Mississippi College - Tribesman Yearbook (Clinton, MS)

Page 8 text:

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Page 10 text:

An Apprrriatum nf (Haptaut Ip. uL iKatltff {Irraiftrut nf iltmrb nf Sruatrra nf fKiaataat i (Cnllntr O COMPRESS the history of my father’s life into a few pages of your Annual A is impossible. His life has been too pregnant with possibilities and achieve- ments to so confine it. An ivory miniature of rare beauty and worth is still treasured among the “heir- looms” of our family. This miniature was painted in England about 1780, A. D., and is the portrait of Dr. Thomas Wilson, M. D., accredited “Court Physician” in the time of George IV, born on the Isle of Wight, this same courtly gentleman being the great grandfather of Captain Ratliff. The picture is most pleasing and is wonderfully preserved, a tribute alike to the painter’s skill and to the handsome appearance of the subject. “A Sketch in Miniature” is all that I can attempt with my pen in lieu of the painter’s brush. My father, W. T. Ratliff, was born in the town of Raymond, Miss., September 16, 18-55, and now resides within a mile of his birthplace. Being deprived in infancy of both parents he grew to young manhood under the strict tutelage of his maternal grandmother, daughter of the aforesaid Dr. Thomas Wilson. In behalf of this lady he it said no more cultured and beautifully educated woman ever lived in Mississippi than Mrs. Isabella Wilson Spencer. When British possessions were swept away she became herself an educator of no mean gifts, at a time when neither railroads nor schools were plentiful in Mississippi. So, under the training of frugal habits and self restraint, my father grew to young manhood, and at the age of seventeen years we find him entering Mississippi Col- lege. His experience was much like that of other students. Among other acts of his college life he made plea to the Faculty for permission to organize the Hermenian Society, setting forth the many advantages to be gained from having two debating societies instead of one. The glorious record of the Her- menian Society for the past fifty years amply attests the prophetic wisdom of her enthusiastic founder. To merit the good will and confidence of his fellowmen, and then with un- swerving devotion to duty to discharge the trust placed in him — this is his creed. His long service to Mississippi College is signally marked by this spirit.