ANCESTORS OF GIDDINGS ELDON MABRY
AND THE MABRY FAMILY

This page is in the process of being updated.

JOHN MAYBERRY* MABRY
Giddings Mabry's paternal great-grandfather, John Mabry, is found on the 1830 Census of South Carolina in the Union District. Censuses before 1850 only listed a count of males and females in the household according to age group. *TampaPix has little confidence that his middle name was Mayberry.

1830 CENSUS, UNION DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA

1850 - JESSE HUGHES MABRY & CAROLINE PRUDE MABRY, GIDDINGS MABRY'S PATERNAL GRANDPARENTS

John and Sarah Mabry's son, Jesse Hughes Mabry (b. ca.1816 in S. Carolina,) and Martha Bradford were married in Alabama, probably in Pickens County, around 1842.  She was a daughter of Hanon Prude and Martha Bradford Prude.  Their estimated marriage year is concluded from the age of their first son on the 1850 Census. On the 1850 Census of Pickens County, Alabama, their children were John (b.c1843), David (b.c1845) and Malcolm (b.c1847), all born in Alabama.

The "NO" next to their marriage date means this date, July 29, 1852, is incorrect.  If it was correct, they certainly would not be found living together with three children born before 1850--ages 6, 4, and 2--on the 1850 Census.

1850 CENSUS, PICKENS CO., ALABAMA

Sarah Caroline Prude Mabry, wife of Jesse Mabry, daughter of Hanan Prude and Martha Bradford Prude, died on Aug 3, 1852.

After Sarah's death in 1852, on Dec. 23, 1853* Jesse Mabry married Martha Bradford in Pickens Co., Ala.  She was a daughter of David Bradford & Jane Thompson Bradford.  *This date is user submitted data, no marriage record has been found.
 

1860 - JESSE MABRY AND MARTHA BRADFORD MABRY IN MISSISSIPPI

Jesse Mabry was a merchant and did business in Bridgeville until 1856 when he and his family moved to DeSoto Parish in Louisiana. (DeSoto borders Texas to the west in the upper portion of Louisiana.)  Afterwards they returned to Lee Co., Miss. in 1860.

By August of 1860 the Jesse Mabrys had moved to Pontotoc County, Mississippi, which is on the west side of Itawamba County. The record shows Martha was 39 and born in Alabama.  Jesse's age is incorrect, he would have been 43.

Seen here are Jesse's five children by his first wife Sarah Prude: John Hanon Mabry, David Prude Mabry, Malcolm Mabry, Milton Harvey Mabry, and Martha Caroline Mabry, and two children by his second wife: Groves (b. ca.1855), and James B. age 1 month (b. ca.Jun 1860).  Milton H. Mabry was 10 years old and born just after the 1850 Census.

Although Jesse has no occupations indicated in 1850 and 1860, the value of his 1860 personal property is huge.  Jesse's name has been written in the old style of writing a "double s" which looks like "fs" which often looks like a "p."

1860 Census, Verona, Pontotoc Co., Miss.

In 1860, Pontotoc and Itawamba counties were adjacent counties in the far northeast corner of Mississippi.

1860 Census, Plantersville, Itawamba County, Mississippi

Jesse's parents, John and Sarah, are on the 1860 Census of Itawamaba County, Miss.  The record shows John Mabry was 71, a farmer, with $3,200 in Real Estate and 11,385 in personal property, again, considerably more than others on the page.  Sarah was 58, giving her a calculated birth year of abt. 1801.  Albert was probably their youngest son Elbert who appeared on their 1850 Census.

1870 JESSE H. MABRY & MARTHA BRADFORD MABRY, Tupelo, Lee Co., Miss.

By September of 1870 the Jesse Mabrys were living in Lee County, MS in the area of Tupelo.  It is likely that they didn't move there. Lee County was established by the Mississippi Legislature on October 26, 1866, and named for General Robert E. Lee. It was formed from Pontotoc and Itawamba counties with Lee county between the two.

1870 CENSUS,  Tupelo, Lee Co., Miss.

Jesse was listed as a merchant with $2,000 worth of real estate and & $6,000 worth of personal property.  This was considerably more than others on this page. Malcolm was a clerk in a store, probably his father's. Milton was 20 and the Mabry's had a 68 year old cook named Violet, which indicates they were doing quite well.

Jesse's father, John M. Mabry, died sometime after his 1870 Census in Itawamba County, Miss. where he last appears with his wife Sarah (Hughes) Mabry.  John was listed at 80 years old, a farm laborer, with considerably less value in real estate and personal property.  Sarah was listed as 78, but she was actually around 68 according to her prior censuses. As with his son Jesse, John probably didn't relocate, this is likely the area of Itawamba County that became Lee County in 1866.

1870 CENSUS, VERONA, ITAWAMBA CO., MISS.

Thomas was probably their son.

1880 - JESSE MABRY & WIFE MARTHA

No record or news article has been located concerning the death of John Mayberry Mabry.  (TampaPix has little confidence that his middle name was Mayberry.) By the time of the 1880 Census, Jesse's mother, widowed Sarah Hughes Mabry, was living with Jesse and his wife Martha.  Sarah Hughes Mabry was born 19 December 1801  died on 24 January 1881 in Verona, Lee County, Mississippi.

This is the first census to record every person's relationship to the head of house.  None were recorded for the Mabry household.

NO 1890 CENSUS
On January 10, 1921, a fire in the Commerce Department building, Washington, DC, resulted in the destruction of most of the 1890 census.  Most of the damage was from the water used to put out the fire. None had been microfilmed.

DEATH OF JESSE HUGHES MABRY Jesse Hughes Mabry died at age 80 on Apr. 18, 1898 at the home of his son, Groves Mabry, in Kosciusko, Miss. Kosciusko, Mississippi is the county seat of Attala County and is located in the center of the state.

"Col." isn't a military rank, it is a term commonly used in the South as a title of respect, honor, age, and social status.  Younger men are often "Maj." and "Capt." There is an aristocratic tinge to the social usage of the title "Colonel", which most often today designates a Southern gentleman, and is archetypal of the Southern aristocrat from days past. There is also a different perceptive level of respect for colonels that are reciprocally addressed as "Honorable" or "Colonel" in writing style. While the honor of colonel in the civil usage has no actual military role, the title did evolve from the military.

In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act and authorized the relocation of all the Southeast Native Americans to federal territory west of the Mississippi River, which was completed by the end of the 1830s. In the early years of settlement, European-Americans named this town "Gum Pond", supposedly due to its numerous tupelo trees, known locally as "blackgum". The city still hosts the annual Gumtree Arts Festival. During the Civil War, Union and Confederate forces fought in the area in 1864 in the Battle of Tupelo and the Battle of Old Town Creek. Designated the Tupelo National Battlefield, the battlefield is administered by the National Park Service (NPS).  With expansion, the town changed its name to Tupelo, in honor of the battle. It was incorporated in 1870.

MILTON HARVEY MABRY

Born on June 17, 1850 in Pickens County, Alabama, Milton Mabry spent his infancy there until his parents moved to northeastern Mississippi by the mid-1850s.  In 1856, his father being an itinerant merchant, moved with his family to DeSoto Parish in Louisiana for about 4 years until they returned to Mississippi in early 1860. Milton spent the rest of his childhood years at Tupelo.

MILTON MABRY'S EDUCATION and MARRIAGE

Milton Mabry received his literary education at the University of Mississippi "Ole Miss" at Oxford, Miss. which is about 30 miles NNW of Tupelo. Graduating after two years, in 1869, he entered the law college at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. where he received his Bachelor of Laws in 1872.  He was admitted to the bar in Mississippi that year and commenced his law practice at his home in Tupelo. 

In 1876 Milton married Ella Dale Bramlett in Lee County, Miss. She was a daughter of John Woodson Bramlett and Eliza G. Turner Bramlett).

MILTON MABRY MISSISSIPPI DELEGATE AND TUPELO MAYOR

He was soon selected as a delegate to the state convention to revise the laws of Mississippi and subsequently was the mayor of Tupelo for two years from 1877 to 1879. 

MOVE TO FLORIDA

On the persuasion of a friend and future law partner William A. Hocker of Sumter County, Fla., who had moved to Florida in 1874, Mabry moved with his family to Leesburg in Sumter County, Fla. in 1879, partly due to his ill health.  Mabry partnered with Hocker, who lived nearby, from 1880 to 1889 when Mabry moved to Pasco County.  (William Adams Hocker served on the Supreme Court from 1905 to 1915.)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM SUMTER COUNTY

In Nov. 1882, Mabry was elected as Sumter County's State Representative to the Florida Assembly for a term of 2 years from 1883 to 1885.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 1885 - 1889

Quickly earning a name for himself, he was nominated as Edward A. Perry’s Democrat running-mate for lieutenant governor in Florida’s gubernatorial election of 1884. Upon winning the majority vote, Mabry served as lieutenant governor of Florida from 1885 until Jan. 6, 1889, becoming Florida’s last lieutenant governor for nearly 80 more years. As by virtue of the position, he was also president of the Senate.

1885 Members of the Florida Senate on the steps of the capitol building, Tallahassee.
Lt. Governor Milton H. Mabry on front step, left.

In 1890, Mabry began building a 10-room residence on a hill in Pasco County, 2 miles north of Dade City overlooking the the city.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE FIRST TERM

In August 1890, Mabry served as a delegate to the Florida state Democratic convention in Ocala. Without solicitation as to himself, his name was placed in nomination for justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, and on the final ballot he received the nomination over eminent but aged incumbent, Justice Maxwell.  In Nov. 1890, Mabry won the state election and served his first term on the Supreme Court from Jan. 1891 to Jan. 1897, during which time he served as Chief Justice from 1895 to the end of his term, serving under the governorship of Francis Philip Fleming (1889-1892). and Henry Laurens Mitchell (1893-1897.)

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SECOND TERM

In Oct. 1896, Mabry was the Democrat nominee for Supreme Court Justice again. Winning election again, he served from Jan. 1897 to Jan. 1903 for a total of two terms for 12 years.

RETIREMENT

In Feb. 1902, Mabry announced he would not run for a 3rd term on the Supreme Court. Yearning for retirement, he declined re-nomination for the Nov. 1902 election and retired in 1903, making way for his former law partner, William A. Hocker, to join and serve in the Supreme Court from 1903 until 1915.

MOVE TO TAMPA, JOINS SON IN LAW PRACTICE AS MABRY & MABRY

In Dec. 1902, Mabry announced his desire to move to Tampa from Dade City.  He arrived in Tampa on Jan. 1, 1903 and began practicing law with his eldest son, Giddings Eldon Mabry, as Mabry & Mabry; Giddings having established his lone law practice in Tampa in Oct. 1901. 

Images courtesy of Florida Memory, State Archives and Library of Florida

DEATH OF WIFE AND MOVE TO TALLAHASSEE

Milton's wife, Ella Dale (Bramlett) Mabry, died in 1904 at their Bayshore Blvd. home in Tampa after suffering from some time with severe headaches.   

Justice Mabry soon decided that the private practice of law was not for him and persuasion from friends convinced Milton to return the Supreme Court.  He moved back to Tallahassee in 1904 and accepted the position of Clerk of the Supreme Court from March 31, 1905 until 1915.   

SECOND MARRIAGE

On Nov. 15, 1906, Milton Mabry married Kentucky-born Miss Irene Washburne, one of six children of Louis Jermaine Washburne and Mary Ann Rudy, at her home in Louisville, Kentucky.  Due to the recent passing of the bride's mother, the ceremony was private.  The couple made a southern tour before settling in Tallahassee.  Their son, Harton Washburne Mabry, was born in 1908-1909 in Tallahassee where they were living along with Milton's son, Dale.

SECOND RETIREMENT AND DEATH

Milton Mabry retired from his position as clerk of the supreme court in 1915, relocating a final time to his home at 210 Fielding Ave. in Hyde Park, Tampa, before passing away of tuberculosis on March 3, 1919 at the age of 68.

In stature Judge Mabry was a tall man, six feet tall and of medium build.  He wore a mustache and his coal black hair did not have a streak of grey in it until well past his 50th year. While not an orator of the old school, his speech was pleasing and he was forceful, entertaining and logical.  In the months that preceded the general elections he invariably received invitation to canvass the state with other party leaders in behalf of the Democrat ticket.

After the death of her husband, Irene Washburne Mabry moved by 1920 to Sanford in Seminole County where she lived with her son, Harton, age 11, and lived with her sister Nellie and brother-in-law G.F. Smith.  By 1940 she had moved to Daytona Beach in Volusia County with her son, where she died on Jul. 5, 1943.

Some information obtained from:
Cumberland University Archives.
He Was Florida's Last Lieutenant Governor by Thomas Lesley published Apr. 28, 1957 by D.B. McKay in "Pioneer Florida."
Various articles from newspapers in Mississippi and Florida.
U.S. Censuses of Alabama, Mississippi and Florida
State Census of Florida
Florida Supreme Court

SUPPORTING SOURCES

Cumberland University Annual Catalog, 1871-1872

Milton Mabry was also on the Annual Catalogue staff.

See all Faculty

1875-01-07 The Lee County (Miss.) Clarion
The tax-payers of Lee county met in Tupelo on the 28th of December and proceeded to the permanent organization of a tax-payers convention by the selection of Capt. R.M. Leavell as chairman and M. H. Mabry, and S. Billingsley as Secretaries.
 

1876-12-21 MARRIAGE

Milton Harvey Mabry married Ella Dale Bramlett on Dec. 21, 1876 in Lee County, Miss.  (Ella was b.ca.1856, in Pontotoc, Miss., a daughter of John Woodson Bramlett and Eliza G. Turner Bramlett).

1879-01-03 DEMOCRAT STAR, Pascagoula, MS
Milton Mabry, mayor of Tupelo and promising lawyer, is on the coast looking out for a place with the view of locating in our beautiful land. We hope he may find a place to suit him, and that he will settle here.

1880 CENSUS, SUMTER COUNTY, FLA.

In 1879 Milton, Ella, and their sons Giddings Eldon Mabry and Jesse Hughes Mabry moved to Leesburg in Sumter Co, FL where Milton was in the practice of law and in the citrus industry. Milton was 28, his wife Ella Bramlett Mabry was 24. 

At the top of the page, five dwellings before the Mabry family, the Hocker family was enumerated.  W. A. Hocker was 35, an attorney from Virginia. (The households in between have been removed.)  Mabry would soon form a law partnership with W. A. Hocker.

1880-09-24 Weekly Floridian
The Leesburg Advance of the 18th gives a graphic account of the Radical meeting at that place on the 14th. Conover and U.S. District Attorney Stickney were the speakers.  Democratic speakers, W. A. Hocker and M. H. Mabry tendered a joint discussion, which the others dared not refuse, and the result was as might have been expected. 

MILTON MABRY ELECTED TO THE FLORIDA ASSEMBLY

1882-11-14 Weekly Floridian
Sumter Co. election results for the Florida Assembly (later called the House of Representatives, or "the House.")
SUMTER - Congress: Finley 713, Bisbee 312.  Assembly: Mabry (Dem.) 709; Cassady (Dem.) 706; Brown 68, Hays 80.
(These are the vote counts of the winners, not the winners and losers.)

1882-11-21 Weekly Floridian
Mabry, member of the Assembly-elect from Sumter Co., is stopping at the St. James (hotel.)

1882-11-28 Weekly Floridian
Legals section, J. H. Goss, Taylor & Sanchez, for Relators, Hocker & Mabry, Cockrell & Walker for respondents.

1882-12-12 Weekly Floridian
County by county list of members of the Fla. Assembly, Sumter Co: M.H. Mabry & Wilson W. Cassady

1882-12-19 Weekly Floridian
Mabry & Cassady duly elected member of Assembly from Sumter Co.

MABRY'S TWO-YEAR TERM AS FLORIDA ASSEMBLY MEMBER BEGINS

1883-01-02 Weekly Floridian
List of members of the Florida Senate and Florida Assembly. Milton Mabry was one of two Sumter County representatives in the Florida legislature starting with the 1883 session.

1883-03-02 Pensacola Commercial
Mabry vilified, accused of being "undemocratic" and described as "black belt deserter from Sumter County" because he "left the large majority of his party and voted with the negroes and the Radicals (Republicans.) "There is no calumny or misrepresentation about it.  These are the plain facts.  They are political not personal, Mr. Mabry, with his eight associates are traitors to their party, have deserted to the enemy and added that enemy to defeat their own party.

In 1884 Milton Mabry was nominated on the first ballot at the Democrat convention in Pensacola as their candidate for lieutenant-governor.  On the ticket for governor was Edward A. Perry.

1884-06-26 Semi Weekly Times Union
Milton Mabry nominated at the Democrat Convention for Lt. Governor, Edward A. Perry nominated for Governor.

1884-06-27 Palatka Daily News
Ad by Palatka News promoting Perry for Governor, Mabry for Lt. Governor.

1884-06-27 Florida Times Union Sketch of Hon. M H Mabry, nominee for Lt. Gov. He was mayor of Tupelo when he came to Leesburg, Fla. in 1879.
 

1884-07-01 The Weekly Floridian
The candidate for Lieut. Gov has already been assailed abusively because he, like a a majority of the members of the Assembly, conceived it to be his duty to oppose the summary method suggested by Senate bill 19, session of 1883, calling for a Constitutional Convention and known as the "Short Cut."  It is proper now that he should be heard again as he was on the 25th of January, 1883, when he participated in the debate and gave his reasons for opposing the short cut bill.  Mr. Mabry had previously had occasion to study constitutional law, having been a member of a Constitutional Convention in Mississippi.  We  may remark that as Mr. Mabry was not from a "black belt" county he could not have the direct personal interest in opposing the bill which might be felt by those apprehending the consequences of a sudden change of manner of constituting local officials.  He obviously acted from his clear convictions of duty under knowledge of law and usage.  He was in favor of a Constitutional Convention, to be called as he provided.
 

1884-07-08 Weekly Floridian
Democrat ticket for governor, lt. gov, Congress, US President.

1884-07-11 Florida Times Union
Description of Mabry, candidate for Lt. Gov and presiding officer of the Senate.
Mr. Mabry, the candidate for Lt. Governor, is a young man, and one of the best men in Florida.  Thoroughly honest and conscientious, it is impossible to impugn his motives even when one differs from him.   He is a gentleman of ability also, and as presiding officer of the Senate will reflect credit upon himself and upon his State.

1884-12-11 Weekly Times Union
FLORIDA'S OFFICIAL VOTE  - Perry elected Governor, Milton Mabry elected Lt. Governor. vote counts  Governor: Perry (Dem) 52,087; Frank Pope, (Ind. Rep.) 27,845.  Majority for Perry 4,242.  Lt. Gove: M.H. Mabry (Dem) 31,865; J.C.Greeley (Rep) 28,147.  Majority for Mabry, 3,718.

Mabry was inaugurated with Governor Perry on Jan. 7, 1885 for a four-year term.  By virtue of his office, Mabry was president of the state senate presiding with dignity and rigid impartiality.

The 14th governor of Florida, Edward Aylesworth Perry (March 15, 1831 – October 15, 1889) was a Confederate general who was primarily known for serving under Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War.

1885 CENSUS, SUMTER COUNTY

Florida took a state census in 1885, 1925 and 1935.  Milton H. Mabry, Sr. and Ella are on the 1885 Florida State Census in Sumter County with their three sons Giddings (10) and Jesse (7), and Bramlette J (this is John Bramlett Mabry) (2).  Under him is listed as grandmother "Bramtelle" (55). Relationships were supposed to be to the head of house but she can't possibly be Milton's or even Ella's grandmother.  The enumerator must have been thinking in relation to two year old "Bramlette" and so she would be Ella's mother, Elizabeth (Turner) Bramlett.  The line before her name indicates that her first name was not recorded, so this is the enumerator's error of crossing the L instead of the two T's in Bramlett and adding an E at the end.)

This is the only census to record Milton as Lt. Governor.

1

The 1885 Constitutional Convention of Florida which met and revised the laws of the state during Governor Perry's administration did not provide for the office of Lieutenant Governor to continue and prohibited the governor from succeeding himself with a consecutive term.

1887-04-05 The Palatka Daily News
The constitution does contain this provision and it is therefore true that Mr. Mabry, the present Liet. Governor, is the "last of his line."  Nothing contained in this Constitution shall operate to vacate the office of Lt. Governor until the expiration of his present term."

1887-04-07 The Semi Weekly Times Union
The right of Lt. Gov. Mabry to preside over the Senate under the new Constitution will not be questioned since he was elected by the people themselves.

MABRY ENDORSES DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

1888-10-25 The Tampa Weekly Journal
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGNERS - Cordially Received in Every Precinct Visited Capt. Walton and Lt.-Gov Mabry Working For the Faith on the West Side.  Last Wednesday morning (17th) several carriages and buggies loaded down with Democratic orators left the city for Peru (original name for Riverview) where the first gun of the campaign was fired...In the party were Dem. Exec. Committee chairman G.B. Sparkman Esq.,  Candidate for State Senate Joseph B. Wall; S.M Sparkman, Lucius Finley, C.W.Stevens, Lamont Bailey, G.M. Mathes and W. A. Givens.

1889 At the close of his term (as Lt. Governor), Mabry turned his entire attention to his law practice in Leesburg which by an act of the 1887 legislature had become part of newly-created Lake County. With no thought of again holding public office, Mabry withdrew from the political arena to spend the remainder of his days in quiet, unostentatious retirement of a country life. (1957-04-28 The Tampa Tribune - "Pioneer Florida" by D. B. McKay, provided by Tampa historian Theodore Lesley.)

1890-05-29 The Semi Weekly Times Union
DADE CITY ITEMS
Lt. Gov. Mabry is building a residence two miles north of Dade City in Pasco Co. The last reference found referring to Mabry as Lt. Governor, but his term ended on Jan. 8, 1889.

1890-06-22 The Florida Times Union
First reference to Mabry as Ex-Lt. Governor..
A party of six or seven families from Leesburg are negotiating for summer quarters at Clear Water.  Ex Lt Gov Mabry and family will be in the party.
(This indicates Mabry was still living in Leesburg at this time.)

THE MABRYS MOVE TO DADE CITY, PASCO COUNTY

In 1890** Milton Mabry relocated with his family to Dade City and [soon] built there on a hill overseeing the town a large 10-room house.  Close by he planted and developed three orange groves each of sizeable acreage.
(**This date is originally 1889 in the 1957-04-28 article in the Tampa Tribune - "Pioneer Florida" by D. B. McKay, provided by Tampa historian Theodore Lesley. TampaPix has changed it to 1890 according to information found in several articles indicating Mabry returned to his home in LEE county at the close of his term.)

1890-07-01 Florida Times Union
Call for a State Democratic Convention at Ocala, Fla., on Wed. Aug. 13, 1890.
Democrat convention announced for Ocala on Wed., Aug 13 at 12 noon for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the office of justice of the supreme court and for the office of comptroller, to fill the vacancy cause by the resignation of Hon. W.D. Barnes, and to conduct other business.

MABRY NOMINATED FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

1890-08-13  Milton Mabry was sent as a delegate to the state Democratic convention in Ocala. Without solicitation as to himself, his name was placed in nomination for justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, and on the final ballot he received the nomination over eminent but aged incumbent, Justice Maxwell. (1957-04-28 The Tampa Tribune - "Pioneer Florida" by D. B. McKay, provided by Tampa historian Theodore Lesley.In August 1890 Mabry)

1890-08-14 Pensacola News
Bloxam nominated for comptroller by a rising vote. Triangular Contest for the Supreme Judgeship - Judge Maxwell's Name Withdrawn After Several Ineffectual Ballots, and Milton H. Mabry Nominated by Acclamation.  Judge Maxwell withdrawn, Milton Mabry is nominated for Supreme Court Justice

1890-08-17 Pensacola News
THE MAJORITIES - Ocala - Democrats nominate ex-Gov Bloxam for Comptroller, Mabry for supreme court justice.

MABRY ELECTED TO SUPREME COURT

1890-11-22 Pensacola News
Florida election results: Mabry elected Supreme Court Justice 23,644 votes, Ex-Gov. Bloxam elected State Comptroller 24,530.

1890-11-27 The Semi Weekly Times Union
County by County totals for Supreme Court Justice:  M.H. Mabry vs. J.R. Challen, State Comptroller: Bloxam

1891-01-04 Pensacola News
M.H. Mabry, justice-elect, arrives in Tallahassee with his family.

MABRY'S FIRST SIX-YEAR TERM AS SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

1891-01-09 Polk County News
Mabry to begin when Supreme Court meets in January.

1895-01-09 Pensacola News
The Supreme Court began its January term today...by choosing a new presiding officer.  The state constitution provides that the chief justice shall be designated by lot (random selection) by said justices, and shall be such during his term of office...and the lot fell upon Mr. Justice Milton H. Mabry, who will be chief justice during the remainder of his official term.

1895 January term Reorganization of court, Milton H. Mabry chosen chief justice, B.S. Liddon and R.F. Taylor associate justices.  (1897-01-15 The Florida Times-Union -  A history of the supreme court of Fla.)

MABRY CAMPAIGNS FOR A SECOND TERM AS SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

1896-06-18 WeeklyTribune
STATE CANDIDATES - ...for supreme justice, Milton H. Mabry, of Pasco (the present incumbent), and T. M. Shackleford, of Hillsborough, have been suggested.

1896-10-01 The Pensacola News
Democrat ticket nominees: For Governor - William D. Bloxam, for Supreme Court Justice - Milton H. Mabry

MABRY ELECTED FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, 2ND TERM

Milton H. Mabry, justice, elected for six more years in Oct. 1896 [starting Jan. 1897 term.]  (1897-01-15 The Florida Times-Union -  A history of the supreme court of Fla.)

1896-10-15 The Weekly Press
Lee County results: The entire Democrat ticket for the state was elected and the constitutional amendments all carried.  Gov: W.D. Bloxham, Supreme Court Justice: Milton Mabry.

Milton Mabry served on the Supreme Court for 12 years from 1891 to 1903, as justice from 1891 to 1897, as chief justice from 1895-1897 as Chief Justice, and 1897-1903 as justice.

Florida Supreme Court - Justice Milton Harvey Mabry

1900 CENSUS, DADE CITY, PASCO CO. FLA.

Click the image to see it larger.

1901-08-07 Tampa Tribune
Judge Milton Mabry of the supreme bench, and his estimable wife, are guests of the hospitable Trice residence in Hyde Park.  Judge Mabry and Mrs. Trice were children together and attended the same college.  Judge Mabry enjoys the enviable reputation of being one of purist jurists in the South, and is a gentleman universally admired and esteemed by all who know him.

1901-08-08 Tampa Tribune
Judge Mabry and wife, who have been guests of the hospitable Trice residence in Hyde Park, leave today for Dade City where Judge Mabry owns one of the finest homes in Florida.

Read more about Judge Hocker in the article from which the above was excerpted.

1902-02-19 Tampa Tribune
JUSTICE MABRY WILL RETIRE - Hon. W.A. Hocker will seek to succeed him on the Supreme Bench
Tallahassee, Fla. Feb. 18 - It was given out authoritatively this afternoon that Hon. M.H. Mabry for the past twelve years Supreme Court justice, will not be a candidate for re-election, and that Hon. W. A. Hocker, formerly judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and now Supreme Court commissioner, will offer for the position made vacant by the retirement of Judge Mabry.

1902-02-25 Tampa Tribune
Judge Jos. B. Wall for Supreme Court - Circuit Court Jurist yesterday announced his candidacy to succeed Justice Mabry who resigned.  Sure Winner. The other candidate is Judge W. A. Hocker of Ocala. (Further endorsements and praise for Wall.)

1902-12-12 Tampa Tribune
Judge Mabry of Tallahassee will come to Tampa later in the season and will make this city their home.  They will be welcome new-comers.

1903-01-01 Tampa Tribune
MILTON MABRY COMING TO TAMPA - Giddings.E. Mabry has returned to Tampa from Tallahassee, his father Judge M H Mabry will arrive in a few days to locate here for the practice of his profession.

1903-01-01 The Tampa Tribune
A Distinguished Acquisition
Judge Mabry who retired from the Supreme Court today has already arrived in Tampa where he will make his future home. Judge Mabry will practice law in this city and the acquisition of himself and his estimable family is greatly appreciated by Tampa.  He is considered on of the shrewdest and most successfl lawyers in this State, and the Tribune is confident that his most sanguine anticipations will be more than realized in his new home.

1903-01-04 The Florida Times Union
Judge Mabry has moved his family to Tampa.  His term as a Supreme Court Justice having expired, he locates at Tampa for the practice of law.  Judge Mabry and his family made many friends in Tallahassee during their stay here who regret to see them leave the capital.

1903-01-07 The Florida Times Union
The Supreme Court met on Monday with Judge Mabry as member.  Today the court organized with Judge Hocker in the place of Justice Mabry, whose term expired yesterday.

1903-02-06 TRIB - The only reference to Mabry & Mabry in Florida newspapers
Wants Her Maiden Name
Mary M. Watson files suit against husband Richard L. Watson, for divorce.  She will also ask that her original name, Mary M. Carpenter, be restored.  She is represented by Mabry & Mabry.

1904-02-02 Tampa Tribune
Death of Ella D. Mabry on Jan. 31, 1904, wife of Milton H. Mabry.

MABRY LEAVES TAMPA, RETURNS TO TALLAHASSEE AS CLERK OF SUPREME COURT.

1905-03-31 The Weekly True Democrat (Tallahassee)
Mr. B. B. Wilson today retires from the office of clerk of the Supreme Court and turns over that office to Judge M. H. Mabry....of Tampa, an ex-Judge of the Supreme Court and is of course thoroughly conversant with the duties upon which he is entering, as well as a gentleman very highly esteemed, especially among the legal fraternity of the State.

1906-02-08 Pensacola News Journal
Dear sir, The court has today directed the entry of judgment in the case of L.B. Croom, plaintiff in error, vs. C. Fred Schad, marshale, defendant in error from Escambia county, affirming judgment in the case.  The decision of the court was en banc and the opinion prepared by Mr. Justice Taylor.
Very truly yours, M.H. Mabry, Clerk Supreme Court.

MILTON MABRY REMARRIES

1906-11-16 The Louisville Courier Journal
Quiet Wedding Solemnized Yesterday at the Home of the Bride...
This article is incorrect concerning Milton being a member of Mabry & Mabry.  He had already moved back to Tallahassee in 1905.  After the wedding, the Mabrys honeymooned in Miami, with expectations of going to Cuba, but political unrest there made them decide not to go.

1906-12-2 Florida Times Union
Judge Milton H. Mabry and Mrs. Mabry returned Saturday from their wedding tip and are making their home with Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Gilmore.  Mrs. Mabry has a host of friends here who remember her as a charming visitor of last season, and who are delighted that she has returned to make her home in Florida as the wife of one of the state's mos distinguished men.
 

1909-10-22 TRIB Death of John Bramlett Mabry

1910 Census, Leon County, Tallahassee, 49 Duval St.
The Mabrys were living about 3 blocks north of the State Capitol.  Milton was recorded as being 52, but he was actually 59 to turn 60 next month.  This was his 2nd marriage, indicated by the "M2," and was working as Clerk, Supreme Court. Irene was recorded as 24, but she was actually 38.  Her tombstone shows she was born March 28, 1872.  This was her first marriage, mother of 1 child, 1 living. Dale was 19 (b. Mar. 22, 1891) and working as a clerk at the capitol. Milton & Irene's son was 1 year old.

1915-06-06 Tampa Tribune
MABRY QUITS AS CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT - Is succeeded by Talbot Whitfield, Governor's secretary.  Judge Mabry's health is reason for change. TALLAHASSEE, JUNE 5 - Hon. Milton H. Mabry has resigned as clerk of the Supreme Court.  The statement is made that the probable reason for the resignation is the Judge's health. Hon. Talbot Whitfield, private secretary to the Governor, has been named as Judge Mabry's successor. The retirement of Judge Mabry marks the ending of a long and enviable record in the service of Florida, and those who have known and learned to love him express for him the wishes for peace and prosperity as a reward for his fidelity.

1915-06-10 Tampa Times
Judge Mabry and family of Tallahassee have located in Clearwater for the summer, and probably will make this their permanent home.

1915-07-04 The Florida Tmes-Union (Tallahassee)
Judge Milton H. Mabry...turned over the jurisdiction of his office, clerk of the supreme court, to Hon. G. T. Whitfield.  Judge Mabry will remain in the city for a week or two winding up his business and then will enjoy a much deserved vacation, a part of which he will possibly spend at Clearwater.  His son, Dale Mabry, has been here for a few days assisting his father in the conclusion of his affairs.  He returned to his home in Tampa Thursday.

1917-01-31 Tampa Tribune
Mrs. Milton H. Mabry, Sr., is the wife of Judge Mabry and has recently moved from Tallahassee to Tampa.  She is a charming woman and will be an asset to Tampa's society.

Death of Milton Harvey Mabry, Sr.

1919-03-03 Milton H. Mabry, Sr. death certificate
Milton Harvey Mabry died at his residence at 310 Fielding in Tampa from pulmonary tuberculosis on March 3, 1919, at age 68. His length of time in this location was 18 years.  His date of birth was June 17, 1850 in Alabama, occupation Lawyer.  Parents Jesse H. Mabry of SC and Sarah Prude (no birthplace given).  The informant was his widow, Mrs. Milton H. Mabry, of 310 Fielding. The place of burial was Dade City Cemetery.
 

MILTON H. MABRY OBITUARIES

Be aware that obituaries are rarely 100% accurate as they depend on the information of relatives and/or friends.  For example, the press constantly refers to him as "Milton Harze Mabry" or Milton Harse Mabry.

1919-03-04 Florida Times Union See whole article.
Tampa, March 2 - MILTON H. MABRY DIES AT HIS TAMPA HOME - One-Time Lt. Governor of Fla., justice of the State Supreme Court and later Clerk of That Court.  Errors:  "Milton Harze Mabry".  ...became Lt. Gov. a position he filled until 1888.  Mabry held this position to the end of his term in 1890. Survivors: wife, five sons, and a daughter.  The sons are "C.E. Mabry, Jr." (Should be G. E. Mabry and not a junior) and Narton Mabry of Tampa" (should be HARTON Mabry), J. M. Mabry of Newport News, Va. (Should be Dr. J. H. Mabry - Jesse Hughes Mabry, "and Lt. Dale H. Mabry" (NO source ever attributes a middle name or middle initial for Dale.  Not even his Jan. 28, 1921 application for a passport which bears his own signature.)  OMITS MILTON HARVEY MABRY JR.
 

1919-03-04 Tampa Times See whole article
MABRY FUNERAL OCCURRED TODAY - Former Justice of Supreme Court Died at Home Here.
Errors: Judge Mabry was born Jun 17, 1851...(b. 1850). In 1883 he was elected as a member of the house of representatives from Lake County. Mabry was a representative from SUMTER COUNTY.  Survivors are correct. G.E. Mabry, M. H. Mabry Jr, Harton Mabry, all of Tampa, Dr. J. H. Mabry of Newport News VA, Lt. Dale Mabry with expeditionary forces in France, and daughter Mrs. Taver Bayler (Bailey) of Clearwater.
 

1919-03-04 Tampa Tribune See whole article
JUDGE M. H. MABRY DIES FOLLOWING LONG ILLNESS, Spent several years at Tallahassee, Former Justice Supreme Court, Lt. Gov. and Representative Lake County (NO, Sumter County.)  Judge Milton HARZE Mabry...born Pickens Co., Alabama June 17, 1851 (no, HARVEY, 1850).  67 years old (no, 68) He was elected in 1883 as a member of the state house of representatives from Lake County..(NO, elected 1882, started 1883, represented SUMTER Co.)  This obit is almost word-for-word from the Times obit.

1919-03-05 Tallahassee Democrat See whole article
JUDGE M. H. MABRY DIES IN TAMPA - Same errors as above: - Milton HARZE Mabry.  Born 1851, Elected 1883...was Lt. Gov. until 1888 when office was done away with. NO, was Lt. Gov until Jan. 8, 1889.

1919-03-05 Tampa Tribune - All correct, has no dates.  See whole article

1919-03-06 Tampa Times - All correct
Judge Mabry's Funeral Was in Dade City - Dade City, March 6 - Several prominent attorneys of Tampa, besides all the attorneys of the Dade City bar and old-time friends of Judge Milton H. Mabry, attended his funeral here Tuesday.  The services, which were conducted by Rev. C. W. Duke of Tampa, were simple but impressive.  Interment was made in the Dade City cemetery.

1919-03-06 Tampa Tribune - All correct
MANY MEMBERS OF BAR ATTEND MABRY FUNERAL, Late Judge Interred at Dade City
Dade City, March 5 - The remains of Judge Milton H. Mabry were laid to rest in the municipal cemetery here yesterday.  The funeral services, conducted by Rev. C. W. Duke of Tampa, were extremely simple. All the attorneys of the Dade City bar, several prominent attorneys from tampa and many of the old time friends of the judge, who once lived here, were present.

1919-03-11 Tampa Times
DRAW RESOLUTIONS RESPECT TO MABRY - Circuit Judge F. M. Robles (Francis Marion Robles, son of Tampa pioneer Joseph Robles) today named a committee of seven old lawyers who during the time Judge M. H. Mabry practiced were members of the Tampa bar with him, to draw up suitable resolutions and present to the court Saturday morning at 11 o'clock.  Lawyers asked to serve on the committee are Judges James F. Glen, S. M. Sparkman, Tom Palmer, H. C. Macfarlane, C. C. Whitaker, H. P. Bailey and Wm. Hunter.  Judge Robles said this morning that he thinks it fitting that the local bar association and courts remember the distinguished judge and local lawyer.

1919-03-14 Florida Times Union - same errors as before
Same errors as before:  Milton Harze Mabry, born 1851 (1850), elected 1883 to state house, served as Lt. Gov until 1888 (1890) when office was abolished (no) survived by sons C.E. Mabry Jr (NO, G.E. Mabry)., Narton (HARTON) Mabry, Lt. Dale H.(no) Mabry. Missing Dr. Jesse Hughes Mabry.

1919-03-15 Tampa Tribune from the Gainesville Sun
Judge Milton H. Mabry - When this distinguished Floridian passed off the state of action a day or two ago, he practiced law with William A. Hocker at Leesburg.  Both these gentlemen represented Lake county in the state legislature.  (NO, both represented Sumter County). and both became judges of the supreme court of Florida.  Judge Mabry (like his friend and co-partner, Judge Hocker) was a lawyer in whom there was neither guile nor deception.  He was a profound lawyer; a gentleman of the old school. Courteous always and a scrupulous disciple of the code of honor. His whole life was one that those coming after him may emulate with profit to themselves and to their country.

1919-03-17 Tampa Tribune See whole article.
SPLENDID TRIBUTE IS PAID TO JUDGE MABRY - RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY BAR ASSOCIATION - Many Accomplishments of This Noble Citizen Reviewed in Memorial.
Accurate birth date. Mention of becoming mayor of Tupelo but says "twice." Mentions partnership with William A. Hocker for more than ten years. Accurate year of beginning as member of the Fla. House of Reps, 1883. Nominated and elected Lt. Gov. in 1884, (Nominated in 1884) Although a newcomer and stranger to the people and politics of Florida, so impressed his worth upon the thinking people of this state, that he was, without effort on his part (NO, he campaigned for this position, they are confused with his Supreme Court nomination) nominated and elected Lt. Gov. of this state in 1884. (NO, elected 1884, served starting 1885. ) This office he filled acceptably to the people until 1884. (NO, served to 1890.) 

1919-03-18 Tampa Times See whole article
RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED, Committee Meets in the Circuit Court Room to Honor Judge Mabry.
Resolutions: Accurate birth date, accurate name, Milton Harvey Mabry, again says "twice honored with election to the mayoralty of said town (Tupelo)"  This may be accurate if mayors served 1-year terms. nominated and elected Lt. Gov. of this state in 1884. (elected 1884, served starting 1885. ) This office he filled acceptably to the people until 1884. (NO, served to 1890.)  Tribute to character follows.
 

CLICK TO SEE LARGER

GIDDINGS ELDON MABRY, SON OF MILTON H. MABRY, SR. & ELLA DALE BRAMLETT

Born on Oct 8, 1877 in Tupelo, Miss., Giddings E. Mabry was influenced in his choice of a career by his father, Milton Harvey Mabry, who had a distinguished career as a lawyer and public servant. In 1879, Milton H. Mabry was persuaded to come Florida for his health by his friend and future law partner, William A. Hocker, At two years old, Giddings and his younger brother Jesse were brought by their parents to Leesburg in Sumter Co., Florida.

1880 Census, Leesburg, Sumter Co., Fla.

Giddings was enumerated as "Elding;" an attempt by the enumerator to spell "Eldon." 
The Hockers were living 5 dwellings away, the dwellings in between them have been removed here.

Milton's occupation here is a mystery. The first word is "Fruit."   By looking at this enumerator's handwriting on many pages, the 2nd word appears to be "Susing."
It doesn't start with a "G" because all G's are consistent as it appears in Hocker's wife "Girtrude."  Considering the enumerator has misspelled Gertrude, Eldon and Jesse, "susing" may be a misspelling as well.

GIDDINGS MABRY'S EDUCATION

Giddings Mabry was educated in the Leesburg public grade schools and Leon County High School in Tallahassee.  In 1894 he entered the West Florida Seminary in Tallahassee until 1896. 

THE WEST FLORIDA SEMINARY In 1851 the Florida legislature commissioned two state “seminaries” of higher learning—one east and one west of the Suwannee River. So these date their origin from that act. However the West Florida Seminary did not actually begin classes until 1856. During the 1882-85 period, it was called the Literary College of Florida University, and after 1885 it was the Academic Department. It offered three degrees—Bachelor of Arts emphasizing Greek and Latin; Bachelor of Science emphasizing natural science and modern languages; and Bachelor of Letters, emphasizing English, German and Romance Languages. In 1901 the school advertized three branches: the academy, the normal school, and the college. After a name change to Florida State College in 1902, it added a fourth branch—the school of music. The 1901 Argo shows a student body of 171—35 in the college, 77 in the academy, and 59 in the normal program. There were also seven “special students.” The two rival student groups were the Anaxagorean Literary Society and the Platonic Debating Society—each with more than 20 members. The highlight of their year was commencement week, when each society had a day to display its talents. The school also had a Dramatic Club and an Oratorical Association. The 1905 Buckman plan reorganized higher education in Florida, segregating state-supported schools by race and gender. At that point Florida State College became Florida Female College. It was not until the aftermath of World War II that the school once again accepted male students, becoming the school we know today as Florida State University.  Information above from West Florida Seminary, 1851-1905 at lostcolleges.com

Photo courtesy of Florida Memory, State Library and Archives of Florida

 

PATRIOTIC ASPIRATIONS It was in mid-1898 when the Spanish-American war broke out, that young Giddings was fired up with patriotic enthusiasm to help Col. Roosevelt free Cuba from Spanish rule and oppression..  He was ready to join when his family convinced him into completing his education. (1963-03-14 TRIB Giddings Mabry Faith that works.)   LAW DEGREE AT CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY Upon graduating from Richmond College, Giddings entered Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1898 and obtained is Bachelor of Law degree in Dec. 1900.  This was the same school that his father, Milton, obtained his law degree in 1872. 1900-06-10 FLORIDA TIMES UNION Giddings E. Mabry, a student at Cumberland University, Tenn., attended the West Florida Seminary exercises. https://archive.org/details/internationaldir0153unse/mode/2up     Cumberland University Established as Cumberland College at Lebanon in 1842 under the patronage of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Cumberland University received a charter as a university in 1843. Except for the period from 1962 to 1982, when the name was officially Cumberland College of Tennessee, the institution has operated continuously as Cumberland University and is the oldest institution of higher education in the central South operating under its original chartered name. Shortly after its founding, Cumberland University occupied a large new Greek Revival-style building. Robert L. Caruthers, lawyer, soldier, jurist, and congressman, took a leading role in the subscription drive that produced ten thousand dollars for the new college; he became the first president of the board of trustees. In 1847 trustees at Cumberland University established a school of law. It opened a theological school and a school of engineering in 1853. By 1859 the law school was among the largest in the United States. Catalogue of Cumberland University, 1900

Memorial Hall, University building, front Memorial Hall, University building, rear Divinity Hall Caruthers Hall

GIDDINGS MABRY RETURNS TO FLORIDA
After obtaining his law degree, Giddings came back to Florida to join his parents and siblings at the fine 10-room home his father had built in Dade City. Giddings came to Tampa briefly in late Jan. 1901 and immediately left for Ocala where he studied Florida law in the law office of his father's former law partner and friend, Judge William A. Hocker. 

1900 CENSUS, PASCO CO., DADE CITY

1901-01-29 The Florida Times Union (Jacksonville)
Giddings Mabry, son of Justice Mabry of the Supreme Court, has returned home from Lebanon Law School, where he graduated.

1901-01-29 The Tampa Tribune
Giddings Mabry arrived in Tampa in late January, 1901, and left for Ocala to join Judge Hocker.

WILLIAM ADAMS HOCKER portrait
Bio https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/the-court/about-the-court/Former-Justices/Justice-William-Adams-Hocker

GIDDINGS MABRY AT OCALA

1901-02-01 The Ocala Evening Star See the whole article.
Mr. Giddens [sic] Mabry, the polished and gifted son of Judge M.H. Mabry of the state supreme court, has just returned from Lebanon, Tenn. where he graduated with honors from the law school at that place. He now fills a position in Judge Hocker's office in Ocala, where he hopes to acquire as expeditiously as possible a full knowledge of Florida law.  He is certainly a promising young man and will no doubt make his mark as a lawyer.

According to the revised Florida statutes of 1892, revised in 1899, anyone desiring to practice law in Florida was required to pass an exam given by the Circuit Judge and at least two members of the Bar.  Upon passing the exam, the lawyer was entitled to practice in the several circuit and inferior court of Florida. 

GIDDINGS MABRY EXAMINED IN OCALA

1901-02-20 The Ocala Evening Star
William Hocker presented to the court the name of G. E. Mabry, who desired to be admitted to the practice of law at this bar, whereupon Judge Hocker appointed Messrs. R.L. Anderson and R. McConathy to assist the court in the examination of the young applicant, which examination will take place Wednesday morning in open court.

1901-02-21 Ocala Evening Star
CIRCUIT COURT - Wednesday's proceedings: The committee, Messrs. R.L. Anderson, W.S. Bullock and R. McConathy, appointed by the court Tuesday to examine into the qualifications of Mr. Mabry, with the court, proceeded to examine the applicant for admission to the bar.  Mr. Mabry passed a most creditable examination and demonstrated the fact that he has a quick and retentive mind.  He is a son of Judge Mabry and has been reading law for some time in Judge Hocker's office.

GIDDINGS MABRY ESTABLISHES HIS LAW PRACTICE IN TAMPA

in Oct. 1901, Giddings came back to Tampa and opened his private law practice in the Knight Building at the southeast corner of Franklin & Lafayette St., 

1901-10-11 TRIB
LAWYER MABRY Mr. Giddens [sic] Mabry, son of Judge Mabry of the Supreme Court, has decided to cast his lot in Tampa and will practice law in this city, occupying elegant quarters in the Knight building.  Mr. Mabry is an exceedingly bright young gentleman and will no doubt gain fame and fortune in his chosen profession.

Upon arriving in Tampa at age 24, Giddings Mabry established his residence in a rooming house at 409 East Street in Ft. Brooke.  There he shared a room with Herbert S. Phillips, who was admitted to practice in Tampa in Feb.1901 and would soon serve as U.S. District attorney for 25 years.

Ft Brooke was an area separate from the City of Tampa which had not yet been annexed.  On the west side of downtown, the Ft. Brooke northern boundary was Whiting St. but on the east side of downtown, it extended northward to Ybor City.  See The Final Battle of Fort Brooke at TampaPix.

Giddings soon found himself being appointed frequently by Judge Graham to defend suspects in the criminal courts.

1901-10-18 The Tampa Tribune
MERRITT SENT UP - Grant Merritt, the negro who carried away a considerable portion of the goods of L.D. Geiger...was convicted of grand larceny and sentenced to 18 months in the penitentiary.  Giddens [sic] Mabry, who has just begun the practice of law here, was appointed by Judge Graham to defend the negro, and made a creditable showing in a clear case of guilt.

1901-11-12 The Tampa Tribune
G MABRY DEFENDS WALKER
Doc Walker, burglary, was successfully defended by Attorney G. E. Mabry.

In mid-February 1902, Giddings was admitted membership to the Hillsborough County Bar Association.

1902-02-09 The Tampa Tribune
GIDDINGS MABRY APPLIES FOR HCBA
GUNBY IS CHOSEN as president of the Hillsborough Co. Bar Ass'n.  Meeting held in the office of Circuit Judge J. B. Wall.  Applications for membership were received from G. E. Mabry and G. E.Lucas of Tampa.  E.R. Gunby elected as president, Thomas M. Shackleford vice-president.

1902-02-14 Tampa Tribune
Four young attorneys have been admitted this term to practice in the court.  They are Victor H. Knight, G. E. Mabry, W. B. Dickenson and C. A. Drumwright.

1902-08-06 The Tampa Tribune
LAWSON IS FREE - Jury Agreed At Late Hour Last Night
Attorney Mabry cleared his client of assault with intent to rape after a hard fight against trained lawyers.
Lawson was defended by G. E. Mabry; Solicitor Simonton and Samuel Borchardt represented the State.

1902-09-11 The Florida Times-Union
Giddings E. Mabry, a promising young lawyer of Tampa, and Hon. H. S. Philips, nominee for State Attorney in the Fifth Circuit, are on a visit to the capital.

GIDDINGS MABRY JOINED BY HIS FATHER, START OF MABRY & MABRY

When Milton H. Mabry, Sr's service as a Florida Supreme Court justice was over, he declined re-election and moved to Tampa to join his son in the private practice of law.  Giddings E. Mabry, attorney at law, became "Mabry & Mabry."

1903-01-01 The Tampa Tribune
MILTON MABRY (SR.) COMING TO TAMPA - Giddings.E. Mabry has returned to Tampa from Tallahassee, his father Judge M H Mabry will arrive in a few days to locate here for the practice of his profession.

1903-01-01 The Tampa Tribune
A Distinguished Acquisition
Judge Mabry who retired from the Supreme Court today has already arrived in Tampa where he will make his future home. Judge Mabry will practice law in this city and the acquisition of himself and his estimable family is greatly appreciated by Tampa.  He is considered on of the shrewdest and most successful lawyers in this State, and the Tribune is confident that his most sanguine anticipations will be more than realized in his new home.

1903-01-06 The Tampa Tribune
MILTON MABRY, SR. ARRIVES IN TAMPA

1903-02-06 The Tampa Tribune - FIRST AND ONLY MENTION OF MABRY & MABRY IN FLORIDA NEWSPAPERS
WANTS HER MAIDEN NAME
Mrs. Mary M. Watson is represented by Mabry & Mabry in a divorce lawsuit against her husband, Richard L. Watson.  She also asked that her original name, Mary M. Carpenter, be restored.  "She is the same gentle lady of approximately 70 summers who shot at her husband several weeks ago for trespassing on her property.

1904-02-02 Tampa Tribune
Death of Ella Dale Mabry on Jan. 31, 1904, mother of Giddings Mabry

1904-02-18 The Weekly Tampa Tribune
BAR ASSN ELECTS OFFICERS
The HCBA went Republican by a large majority yesterday afternoon.  William Hunter, the popular referee in bankruptcy, was elected president, succeeding Peter O. Knight. Don C. McMullen was elected VP, M. Henry Cohen secretary, and Giddens [sic] E. Mabry treasurer.
 

1904-04-12 The Tampa Tribune
By mid-April 1904, Giddings Mabry had moved his practice into the Hampton Building. 
Giddings Mabry, a leader in the temperance movement, was giving out badges to members of the WCTU (Women's Christian Temperance Union).  Over 800 women had been pinned.
 

THE END OF MABRY & MABRY

1904-05-15 The Tampa Tribune
Mabry, G. E., Hampton Block. Pen (Peninsular) Phone 1123

The Hampton building was located on the east side of the 700 block of Franklin St. on the corner at Polk St. The Hampton Building, 1921

Behind the far right lamp post can be seen one of the three 1-story businesses that were demolished to build the Tampa Theater in 1926. Construction on the Hampton building began in late Sept. 1900 after the wood frame structures were demolished (meat market, tailor shop, barber shop, restaurant, and laundry) and was completed in late Feb. 1901. 1900-04-08 Tampa Tribune - "ANOTHER BRICK BLOCK - Hampton to Erect Handsome Structure at Franklin and Polk. By Oct. 1934 it was the home of Walgreen Drug Store.  Notice the Tampa Theater blade sign and removal of the top decorative facade of the right end of the building. On the 1903 Sanborn Fire Insurance map below can be seen outlined in blue is where the Tampa Theater office tower and auditorium were built in 1926. The bank at lower left was the Citizens Bank.   WILLIAM WADE HAMPTON The block and the building were named for William Wade Hampton, Sr, a Gainesville attorney who owned a large amount of valuable property in the state including in Tampa.  Born in Albany, Georgia in 1856, he came to Florida in 1876 at Gainesville where he  founded the town's first law firm, Hampton and Hampton, with his brother Edwin, William was the first president of the Florida Bar Association. He was the first of three generations of Wade Hamptons who practiced law in Gainesville from 1875 until 2006.  In early April, 1900, he announced plans to build a new brick business block on his property at Franklin and Polk St.   Courtesy of "Men of the South" 1922   Courtesy of Florida Memory, Archives & State Library

MILTON H. MABRY SR. LEAVES TAMPA, RETURNS TO TALLAHASSEE AS CLERK OF SUPREME COURT.

1905-03-31 The Weekly True Democrat (Tallahassee)
Mr. B. B. Wilson today retires from the office of clerk of the Supreme Court and turns over that office to Judge M. H. Mabry....of Tampa, an ex-Judge of the Supreme Court and is of course thoroughly conversant with the duties upon which he is entering, as well as a gentleman very highly esteemed, especially among the legal fraternity of the State.

By March 1905, Giddings Mabry became a member of Tampa's Board of Trade and had moved his office to the Hampton building where he practiced alone for about 2 years.

1905-03-12 The Tampa Tribune
Is your name on this list?
Official list of the member of Tampa's Board of Trade, Mabry, G.E., attorney-at-law, Hampton building.

1905-06-13 The Tampa Tribune
Giddens [sic] Mabry yesterday chaperoned a hunting and fishing party to Green Springs, where the boys will spend about 10 days.

1905-06-20 The Tampa Tribune
MABRY WAS CHIEF COOK, demonstrated rare culinary ability in Green Springs Camp.
Seven boys, counting Mabry, returned from Green Springs where they camped out for a week and enjoyed life to the fullest.  Besides his other duties, Mr. Mabry acted as chief cook and gained 10 pounds on the menu he prepared.  He was so successful that he was offered a steady salary of $4 a week to surrender his legal career in Tampa and devote himself exclusively to the culinary art at the Springs, an offer which his natural modest and retiring disposition impelled him to refuse.

MARRIAGE OF GIDDINGS MABRY & MABEL ROBEY

1906-10-07 The Tampa Tribune
MABRY - ROBEY
A wedding that will be of general interest all over Tampa and especially in Hyde Park, will be that of Miss Mabel Robey and Mr. Giddings E. Mabry.  This will take place the first part of November.  Both Miss Robey and Mr. Mabry have endeared themselves to a host of friends in Tampa and their future happiness is the wish of all who know them.

1906-10-16 The Tampa Tribune
MABRY-ROBEY
The following invitations were issued yesterday:  "Rev. and Mrs. George W. Robey invite you to be present at the marriage of their daughter, Mabel, to Mr. Giddings Eldon Mabry, on the evening of Thursday, the first of November at 7:30 o'clock, First Baptist Church, Tampa, Fla."
 

On Nov. 1, 1906, Giddings married Iowa-born Miss Mabel Robey, a daughter of the Rev. George C. and Rebecca J. (Kelly) Robey.

1906-11-02 Tampa Tribune  Read a detailed article about the wedding.
1906-11-04 Tampa Tribune - Read another detailed account of the wedding.
 

FRAZIER & MABRY PARTNERSHIP

1907-01-08 The Tampa Tribune 

In Jan. 1907, Giddings entered into a partnership with Joseph W. (Wheeler) Frazier as Frazier & Mabry in the First National Bank building on the 400 block of Franklin St. (the southwest corner of Franklin and Madison street.) 

According to his 1910 Census in Tampa, Joseph W. Frazier (38) was born circa 1871 in Tennessee, so he was around 6 years older than Giddings Mabry. He had been married for six years to wife Nellie (Lydia Cornelia Henry), who was 27, born in Florida. their children were Joseph Jr., Katherine and Edward, all born in Florida.  According to a user-submitted tree of this family, Lydia was a daughter of William Marion Hendry, of the prominent Hendry family in Tampa, and Susan C. Wall, a daughter of Judge Perry Green Wall.  Lydia's brothers included John P. Wall, physician and mayor of Tampa.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF TAMPA

The First National Bank started life as "The Bank of Tampa" in the early 1880s in a small wood frame structure on Washington St. just west of Franklin St. 

The First National Bank building in 1920.

By 1910, Frazier & Mabry moved their practice to rooms 6, 7 & 8 in the Hampton building at Franklin & Polk where Mabry previously had his office.  The bank location may have lacked space for growth or it could have been a rent issue.  Nellie was Frazier's wife.

1910-02-13 The Tampa Tribune
GIDDINGS MABRY CAMPAIGNS FOR D.B. McKAY FOR TAMPA MAYOR
MCKAY RALLY TO BE HELD AT COURTHOUSE TONIGHT- G. E. Mabry will preside - Municipal Band to be Present - Several speakers to be heard.  With G.E. Mabry presiding, the first rally at the Courthouse Square since the first municipal primary in the interest of candidate D. B. McKay, will be held tonight beginning at 8 o'clock.  Judge Raney, John P. Wall, M. B. Macfarlane, and Rev. Joe Sherouse are scheduled as the speakers of the evening and the McKay forces are expecting a large crowd present.

1910-04-22 The Tampa Tribune
FRECKER CAUSE GETS HOT SHOT - McKay Forces Hold Enthusiastic Rally - Speaking Continues Until 11:45 With Mabry, McKay, Raney, Sherouse and Wall Holding the Floor
...The meeting was presided over by G. E. Mabry, who made the first address.  Mr. Mabry opened by stating that this is an important period in the growth of the city and that at this time, important issues confront the people...   Read all of Mabry's comments about why he supports McKay and not Frecker, the incumbent.

Read about this period of Tampa political history and the friction between Donald Brenham McKay & the controversial Wm. Frecker.

The April 1, 1910 Census in Tampa finds Giddings E. Mabry, living at 207 Cardy St. in Hyde Park, age 32, married for 3 years to 32 year old Mabel R. Mabry,  Giddings's occupation was "lawyer, general practice" In their home was their 7 month old daughter, Mabel Mabry.  Listed last is Bessie Brown, their cook, a 28 year old widow.. 

THE END OF FRAZIER & MABRY

1910-06-04 The Tampa Tribune
The last listing for Frazier & Mabry appears in the June 4, 1910 Tribune, but the legal section of court case schedules shows Frazier & Mabry representing clients until March 1, 1911.

GIDDINGS MABRY, CITY ATTORNEY

1910-06-22 The Tampa Tribune
MAYOR MAKES APPOINTMENTS
On Jun. 21, 1910, Giddings Mabry was chosen by newly-elected mayor Donald. Brenham McKay to serve as City Attorney, serving until 1913. Among the first of his many accomplishments, Giddings secured land that enabled development of the Ybor channel and estuary area. 
 

Construction of Ybor Channel, the key project in Tampa's harbor development program, was made possible by a Federal appropriation of $1,750,000 authorized June 25, 1910. The channel was dredged in a marsh which had once been part of the Fort Brooke military reservation and was then owned by four businessmen.  Another large tract was held in the name of Charles Ballit had been deeded to him by his father-in-law, Stephen M. Sparkman, before the latter became congressman: The U.S. government insisted that the city must secure at least 700 feet on each side of the channel before dredging would be started. Giddings Mabry, as city attorney, started negotiations immediately with the property owners and the necessary land was secured late in 1911, the arrangements providing that the owners should be paid with certificates which could be used to pay taxes on remaining lands for eight years. Dredging was started February 19, 1912, and proceeded rapidly thereafter.

1911-03-01 The Tampa Tribune
This March 1911 court session was the last mention of Frazier & Mabry representing clients together. Other cases have been edited out.

GIDDINGS MABRY HANDLES LAND ISSUES FOR NEW FIRE STATION

As city attorney, in March 1911, Giddings was called to negotiate contracts with property owners of land surrounding the site of the planned, new Tampa Fire Department at Zack and Jefferson St.  This location would be only the 2nd site of Fire Station #1, after being housed in the ramshackle City Hall built in 1892 at Lafayette between Florida Ave. and Franklin St.  Today this building on Zack Street is the Tampa Firefighters Museum, and the old 1892 City Hall building was replaced in 1915 by the old historic City Hall we have today.  See Burgert Bros. page 4 for close ups of the men.

Previous Fire Station #1 in City Hall, 1901
This photo shows the east-facing front of the building, Florida Avenue.

Giddings was a devout Baptist and member of the old First Baptist Church in Hyde Park.   In March 1914, he went before City Council with a request to change the paving on the SW corner of Plant Ave. and Lafayette St. for the purpose of building a "handsome church edifice" on that corner. The existing paving made a sharp corner on the SW of the intersection and Mabry's proposal was to round off the corner and carry back the sidewalk.  Church members were willing to donate this property to the city if the city would pay the expense of changing the paving.  Plans were to build a church and Sunday School building which would cost around $100,000.  It was to be built on the west side of the site occupied by the old tabernacle which was being used as a Sunday School.

Giddings served as County attorney from 1917 to 1923 and as president of the Hillsborough Co. Bar association in 1918.  Member of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida and American Bar Associations, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Masonic Lodge, board member of the YMCA, Old Peoples Home of Tampa, Baptist Children's Home of Lakeland.

In 1912 Mabry was joined by Doyle Elam Carlton and in 1921 by former Judge OK Reaves (that was his first name, OK, not initials), forming the firm of Mabry, Reaves & Carlton. 

On Jan. 2, 1921, Mabry Reaves & Carlton moved into the brand new 7-story Stovall building at the southwest corner of Tampa St. and Madison.

https://archive.org/details/bwb_S0-BTN-632/page/368/mode/2up GRISMER, History of Tampa

Men of the south  https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_NfA1AQAAMAAJ

Doyle Carlton was elected as Florida's governor during the depression years, then rejoined Mabry and Reaves in private practice after his governorship.  (During the time Carlton was governor, Morris White joined the firm.  Upon leaving after Carlton came back, White joined attorney Cody Fowler to form the firm of Fowler, White.)  The Mabry firm was later joined by D. Wallace Fields and became Mabry, Reaves, Carlton & Fields.  The firm of Mabry, Reaves and Carlton (and later, with Fields) was instrumental in the development of early Tampa. Among their accomplishments was obtaining the rights for D.P. Davis to build Davis Islands, the formation, surveying and development of the Seminole Heights area in 1912, and the formation of the Tampa Television Broadcasting Co. to lobby the FCC for WTVT to obtain its broadcasting license.  (Eventually, this firm became Carlton, Fields, Ward, Emmanuel, Smith and Cutler in the 1960s and is still in business today as Carlton, Fields, P.A.)

Mr. Mabry’s specialty was real estate law. In fact, some of the largest (Florida) developments of his lifetime were built under his legal direction.   Mr. Mabry never went to court, although he did handle a lot of cases that he’d have others in the firm go to court (to try) for him. He was a fine-looking man, thin and tall and good looking looked like a movie actor, even in his old age.  (D. Wallace Fields)

Service: January 6, 1903-January 5, 1915. Born December 5, 1844 in Buckingham County, Virginia. Educated at Hampden-Sidney College of the University of Virginia. Admitted to bar, 1869. Moved to Florida, 1874. Member of Florida Legislature in 1877 representing Sumter County and in 1891 representing Lake County. Member of 1885 Constitutional Convention. Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit 1893-1901. Died in Jacksonville, July 16, 1918.

In 1911 Giddings Mabry was joined by a young, up and coming Stetson University grad named Doyle E. Carlton and later joined in 1921 by Manatee County retired Judge OK Reaves.  Together they would establish the law firm of Mabry, Reaves & Carlton.  Carlton would go on to serve as Governor of Florida from 1929 to 1933 and then return to his old law firm which underwent a series of name changes over the decades until they became Carlton Fields Ward Emmanuel Smith and Cutler, P.A. in 1963.

Giddings Eldon Mabry (b. Oct. 9, 1877, Tupelo, Miss.)  They had only one child around 1909-1910, a daughter named Mabel Mabry.  Giddings  was a member of the Masons and the Seminole Baptist church, and enjoyed playing golf. Their home still stands at 1503 Bayshore Blvd, between S. Oregon Ave. and S. Dakota Ave.  It is the big, red brick house with a huge oak in the front yard.  It was built for the Mabrys in 1925.  The old rose bush that Giddings would pluck a fresh rose from to wear on his lapel to work every day, still exists.  Giddings E. Mabry died Sept. 24, 1968 in Tampa and is buried in Oaklawn Cemetery.  His wife Mabel died on Oct. 5, 1946 and is also buried in Oaklawn Cemetery.

5.  Dale Mabry, b. March 22, 1891 in Tallahassee, FL.  He fought for the United States Army during World War I. After the war, the Army commanded Captain Mabry and his crew to return the Italian semi-rigid airship Roma back to the United States. On February 21, 1922, while flying the Roma in Norfolk, Virginia, Captain Mabry and others in his crew crashed the airship and died. The city of Tallahassee, Florida, commemorated the local hero and named their first municipal airport after him, Dale Mabry Field. Unmarried, no children.

[Much more to be added.]