John Moseley HAIRSTON

HAIRSTON.org ID#334, b. 18 March 1882, d. 24 March 1939
Father*John Townes HAIRSTON b. 23 Dec 1855, d. 7 Jul 1932
Mother*Laura PETERS b. 17 Apr 1860, d. 18 Jul 1937
Birth*John Moseley HAIRSTON was born on 18 March 1882 in Hairston Plantation, Lowndes, Mississippi, the 1900 Federal Census lists birth date as April 1882, Mississippi.1,2 
He was the son of John Townes HAIRSTON and Laura PETERS. 
Education* He obtained his early education in Crawford, Mississippi.1 
Census 1900John Moseley HAIRSTON appeared on the 1900 census of John Townes HAIRSTON on 1 June 1900 in Crawford, Lowndes, Mississippi.2

 
Military*John M. Hairston joined the Mississippi National Guard. 
Elected*John Moseley HAIRSTON was elected as a representitive to the Mississippi Legislator in 1915; Mississippi State Legislature.1 
Biography*"JOHN MOSELEY HAIRSTON, Floater Representative of Harrison and Jackson Counties, resides in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was born March 18, 1882, on the “Harrison Plantation” near Columbus, Mississippi. His father, John Townes Hairston, son of Doctor Peter C. Hairston and Wortley V. (Moseley) Hairston, of Lowndes County, Mississippi, was born near Crawford in that County. The Hairstons are of Irish, Scotch and Welsh descent, and on coming to this country settled first in the Colony of Virginia, where they became the largest slave holders of America. (See Dubow's Review.) George Hairston, great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a colonel in the Revolutionary War and one of his ancestors, Col. Robert Hairston, was a colonel of Colonial Troops with Washington. Captain Hairston’s paternal grandmother, Mary Wortley Montague Townes was a direct descendant of Peter Montague of Virginia. Drogo de Montacute, who came over to England with William the Conqueror, is an ancestor. The maiden name or Representative Hairston's mother was Laura Peters daughter of James H. and Laura Regina (Borders) Peters, of Columbus. Mississippi. Andrew Borders of Georgia. great—great uncle of Mr. Hairston, was a cavalryman in the Revolutionary War. His great-uncle. Doctor John M. Borders. was a surgeon in the 55th Regiment of Tennessee during the Civil War, and bore the rank of major. His grandfather. James H.Peters. was a member of Rice's Brigade, and was desperately wounded in an engagement at Brice's Cross Roads. Mr. Hairston secured his early education in the free schools of Crawford. Mississippi. He also attended the High School at Louisville. Mississippi. He then studied for a time at the Iuka Normal and later entered the A. & M. College where he completed a three years’ course in 1899. In 1905 he was graduated from the University of Mississippi with the degree of LL. B. He began the practice of law January, 1906, at Gulfport. Mississippi. For two years he was Police Justice of that City. being the first police justice elected by the people. He has been a gallant member of the Mississippi National Guard since March 25. 1910, and was Captain of the 2nd Regiment of Infantry. He was transferred to Governor Brewer's military staff to take part in the inauguration parade of President Wilson, March 4. 1913. In 1915 he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and is one of the most active and valuable members of that body. He is a fluent speaker and is actuated by the purest motives and highest ideals in his service to the state. He brings to his work ‘education, wide experience and a strict sense of justice. He is serving with marked ability on the following committees: Judiciary; Military Affairs: Fisheries, Commerce and Shipping; Municipalities. Mr. Hairston is a Democrat and a Methodist. He is Past Exalted Ruler of Gulfport Lodge No. 978, B. P. O. E... Past President of the I. O. Bearers and of the Maccabees Captain uniform rank of Knights of Pythias, and a member of the Phi Kappa Psi. He is unmarried.

NOTE—After the breaking out of war between America and Germany. Captain Moseley Hairston for awhile entered the military service of the State to which he devoted the best energies and truest devotion of his young manhood. He could not realize his high ambition to serve his country on account of physical disability."

from The Offical and Statistical Register of the State of Mississippi - Centennial Edition - 1917.3 
Marriage*He married Rebecca Allison SMITH about 1924. 
Census 1930*John Moseley HAIRSTON appeared on the census of 11 April 1930 in Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi, John M Harriston 48, Rebecca S Harriston 43, Katherine Harriston 5, John M Harriston 1.4 
Obituary*General J. M. Hairston, 57, deputy collector of the Federal Bureau of Internal Revenue and former adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard, ended his own life this morning.........................

Friends said ill health probably prompted this act.

J. M. Hairston, known as "Sper" by many of his friends, had made his home in Indianola for many years. He engaged in the practice of law at the Sunflower county town for several years.

From 1920 top 1928 he was district attorney for this circuit court district, embracing Washington, Leflare, Humphreys, Holmes and Sunflower counties. After retiring from the district attorney's office he was appointed adjutant general by Governor Theo G. Bilbo and served in this capacity for four years, making his home Jackson.

Returning to Indianola from Jackson eight years ago he has been connected with the Federal Bureau of Internal Revenue since that time. His territory was the Delta district. He was in Greenville Monday, march 13, assisting Washington county income tax payers in filing their returns.

Genral hairston was married to rebecca Smith of Greenville who survives along with a daughter and son.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately complete.

The Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, Mississippi, Friday, March 24, 1939, Page 1. (Newspapers.com.)
Death*He died on 24 March 1939 at age 57.5 
Burial*He was buried in City Cemetery, Indianola, Sunflower, Mississippi.5 

Family

Rebecca Allison SMITH b. 1886, d. 1955
Children
ChartsDescendant Chart
Descendant Chart Box

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S151] The Official and Statistical Register of the State of Mississippi, Dunbar Rowland, Mississippi. Dept. of Archives and History, (Democrat Printing Company, Madison, Wisconsin - 1917).
  2. [S1900] 1900 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  3. [S3033] The Offical and Statistical Register of the State of Mississippi - Centennial Edition - 1917, Dunbar Rowland, LL. D., (1917).
  4. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S48] Find A Grave Website with Photo - only listings with photos of grave markers that are contemporary to the deceased individuals death are acceptable for genealogical proof.
Last Edited20 Jan 2022