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 64
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
DR. JAMES G. DONALD, an old and reliable physician, whom every body in Butler county reveres for his many excellent qualities of head and heart, is descended from a long line of illustrious Scotch ancestors, the name appearing prominently in the early annals of Scotland. The first christian king of that country was of the name of Donald, and the last of the Donald dynasty died in 903 A. D. When the independence of Scotland was lost, the family retired from public notice. About the year 1700, Alexander Donald with his wife emigrated to North America and settled in the colony of Virginia and afterward the entire family moved to the state of South Carolina, where they remained until the year 1818. The above Alexander was the doctor's great-grandfather. West Donald, the doctor's father, was the son of James Donald, who reared a family of five sons and three daughters, West being the second in order of birth. He was born in Chester county, S. C., in 1785, followed planting and served as captain in the militia of his native state. He was a great admirer of John C. Calhoun, and took a prominent part in opposition to the government during the troubles in South Carolina, growing out of the ordinance of nullification. West Donald and Margaret Caldwell, daughter of Joseph Caldwell, a native of Ireland and a patriot of the Revolution, were united in marriage about the year 1827 in Abbeville dis- trict, S. C., and to their union were born three children, namely: Joseph, a physician and planter of Dallas county, Ala .; Mary, widow of John C. Chisom, and James G., whose name introduces this sketch. Some years after the father's death, which occurred in 1834. Mrs. Donald removed to Alabama, settling in Dallas county, where she died in 1877. Dr. James G. Donald was born in Abbeville district, S. C., August 1, 1828, and in 1845 entered Erskine college at Due West, his native state, from which he graduated in 1850. Subsequently he attended lectures in the university of Louisiana at New Orleans, from which institution he graduated in the spring of 1854, locating immediately thereafter at Mon- terey, Butler county, where he has ever since carried on a large and lucrative practice. The doctor was first married in 1856 at Monterey to Mary Steen, who bore him three children, and whose death occurred in 1864. The following are the names of the children of their marriage: Joseph, deceased; Robert, farmer and merchant of Monterey, and Eliza- beth, wife of Charles Scott of Wilcox county, Ala. The doctor's second marriage was solemnized in 1866 with Eugenia Steen, a sister of his for- mer wife, a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Ma- mie, wife of Thomas Moore; Julia, a teacher of Butler county; Bertha; Erskine, medical student at Mobile college; Claude, James, Charles and Dan. The doctor affiliates with the democratic party, is a master Mason, and with his wife belongs to the Baptist church. He has, by close atten- tion to the wants of the public and by a life consecrated to his profes- sion, succeeded in establishing much more than a local reputation as a successful physician and surgeon, and although past the age when most,
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medical men retire, is still in the enjoyment of a very extensive practice in Butler and adjoining counties. He is a genial, courteous gentleman, a respected and useful citizen, and has been closely identified with the growth and porsperity of Monterey and the county of Butler.
W. H. FLOWERS, SR .- Men who leave the impress of their characters upon a community for good are always honored by a grateful public, and as the frosts of many years gather upon their heads, their children rise up and call them blessed. In the category of such worthies, in But- ler county, the name of W. H. Flowers is especially deserving of men- tion, a name which for over thirty-five years has added luster to the community in which he has resided. Rev. Drury Flowers, father of W. H., was a native of South Carolina, born May 1, 1780. He was a farmer by occupation, and for a number of years a preacher of the Methodist church, the interests of which religious body he was largely instrumental in promoting throughout many sections of the South. February 15, 1801, he married Catherine Sullivan, and in 1826 emigrated to Georgia, settling in Jasper county, thence in 1833 moved to the county of Henry, and in 1844 became a resident of Fayette county, Ga. Subsequently, about 1859, he removed to Randolph county, Ala., and died there in August of the same year; his wife survived him only a short time, dying in May, 1860. Of the large family of children born to Drury and Catherine Flowers, but three are living at this time, namely: W. H., Benjamin J., of Polk county, Fla., and Evaline, wife of Daniel Johnson, of DeKalb county, Ala. W. H. Flowers was born in Darlington district, S. C., January 7, 1813, and on attaining his majority began life for himself as a farmer, in his native state. January 5, 1837, when twenty-four years of age, he was married in Henry county, Ga., to Sarah T. Thomas, daughter of Rev. Wil- liam Thames, and in 1840 moved to Fayette county, Ala., where he fol- lowed his chosen calling until 1857, at which time he became a resident of Butler county. He lived for some years in Greenville, but after Mrs. Flowers' death, which occurred on the 7th day of October, 1885, he moved to Bolling, where he has since made his home. In 1860, Mr. Flowers embarked in the milling business, which he has since carried on with a large measure of success, being at this time the executive head of the Milner, Caldwell & Flowers Lumber company, one of the largest and best known manufacturing establishments of the kind in the state. Mr. Flowers is the father of twelve children, as follows: John J .; Cassie, wife of Charles H. Chandler; Lizzie, wife of A. Hamil; William M, ; James D .; F. A .; Mary Ellen, died in infancy; Josephine, wife of J. Reed; Mrs. Susie Vinson, deceased; Sarah, died at the age of fifteen; Joseph H., and Emma, wife of Dr. Perry. Mr. Flowers is a Methodist in his religious belief, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in politics has always been an earnest supporter of the principles of the democratic party. He came to Butler county a poor man, but by honest work and honorable dealing has succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune,
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besides rearing a large family, every member of which reflects credit on the nanie an is an honor to the community. As a citizen, Mr. Flowers has ever stood ready to aid and encourage every worthy enterprise; in all transactions with the world, none have ever accused him of a mean or unworthy act, and his integrity has always been above reproach. His business career knows no stigma. his moral character is without blemish; and to posterity he will leave a name worthy of emulation by the wisest and best of mankind.
JOHN J. FLOWERS, eldest son of W. H. and Sarah T. Flowers, was born in Fayette county, Ga., October 8, 1837. He received a practical education in the common schools. In 1858 came to Alabama, and, in partnership with a Mr. Thames, engaged in the mercantile business at Greenville, where the firm did a large and lucrative trade for a period of three years. Severing his connection with merchandising, Mr. Flowers, for the succeeding ten years, lived the life of a farmer, but in 1872 moved to Bolling and became a member of the firm known as the Milner, Cald- well & Flowers Lumber company, of which he is now general manager, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Flowers possesses business ability of a high order, and much of the success of the large company with which he is connected is due directly to his superior management. He is a demo- crat in politics, a royal arch Mason and a member of the Methodist church. April 11, 1861, Miss Kate Brooks, daughter of Sawyer Brooks, became his wife, to which union the following children have been born: May, wife of R. E. Steiner; Sallie, wife of Bernard Steiner; Edward P., book- keeper for the lumber company with which his father is connected; William H., student at Vanderbilt university, preparing for the legal profession; Brooks and Marvin; Marvin died January 14, 1891. July 11, 1878, Mr. Flowers had the misfortune to lose his wife, and in October, 1881, he married Mrs. Lizzie (Hill) Brown, daughter of John G. Hill, of Griffin, Ga. The children born to bless this union are named John J., Jr., and Arthur, who are living at home with their parents.
WILLIAM M. FLOWERS .- The gentleman whose biographical mention is herewith presented is the second son of W. H. and Sarah T. Flowers, and was born in Fayette county, Georgia, September 14, 1842. He was reared on a farm, early learned by practical experience the meaning of the words hard work, and in January, 1862, enlisted in company C, Thirty-third Alabama infantry, with which he served as private until 1863, when he was appointed sergeant-major of the regiment. He held that position until the fall of 1864, at which time he was elected first lieutenant of company C, and continued in that capacity until the close of the war. Mr. Flowers' command was stationed at Pensacola till after the battle of Shiloh, and then joined Bragg's army at Tupelo and moved with it to Chattanooga. At the battle of Perryville he received a bullet wound in the right shoulder and was taken prisoner and sent to Harrisburg, Ky., for treatment, thence, in December, 1862, to Vicksburg, Miss., where
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he was exchanged. He rejoined his regiment just after the battle of Murfreesboro, and subsequently participated in the battles of Chicka- mauga, Mission Ridge, and Lookout Mountain, and. wintering at Dalton, Ga., took part in the bloody campaign of Atlanta. He was with Hood's army in its raid through Tennessee, and did valiant service in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and after the latter engagement obtained a furlough and spent twenty days at home, afterward rejoining his com- mand at Harrisburg, S. C. Returning home after the close of the war Mr. Flowers accepted a position with the saw-mill firm of Evans, Teal & Co., with which he remained two years, and for one year thereafter filled the position as agent for the M. & M. railroad company at the city of Montgomery. Severing his connection with railroading, he next engaged with Milner & Caldwell, lumber manufacturers at Bolling, and after con- tinuing in their employ less then a year moved to a farm on Cedar Creek and followed the pursuit of agriculture until his election as sheriff of Butler county in the fall of 1874. He proved a popular and efficient officer until the expiration of his term of three years, at which time he embarked in the mercantile business at Greenville and continued the same until 1880, when in partnership with R. E. Corry he purchased a mill and began the manufacture of lumber in the vicinity of the county seat. The firm thus constituted lasted until 1884, at which time it was dissolved, Mr. Flowers effecting a copartnership in the milling and lumber business at Forest with G. J. Peagler, under the firm name of Flowers & Peagler, by which style the company is still known. Mr. Flowers is justly con- sidered one of the prominent men of the county; his well known integrity and business ability have won him an enviable place in the affections and minds of those who know him best, and his whole life is an exemplifica- tion of what honesty and pe: severance will give those whose aims are prompted by noble emotions. Mr. Flowers and Sophronia E. Peagler were made man and wife on the 25th day of January, 1868, and they are now the parents of five children, namely: Abbey, wife of O. R. Porter; George, Katy, Walter and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Flowers are members of the Baptist church. The fraternities to which Mr. Flowers belongs are the Masonic lodges, the K. of H. and K. of P., and his political views are in harmony with the principles of democracy.
JAMES D. FLOWERS, third son of W. H. Flowers, is a native of Fayette county, Ga., and dates his birth from the second day of March, 1844. He served in the late war in Col. Carter's cavalry regiment, the Second Ala- bama, from April 1861, till May, 1862, and on the latter date was trans- ferred to the Seventeenth Alabama infantry, with which he took part in the battles around Atlanta and Hood's Tennessee raid and engagements incident thereto. He was captured at the battle of Nashville and sent north to Camp Douglas, where he was kept a prisoner until the cessation of hostilities, when he returned home, and for some time thereafter at- tended school in Butler county. Subsequently he was employed in a saw
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mill at $1.25 a day, and in April, 1866, moved to Bolling, where he has since resided and where he now owns an interest in the large milling firm, notices of which appears elsewhere. Like his brothers, Mr. Flowers is a straight forward man, possessing that kind of courage which encounters obstacles only to surmount them, and he is thoroughly identified with the growth and prosperity of that part of the county in which he resides. June 9th, 1866, he was married to Emma, daughter of D. A. Rutledge, Jr., and is now the father of seven children: Bettie, wife of J. H. Dunklin; William R., James Henry, John J., Mary, Emma, and Ruth, the last named accidentally shot and killed on the 26th of July, 1889. Mr. Flowers is an active worker in the Masonic fraternity, is steward and Sunday school superintendent of the Methodist church at Bolling, and votes with the democratic party. F. A. Fowlers, fourth son W. H. and Sarah Flow- ers, was born in Georgia, county of Fayette, February 2, 1846, and there spent the years of his youth, moved to Alabama, Butler county, December, 1857, farmed with his father two years, then engaged in the lumber business. His first practical experience in life was as sawyer for the lumber firm of Milner & Caldwell, in whose employ he continued until 1867, at which time he went to Bluff Springs, Florida, where he operated a saw mill about two years for Evans & Tait. In 1873 he moved to Boll- ing, Ala., where he has since been identified with the lumbering interests of Butler county, as a member of the firm of Milner, Caldwell & Flowers. Mr. Flowers is a practical lumberman, shrewd in the management of his business affairs and is one of the popular and highly respected citizens of Butler county. He was married March 4, 1869, to Carrie, daughter of J. S. Wood, a prominent merchant of Greenville, and is the father of two children : Mamie and Maude. He is a democrat in politics, a member of the K. of P. fraternity, and, with his wife, belongs to the Baptist church of Greenville, Ala.
LOUIS HARRELL, the subject of this sketch, is, perhaps, the largest and wealthiest farmer of Butler county, and one of the leading agricult. urists of southern Alabama. His ancestors on the father's side came originally from France and the name in that country was Harrelle. His grandfather, Louis Harrell, settled in Marion district, S. C., before the war of the Revolution and owned the historic tract of land spoken of, in the life of Gen. Marion, as "Briton Neck." He was a soldier in the war of independence and served throughout the struggle with Francis Mar- ion's celebrated band of partisans in South Carolina and other parts of the south. The subject's father, also named Louis Harrell, was born in Marion district, S. C., in 1787; was a planter by occupation, served in the war of 1812, and died in 1822, in Darlington district, his native state. Melissa W. Hill, the wife of Louis Harrell, whom he married in South Carolina, in 1820, was the mother of but one child, the subject of this mention. Mrs. Harrell, some years after her husband's death, became the wife of John Cody, by whom she had a family of seven children. She
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-BUTLER COUNTY.
died in January, 1886, in Crenshaw county, Ala. The gentleman whose name heads this biography was born, August 12, 1821, in Darlington dis- trict, S. C., and when three years of age was taken by his mother to Pike county, Ala., where his youthful years were passed on a farm. Owing to the indifferent schools of that day his early education was exceedingly ยท limited, and at the age of sixteen he turned his back upon his home and engaged in the battle of life upon his own responsibility. In November, 1842, shortly after obtaining his majority, he met and married Matilda A. Wyrnsdick, and shortly thereafter engaged in agricultural pursuits in Pike county, Ala., where he resided until 1852, doing business a part of that time in Montgomery, where for three years he clerked in the mercantile establishment of J. & H. Weil & Co. In 1852, he moved to Butler, now Crenshaw county, and located at the town of Rutledge, where he made his home until 1866, at which time he removed to a farm nine miles from Greenville, where he resided one year. He then located in Greenville, where for twenty years he was engaged as clerk for different business firms, during which time he was also interested in farming in the vicinity of the county seat. In 1886, he moved to his present plantation three and a half miles east of Greenville, where he has since resided and where he now carries on one of the largest and most valuable farms in Butler county, consisting of a thousand acres, 400 of which are under cultivation. He also owns a plantation of 300 acres in Montgomery county, to which he gives his personal attention, and which, like his home place, is well im- proved and highly cultivated. During his residence in Greenville, Mr. Harrell served four years as mayor of the city, and in 1888 was elected representative from Butler county in the state legislature, in which body he served one year. Previous to that time he was frequently importuned to run for office, but always refused, and in 1856, was nomi- nated against his wish for the legislature, but declined to make the race. In March, 1862, he entered the Confederate army as a member of company A, Third battalion, Hilliard's legion, and soon after his enlistment was promoted second lieutenant, and in 1863, upon the reorganization of the company, was elected captain. He took part in but one important battle, Perryville, and on account of sickness, superinduced by exposure, he was discharged for disability early in the year 1864. In 1860, Mr. Harrell disposed of his real estate with the intention of going west, but the war breaking out prevented him putting his plans into execution. At that time he was regarded as the heaviest farmer in the county, owning very valuable real estate and fifty-two slaves, but at the close of the war his circumstances became so reduced that he was compelled to borrow money with which to purchase provisions for his family. He has been a prudent manager, possesses superior business sagacity, and by close at- tention to his chosen calling has succeeded in amassing a comfortable fortune, being now considered one of the wealthiest men of the county of Butler. As a democrat he has ever manifested great interest in the suc-
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cess of his party in county, state and national affairs, and has recently taken an active interest in the farmer alliance movement. He is a mas- ter Mason, and for a number of years has been a communicant of the M. E. church, in which he holds the position of steward. Mr. and Mrs. Harrell, have had eight children born to them. The following living: Melissa W., wife of J. E. Faison; John D., farmer near Greenville; Delila J., wife of E. M. Kirk. The names of those deceased were: John A., died in in- fancy; Margaret J., wife of Eli Dampier; Sally; Dove and Adella.
E. M. LAZENBY .- Conspicuous among the old and reliable families of Butler county, the name of Lazenby is especially prominent. The Lazen- bys are of Welsh-Scotch extraction and the history of the family in this country is traced back to Maryland. where, in an early day, was born one Ellis Lazenby, who when a young man emigrated to Georgia, in which state he married and reared a family. One of his sons, Ellis Lazenby, was born in Columbus county, Ga., in 1794, and served with distinction in the war of 1812. He was married in his native state, about the year 1815, to Frances Zachrey, a descendant of an old Virginia family, and be- came the father of the following children, namely: William, of Colum- bus county, Ga .; James, deceased; Jesse, deceased; Martha, widow of John Ferdon; E. M .; John, deceased; George, farmer of Columbus county, Ga .; Frances, widow of James Hatcher, and Artemus M., a resi- dent of Georgia. Ellis Lazenby and wife passed their entire married life in their native county and state, dying there in the years 1852 and 1860, respectively. E. M. Lazenby, the fifth child of the above parents, was a native of Georgia, born in the county of Columbus on the 27th day of September, 1823. He was bred a farmer, with no facilities for an educa- tion save those furnished by the indifferent schools of that day, and early assumed the supervision of a farm' and chose agriculture for his life work. On reaching the years of maturity he came to Alabama and en- gaged with the Western railroad as bridge builder, but acted in various capacities while in the employ of the company, which embraced a pe- riod of about eight years. In 1853, he moved to a point about four miles from his present location and engaged in farming until after the war, since which time he has been prominently identified with the milling and mercantile business at Forest Home, where he owns large and val- uable interests. He operates a saw and grist mill and personally over- sees a valuable plantation of 1,000 acres, but has recently divided the bulk of his wealth, which was considerable, among his children, nearly all of whom reside at or near the town of Forest Home. Mr. Lazenby has been very successful in his various enterprises and is one of the foremost citizens of Butler county, and occupies a prominent place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is an active worker in the demo- cratic party, served as county commissioner for a period of seven years, and for thirty-five years has been a steward of the Methodist church, to which body his wife and children also belong. Mr. Lazenby was mar-
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ried, December 14, 1848, in Butler county, to Mary Benson, daughter of James K. Benson, one of the earliest settlers of Butler county. Mr. Benson became a resident of Butler county in 1816, and was the first white man to locate in the vicinity of Forest Home. He served as quar- termaster in the war of 1812, and was one of the garrison of Fort Bibb, in the spring of 1818, when Captain Butler (in honor of whom Butler county was named) and several others were surprised and massacred by the Indians. He was also a member of the squad that received the body of the brave captain, and buried it with the honors of war. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lazenby has resulted in the birth of five children, namely: John G., James, George, Henry G., and Frances, wife of J. G. Reynolds. John G. Lazenby, eldest son of the above parents, was born in Macon county, Ala., September 21, 1849. He received a practical English education and early engaged in farming, which useful occupation he is still pursuing in the vicinity of Forest Home. where he owns a beautiful and highly improved plantation. Politically, he is a democrat, and is also identified with the farmers' alliance movement and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He was united in marriage, De- cember 2, 1883, with Mrs. L. J. Powers, who has borne him three children, Minnie, Ruth, and Mary Iva. Mr. Lazenby is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the community and a leading member of the Methodist church. James E. Lazenby, second son of E. M. and Mary Lazenby, is a native of Alabama, born in the county of Macon on the 13th day of March, 1852. He received a liberal education in the Cooper institute, Dalesville, Miss., and spent one year in the Alabama Agricultural college at Auburn, and began life for himself as a farmer, and he still carries on agriculture with the greatest success. Mr. Lazenby also conducts a mercantile business at Forest Home, representing yearly sales of $25,000, the stock being carefully selected to suit the demands of the general trade and now valued at about $6,000. Beside merchandising, Mr. Lazenby is inter- ested in planting, owning a fine farm of 1,000 acres, and also has an interest in the milling business of Lazenby, Reynolds & Co. Mr. Lazenby and Miss Carrie Green, daughter of captain A. C. Green, were united in marriage on the 6th of September, 1875, and they are now the parents of the following children: Claude G., Etta E., Vandier and Augustus G., all living. H. D. Lazenby, youngest son of E. M., and Mary Lazenby was born November 5, 1858. He was educated in the common schools and Greenville Collegiate institute, and for a number of years has been prominently identified with the commercial interests of Monterey, be- ing a member of the well known business house of Lazenby, Shanks & Co. He is also engaged in agricultural pursuits and is deservedly classed among the substantial citizens of the community in which he resides. He is a democrat in politics, and belongs to the Methodist church, being at this time superintendent of the Sunday school in Monterey congregation. October 16, 1883, Mr. Lazenby and Ella, daughter of William Floyd, were
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