Dade County History Book

JOHN P. JACOWAY

This able lawyer was a resident of Trenton, and was born in Dade County, in 1856. He was the son of John G. Jacoway, a native of Kentucky, born in 1818, who settled in Dade County about 1845, and for many years previous to the war engaged in the practice of law. After the war he became a minister of the Gospel and continued in the service until his death in Dade County in 1892. He married in Tennessee, Miss Nancy Middleton of that state, and they had four sons and two daughters: William U., a practicing lawyer, at Trenton; Thomas R., a trader at Fort Payne, Ala., and postmaster at that place. Henry J., a very successful planter and stock dealer in northern Alabama: Susan G., wife of R. A. B. Dunlap, a member of the Alabama bar and master in chancery in that state; Lucy J., wife of T. H. B. Cole, clerk of superior court of Dade County; and John P. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Dade County. Early in life he manifested a desire to enter the ranks of the legal profession, and with that object in view, he began a course of study at Gadsden, Ala., and in 1880 he was admitted to the bar in the courts of that state. He commenced the practice of his profession at Trenton, and his legal career has been very successful. On locating at Trenton he became attorney for the Alabama Great Southern railroad company, and for six years had charge of the claim department of that road. He was thus early in the practice of his profession in trusted with responsibilities usually devolving upon older heads… responsibilities that called forth the fullest resources of his mind, and doubtless were active causes in developing his mental faculties and power, and ripening his judgment. The character of his duties made him familiar with the rules of practice in corporation cases, and equipped him with knowledge of legal precedents, not only a desideratum, but a necessity. He purchased a valuable library, and devoted every spare moment to the pleasing task of acquiring an intimate knowledge of legal principles and practice, exploring the misty labyrinths of the law and the rich mines of equity jurisprudence, and storing his mind with the wisdom and thought of the great masters of his profession. He thus fortified his mind with a knowledge of the art of acute reasoning, and with the method of clear, concise and lucid statement. Accordingly his success was assured. He rose rapidly to an honored place in the ranks of his profession; and it is no exaggeration of his legal powers to say that he meritoriously stands at the of head of his profession in his circuit. His

practice extends beyond his circuit, in the United States court, and before the bar of the supreme court of this state. Whether as an advocate, discussing questions of fact before a jury: or as a solicitor in chancery, unraveling the hidden mysteries and complex questions of equity practice, he is alike successful as he is self-confident, and commands the respect and assurance of both court and jury, as well as the esteem of his legal brethren and the public. Mr. Jacoway is not only an ardent and persevering student of these branches which strictly appertain to the duties of his profession, but also a close and exhaustive student of miscellaneous subjects, including history and political literature. His conversation is learned, rich and racy, and hears ample evidence of omnivorous reading in the broad field of general literature and science. His associations and relations with the public in his county, and elsewhere through the state, are most cordial and friendly. He has never sought political preferment, and has given only such thoughts to politics and public questions as became his character as a citizen and a lawyer. He is at present chairman of the democratic executive committee of Dade County. He is a regular attorney for the Dade coal company; the Walker Iron and Coal Company, the Phoenix iron and coal company, and the Alabama Great Southern railroad company. Mr. Jacoway was married in 1879 to Miss Carrie Pace, daughter of B.F. Pace, of Dade County. They have five children:

Eula Sidney, Price. Henry Grady and Albert Briggs. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church south, and belongs to the masonic fraternity. (Copied from MEMOIRS OF [A by George White, the Southern Historical Assoc., Atlanta. 1895.)

Added note: John P. Jacoway and Carrie L. Pace were married Oct 2, 1879 in Dade County. They both are buried at the Baptist Cemetery in Trenton along with several other members of the Jacoway family. His tombstone reads: 1854 – 1915. Carrie L. Pace Jacoway ‘s tombstone reads: 1862 – 1929.

Buried next to them are three children, two of whom were not mentioned in the above article: Clay: Oct 21. 1891 – Nov 3, 1894; Bennie (a son) July 5, 1880 – Mar 16, 1881 and SidneyJuly 19, 1884 – July 4, 1908.(S.F]