John H. Echols, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, was educated at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, and became a civil engineer. He moved to Mississippi in the 1850s, where he became a state land agent. He married Medora E. W. Ware of Jackson on April 14, 1859. Their first child, Mary Ophelia, died on June 2, 1860, but by 1870 they had two other children, Lena and Alex. Medora died in Jackson on August 29, 1875. Her funeral was held at the Methodist church, attended by a large congregation of mourners.

Echols became well known in the Jackson community through his work as a civil engineer and state land agent. In the late 1850s, he joined a Masonic organization, the Mississippi Commandery, No. 1, of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of the State of Mississippi. By 1860, Echols was advertising his services as real estate agent and tax collector for lands throughout the state. In 1861, Echols served as city alderman for Jackson. In 1865, he was elected state treasurer. In 1867, while still in office, Echols was a partner in the firm, Daniel & Echols, Real Estate Agents. He was removed from state office on March 26, 1869, as the politics of Reconstruction began to sweep through state government. That same year, he became secretary of the Planters', Manufacturers', and Mechanics' Association of Mississippi, helping to organize an annual fair for October. In the 1870 census, Echols listed his occupation as "planter." Personal property tax records for 1874 in Hinds County, City of Jackson, show that Echols owned a small collection of farm animals and equipment. In April and May of 1875, he advertised in The Farmer's Vindicator for the sale of eggs from his home in Jackson.

The ledger apparently contains business and personal accounts for John H. Echols and various business partners, notably Horace Hatch. A letter found in the ledger from Hatch to Echols dated January [?] 20, 1876, discusses the dissolution of their partnership due to Hatch's ill health. While most of the accounts are with Jackson businesses or individuals, other accounts are based in Vicksburg, Corinth, Mobile, New Orleans, and New York, among others. Jackson businesses named in the ledger include Brougher & Brown, machinery and agricultural implements; Capital State Bank; J. & T. Green's Bank; Robinson & Stevens, dry goods; H. E. Sizer, retail carriages and buggies; and Isadore Strauss, grocer, among many others. The ledger lists entries for August 1, 1873, through August 5, 1876, although most accounts are active from 1873 to 1875. Of particular interest as a source for historical information are the entries beginning on page 78 and continuing through the end of the ledger, as specific quantities and prices are listed for dry goods, groceries, and plantation supplies.

1. Ledger. 1873-1876 (bulk 1873-1876). 1 bound volume.