History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 86

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756

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plateau, or mountain, constituting the divid- ing ridge referred to, abruptly terminates in steep declivities with numerous outcroppings of massive sandstone. The general topog- raphy consists of ridges with narrow valleys between. The largest stream wholly within the county limits is Ryan Creek. It heads a few miles northwest of Cullman and flows a little southwest to the Sipsey River. From a few miles below Trimble to its junction with the river Ryan Creek has many bluffs ranging from 50 to 100 feet sheer ascent from the water, with steep slopes leading back to a comparatively level top. Crooked, Blevins, Dorsey, Sullivan, Marriott, Broglen and Duck creeks are other streams draining various parts of the county into the Warrior River, through extensive drainage areas in the south- ern part of the county.

The soils of this area are comparatively simple in their origin and geological relation- ship. They are residual, and are derived directly from the underlying sandstones and shales. There are limited areas of alluvial soils in the southern part of the county, but they differ very little from those which are strictly residual. The average depth of the soil is about 5 feet, rock or shale usually oc- curring at about that depth. Ten soil types are recorded. The forest growth upon the uplands consists of postoak, redoak, chest- nutoak, hickory, shortleaf pine, maple and dogwood. The climate is agreeable, the winters are not very cold, and the long sum- mers are pleasantly modified by reason of the elevation. The annual rainfall is about 60 inches. Details of the character and extent of productions are noted in the statistics be- low.

Aboriginal History .- Along the Mulberry Fork of Black Warrior River are seen some evidences of Indian life. It is possible that some outlying villages were located in the county, but no places are at present positively identified. No mound sites are reported.

Farm, Livestock and Crop Statistics, 1917. -The statistics below are given for illustra- tive purposes, and, in tabular form, without any attempt at comparison or analysis. They were gathered under the direction of the Bureau of Crop Estimates, U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Number of all farms, 4,580.

Acres cultivated, 211,530.

Acres in pasture, 63,280.

Farm Animals:

Horses and mules, 10,740.

Milk cows, 8,040.

Other cattle, 9,200.

Brood sows, 2,350.

Other hogs, 14,740.

Sheep, 490.

Selected Crops (Acres and Quality) .- Corn, 99,110 acres; 1,636,900 bushels. Cotton, 56,140 acres; 11,090 bales. Peanuts, 1,440 acres; 30,740 bushels. Velvet Beans, 900 acres; 5,820 tons. Hay, 10,800 acres; 9,400 tons.

Syrup cane, 3,320 acres; 187,960 gallons. Cowpeas, 15,340 acres; 39,440 bushels.

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HISTORY OF ALABAMA

Sweet potatoes, 2,040 acres; 254,000

bushels.

Irish potatoes, 1,230 acres; 66,000 bushels. Oats, 3,630 acres; 14,600 bushels.

Wheat, 1,810 acres; 9,440 bushels.

Post Offices and Towns .- Revised to July 1, 1917, from U. S. Official Postal Guide. (Fig- ures indicate the number of rural routes from that office.

Ardell

Hanceville-4

Arkadelphia-2

Holly Pond-1

Baileyton-1

Joppa-2

Bremen-1

Logan-1

Crane Hill-1

Saint Bernard

Cullman (ch)-10

Trade

Garden City

Vinemont-3

Population .- Statistics from decennial pub- lications of the U. S. Bureau of the Census.

White

Negro Total

1880

6,312

6,355

1890

13,401

13,439

1900

17,828

17,849

1910

27,788 533 28,321

Delegates to Constitutional Conventions .- 1901-George H. Parker, W. T. L. Cofer.

Senators.

1882-3-John C. Orr.

1884-5-C. F. Hamil.

1886-7-C. F. Hamil.

1888-9-W. E. Skeggs.

1890-1-W. E. Skeggs.

1892-3-J. M. C. Wharton.

1894-5-J. M. C. Wharton.

1896-7-W. G. Brown.

1898-9-Will G. Brown.

1899 (Spec.)-Will G. Brown.

1900-01-R. L. Hipp.

1903-Robert Lee Hipp.

1907-John F. Wilson.

1907 (Spec.)-John F. Wilson.

1909 (Spec.)-John F. Wilson.

1911-J. B. Sloan.

1915-C. J. Higgins.

1919-A. A. Griffith.

Representatives.

1882-3-H. L. Watlington.

1884-5-J. A. Baker.

1896-7-W. E. L. Cofer.

1888-9-C. J. Higgins.

1890-1-W. H. Guthrie.

1892-3-J. T. Burke.

1894-5-Thos. J. Burks.

1896-7-W C. L. Cofer.

1898-9-W. T. L. Cofer.

1899 (Spec.)-W. T. L. Cofer.

1900-01-S. J. Griffin.

1903-George H. Parker.

1907-George H. Parker.

1907 (Spec.)-George H. Parker.

1909 (Spec.)-George H. Parker.

1911-A. A. Griffith.

1915-R. E. Ryan.

1919-T. H. Robertson.

For many details on various subjects in the history of the county, see separate sketches of

Arkadelphia; Cullman; Hanceville; Joppa; Odd Fellows Home; Saint Bernard College; Soils and Soil Surveys; Vinemont.

REFERENCES .- Acts, 1876-77, pp. 69-71; Brewer, Alabama, p. -; Berney, Handbook (1892), p. 287; Riley, Alabama as it is (1893), p. 62; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 133; Alabama, 1909 (Ala. Dept. of Ag. and Ind., Bulletin 27), p. 105; U. S. Soil Survey (1910), with map; Alabama land book (1916), p. 61; Ala. Official and Statistical Register, 1903-1915, 5 vols .; Ala. Anthropological Society, Hondbook (1910) ; Geol. Survey of Ala., Agricultural features of the State (1883) ; The Valley regions of Ala- bama, parts 1 and 2 (1896, 1897), and Under- ground Water resources of Alabama (1907); Northern Alabama (1888), p. 383, port. of John G. Cullman; Memorial record of Alabama (1893), vol. 1, p. 798.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. -See Presbyterian Church, The Cumberland.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN SEMIN- NARY. A former educational institution founded and conducted by the Alabama Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It was located in Piedmont, Calhoun County. The school opened in October 1893. It was incorporated by the legislature December 5, 1894, with Rev. J. W. Caldwell, Rev. W. B. Witherspoon, J. H. Ledbetter, C. L. Nolen, G. L. Waller, A. W. Woodall, J. W. Duncan, Rev. Rome Pickens, A. F. Tomlin and R. A. D. Dunlap as trustees. Power was given to grant diplomas and conser degrees. While conducted hy the Cumberland Presbyterians the school was non-sectarian. It occupied a four story building. A boarding department was maintained. Prof. M. M. Russell was the first chairman of the faculty, and head of the Prof. N. J. Finney and Prof. J. M. Paschal as co-principals. It is now closed.

Reference-Catalogues, 1893-94, 1896-97; Acts, 1894-95, pp. 13-14.

CUSTOMS DUTIES. See Import Duties.

DADEVILLE. County seat of Tallapoosa County, in the east-central part of the county, in the SW. 14 of sec. 4, T. 21, R. 23, E., 10 miles east of the Tallapoosa River, on the north fork of Sandy River, and on the Central of Georgia Railroad, 30 miles north- west of Opelika, 20 miles southwest of Lafay- ette, 60 miles northwest of Columbus, Ga., 95 miles southeast of Birmingham. Altitude: 760 feet. Population: 1880-740; 1888- 1,000; 1890-873; 1900-1,136; 1910- 1,193; 1916-2,000. It was incorporated by the legislature, June 30, 1837, with intendant and five counsellors, and with the corporate limits including the parcel of land above described.

The town owns its electric plant and water- works, and has paved sidewalks and improved streets. The Tallapoosa County Bank (State), and the Sturdivant Bank (State) are

443

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

located there. The "Spot Cash," a Demo- cratic weekly newspaper, was established in 1898. It has a cottonseed oil mill, a sash, door and blind factory, a gristmill, a sawmill, wagon and blacksmith shops, a planing mill, 3 drug stores, and 14 general stores. In addi- tion to the city public schools, it has the Tal- lapoosa County High School. The Methodist Episcopal, South, Missionary Baptist, Primi- tive Baptist, and Presbyterian denominations have churches in the town.

Dadeville was settled before the lands had been purchased by the Government. When the legislature established Talladega County in 1836, certain citizens donated to the county all the necessary land, on condition that Dade- ville should be made the county seat. The condition was accepted, and Dadeville has been the seat of justice since the erection of the county. The town was laid out and the courthouse located by John Broadnax. Among the early settlers were the Vaughan, Gresham, Lowry, Davenport, Berry, Dennis, King. Reeves, Cosby, Bostick, Hatcher, Corprew, Clark, Leftwitch, Holley, Johnson, Oliver, Lane, Lisle, Goolsby, and Sturdivant families. Other prominent citizens were Capt. Joseph H. Johnston, first county court clerk; William H. Barnes; M. J. Bulger, who commanded the Forty-seventh Alabama Regiment at the Battle of Bull Run and at Gettysburg: Bird Young, the original "Simon Suggs;" Johnson Hooper, the author of "Simon Suggs and How He Turned Jack;" David Culberson; and Charles A. Culberson, his son, governor of Texas and later United States Senator.

One of the notable landmarks in Dadeville is the old Dennis Hotel, built in 1836 and still in a good state of preservation. It was in this hotel that Hooper, while solicitor of the circuit, wrote his notes and memoranda for "Simon Suggs." Within 12 miles of Dade- ville is the Horseshoe Bend in the Talla- poosa River, where Gen. Jackson fought the decisive battle of the Creek War. The old highway from Guntersville to Fort Mitchell used by Jackson's army in reaching the Horse- shoe Bend, passes through the town. Dade- ville was named for Maj. Dade, who was killed by the Indians in 1835.

REFERENCES .- Acts, 1837 called sess., pp. 33- 37; Berney, Handbook (1892), p. 332; Brewer, Alabama (1872), p. 546; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 169; Polk's Alabama gazetteer, 1888-9, p. 298.

DADEVILLE FEMALE SEMINARY. In- corporated by members of the Tohopika Lodge No. 71, or Dadeville Chapter No. 45, A. F. and A. M., which order had its lodge room in the upper story of the building, 30 by 50 feet. In 1853 the first session of the school was opened with the following corps of teachers: Benjamin T. Smith, principal; Mrs. Smith, his wife, assistant principal; Miss Catherine Clark, primary teacher; Miss Bedell, music teacher. In 1856 Benjamin Akers was principal, his wife assistant, Miss Ada Parker, primary teacher, and Miss Ada Parker, music teacher. The old school closed after that session and on the same site there

now stands a brick building which houses the grammar school and lodge rooms.

REFERENCE .- Letter from George W. Vines, in the Alabama State Department of Archives and History.

DAIRIES. See Cattle; Live Stock and Products.

DALE COUNTY. Created by the legisla- ture, December 22, 1824. Its territory was taken from Barbour, Covington, Henry and Pike Counties. On December 29, 1841, its western section was set off to form Coffee County; and its southern portion to Geneva County, December 26, 1868. The formation of Houston County, February 9, 1903, still has an area of 563 square miles, or 360,320 acres.

It was named in honor of Gen. Sam Dale, the pioneer and Indian fighter, with whose achievements is assocated much of the ro- mance of the early history of the State.

The act of establishment appointed Samuel W. Pearman, Duncan Douglass, Isaac Led- better and John D. Cruse as "commissioners of roads and revenue" for the county to serve until the general election in 1826. Under this direction an election was ordered held in October 1825 for the election of a sheriff. clerks of courts, justices of the peace and constables. On January 10, 1826, the legisla- ture named John Turner as commissioner in place of Duncan Douglass removed.

The organization of the county appears to have proceeded slowly. The settlements were widely scattered, the distances great and com- munication difficult. The original act re- quired the commissioners to select a quarter section of land for the use of the county, pursuant to an act of Congress of May 26, 1824, granting to counties "pre-emption rights to a quarter section of land in trust for the said counties and parishes respectively, for the establishment of seats of justice therein." The specific location of a county seat was not fixed, the choice evidently depending on the selection of the government quarter section.

The first officials were as follows: Lewis Hutchinson, judge county court, commis- sioned September 24, 1825; Isaac Ledbetter, judge county court, November 21, 1826; James Boles, sheriff, September 6, 1827; Asa Alexander, clerk county court, September 6, 1827, William Loftin, judge county court, January 12, 1828; Jeremiah Gilley, clerk county court, June 6, 1828; and John M. Kimmey, sheriff, September 15, 1828.

The formation of Dale County had thrown Richmond, the county seat of Henry, in the limits of the former, and an act of December 20, 1827, provided that the circuit court should be held in the old court house until a new location should be made and suitable buildings erected. Old Richmond, also known as Wiggins Springs, was located about 10 miles east of Newton, and here was transacted the first official business of the county, and here the first courts were held. However, the legislature, January 26, 1829, repealed

444

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

this provision, and required the circuit courts to be held "at the house of Creede Collins." The legislature, December 8, 1830, required the judge and the commissioners of roads and revenue of Dale County to sell "the old court house and jail, formerly the court house and jail of Henry County, now in the limits of said Dale County."

The same act of December 20, 1827, appointed Isaac Ledbetter, Obediah Dick, Lewis Hutchinson, Samuel W. Pearman, to- gether with the judge of the county court, as commissioners "to fix and designate a suit- able place for a seat of justice and to con- tract for and superintend the erection" of necessay public buildings. The commissioners selected a point centrally located, and which was known on old maps as Dale Court House, but which later became Daleville. Through it passed the main lines of travel from Columbia on the Chattahoochie across the southern part of the state, and from Choctaw- hatchee Bay north through Pike to Mont- gomery.

The formation of Coffee County, December 29, 1841, took a large section of the county on the west. The act establishing Coffee named Barney Wadford, James Arthur, Thomas Andrews, James C. Ward, and Cap- tain - Hendrix "to locate a new county site for the County of Dale," at a near, or not exceeding six miles from the center of the county. The village of Newton, located on the Choctawhatchee River, was selected.

The growth of Ozark, first known as Wood- shop, had brought about discussion, running through several years, looking to the removal of the county seat. The legislture responded to the agitation, and an act was passed, Janu- ary 13, 1870, authorizing a popular vote. A bitter contest arose between Newton and Ozark, in which the latter won. The legisla- ture, January 30, 1871, legalized the election which appears to have been held January 7, 1870.

Location and Physical Description .- It is situated in the southeastern section of the state. It is bounded on the north by Barbour and Pike Counties, on the east by Houston and Henry, on the south by Geneva and Hous- ton, on the west hy Coffee County. The county lies wholly in the coastal plain. Its topographical features are varied, although there are no very great elevations. The general drainage direction is southwest. The northern half of the county is gently rolling to hilly, and the northeast section is made up of broken ridges. The southern half con- sists of slightly rolling ridges to comparatively flat and rolling areas. The Choctawhatchee and its tributaries drain the eastern and southern sections. The East Fork of that river divides the eastern part of the county into two main watersheds, lying between Little Choctawhatchee on the south and the main branch of the river on the west. A small portion of the northwestern section of the county drains to Pea River. The principal creeks of the county are Clay Bank and Judah, and their several branches. The county lies

wholly within the coastal plain, and its soil materials represent weathered or re-worked materials of ancient marine deposition. The soils present a wide range in structure and texture even over small areas. The upland soils consist of gray surface soils with yellow, red friable sandy clay, gray clay, and dark red sandy clay sub-soils. The bottom lands in- clude meadow, the Cahaba and the Kalmia series. These soils are in general sandy, but fairly productive, and practically the entire area is suitable for cultivation. The timber growth of the county consists of long leaf and short leaf pine, poplar, water oak, red oak, post oak, black oak, birth, black and sweet gum, bay, magnolia, hickory, ash and some cypress. The proximity to the Gulf tempers the extremes of both summer and winter. The winters are mild. Zero weather is almost unknown. The minimum winter temperature is 10° to 12º F. The mean annual precipita- tion is 51 inches, with a summer mean of 16.2. Details of the extent and character of productions are noted in the statistics below.

Aboriginal History .- Limited aboriginal evidences are to be found on Choctawhatchie River and on some of the larger creeks. A burial mound, 10 feet high and 40 feet in diameter, on the Choctawhatchie River, 15 miles from Enterprise, was opened in 1900, and skulls and prehistoric relics were secured. A town site is located on the farm of S. C. D. Brown one mile west of Daleville; and two mounds, near Sylvan Grove, above Newton. Two mounds, which have been explored, but without results, are to be found two miles east of Skipperville.

Confederate Commands from County .- The commands listed below were made up in whole or in part from this county.

Infantry.

Co. E, "Dale County Beauregards," 15th Regt. Co. B, 33d. Regt.

Co. G. 33d. Regt.

Co. D, 57th. Regt.

Co. I, 57th. Regt.

Co. K, 57th. Regt.

Co. E, 59th. Regt.

Co. K, 65th. Regt. (or 4th. Reserves).

Cavalry.

Co. D, 53d. Regt. (Mounted Infantry).

Farm, Livestock and Crop Statistics, 1917. -The statictics below are given for illustra- tive purposes, and, in tabular form, without any attempt at comparison or analysis. They were gathered under the direction of the Bureau of Crop Estimates, U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Number of all farms, 2,210.

Acres cultivated, 140,400. Acres in pasture, 49,090. Farm Animals,

Horses and mules, 4,900.

Milk cows, 3,200. Other cattle, 5,110.

Brood sows, 7,000.

445

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

Other hogs, 31,810. Sheep, Selected Crops (Acres and Quantity) .-

Corn, 58,460 acres; 585,610 bushels.

Cotton, 12,130 acres; 3,610 bales.

Peanuts, 64,860 acres; 1,029,800 bushels. Velvet Beans, 3,500 acres; 36,200 tons. Hay, 23,540 acres; 10,400 tons.

Syrup cane, 920 acres; 118,750 gallons. Cowpeas, 1,240 acres; 10,550 bushels. Sweet potatoes, 1,350 acres; 140,350 bushels.

Irish potatoes, 50 acres; 1,750 bushels. Oats, 4,560 acres; 29,060 bushels.

Wheat, 240 acres; 1,120 bushels.

Post Offices and Towns .- Revised to July 1, 1917, from U. S. Official Postal Guide. Fig- ures indicate the number of rural routes from that office.

Ariton-3 Midland City-3

Clopton-1

Newton-2

Daleville-2

Ozark (ch)-7

Douglas

Pinckard

Grimes

Skipperville-2

Population .- Statistics from decennial pub- lications of the U. S. Bureau of the Census.

White

Negro

Total

1830

1,757

274

2,031

1840

6,809

588

7,397

1850

5,622

760

6,382

1860

10,379

1,816

12,197

1870

9,528

1,797

11,325

1880

10,553

2,122

12,675

1890

13,867

3,358

17,225

1900

16,320

4,869

21,189

1910

15,797

5,810

21,608

Delegates to Constitutional Conventions .- 1861-D. B. Creech, James McKinney.

1865-J. C. Mathews, Ransom Deal.

1867-Henry R. Deal.

1875-Pitt M. Callaway.

1901-M. Sollie, William W. Kirkland.

Senators .-

1828-9-William Irwin.

1831-2-William Irwin.

1834-5-William Irwin.

1837-8-Richard C. Spann.

1838-9-James Ward.

1840-1-Angus McAllister.

1843-4-James Ward.

1847-8-Angus McAllister.

1849-50-Elisha Mathews. 1853-4-James Searcy.

1857-8-James McKinney.

1859-60-William Wood.

1863-4-Reddick P. Peacock.

1865-6-William H. Wood.

1868-Philip King. 1871-2-Philip King. 1872-3-J. M. Carmichael. 1873-J. M. Carmichael.

1874-5-J. M. Carmichael.

1875-6-J. M. Carmichael.

1876-7-A. C. Gordon.

1878-9-A. C. Gordon. 1880-1-F. M. Rushing.

1882-3-F. M. Rushing. 1884-5-C. H. Laney.

1886-7-C. H. Laney.

1888-9-W. C. Steagall. 1890-1-W. C. Steagall.

1892-3-R. H. Walker.

1894-5-R. H. Walker. 1896-7-Geo. W. Brooks.

1898-9-George W. Brooks.

1899 (Spec.)-George W. Brooks.

1900-01-Walter Acree.

1903-Walter Upson Acree.

1907-P. B. Davis. 1907 (Spec.)-P. B. Davis. 1909 (Spec.)-P. B. Davis. 1911-C. A. Stokes.

1915-T. S. Faulk.

1919-W. W. Morris.

Representatives .- 1837-8-Abraham Warren.

1838-9-Abraham Warren.

1839-40-Abraham Warren.

1840-1-James J. Blair.

1841 (called)-James J. Blair.

1841-2-A. H. Justice. 1842-3-A. H. Justice.

1843-4-J. H. Calloway.

1844-5-John Merrick.

1845-6-John Merrick.

1847-8-James Ward.

1849-50-E. R. Boon. 1851-2-E. R. Boon.

1853-4-James Ward.

1855-6-James Ward.

1857-8-Elias Register; Haywood Martin. 1859-60-Noah Fountain; W. Griffin.

1861 (1st called)-Noah 'Fountain; W. Griffin.

1861 (2d called)-D. B. Creech; John T. Lee.

1861-2-D. B. Creech: John T. Lee.

1862 (called)-D. B. Creech; John T. Lee. 1862-3-D. B. Creech; John T. Lee.

1863 (called)-Q. L. C. Franklin; H. 1. M. Kennon. 1863-4-Q. L. C. Franklin; H. I. M. Ken- non.

1864 (called)-Q. L. C. Franklin; H. I. M. Kennon.

1864-5-Q. L. C. Franklin; H. I. M. Ken- non.

1865-6-P. M. Calloway; Charles T. Cotton. 1866-7-P. M. Calloway; Charles T. Cotton. 1868-John R. Ard.

1869-70-John R. Ard.

1870-1-J. M. Carmichael.

1871-2-J. M. Carmichael.

1872-3-Levi Wilkinson.

1873-Levi Wilkinson.

1874-5-L. M. Edwards.

1875-6-L. M. Edwards.

1876-7-S. J. Doster.

1878-9-P. W. Bailey.

1880-1-P. M. Calloway.

1882-3-J. W. Dowling.

1884-5-J. W. Dowling.

1886-7-C. A. B. Edwards.

1888-9-H. J. Smisson. 1890-1-C. A. B. Edwards.

446

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

1892-3-John C. Killebrew.

1894-5-John C. Killebrew.

1896-7-W. B. Killebrew.

1898-9-William Garner.

1899 (Spec. ) William Garner.

1900-01-William Garner.

1903-James Coleman Barnes.

1907-Henry B. Steagall.

1907 (Spec.)-Henry B. Steagall.

1909 (Spec.)-Henry B. Steagall.

1911-Major Carroll.

1915-W. W. Morris.

1919-Frank O. Deese.

For many details on various subjects in the history of the county, see separate sketches of Ariton; Baptist Collegiate Institute; Choc- tawhatchee River; Midland City; Newton; Ozank.

REFERENCES .- Acts, 1824-25, p. 79; Brewer, Alabama, p. 204; Berney, Handbook (1892), p. 288; Riley, Alabama as it is (1893), p. 238; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 234; Alabama, 1909 (Ala. Dept. of Ag. and Ind., Bulletin 27), p. 109; U. S. Soil Survey (1911), with map; Ala- bama land book (1916), p. 62; Ala. Official and Statistical Register, 1903-1915, 5 vols .; Ala. An- thropological Society, Handbook (1910); Geol. Survey of Ala., Agricultural features of the State (1883); The Valley regions of Alabama, parts 1 and 2 (1896, 1897), and Underground Water resources of Alabama (1907); W. L. Andrews, "Early History of Southeast Ala- bama," in The Southern Star, Ozark, May 10, 17, 24, 31, June 28, July 11. 1899.

DALLAS ACADEMY. An educational in- stitution, chartered January 25, 1845, and maintained as a public high school until 1913, when it became the Selma High School, a part of the regular public school system.

The academy had its genesis in the far- sighted efforts of a few patriotic women of Selma, including Mrs. William Treadwell, Mrs. Philip J. Weaver, Mrs. William Wadell, Mrs. Elias Parkman, Mrs. Isaiah Morgan, Mrs. Hugh Ferguson, Mrs. Robert L. Downman, Mrs. Robert Patteson, Mrs. John F. Conoley, Mrs. Andrew Hunter, Mrs. Stephen Maples and Mrs. Uriah Griggs. In response to their appeal the Ladies Education Society Academy, which had been organized, was chartered January 30, 1839, by the legislature, and Nicholas Childers, Robert N. Philpot, J. W. Lapsley, Elias Parkman, John W. Jones, Jere- miah Pitman and Harris Brantley were named as trustees. The board of trustees was made self-perpetuating, and the property of the society was exempted from taxation. In 1844 William Johnson donated to the society the lot on the northwest corner of Alabama and Donation Streets. Joining forces with the Masons, a two-story brick building was erected, the lower floor for a school, and the second for use as a Masonic lodge. Prof. Lucius B. Johnson, and his wife, Harriet Johnson, were engaged as teachers. The prosperity of the school was immediate, and soon outgrew the capacity of the entire build- ing. The Masons disposed of their interest to the society.

The growth of the school was such that a reorganization of plans seemed advisable. This was effected through the repeal of the original charter, and the incorporation of the Dallas Male and Female Academy, "all the property real and personal, all the rights, im- munities and privileges" of the society being vested in a new board of trustees. The new board was made up of Philip J. Weaver, Thomas J. Frow, Wesley N. Plattenberg, John W. Jones, Peyton S. Graves, David A. Boyd, Edward W. Marks, William Seawell, George W. Gayle, Drewry Fair, and John Mitchell. In addition to the usual corporate privileges, the board was given authority to appoint a "teacher or teachers to take charge of said academy, and prescribe such a course of academical instruction in said academy, with such rates of tuition and rules for the government of the pupils, as to them shall seem proper." Power was given "to confer degrees, grant diplomas, and do all such other acts as other institutions of similar nature are by law authorized to do." This board was also made self-perpetuating.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 86

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 756

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756