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 II pt 1 > Part 43
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EDGAR S. BALLENTINE, merchant of Courtland, Ala., was born in Lawrence county, that state, December 14, 1567. He is the eldest of five children born to James H. and Mary E. (Swoope) Ballentine, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Alabama. James H. Ballentine came to Alabama in 1-66. settled in Lawrence county, followed merchan- dising for a livelihood and died on May 16. 1880. His parents were Andrew M. and Mary T. (Goff) Ballentine. of Ireland and Tennessee, respectively. The parents of Mary E. Ballentine were Rev. Edgar M. and Elmira C. (Watkins) Swoope, the former of Virginia and the latter of Georgia. The Ballentines were among the first settlers of Alabama. Edgar S. Ballen- tine was reared and educated in Tennessee. He has been a merchant for several years, and now carries a stock of goods worth $2,000. He also owns a thousand acres of land, 200 of which are under cultivation. For a young man starting in business, without experience, he has been unusually successful. He was married September 26, 1858, to Miss Kate B. Halsey of Kentucky, and to them have been born two children. Edgar S., Jr .. and Kathleen H. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ballentine are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. and Mr. Ballentine has been a Knight of Pythias for some time. By close attention to business and by adhering strictly to correct methods he has accumulated a handsome property, and is deserving of great credit for his success in life. Politi- cally he is a democrat, though he is no politician, and takes a proper interest as a citizen in seeing that good men hold the offices. Taken all in all he is one of the exemplary young men of Lawrence county.
RICHARD P. BATES, merchant and farmer of Town Creek, Ala., was born in Lawrence county. that state. May 19, 1859. He was the eldest of three children born to J. R. and Sallie (Preuit) Bates. the former of Tennessee, and the : latter of Alabama. The father of J. R. Bates was Ezekiel Bates of Tennessee. The parents of Mrs. Sallie Bates were Col. Richard and Maria (Hodges) Prenit, of Alabama. Col. Preuit was a very prominent man in his day. and a very successful business man. He died November 22, 1882. Richard P. Bates was reared and educated in Alabama. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-one, and is now a merchant and farmer of standing in the community. He owns con- siderable land in the county, and carries a stock of goods in his store worth $1,500. He was married November 21, 1888, to Miss Annie J. Hall. daughter of J. W. Hall. of Alabama. To them has been born one child, Mary Lee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bates are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Mr. Bates belongs to one of the oldest and best families of the state, and always contributes liberally to the support of any enterprise calculated [to promote the general welfare. He is a strong democrat. and performs his part toward the support of the party.
WILLIAM V. CHARDAVOYNE, merchant at Courtland, Ala .. was born in
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Lawrence county, that state, June 27, 1885. He is the only child born to William V. and Martha (Watkins) Chardavoyne, the former a native of New York and the latter of Tennessee. The former came to Alabama in 1830, and was extensively engaged in buying and selling cotton. He died of cholera in 1838. His parents were William and Rebecca Chardavoyne, of New York. The parents of Mrs. Martha Chardavoyne, were William and Susan (Coleman) Watkins. of Georgia. William V. Chardavoyne was ' reared in Alabama and educated at the schools of that state. When four- teen years old he entered LaGrange college, of Franklin county, Ala., where he completed his education. He immediately began business as a merchant at Courtland. and has been quite prominent in business in that place. He has also taken a prominent place in politics, having been private secretary to Gov. Lindsay. in 1871 and 1872, and was assistant secretary in the state senate for two years. He then studied law. was admitted to' the bar, and practiced a short time, when he returned to the mercantile pur- suits in Courtland, in which he is now engaged. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Lavinia B. Harris, of Alabama, daughter of Daniel Harris. To this marriage have been born three children: Martha G., William H., deceased, and Edward V. Mr. Chardavoyne was in the late war, on staff duty, during his time of service. He served in Roddy's division of Pat- terson's brigade, and though he was in several sharp engagements, he was in no important battles. He was neither wounded nor captured dur- ing the war. Mr. Chardavoyne and family are members of the Presby- terian church, and he is an elder therein. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and stands high in social circles.
ROBERT C. FOSTER, merchant of Town Creek, Ala., was born in Lauderdale county, Ala., January 19, 1845. He is the second of four children born to Thomas J. and Jane (Hood) Foster, the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Florida. Thomas J. Foster came to Ala. bama in 1830, and settled in Lawrence county. He was a planter by occu- pation, and accumulated quite a fortune. He was also a manufacturer before the war broke out. He was a very large slave holder, and one of the leading citizens. His death occurred in 1887. His parents were Robert C. and Ann (Hubbard) Foster, both of Tennessee. The parents of Jane Foster were James and Mary (Chalmers) Hood, the former from Ireland, the latter from Scotland. The Foster family is one of the best in the state, and was quite prominent in Tennessee. Ephraim H. Foster of that state was an uncle of Robert C. Foster, and served in the senate of the United States, before the war. Robert C. Foster was reared in Lauderdale county, Ala., and educated at Florence high school, until he was twelve years old. He then attended the Georgetown college, Wash- ington, D. C., and finished his literary training in Glasgow, Scotland. He is now a merchant and farmer, and owns 1.300 acres of land. He is a member of the firm of Porter & Foster, which is a prosperous concern. and transacts a large amount of business. Mr. Foster is a very success.
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ful business man, and has accumulated a comfortable fortune: he is a substantial and reliable business man, and a good citizen. While a stanch democrat. he is not an office seeker. but is always willing to bear his share of the party's burdens. He always contributes liberally to all laudable public enterprises, and is noted for his hospitality and good sense. Since arriving in Alabama. some of the Foster family have served the state 'with distinction. Thomas J. Foster served in the Confederate congress during the late war, and after the war was over. was elected to the con- gress of the United States: but was not allowed to take his seat on accoun's of his participation in the war of the rebellion. Robert C. Foster is at this time one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the county.
JOHN W. GARMON. merchant of Moulton, Ala., was born in Cherokee county, Ga .. June 26. 1849. He was the youngest of nine children born to Thompson and Mary (Couner) Garmon, both natives of South Caro- lina. John W. Garmon was reared in Alabama and educated in private schools in this state. He is, at the present time. a merchant, and has a large and flourishing trade. He owns considerable property in the town and surrounding country. He owns 320 acres of land, 175 acres of which are under a high state of cultivation. He is also a Presbyterian minister, and has been preaching for seventeen years. In this line of work he has been very successful. and is considered a very efficient minister of the gospel. He was married in 1879 to Miss Martha L. Ruthford of Ala- bama, daughter of Thomas C. Ruthford. of Tennessee. To this marriage there have been born five children, viz. : Mertie L .. Arthur W., Willie E., Frank R. and Burney. Rev. Mr. Garmon was not in the last war. He is a democrat in politics. and takes great interest in securing proper men to fill the various offices in the county and in the state. He is a liberal sup- porter of all enterprises calculated to advance the material or moral interests of the public. He is of German descent, of a good family, and highly respected by all.
JAMES K. P. HALL, merchant of Town Creek, Ala., was born in Law- rence county. Tenn .. May 4, 1844. He is the sixth of eight children born to William B. and Sarah O. (Legrand) Hall, both of North Carolina. William B. Hall emigrated to Tennessee, many years ago. and settled in Lawrence county. afterward removing to Ashland. Tenn., where he went in the mercantile business, which he carried on until 1550. when he moved to Town Creek. Ala. He was quite a prominent man in Tennessee. He was an innkeeper on the Florence & Columbia road. His death occurred in 18-2. and his widow died in 1885. James K. P. Hall was reared in Tennessee, and attended school in that state until he was six- teen years old, and then he attended Giles college, located at Pulaski. Tenn. The war breaking out at that time. he left college, and entered the army, becoming a private soldier in company A, Third Tennessee infantry. He remained in that regiment until the fall of Fort Donelson, when he was captured and sent to Camp Douglas, where he was held a
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prisoner for seven months. He was then exchanged and sent to Vicks- burg, Miss., and he afterward joined the Ninth Confederate cavalry, with which he served until the end of the war. He participated in several battles, but was in few of the great battles of the war. Belonging to the cavalry, it was necessary that he should do a great deal of scouting. He was with Forrest in a part of his campaign in Tennessee and Mississippi, with Longstreet in his east Tennessee campaign, and with Wheeler in his Georgia and Tennessee campaign, and he was in the battle at Franklin, Tenn., and had a brother. A. B. Hall, wounded there. After the war he returned to his old home and went into business with his father, with whom he remained seven years, at the end of which time he commenced business for himself, and so continued for two years. He removed to Town Creek, Ala .. in 1876, and here he has been engaged ever since. Though he began on small capital, he has succeeded in accumulating considerable property. He is a shrewd and successful business man and a good citizen. He has been married twice, first to Miss Fannie G. Chappell, of Tennessee. daughter of Thomas B. Chappell, by whom he had three children, viz .: Annie C., Laura J .. and Eva. He married, in 1892, Mrs. Mattie Brown, of Florence, Ala. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, a Mason in good standing, and a democrat.
GEORGE W. JACKSON, a prominent merchant, farmer and live-stock raiser of Mount Hope, Ala., was born in Lawrence county, Ala .. April. 24. 1848. He is the sixth of eight children born to James D. and Margaret (Neal) Jackson. the former a native of South Carolina. and the latter of Alabama. James D. Jackson came to Alabama with his father when quite a young man, and was a farmer all his life. his death occurring in 1880. George W. Jackson was reared and educated in Alabama. and has followed merchandising and farming all his life. He now owns 1,060 acres of land, 350 of which are under cultivation, and he is a prosperous merchant. He was married December 5. 1887. to Miss Jennie Pickens, of Alabama, daughter of James D. and Margaret (Stephenson) Pickens. To this marriage there have been born three children: Maggie. Lucille and James. Mr. Jackson was not old enough to take part in the Civil war. In polities he is a democrat. and takes a sufficient interest in polit- ical affairs to urge that proper men are selected to fill the offices. He began life for himself with no capital. but by industry, close application to business and economical living. he has succeeded in accumulating the property he how owns, and is one of the substantial citizens of the county. He has been, and is, a very successful merchant. and a fine busi- ness man. He and his family are members of the Missionary Baptist church. and he is a member of Mount Hope lodge, No. 168. A. F. & A. M. He belongs to a good family, and stands well in society. He always takes an interest in everything tending to promote the general welfare.
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TERRENCE KELLY. merchant of Moulton. Ala .. was born in Ireland, and is the youngest of six children born to Terrence and Mary (Sullivan) Kelley, both of Ireland. Terrence came to the United States in 1850, and settled in Lawrence county. Ala. When the war came on he enlisted in 1861, in company F. Sixteenth Alabama infantry, and served through the war. He was in several of the important battles, among them the follow- ing: Shiloh. Fishing Creek. Hodges'. Farm, Farmington, Miss .. and others. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, while leading his regi- ment in a charge. He was struck in the left leg by a minie ball. When the regiment started on the charge there were but thirty-four men in it. and only eight of those lived through it. When he was wounded and unable to proceed. he was carried by another soldier to the rear. He - returned to his regiment before he was able to walk without the aid of crutches, and was with his regiment until the close of the war. He was paroled at Pond Springs. Ala., and then returned to Lawrence county, where he has lived ever since. He began after the war with no capital, and in 1870 established himself in the mercantile business, and he has thus been engaged ever since. His family are members of the Catholic church, and he is a Mason in good standing. He is one of the best citi- zens of Lawrence county, and is highly respected by all who know him.
REESE B. PORTER. farmer, merchant and retired physician of Town Creek, Ala., was born in Franklin county, Ala., December 8, 1836. He is the fifth of nine children, born to Reese and Elizabeth (Taliaferro) Porter, the former born in Virginia. and the latter in Georgia. The parents of Reese Porter were William and Mary ( Bowen) Porter. the for- mer of whom was shot at the battle of King's Mountain, and afterward died of the wound. The parents of Mrs. Elizabeth Porter were Benjamin and Adra (Snow) Taliaferro. both natives of Georgia. Reese B. Porter was reared in Texas. and educated in private schools of that state, and at McKinzie college. He is now a merchant and a farmer. and owns 1,500 acres of fine valley land. 1,000 acres of which are under cultivation. He is a member of the firm of Porter & Foster. of Town Creek. which firm has a large and profitable business. He was married. in 1561, to Miss Mattie Lightfoot. daughter of Robert W. Lightfoot. of Alabama. He was married the second time, to Miss Fannie Taliaferro. in 1992. Mr. Porter was a soldier in the Confederate army. enlisting in 1-61 in company C, . Thirty-fifth Alabama infantry, and remaining with that regiment until 1864, when he was transferred to the Fifth Alabama cavalry, with which he served the rest of the war. He participated in some of the principal battles of the war. among them Corinth. Baker's Creek or Champion Hills, Jackson, Miss .. Vicksburg and Port Hudson. He served principally in Mississippi and Louisiana, and was neither wounded nor captured during the war. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. and he has been a Mason since 1-59. He is a very successful planter and mer- chant, and retired from the practice of medicine some years since, after
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practicing twenty-five years in Lawrence county. During that time he was quite prominent in the profession. He is a member of a good family and stands high in society.
,; ANDREW F. REBMAN, merchant of Courtland, Ala., was born in Law- rence county. that state. March 12. 1861. His parents were Joseph D. and Elizabeth (Ludwig) Rebman. both natives of Germany, and he was their third child. They came to America in 1852 and settled in Charles- ton, S. C. After a sojourn there of two years they removed to Hunts- ville, Ala .. where they again remained two years. engaged in shoe mak- ing. They then removed to Courtland. where Mr. Rebman worked at this trade, and conducted a confectionery business until his death, which occurred in 1-74. Andrew F. Rebman was born in Lawrence county, Ala., and educated in the school at Courtland. taught at that time by Edward F. Comegys. Mr. Rebman is a merchant and carries about $5,000 worth of goods. He is also interested in farming. He was mar- mied December 27, 1887, to Miss Ina L. Robbins, daughter of Robert P. Robbins, of Tennessee. To this marriage have been born two children. Ione E. and Andrew F. Mr. and Mrs. Reb- man are members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Rebman is a Knight of Pythias. He is of a good German family, a good business man, and highly respected wherever known. He began business for him- self with no capital at the age of thirteen, and by close attention to busi- ness, and by the practice of economy, has acquired a fine property. He has educated himself and one brother, and now occupies a high position in society.
JAMES G. ROBERSON, a prominent and successful farmer of Mount Hope, Ala., was born in Lawrence county, Ala .. May 14. 1829. He was the youngest of nine children born to James L. and Martha B. (Stenson) Roberson, both of whom were natives of South Carolina. James L. Rob- erson came to Alabama in 1815, and settled in a vicinity in which there were but three buildings. He was a successful farmer and died in 1858. His parents were Matthew and Elizabeth Roberson. of South Carolina. The father of Mrs. Martha B. Roberson was John L. Stenson. of South Carolina. James G. Roberson was reared in Alabama, and received a fair education in the schools of the state. He was brought up on the farm and has followed farming for a livelihood. He now owns 493 acres of land, 200 of which are under cultivation. Mr. Roberson is a very suc- cessful farmer. and a highly respected citizen. He was married Septem- ber 29, 1853, to Miss Jeunie C. Noleu, of Alabama, daughter of Henry and Harriet E. (Childs) Nolen. the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. To this marriage have been born thirteen children, viz. : James H., John T., Sanora F. H. C., William P., Robert G., George W., Charles B .. Martin L., Richard, Mattie E., Mollie C .. Vir- ginia P .. and one not christened. James G. Roberson, in 1862, enlisted in company C, Fourth Alabama cavalry, and served in that regiment until
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the end of the war. He was not in any of the important battles of the war, and was neither wounded nor captured. He was on post duty nine months at Huntsville, Ala., and at other times at various places. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are highly respected by all who know them.
COL. JAMES EDMONDS SAUNDERS, one of the oldest and most promi- nent citizens of Lawrence county, was born in Brunswick county, Va .. May 7, 1506. He is the fifth of ten children born to Rev. Turner H. and Frances (Dunn) Saunders, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The parents of Rev. Turner. H. Saunders were Thomas and Elizabeth (Hubbard) Saunders, of Virginia, and the parents of Mrs. Frances Saun- ders were Ishmael and Mildred Dunn, also of Virginia. When James E. Saunders was two years old his parents migrated to Williamson county, Tenn. Here his early education was obtained under private instructors, , among whom was the celebrated Rev. Gideon Blackburn, who was then principal of the Franklin academy. He afterward attended the university of Georgia, at Athens, then under the control of the Rev. Dr. Moses Waddel, a very eminent divine of that day. Immediately after graduating from the university of Georgia he entered the law office of Foster & Fogg, at Nashville. as a law student, and began the practice of law at the age of twenty-one. He had removed to Moulton. Ala .. in 1526, and remained there three years, when he removed to Courtland. and has resided here continuously ever since, a period of sixty-three years, with the exception of the time spent in Mobile. Soon after removing to Court- land he entered into a law partnership with John J. Ormond, which con- tinued until the elevation of Mr. Ormond to the supreme bench of the state. In 1840 Mr. Saunders was elected to the state legislature, and was assigned to the chairmanship of the judiciary committee, and besides this he held other important positions while a member of the legislature. For many years hie was a trustee of the university of Alabama, and in 1887 'he contributed to that change in the administration which resulted in the elevation to the presidency of the institution of the Rev. Basil Manly as the successor of Rev. Alva Woods. In 1842 he removed to Mobile, and there engaged in the commission business as a member of the firm of Bradford & Saunders, afterward Saunders & Son. He was appointed by President Polk collector of customs of the port of Mobile. which office he held during his administration. In 1-61 he returned to his old home at Courtland just at the breaking out of the war. In 1852 he was a pres- idential elector on the democratic ticket. and assisted to cast the elec- toral vote of Alabama for Franklin Pierce for president of the United States. He possessed a very large fortune, having marriel the daugh- ter of Robert H. Watkins. Esq., formerly of Georgia. Mr. Saunders has written some very fine memorials of prominent families and early settlers of Lawrence county. He was a member of the Douglas convention. held at Montgomery in 1860, and opposed secession as long as opposition
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could possibly avail, but when the state of Alabama seceded from the Union he yielded to the general sentiment of the people of the. state, and threw himself actively into the southern cause. He was connected with the army from the beginning to the close, and rendered valuable service to the cause. He was the first staff officer of Gen. Forrest. and it was through his influence that Forrest was appointed brigadier general. Mr. Saunders was wounded in the battle of Murfreesboro by a ball passing through his body. He is honorably mentioned many times in the "Life of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston." the "Campaigns of Lt -Gen. Forrest," and many other works which treat of the war. . After the war Col. Saun- ders resumed his favorite pursuit. that of agriculture, and is now living a life of elegant retirement at his country seat, near the little town of Courtland. In 1824 he married Miss Mary F. Watkins. of Alabama. the daughter of Robert H. Watkins, formerly of Georgia. To this marriage there have been born eleven children, viz. : Frances A .. died young; Robert T., died unmarried in 1879; Fannie, died young: Elizabeth Dunn, married Dr. Pollnitz. of Alabama: Mary Louisa. married H. D. Blair, of Mobile, Ala .; Dr. Dudley Dunn. of Memphis, Tenn .; Sarah. married Dr. J. M. Hayes. of Alabama: Prudence. died young; James. died young ; Lawrence, died of imprisonment at Camp Chase during the war: Ellen Virginia, married L. B. McFarland, of Memphis. Col. Saunders prac- ticed law many years with Judge John J. Crmond. one of the most distin- guished lawyers in the state of Alabama. He is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and also of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens anywhere in the state.
DR. ROBERT M. SIMPSON, one of the leading physicians of Moulton, Ala., was born in Lawrence county, Ala., January 14. 1-55. He is the eldest of two children born to Benjamin M. and Orlena (Bantley) Simpson ; the former is a native of Tennessee and the latter of Alabama. Mr. Simpson came to Alabama in 1852. and settled in Lawrence county. where he taught school for three years. and afterward engaged in farming until 1866. He then engaged in the mercantile business until 1882, when he returned to the farm and has been thus engaged ever since. His parents were Solomon P. and Anna Simpson, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. The parents of Mrs. Orlena Simpson were Robert S. and Lucinda Bentley. the former a native of Georgia and the latter of Alabama. Dr. Robert M. Simpson was reared and educated in Alabama, attending public and private schools until he was sixteen years old. He then attended the Union university of Murfreesboro, Tenn .. during the years 1-70 72 inclusive. and gra luate l. in 1574, from the East. man Business college at Atlanta, Ga. In 1est he attended the medical department of Vanderbilt university at Nashville. Tenn., graduating in 1885, and, locating immediately at Moulton, he began the practice of his profession, and has been thus engaged at Moulton ever since. He has a large and lucrative practice and is considered one of the
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