USA > Alabama > Memorial record of Alabama. A concise account of the state's political, military, professional and industrial progress, together with the personal memoirs of many of its people. Volume I > Part 111
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the community in which he resides. His marriage, which was solemnized in Butler county in 1849, with Rebecca Staggers, who is still living, has been blessed with the birth of the following named children: William A. ; Robert S., decesaed; David H., deceased; Sarah, wife of Coleman Salter; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Lasseter; Charles E., James D., Margaret, John S, and Dudley B. William A. Finlay began life as a famrer in the neighborhood where his parents resided, and in 1869, when but nineteen years of age, was united in marriage in New Providence, Crenshaw county, to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry D. and Sarah Curtis. Subse- quently, in 1875, he removed to Santa Rosa county, Fla., and accepted a position with Milligan, Chaffin & Co., timber dealers, where he was employed for a period of six years, locating at the end of that time at Pollard, Ala., at which place, in partnership with W. H. Kennedy, under the firm name of Finlay & Kennedy, he engaged in business. The firm continued in the trade until 1886, when Mr. Finlay embarked in business upon his own responsibility and has since been prominently identified with the mercantile interests of the city. Beginning business on a small scale, Mr. Finlay, by superior management and intelligent attention to the demands of his customers. has bulit up a very lucrative trade and is now classed with the successful merchants of Pollard, his stock repre- senting a capital of about $7,000. He is an active member of the Metho- dist church, has held the office of Sunday school superintendent and steward, and belongs to the F. & A. M. lodge of Brewton. For a couple so young in years, Mr. and Mrs. Finlay have an unusually large family, fourteen children: ten living, namely: John E., Herbert D., Annie, David H., William A., Margaret E., Minnie, Lulu, Elizabeth R. and Lewis M. Those deceased were Josephine, Katy, Eva, and Robert S.
STEWART J. FOSHEE, a prominent lumber manufacturer, son of James and Amanda (Clements) Foshee, is a native of Alabama, born in the county of Conecuh, on the 10th day of January, 1851. His father was born in the state of Georgia, in 1798, followed planting and lumbering all his life and became quite wealthy, owning at the time of his death, in 1861, several plantations and valuable lumber interests. He was twice married; first to Martha Parker, who died, leaving three children, and afterward to Amanda Clements, who is still living in Conecuh county. The issue of the second marriage was also three children, namely: James K. P .; Mary Elizabeth Miller, deceased, and Stewart J. The subject of this biography lived with his mother on the home place until his eight- eenth year, when he embarked in life for himself, marrying at that early age, in 1869, Matilda, daughter of Alexander McGowin. Imme- diately after his marriage Mr. Foshee engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed with varied success for four years and then abandoned the farm and began "logging," which he continued for a period of about two years. His next venture was in the hewn timber business which he followed with encouraging success till 1880, at which time he formed
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a partnership in the timber and lumber trade with J. R. Miller, which, under the firm name of Miller & Foshee, continued for one year, Mr. Foshee retiring at the end of that time. Subsequently he became asso- ciated in the lumber business with J. M. Clements, under the firm name of Foshee & Clements, and after two years, Messrs. Miller, Clements & Foshee erected a large mill in Escambia county, which was operated quite extensively under their joint management, from 1883 till 1888. In the latter year the firm became known as Miller, Foshee & Lindsay, under which name the company is still operating. In 1887, Mr. Foshee, in partnership with Mr. Miller, purchased an interest in the large lum- ber and timber firm of Blacksher Bros., but disposed of his share in 1891 and became identified with Sowell, Foshee & Co., with which he is still connected. This is one of the largest plants in Escambia county, and does a very extensive business. The reputation of the firm, for honest dealing, extends far beyond the limits of Alabama. Mr. Foshee is a notable type of the successful self-made man. He began the struggle of life with few advantages but by diligent application to his business and good management, has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable share of the world's goods and is now reckoned among the solid financial men of southern Alabama. Politically, he has always supported the democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for official honors. Mr. and Mrs. Foshee have had a family of thirteen children, the following of whom are living: Lewis J., William E., Peter, Mason, Martha, Samuel, John, Mary, Clyde, Georgie and Bruce.
G. C. HAROLD, the principal member of the well-known Harold Mill company, is a native of Germany, and dates his birth from the 20th day of October, 1846. His highly esteemed parents, Henry and Dora Harold, were married in Germany in 1839, and resided in their native country until 1853, at which time, through the influence of the former's brother, who had previously crossed the Atlantic, they were induced to immigrate to the United States. The family landed at New Orleans, and proceeded directly to Escambia county, Ala., where they lived happily together until the father's death occurred in October, 1890. He was born in 1809, and followed farming all his life. The mother is still living, having reached a good old age. The following are the names of the children born to Henry and Dora Harold: Eva, wife of John Carlovitz, deceased; Margaret, wife of Riley Franklin; Elizabeth, wife of John Franklin; George C .; Henry, deceased; Andrew; Cournal, wife of James Franklin; Lucinda, wife of William J. Jernigan; Paulina, deceased, and James H., all of whom were born in Germany except four. G. C. Harold was but a small boy when his parents came to America, and he has spent the greater part of his life in Escambia county, Ala. In 1866 he engaged in the timber business at Brewton, where he also started a small mercan- tile establishment, and in 1874, in partnership with his brother Andrew, under the firm name of Harold Bros., engaged in the manufacture of.
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lumber, which, with merchandising, he still carries on. Mr. G. C. Harold was married October 6, 1870, to Ann M. Weaver, daughter of C. E. Weaver, the issue of which union is eleven children, namely: Dora, wife of R. O. Coker: Annie, deceased; Cora, Henry, Edward, Rudolph, Freeman, infant deceased, Homer, Joyce and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Harold live in Alco, a thriving little town near Brewton, and are among the most estimable and highly respected people of that town. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Harold is an earnest supporter of the republican party. Mrs. G. C. Harold's parents, Clark and Jane Weaver, were married in 1849 in the state of Alabama, where they were born and raised, the issue of which union is six chil- dren, namely: William W .; Ann M., wife of G. C. Harold; Eliza J., wife of Henry Weaver; Caroline, deceased; Edmund; Mary, wife of George Mantel. This happy couple lived peacefully together until the mother's death, which occurred in 1864. In the year 1865 the father was married to Elizabeth Snell; to them were born three children, namely : John G .; Catharine, wife of Frank Blair, and Benjamin. The father's death occurred in 1890; he was born in 1823, thus showing that he lived to reach a good old age.
ANDREW HAROLD, treasurer of the Harold Mill company and sixth child of Henry and Dora Harold, was born in Germany, October, 1851, and since his second year has been a resident of Alabama, living in the county of Escambia. He early became interested in the timber business, engaging in the same at the age of nineteen, but shortly thereafter accepted the position as manager of his brother's mercantile establish- ment at Brewton, the duties of which he discharged for a period of four years. In the fall of 1874, he purchased a third interest in the timber and mercantile business with his brother, and the firm thus continued until 1881, since which time it has undergone various changes, being now known as the Harold Mill. October 6, 1874, Mr. Harold and Miss Malinda Oliver were united in marriage, and to their union the following chil- dren have been born: William A .. Lenna D., Walter H., Charles L., George O., Leona D., and Ralph M. In local politics, Mr. Harold is independent; in state and national matters a republican and prohibitionist. He is a Method- ist in religion and fraternally belongs to the order of K. of H. The busi- ness firm of Harold Bros., was organized in 1874, and changed in 1881, by the admission thereto of J. S. Scott, who purchased a third interest in the concern, which then became known as the firm of Harold Bros. & Scott. In that year the company purchased 2,000 acres of timber land and a large stock of general merchandise, and did a very profitable business until 1888, when Mr. Scott withdrew and a stock company of G. C. Harold, A. Harold, J. H. Harold and C. W. Zimmerman was incorporated under the laws of the state. The firm is known as the Harold Mill company, G. C. Harold, president; C. W. Zimmerman, vice-president; J. H. Harold, sec. 53
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retary, and A. Harold, treasurer, and manufactures yellow pine lumber and timber, pine and cypress shingles, and deals in all kinds of merchan- dise demanded by the general trade. The main mill, to which a railroad track has been constructed, is situated about four miles east of Brewton and has a capacity of about 40,000 feet of lumber per day. The firm does a yearly business of about $125,000, and the plant and other property represent a capital of $100,000.
CHARLES D. HENDERSON, a popular and successful business man of Brewton, and United States commissioner for the southern district of Alabama, was born in the town of Sparta, this state, on the 29th day of July. 1848. He is the son of the late Judge John M. Henderson, and brother of Dr. Stephen C. Henderson, notices of whose lives appear in the following sketch. Mr. Henderson, at the age of sixteen, entered the State university at Tuscaloosa, but was not permitted to pursue his studies for any considerable length of time, owing to the invasion of the state by the Federal army, when the institution was broken up, and the buildings burned. Returning home, he accepted a clerkship in a general store in Belleville, and later was similarly employed at the town of Sparta, until 1867, at which time he entered into partnership in the mercantile business with his father at Castleberry, Conecuh county, with the commercial interests of which place he was identified, until his removal to the town of Sparta. The firm of Henderson & Son was main- tained until 1869, in which year the father engaged in the milling busi- ness at Millview, Fla., and Charles D. entered the employ of the L. & N. railroad company as agent at Sparta. Later he spent one year in the employ of Goldsmith & Co., merchants at Pensacola, Fla., and on the death of his father, he, in connection with the latter's partner, closed up the milling business at Millview. Up to 1888, Mr. Henderson was actively engaged in the lumber trade and merchandising, principally the latter, and in 1888, was made manager of the Peters Lumber company at Alco, which he managed very successfully until 1891. In March of that year he was appointed by Judge H. L. Toulmin, of the United States district court at Mobile, United States commissioner for the southern district of Alabama, of which responsible position he is the present incumbent. Mr. Henderson is a shrewn business man, possesses a large amount of energy and determination, and his life is one round of unceasing activ- ity. As a citizen he is public spirited and liberal, popular with all classes, and as an official, discharges the duties of his position with credit to himself, and satisfaction to the department of the government by which he is employed. In politics an ardent democrat, he has never sought office, and in religion a Methodist, he is broad-minded and liberal, belongs to the K. of H., K. of P., and K. & L. of H. orders, in the local lodges of which at Brewton he is an active worker. In the year 1879, in Conecuh county, Ala., Mr. Henderson and Alice, daughter of Basil Bell, were
S. C. HENDERSON.
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made man and wife, and to their union have been born the following chil- dren: Alice B., deceased; Katy, Grover Cleveland and Charles D.
STEPHEN C. HENDERSON, M. D .- Among the successful medical men of southern Alabama who have gained distinction in the profession, few occupy a more notable place in the estimation of the public than Dr. Stephen C. Henderson, whose short but exceedingly brilliant career has placed him in the front ranks of Escambia county's representative citi- zens. He was born January 8, 1861, in Pensacola, Fla., and passed his early life in Escambia county, Ala., in the common schools of which he received his elementary education. Subsequently he attended a high school in the town of Greenville, and still later pursued his literary studies for some time in the Highland Home institute, thus laying, broad and deep, a solid mental foundation upon which in after years a most suc- cessful professional career was built. The doctor commenced his medical studies in 1884, under the efficient instruction of Dr. Andrew Jay, and one year later entered the Alabama Medical college at Mobile, where he attended two courses of lectures, graduating with the highest honors of his class in 1887. While attending college his record as a student was such that, on graduating, he received the full vote of ten from every member of the faculty, the second student so honored in the history of the institution. Fortified with a thorough knowledge of his profession, the young doctor immediately, on receiving his degree, opened an office in Brewton, where his superior attainments and large and favorable acquaintance soon brought him an extensive and lucrative practice, which is still constantly increasing. While efficient in all departments of the profession, the doctor gives especial attention to histology and chemis- try. He is not only esteemed as a physician and surgeon of rare excel- lence, but also as one who keeps fully abreast with the advanced thought in his profession by a familiarity with the leading authorities of the times. A gentleman of education and culture, with a naturally strong mind and genial disposition, he would be a valuable addition to any com- munity, and his many commendable qualities have rendered permanent the prominent place he already holds in the esteem of his fellow-citizens of Brewton. The doctor was married December 6, 1882, in Douglasville, to Julia, daughter of C. Y. Mayo, a member of one of the old and highly respectable families of Alabama. Mrs. Henderson died on the 11th day of January, 1891, leaving two children, Lillian Cary and Pearl Mayo. The doctor is a democrat in politics, belongs to the K. of P., K. of H., and K. & L. of H. fraternities and the Methodist church, with which he has been identified for some years, represents his religious creed. Dr. Henderson married Miss Mary Lee, daughter of C. L. Sowell, a promi- nent banker of Brewton, on the 24th of February, 1892, and now lives and practices his profession in the above place, enjoying a large practice and the fullest confidence of his people. John M. Henderson, the doctor's father, and for many years a representative man of southern Alabama,
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was born in Brooklyn, Conecuh county, on the 4th day of October, 1823. Educated in the common schools, he never enjoyed the advantages of a collegiate training, but, possessing a strong, well balanced mind, he in time laid up a vast fund of useful information such as colleges and universities fail to impart. His first public work was as his father's deputy when the latter became sheriff of Conecuh county, and later he embarked in the mercantile business, which he conducted successfully until 1860, during which he was honored by an election to the office of county treasurer, filling that position very creditably two terms. In 1860 he removed to Pensacola, Fla., where for one year he followed the com- mission business, and later he returned to Conecuh county and built a large and elegant home near Castleberry. In the late war he was lieutenant in a company of volunteers which formed part of the Thirty- eighth Alabama infantry, and after two years of service, severed his con- nection with the military and accepted the position of probate judge of Conecuh county, to which he was appointed by Gov. Watts. He held this official position until the close of the reconstruction period, when he retired to his home at Castleberry. Subsequently he removed to Mill View, Fla., where his death occurred on the 9th day of September, 1872. Judge Henderson was a typical southern gentleman of the old school, of commanding presence and dignified mien; he excited the profoundest. respect of every circle in which he moved, and his whole course of life bore the stamp of true manliness. He was exceedingly scrupulous in regard to the slightest promise, and toward the close of life evinced unusual solicitude in regard to his children, precipitated as their lives. had been into the midst of the wide-spread demoralization which fol- lowed in the wake of the Civil war. Judge Henderson's wife, whom he married in October, 1847, was Miss Laura Cary, daughter of Armistead Cary, who bore him the following children: Charles D .; John O., deceased; Samuel E .; David F., killed by a horse at the age of eight years; Walter. died in infancy; Stephen C .; Mary, wife of John M. Rabb; Reuben F., died in infancy, and Harry. The mother of these children resides with her daughter, Mrs. Rabb, in Brewton. The father of John M. Henderson was David Henderson, a native of England, which country he left in an early day, immigrating to the United States and settling in Conecuh county, Ala., of which he served as sheriff many years ago. It is related as a matter of interest by his descendants that during the voy- age of Mr. Henderson to America, the ship in which he sailed was. attacked and captured by pirates, who compelled all the unfortunate prisoners "to walk the plank." Mr. Henderson, who was a member of the Masonic fraternity, made the fact known before being called upon to take the plank, and his recognition by a brother member in the piratical gang was the means of saving his life. He afterward became one of the prom- inent Masons of Alabama, his interest in the order baving been influenced largely by reason of the foregoing incident. Armistead Cary, father of
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Mrs. John M. Henderson, was born in Gloucester county, Va., October 23, 1791. Eight years later his parents moved to Clarke county, Ga., set- tling near Athens. At the age of eleven he was sent to the Waddell high school, Abbeville district, S. C., where he prepared himself for col- lege, and then entered the university of Georgia, from which he grad- uated in 1813. Choosing the teachers' profession, his first work in that line was as principal of the Sumter district school, S. C., and later, 1820, removed to Claiborne, Ala., where he taught one year. Subse- quently he was engaged in educational work in Belleville and Sparta, and in 1826 was chosen circuit clerk of Conecuh county, which office he held continually for a quarter of a century. In 1833 he was appointed, by President Jackson, receiver of the land office for the Sparta district, and discharged the duties of the same until 1850. He was also first probate judge of Conecuh county, and a man prominent in all public affairs in the community where he resided. Such was his character that Mr. Cary passed through all the eventful scenes of a busy life with an unsullied record, and one against which no one ever ventured to cast the slightest aspersion. No man who ever lived in Conecuh county left a fairer record than Judge Cary. He was universally recognized as a man who was swayed in life by the purest motives, and he spurned with derision any proposition that did not fully comport with the highest and noblest prin- ciples of rectitude.
GEORGE P. HENRY, M. D .- The paternal ancestors of Dr Henry were natives of Ireland, county Antrim, where his great-great-grand- father, John Henry, was born on the 5th day of November, 1729. John Henry married Nancy Gordon, of Scotland, on the 3d day of December, 1761, and emigrating to the United States, died at Otsego, N. Y., Decem- ber 4, 1801. Francis, the eldest son of John, was born in the state of New York, December 10, 1762, married a Miss Hibbard, and departed this life on the 6th of May, 1827. His youngest son, James C. Henry, the doctor's father, was born in Coopertown, N. Y., August 7, 1803, married in Louis- ville, Ky., about the year 1839, Miss Rachel McCormick, and died November 9, 1845, his wife surviving him only a few months. James and Rachel Henry had a family of three children, two of whom are living, the doctor and Julia, wife of George F. Fuller, Esq., of Nashville, Tenn. After the death of their parents Dr. Henry and his sister, went to live with the family of an uncle, Rufus Henry, who resided in Lauderdale county, Ala., and who afterward changed his residence to Nashville, Tenn., in 1857. The doctor's first practical experience in life was obtained in that city as a clerk in the drug house of Stretch & Forber, where he remained until 1860, a close and intelligent student of pharmacy, in which he acquired an unusual degree of proficiency. In 1860 he joined Gen. Bickly's filibustering expedition, returning in 1861, at which time he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in company H, Fourth Tennessee infantry, commanded by Col. Churchwell, with which
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he served until the close of the war. He took part in the battles of Stone river, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, and all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and with 150 others of his com- mand, was captured by the enemy while crossing the Chattahoochie river, just before the battle of Peach Tree Creek. Immediately after his capture, he was sent to the Johnson Island prison, in Lake Erie, where he was kept in confinement until paroled, April, 1865, during which period he made several unsuccessful attempts to escape. The doctor entered the army as a private, eventually rose to the rank of captain, and for some time during his first years of service did duty as a medical steward. Returning to Nashville after his release he accepted a position with G. W. Hendershot, druggist, in whose employ he continued until 1869, pursuing the study of medicine, in the meantime under competent private instructions. Severing his connection with the drug business, the doctor, in 1869, entered the medical department of the Nashville university, in which he completed the prescribed course, graduating with the class of 1871. On receiving his degree he began the practice in Nashville, and soon after opening his office, was appointed surgeon of the Tennessee penitentary, which position he held for a period of four years. He was then employed for some time as surgeon for the company which con- structed the Cincinnati & Southern railroad, and in 1888, located at Wallace, Ala., where he has since followed his chosen calling with flatter- ing success. The doctor has built up one of the largest and most. responsible practices in Escambia county, and stands in the very first rank with his professional brethren in the southern part of the state, among whom he enjoys a great measure of popularity. While successful in all departments of his profession he is especially proficient in surgery, to which he has given great deal of attention ever since engaging in the practice. In 1868, the doctor was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Sawyer, a union blessed with the birth of the following named children: Nancy J., Lena, Genie, Hattie, and Gordon. Dr. and Mrs. Henry are members of the Presbyterian church.
JAMES HERRINGTON, treasurer of Escambia county, is a native of Ala- bama, and a son of Micajah ard Rebecca (Cox) Herrington. Micajah Her- rington was a native of Georgia, born in 1781, came to Alabama in 1816, locating in Conecuh county, where his death occurred in 1828 .- He mar- ried Rebecca Cox and had a family of ten children, namely: Ephraim, Franklin, Lucy, Micajah, James, John, Thomas, Mary, widow of Abram Brown, of Brewton, Ala., and two who died in infancy, unnamed. The mother, a woman of most exemplary character, died in the year 1862. James Herrington was born in the county of Conecuh, October 28, 1826, and at the early age of twelve was compelled to rely for support upon his own resources. His educational training was limited to a few months, attend- ance at the ordinary country schools, and the greater part of his life was passed as an agriculturist, within twenty-five miles of Brewton. He
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