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 97
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA
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of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He is a member of Ozark lodge, No. 269, F. & A. M. He worked hard to secure the construction of a railroad through Ozark, and took stock in the road. He also as- sisted to secure the present permanent water supply of Ozark. He is one of the most successful business men of Dale county, one of its largest property holders and one of its most widely known and highly respected citizens.
ARCHIBALD G. PARKER, merchant of Charlton, Ala., was born in Talbot county, Ga., May 13, 1854. He is a son of William R. and Mary (Parker) Parker, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, born October 13, 1808. He began life for himself as a school teacher. teaching several terms in Pike county, Ga., where he was married in 1836. He followed teaching successfully about eight years. In 1845 he became engaged in merchandising at a place called Red Bone in Talbot county, Ga., remain- ing in business until the winter of 1857, when he moved with his family to Alabama, settling near Elba in Coffee county, where he purchased a farm upon which he remained one year, removing thence to Pike county, and purchased near Troy and in time owned and improved a large plan- tation. This he sold in 1871 and moved to Brundidge, purchased another farm, and gave his entire attention to farming and loaning money. He continued thus employed until his death, which occurred in June, 1887. Politically he was a democrat, and in 1863 was elected to the office of county commissioner, which office he held for sixteen consecutive years. He always took a lively interest in the political issues of the day and was conspicuous as a leader of his party. The mother of Archibald G. Parker was born in Georgia and grew to womanhood under the paternal roof. She was married at the age of eighteen and became the mother of nine children, eight of whom reached mature years and six of whom now survive. One lost his life during the late war. Mrs. Parker was a mem- ber of the Missionary Baptist church from early life until her death, which occurred in 1876. Archibald G. Parker was brought up on a farm, attended school eleven years, most of the time at Troy and Brundidge. At the age of nineteen he entered the employ of Knox, Malone & Knox, of Troy, as a teamster, driving a team for them one year. He then be- came a clerk for the same firm and divided his time between the road and the store. He was thus employed for two years and then he engaged in farming for himself, in which he was occupied five years in company with his brother. They then dissolved partnership and Archibald G. continued on the farm two years more, when he sold out and moved to Victoria, Coffee county, where he opened a stock of merchandise in 1888, continuing there till he was burnt out in August, 1891. He then removed to Charlton where he has been engaged in the mercantile business ever since, doing a business of about $10,000 per annum. He was mar- ried in 1882 to Miss Florence Pittman, daughter of George Pitt- man. Mrs. Parker was born in Henry county, Ala., in 1866, and was
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educated by Joseph Espey, one of Alabama's popular educators. She is the mother of two children, William R. and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are members of Missionary Baptist church. The former is a member of the democratic party, and always takes an active interest in the political issues of the day. He is a public-spirited man and is highly respected by his fellow-citizens.
H. Z. PARKER, one of the prominent farmers of Dale county, was born in Georgia. October 26, 1828. He is a son of Lemuel and Elizabeth (Car- penter) Parker, the former of whom was born in Beaufort county,_N. C., where he had the advantages of the most liberal education until he was nine years old. He afterward engaged in farming and school- teaching, becoming one of the leading school-teachers of his part of the country until 1839, when he removed to Alabama, where he carried on farming, but gave his attention principally to teaching school. He lived in Russell county until 1851, when he removed with his family to Dale county, where he lived until he died in 1855. The mother of H. Z. Parker was also a native of North Carolina, where she was married at the age of twenty-one years. She was the mother of one daughter and seven sons, five of whom still survive. Her death occurred in 1872. Both were members of the Primitive Baptist chucrh, and they lived consist- ently with its teachings. In 1851 H. Z. Parker removed with his parents to Dale county, settling near Ozark, where he bought a farm of 200 acres, which he cleared of its surplus timber and underbrush, and to the size of which he has since materially added. His farming career was inter- rupted by the Civil war, in which he became engaged, enlisting in com- pany E, Fifty-third Alabama mounted infantry, being mustered in at Montgomery, in September, 1862. Having served in that regiment throughout the war, and having been engaged in many heavy battles and skirmishes, he was discharged April 1, 1865. He was very fortunate, having been neither wounded nor captured during the entire war. After the war was over he returned to his farm, and, in connection with other business, he has continued farming ever since. In 1868 he opened a mer- cantile establishment at Ozark, which he continued until 1891, when he closed it out and since then has given his entire attention to farming. During his business career he erected a handsome brick store, in which is now located the Commercial hotel. He bought cotton for many years and was one of Ozark's thoroughi-going business men. In 1854 he was married to Miss Helen Harris, a native of Georgia, who came to Ala- bama with her parents in 1853, they settling near Ozark. She was mar- ried in her twenty-first year and was the mother of eight children, five of whom reached the age of maturity. and two of whom now survive: Thomas J., who married Miss Mullen and who resides near Ozark, and John, who married Miss Windom, who also resides near Ozark. Mrs. Par- ker died in 1869, and Mr. Parker married, the second time, Miss Sarah Caroll, daughter of James Carroll, who came to Dale county, Ala., in
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
1836. and was one of the early landmarks of the county. His death occurred in 1887. The wife of Mr. Parker was born in Dale county, where she was educated, and where she was married in her twenty-fourth year. She is now the mother of eight children; Carter, single, is a farmer near Ozark; Amos married Miss Mann, and also is a farmer, residing near Ozark; Pennie E .; Helen; Zachariah; Della; Susan A .; and Lula. Mrs. Parker has been a consistent member of the Primitive Baptist church since early womanhood. Mr. Parker has acquired his wealth by his own industry and well directed efforts. He now owns about 3,000 acres of land, beside considerable city property. He has always been a law-abiding citizen and has done much to aid society in the way of build- ing up churches and sustaining the public schools. He was one of the first to interest himself in the construction of a railroad through Dale county, and owns stock in the company. He also favored the introduc- tion of water into the city of Ozark, and in fact is always in favor of whatever is for the benefit of the community.
JOHN W. PARKER, judge of probate of Dale county, Ala., was born in Butts county, Ga., December 5, 1831. At the age of two months he was stolen from his cradle by the Indians while his mother was attending to her household duties. He was taken to a swamp near by, where he was found next morning by a party organized to search for him. He was reared and educated upon the farm. At the age of twelve years his par- ents brought him to Russell county, Ala., where he lived until 1848, when they removed to Dale county and there followed farming. John W. then went to Ansonville, N. C., to attend the Ansonville Male academy, and after eight months' study there he returned home and worked upon the farm for two years. He then engaged in mercantile business for himself, opening up a stock of general merchandise at Barnes' cross roads, Dale county, continuing here through the years 1857 and 1858. In the fall of 1858 he entered the Primitive Baptist church, and at once became a min- ister of that denomination. After preaching two years he was ordained in 1860. He still continued to operate his farm in connection with his ministerial duties until the close of the war, and then, in connection with both farm and church, he opened a stock of general merchandise at McSwain's mill, three miles west of the present city of Ozark. Here he remained two years, when he sold his stock of merchandise, moved his family to Ozark, and became a traveling salesman for a New York house. This life he followed two years, and then engaged with Joice & Woods, of the Eufaula flouring-mills, as their traveling representative, which position he occupied five years. In 1879 he returned to Ozark and was employed by different firms as a clerk for one year. In 1886 he was elected to the office of probate judge of Dale county, which office he has held continuously ever since. He still operates his farm, attends to his official duties, and fills the pulpit of the Pleasant Grove and Hopeful churches. In March, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary A. McDonald, ;.
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daughter of John and Mary McDonald. She was born in Dale county in 1839, was married in her fourteenth year, and is now a mother of eleven children, nine of whom still live. Washington F. married Laney J.
Parker, widow of Stephen J. Parker. He is a farmer of Dale county. John Mc. Parker married Emma Hall. He is a commercial agent, located at Ozark; Mollie T., wife of Charles Trewitt, farmer of Dale county; Ida, wife of A. C. Goff, who resides at Ozark; M., wife of B. A. Byrd, mer- chant of Ozark; Porter, married Anna Griffith, and is a farmer of Dale county; Georgia, who resides at home; David, in mercantile business in the city of Montgomery, and Bamina. Mr. Parker has a very large cir- cle of friends. He is public spirited and favors all enterprises that have for their object the increase of the means of civilization. He aided to secure the railroads through the county, and is a stockholder. He is a small real estate owner, both in business and residence property. He has great natural abilities, and has always been a busy man. He has always been found on the side of right. As a judge he endeavors to mete out justice to all, and as a citizen he is admired and respected by all who know him.
WILLIAM D. ROBERTS, member of the law firm of Roberts & Martin, of Ozark, is one of the most talented and enterprising men of Dale county. He is the son of Jesse H. and Marguerite (McCorkle) Roberts, the former of whom was born in South Carolina, in 1800. While yet a young man he moved to Georgia, settling in Jasper county, where he married and followed farming there all his life. He always took an active part in the affairs of the day, and died in 1885 at the ripe age of eighty-five years. His wife was a native of Georgia, and received as good an education as the time afforded. She was married in her eighteenth year, and became the mother of nine children, all of whom reached maturity and four of whom still survive. William D. Roberts was born in Monroe county, Ga., in 1836, was brought up on a farm and attended such schools as were to be found in the country. When eighteen, he began to read medicine under the instruction of Dr. Shannon, after which he took a course at the medical college of South Carolina, and about the same time began to read law. He settled at Elba, Coffee county, Ala .; in 1855, and there began the practice of medicine. While thus engaged, he continued to study law with the view of exchanging the practice of medicine for that of the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1856. He continued in the practice of medicine and then abandoned it, turning his attention entirely to the prac- tice of the law. He has been engaged in this profession ever since. His practice is now very large, extending over two entire judicial districts, the second and the third. During his twenty-five years of practice, Mr. Roberts has defended to the number of 125 or 150 men charged with the crime of murder. On November 1, 1891, he removed to Ozark, Ala., where he has since been engaged in practice in partner-
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
ship with Mr. Martin, under the firm name of Roberts & Martin. Mr. Roberts has never in any time of his life been an aspirant for political honors, but has, instead, confined his attention strictly to his legal profes- sion. On February 1, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss C. C. Parker, daughter of William R. and Mary Parker. Mrs. Roberts was born in Spaulding county, Ga., and came with her parents from that state to Alabama, at the age of fourteen years. They settled at Elba, Coffee county, Ala., and later moved to Pike county, where their daughter was married. She has a fair common school education, which she improved by private study. She was married in her sixteenth year, and became the mother of four children, two of whom survive: Susie, now the wife John S. Collins, a merchant, of Geneva, and Maude, wife of H. Martin, law partner of Mr. Roberts. Mrs. Roberts at an early age united with the Missionary Baptist church. Her death occurred in 1883. Mr. Roberts married again in 1883, this time to Miss M. A. Parker, sister of his deceased wife. She was, at the time of her marriage, twenty-eight years of age. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church and is a native of Georgia. William D. Roberts is a democrat in politics and takes a reasonable interest in the affairs of the day. He contributes liberally to the support of the church and is a firm believer in the policy of public education. He is a representative man, and stands at the head of his profession. He is exceedingly popular, and is well liked by all who know him.
WILLIAM F. SAMMONS, farmer and general business man of Charlton, Ala., was born in Darlington district, S. C., October 31, 1845. He is a son of James and Sarah (Hatchell) Sammons, the former of whom was born in Virginia in 1808. He removed with his parents to South Carolina while he was very young, where he had the poorest kind of educational advantages, school houses being extremely rare in South Carolina at that early day. He was married in Darlington district in 1837, lived in South Carolina as a farmer until 1851, when he removed to Alabama, settling in Dale county near the town of Charlton, and building the first farm house in that part of Dale county. He proceeded to clear up the farm he pur- chased, and so improved it as to have the reputation of having one of the best farms in the county, and of being one of the model and progress- ive farmers. He was an active and leading citizen, and was of such in- tellectual ability that his opinion on public and private affairs was much sought after. In politics he was a democrat, and usually voted that party's ticket. His death occurred in 1872. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia in 1820, had limited educational advantages, and married when she was seventeen years old, became the mother of eight chil- dren, six of whom now survive, and all of the survivors live in Dale county. Early in life she united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in that connection at an advanced age. Mr. Sammons was also a member of the same church. William F. Sammons was brought up on the farm, and
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in 1863 he enlisted in company C, Thirty-ninth Alabama infantry, in which regiment he served until the close of the war. He was captured at Franklin, Tenn .. December 15, 1864, and at once sent to Camp Doug- las, where he was detained until February 19, 1865, when he was paroled and sent through the lines to Richmond, Va., and from there he went home. The war being over he turned his attention to farming, in which occupation he remained engaged until 1888, when he became engaged in the mercantile business at Charlton. He continued in this business until November 19, 1890, when he retired and again turned his attention to farming, but finding leisure time on his hands he entered the store of M. A. Smith, whose memoir appears elsewhere in this volume, where he has continued as a clerk ever since. He owns 500 acres of choice farming lands, and considerable town property, which is well improved. He was married December 27, 1865, to Miss Mary H. Burk, daughter of Abraham and Jane J. Burk, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, moved to Alabama in an early day, settling first in Coffee county, and later in Barbour county, where Mrs. W. F. Sammons was born July 31, 1847. In that county she was reared, educated, and married at the age of eighteen. She became the mother of ten children: William T; James A., deceased; Dora M .; James F., deceased; Julius F. T. ; Charles A. ; Ennis H. ; Maryetta G .; Franklin L .; Lexie E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sammons are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Sammons is a democrat in politics, and now occupies the position of township superin- tendent of public instruction. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the public, and in the upbuilding of church and school.
HORATIO M. SESSIONS, cashier and manager of the Planters' and Merchants' bank, of Ozark, was born in Chambers county, Ala., October 9, 1863. He is a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Morgan) Sessions, the for- mer of whom was born in Georgia, where he grew to manhood, and whence he emigrated to Alabama in 1860, settling in Chambers county. Here he engaged in farming and accumulated property rapidly. His pro- perty consisted principally of negro slaves, and was of course swept away as a result of the war. He lost his health during the war and never re- covered, his death occurring February, 1866. His wife was a native of Tallapoosa county, Ala,, where she grew to womanhood and was married in her twenty-second year. She was the mother of five children, but three of whom now survive: John H. resides in Ozark, engaged in mer- cantile business and is unmarried; Mary J., and Horatio M. Mrs. Sessions in early life became member of the Missionary Baptist church, and has always been a consistent member thereof. Mr. Sessions was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Horatio M. Sessions grew up under adverse circumstances. He was early deprived of his father's care and training and thrown upon his own resources. He began life upon a farm. and was able to attend school but a very limited portion of his time.
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At the age of nineteen he entered the store of L. W. Jenks, at Union Springs, Bullock county, at a salary of $15 per month. In 1889 he took a commercial course at Moore Commercial college, at Atlanta, Georgia, graduating July 26. He then accepted accepted a position as bookkeeper in the clothing establishment of L. Bernheimer at Union Springs, Ala., which position he held five months, when he located at Ozark, and in February, 1890, accepted a position as bookkeeper and teller in the Plan- ters' and Merchants' bank of Ozark. In 1891 he was elected assistant cashier, and in January, 1892, he was elected cashier and made manager, with full charge of the bank. December, 1890, he was married to Miss Willie Dowling, daughter of G. P. Dowling, whose memoir appears else- where in this volume. She was born in 1870, and grew to womanhood in Ozark under the parental roof. Her education was of the most liberal kind, and she is accomplished in several of the fine arts. She was mar- ried at the age of twenty years, and is the mother of one child, Lewe, born December 19, 1891. Early in life she' became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and has since lived in accordance with its teachings. Mr. Sessions is a man of sterling worth, of indus- trious habits, of straightforward business methods, and honest in his dealings with his fellow-men. As a consequence of this course of life he is now recognized as one of Ozark's most promising young business men. He owns his house and grounds, and has in contemplation the erection of a large brick structure, to be used as a first class livery stable. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Anchor lodge, No. 113. He became a Mason in 1890, and is a member of Ozark lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M., in which he holds the office of treasurer.
He is second cousin to Dr. Lewe Sessions of Union Springs, Ala., who is president of the Union Springs bank, and also of the Marietta Bank & Trust company, Marietta, Ga., and owns the controlling interest in the bank at Clayton and also in the bank at Ozark. He is also a nephew of Judge W. M. Sessions of Mari- etta, Ga. The Sessions family originated in Scotland, but moved over to Ireland, whence two brothers emigrated to the United States, one of whom settled in Ohio and the other in Georgia, Horatio M. being a descendant of the brother who settled in Georgia. His grandfather, Asa Sessions, was a man of prominence in Georgia, and lived to a good old age. Horatio M. Sessions is a democrat in politics and is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. He is one of the active young business men of the city, and takes a lively interest in everything calculated to promote the public welfare.
MITCHELL A. SMITH, merchant and cotton buyer of Charlton, was born in Dale county, Ala., September 26, 1856. He is a son of Rev. Caswell and Susie (Haaks) Smith, the former of whom was born in Stewart county, Ga., in 1825, and there grew to manhood. He received a liberal education and was married at the age of twenty-eight years. In 1840, he removed to Alabama and settled near Speller's old mill, five
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miles east of Ozark, where he bought a plantation of over 400 acres, and much of which he improved and got under cultivation. About 1850 he entered the ministry of the Missionary Baptist church, filling the pulpit of that denomination the rest of his life. He was for many years a notary public and became one of the best known men in that section of the country. He had the reputation of having married more people than any other man in southern Alabama. During his ministerial career he baptised and converted many hundreds of people. He was a great church and school organizer. He was efficient in the early shaping of the policy of Dale county. While in the pulpit, he was suddenly taken ill, and from this sickness he never recovered. This was at Rocky Head church, and his death occurred January 27, 1892. Thus suddenly closed a long, brilliant and useful career, and a vacancy was caused which will be extremely difficult to fill. His influence was always exerted for good for all with whom he came in contact. The mother of Mitchell A. Smith was born in Stewart county, Ga., where both her parents died when she was quite young. She grew to womanhood in the home of her brother, John Haaks, and was married at the age of twenty years. She was the mother of ten children, eight of whom reached maturity, and seven of them still survive. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church from early life until her death, which occurred in 1867. The father of Mitchell A. Smith was married, the second time, in the latter part of 1867 to Miss Sophronia Andrews, a native of Dale county. She was well educated, well known as a school teacher, and was a lady of cultured mind and refined habits. She was married at the age of twenty-eight years and is now the mother of five children, four girls and one boy. She is the daughter of John Andrews. Since early life she has been a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mitchell A. Smith was brought up on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He was fairly educated and at the age just mentioned engaged in the mercantile business at Haw Ridge, Dale county, Ala., where he remained doing a good and increas- ing business until 1889, when he removed to the town of Charlton, erected the first business house in the town, and now has a well stocked store and a fine building which was put up in 1892, 24x88 feet in size. He constantly carries a stock of from $3,000 to $5,000 and does a business of $30,000 dollars annually. He also buys cotton and other farm produce. Mr. Smith was married in 1879 to Miss.Mary Pass- more, daughter of John F. Passmore, of Crawford county, Ga. She was born in that county in 1860, there grew to womanhood, received a good education and was married in her nineteenth year. She is the mother of four children, only two of whom survive. The children were Mitchell D., born at Haw Ridge in August, 1883, now deceased; Frank, born December 29, 1887: Frankie M., born March, 1889, and the baby which died in infancy. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, while Mr. Smith is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Smith is
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