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 61
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gathered together. drank and became insolent, and one of their number was stabbed by a white. This act, of course, roused the ire of the reds, but they sneaked away without giving any outward show of their anger. A day or two later, however, the Indians vented their wrathful impulses by killing a Mr. John Carter, a justice of the peace, who refused to issue them a warrant for the arrest of the white man who stabbed the Indian, as they could not comply with the law by giving the justice bond, and security for the same. Therefore the refusal. Roanoke, a small town in Georgia, on the east bank of the Chattahoochee river, about five or six miles above Irwinton (alias Eufaula), was ransacked and burned to ashes, and the settlers in the vicinity of these depredations in different squads and neighborhoods, for about forty miles along the old Federal road, with their families, and most of them gathered at and in the vicinity of Uchee postoffice to take refuge at Columbus, Ga. Mr. McKisick and his wife, being travelers on their way to Georgia, had stayed all night with them and started in advance of the settlers, being in a light carriage, had got about a quarter or half a mile ahead and about half a dozen Indians fired on them from behind a clayroot, killing both, and the next wagon in advance turned back and the road became blockaded, and they cut their horses loose from wagons and carriages, packed their wives and children that could not walk, on the horses and mules and the balance footed through the woods, trails and byways across the Uchee creek about ten miles to the upper road and then to Columbus, leaving behind the Indians in possession of their cattle, hogs and wagons, taking bedding and val- uables, and from the amount of damage done it must have been a general attack made on them by eight or nine hundred Indians. Just after this outrage, the Columbus stage was attacked and robbed, and its passengers either killed or maltreated. On these facts becoming known the whites began to prepare for self-protection and defense, as well as for aggres- sion. Major Feagin took an active part in their preparations at once, raised a company of twelve men, and repaired to a point just west of Columbus, where it was understood that the Indians had congregated, intent on mischief. He returned, however, without fully satiating his desire for Indian gore, as the red men dispersed without showing fight, yet evi- dently manifesting a disposition to create additional trouble. On the return of the major to his father's house, a meeting of citizens was called, a messenger was dispatched to the governor for aid, and many families fled to Clayton and Irwinton, now Eufaula, for safety, where they built forts for their shelter and protection. The next thing in order at Midway was the organization of a new company, of which Mr. Feagin was made sergeant, and for a time the company was stationed at the elder Feagin's house. Hostilities now began in earnest and our sergeant was soon made lieutenant, scout and pilot for various companies of United States troops and volunteers, during the summer and fall of 1836, sent to the relief of the pioneers and later attained the position of lieutenant of the
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Cowikee spies, in the spring of 1837, belonging to Col. Willbor's regiment raised from the surrounding territory for the general defense, and with, this force he served throughout the entire two years' subsequent Indian hostilities, undergoing many hardships and bravely withstanding numer- ous onsets of the savage foe, and at other times taking part in recon- noitres and planning schemes for its overthrow, if not extinguished. He took part in the severe rencontre at Three Notch, in 1837, where several white men were killed, and at the conflict of Pea river he lay in water immersed to the shoulders, in the chilly weather of March, from eleven o'clock in the morning until sunset, under incessant fire of musketry from the redskins, but he passed through this terrible ordeal, and, indeed, the more terrible ordeal of a two years' strife, without a wound. The title of major was conferred on Mr. Feagin in 1838 by his election to command the Second battalion of the Forty-seventh regiment of Alabama militia. He commanded about sixty-five mounted volunteers at Camp. Watson, on the Three Notch road, belonging to the Cowikee spies commanded by Capt. L. Q. Keener about three months before the termination of the war to protect the citizens from the scattering Indians on their way to Florida, as some of them would not emigrate to the west, but preferred the ever- glades of Florida, with the chief Billy Bow Legs, who fought the United States troops for about fifteen years. Peace being again restored and the red men fully subjugated, the major resumed his farming and succeeded in hewing out a fine homestead from the wilderness, and having succeeded in this herculean task, concluded in 1840 to take to himself a life partner. He sought and won the heart and hand of Miss Almira C., daughter of Noah B. Cole, who was born in South Carolina but removed to Covington county, Ala., and later died in Caddo parish, La. Mrs. Feagin was born in Covington county, Ala., and was educated in accordance with her rank and station in life. She became the mother of twelve children, as follows: Samuel J., who was a sergeant in the Fifteenth Alabama infantry and was killed at Cold Harbor: Capt. Noah B., who, at the age of seventeen years, left his studies at Nashville, Tenn., university, joined the Fifteenth Alabama infantry as a private and served in the Virginia campaign under Stonewall Jackson until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of captain (completed his studies at Washington and Lee university), and is now a prominent lawyer of Birmingham, Ala .; Martha, the third child, is the wife of Calvin W. Fenn, of Clayton, Ala .; Wealthy M., is the wife of Dr. W. U. Morton of East Lake; Mary, died in infancy ; Missouri Amazon, is the wife of F. H. Tompkins; Almira C., is married to A. G. Jordan; the eighth child is James, Jr. ; the ninth was Beauregard, died an infant; tenth, Lavinia I., -wife of Rev. Jas. M. Kelly, of Jefferson- ville, Ga .; eleventh, Nancy Dixie, wife of Gus A. Orum, of Union Springs, Ala., and the twelfth, George W. Feagin, civil engineer, now at Schenec- tady, N. Y., completing his education in practical electricity.
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
DR. 'STERLING J. FOSTER .- The Foster family is of Norman-French .descent, and after the conquest of England members of it remained in that country for centuries, and many still reside there. Of those who emigrated from Albion to America in the colonial days of the latter, was the paternal ancestor of Arthur Foster, who was born in Halifax county, Va., was reared a planter, and fought for American independence under Gen. Nathanael Greene, taking part at the Cowpens. He subsequently moved to Georgia, where he met and married, for his second wife, Miss Hannah Johnson, in all probability, a native of South Carolina. To the first marriage there had been born one child, while to the second union, fifteen children resulted, the youngest of whom was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who was born in Greene county, Ga., in 1822, and, with two sisters, is the only survivor of the family. Three of the boys were prominent lawyers in their day, and two were equally prominent as physicians. Col. Nathanael Greene Foster, one of the three lawyers, was also a member of congress from Georgia, prior to the late civil war. Dr. Sterling J. Foster, at the age of twelve years, left the old home- stead to enter a boarding school; later, he attended and graduated from Ogelthorpe university, Georgia, and still later, read medicine with his brother, Dr. J. Foster; in 1842-43, he attended the old university at Philadelphia, and in 1844, graduated from the Transylvania university at Lexington, Ky. His first practice was for a few years at Ellerslie, Ga., whence he removed to Putnam county, Ga., and in 1852, to Union Springs, Ala., when that thriving town was a mere hamlet. Here he was a most successful practitioner until a few years before the late war, when he engaged in merchandising, which claimed his attention until 1888, when he built the Union Springs oil-mill, of which he is still the principal owner and operator, in connection with his extensive planting interests. The doctor was married, in 1850, to Miss Virginia C., daughter of Abraham A. and Harriet (Magruder) Heard, and a native of Georgia. This conge- nial union has resulted in the birth of ten children, four of whom still survive, viz .: Hon. Robert M., who graduated from Davidson college, N. C., where his literary education was had, and, later, graduated in law at St. Louis, Mo., where he is ohe of the brightest lights at her bar: he has also served his district in the state legislature. The next in order of birth is the Rev. Sterling J., Jr., a Presbyterian minister, who graduated with honors from Clarksville, Tenn., then passed a year at Hampden- Sidney college, Va., and in 1892, graduated in theology from Princeton, (N. J.) university. The third child surviving is Hugh, who is now at the home of his parents, and the fourth is Virginia May, who graduated from Staunton, Va., in the classics, and from Baltimore, Md., in music. There are very few persons in Union Springs that can claim as long a residence there as Dr. Foster. He has led a useful and industrious life and has amassed an ample fortune as his reward. He has always been
C. H. FRANKLIN.
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fond of sport and yet takes great pleasure in bird hunting, etc., in which he has few superiors.
Dr. CHARLES H. FRANKLIN .- This eminent physician of Union Springs, Ala., is a native of Albany, Ga., born in 1838, and a son of Talbert H., and Mary (Adams) Franklin, also native of Georgia, in which . state Mrs. Franklin passed away when Charles H. was but two years of age. In 1846 Talbert H. Franklin removed to Coffee county, Ala., there married a Miss Jones, and passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1866 -a life-long and successful planter and an upright and useful citizen. He served in the Creek war and was ever ready to perform faithfully every duty, public or private, that devolved upon him. His father was Easom Franklin, a South Carolinan by birth and descended from an old English family. Easom was a patriot of the Revolution, and after that heroic struggle was over settled in Georgia, where he reared a large family and pursued planting as a vocation until the end of his days. Dr. Charles H. Franklin was the only child of his parents that attained even to adolescence. His primary education was received at the subscrip- tion schools of Coffee county, Ala., and his literary instruction at Elba, in the same county. On reaching his majority he entered the medical department of the university of Nashville, Tenn., and was there engaged in his studies when the civil clash of arms smote his ear. After the fall of Forts Donelson and Henry, he returned to his home and was soon appointed assistant surgeon in the camp of instruction at Camp Watts, and was thus employed until the war closed, after which he entered the department of the university of Louisiana at New Orleans. Here he was graduated in 1866 and at once settled down to practice in Union Springs, where he has met with marked snccess professionally and financially. In addition to attending to his medical duties the doctor is largely inter- ested in planting and fruit growing, owning, for the latter purpose, a farm of 150 acres, near Union Springs, and possessing, also, large tracts in Florida. The doctor was one of the projectors and promoters of the Union Springs cotton-mills and has been president of the company that operates them ever since its organization. He is prompt to assist in any undertaking that tends to the upbuilding of the community and to advance its material interests. The doctor has been an active member of the State Medical association since its reorganization in 1873, was its presi- dent in 1889 and 1890, and for ten years has been and is still a member of the state board of health. In 1870 he married Miss Sallie Banks, daugh- ter of J. B. Banks-the latter a native of Georgia, who came to Alabama when a young man, here married, and here passed the rest of his life as a progressive planter. He was a man of great natural ability was held in high esteem, and died near Hurtsboro in January, 1892. Mrs. Franklin was called to her final rest in 1879, and of her four children two survive. In 1880 the doctor led to the altar Miss Lulu, a sister of his first wife,
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and to this union have been born seven children. Mrs. Franklin is a highly cultured lady of queenlike demeanor and graceful bearing.
ROBERT L. HOBDY, of Union Springs, is one of the most successful of Bullock county's planters. He was born in Pike county, Ala., in 1840, a ยท son of Hon. Harrell and Jane (McNeill) Hobdy, who were natives of North Carolina, but who came, when children, to Alabama and were here married. Harrell Hobdy was reared on the home plantation and to habits of industry, but school facilities were not to be had in Pike county in those days, and it was not until he had reached man's estate that his literary education was begun. Feeling the absolute need of knowledge, he began to apply himself to books, reading and studying at night and all spare moments, being assisted, after his marriage, by his wife, who was. a highly educated and accomplished lady. In due time he became noted for his erudition, and his progress in his vocation of planting was characterized by the same methods that marked his educational progress -indomitable perseverance, energy, and industry. At his marriage he was without a dollar, but he had set before his mental vision a goal that he determined to reach in the struggle for wealth, and by doing farm work in the daytime, assisted by his faithful wife, and by splitting rails at night, he reached the point which had been his aim and became one of the wealthiest planters of Pike county. He has always taken an active part in politics and public affairs, and fully qualified himself for any posi- tion within the power of his fellow-citizens to give him, or which he might be called upon to fill. He was one of the first sheriffs of Pike county, and in 1844 and 1845 represented his district in the state legisla- ture, and from 1853 to 1857 served in the state senate with ability and to the full satisfaction of his constituents. He assisted in the removal of the Indians from the state and was wounded at Hobdy's bridge, from the effects of which wound he died a premature death in the spring of 1862, and was followed to the grave by his amiable widow a few months later. The father of Harrell Hobdy was Edmund Hobpy, a native of North Carolina, of Scotch-Irish descent. He was the father of eight sons and several daughters by his wife, Nancy Harrell, and was a pioneer of Pike (now Bullock) county, where he died about the year 1848, having been preceded to the grave by his wife. The father of Mrs. Jane (McNeill) Hobdy died in North Carolina, and some time after that event his widow and her family moved to southeast Alabama, where she ended her days. Robert L. Hobdy is one of a family of twelve children and was reared on the home plantation. He attended, first, the schools of his neighborhood and then entered Auburn college, where he was engaged in his studies when the Civil war broke out. In April, 1861, he entered the Seventh Alabama infantry as sergeant, having enlisted for one year. The first six months were passed at Pensacola, Fla., and his first engagement was at Fort Pickens. The remainder of the year Mr. Hobdy was with Gen. A. S. Johnston in the army of the Tennessee, and took part in the battle
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of Shiloh. At the expiration of his term of enlistment Mr: Hobdy returned to his home, but in a short time thereafter entered the Thirty-ninth Ala- bama infantry as lieutenant, and participated in all the marches and engagements of his regiment, including Missionary Ridge, Murfreesboro, through Kentucky with Bragg, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and the Georgia and Atlanta campaign, and while at Atlanta was severely wounded in his right arm and disabled for a few months, which he passed at home. Recovering from his wound, he rejoined his command at Corinth, Miss., but was soon transferred to Johnston's army in North Carolina, and with it took part at Bentonville, the last of that army's battles. The war over, Mr. Hobdy returned to Pike county and engaged in planting- until 1869, when he went to Mason county, where he followed the same vocation. . until 1880, and then removed to Union Springs, where he has since lived, and where he is looked upon as being one of the most successful and prosperous planters of Bullock county-his farm of several hundred acres being adjacent to the city. Mr. Hobdy has never permitted politics to interfere with his business, nor has he ever aspired to office; he is strictly a temperate man, a thorough gentleman, is a member of the Louisville lodge, F. & A. M., and, with his wife, a member of the Episcopal church. In 1867 Mr. Hobdy was happily married to Miss Mary Buford, who was born in Barbour county, Ala., and educated at Eufaula Female college. Her father, the late distinguished Major Jefferson Buford, was born in Union district, S. C., but in an early day came to Alabama and settled in Barbour county, where he was widely known as a well-to-do planter and an able lawyer. He represented his district three terms-1840-41 -- 42-in the state senate, where he distinguished himself as an orator and for his readiness in debate, his erudition, aptness and acumen, as well as his chivalrous bearing-as nothing could check him from asserting his rights, which he was always fully equipped to defend. In 1855 Major Buford organized a body of citizens and proceeded to the territory of Kansas to assist in forming the state of Kansas, and for a years was quite prominent in politics, but he returned somewhat depressed and disappointed. In 1861 he was a delegate to the Montgomery convention, to fill the seat of General Alpheus Baker, who had resigned to enter the Confederate army. His military title was gained in the Indian war of 1836, in which he bore a gallant part, and in his death, about the close of the late war, the state lost one of its most distinguished citizens.
MALACHI IVEY, one of the most progressive citizens and planters of Perote, Bullock county, Ala., was born near Milledgeville, Ga., in 1818. His parents were Barney and Elsie (Davis) Ivey, who were both natives of North Carolina, born respectively in 1795 and 1800, and who were there reared and married, and in 1817 removed to Baldwin county, Ga., later lived in Houston and Troup counties, then came to Alabama and located in Russell county, and finally settled in Macon county, where the
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father died in 1885, and the mother in 1886, both devout members of the Baptist church. Barney Ivey was one of the most practical farmers of his day. He prided himself on the neatness of his farm, wherever located, and sought every means for increasing its productiveness; he was quiet and unostentatious, but was always sought by his neighbors for counsel and advice, they having a full appreciation of his practical sense. His father was named Robert Ivey and was a native of North Carolina, of Irish descent; his death occurred in Baldwin county, Ga. The mater- nal grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch was Malachi Davis, who passed his life in North Carolina. Malachi Ivey is the eldest in a family of twelve children, comprising five sons and seven . daughters, of whom one son died in Kentucky while serving in the Con-
federate army during the first year of the late war. Malachi received a fair education, but, being the eldest child, his training was mostly had on the farm, under the experienced hand and eye of his father, to which circumstance he owes his own success in life. and for which he has al- ways been grateful. At his majority he began business for himself, and in 1844, in Russell county, married Miss Caroline J., daughter of the distinguished bishop, John M. Tyere, whose demise occurred in the county named. Mrs. Ivey was born in Edgefield district, S. C., and in 1847 died, leaving one son, John B., who served all through the recent war in an Alabama company, under the command of Capt. Hardeman. In 1850 Mr. Ivey chose, as his second spouse, Sarah J. Curry, a native of South Carolina, who died in 1853. For his third wife Mr. Ivey married. in 1854, Matilda A. Gunn, who was born in Madison county, Ga., and died in 1857. In 1859 Mr. Ivey took his fourth helpmate, Samantha A. Dendey, a native of Madison county, Ga., and to this union have been born four children, viz .: Loane H., wife of J. B. Mobley, of Hamilton, Ga .; Lela B., married to W. G. Graham, of Troy; Emma A., and Mattie, all born on the farm which Mr. Ivey now occupies. After his first mar- riage Mr. Ivey lived in Russell county a year and then moved to Barbour county, where he remained until 1860, since which time he has been on his splendid farm near Perote, which comprises 960 acres of as fine land as there is in the county, and all the result of his own industry and good management. During the late civil war Mr. Ivey was persuaded to re- main away from the battle field, as his neighbors were well satisfied that he would prove of greater value at home in the exercise of charity by dispensing aid to the suffering poor and afflicted. Here, indeed, was his element, and numberless unprotected women and children and decrepit men were supplied by him with provisions and clothing. He was earnest in his work, and his generosity has never been forgotten by a grateful community. He has twice been called upon by his fellow-citizens to serve as county commissioner, and was once chaplain of the Perote alliance. He has been a sincere and devout member of the Baptist church
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from his youth, and all the members of his family belong to the same religious denomination.
CHARLES M. McRAE .- One of the most progressive and prosperous farmers of Bullock county is Charles M. McRae of Union Springs. He was born in Anson county, N. C., November 24, 1840, a son of Lockwood A. and Mary McRae, who were both born and reared in the same neigh- . borhood in the county named, where a family of six children was born to them. In 1841, this family came to Alabama and settled in Barbour county, near Louisville, on an improved farm, where the father and mother died in 1858 and 1854 respectively, having been members of the Presbyterian church for many years. Lockwood McRae was not only a practical and successful planter, but a man of fine English education, as well as public spirited and generous; he was active in politics, but never an aspirant for office. He was one of a large family born to Philip McRae, who was born and reared in Scotland, was married there and then came to America and settled in North Carolina, where he followed farming until his death. John McRae, the maternal grandfather of Charles M., and a distant relative of Philip McRae, was also a native of Scotland and also died in North Carolina. Charles M. McRae is the youngest of the six children born to his parents, his brothers and sisters having been named as follows: Harvey A., who served with the Ala- bama state troops in Florida during the recent war and died in Barbour county in or about 1888; Dr. Philip P., who graduated from the Charles- ton (S.C. ) Medical college, and after a comparatively short, but brilliant professional career, died in Texas; John L., who was a captain in the Thirty-seventh Alabama infantry, was in the army of the Tennessee, fought from Dalton to Atlanta, and was once wounded, was elected clerk of Barbour county on his return, served a short time and resigned, is now a merchant of Louisville, Ala. ; Lillian, is the widow of the late Will- iam Bostwick of Louisivlle, Ala., and Christiana is the relict of John DeBardeleben, deceased. Chalres M. McRae received a good education at the Louisville and Clayton academies and had turned his attention to the cultivation of the home farm when he was called upon to take up arms for the defense of his adopted state, he being one of the first to re- spond to that call. February 13, 1861, he enlisted for one year in com- pany F, First Alabama infantry, was commissioned second lieutenant, and with his regiment was ordered to Pensacola, where he took part in the various attacks on Fort Pickens. At the expiration of his term of enlistment the regiment was reorganized. and Mr. McRae re-enlisted for the war, joining his company with the rank of first lieutenant, and be- ing placed in charge of the heavy artillery at Island No. 10. There he was captured in April, 1862, and imprisoned at Johnson's island, Ohio, until September, when he was taken to Vicksburg, Miss., and exchanged. Re- joining his command he took part in the siege of Port Hudson, was again captured, but he and the second lieutenant and eight of the privates
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