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 129
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are Robert M., James A., and Payton D. Mrs. Saunders owns and oper- ates a millinery establishment in connection with her husband's store, in which she carries a large and well selected stock of goods, and has a large trade. Both Mr. and Mrs. Saunders affiliate with the Missionary Baptist church. Politically Mr. Saunders is a democrat. He is a mem- ber of Abbeville lodge, No. 818, K. of H., and is treasurer of the organ- ization. Of Mr. Saunders' brothers and sisters, he has but one sister living. She is the wife of E. Oates, one of the enterprising planters of Henry county. Mr. Saunders had nine brothers in the Confederate service, three of whom lost their lives during the war. One died in Tennessee; one lives at Jefferson City, Tex .; one, a physician, lives in Georgia, and is postmaster of his town; two live in Geneva county, Ala., and one lives in Abbeville. It is needless to say, after the recital of the above facts, that Mr. Saunders enjoys the full confidence of the entire community in which he lives.
ROBERT E. STOKES is one of the enterprising young business men of Abbeville. He was born here July 27. 1866, and was the fifth in a family of seven children born to J. W. and Martha (Lee) Stokes. Robert E. Stokes grew up on his father's farm near Abbeville, and had the advantages of the common schools of Henry county. In Sep- tember, 1882, he embarked into the fancy and family grocery business at Abbeville. He continued in this line of business for three years, apply- ing himself very closely to his business, and at the end of this time, through his indomitable energy and close application to his duties, he had amassed enough money to enable him to purchase the building he had occupied during that time, and also the one adjoining. Upon the purchase of this property he immediately put in an immense stock of general merchandise, and having attained unprecedented success in his business, he decided to "spread out," and in December, 1891, he opened a branch store at Fort Gaines, Ga. This branch store has proven a suc . cessful enterprise, and is now considered to be one of the leading houses of that city. The success attained by the subject of this sketch is due alone to his individual efforts, and strict and constant watchfulness of his affairs. His reputation has extended as his business has grown, and is now such that any man might be proud of its possession. He may truly be considered a self-made man. Beside his stores he has considerable other property. His residence is a model for convenience and pleasure. It is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Abbeville. He was married in 1889 to Miss Vickey Lee, daughter of Dr. W. J. Lee, a prominent physician of Henry county. She was married in her seven- teenth year, and died February 20, 1891, leaving her husband and one child, Irene. He was again married in May, 1892, to Miss Ola Bethune. Miss Bethune was a daughter of the late Dr. W. C. Bethune, a noted physician of this county. She possesses all the noble qualities fitted for
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such a fit companion through life. Mr. Stokes is a democrat to the core, and takes a lively interest in public affairs. He is now lending his valuable time and assistance in helping to secure a railroad to this point, which will make Abbeville the garden spot of Alabama.
JOHN T. THRASHER, stock dealer and general business man of Dothen, Ala., was born in Newton county, Ga., in 1846, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, following the plow eleven consecutive years. At the age of fifteen he moved with his parents to Florida, they settling in Lake City, Columbia county. Here Mr. Thrasher reached mature years, and after his marriage in Georgia, returned to his home in Florida, and residing there a short time removed to Thomas county, Ga .. and followed farming there a year and a half. In 1871 he moved to Brooks county, Ga., and settled in the thriving town of Quitman, where he engaged to work in a livery stable at one dollar per day. By paying strict attention to business, and by the use of good judgment, he soon got his wages raised to $150 per month, and in time bought out the business, which he continued to manage as proprietor for twenty years. In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Brooks county, and held the office eight years. He was also, during the same eight years, chief of police of the town of Quitman. In 1889 he began the sale of horses and mules in the village of Dothen, bringing large herds and cargoes of stock from Texas and other places. It was not long before the business justified an established base of opera- tions, and he accordingly purchased a large barn and started a livery and sale stable. Soon, however, he abandoned the livery portion of his business, and devoted his attention exclusively to the importation and sale of stock. In this line he has ever since continued with success. In 1890 Mr. Thrasher moved his family to Dothen, and in the early part of 1892 he erected his present handsome residence on Foster street, one of the thoroughfares of the city. This new residence is a thirteen-room structure, standing on spacious grounds, is complete in all its appoint- ments and is one of the handsomest residences in the city. Mr. Thrasher was married in 1868 to Miss Ophelia Reynolds, daughter of Capt. Monroe Reynolds, who was a farmer in Georgia. Capt. Reynolds enlisted in the Confederate service at the first call and went out as captain in the Fourth Georgia, fought gallantly for the southern cause, and lost his life at Kemple Gap, Ga .. in 1864. Mrs. Reynolds was married first in her six- teenth year, and after her husband's death, she was married to James Jones in 1869, a prominent citizen of Georgia, and with him she spent the rest of her life. Miss Ophelia Reynolds was born in Jackson county, Ga., and taking advantage of her opportunities, she was educated as well as she could be under the circumstances by which she was surrounded. In addition to the ordinary education given girls, she took a short college course. She was married in her seventeenth year, and is now the mother of six children, all of whom survive, viz. : Jessie M., wife of Wal- lace M. Hunter, residing at Catskill, N. Y .; James M., married Miss
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-HENRY COUNTY. 1121
Maggie Barnes, who died August 8, 1892, leaving one child; Anna B .; Miss Johnnie T .; Mary L .; Barbour D., and Jelks. Mrs. Thrasher is of sterling worth, and to her far-sighted economical methods and sound judgment Mr. Thrasher attributes a large share of his success in life. Early in life she joined the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and she has ever since lived a consistent, Christian life. She takes active interest in all church and charitable work, and in this work she has the sympa. thy and assistance of her family. Mr. Thrasher is the son of James C. and Nancy (Travis) Thrasher, the former of whom was born in 1826, in New- ton county, Ga., where he grew to manhood on a farm. He was married in Henry county, Ga., and became a stock raiser and trader, When the war broke out he raised a company and went into the field as its captain, the com- pany becoming a portion of the Thirty-eighth Georgia infantry, and being assigned to the army of northern Virginia. He served until failing health compelled him to resign, and he then removed his family to Florida and subsequently joined James Dunham's artillery coast guards, and served in that arm of the service until the close of the war. After the war he continued farming and gradually turned his attention to dealing in live stock. This he continued until near the time of his death, which occurred September 23, 1879. His wife was born in Henry county, Ga., and was married in her fifteenth year. She became the mother of six children, three of whom now survive. She was the daughter of James Travis, who was one of the early settlers of the state. She died Septem- ber 21, 1858. Mr. Thrasher, since locating in Dothen, has been one of the most enterprising and progressive citizens, and has contributed largely to the building of churches, and high school building. He erected in 1891, in company with Mr. Mckinsey, a large two-story brick store room, with offices above. This building occupies a prominent corner in the city, and is really the commercial center of the place. He also erected another store building near the first, which he still owns. He also owns other valuable property, both business and residence. In June, 1892, he lost by fire his wooden sale stable, and is now (1892) replacing it with a handsome brick structure, 60x80 feet in size, in which his son- in-law, Mr. Hunter, is partner. Mr. Thrasher now owns nearly 1,000 acres of land near the city of Dothen. During the fire panic of 1891, Mr. Thrasher was the only man in Dothen the insurance companies would carry. During the summer of 1892 he was engaged in securing the right of way for a railroad in Georgia, in which he was unusually successful. A brother of Mr. Thrasher is now sheriff of Brooks county, Ga. John J. Thrasher, an uncle of Mr. Thrasher, was one of the early settlers of Georgia. He lived in the early days on the present site of the city of Atlanta, and cultivated it as a farm. For many years Peach Tree street was the path which his cows followed to the spring. The pater- nal grandfather of Mr. Thrasher, James Thrasher, was a native of Geor- gia, and participated in the war of 1812, and also aided in quelling the
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
numerous Indian outbreaks that occurred in the early days. John T. Thrasher has been a Mason since 1877, and he is a member of the fol- lowing orders: The Knights of Pythias, the R. A. C,, and the C. O. T. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Mr. Thrasher is a courteous, dignified, civil, typical southern gentleman, and has the respect of the entire country.
EDWARD F. TUTTLE, manufacturer of naval stores at Gordon, Ala .. was born in Charleston county. S. C., in May, 1858. He was one of eleven children born to Robert and Harriet (Davis) Tuttle. The former was a native of South Carolina, and followed the occupation of a merchant and planter, owning a fine plantation on the Santee river. During his life time he was considered one of the stanch business men and citizens of the county. He was an owner of extensive negro property before the war. His death occurred in 1875. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in that faith. Edward F. Tuttle's mother was also a native of South Carolina, where she received her early educa- tion in the common schools. She was married at the age of fifteen, and, as stated above, was the mother of eleven children, only three of whom survive. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and remained such until her death, which occurred in 1875, within three months of the death of her husband. Edward F. Tuttle was brought up as a farmer boy, gaining his little education at the common schools. At. the age of eleven years, he removed with his parents to the town of St. Stephens, S. C., and there was engaged for a year or so farming. Later he became clerk in a store, and continued so employed until 1878, when he removed to Georgia, and there engaged in the manufacture of naval stores. Following this business in all its branches as an employee, he became thoroughly familiar with it in all its details, and having fol- lowed various kinds of manual labor, his muscular development is such that he can endure with with ease the active out-door life of a wood- man. He remained thus engaged till 1885, when he removed to Alabama, stopping at Gordon, where he established a turpentine plant, which he has continued to operate ever since. In 1888 he was married to Miss Winnie L. Wood, daughter of William Wood, whose memoir appears else- where in this work. She was born in Henry county, where she received an excellent education. She was married in her twentieth year, and is now the mother of two children, Daisy W. and Hattie L. Mr. Tuttle now owns a plant worth $10,000, and manufactures about 600 gallons of spirits per day. He employs thirty-five men at an outlay of $46 per day. He owns nearly 1,000 acres of land, and his wife owns in her own right over 500 acres. Mr. Tuttle has made what property he now enjoys by his own efforts, and ranks with the foremost of the properous young business men of Henry county. Mrs. Tuttle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and Mr. Tuttle is universally known by the title of "Capt. Tuttle," the name being conferred upon him by his men in the forest.
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THOMAS A. TRAWICK, clerk of the circuit court of Henry county, was born February 2, 1844. He was the seventh child in a family of ten born to George N. and Nancy (Galloway) Trawick. The former was born in South Carolina July 6, 1811, moved to Alabama when he was eighteen years of age, settling in Henry county, near the town of Abbe- ville, when the entire country was a wilderness. He purchased a plan- tation, which he proceeded to improve, and eventually accumulated a large tract of land. When the war broke out he owned some fifty slaves, whom, of course, he lost through the operation of the war. He was too old to enter the service, so he continued to manage his plantation through the war, and after the war also, and again accumulated considerable property. His death occurred in November, 1886, when he was seventy- seven years of age. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was a native of South Carolina, coming to Alabama while very small. She was a daughter of William Galloway, a planter of considerable note, of Henry county. She grew up in Henry county, with such advantages for securing an education as the schools of that county afforded, which were then extremely meager. She was married in her sixteenth year. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, was the mother of ten children, and died in 1850. In 1855 Mr. Trawick next married Mrs. Lucinda Moor, who bore him two children, ard died in 1884. Thomas A. Trawick was brought up on his father's farm, and his education was much neglected. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the service of the Confederate States, and served four years. He went out in a company known as the Henry Grays, as a private sol- dier, and served under John B. Gordon in the Sixth Alabama regiment. He was wounded five times. At the battle of Seven Pines he was shot through the thigh; at the battle of South Mountain he received a slight flesh wound; at the battle of Chancellorsville he was again wounded in the thigh; in May, 1864, he received another slight flesh wound, and on the 19th of September, 1864, he was wounded at the battle of Winches- ter, which caused about four inches of the bone of his right arm, includ- ing the elbow joint. to be taken out, an operation causing him much suf- fering. He has preserved the bone thus taken out as a souvenir of the war and surgical triumph. After the close of the war he turned his at- tention to farming. In July, 1866, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Henry county, and served in this capacity until 1869, when he was appointed sheriff of the county and served three years. In 1872 he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in 1874 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, which office he has held ever since. He is now a candi- date for re-election. On February 15, 1866, he was married to Miss Carrie V. Kirkland, daughter of Isaac Kirkland, one of the early pioneers of Henry county, and the first merchant in Abbeville. He was for many years clerk of the county court. Mrs. Trawick was born in Abbeville, May 19, 1844, and had the best educational advantages the country af-
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forded. She was married in her twenty-first year, and is the mother" of five children: Daniel G. is single and resides at home; Lula Lee, wife of Z. W. Laney, Jr .; George A., a young business man of Abbeville, occu- . pying a position in the store of Robert Newman; William A., attend- ing Abbeville high school; John T., also attending Abbeville high school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Trawick are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Trawick had five brothers, two brother-in-laws, and one step-brother in the Confederate service, all of whom perished during that conflict, except one brother. This brother is one of Dale county's pros- perous planters. Mr. Trawick is a straight-out democrat, is a Mason of the royal arch degree, is secretary of his lodge, is a member of the municipal board, and takes an active interest in everything promising to promote the material interests of the community. He is an advocate of religion, morality and law, and has held his present position for eighteen years.
CHARLES E. WALKER, deputy clerk of the circuit court of Henry county, is one of the most enterprising young business men of Columbia. He was born in Marion county, Ga., April 1, 1853. He was one of two children born to John F. and Martha ( Ward ) Walker. The former was a native of Georgia, and grew to manhood in the state of his nativity. While he was a man of limited education, yet he was a man of great brain power. He engaged in farming for some years, and was elected probate judge of Clay county, Ga., and held the office for eight years. He was a member of the Fort Gaines city council for many years, and he was for a number of years agent for the Southwestern Railroad company. In 1882, he moved to Columbia, where he opened a warehouse, in company with his son, and operated that warehouse until his death, which occurred in 1884, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. He was a son of William B. Walker, also a native of Georgia, who took part in the Florida, and also in the Mexican, war. He was a pioneer of Georgia, lived a good and useful life. and died at Fort Gaines, Ga., in 1885, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. The father of Charles E. Walker was married twice, first to the mother of Charles E. Walker, and the second time to Rebecca Stewart, by whom he had two children, and who still survives. The mother of Charles E. Walker was a native of Georgia, was married at the age of eighteen, and had two children, and died in 1855. Charles E. Walker was married in December, 1876, to Miss Lillie Grist, daughter of Fred Grist, a native of Georgia, prominent in agricultural circles, and a man of wealth. His death occurred in 1888. The wife of our subject grew to womanhood under the care of aunt, who traveled extensively. She graduated from St. Mary's college of Knoxville, Ill., and was married in her twenty-first year. She has had five children, only two of whom survive, viz. : Eugene G. and John W. Mr. Walker is a member of lodge No. 2,863, K. of H., is a democrat in politics, is public spirited, and is generally recognized as a representative man. He favors all enterprises tending to
HON. R. H. WALKER.
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advance the public welfare. His education was secured first in the common schools, and he then attended a commercial college, from which he graduated in 1873. He then engaged with the firms of Loab & Co., and Solomon Coon, of Fort Gaines, Ga., as bookkeeper, remaining in their employ two years. He then engaged in business for himself at Fort Gaines, Ga., opening a commercial warehouse, and continuing in this business two years. He then disposed of his possessions and removed to Alabama, settling at Columbia, and engaging as bookkeeper with R. H. Walker, remaining in his employ four years. In 1882, he embarked in business for himself, opening a warehouse which he operated until 1884. He then engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of Walker, Hays & Co., he being the "Co." In January, 1885, he retired from this firm and, engaged in the insurance business, and later in 1885, he was appointed deputy circuit court clerk, which position he continues to hold.
ROBERT H. WALKER, attorney-at-law of Columbia, and one of the most prominent citizens of the place, was born in Tallapoosa county, Ala., in 1849. His parents, Judge F. M. and Elsa C. (Thomas) Walker, had a family of seven children. The former was a native of Talbot county, Ga., where he spent his boyhood days. He went out during the late war as a captain in the Fourth Alabama state troops, and was soon promoted to colonel, in which capacity he served through the rest of the war. At the close of the war he returned home, and was soon afterward elected to the legislature of his state from Conecuh county, Ala., serving one term. He was then elected probate judge of Conecuh county, and at the end of his term was re-elected. Before the expiration of his second term he resigned, and his youngest son, P. C. Walker, was appointed to the vacancy by Gov. Cobb, and he has held the office ever since, that is, for twelve consecutive years. He is now a candidate for re-election. Since Judge Walker's resignation he has lived a life of retirement, except that he spent a few years engaged in the mercantile business. He now resides in Columbia. His wife, the mother of R. H. Walker, was born in Geor- gia, where she spent her girlhood days. She was born in 1819, and was educated as well as possible, considering the condition of the schools at that time. She was married at the age of twenty-seven, and became the mother of seven children. Both she and her husband have been for many years members of the Missionary Baptist church. R. H. Walker had a thorough academic education in his youth, and while yet a very young man entered the service of the Confederate States, as a member of the raiders. He took part in numerous engagements and skirmishes, and was captured and held a prisoner of war for a short time, but effected his escape soon afterward. After the surrender he returned home and took a trip west, lasting some eight months. He then established himself in the mercantile business at Ozark, Ala., and at the end of six months began the study of the law under a private preceptor. In 1872, he
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removed to Columbia, manufactured the brick for, and erected, a substan- tial brick building in which he opened up a stock of general merchandise, and built up a business of $120,000 per annum. In 1883 he failed in busi- ness, but paid off all home creditors 100 cents on the dollar, and gave his foreign creditors notes secured by mortgage to the full amount of his indebtedness to them. In 1884 he was admitted to practice law, and has since then successfully followed that profession. His practice extends over the states of Alabama, Florida and Georgia. During his practice he has won thirty-one murder cases out of a possible thirty-four. In 1888 he was nominated in the democratic convention for the state sen- ate, but was defeated at the polls by a small majority by the candidate of the independents. He has attained considerable prominence at the bar, and has made a record for himself of which any man might be proud. In 1872, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Ida Hays, daughter of Haris Hays. She was born in Henry county, and there spent her youthful days. She was married at the age of eighteen, and is the mother of eight chil- dren, six of whom now survive: Ida H., wife of Frank Reid; Frank H., Robert L., Allie E., Albert C. and Frederick. The mother of these children was educated at the Eufaula schools, and was a lady of culture and refinement. She died in 1887. Mr. Walker was married the second time to Miss Easley McIntyre, of Newton, Ala. She was born in Newton, · was well educated, and married in her nineteenth year. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Mr. Walker is a large land holder. and has a handsome home. He has served as a member of the municipal board for a number of years, and one term as mayor of Colum- bia. He was active in getting the manufacturing interests started in Columbia, and is the attorney of the company which erected the cotton mill. He is a democrat in politics, and is alive to all public interests. Mr. Walker holds a commission from the governor of Alabama as cap- tain of the Columbia Blues, and was elected to the state senate in 1892 for four years, defeating the Hon. R. C. Reynolds, which position he holds by an almost unanimous vote of his district, the twenty-third sena- torial, composed of Henry, Dale and Geneva counties, and in which posi- tion he will take a prominent place.
JOHN B. WARD, farmer of Abbeville, is one of the progressive men of Henry county. He was born August 31, 1856, in Henry county, and was the first child by the second marriage of J. J. Ward to Martha Ward, the former a native of Henry county, and a planter by profession. His first marriage was to a Mrs. Kelley, of Pike county. By this marriage he had four children, two of whom survive. He was a man of wide acquaintance, and attained considerable distinction. His death occurred in 1879, being then fifty years of age. While he was a man of limited edu- cation, he was of unlimited energy and pluck. His father represented Henry county for twelve consecutive years. The mother of John B. Ward was also a native of Alabama. She was born in 1832, and grew to
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