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 2 > Part 40
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H. C. MCADAMS, M. D., a prominent physician of Shelby, Shelby county, was born five miles from Columbia, on the farm, July 14, 1844. 53
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He is a son of James and Sarah (Foreman) McAdams, the former of whom was a native of Newberry district, S. C., and the latter a native of North Carolina. They came to Alabama in 1818, and lived on a farm in this county till their deaths. They had ten children, five of whom are now living. James N. McAdams was a member of the Baptist church, and an earnest and continuous worker in religious matters. H. C. McAdams was reared on a farm and was educated at the common schools. At an early day his father intended him for the medical profession, and when any of his slaves were sick, would send him, when he was not more than twelve years old, with the doctor to attend them. But the war coming on just as he was prepared for college, he was deprived of the privilege of then making the needed preparation. He enlisted in company C, Twenty-fifth Alabama infantry, in 1861, under Capt. Polk, and served until the close of the war. He was in most of the battles in which his company participated, until the battle of Chickamauga, in which he received a wound that disabled him for -duty afterward. Entering the service as a private soldier, he was, in 1862, appointed regi- mental clerk, and later in the same year he was appointed sergeant- major. After the war he returned home, and entered a literary institu- tion, remaining one year, and then returned home on account of the ill health of his father, and for fifteen months watched by his bedside. During this time, however, he applied himself to the study of medicine. After his father's death, he went to Columbia, and accepted a position as clerk for Bruce Harris in a drug store, being too poor to attend college. In this position he continued the study of medicine for six years. He then returned to the old farm, continuing to study and beginning the practice of his profession in a small way. He also taught school two terms, and by the closest economy saved up enough money to enter college in 1879. He then entered Mobile Medical college, graduated therefrom in 1883, and immediately removed to Shelby, established an office, and began the practice of his chosen profession. He has remained in Shelby ever since, and, by close application to business, he has acquired a large and lucrative practice. He began life under very discouraging circum- stances; but by his persistence in his chosen purpose he has at length · overcome all obstacles, and has made his life a success. He now owns 670 acres of land, beside a good house and lot, which of itself is suffi- cient to indicate the kind of stuff he is made of.
GEORGE W. McGOWEN, farmer and prominent citizen of Wilsonville, is a native of Shelby county, Ala. He was born October 8, 1834, and is a son of Edward and Priscilla (Bullock) McGowen. Edward MeGowen was born in Scotland, and when quite young came with his parents to this country. They, upon first coming to America, settled in North Caro- lina, remaining there, however, only a short time, when they removed to Alabama and settled on a farm near where Montgomery now stands, and engaged in farming and milling. In 1830 they removed to Shelby county,
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and in 1834 to Texas, where they lived until their death. Edward McGowen married in Montgomery, but remained with his parents until after they removed to Shelby county, where he settled down on a farm, remaining thereon until his death. The mother was born in North Caro- lina. Her father. Leonard Bullock, was, like the paternal grandfather of Mr. McGowen. a soldier in the Revolutionary war. George W. McGowen is the third of four brothers born to his parents, only one of whom, beside himself, being now alive. This brother is named James, and he was also in the late war. The father of George W. dying when the latter was quite young, and leaving his family in stringent circum- stances, George became wholly dependent upon himself, and, although his education was quite limited, like that of most other self-made men. he has so far been successful in accumulating a sufficiency of this world's goods and comforts. In 1839 he married Miss Mary J. Bloxton, daughter of , Edward and Lucinda (Peyton) Bloxton, by whom he has had eight chil- dren, four of whom are living, viz .: David N., Lulu J., Walter W., and George O. Mrs. McGowen was born and raised in Shelby county, and died in 1888. She was a most devoted member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, south. In. 1889, at Jacksonville, Calhoun county, Ala., Mr. McGowen married. for his second wife. Sarah E. Privett.a native of Jacksonville, and daughter of James and Elizabeth (Aderhold) Privett, both natives of North Carolina. Mr. MeGowen in 1862 enlisted in com- pany I, Eighteenth Alabama infantry, under Captain Peter Hunley, as a private soldier, and served as such throughout the war. He was engaged in numerous battles, and in the battle of Chickamauga received two wounds, which compelled him to retire from active service six months. On returning to his company he was detailed to the ordnance depart- ment, in which he remained during the remainder of the war. He was at Resaca, where his duty was to issue ammunition to the soldiers in the field. At - Atlanta he also performed the same duty. After the close of the war, being left without property, he began life for himself as a farmer, which honorable vocation he has ever since followed, and his success and prosperity are indicated by the fact that now he possesses 700 acres of land, all in good condition for the production of crops. Mr. McGowen stands high in the community as a straightforward, honest and upright man.
A. E. MCGRAW. M. D., a leading physician of Shelby county, was born in Vincent, Shelby county, in 1840. He is a son of James V. and Harriet W. ( Kidd ) McGraw, the former of whom came from Fairfield district, S. C., to Shelby county, in 1821, and was the first merchant in Harpersville. He remained in business in Harpersville about seven years, and then removed to Vincent, where he engaged in the milling business in connection with merchandising, and became one of the largest farmers in this portion of Alabama, owning more than 2.000 acres of land. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Dr. McGraw
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was reared within one-fourth of a mile of where he now resides. In his youth he received a good common school education, and then attended Auburn college three years. He came home and studied medicine under the instruction of Dr. A. McAlpin, of Talladega, one year, when he went to New Orleans and entered the medical college there, October. 1859, graduat- ing in March, 1861. He then located at Abbeville, Ala., where he remained until February, 1862, when he enlisted in company K, Thirty-first Albama infantry, but was immediately placed in the medical service, in which he remained until the close of the war. After the war, he returned home, and located where Vincent now stands, practicing medicine there until the fall of 1871, when he removed to Harpersville, remaining there until 1889, and he has since remained at his old home. On February 26, 1867, he married Lucy T. Fluker, daughter of Jabez and Sarah A. ( Oden ) Fluker, by whom he has six children, viz .: Ada E., James F., Lutie A .; A. E., Jr., Oscar P., and Mary A. Mrs. McGraw was born in Talladega county, and is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, while Dr. McGraw is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. For some time past, the doctor has been conducting a hotel at Vincent.
THOMAS J. MARTIN, merchant and proprietor of the only store in Har- persville, was born in Shelby county, Ala., May 29, 1842. He is a son of John and Sarah (Thweatt) Martin, both of whom came from Edgefield, S. C. John Martin, at first, when he left his native state, went to Ten- nessee; but remained there only a short time. He then came to Alabama and settled on Kelley's creek, in Shelby county, where he remained until his death in 1874, when he was seventy-six years of age. His father, James Martin, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Both John and James Martin were members of the Baptist church. Thomas J. Martin was reared on a farm and received a good high school education. In 1861 he enlisted in company I, Eighteenth Alabama regiment of infantry, under Capt. P. F. Hanley. In April, 1862, at the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the right arm, which rendered him unfit for active service during the rest of the war. The sore was a running one for four years, and necessitated an operation in 1866. Returning home he superintended his father's farm until 1866, when he engaged with Mr. Corley in the mer- cantile business at Harpersville, where by strict attention to business, fair dealing and courtesy to customers, he built up a large trade, extend- ing into St. Clair and Talladega counties. At the close of the war he purchased his partner's interest in the business and has since conducted it alone. He has also engaged in farming on an extensive scale. and also runs a steam gin and grist mill. He is, in politics, a stanch democrat, and always takes a prominent part at every election. He has been a del- egate to state conventions at numerous times; but though solicited to do so, has never been a candidate for office, his business requiring all his time. On March 3, 1868, he married Evaly Kidd, daughter of Joseph W .. and
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Mrs. (Moore) Kidd, by whom he had six children, five of whom are living, viz. : Thomas A., Sallie J .. Renfro, Joseph W. and Earl T. Mrs. Mar- tin was born in Shelby county, October 18, 1843. Both Mr. Martin and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and, as showing what his capacity is in business, it may be said that when he began for himself. he had but 850, whereas he now owns a large general store and has 3,100 acres of land. He also stands very high in the community and is a very popular man.
WILLIAM R. A. MILNER, clerk of the circuit court of Shelby county, Ala., was born in Cedar Bluffs, Cherokee county, Ga., August 30, 1845. His parents were Henry and Nancy (Underwood ) Milner. The former was a native of South Carolina, and moved to Georgia with his parents when a young man. He was reared on the farm, but, upon attaining his major- ity, he engaged in merchandising, and later, in connection with Moses, Stroup, erected the iron works at Iron Mountain, and continued in the business until 1858, when he retired, and removed to the farm, where he remained in the enjoyment of peace until the breaking out of the Civil
war. In 1862, he organized a company, and as its captain marched to the front in Forrest's regiment. He remained in active service until 1863, when, being advanced in age, his health failed him and he returned home. While at home, however, he was not the man to be idle, when his country was in danger, so he raised a regiment, and was commissioned its colonel, but his health again becoming feeble. his regiment was under the neces- sity of marching to the field without him. Afterward his health improved and he lived to the ripe age of seventy-seven years, dying in 1892. Wil- liam R. A. Milner received a good common school education, and was preparing to enter college, when the war broke out and blasted his fondest anticipations. During the years 1861 and 1862, though he had not enlisted in any company, he was with several companies, and was engaged in many skirmishes and battles. In 1863, he enlisted in company I, First Georgia regiment, and soon afterward was in the following bat- tles: Chickamauga. Marysville, Dormand Gap, Knoxville, and several others of less proportions. The same year he was in the battle of Kings- ton, where he received three wounds which rendered him a cripple for life. On partially recovering he was taken to Loudon, where an exami- nation of his wounds showed that he was incapacitated for further service in the field. On his way home, he was captured by a band of bush- whackers, by whom he was roughly handled, but was soon turned at lib- erty, only to be again captured by the Union army, and after being par- · oled, he finally, after many hardships, reached his home in Cartersville, Ga., where for about ten months he kept his bed. As soon as he was able to get around on crutches, he started out in search of his father, whom he found in Wilcox. Ala. In 1865, after the war was over, he and his father, with what they had left from the destruction of the conflict, bought an old boiler, which they repaired as well as they might, and started a saw
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and grist mill, which he continued to run for three years, when he went back to the old farm in Marshall county, Ala., which he found in a badly demoralized condition, fencing all gone, in fact, everything but the old house. He remained on the farm till 1870, when he removed to Shelby county, and established himself in merchandising at Siluria, remaining here, however, but a short time, and in 1871, he removed his store to Bridgeton, and engaged in the milling business with his father, at the same time carrying on his store. But in 1872, a flood came and carried away his entire possessions, except a horse and buggy. His father, with some money he had left, rebuilt the mill; but William R. A. Milner, being without means, returned to the old farm where he raised a crop; but being so badly crippled, and. there being so little on the farm with which to work, or that he could do, he again gave up farming and returned to his father, remaining with him until 1877. In the meantime he had taught school somewhat. In 1877, he was elected by the democratic party treasurer of Shelby county, and held the position seven years, the law having been changed during his term of office, giving him four years for his second term. During a part of the time he was serving as treasurer, he was also postmaster, express agent, and bookkeeper for Milner & Co. In 1884 and 1886, he was engaged in the mercantile business in Columbi- ana, and in the latter year, he was elected clerk of the circuit court of Shelby county; during his term of office, he made a brilliant reputation for himself, and on this account was elected for a second term, by the democratic party, without opposition. Mr. Milner is himself an uncom- promising democrat, and has always been trusted by the members of that party. He is also a consistent Presbyterian. In 1868, he was married to Mary R. McWhorter, a daughter of John McWhorter, who was a soldier in the late war, from beginning to end. By his marriage to Miss Mc- Whorter, Mr. Milner is the father of four children, viz .: Ellen, Henry, John and Anna. Mrs. McWhorter was born and raised in Alabama, and is a very fine lady.
H. M. MILLSTEAD, a prominent citizen of Columbiana, was born in Shelby county, Ala., September 15, 1845. He is a son of William and Jennie ( Leonard ) Millstead. William Millstead was a native of Ala- bama. His early life was spent on the farm, but he served an appren- ticeship at the stone mason's trade, which trade he followed for several years, in connection with farming. He was a class leader in the Method- ist Episcopal church, south, and he was known throughout the country as an earnest church worker and and a liberal supporter of religion. He remained on the farm during his entire life, dying at the age of seventy- . four. His wife was a daughter of James Leonard and was also a native of Alabama. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and lived to be sixty-five years of age. H. M. Millstead was reared upon the farm, and received a limited education. In 1863, when but eighteen years old, he enlisted in the Seventh Alabama cavalry, under Capt. C. S.
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Mottier, but was on detached duty most of the time, serving until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Shelby county and began farming, which he continued until 1870, when he engaged in several dif- ferent kinds of business until 1874. He then removed to Columbiana and became engaged in the grocery business, which he continued five years. He then embarked in the steam gin and milling business, which he has since continued. He began in life without a dollar, and it was only by the most rigid economy that he was enabled to succeed. He now has a fine piece of ground of sixteen acres and a beautiful home, which is sur- rounded with all the comforts of life. He deserves great credit for his rise in the world, and his life may be pointed to as an example to the young men of the day. His education was sadly neglected on account of the war, but after the war he applied himself, and he is now well informed on all general subjects. For the past twenty-four years he has been an ' earnest student of theology, takes great interests in the work of the church, and is a local minister of reputation. He has served as a mis- sionary supply and has a regular appointment, which he has been filling since the beginning of the year. In 1865. he married Mary J. Johnson, daughter of John and Mary ( Nelson ) Johnson, both of Irish parentage. From this marriage there were born five children, four of whom are now living, viz. ; John W., James F., Lulu and Mary Emma. Their mother died in January, 1880, and in 1880, Mr. Millstead married for his second wife, Olive Price, daughter of William and Sarah ( Robinson ) Price. By this marriage Mr. Millstead is the father of five children, Henry A., Ethel, Mamie, Edgar and Nena. Their mother was born and reared in Shelby county. Mr. Millstead is a Mason, and the proprietor of the only grist mill in Columbiana. His family stands high in social position.
HENRY C. Moss, one of the leading business men of Calera, Ala., was born in Talladega county, August 21, 1847. He is a son of William and Drucilla (Ferrell) Moss. William Moss was a native of Virginia, came to Alabama at an early day and settled in Shelby county, where he remained until after his marriage. He moved to Texas in 1865, remained there two years, and returned to his old home in 1867. He then removed to Talladega county, there remaining until his death. He had five sons in the late war, four of whom gave up their lives for the lost cause. Mrs. Moss was a native of Shelby county. Henry C. Moss was raised in Talladega county, and lived there until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he removed to Calera and began merchandising. This was in 1874. As his father had lost everything by the war, he was obliged to commence with nothing but his own energies and pluck. By close appli- cation to business he soon began to accumulate property, and in 1876 he erected a gin and mill in Calera, to which he afterward added a flouring and grist mill, which he has conducted in connection with his merchan- dising up to the present time. He also manages a farm, which is under a high state of cultivation, and is one of the best improved farms in the
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county. In 1872 he married Mary E. Parker, daughter of Elijah and . Susan (Bowles) Parker. Mr. Parker came from Georgia to Alabama with his widowed mother at an early day, and when the war came on enlisted in the Confederate army. Henry C. Moss, by his marriage with Miss Parker, became the father of six children, five of whom are now living: Walter, Robert, Augustus, Lucia and George P. Their mother was born in Louisiana, but was raised partly in Talladega county, Ala. She died December 15, 1891, and was a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Her last words were, "Blessed Jesus." Mr. Moss is an active member of the Missionary Baptist church. He is a faithful and hard worker in all church and Sunday school work, and his services in these lines were so far recognized as to lead to his being made superintendent of the Sunday school, which position he held for three years. Though he has always affiliated with the democratic party, yet he has never aspired to office. He is a man who is highly esteemed by all the community, and deserv- edly so, for his greatest ambition is to do good, and labors to accomplish this mainly in connection with religious work.
JOHN W. PITTS, a prominent farmer of Shelby county, was born in Dallas county, Ala., August 5th, 1836. He is a son of Noel and Clara (Dunn) Pitts. Noel Pitts was a native of North Carolina, came to Dallas county in 1833, and died in Selma in 1874. He was one of the leading farmers of the county during his life time. John W. Pitts was raised on the farm, but at the age of sixteen he began civil engineering, which profession he followed five years. His education was secured at Sum- merfield, where he attended school seven years. In 1859 he married Calvinia Condon, daughter of Calvin and Louisa (Singleton) Condon. By her he was the father of three childern, viz .: Lulu, wife of W. H. Kidd; John S. and Claude. Their mother died April 19, 1865. On April 2, 1867, he married Carrie H. Pitts, daughter of Giles C. and Mary F. (Adams) Pitts, by whom he had four children, viz .: Peyton T., Giles and E. D., beside one deceased. The mother of these children was born September 21, 1838, and died August 19, 1880. Mr. Pitts then married on September 10, 1882, Miss Mary L. Creswell, daughter of Samuel and Louisa (Walton) Creswell, who were among the early settlers in this state. By this marriage Mr. Pitts has three children, Walter C., Zemula W. and Clara L. Their mother was born in October. 1848, and died December 31, 1890. In August, 1861, Mr. Pitts enlisted in company I, Eighteenth Alabama infantry, but as he was colonel of the state militia, he was ordered to return to his command. In March, 1962. he organized company K, Thirty-first Alabama infantry, and entered the field as its captain. He served as captain of the company until December. 1862, when he met with an accident which caused him to resign and return to his home. In December, 1863, he organized company C, Sixty-second Alabama infantry, again entering the service as captain, holding the position until January, 1864, when he was elected major, and served as
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major until the close of the war. Among the severest battles in which he was engaged may be named Spanish Fort, Tazewelt and Murfreesboro. In April, 1865, he was taken prisoner and taken to Ship Island, where he remained until the close of the war. After returning to his home he began farming, a vocation he has followed ever since. He represented Shelby county in the legislature in 1878-79, but has never since accepted a nomination for any office. He is a member of the Masonie fraternity and of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Pitts is a member of what is called the third or peoples' party, is one of its recognized leaders, and it was through his earnest efforts that the party was organized in Shelby county. He has since that time been an earnest supporter of its principles. It is always true of new movements that they are at first unpopular, but this movement has passed through its first unpopular stage, and has resulted in a permanent political party in the southern and western states. Whether it can ever secure the control of the several state governments, however, has not yet been demonstrated. But it must necessarily serve . to modify and change to a considerable extent the ideas and principles of the other parties, and to the extent that this shall be accomplished, will credit be due to John W. Pitts.
JOHN B. RANDALL, a prominent lime manufacturer of Calera, Ala., was born in Montevallo, Ala., March 25, 1832. He is a son of Benjamin F. and Nancy H. (Wilson) Randall. The former was a native of North Carolina, born September 6, 1806. He ran away from home when twelve years of age, and came to Shelby county, Ala., where he began herding cattle. He afterward became engaged in farming and the stock business, which he followed until his death in 1860. In 1834, he was elected sheriff of Shelby county, and also at other times, four times in all. He was accidentally killed July 3, 1860. The paternal grandfather of John B. Randall was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Randall, his mother, was a native of Virginia. Her father, Benjamin F. Wilson, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father was a soldier of the Revolution. John B. Randall was raised in Shelby county, Ala., received a fair common school education, and on January 9, 1883, married Minnie K. Nelson, daughter of Alexander and Mary E. (Powell) Nelson. Her father, was a native of Tennessee, and removed to Alabama in 1836, set- tling in Montevallo and following farming the rest of his life. To the marriage of Mr. Randall with Miss Nelson there were born five .children: Herman Hendrix (deceased), Millia B., Nannie E .; Johnnie L., and Minnie B. Their mother was born in Montevallo, in October. 1857. Both Mr. and Mrs. Randall are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and are liberal supporters of and take great interest in both church and Sunday school work. At first, he began life as a farmer, and on October 3, 1880. he went on the road as a traveling sales- man, and in the fall of 1883 he became engaged in the manufacture of lime at Hales's Kiln, three miles west of Calera, Ala., in which busi-
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