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 128
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-HENRY COUNTY.
of eleven children, nine of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Newton are both members of the Missionary Baptist church. William F. Newton was reared on his father's farm, and during his minority his educational advantages were exceedingly limited, but upon arriving at the age of twenty-one years he attended the Newton high school for four consecu- tive years, teaching a three months' public school each year during vaca- tion, thereby making expenses. In the spring of 1881 he entered the Eastman business college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where, inspired by the beauties of penmanship, he determined to acquire a good hand-writing, and with a regular mania for penmanship he very rapidly mastered the art, and in January of 1882 began teaching penmanship, and followed it regularly for two years, teaching in most of the towns and cities of Ala- bama, Georgia, and Florida. On the 24th of February, 1884, he was happily married to Miss Alice L. Powell, daughter of Williams and Frances (Hodges) Powell. Mrs. Newton was born in Sumter county, Ga., came to Alabama when seven years old with her mother, who settled in Henry county near the present site of Dothen, her father having died while she was yet an infant. She was married in her nineteenth year, and moved with her husband to Grafton, fifteen miles from Dothen, where he taught literary school for two years, after which he began mer- chandising in a small way, secured mail facilities for the place, and was appointed postmaster. He continued in business there for four years, during which time he built up a good trade. On November 19, 1889, he moved with his family, then consisting of his wife and two little boys, Chester Whittier and Charlie Lawrence, to Dothen, having previously bought residence and business lots on which he had built a handsome residence and a small frame store, in which he began business on a cash capital of less than $500 invested in general merchandise. He conducted his business on a cash basis, and made clear of expenses $3,000 the first year. In 1891 he erected a handsome brick store, in which he now (1892) carries a stock of from $4,000 to $6,000, and does a business of $18,000 to $20,000 per annum. He was one among the first to move to Dothen when the boom struck it, and has seen the entire growth and development of the place, and is one of the leading young business men of Dothen. He and Mrs. Newton are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He is also public-spirited, and takes an active interest in what- ever tends to advance the interest and welfare of the community.
ROBERT NEWMAN .- Among the substantial business men of Abbeville, Henry county, Ala., will be found the gentleman whose name heads this notice. He is a native of the county, and was born January 28, 1864, the third in the order of birth of the five children in the family of George and Sarah (Lee) Newman. George Newman, a native of South Carolina, came to Alabama at the age of eighteen and engaged in mercantile busi- ness in Henry county, and a few years later in farming. At the outbreak of the Civil war he entered the military company known as the Henry
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Grays as first lieutenant, and served until the surrender. After the war was concluded, he resumed his farming, which vocation he followed until his death, which occurred in February, 1869. Mrs. Sarah A. Newman was a native of Barbour county, Ala., and a daughter of Nedham and Sarah (Sloan) Lee. Mr. Lee was a planter of some prominence and wealth, and died in 185; Mrs. Lee survived until 1882. Robert Newman received a very good education at the common schools of the county, and when at a proper age entered the store of W. S. Bradley, at Abbeville, as clerk. After four years' service in this capacity, he formed a partnership with H. H. Martin, and engaged in general merchandising with him for six years, and then bought his partner's interest; since then he has continued the business on his sole account. In March, 1886, Mr. Newman was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Lee, daughter of Dr. W. J. Lee, a prominent practitioner of Henry county. The lady was born in Dale county, but was reared in Abbeville, Henry county, where she was married in her eight- eenth year. She is now the mother of two lovely children-Emma Lee and Marie. With his wife, Mr. Newman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. In politics he is a stanch democrat, and has filled the office of mayor of Abbeville to the satisfaction of his own and the opposite party. A wide-awake young business man, he has built up his present extensive trade through his own industry, good judgment and aptitude for general traffic.
EPHRAIM OATES, one of the most successful farmers and business men of Henry county, was born January 27, 1826, in Sampson county, N. C. He was one of the thirteen children born to Stephen and Elizabeth (Shipps) Oates, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1787, grew up and was married there at the age of sixteen. He was a farmer and stock raiser, and became a man of wealth. He died in 1836. The latter was also born in Sampson county, in 1788, grew up there, attended school, and married in her fourteenth year. She became the mother of fourteen children, and after her husband's death did not marry again. Believing her opportunities would be better for making a living in Ala- bama, she removed to this state in 1839, bringing her family and settling- in Henry county. Here she bought a farm and lived thereupon until her death, which occurred in 1866, when she was in her seventy-eighth year. Ephraim Oates began life as a farmer's boy, came with his mother to Alabama, and assisted her to manage and work the farm. His education was thus necessarily to a great extent neglected. In 1849 he was married to Miss Mary Ward, an aunt of J. B. Ward, whose sketch appears else- where in this work. She was a daughter of James and Melinda Ward. Her father represented Henry county in the legislature, both in the house and in the senate, for many years. He died in 1859, and his widow died in 1839. The wife of Ephraim Oates grew up in Henry county, in which county she was born in 1822. She was married at the age of twenty- six, was the mother of four children, and died in 1882. Her children
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were as follows: Melinda A., widow of Dr. T. C. Solomon; Wyatt S., married to Miss M. A. Reynolds, of Headland, Ala .; James E., married to Miss M. A. Harper, and resides in Henry county; Margaret J., wife of Edgar Lindsay, of Henry county. Mr. Oates married Miss Lucy J. Saunders, sister of E. A. Saunders, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To their marriage were born four children, of whom three survive, Ephraim L., Elizabeth, and Lucy J. The subject engaged in farming early in life, and he has always been successful in this calling. In 1855, he engaged in merchandising, continuing for one year, when he sold out his stock of goods, and purchased 560 acres of land. To this he has added, from time to time, until at the present. time he owns some 5,000 acres. He has continued a farmer until the present time, and is one of the most successful, as well as one of the largest farmers in Henry county. His father is a cousin of Hon. William C. Oates, member of congress, from the third Alabama district. He has never aspired to political honors in his life. He has a remarkably strong and vigorous constitution, and with a recent exception or two, he has never been sick a day in his life. Mr. Oates and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church, and he is a member of the democratic party, and is one of the most popular and highly respected citizens of the county.
WYATT S. OATES, farmer and real estate dealer of Headland, was born in Henry county, Ala., July 6, 1852. He is a son of Ephraim and Mary A. (Ward) Oates. A memoir of Ephraim Oates appears elsewhere in this work. Wyatt S. Oates grew up on the farm, with excellent educational advantages, from common country schools, and in 1873 entered Emory and Henry college of Virginia, entering the junior class. However, arriving at manhood's estate he began reading medicine in 1874 at Abbe- ville, and during the latter part of that year, and 1875, he attended a course of lectures at the medical college at Atlanta, Ga. March 25, 1875, he settled at Headland, and began the practice of his profession, and at the same time began to invest money in real estate. In 1878 he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he continued to follow in connection with his professional duties until 1880, when he sold out his stock of merchandise. In 1884 he became again engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued until 1886, when he again sold out. He continued to practice medicine ten years, when his business interests had become so extensive as to absorb his entire attention, and he therefore abandoned medicine and gave his attention to farming and real estate. He was married in 1878 to Miss Martha A. Reynolds, daughter of C. J. Reynolds, whose memoir appears elsewhere in this work, and a sister of Robert Reynolds. She was born in Henry county, Ala., January 1, 1857, and was educated first at the common schools and then at the Female college at Salem, N. C., three years, from which institution she graduated with the highest. honors. She and her husband have no children. Mrs. Oates is a lady of
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rare culture and exceptional refinement, and is an active and enthusiastic worker for the Sunday-school and church. She is a lady of decided liter- ary tastes, and is indefatigable in the work she undertakes. Dr. Oates is now one of the largest land owners in the county, owning more than 12,000 acres of land. He also owns and manages the Headland hotel. He is a strong democrat, and takes an active part in politics. He is a cousin to Hon. W. C. Oates, now member of congress from the third Ala- bama district. Mr. Oates, however, has never been a politician, his landed interests and real estate claiming his undivided attention.
WILLIAM C. O'NEAL, merchant of Dothen, was born at Elba, Coffee county, Ala., November 25, 1866. He is a son of Capt. Jesse and Cather- ine (Gillis) O'Neal, the former of whom was born in Georgia, where he grew to manhood. Having the advantage of the schools of his native state, he soon became able to teach school, and he was engaged in this occupa- tion for a number of years. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits, and settled in Henry county, a part of which is now Coffee county, and soon made for himself a reputation as a good and sound business man. He afterward became professor in the high school, and was elected to the leg- islature, and later to the state senate. In the mean time, he had purchased a farm, which he operated in connection with his mercantile busi- ness. He also filled the office of tax collector for a number of years. He was made a Mason at a very early day, and died in Missisippi when on a visit to his son. The mother of W. C. O'Neal is also a native of Georgia, and at an early age came to Alabama with her parents. They were of Scotch origin, and settled in Coffee county. She was well edu- cated, and was married in her eighteenth year. She has had six children, four of whom survive, viz. : Marguerite, wife of David P. Folsom, a busi- ness man of Andalusia, Ala .; Ophelia, wife of Richard Tillis, merchant of Geneva; C. A., married Miss Ella Law, now resides at Andalusia, Ala .; William C. The mother of these children died in 1870. Their father was married twice; the first time to Miss Julia Wilson, by whom he had four children, but two of whom now survive. William C. O'Neal began life on a plantation, working during the busy seasons at the ordinary labors of a farm and attending school during his spare time. In 1882 he entered the store of Tillis & O'Neal as clerk, and continued in that capacity at Andalusia for two years. He then engaged in the lumber busi- ness, and a year or two later opened up a mercantile business of his own at Andalusia, in which he continued till 1887. He then moved his stock to Geneva, where he remained till August, 1891, when he moved his entire stock to Dothen. Here he has been in business ever since. Although a young man, he has made a start in life, and has established a reputation which will be found invaluable as the years roll round. He carries a large stock of general merchandise, and does business under the firm name of O'Neal & Co.
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-HENRY COUNTY.
HARRISON PURCELL, one of the representative business men of Henry county, was born in Robeson county, N. C., April 17, 1840. He was one of a family of eleven children born to Malcolm and Closkey (Drake) Purcell, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1800. He grew up on his father's plantation, enjoying the best of educational ad- vantages, graduating from the university of Virginia and also from a law school. He was admitted to the bar when quite young; but he turned his attention to farming, which pursuit he followed in accordance with scientific principles. Later in life he was elected to the legislature, serving for a number of years in that body, all the time keeping up his. interest in his farm. He, in fact, preferred the quiet of farm life to poli. tics. He was an old line whig, and named his son after William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States. At the close of the Civil war he was obliged to free his slaves, of which he had seventy-five. He- was a member of the old school Presbyterian church. He died in 1879 in the seventy-ninth year of his age. His wife was born in North Carolina. in 1816, grew to womanhood in her native state, was married at the age of sixteen, and was the mother of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Nine of them survive. She died in 1885 in the sixty-ninth year of her age. Harrison Purcell was brought up on the farm, attended college till he reached his junior year, when he enlisted in company E, Twenty-fourth North Carolina infantry, served two years as third lieu- tenant and one year as first lieutenant. At the end of this time he had
was then transferred to the an attack of rheumatism and Sixth Alabama cavalry, Clinton's brigade, in which he served until the surrender of Lee. He had a very active experience during the war. While in the east he served a part of the time under Gen. Jackson and part of the time under Gen. Longstreet. He participated in the seven days' fighting, in the battle of Harper's Ferry and in the battle of Antietam. When in the west he fought under Gen. Forrest, just missing, however, the battle of Atlanta, and being stationed in Greene county, Ala., when the final surrender was made. While he was never wounded he had numerous narrow escapes, having had his belt cut in two by a ball and experiencing other close calls. After the war Mr. Purcell came to Columbia, Henry county, and engaged in farming in connection with other business.
ROBERT J. REYNOLDS, one of the most prominent farmers of Henry county, Ala., was born in Twiggs county, Ga., in 1846. He was the third son of C. J. Reynolds, who was born in Twiggs county, and grew to man hood as a farmer boy, receiving his education at the country schools, and was married at Crawford county, Ga., to Miss M. E. Jordan. He removed to Alabama in 1852, settling in Henry county, near the present home home place, and became one of the best known planters of Henry county. He was a successful planter, and a large slaveholder before the war. He was regarded as a man of superior judgment, and his opinion was sought.
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on various subjects from far and near. In 1861, he was elected to the lower house of the legislature, and represented his county in that body two years. He also served for many years as justice of the peace. He was also judge of the inferior court for several years. He began life for himself at the age of seven years, and by his own industry and well directed efforts became one of the prominent men of his day. His death occurred in August, 1888. His wife was born in Warren county, Ga., in 1820, grew to womanhood in Crawford county, Ga., and was married in her twenty-first year. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom reached maturity, and four of whom survive. Early in life she united with the Missionary Baptist church, and in connection with that church lived the rest of her days, dying in December, 1890. Robert J. Reynolds, when eleven months old, was taken by his parents to Craw ford county, Ga., where he remained until 1852, when he removed with them to Alabama, where they settled on the farm which he now owns, within one mile of his present elegant home. There he passed his child- hood days, and secured his education in a country school near his father's farm, known as the Gopher Hill school. But being of a strong and robust constitution, he was kept busy on the farm, and was made an overseer in his twelfth year. He continued this employment until he was fifteen years old, and then ran away from home to enlist in the Confederate serv- ice. He joined the regiment commanded by Col. William C. Oates, at Ledbetter's store, but was rejected on account of his extreme youth. Nothing daunted by this rejection, he promptly ran away again, went to Franklin, Va., and enlisted in the Irwin Invincibles, under Ex-Gov. Wise. This was in July, 1861. Later he became a member of Wise's legion. Soon after his enlistment he was prostrated by an attack of measles, which resulted in a long spell of typhoid fever. He was taken home a mere skeleton in December, 1861, and remained there until May, 1962, when, having recovered, he again left home for the scenes of battle. He enlisted this time in the Thirty-seventh Alabama infantry, and was assigned to the army of the Tennessee, and participated in the battles of
Hood's campaign. He was severely wounded July 28, 1864, and was brought home on a swinging litter. At the end of three months he rejoined his command and remained in the field until the surrender. He was hon- orably discharged May 2, 1865, at Greensboro, N. C. He then returned home, but being of a restless disposition, he determined to seek out some business for himself. He took a trip in the surrounding counties with a view of purchasing some land, but on his returning home his father presented him with 440 acres of farming land, which he accepted, and built him a house where his present house stands. Then he built in the timber; now his house is surrounded with cleared fields covered with growing grain and fruit. He began farming at that time, has fol- lowed it ever since, and has added to his gift of land until he now owns one of the largest farms in Henry county, and is considered one of the
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leading farmers in that part of the state. He was married December 17, 1867, to Miss Missouri Rice, daughter of Benjamin Rice, a native of Geor- gia, a farmer of note, and a member of the constitutional convention. His death occurred in 1865, and was the result of an accidental shooting. The wife of Mr. Reynolds was born September 27, 1845, in Randolph county, Ga., and grew to womanhood in her native state. She had every scho- lastic advantage and graduated at the Cuthbert Female college, Cuthbert, Ga. She was married in her twenty-first year, and has no children, but she and her husband have adopted two children, Ida S. and Carl G. Mrs. Reynolds early in life united with the Missionary Baptist church, and still retains her membership. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and makes her home a model of comfort and neatness, surrounded as it is by a paradise of flowers and fruit. Mr. Reynolds is one of the largest land owners in Henry county, owning some 7,000 acres of land. He is also one of the largest cotton producers, keeping thirty-five plows going, and has one of the finest residences in this portion of the county. He has an abundance of fruit, cereals, and everything that can be needed in a well regulated southern home, and on a well managed plantation, and his farm- yard is well stocked with numerous varieties of chickens, turkeys, and stately peacocks. He dispenses with a liberal hand to the many poor dependent upon him for their daily bread. He built a school house, hired and paid the teacher and paid the entire expenses of the school for eight terms. He has always taken an active part in politics and maintains the the principles which he thinks are correct, against all opposition. He was elected, in 1878, to the legislature, serving one term, and he was again elected in 1882. He was. instrumental in the passage of several bills advantageous to the farming interests of Henry county. He was announced as a candidate for the state senate, in 1892, for the twenty-third district, but was beaten by the third party. Although a member of the farmers' alliance, he would not support the principles of the alliance platform, as they were in his opinion undemocratic. Near his home he has erected a well equipped grist and saw mill, and cotton gin, all run by steam. He has pursued methods through life that have placed him on a high plane of citizenship, and having his barns well filled with everything necessary, he extends a hospitable welcome to all who seek a shelter under his roof. In conversation he is extremely interesting, relating reminiscences of earlier days with a liveliness and vivacity seldom surpassed. He is well known all over southeastern Alabama as a model man in every respect.
EUGENIUS A. SAUNDERS, merchant of Abbeville, and one who has a large trade and extensive business association, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., June 15, 1848. He is the tenth in a family of sixteen chil- dren, born to Payton D. and Parmelia Ann (Davis) Saunders. The former was born in November, 1802, on the Rappahannock river in Vir- ginia, in which state he lived until he had reached his eighteenth year, when he removed to Georgia, and bought a large plantation in that
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state, bringing with him three negroes which he owned in Virginia. With the assistance of these negroes he began business for himself, and as his farm was situated in a fertile portion of Oglethorpe county, he became in a few years one of the foremost planters in the state. He remained in Georgia until 1858, when he removed to Alabama, settling in Henry county, where he purchased a plantation of 700 acres. This he con- tinued to operate until he was disabled by an accident, when he retired from the farm and found a comfortable home with his son, Eugenius A., until his death in 1882, when he was eighty years of age. He was a man whose sterling qualities were recognized by all who knew him. He belonged to a long-lived race, some of his ancestors attaining the age of one hundred and five years. The family was, in fact, noted for its . longevity. His mother was a native of Randolph county, Ga., and was born in 1812. Her education was obtained in the common schools of her native state. She was married at the age of twelve, and became the mother of sixteen children. She was a faithful wife, a kind mother, and a good neighbor. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. In 1868 she met with an accident which caused her death, in her fifty-sixth year. Her mother died at the home of her son, Eugenius A., at the remarkable age of one hundred and seven years. Eugenius A. Saunders was brought up on the farm, and attended the common schools of the country. When the slaves were freed he and his brother were given their liberty of time, as it is called, he being at that time eighteen years of age. He then entered the store of Dr. Martin, of Hardwicksburg, as a clerk, and worked as clerk three years. He then entered into partnership with Dr. Martin, and became a full partner in the business, the firm name being Martin & Saunders. He remained in this connection for fifteen consecutive years. Dr. Martin then retired from business, and was succeeded by his son, the firm name at the same time being changed to Saunders & Martin. This firm continued to do business until 1890, when it divided, each partner taking out his share. Mr. Saunders has since continued in the business, and now owns and operates a large store which contains a large and well selected stock of general merchandise. During the business career of Mr. Saunders his safes have been used for many years for keeping the funds of the county commissioners. It has also been customary for him to pay off county debts, taking receipts for the same. Much money has also been paid into his hands, for which he would give receipts, all of which served to show the unbounded confidence placed in him, which confidence he always highly prized. He was married in October, 1876, to Miss Melissa E. Martin, daughter of Rev. Dr. Martin, of Henry county, a Baptist preacher of distinction, whose memoir appears elsewhere in this volume. The wife of Mr. Saunders had the advantages of the common schools of her native county. She was married in her sixteenth year. She has been the mother of five children, three of whom survive. These three
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