This craftsman style house was most likely designed by architect Will Stanton for Martha and Stephen Thrasher in 1910. Martha purchased the lot in January 1910 from George Hackett for $1,050 and the house was built by W. H. Bruser for $4,500. The house was completed by June because the Thrasher’s daughter, Eliza Brady, married Robert Flowerree in the house June 9.  

Stephen Thrasher was a native of Indiana, but spent nearly his entire life in Port Gibson, where he practiced law. He was also a planter in Claiborne County and the president of the Port Gibson Oil Works. He served Claiborne County twice in the state legislature. 

Thrasher’s first wife died in Indiana. He then married Mrs. Charles Hamilton, who also died. In 1908, he married Martha Brady. Thrasher died at the age of 81 in December1913 of blood poisoning after cutting a corn off of his foot. The Vicksburg Post reported that “’Judge’ Thrasher, as he was familiarly known by his large circle of friends, was one of the kindest of men. Though a man of large income, he told the writer a few weeks ago that he gave away the revenues from his oil stock after deducting his living expenses.  Hundreds of people who had no claim of kinship were beneficiaries of his lavish generosity. The writer was a personal friend of the deceased, and he highly valued this friendship.” 

Martha continued to live in the house with her daughters Priscilla and Mrs. William Morehead (the papers don’t give her first name), and occasionally her son, Albert. The women traveled extensively, including a two-month trip to Cuba in 1920, after which they were interviewed by the Post.  

“The ladies are exceedingly enthusiastic regarding the pleasures of their trip. So pleased were they with the delights of their trip and the modes and manners of life of the American residents of the beautiful island, that they will make another trip there in the near future. They all agree that Cuba would be a most delightful place in which to live.”

In about 1924, Martha and her family moved back to Port Gibson and the house was sold to George and Lucille Sudduth. The Sudduths bought the Italianate on the northwest corner of Cherry and Harris Street in 1920 and had it moved to the opposite corner on Drummond and Harris (recently demolished). They planned to build a house on the lot, but instead they bought the Drummond Street house and remodeled and enlarged it at a cost of $6,500.  

Sudduth was a cotton factory and commission merchant. He was also a director of the Peoples Savings Bank and Loan Company and the Vicksburg Oil Company; secretary of the Vicksburg Chapter of the American Red Cross; treasurer of the YMCA, and a distributor of National Highway Cars. His advertisement for the “new National Six” declared that “its structure is rugged and sound, its design is sightly (sic) and comfortable, its motor is reliable and powerful.  It is an easy car to drive and an economical one to own.”  

The car was available as a six-cylinder for $1,850 or as a 12-cylinder for $2,250. A true car enthusiast, Sudduth helped to organize, and became the first president of, the Vicksburg Automobile Club in 1919. The Post reported the first meeting of the club was held on June 3, with 50 members in attendance. 

 “The meeting was held on the library lawn, the auditorium being locked. Data was produced by James A. Steele regarding automobile ordinances. The object of the club is to see that proper ordinances regulating traffic are made and enforced.”

In about 1943, the house was purchased by Charles and Mallory “Mal” Wilkerson. Charles was born and reared in Vicksburg and graduated from St. Al, Culver Military Institute and Washington and Lee University. During World War II, he volunteered for the Navy and attained the rank of lieutenant. He was a member of the R. C. Wilkerson Insurance Agency and was associated with Glenwood Funeral Home. Charles was also a member of St. Paul’s Church, Y’s Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and the Chamber of Commerce. He died at the age of 32 after a weeklong illness in 1946. His wife and two children, Charles and Mallory, continued to live in the house after his death.  Twenty years later, on May 9, 1966, Mal died at the age of 49 after a long illness. Her obituary stated that she was a former state golf champion and a member of the Vicksburg Garden Clubs, and a volunteer with the Girl Scouts.

The house was then sold to Patricia and Jinx Peterson, who raised four daughters. Jinx graduated from Tulane University and served in the U. S. Navy during World War II as an officer on the USS Vincennes and the USS Intrepid. After the war, he helped to organize the local Naval Reserve in Vicksburg. He was associated with the Mississippi Hardware Company for 50 years.  Patricia was the vice president of E. J. Platte Fisheries, a former Southeastern Zone Champion trap shooter, past president of the Ladies Golf Association of the Vicksburg Country Club and a member of Junior Auxiliary and Kappa Delta Sorority. She died at 46 years old in 1970. Jinx later married Cecelia Burdette. Jinx died in 1997 and his youngest daughter, Logan, lives in the house today.  

– Nancy Bell, Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.