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 57
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
when the treasury of Alabama was exhaused and the public credit in imminent peril. He was charman of the joint committee on retrench- ment, and in February, 1866, he made a scrutinizing report which may be seen on the Senate Journal, page 290. At the expiration of his legis- lative term, in 1866, he joined the Twenty-ninth Alabama regiment as surgeon, and subsequently had charge of a hospital at Greenville, Ala. In 1870 he was elected lieutenant-governor of the state, and presided over the deliberations of the senate with dignity and impartiality through- out his term. He was also a member of the board of regents of the Albany university. Dr. Moren died March 19, 1886, after having lived a life of usefulness, admired and beloved by all. The world was brighter and better for his having lived in it. He possessed the gift of a rare intellect-stored richly with the wisdom of philosophy, science and art, which he put to practical use. Since his death Mrs. Moren has con- tinued to live on their plantation of 800 acres, adjoining the town of Centreville. This is one of the most magnificent country seats in that vicinity. Situated one-half mile south of Centreville, near the banks of the Cahawba river. The residence is one of the old southern type and from whose balconies and observatory one can command a broad expanse of wood, orchards and cotton fields. One of the pleasantest homes in the land is to be found here. Mrs. Moren, being a cultivated and highly intellectual woman, has a large circle of friends and acquaintances, to whom she takes pleasure in opening her spacious parlors.
WILLIAM J. NICHOLSON, M. D., a practicing physician of Centreville, Bibb county, is a native of Tuscaloosa county, Ala., and was born March 18, 1860. He is a son of the distinguished Rev. Evan Nicholson, who was born in Tennessee, May 29, 1832. He was raised on a farm and educated at the common schools. At the age of nineteen he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and is still engaged in this profession. He is now a resident of Birmingham. He was appointed chaplain of the penitentiary by the governor in 1886. He is an Odd Fel- low, a Mason and a democrat. His wife was named Martha Winn, and was born November, 1832. They were married December 26, 1857, and became the parents of five children, viz .: Evan O., a dentist residing at Collinsville, De Kalb county, Ala. ; William J., whose name appears above; Lulu, deceased; Mary A., wife of Marcus B. Long, a civil engineer of Chattanooga, Tenn .; Ella P., wife of F. W. Beall, railroad superintendent residing at Birmingham. The mother of these children died January 20, 1872, and on November 4, 1874, Mr. Nicholson married Agnes Murdock at Taylorsville, Tuscaloosa county, Ala. William J. Nicholson is a grandson of William R. Nicholson, who was a wealthy farmer and stock dealer of Tennessee. He grew to manhood on the farm in the town of Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he received his education. In 1882 he began the study of medicine under Dr. T. F. Robinson of Bessemer, Ala., and attended medical lectures at Vanderbilt university during the session of 1882-83,
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-BIBB COUNTY.
. and 1883-84, graduating in the spring of 1884. He then began the prac- tice of medicine at Centreville. Ala., where he has since resided and where he has built up a lucrative practice. On December 23, 1888, he married Miss Minnie S. Cooper, who was born April 14, 1869, and who is a daughter of Jesse D., and Rhoda (Howard) Cooper, a sketch of the for- mer of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Dr. and Mrs. Nicholson are the parents of two children, Rosa, born January 9, 1890, and Cooper born April 11, 1892. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is senior deacon of Friendship lodge, No. 83. He was mayor of Centreville during 1891, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Nicholson stands high both as a citizen and as a profes- sional man, and is one of the rising young physician of Bibb county.
MILTON C. SCHOOLAR, M. D., a practicing physician at Centreville, Bibb" county, "is a native of the town, and swa born June 24, 1862. He is a son of William A. and Mary F. (Carson) Schoolar, and a grandson of Abner and Margaret (Kirk) Schoolar. The father is of French descent and the mother of Scotch extraction. The grandfather was a farmer and reared a family of eight children, three of whom are now living, viz: William A. ; Garnett B., of Prentiss county, Miss., and Margaret, widow of Jesse Rix, of Bibb county, Ala. The grandfather died in Autauga county, Ala., and the grandmother in Mississippi. William A. Schoolar is a native of Vir- ginia, and was born in 1819, Mrs. Mary F. Schoolar is a native of Shelby county, Ala., and was born in 1827.
They were married in December, 1851, and to their union have been born seven children, six sons and one daughter, viz .: Charles W .. a farmer of Bibb county,; Milton C .; Thornley E., a practicing physician of Sprott, Perry county; Robert E .; William F., and George L., the last three deceased. In the early part of life, William A. Schoolar learned the tailor trade, which he followed some fifteen years. He served a term as sheriff of Bibb county and also one term as tax collector. In 1873 he was elected county treasurer and served for fifteen years, since when he has turned his attention to farming. He has always been alive to public questions; has been a Mason for forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Schoolar are members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Milton C. Schoolar was for the most part brought up on the farm, received his literary education at Centreville, and his professional education at the Medical college of Alabama, graduating in 1887. He then returned to Centreville and began the practice of his profession, which he has con- tinued successfully ever since. He was married October 31, 1888, to Miss Mary E. Rencher, born in Clarke county, Miss., July 8, 1864. She is a daughter of Charles R. and Virginia (Coffman) Rencher, who now live at Enterprise, Clarke county, Miss. Her father is a dentist. Dr. Schoolar is a public spirited man, is a member of the town council and of the Masonic fraternity, in which he holds the office of senior warden. He and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian church, of which. he is a deacon.
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
THOMAS J. SMITHERMAN, a native of and a prominent attorney of Cen- . treville, Bibb county, was born February 28, 1837. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Latham) Smitherman, the former of whom was a native of Randolph county, N. C., and the latter also of North Carolina. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom two are living: Mary, widow of I. M. Hicks, now a resident of Chilton county, Ala., and Thomas J .; the others having died. Joseph Smither- man was reared on a farm, and immigrated from North Carolina to Bibb ' county, Ala., where he lived until his death, in March, 1862. He was an upright and honorable citizen, and having served as township trustee for twenty years, he had a wide circle of friends. His wife died in 1845, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Thomas J. Smitherman was brought up on a farm until he was sixteen years of age. He attended school at Benson, Chilton county, Summerfield and Selma, preparing himself for his professional work. He took a collegiate course at the Lebanon law school, in Tennessee, graduating in 1860. Immediately afterward he located at Centreville, and began the practice of law. In 1861 he enlisted in company B., Eleventh Alabama infantry, under Capt. J. L. Davidson, and served as a private soldier until 1863, when he was discharged. In the latter part of 1863 he enlisted in company H, Capt. F. M. Goode, Alabama infantry, and served until 1864, when he was elected lieutenant of his company. He was appointed register in chancery of his county, came home and re- mained until 1865, when he was elected to the office of superintendent of education, which position he held until 1870. He was then elected to the legislature as representative from Bibb county. In 1876 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Judge of Probate J. Gardner, who had died. Since serving as probate judge he has given his entire attention to the law, and is the present county solicitor. He is a member of the city council, and has been administrator of the county for ten years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married June 20, 1861, to Mary E. Howard, born in Bibb county, April 17, 1842, a daughter of George W. and Teresa (Coleman) Howard, the latter of whom died in 1855, and the former in 1867. Mr. Smitherman and his wife are the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, six of whom are now living, viz., Fannie M., Joseph F., Wiley J., Nellie, Thomas J., Jr., and Howard; those deceased having been named Coleman, Mary L. and Eva. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smitherman are members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Smitherman is an elder.
JULIAN L. SUTTLE, an enterprising young merchant of Blocton, Bibb county, Ala., is a native of the town, and was born August 28, 1864. His parents, John W. and Mary A. (Goodwin) Suttle, were pioneers of the county, and became the parents of a large family of children, of whom the following six are still living: John C., Annie E., wife of Dr. Davis, of Montevallo, Ala. ; E. L. and Mary E., unmarried and living with their
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-BIBB COUNTY.
mother; M. A., Margaret Henry and her son, Julius, also live with their mother, Mrs. M. A. Suttle, on the old farm. The father, John W. Suttle, was a farmer by vocation, and was a very popular citizen of the county. For many years he served as sheriff, and subsequently for eighteen years he was judge of probate. The latter office he finally re- signed in order to be able to devote his entire attention to agriculture, which he followed until his death. His son, J. C. Suttle, still conducts the farm, which is situated near Centreville. His widow is a consistent member of the Baptist church, worshiping in that town. J. L. Suttle was reared on the home plantation, and was educated at Selma. His first business experience was as a clerk for his uncle, John K. Goodwin, of Selma, in whose employment he remained from 1872 to 1884. While in this position he acquired a thorough business knowledge. From 1884 to 1888 he was engaged in business for himself as a merchant. In 1889 he formed a co-partnership at Blocton, Ala., with E. N, Chattingham, and this firm now deals in general merchandise and miners' supplies. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Odd Fellows, of the Red Men, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. He is unmarried, and one of the rising and promising young men of Bibb county.
THADDEUS C. WALLACE, of Blocton, is a native of Bibb county, Ala., and was born August 29, 1843. He is a son of Pulaski and Durana (Pratt) Wallace and a grandson of John Wallace, who was a native of Maryland, who emigrated thence to Davidson county, Tenn., in pioneer days, removed thence to Centreville, Ala., in 1818; here opened a store and also engaged in farming and teaching. He raised a large family of children and both he and wife died in Bibb county. The father of Thaddeus was born in Centreville in 1820. He received his first lessons in reading by the bright light of a pine knot, and was for the most part his own teacher. He became a politician of note, serving as justice of the peace some twenty years in beat No. 28. He is a plain, unassuming farmer and enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow-men. He is a Mason and both he and wife have been members of the Presbyterian church for the past twenty-five years. He was married in 1842 to Dnrana Pratt, who was born in Bibb county, Ala., in 1823. By her he has had four sons and one daughter: Thaddeus C., Eugenia, wife of W. H. Logan, an attorney of River Bend; Julius M., Leonidas T. and Matthew P. The parents of these children now reside on the farm near Blocton, Ala. Thaddeus C. Wallace was reared on a farm and was educated principally at Six Mile academy in Beat No. 6. In 1861 he enlisted in company D, Twentieth Alabama infantry, under Captain R. H. Pratt, served as orderly sergeant about six months, when he was taken sick and returned home. A short time afterward he enlisted in company H, Twenty-fifth Alabama infantry, and served twelve months, but he was again taken sick and discharged. After a short time he again offered his services but was refused by the surgeon on account of his poor health, but being full of ambition to serve
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
the Confederate cause, he persuaded the enrollment officers to receive him into the army, and he served until he was taken prisoner at the bat- tle of Nashville, Tenn., and taken to Camp Douglas at Chicago, Ill., where he was kept six months, being among the last of a large number of Confederate soldiers to take the oath of allegiance to the government of the United States. From his blanket which he had in camp he made a coat to wear home, and still retains it. Upon reaching home he managed his father's farm on shares until June 8, 1867, when he married Margaret Lightsey, also a native of Bibb county, who was born February 19, 1845. She is a daughter of Jacob and Johanna (Snead) Lightsey, the former of whom was a native of Barnwell district, S. C., born in 1810, the latter being born in North Carolina in 1812. They were married in 1835 and became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, four of whom are living, viz .: Elmira, wife of D. L. Crews, a farmer of Bibb county ; Margaret J., wife of Thaddeus Wallace; Isabel, unmarried, a school teacher living with Mr. T. Wallace: and Jacob. Those deceased were named Henley D., Daniel E., John D., Hazeltine, Wilson and Mary. Before the war the father of these children was a wealthy planter. He died in 1858 and his widow in 1861. They were both members of the Baptist church. Mr. Wallace and wife are the parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, as follows: William, born December 10, 1867; Hattie E., born November 30, 1869; Myrtle B., born January 21, 1872; Margaret L., April 17, 1874; Rosa D., born October 27, 1876; Alden M., born March 11, 1879; Mary N., born August 12, 1881; Johanna S. born February 24, 1884; Olivia L., born July 3, 1886, and Frank C., born November 9, 1889. These children are all living. Mr. Wallace has served as tax assessor two terms in Bibb county, and as justice of the peace four years at Blocton, during which time he disposed of over three thousand cases. He has taught school eight years at Blocton. In 1880 he assisted in taking the census of Bibb county. He and wife are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, he being clerk and secretary of same. He is recognized as one of the leading citizens of his community and holds the respect of all good citizens.
WILLIAM W. YEAGER, merchant, of Centreville, was born in Bibb county, Ala., June 19, 1856. He is a son of Everett and Maria (Shutters- worth) Yeager, both natives of Bibb county, Ala. The former is a farmer and the parent of eleven children, eight of whom are living, as follows: William W., Mary J., wife of Columbus Steele, farmer, of Bibb county ; James E., a school teacher; Perry, a farmer; Fannie, wife of Albert Steele, of Bibb county; Ezekiel, Hester and Winston. Those deceased were named Bettie, Mack and Bertie J. The mother of these children was a member of the Presbyterian church, and died in 1884. William W. Yeager was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1886, he married Miss Melvina Ward, who was born in Tuscaloosa county, Ala., in March, 1857, and is a daughter of John and Adeline
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-BLOUNT COUNTY.
(Mayfield) Ward. Her father was a native of Georgia, and her mother, of Tuscaloosa county, Ala. Mr. Ward is a farmer, residing in Tuscaloosa county, Ala., and has served for a number of years as a justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager have had but one child, which died in infancy. He had always followed farming until December, 1891, when he moved to Centreville and went into the hotel and grocery business, which he is now conducting. He owns four hundred and forty acres of land, seven miles west of Centreville, which is in a high state of improve- ment. He is a whole-souled, genial, kind-hearted man, and self-made. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife is a Baptist. Both stand deservedly high in the estimation of their neighbors and friends.
BLOUNT COUNTY.
P. G. ALLDREDGE, a physician and merchant at Brooksville, Ala., was born June 13, 1853, a son of Jesse J., and Manila (Scott) Alldredge, both natives of Alabama. The father was a son of Enoch and Amelia (Pace) Alldredge, both natives of Tennessee. The grandfather came with his parents to Alabama when but eight years of age and grew to manhood on the farm. He was elected justice of the peace about two months before he was twenty-one years of age, represented Blount county in the legislature twenty-one years in succession, and retired from office in 1876. He was a son of Andrew J. and Leah (Chaney) Alldredge. The great-grandfather came to Alabama quite early and settled in the woods among the Indians and opened up a farm, being the first white man to drive a wagon into Blount county. He was a very religious man and for many years administered to the people's spiritual wants in the days of log cabins, when the people would assemble in each others, houses for religious worship and would have to carry their trusty rifles with them for protection. Grandfather Enoch Alldredge was a soldier in the Blackhawk war and Seminole war. Mrs. Manila Alldredge was a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Berry) Scott. Grandfather Scott was a native of North Carolina and went to Tennessee in a very early day; from there he came to Alabama, and settled in Blount county, and on its oragnization was elected its first county judge and served about twelve years. He was also an officer in the state militia for many years. After he retired from the bench he went back to the farm, where he re- mained till his death, In his day he was known as a great fighter when people fought with their fists. He was not a quarrelsome man at all, but if a bully came into the country, even while he was judge, he would step down off the bench long enough to teach him a lesson by giving him a decent flogging. Grandfather Alldredge entered a tract of land near Brooksville, which has never passed out of the family,
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
P. G. Alldredge now owning a part of the same land. The latter was reared on the farm. He attended the common schools of the neighbor- hood and finished a high school course at Summit, when he was but sixteen years of age, and at seventeen he began the study of medicine, and had as his preceptor John F. Bellinger, the present representative of Blount county, and in 1874 he entered the old Atlanta school of medi- cine and graduated in 1875; after graduating he first located at Brooks- ville, where he remained two years; then moved to Blountsville, where he remained o ne year; then to Texas, where he remained fourteen months; then to Lawrence county, Ark., where he remained until 1881, then returned to Brooksville, where he again entered into the practice and has continued since that time, but for the last few months his health having failed, he has partially withdrawn and now the most of his practice is confined to the office. In 1891, he engaged in the mercan- tile business at Brooksville, and since that time has conducted a large and lucrative business. The doctor is an ardent democrat and always takes a great interest in politics, but never was a candidate for any office. In 1873, he married Louvicie E. South, daughter of John- and Martha (Murphrey) South. They were natives of Tennessee, but came to. Alabama and settled in the woods among the Indians. To this union were born three children: Eugene P., Hugh H., and Homer. The mother was born and reared near Blountsville, Ala. She died in 1881, and in 1886, Dr. Alldredge married Mrs. Sophia S. Ellett, daughter of John and Jane (Pickens) Haden. They were natives of Virginia, but early settled in Alabama. The father represented Madison county in the leg- islature several years. To the union of Dr. Alldredge and Mrs. Ellett three children have been born-Haden, Daisy and Lela. The mother was born and reared in Madison county, Ala. She is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, while her husband is a member of the Baptist church. Grandfather Enoch Alldredge was a major of the Forty-eighth Alabama regiment and was wounded in 1962, at the battle of Bull Run, being shot through the calf of the leg, which rendered him unfit for fur- ther duty. After returning home and recuperating he was made an aid to the governor, retaining that position until the close of the war. Jesse J. Alldredge was also a soldier in the late war in Capt. Skinner's company, Nineteenth Alabama infantry, under Col. Wheeler. He served about six months in this company when he was transferred to the Forty eighth Alabama regiment and was elected second lieutenant; was promoted to be first lieutenant and after the second battle of Ma- nassas, where he was wounded, and returned home, was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel over five senior captains, for meritorious conduct on that field. After he recovered he returned to the corps, but was unfit for duty and was discharged. He was then appointed recruiting officer for northern Alabama which position he occupied till the close of the war. The doctor was a member of the board of examiners of Blount
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county several years, also a member of the Medical association, and is a bright Mason to this day.
WM. BALLENGER, one of the pioneers of Blount county, was born in Tennessee, May 4, 1827. a son of John T. and Hulda (Whitten) Ballen- ger. The father was born in Virginia and the mother was a native of Alabama. The father came to Alabama in 1831. and settled on Cane creek in the wilderness, where he remained about seven years, and about this time was shot from ambush while herding wild cattle by a man named John Burding, but finally recovered and began flat-boating. and after run- ning the river about five years he was drowned. He served one term as justice of the peace and was a member of the Masonic order." He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a son of Ned and Miss (McHaffey) Ballenger, both natives of Virginia. The grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. Hulda Ballenger was a daughter of George and Winnie Whitten, both natives of Alabama. Wm. Ballenger was reared in Alabama and after his father was drowned the support of the family fell upon his shoulders and he had a hard time. Many were the times that he went barefooted in the snow and frost in winter, and if the family had shoes to wear by Christmas, they were doing well; beside this, they had to tan their own leather and make their own shoes. He attended school very little, but learned to read and write at noon while his team was resting. In 1852. he married Lomantha Shepherd, daughter of Jeremiah and Miss (Rogers) Shepherd, both natives of New- berry district, S. C., but who came to Alabama sometime in their teens. This union has resulted in the birth of eight children, five still living: Thomas, Dr. Joseph. Mary. Dr. O. and Dr. Bartemus. The mother was born and reared in Walker county, Ala. Mr. Ballenger has served one term as justice of the peace of Beat No. 9, in Walker county .; has been a member of the Masonic order twenty-five years, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1864 he enlisted in Capt. Rice's copmany in the Confederate service, and soon after was ap- pointed a miller, and, owning a mill, he ground flour and meal for the soldiers and their families, receiving no compensation whatever. He would divide the last peck of meal with a soldier's widow and never ex- pect anything for it. He began life after marriage without anything, but being a hard worker soon came to the front. He first began farming, and in connection with farming he embarked in vairous kinds of business -flat-boating, steam-boating, dealing in stock, etc. - and was successful in all his undertakings, and as fast as he accumulated money, invested it in land, until he became one of the largest land owners in Blount county, owning at one time over 3,000 acres, and for about twenty-two years running two mills and gins. He is a man who has seen hard times, but is now comfortable, and well surrounded with this world's goods. In 1876 he located in Blount county, and settled on a farm near Arkadel- phia, and at one time owned nearly the whole of that town, and is now
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
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