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 127
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REV. DR. A. L. MARTIN, retired clergyman, physician, merchant and planter, is one of the most honored and respected citizens of Henry
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county. He was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., near Athens, Decem- ber 25, 1824, and is named in honor of Gen. Lafayette, who was on a visit to this country at the time of his birth. He is now the sole survivor of five children born to Williford and Melissa (Dowden) Martin. Willi- ford Martin was of Scotch extraction, grew up in Oglethorpe county, and died in 1826. The mother of Dr. Martin was also a native of Oglethorpe county, grew up under the parental roof, had the best of school advan- tages, and died within three miles of where she was born. She was of of an excellent family, whose worth and integrity werc recognized by all. Her death occurred in 1880, at the advanced age of seventy-four years. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and she lived a good and consistent life, filled with acts of charity and kindness. Dr. Martin being deprived of his father's care in early life, and not being surrounded with the facilities for securing the education that he desired, resolved to start out in life for himself and to become a good and useful man. He therefore left home at the age of seventeen, and began work as an over- seer on a plantation near Columbus, Ga., at a merely nominal salary, which was increased as he became more competent. At the age of twenty-one, he entered a select school of a literary character, which was well equipped, and here his progress was rapid and his studies thoroughly mastered. Here he remained two years, and then began the study of medicine. During the years 1846 and 1847, he attended the medical college at Angusta, Ga., and in 1848, having passed a successful exami- nation, he was admitted to practice, and opened an office near where he had been employed as overseer, his former employers becoming his patrons. In 1850. he removed to Alabama, settling in Dale county. Subsequently, he removed to Henry county, and bought a small farm eight miles south of Abbeville. This farm he operated in connection with his profession. In 1856, giving up the practice of medicine, he entered the ministry of the Missionary Baptist church, and has since continued in the ministry of this denomination until the present day. Inº 1865, he estab- lished a small store near his plantation, which he afterward enlarged and removed to Abbeville. and there continued in the mercantile business on a large scale until 1883, when he retired. He was married, in 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Mullin, daughter of John and Parmelia (Biggers) Mullin. John Mullin was a native of Cork, Ireland, and came to America with his parents at an early day They settled in South Carolina, but subsequently removed to Georgia, in which state, their son, John Mullin, became a famous planter. His death occurred in 1853, in his sixty-fifth year. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. His wife grew to womanhood in her native state, married there and still lives, at the age of eighty-nine. The wife of Dr. Martin grew up near Columbus, Ga., and was educated there. She was married in her twentieth year, and is the mother of eight children, viz. : James M., deceased; Mary E., wife of
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Dr. W. J. Lee, who resides at Abbeville; Martha, deceased; William J., a resident of Abbeville; Elizabeth, wife of E. Saunders, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; H. L., attorney, at Ozark, Ala .; Eula, wife of J. C. Simpson, of Fort Gaines, Ga., and Coda, deceased. Dr. Martin now lives a life of comparative retirement in his beautiful subur- ban home, surrounded by peace and plenty, enjoying the happy life result- ing from a useful past and an unclouded conscience. He is justly proud of his ancestry, and has lived in such a way as to increase rather than to diminish their enviable reputation. Few men so fully are granted and enjoy the esteem and affection of the entire community as does Dr. Martin, and few have so well and so honestly earned that affection and esteem as has Dr. Martin.
HENRY H. MARTIN, merchant of Abbeville, is one of the promising young business men of Henry county. He was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., in 1860, and was the second in a family of two children, born to Hope and Susan (Harrison) Martin, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, born and reared in Oglethorpe county, and who in 1862 removed with his family to Alabama, settling in Henry county and buying a farm. This farm he immediately set about to improve, but his labors were cut short by death in 1863. The widow was thus left with a family of two children. She was also 'a native of Oglethorpe county, was reared and educated there, and was married when in her sixteenth year. She was married in 1867 to Mr. James Somerford; by whom she has had three children, viz. : Martha, Charlie, and one which died in infancy. She died in 1872, in her forty-fifth year. Henry H. Martin grew up on the farm, performing all the various kinds of labor incident to farm life. He was necessarily so closely engaged in this work that he had little or no time to attend school, and his education was thus sadly neglected. Six months schooling comprised his entire course, while he was in his mi- nority. For two years he carried the mail from Abbeville to Dothen, Fort Gaines and Eufaula for 25 cents a day, boarding himself, and a year prior to this he had hired himself to a farmer, who agreed to pay him $7 a month, but after working for him a year, all he ever got was an old mule worth about $25. At the age of eighteen he entered the store of Saunders & Martin in the capacity of a clerk, and operated his farm at the same time. This course of life he pursued some four years, and then he left off farming, and remained in the store as clerk two years more. He then formed a parternership with Robert Newman, and opened up a large stock of general merchandise. In this business he continued with success and an increasing trade until May, 1891, when he sold his entire interest in the store, and bought the large and commodi- ous building he now occupies, together with the large and well selected stock of general merchandise, which he now owns, and where he now is in business for himself. In June, 1891, he went to Dothen, Ala., and there erected a large brick store building, which he rents. Besides the
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above-mentioned property, Mr. Martin owns considerable landed interests in and near Abbeville, and he is also interested in the largest livery stable in Abbeville, the firm name being Martin, Newman & Martin. In 1885, he was married to Miss Mary Newman, sister of his former partner . and fellow-townsman, Robert Newman. She was born in Barbour county, Ala., and grew to womanhood under the paternal roof. She was married in her twenty-second year, and is the mother of two children, viz. : Eva and Robert. In 1888, Mr. Martin was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and has held the office continuously since that time. Politi- cally, he is a democrat of the straightest sect, and religiously he is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, his wife being a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Mr. Martin was thrown upon his own resources early in life, and has attained the high position he now occupies by his own efforts and industry. He is to a sufficient degree a public-spirited man, and is in favor of all enterprises calculated to benefit the general public.
WILLIAM T. MAUND, merchant of Ashford, Ala., one of the most prosperous young business men of Henry county, was born in Terrell county, Ga., July 1, 1861. He was the first of ten children born to Ash- ley M. and Alice E. (Ward) Maund, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, born August 28, 1840. He was brought up in Lee county, Ga., and early in life engaged in merchandising in that county. Shortly after going into business there, he removed to Terrell county, and engaged in the same vocation in the town of Dawson and then moved from town to town, making a move on the average once a year for several years, finally settling at Colman's station, Ga. He bought a saw mill, a grist mill and cotton gin and engaged in the heavy lumber business, and at the same time operated a farm. In 1880 he moved to Alabama, settling in Colum- bia, Henry county, where he opened up the mercantile business, in which he is now engaged. He also runs a livery stable. He was married in 1860. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service, in the sixty-fourth Georgia regiment, serving until the surrender. He participated in many engagements. the most notable of them being the battle of Gettys- burg, in which he was captured, but was afterward paroled. He was several times wounded, but never severely. His greatest loss was the little finger on his right hand. He is now one of Columbia's most active and enterprising citizens. His wife was a native of Georgia, and was well educated. She was married at the age of eighteen, and is the mother of a large family. Early in life she united with the Missionary Baptist church, and lived a consistent christian life, and died October, 9, 1889. William T. Maund grew to manhood on a farm, received but a limited education, and developed a spirit of adventure and perseverance, deter- mining early in life to find some useful and profitable employment. He drove a yoke of cattle, hauling lumber and mill timber, and eventually saved $360, with which as capital he engaged in business for himself,
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opening up a stock of merchandise in 1883. He remained thus engaged until 1890. when he sold out and bought the business of J. T. Davis & Son, at Ashford. In 1891 he bought a large steam saw mill, which he now owns and operates. This mill is located near Ashford. He runs it in connection with other business, manufactures and ships all grades of lumber. He does a large advance business of some $30,000 per year. He was married to Miss Ada McMealy, daughter of William McMealy. She was born in Gordon, Ala., and grew to womanhood at Columbia, Ala.,. where she was educated. She was married in her twentieth year, and is now the mother of four interesting children, viz .: Willie (girl), Alice E., Anna, Ezelia. In early life the mother of these children united with the Methodist church, in which she still retains her membership. Beside his business property already noticed in this sketch, Mr. Maund owns his beautiful residence, and five houses which he rents. He also owns eighty acres of land near Columbia, on Harrison creek; 100 acres near Ashford, and 800 acres of as fine plantation land as can be found in the state. The annual rental of his farm land is twenty eight bales of cotton, and all his property has been accumulated by his own ex- ertions. His labors have been crowned with success. and he is justly considered a reliable business man.
FRANCIS M. MERITTE, a prosperous farmer of Henry county, was born September 12, 1836. He is one of ten children born to Jacob and Sybil Meritte, the former a native of North Carolina, who came to Georgia while yet a young man, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He enlisted in the late war. The mother of Francis M. was also a native of North Carolina, grew to womanhood in her native state, and married in her eighteenth year. In 1848 she removed with her family to Alabama, settling in Henry county near Abbeville, and near the present home of Francis M. She was mother of twelve children, four of whom now sur- vive. One of them, David W., of Abbeville, was deputy sheriff of Henry county for a number of years. One sister lives in Geneva county, and one in Henry county. Mrs. Meritte was a member of the Missionary Baptist. church, and died in 1863. Francis M. Meritte was the fourth, and was brought up in Henry county. In early life he was thrown upon his own resources, and worked at various occupations till the war, when he enlisted in Col. William Oates' company, but was discharged on account of ill health. He has since followed the occupation of a farmer. He was mar- ried to Miss Alice Kirkland, daughter of Zachariah Kirkland, a fariner of Henry county. This lady was educated in Henry county, as well as the schools of the county would permit. She was married when quite young, and was the mother of four children, three of whom still live: Mary S., who was first married to J. Murphy, son of William Murphy, whose memoir appears elsewhere in this work; he soon afterward died, and she was then married to J. D. Jackson; Melinda F., wife of P. S. Whitehead, of Henry county, and Clifford L., wife of J. B. Whitehead. The wife of
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Francis M. Meritte died September 20, 1872, and in November, 1882, he was married to Miss Minerva L. Kirkland, cousin of his first wife, and a daughter of Isaac Kirkland, a farmer of Henry county, who lost his life in the late war. The present wife of Mr. Meritte was born in Henry county, in 1860. She is the mother of two children, Ida C., living at home, and Leonard C., who also lives at home. In 1866 Mr. Meritte bought 100 acres of land, to which he has added, from time to time, until he now owns 1,500 acres. His home farm he has in a high state of culti- vation. `He has recently erected a very commodious house, which is finely equipped and painted, surrounded with broad and cool verandas, so neces- sary in this warm climate, enabling the family to live most of the time out of doors, and at the same time under cover. He has several tenant houses, all of which are in good repair. His orchard is well sup- plied with the finest fruit trees, and has convenient lots and stables for all his stock. He raises all the necessary vegetables and cereals, as well as cotton, in order to be independent, in case of a partial or total failure of the cotton crop. He also raises horses, mules, cattle and hogs, and has a gin house on his farm, and conducts a general farming business. He thus keeps himself employed, and his attention occupied. He is a democrat, and takes great interest in the party's politics. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. While they started with little property and with but little to encourage him in his struggle for existence, he has persevered, and his industry and perseverance have been rewarded with success.
WILLIAM W. MILLIKIN, manufacturer of naval stores, is one of the progressive men of Henry county. He was born in Maine in 1844, and is a son of Robert and Sophronia (Easty) Millikin. Robert Millikin was also a native of Maine, and was raised in the lumber regions of that state. Early in life he engaged in the lumber business for himself, and continued thus engaged during the greater part of his life. He was a believer in the doctrine of the Universalists, and died in 1857. The mother of William W. Millikin was a native of New Brunswick, but early in life moved with her parents to Aroostook county, Maine., where she was educated in the common schools of that county, and was married at the age of seventeen. She became the mother of four children, three of whom survive. After Mr. Millikin's death, as mentioned above, she was again married, in 1860, to Garett Moran, and now resides at Lakewood, N. J. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. William W. Millikin, at the age of seventeen years, enlisted in company D, Tenth Maine infan- try, at Presque Isle. at the first call for troops. He was afterward con- nected permanently with company D, Twenty-ninth Maine infantry, in which he served through the war. During his service of about five years he participated in numerous battles and skirmishes, but in none of them did he receive any harm. He was at first assigned to the army of the Potomac, and with that army fought at Spottsylvania Court House, at
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Antietam, at Chancellorsville, at Gettysburg, etc., was transferred to the army of the Cumberland, fought in the battle of Lookout Mountain, and was afterward transferred to the army of the Mississippi, and took part in Gen. Banks's expedition up the Red river, participating in all that general's battles. He was in 1865 ordered to Charleston, S. C., and remained there on provost duty until June 21, 1866, when he was honor- ably discharged. After his discharge he engaged in farming near Bennetts- ville, S. C., in which line he continued four years. He then became a merchant at Society Hill, S. C., remaining thus engaged four years. He then engaged in the manufacture of naval stores near Society Hill, S. C., and continued in this line until December, 1882, when, disposing of his interests in South Carolina, he removed to Georgia, near Race Pond, where he followed the manufacture of naval stores until 1889, when he removed to Alabama, settling at Ashford and continuing on in the same line of business until the present time. This business he has so developed that he now owns a plant of three stills, with a daily output of 1,560 gallons of spirits. He has 300 men in his employ, owns 3,500 acres of turpentine timbered land, and has a lease of 25,000 acres more. He also operates three large stores, containing such general merchandise and camp supplies as his extensive business renders necessary, which entails a daily expense account of $300. In politics he is a democrat, and has refused the nomination for state senator He is the most successful turpentine producer in the state, is known as "Capt. Millikin," and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community to the highest degree. He was married in 1866 to Miss Katie Meigs, daughter of John K. Meigs. She was born in South Carolina, was well educated, in a high grade school, and early in life united with the Missionary Baptist church, and died in 1888, leaving no children. Capt. Millikin was married the second time to Miss Pauline Harrell, daughter of Tims Harrell, who was also a native of South Carolina, grew up under the paternal roof, received a good education, and was married at the age of thirty-one years. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Both she and her husband stand high in social circles, and are everywhere highly esteemed.
FLEMING I. MOODY, physician and surgeon of Dothen, and one of the most eminent men in Henry county, was born in Appling county, Ga., February 2, 1856. He was one of nine children born to Jacob and Mary (Tilman) Moody, the former of whom was born in Appling county in 1811, and was reared upon his father's farm. Later in life he began business for himself, and became one of the leading planters of Appling county. He speculated largely in slaves before the war. In the fall of 1867 he removed to Brooks county, where he engaged in merchandising, but later returned to farming, and continued that occupation until 1885, when he came to Henry county, and has since resided there with his son, Fleming I. Moody. He was married at the age of twenty-four, and is now eighty-one, hale and hearty, spending most
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of his time traveling. His wife was also a native of Appling county, Ga., born in 1822, married in her sixteenth year, and became the mother of nine children, five of whom survive. Two of these reside in Georgia and the rest in Dothen. She is now in her seventieth year, and lives with her son. She had the advantages of the best of education. Fleming I. Moody passed his early life largely in the school room, and gained a good literary education at the Bradwell institute, located at Hinesville, Ga .; later he entered the university of Georgia, located at Athens, leaving there at the close of his junior year, in 1873. He then read medicine under a private preceptor, and in 1874 entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., graduating in 1876. He has since then taken a post-graduate course at the New Orleans Medical college. He commenced the practice of medicine at Gordon, Ala., and lived there four years. He then moved to Abbeville, Ala., and practiced till 1885, when he located in Columbia, remaining there till 1889. He finally removed to Dothen, and has here built up a large practice, which he is still increasing. He was married to Miss Iona G. Hays, daughter of Aleck P. and Margaret (Bowden) Hays, the former of whom was a native of Virginia, came to Alabama at an early day, became very wealthy, and died in 1871. The wife of F. I. Moody was born at Cedar · Springs, and entered the Female college of Athens, Ga., from which she graduated with high honors. She has borne her happy husband four children, viz .: Earle F., Sherod H., Fleming, deceased, and Alba. Flem- ing I. Moody, in addition to the fine practice which he has built up in Dothen, has the position of surgeon to the Alabama Midland railroad company. He is also president of Henry county Medical society, and is chairman of the board of censors, having held this office eight years. He became a Mason in 1877, at Gordon, Ala. He has taken a very active interest in the upbuilding of Dothen, and has been identified with the securing of manufactures for that place.
WILLIAM N. MURPHY, planter of Henry county, is one of the most promi- nent citizens of the county. He was the fifth in a family of ten children born to Malcolm and Theresa (Pitcher) Murphy. The former was a native of South Carolina, whose ancestors were originally from the Emerald Isle, and who settled in South Carolina. His father was in the war of 1812. William N. Murphy's father was a man of education, and moved to Washington county, Ga., at an early day and was one of the first settlers in the county. In 1836 he removed to Henry county, Ala., and re- mained there until his death, which occurred in 1878. While a resident of Henry county he held the office of justice of the peace a number of years. William N. Murphy's mother was born in Georgia, grew to womanhood and was married in her native state, at the age of about twenty-one years. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, and lived as became her profession, finding a comfortable home with her son William until her death, which occurred when she was seventy-two years old. William N.
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Murphy was born in Georgia in 1825, grew up a farmer's boy, attending, as he could, the common school. He was married at the age of twenty- four to Miss A. L. Davidson, daughter of James and Elizabeth Davidson, both of whom were born in and died in Georgia. Mr. Murphy's wife was born in Monroe county, Ga., and grew to womanhood in her native state, enjoying but meager advantages for securing an education. She was married in her sixteenth year and became the mother of ten children, as follows: Sarah A. E., now the wife of John E. Ward, who resides in Leon county, Tex .: Eveline, now the wife of John Key, who resides in Henry county ; Mary A., now the wife of J. J. Hallie of Henry county ; Lulu, wife of O. B. Kelley, also residing in Henry county; Martha, wife of G. M. Dunn, of Henry county; Christopher C., who married, first, Miss Singletery, whose death occurred in 1884, and second, Miss Beulah Capps, and now resides in Henry county : James, deceased; W. V., mar- ried Miss Laura Wood, of Florida, and resides on the home farm. After Mr. Murphy was married, he bought a small farm in Georgia, and there commenced life on his own account; but believing that he could do better in the then new state of Alabama, he in 1850 sold his Georgia property and removed to this state. He came at first to Coffee county, remaining there about a year, and then removed to Henry county, and to the farm adjoining the one on which he now resides. He commenced in 1851 with a small tract of land, to which he has added from time to time, till now he owns 1,010 acres of good farming and timber lands, and has much of it in a high state of cultivation. His improvements are of the best, his orchards are stocked with the choicest fruit the climate will permit to grow, and everything about the premises denotes industry and thrift. Politically, though a straight-out democrat, he has never aspired to office, preferring to devote his attention to his own private business affairs believing that, in so doing, he would not lose the reward of his labors. He has on his place a steam cotton gin, a saw mill, and a flouring mill, and he finds a source of pleasure in superintending his large plantation and in the neatness of his home.
WILLIAM F. NEWTON, merchant of Dothen, was born in Henry county, October 25, 1856. He is a son of James I. and Martha C. (Irwin) Newton, the former of whom is a native of Dale county, Ala., having been born and reared within five miles of Dothen. He received but an ordinary education, and was married when eighteen years of age. He has been a farmer all his life, has always been identified with the prosperity of the county, and is recognized as one of its substantial citizens. He now resides on his home farm, four miles from Dothen, and about nine miles from where he was born. The town of Newton, Dale county, derived its name from his father, who was one of the first settlers of this part of the state. The mother of W. F. Newton was born in Crawford county, Ga., came to Alabama when eleven years of age, was brought up in Henry county, and married there when in her fifteenth year. Slie is the mother
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