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Historic Homes of
Biloxi
W.W. SUTCLIFFE-MAVAR HOUSE: 1898-2001
1364 West Beach
William Wilson Sutcliffe (1850-1934), a resident of 1120
State Street in New Orleans, was the president of the Sutcliffe
Company, which owned large sugar cane planting acreage in South
Louisiana. He had once resided at Cuba where he managed sugar
plantations. There Mr. Sutcliffe invented a bagasse combustion
furnace, which was invaluable to this island nation because of its
paucity of natural energy resources. In addition at Biloxi, W.W.
Sutcliffe possessed a resort home on West Beach and commercial
property on Reynoir Street. He was married to Minnie Wetzler
(1850-1916), and they were the parents of William W. Sutcliffe II,
Mrs. Clarence W. (Jeannette) Morris (Dallas), and Mrs. Quiller
(Laura) F. Scott (Jackson County, Ohio).(The Daily Herald,
September 16, 1916, p. 3 and January 15, 1934, p. 8)
At New Orleans, Mr. Sutcliffe was a strong patron of the
Methodist Episcopal Church-South. In 1895, he served on the Board
of Trustees of the Sea Shore Camp Grounds at Biloxi.(Dyer, 1895)
In 1898, W.W. Sutcliffe served as president of the Board of Trustees
and he and his spouse were frequent visitors to the campground where
they possessed a tent. He stopped here in late May 1898, on a
return business trip from Baltimore.(The Biloxi Herald, May 14,
1898, p. 8 and May 28, 1898, p. 8)
In February 1898, W.W. Sutcliffe acquired for $1600, from fellow
Crescent City businessman, John H. Keller (1830-1908), two lots, No.
19 and No. 20, in Square No. 4 of the Avondale development at
Biloxi. The Sutcliffe parcel had 164 front feet on the Mississippi
Sound and ran north for about 595 feet comprising approximately 2.24
acres. J.H. Keller’s covenants prohibited oyster planting and any
commercial oyster business in his Avondale real estate development.
The Sutcliffe lot was bounded on the east by First Street (later
West First Street), now called Saint Francis, and on the north by
Keller Avenue, now known as Father Ryan Avenue.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed
Bk. 37, pp. 429-430)
William W. Sutcliffe House (circa 1905)
1364 West Beach Boulevard
(Courtesy of Randy Randazzo)
Construction
News of W.W. Sutcliffe’s acquisition of a beach front
lot was reported in The Biloxi Herald in late February 1898.
The journal reported that he would let a contract shortly for the
erection of a residence to cost between $4000 and $5000.(The
Biloxi herald, February 26, 1898, p. 8)
In April 1898, Mr. Sutcliffe had his lot fenced and
planned to have a home built on his seaside vista within the year.(The
Biloxi Herald, April 2, 1898, p. 8)
In August 1898, W.W. Sutcliffe, now president of the Board of
Trustees of the Sea Shore Campground, signed a building contract
with John Kelley. Mr. Kelley was to erect a large structure on
Sutcliffe’s Avondale lot facing the Mississippi Sound.(The Biloxi
Herald, August 20, 1898, p. 8)
Contractor John P. Kelly (1853-1900+) was a native of
Cincinnati, Ohio. He married Martha Jane Powell (1856-1919) and
they parented ten children: Effie Kelly, Charles Kelley, Lizzie
Kelly, Theresa Kelley, Eddie Kelly, Leo A. Kelly (1884-1938), Joe
Kelly, Francis Kelly, Elna Kelly, and Freddie Kelly. Mr. Kelly was
well respected at Biloxi for his character and quality
construction.(20th Century Coast Edition of The Biloxi
Daily Herald, (ca 1902), pp. 62-63)
In early November 1898, the Sutcliffes came over from
New Orleans to inspect their beautiful domicile which was under
construction.(The Biloxi Herald, November 12, 1898, p. 4)
Summer 1910
In early May 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Sutcliffe arrived at
their 1904 West Beach residence for the summer season. Their
daughter, Mrs. Clarence W. Morris, and her two children of
Corsicana, Texas planned an early June arrival on the Mississippi
coast. She preferred Biloxi for their summer holiday over both
western and eastern spas.(The Daily Herald, May 7, 1910, p. 8)
Sutcliffe Company
In January 1934, W.W. Sutcliffe sold his Biloxi retreat
to his company, the Sutcliffe Company.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 200,
pp. 120-121)
Sell Off
From October 1935 to September 1937, the Sutcliffe
Company sold lots from its land holdings in Lot 19 and Lot 20 of
Square Four of Avondale to: Louis O. Thompson, Bowman Broadnax,
Frank E. Hall, Elizabeth Mann Trudeau, Eva S. Woolett (Lafayette
County, Mississippi), and Florence B. Maxey. The W.W. Sutcliffe
home was excluded from these conveyances.
W.W. Sutcliffe Jr.
In December 1937, W.W. Sutcliffe Jr. acquired his
father’s home at 1904 West Beach at Biloxi from the Sutcliffe
Company.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 218, pp. 365-366) The lot,
excluding riparian rights south of West Beach, measured
In September 1942, W.W. Sutcliffe Jr. to Arthur E. Scruggs and
Gertrude Kelly Scruggs for $6,650.(Bk. 251, p. 32)
Arthur E. Scruggs
Arthur E. Scruggs (1897-1957) was the son of William
Scruggs and Anna Shand and a native of Tate County, Mississippi. He
was the Superintendent of Biloxi Public Schools from 1946? until
1956? At Biloxi, he oversaw the operation of the senior and junior
high schools, five elementary schools, and the colored schools. Mr.
Scruggs had matriculated to the University of Mississippi where he
was conferred with two degrees, a B.S. and a M.S. in School
Administration and History. He had also attended LSU working toward
his PhD degree. A youthful A.E. Scruggs entered the teaching
profession at Amory High School circa 1919, where he taught
mathematics and coached. Circa 1926, Scruggs accepted the position
of Principal and Coach at New Albany High School. About 1928, he
relocated to Poplarville, Mississippi where he was the head of the
History Department and Coach at Pearl River Jr. College for six
years. Professor Scruggs arrived at Biloxi circa 1936 to serve as
Biloxi Senior High School Principal. His tenure as Superintendent
of Biloxi Public Schools, commenced circa 1946.(The JXCOT,
December 17, 1948, p. 1)
Married to Gertrude Kelly Scruggs. Daughter, Anna Scruggs (b. ca
1941)
Both public and parochial schools in Biloxi closed half day on
October 10, 1957, the day of Mr. Scruggs internment at the National
Cemetery in Biloxi.(The Daily herald, October 9, 1957, p. 2)
In January 1945, Arthur E. Scruggs and wife conveyed the Sutcliffe-Mavar
home to Mrs. Thomas C. Hannah (possibly Rosalee Hannah (1911-1990)
of Petal, Forrest, Mississippi)
Mrs. Thomas C.
Hannah
Resident of Forrest County, Mississippi.
In October 1953, Mrs. Hannah, a widow, to William L.
Clayton Sr.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 381, pp. 282-283)
William L. Clayton Sr.
In May 1954, William L. Clayton Sr. to Jules
A. Barbin Sr. (HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 381, p. 458)
Jules A. Barbin Sr.
Jules A. Barbin Sr. (1919-1986), Chalmette, St. Bernard,
Louisiana.
In June 1955, Jules A. Barbin Jr. sold to Leo C. and
Mary Adele Simon Todaro.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 397, pp. 42-43)
Leo C. Todaro
Leo C. Todaro (1909-1994) and Mary Adele Simon Todaro
(1906-1994) were both natives of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Leo
was born at Gulfport, Mississippi on May 11, 1909, the son of
Anthony Todaro and Domenica LaMendola. He married Mary Adele Simon,
a Biloxian and daughter of Joseph Simon and Catherine Shedrary, on
July 7, 1935. (HARCO, Ms. MRB 46, p. 163) This union produced five
children: Charles Leo Todaro, Mary Lynn Todaro, Anthony Joseph
Todaro, Michael Carl Todaro, and John Braxton Todaro.(The Sun
Herald, March 4, 1994, p. A-2)
Leo C. Todaro was the proprietor of Leo’s Grocery on the
northeast corner of Main Street and Division Street. His
brother-in-law, Charles Simon, operated a gasoline service station
across the street. In later life, Leo was an independent real
estate broker. Active in the Biloxi community, Leo C. Todaro was a
devout Roman Catholic and member of the Cathedral Parish of the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where he was a Fourth Degree
member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1244. In addition,
Mr. Todaro was a past president of the Cedars of Lebanon Club, a
member of the Italian American Society, member of Elks Lodge No.
606, Order of Alhambra, and a charter fundraiser for the St. Jude’s
Hospital at Memphis. He expired at Biloxi on May 3, 1994 and his
corporal remains were interred in the Biloxi City Cemetery besides
his loving wife, Mary Adele, who had preceded his in death on March
2, 1994.(The Sun Herald, May 5, 1994, p. A-2 and March 4, 1994,
p. A-2)
In March 1961, Leo C. Todaro and Mary Mary C. Todaro conveyed their
home to Charles C. Goetz Jr. and Lee Garrett Goetz.(HARCO, Ms. Land
Deed Bk. 477, p. 196)
Charles C. Goetz Jr.
Charles C. Goetz Jr. and Lee Garrett Goetz were
residents of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. In December 1970, Charles
C. Goetz Jr. and Lee Garrett Goetz conveyed their property at Biloxi
to K.C. Davidson and Mary E. Davidson.(HARCO, Ms. 2nd
Judicial District Land Deed Bk. 14, p. 272)
Kenneth Comfort
Davidson
In May 1973, Kenneth C. Davidson and Mary Elizabeth
Davidson to Nancy Pierce Mavar.(HARCO, Ms. 2nd Judicial
District Land Deed Bk. 39, pp. 323-324)
Nancy Pierce Mavar
Nancy Pierce Mavar, a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi,
is the spouse of Nicholas A. “Nick” Mavar II. Nicholas A. Mavar II
(b. 1942) is the son of Nicholas A. Mavar (b. 1918) and Irma
Sumerlin (1919-2001), the daughter of Doss Sumerlin and Emma
Martin. Nick Mavar II’s siblings are: Thomas Martin Mavar, and
Gerald Michael Mavar (b. 1946).
REFERENCES:
Charles L. Dyer, Along The Gulf, “The Sea Shore
Camp Grounds”, (Women of the Trinity Episcopal Church: Pass
Christian-1971. Originally published 1895.
20th Century Coast Edition of The Biloxi Daily
Herald, (The Biloxi Daily Herald: Biloxi,
Mississippi-ca 1902)
Journals
The Biloxi Herald, “Latest City News”, February 26, 1898.
The Biloxi Herald, “Latest City News”, April 2, 1898.
The Biloxi Herald, “Seashore Camp Ground Dots”, May 14,
1898.
The Biloxi Herald, “Camp Ground Dots”, May 28, 1898.
The Biloxi Herald, “Latest City News”, August 20, 1898.
The Biloxi Herald, “Camp Ground Dots”, November 12, 1898.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “J.H. Keller, New Orleans”,
November 6, 1908.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi News”, May 7, 1910.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Sutcliffe Dead”, September 16,
1916.
The Daily Herald, “Wm. Sutcliffe Dies At New Orleans Home”,
January 15, 1934.
The Daily Herald, “Superintendent Biloxi Schools Expires At
VA”, October 9, 1957.
The Daily Herald, “City Schools To Close Half Day Thursday”,
October 9, 1957.
The Daily Herald, “Pierce-Mavar Nuptial Plans Revealed Today”,
June 23, 1966.
The Jackson County Times, “Professor Scruggs is re-elected
Superintendent of Biloxi Schools”, December 17, 1948.
The Sun Herald, “Mary Adele Simon Todaro”, March 4, 1994.
The Sun Herald, “Leo C. Todaro”, May 5, 1994.
The
Sun Herald, “Irma Sumerlin Mavar”, September 5,
2001.
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By
Ray L. Bellande