My Genealogy Hound

S. Q. Sevier, president of the Camden Water Works System, was born in Landersville, Lawrence County, Ala., April 9, 1851, being a son of Benjamin B. and Drucilla (Ewing) Sevier, who were born near Knoxville, Tenn., the former being the grandson of ex-Gov. John Sevier, the first governor of that State. Benjamin B. Sevier was born February 22, 1816, and is now living at Bel Green, Ala. He graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Ky., and, with the exception of the last few years, he has practiced his profession since 1839. He was an especially skillful surgeon and practitioner, and had the best reputation as a physician throughout his section of the country, and enjoyed a very large practice. His wife died in the State of Alabama, having borne him four children, all of whom are living. S. Q. Sevier was the second of the family, and was reared principally in the State of Mississippi, receiving a fair education in the common schools of that State, and afterward paid for the services of a private tutor. He remained on a farm until 1866, then entered the telegraph office of Baldwyn, Miss., as messenger boy, which position he held eight months. He was then given charge of the office, and was manager of the same for some months. He then gave up the position to attend one session of school, then was appointed train dispatcher under L. J. Fleming, general superintendent of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, continuing at his post until after the yellow fever epidemic of 1868, when he went to Corinth, Miss., but a short time later was transferred to the Western Union Depot, and opened the first telegraph office of Tupelo, Miss., where he remained until transferred to Monroe, La., as manager. He made this place his home until January 21, 1871, then came to Camden, as manager of the Western Union Telegraph office. May 4, 1875, he went to New Orleans, and served in the same capacity until October 14, 1875, at which time he resigned. He then became a commercial traveler, with Flash, Lewis & Co., remaining with them until they became liquidated, and was then appointed southwestern agent for S. W. Venable & Co., Petersburg, Va., a large tobacco firm, serving until 1887. In 1886 he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, from Ouachita County, Ark., and after his return home began the practice of law, having studied that profession under Gov. S. D. McHenry, of Louisiana. He continued to practice until the organization of the Camden Water Works, the Electric Light and other enterprises, which consumed so much of his time that he was compelled to give up his profession, and turn his sole attention to his enterprises, and became president of both the above-named institutions. He is vice-president of the Fair Association, and every enterprise in which he becomes interested, and to which he gives his support, is sure to prove a decided success. Socially he is a K. of P., and belongs to the A. L. of H. and I. O. O. F. He was married, in 1872, to Miss M. B. Smead, a sister of H. P. Smead, prosecuting attorney. Mr. and Mrs. Sevier are members of the Episcopal Church, and are the parents of three children: Carrie V. and Virginia E., living; Lamar Smead, the eldest, died in 1875.