a log cabin, then finally built a two-story 40’ x 26’ masonry building in 1826. His plantation home sat overlooking the entire city of Tallahassee. Its 375 acres were later purchased and Florida A & M University moved to its property.

After leaving office in 1834, William practiced law in Tallahassee. In 1848, he closed his practice and moved to Texas to live near his son, Captain Burr Harrison Duval (i.e. Duval County, Texas).

Governor William Pope Duval died while on a trip to Washington, D.C., March 19, 1854. And that folks, is how we earned the name Duval County. We should all be proud.

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Joseph Miller is a life-long resident of Jacksonville, Florida, and an active member of the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville. As a historian, he recently completed his first book on the Founder of Rotary, Paul P. Harris, titled “That Paul Harris.”

Joseph can be reached at JaxHistory@gmail.com.