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 125
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131
1087
PERSONAL MEMOIRS-HENRY COUNTY.
in 1870. He then returned to Lawrenceville, Henry county, and taught the village school for eighteen consecutive years. In 1889, he accepted the principalship of the southeast Alabama Agricultural school and Experiment station, located at Abbeville, and has retained the position ever since. This school is now in a healthful condition, and employs four teachers. It opened with an enrollment of 250 students, and since has had an average of 200. The school is of a literary and scientific character, and under Prof. Espy's careful supervision is fast becoming noted throughout the south, as one of the best schools of that region. In 1870, Prof. Espy was married to Miss S. E. Dorkins, daughter of Mr. Robert Dorkins, who was at one time a large planter of Henry county. Mrs. Espy was born in this county, and received an excellent education. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Prof. and Mrs. Espy are the parents of eight children, viz .: Buhrman, attend- ing Howard college, Westlake, Ala .; Walter A., now a merchant of Lawrenceville; Carlyle, merchant at Abbeville; Clara, now attending the high school at Abbeville: Joseph, Daisy, Mary and the baby. Politically Prof. Espy is a democrat, and religiously a member of the Baptist church. He is a public-spirited man, and gives general satisfaction in the position he holds, in which he commands a salary of $1,500 a year. He owns some 850 acres of land, and is thus a solid and substantial citizen.
THOMAS M. ESPY, attorney, of Dothen, Ala., was born in Henry county, Ala., April 2, 1862. He is a son of Thomas F. and Fannie (Sursey) Espy, the former of whom was a native of Coosa county, Ala., born there in 1839, remaining there till 1842, when he moved to Barbour county with his parents, where he grew to manhood. In 1859, he was married in Henry county, where he bought a farm, settled upon it and improved it, operating it until 1888, when he engaged in business at Headland, Henry county, which business he still continues to conduct. He now transacts a business of about $18,000 per year. He was elected to the legislature in 1876, serving one term. He has been a member of the Missionary Baptist church since early manhood. His wife was a native of Henry county, Ala., where she lived until her marriage, which occurred in her fifteenth year. She is the mother of seven children, all of whom are living, and all reside in Henry county. Her father, James Sursey, came from North Carolina, settled in Henry county, and was prominently identified with the early settlement of the county. He was elected at different times to both branches of the state legislature. Thomas M. Espy was brought up on a farm, attended common school as much as possible, and then entered college, gaining a literary education, and at the age of twenty-one, began the study of law under Col. John D. Roquemore, and Col. C. C. Shoster, of Eufaula. He was admitted to practice April 1, 1884, after which he went west in search of a suitable location. He visited Texas, Mexico and Arkansas, remaining in the west
65
1088
MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
one year, failing to find a suitable location. He returned to Alabama, the land of his birth, settling in Columbia, Henry county. Here he opened a law office and began the practice of law, remaining thus one year. He then formed a partnership with R. H. Walker, and immediately opened an office under the firm name of Walker & Espy, which continued six years, during which time the firm gained some of the most complicated murder cases known to the annals of Henry county. They thus make one of the best known law firms, known in southeastern Alabama. In
1891, Mr. Espy removed to Dothen, and there opened a law office, under the firm name of Farmer & Espy, Mr. Espy being the senior member of the firm. . The practice of this firm is very extensive, and is steadily growing. Mr. Espy is considered one of the brightest legal lights in Henry county. In politics he adheres to the old Jeffersonian democracy. He received his literary education under his uncle, Prof. Joseph Espy, whose memoir appears elsewhere in this work. He has accumulated through his law practice, between 700 and 800 acres of land, and is a suc- cessful financier. He takes an active interest in the politics of the day, and though he has never been a political aspirant, he likes to see good men elected to office. He has always taken a deep interest in what tends to build up the state, churches, schools and industries of all kinds.
B. A. FORRESTER, merchant and capitalist of Cowarts, Ala., is one of the representative business men of the county. He was born in Beaufort county, S. C., April 28, 1843, and was one of seven children born to Henry A. and Lucy A. ( Knight ) Forrester. The father was born in South Carolina in 1811, and was a descendant of a long line of democrats, his father being a nullifier in his time. The ancestors came from the Emerald Isle, and belonged to that branch of the Forrester family of Ireland, known as the most expert marksmen of their day. These ances- tors came to America and settled in South Carolina, and were among its. earliest, inhabitants. The father B. A. Forrester grew to manhood on the farm and secured a very limited education. In 1839 he was married, and in 1849, moved with his family to Gadsden county, Fla., where he bought a farm and engaged in farming. He produced what is known as the long staple cotton, and also the cigar leaf tobacco. In 1850 he removed to Alabama, settling in Henry county, near the present town of Columbia. Later he removed near to the little village of Cowarts, and remained there until his death, which occurred in February, 1881. He was regarded as one of the most practical farmers of Henry county. and indeed of the state. He was familiary known as "Uncle Henry." In his early days he was a believer in the Universalist doctrine, but later he became a member of the Missionary Baptist church. The mother of B. A. Forrester was born in Beaufort county, S. C., and received her education there. She was a daughter of Talbot Knight, a Baptist minister of distinction in that state. She was married at the age of sixteen, and became the mother of fourteen children, six of whom now survive. Early in life she united
1089
PERSONAL MEMOIRS-HENRY COUNTY.
with the Missionary Baptist church, and lived in accordance with its teachings until her death, which occurred in 1887. B. A. Forrester grew up a farmer's boy, and although his parents were the owners of numerous slaves, in their young days, he early in life developed an active interest in business, and an independent spirit which has remained with him through life, and which has been of great use to him in his busy career. His education was very limited, and early in life he became a planter. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier in the Seventh Georgia infantry, state troops, and served seven months, principally at the port of Savannah. He then joined the Thirty-seventh Alabama infantry, in which he served as a private soldier until the end of the war. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, bat was never severely wounded. He fought at the great battle of Atlanta, and carried off the field William E. Bradley of Abbeville, who had had his leg shot off. He participated in sixteen regular engagements, among them, besides Gettysburg, the following: Iuka, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church,
- and Atlanta. He was wounded three times, all flesh wounds. He was captured twice, but effected his escape in each case. In 1864 he was promoted to the second lieutenancy, but declined to accept the commission, saying that he enlisted to carry a gun, and that he purposed to fulfill his mission in that respect. He was discharged in April, 1865, at Greens- borough, N. C. After the war, he engaged in farming, pre-empting a farm of 160 acres, situated near the present village of Cowarts, to which he has added until now he owns 2,000 acres of turpentine, timbered and good farming land. In 1836 his taxes were $1.50, while in 1891 he paid a tax on realty of $209. He has followed farming ever since the close of the war, and he has always been one of the most successful farmers of the county. In 1878 he engaged in mercantile busi- ness with Mr. L. G. Clark, continuing until 1880, when he withdrew. He then opened a general stock of merchandise at Cowarts, to which he has added until now he runs a large store there. He also continues his farming operations, and is in full partnership with his brother in a steam saw mill and lumber business, and has numerous other interests. He has nine farms, all in good working order. He was married December 24, 1865, to Miss Rebecca A. Autley, daughter of Emanuel Autley, who fell mor- tally wounded at Vicksburg. Mrs. Forrester was born in Henry county in 1852, and grew to womanhood near the beautiful home she now occupies. She failed to receive the education she should have received, because the country was then overrun by the armies of the conflicting interests. She was married in her fifteenth year, and became the mother of fourteen children, twelve of whom now survive, viz .: Theodosia, wife of James W. Folkes, residing at Cowarts; Reding B., single and book- keeper for B. A. Forrester; Sterling P., married to Miss Jester of Cowarts; Vincent T., attending school; Oliver, clerk for B. A. Forrester; Harvey G .; Escenith; Whitfield R .; Fernando C .; Fred F. ; Sibbie E. ; and Otto. Both
e
1090
MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
Mr. and Mrs. Forrester are members of the Missionary Baptist church, of which Mr. Forrester is a deacon, and he is also the superintendent of the Sunday school belonging to his church. In 1880 Mr. Forrester took the initiatory steps necessary to secure a postoffice at Cowarts, in which he was successful and has been postmaster ever since. He has been township superintendent for fifteen years. Politically, Mr. Forrester is a democrat. Personally he is one of the most courteous and genial of men. He has had two principal aims in life, first to leave to his descend- ants an unblemished name, and second, to accumulate a competency, in ' both of which, up to the present time, at least, he has been successful.
JOHN WEBB FOSTER, attorney, of Abbeville, Henry county, Ala., was born October 14, 1850, in Lowndes county, Miss., and is the son of John A. and Mary (Webb) Foster. John A. Foster, a native of Georgia born in the year 1828, graduated from the university of Alabama at the age of nineteen years, and a year later was admitted to the bar, but did not at once engage in practice. To replenish his purse he went to Lowndes county, Miss., and for several terms taught school; while thus employed, he was elected president of the Southern Female college, at La Grange, Ga., which position he filled for a number of years, and then came to Alabama and entered upon the practice of law at Clayton, Barbour county. While thus engaged, the Civil war broke out, and he entered the Confed- erate army as first lieutenant of the "Seals Guards," and subsequently became captain, which rank he held until the termination of hostilities, when, finding his purse depleted, he taught a select school a short time, after which he resumed the practice of law, which he followed until 1880, when he was elected chancelor of the southeastern division, which important position he has held ever since. Mrs. Mary (Webb) Foster was a native of North Carolina, was married at the age of eighteen, and died in 1857, the mother of four children. Mr. Foster re-married in 1859, and to this marriage have been born one son and two daughters. Of these seven children, five are still living. John Webb Foster was deprived of an early education by the outbreak of the war, and received the better part of his instruction from his father, after peace was restored. He was very studious, and in October, 1868, was admitted to the bar. He remained at Clayton until 1870, when he settled in Abbeville, having been appointed register of the chancery court of Henry county, which office he held from March, 1870, to June, 1883; he also served as county super- intendent of education from April, 1871, to February, 1881. In 1884, he was elected to the state legislature, and re-elected in 1886. Concerning his career in that body, the Montgomery Daily Dispatch had this to say : " Mr. J. W. Foster is a son of John A. Foster, who has the reputation of being the most astute politician in Alabama, and the son is 'a chip off the old block.' The son has many of the most marked characteristics of the father. He is a close observer of men, never forgets a face, and is most kind and considerate of the feelings of others. In stature, he is.
1091
PERSONAL MEMOIRS-HENRY COUNTY.
rather short and stout, and has a rather dreamy black eye; but is, never- theless, far from having anything dreamy in his make-up. He is frank, candid and practical; in manner, he is modest and unassuming, and is companionable, pleasant and agreeable, and impresses favorably all those with whom he comes in contact. An able lawyer, a close student, and possessing all the elements of a successful politician, Mr. Foster is worthy to fill any position, and with his long legislative experience, would add lustre to a name already bright in the political annals of the state." Mr. Foster was united to Miss L. E. Petty, in May, 1871, daughter of B. F. and Kate Petty; her father was one of Clayton's men; also a man of prominence and ability, with that force of character that belongs to men of stanch principles and honest methods; his death occurred in 1887, aged sixty-five years; he left an ample competency for the support of his family. By his marriage, Mr. Foster became the father of three children-Lola, Emma and Kate. Mr. Foster is a public-spirited gentle- man in every sense of the word, has always taken an active part in poli- tics, has a very extensive acquaintance with the noted men of the state, and as a lawyer, occupies the highest rank.
J. L. FOWLER, M. D., a physician and representative man of Henry county, was born in Lynchburg, Campbell county, Va., in 1823. He was a son of Thomas G. and Agnes B. (Patterson) Fowler, who were the parents of five children. The former was born in Goochland county, Va., and was raised in his native state. For fifteen years he was inspector at Martin's warehouse in Lynchburg, and was married there. He also died there in 1830. The mother of J. L. was born in Georgia, and moved with her parents to Campbell county, Va., where she grew up, attending such schools as the country afforded, which at that time were not of the best. Early in life she united with the Missionary Baptist church, and remained a consistent member thereof the rest of her life. She was married at the age of eighteen, and became the mother of five children, only two of whom now survive, J. L., and a brother, who lives in Columbia, Henry county, Ala. After her husband's death, she married Joshua Thornhill, of Appomattox county, Va., and died in her seventy- fourth year. Dr. J. L. Fowler began life on a plantation, and performed the ordinary duties of a farmer's boy, until he reached his thirteenth year. He was then made overseer of his mother's negroes, in which capacity, working at the same time, he served for a number of years. Thus what opportunities for acquiring an education, he might have under other circumstances, were lost to him. In 1847 he began reading medicine under a private preceptor, subsequently graduating from an advanced academy, and in 1851, graduating from the medical college at Charleston, S. C. He then went to Randolph county, Ga., and there began the prac- tice of his profession, remaining there five years. He then removed to Fort Gaines. Ga., and resumed practice. In 1856 he was married to Miss Eliza Bennett, daughter of James Bennett, a prominent pioneer of Henry
1092
MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
county, Ala. She was born in 1836, within three miles of where her commodious home now is. Here she grew to womanhood, enjoying the best educational advantages the country afforded, attending school at Columbus, La Grange and Fort Gaines, Ga. Early in life she became a meinber of the Missionary Baptist church. She was married in her twentieth year, and is the mother of nine children, seven of whom now survive: John B., a farmer of Henry county; James T., a practicing physician, who resides at home, and assists his father in his large practice, and who married Miss Bunker of Florida; M. L., a druggist of Morristown, Tenn .; D. G., who resides at home; Hattie L. and Addie C., twins, single and residing at home, and Robert Lee, residing at home. J. L. Fowler took part in the war of the rebellion, serving as captain of his company. In 1862 he bought a small parcel of land, to which he has added from time to time, until now he owns some 600 acres, mostly river bottom plantation land. When he retired from the army, he removed to his present home place, where he erected the large and spacious house in which he now lives. He is one of the ancient landmarks of the county, whose circle of friends extends far and wide in all directions. Politically he is a democrat, and is an advocate of all good measures for the advancement of the community. He is one of the self-made men of the day, and has the confidence and respect of all.
JAMES HELTON, one of the most prominent farmers of Henry county, was born in South Carolina in September, 1825. He is a son of William A. and Susan (Jordan) Helton, who were natives of South Carolina, but who moved to Alabama in 1826. They settled in Henry county, near where Mr. Helton's present home is situated. William A. Helton died in 1839. His widow was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, and lived with her son till her death, which occurred in 1873. James Helton was brought up on the farm, performing the ordinary duties pertaining to farm life, during his minority, and with extremely limited opportunities for acquiring even the rudiments of an education. His deprivation in this respect was so great that when elected justice of the peace in 1850, he could scarcely write his name, and he had learned to do that as well as to read by his own efforts. In 1847 he was married to Miss Catherine Strickland, daughter of James Strickland. She was born in Henry county, received her education in the common schools of the county, was married in her sixteenth year, was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, and died in 1872. James Helton was married the second time in 1874 to Miss Martha A. Holmes, daughter of James Holmes. She was born in Henry county, and married at about the age of twenty years. In 1863, Mr. Helton enlisted in the Sixth cavalry under Capt. McCray. and served until the final surrender. He then resumed farming, and has followed it ever since In 1880 he erected a cotton gin on his premises, and in 1885 built a small store and stocked it with such supplies as are needed on a plantation for the hired hands. This store has constantly increased in size and contents,
1093
PERSONAL MEMOIRS-HENRY COUNTY.
until now he carries about $1,000 worth of general merchandise. The postoffice is also kept in this store and Mr. Helton's son, John Wesley Helton, is the postmaster. The office was named Wesley in his honor. In 1891 he increased the capacity of his cotton gin by putting in a good ten-horse power steam engine, and now does the ginning for the entire neighborhood. Mr. Helton had three children by his first wife. viz. : Amanda, deceased wife of Harris Gambler; Matilda, deceased wife of Granberry Burnham; and John Wesley, single, and living at home. By his second marriage he had one child, Susie, at home and attending school. In 1874 Mr. Helton was elected county commissioner, without any knowledge on his part that he was a candidate until he was elected. In 1884 he was elected treasurer of Henry county, and served one term with general satisfaction to the public. He is now a candidate for re- election. He has always voted the democratic ticket, and has always been known as a public-spirited man, alive to all the important issues of the day. He is one of the largest and most progressive planters of Henry county, owning 1,900 acres of good farming and timbered land, and has much of it in a high state of cultivation. Though deprived of opportun- ities of obtaining sucli an education as he desired, yet his experience of the world has so taught him wisdom, that he is now recognized as a man of sound judgment and practical views, and he is for these and other qualities highly respected by the entire community.
BRIGHT W. HERRING, merchant and farmer of Headland, Ala., was born November 16, 1846, in New Hanover county, N. C. He is a son of John B. and Mary A. (Moore) Herring, the former of whom was a native of North Carolina, and was born in 1811. At an early age he became a merchant, and also engaged in the manufacture of lumber, naval stores and tar, and at the same time ran a plantation. He was married in North Carolina, and in 1850 removed to Georgia, and settled in Sumter county, where he engaged in farming, continuing thus engaged for eight years. In 1858 he came to. Alabama, settling in Coffee county, where he lived until his death, in 1865. Bright W. Herring commenced life for himself as a farmer when he was nineteen years old. By his father's death the care of his step-mother and sisters devolved upon him. He first saw his sisters in good homes of their own and provided a comfortable home for his step-mother, in which she might spend her declining years. In 1867 he removed to Henry county, settling near where Headland now stands, and pursued farming as an occupation, purchased 160 acres additional, and sold out his entire interests in 1876, and removed to the village of Head- land, and entered 160 acres of land as a homestead. He has always fol- lowed farming, and is still thus engaged. In 1882 he opened a general stock of merchandise in Headland, and has since that time been engaged in merchandising. He began as a merchant with about $300 capital, and now carries a stock of about $3,000, and does a business of about $7,000 per year. In 1870 he married Miss Amanda Dykes, daughter of Isaac
1094
MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA
Dykes, who was a native of Georgia, and by occupation was a farmer and a blacksmith. He came to Alabama at an early day, settled in Dale county, where he still resides, and where he still follows farming and blacksmithing. Mrs. Herring, at the time of her marriage, was in her twentieth year. She has borne her husband eight children, six boys and two girls, viz .: Charlie B., Orlando, Lorena, William I., Nancy J., Leonard J., Joseph E., and Ernest C., all of whom are being well edu- cated. Both Mr. and Mrs. Herring are members of the Missionary Bap- tist church. Mr. Herring has a plantation of 280 acres of land, and on his premises has a well equipped steam cotton gin, which is kept run- ning to its full capacity during the season. Mr. Herring has always been
active in the support of schools and churches, and it was largely through his efforts that the present pretty little church of the Missionary Baptist congregation was built in Headland. He is now superintendent of its Sunday school. He is a member of Headland lodge, No. 438, A. F. & A. M., and is master of the lodge. The four eldest children, as well as their parents, are members of the church. Mr. Herring served as clerk of the church ten consecutive years, and was then made deacon. He was elected township trustee in 1891, and also a member of the municipal board and school trustee. He has represented his lodge at the grand lodge of Masons many times, and is recognized as one of Henry county's most popular and prosperous citizens.
FRANCIS M. HOLLEY, a porsperous young farmer of Henry county, was born May 2, 1857. His father was John G. Holley, Sr., born in Law- rence county, Ga., in 1820, and his mother was Phebe (Price) Holley. The former came with his parents to Alabama in 1823. He, when he grew up, settled in Henry county, became a large land owner and slaveholder, and followed farming until the breaking out of the war. He then en- listed in the Henry Grays under Gen. A. C. Gordon of Henry county, and served until the final surrender. He then engaged in merchandising, put ting in a stock of general merchandise at Lawrenceville, which he handled in connection with his farm. He was a man of good business qualifications and did much to repair the ravages of the war. He was considered one of Henry county's most substantial and conservative men, and died in 1877, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. His wife, the mother of our subject, was a native of Henry county, born June 14, 1824, was educated in the schools of Henry county, and was married January 7, 1844. She was a lady of culture and refinement, and was the mother of six children: John G., Jr .; Sarah, wife of Jesse Hattoe: Mary E., wife of Jesse Hickses; Martha L., wife of N. L. Hawley; Melissa, wife of W. L. Kelley, and Francis M. The mother of these children died in October, 1861, in her thirty-seventh year. Francis M. Holley is a native of Henry county, and was raised and educated in the county. He was married November 17, 1880, to Miss H. L. Espy, daughter of W. C. Espy. Her father was a native of Coosa county, Ala .. was a farmer by occu-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.