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 43
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of three children by her first husband and five by her second husband, of whom three only are now living, the eldest of whom, John A., is a progressive and leading resident of Meridian, Miss., and projector of the first cotton oil mill at that place, and now superintendent of all the com- pany's mills in Mississippi. When a mere boy of thirteen he joined the state troops, and served for a time at Pensacola in 1861, and then returned and joined the Forty-first Mississippi infantry, attached to the army of the Tennessee, in which he served until during the Georgia cam- paign, when he was furloughed home from Dalton for a short time. His father then took advantage of the circumstances and had him released on a writ of habeas corpus, and placed him in his (the father's) command. At LaFayette, Ga., John A. was captured by the enemy in 1864, and confined at Camp Morton, Ind., until the close of the war, and when he was released, reached his home one day after his father did. In 1857, Warner H. Lewis married Eliza Canterbury, who died in 1861, leaving three children, two of whom, Pinckney and Samuel, are still living. Mr. Lewis next married Miss Paralee Canterbury, a sister of his late wife, and this lady died in 1878, the mother of six children, viz. : Marselous B. engaged in railroad business; Floyd G., a lawyer of Meridian. Miss .; Paul A., a machinist of the same city ; Howard E. ; Warner Louis, Jr., a sea- faring man; Essie and Anna. In December 1878, Mr. Lewis chose for his .. present wife Mrs. Kittie J. Davis, née Allen. Mr. Lewis was formerly a Freemason and an Odd Fellow, and for many years a member of the Baptist church, but now, with his wife, worships with the undenomina- tional and unsectarian Holiness people.
DR. JOSEPH T. NASH, a native of Livingston, Sumter county, Ala., was born March 24, 1858, and is a son of Judge Preston Garland and Lam (Whitfield) Nash, who were respectively born in Virginia in 1829, and Nash county, N. C., in 1822. Both these parents were brought to Alabama while, yet children and were here married. Judge Nash was was one of the most prominent public men and lawyers of his day. He was probate judge before the Civil war, and during the progress of that struggle was attorney for the southern district of Alabama under the Confederate government. His death took place at Livingston in 1883, and he was followed to the grave by his widow in 1885. The father of the judge, Daniel Nash, early came to Alabama from Virginia, and after passing a short time in Sumter county, went to Arkansas, but in a few years returned to Virginia, where he and wife passed the remainder of their days. The father of Mrs. Lam (Whitfield) Nash also removed to Alabama and died there at an early day. Several of his sons rose to distinction-one, Arthur, becoming governor of the state; another, Philip, was a prominent merchant at Columbus, Tex. Dr. Joseph T. Nash is the third son in a family of eight children, viz. : Rev. Preston Nash, rec- tor of the Episcopal church in Richmond, Va., is a graduate of Emory and Henry college, and served in the Confederate army during the late.
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-SUMTER COUNTY.
war; Eva, the wife of A. W. Cockrell, a distinguished lawyer of Jack- sonville, Fla .; Dr. Joseph T., of Sumter county, Ala .; Augustus C., is chief clerk of the International Railway company at Monterey, Mex .; Dr. Daniel is a skillful dentist of Jackson, Miss .; Price Williams is an expert bookkeeper; Nata is the wife of John King Edmondson, of Meridian, Miss. Dr. Joseph T. Nash received his early education in Livingston. read medicine with Dr. R. H. Arrington of the same place, and in 1876-77 attended the Alabama Medical college at Mobile, was too young to receive a diploma, and traveled until he was of age, and in 1880 graduated from the medical college at Louisville, Ky .; since which time he has been actively practicing in Livingston, Ala. In 1891 he married Miss Lizzie, daughter of John and Lou McGowan, both of whom died when Mrs. Nash was a little girl. She was educated at Pulaski, Tenn., under the care of her uncle, who was principal of the college. The practice of the doctor is already a lucrative one, and he is being recognized as the most skillful physician and surgeon in the county.
HON. SAMUEL H. SPROTT, judge of the circuit court in the sixth judi- cial circuit of Alabama, was born in Sumter county, his present home, June 24, 1840, a son of Robert and Mary (Bothwell) Sprott. His parents were born in Ireland, and were of Scotch-Irish lineage, and were Scotch Presbyterians. They came to the United States in 1838, and one year later found their way to Alabama, settling in Sumter county, where they ended their days. Unto these parents were born three sons and two daughters. Of these children, Samuel H. and the daughters are still liv- ing. The three sons participated in the Civil war as Confederate sol- diers. One was killed in battle, 1864; another died a few years after the close of the war, Samuel H. went into the army as a private, and in the fall of 1863 he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and soon after was made captain of company A, Fortieth Alabama regiment, under Gen. Joe Johnston, with Brig .- Gen. Alpheus Baker. As captain of this company, Judge Sprott surrendered at the close of hostilities at Salis- bury, N. C., being at that time in the brigade of Gen. E. W. Pettus. The parents of Judge Sprott were poor, the father a farmer, but they were unable to give their children the best of educational advantages. Young Sprott first attended the country schools, and then attended the Barton academy of Mobile; when the war came on he had gained a fair academ- ical education, and upon the close of the war he began school teaching, which became a stepping stone to the profession of the law, and to a brilliant career as an advocate, and to distinction as a judge. Soon after the war he began the study of law, to which predilection lead him. To his character of mind, the profession of law has proven well adapted. In 1867 he was admitted to the bar, and at once became a partner at Living- ston, Ala., in the practice of law with Maj. (now Chancellor) Cobbs, of Alabama, who was his preceptor in the law. The partnership with Maj. Cobbs was discontinued in 1871, and for two years thereafter Mr. Sprott
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
and W. G. Little, Jr., were partners. From 1875 to 1883, Mr. Sprott and J. J. Altman were associated together in the practice of their profession. In March of the latter year'Mr. Sprott was appointed judge of the sixth judicial circuit of Alabama, to succeed Judge W. S. Mudd, who had resigned that office. In 1886. Judge Sprott was elected to the same judgeship, defeating Judge James B. Head, now of the supreme court of Alabama. In 1892, he was renominated and elected without opposition. His continuance in office is cited as an evidence of his popularity with the people, and with the practitioners of law, and by the profession he is regarded as fair, impartial and profound, and perhaps there is not a more learned and popular circuit judge than he in Alabama. It is much to the credit of the judge that, though he began in life under somewhat adverse circumstances, by means of close study, integrity, together with a legal mind. he has advanced to a high station as a jurist. In 1868 the judge was fortunate in securing in marriage the hand of Miss Leonora Brockway, daughter of Dr. A. E. Brockway, of Gaston. Ala. To the marriage have been born two sons and four daughters. Of his daughters, the eldest is the wife of Hon. T. L. Long, of Walker county, who was a Cleveland and Stevenson elector in 1892. Judge Sprott is a member of the Old School Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. He is a royal arch Mason, and is high priest of his commandery at Livingston. As a speaker Judge Sprott is logical, forcible and learned; and is no less talented as a writer, and particularly in history has he manifested inter- est and deep research. He is a leading member of the Sumter County Historical society, and has done much to compile and preserve an inter- esting record of the events of his native county.
DR. H. B. WARD, a rising physician and surgeon of Cuba, Ala., and still in the very prime of life, was born in what is now Hale county, Ala., in 1852. His parents, Solomon and Ann (Hall) Ward, were natives of North Carolina, born respectively in 1810 and 1821, came to Alabama when young, were reared in Hale county, and in 1857 settled in Sumter county, where Solomon died in 1874. The father of Solomon was Solo- mon, son of Enoch Ward, a colonel in the Revolutionary war, and for his services in that heroic struggle, received a large grant of land, located where Nashville, Tenn., now stands. By birth, he was a Scotchman. James Hall, the maternal grandfather of the doctor. came from North Carolina to Alabama, when a young man, followed farming as a vocation, and died in 1835. The wife of Solomon Ward is still living, the mother of ten children, three of whom died in infancy; David S., a merchant, served as a Confederate soldier throughout the late war. He first married Miss Tommie Holmes, deceased. He afterward married Miss Mollie Hall; Fannie, wife of Capt. J. H. Holmes; James W., a drug- gist, who married Miss Hattie Rew; Dr. Henry B .; Charlie, deceased. also a merchant, was married to Miss Fannie May; Lizzie married to R. Y. Rew; Annie married to W. E. McGowen, a merchant
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-SUMTER COUNTY.
of Cuba. Dr. Ward was reared on a farm in Sumter county. In 1878, he graduated from the Medical college of Alabama, at Mobile. His first year's practice was had at Intercourse; since then it has been at Cuba, where he has also been a merchant, and where he has large farming interests. He is one of the counselors of the State Medical association, once served as president of the county Medical society, and was the first mayor of Cuba, Ala .. and is recognized equally by his professional brethren, and the public, as an able and reliable physician. In 1877, the doctor married Miss Laura Dean, a native of Sumter county, and daughter of Nathan Dean, deceased. This lady died in 1883, and in 1886, the doctor chose as his second spouse, Miss Mollie Davis, a daugh- ter of Thomas Davis, of Warrior. Ala .. deceased. She was born in Lin- den, Clarke county, Ala., and graduated from Judson institute, at Marion, in 1885. The family are highly esteemed, and move in the best society , of Sumter county.
DR. DAVID H. WILLIAMS, a prominent retired physician of Gaines- ville, Ala., was born in Greene county, Ala., October 25, 1827, the son of Benjamin and Edna (Hitt) Williams, who were born in Beaufort district, S. C., in 1797, and Lawrence district in 1806, respectively. In 1818, a young man of twenty-one years, Mr. Williams came to try his fortunes in Tuscaloosa county. Mrs. Williams came with her parents to Greene county, where Mr. Williams and she were married and spent the remain - der of their lives. She died in 1862, and he in 1880. They had both been connected with the Methodist church since 1824, and were active in their Christian duties in connection therewith. He was a well-to-do farmer, and was a captain of the state militia at its first organization, and for many years thereafter, and was a justice of the peace for forty' years. He was a man of high character, and his reputation among his neighbors was that of a general arbitrator and peacemaker, and in private and pub- lic spheres alike, he was regarded as a man of marked usefulness. His father was also named Benjamin Williams, and was a distinguished sol- dier of Virginia, being a colonel in the United States army; he was sent on military duty to South Carolina, and was killed in an engagement with hostile Indians near the Savannah river in 1797, a few months prior to the birth of his son who bore his name. It is related that he was killed by a wounded squaw, who lay upon the field crying for water, and upon the approach of Col. Williams with the coveted draught, she shot him with a bow and arrow. He was of English parentage, and his wife was Miss Mary Abercrombie, of a distinguished Irish family. After the death of her husband she removed to Tennessee, and thence to Pickens county, Ala., where she died. David. Hitt, the maternal grandfather of Dr. David H. Williams, was born in South Carolina, and, about 1874, came to Greene county, Ala., where he died, aged ninety-three years. His wife was Jane Meek, who died many years before. He was a man of large family, a planter and great hunter. Dr. Williams had a younger
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MEMORIAL, RECORD OF ALABAMA.
brother who was a distinguished Methodist divine, and was at one time presiding elder of the Tallahassee (Fla.) district. He raised a company in 1861, and was made major of one of the first Florida regiments, and was wounded through the lungs at the first battle of Bull Run; before recovering he returned to his command, was taken sick, returned home and died. The three sisters who lived to womanhood were Mary C. A., widow of James C. Bissell; Jane Meek, wife of Rev. S. M. Adams, a Methodist minister of California, and Isabella Edna, wife of Abram S. Adams, a Methodist minister. Dr. David H. Williams had his academic training at a preparatory school in Alabama, and took a three years' course at the South Carolina Medical college, at Charleston, graduating in 1851. After several months spent in the hospital at Charleston, his health became impaired and he went back to his home in Greene county, where he practiced successfully until 1857, when he decided to take , up his home in Gainesville, where he practiced medicine and surgery until 1862, and where he has since resided. At the opening of the war, after aiding the Confederacy in several conspicuous ways, he raised a com- pany, of which he was made captain, was assigned to Armistead's cav- alry, fought through the campaigns until the close of the war, and after the fall of Atlanta made a feint on Rome, which detained Sherman, and gave Hood an opportunity to get well on his way to Tennessee. They were afterward ordered to Mobile, where they fought for several months. Dr. Williams was a gallant soldier and officer, and was made, in consid- eration of meritorious services and professional ability, a full surgeon of the brigade, and was never once derelict in his military or professional duties. After the war, Dr. Williams resumed his practice, but has never accepted any compensation for his services. In 1872, he went to Mexico and engaged in speculating in real estate, and now owns half a million acres there, where he spends most of his time looking after his stock-
raising interests. He also has quite an apple orchard in Howell county, Mo. He has traveled throughout the south and west, and has acquired a large fund of information as to the resources of the country. He is genial, neighborly and kind, and has realized a large measure of . success in all the undertakings of his life. He was married, in 1853, to Eugenia Floride, daughter of Aquilla and Elizabeth (Tutt) Hutton, natives of South Carolina, but who spent most of their lives in Alabama. Dr. Hutton was a successful physician. Dr. Aquilla Hutton's father was Gen. Joseph Hutton, who married Nancy Calhoun, first cousin of the illustri- ous John C. Calhoun. Gen. Hutton came from South Carolina to Greene county, Ala., about the year 1822, where he died two years after. Mrs.
Williams was born in Greene county, and is the mother of seven children, four of whom died very young, and the three following survive: Judge Eugene, a prominent lawyer of Waco, Tex., for several years on the Waco circuit bench, graduated from Lexington (Va.) Military institute, and graduated in law from the university of Virginia; Dr. David H., now
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-TALLADEGA COUNTY.
a professor in the medical college at Knoxville, Tenn., graduated first from Vanderbilt university, and afterward in medicine from Bellevue Med- ical college, at New York, with first honors; Gesner, a prominent lawyer of Demopolis, Ala., graduated from Lexington Military institute, Virginia, and in law from the university of Virginia. Dr. Williams is a master, and a chapter, Mason, and he and his wife have been active members of the Methodist church for forty years. He has never sought office or pub- lic favor whatsoever. He is a faithful worker for, and exponent of, the democratic party.
TALLADEGA COUNTY.
JOHN T. ADAMS. one of the oldest citizens of Talladega, was born in Winchester, Franklin county, Tenn., May 25, 1833, and is a son of, John M. and Frances (McLaughlin) Adams, the former of whom was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to America in 1816. He was by occupa- tion a machinist, and built one of the first cotton factory's in the state of Tennessee. He met his death by being bitten by a rattlesnake. His wife was a native of Donegal, Ireland, but was married in Glasgow, Scot- land, in 1815. At the death of her husband, his partner swindled her out of every dollar that should have passed to her from the business, leaving her penniless with six children to support. She almost immediately afterward, in November,, 1833, took her family to Alabama, and settled in Talladega, where she lived the rest of her life. She was a good and industrions woman, and true to her children. She was well educated, and was an expert with the needle, and, with her needle, earned support for some years, for her family. In 1837, she was married to William Kating. · who was a good husband to her, and a kind and indulgent father to her children. She lived to the good old age of eighty-six. John T. Adams was raised in Talladega. His education in early life was almost entirely neglected, from the necessities of the case. When, however, he was old enough, he worked and earned money with which he paid his expenses at school, and in this way managed to pick up a smattering of knowledge of things necessary for him to know in practical life. In 1850, he began to work at the wagon and carriage maker's trade, after serving his apprenticeship, he went to Montgomery, and there he worked at his trade for two years, he then went to Lowndes county, where he worked two years more at his trade, then returned to Talledega again, and attended school for two years. He then entered into contract with Rhodes, Cot ton & Co., carriage and wagon manufacturers, of Talladega, with whom he remained seven years. In 1855, he was married to Miss Charlotte Miller, the daughter of William and Rebecca Miller. After his marriage he bought a small tract of land in the woods, about two miles from town, and, after working at his trade during the day, cleared, fenced and improved forty acres of land, working by torch light at night, After
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA
two years he sold this place he had improved, and bought another, four and one-half miles from town, at which place he was living when the war came on, when he was one of the first to enlist, becoming a member of company G, Thirty-first Alabama infantry, under Capt. William S. Cat- . man, serving through the war. At first he was a private soldier, but soon was appointed drill master, and afterward color bearer, and while in this position, had the flag several times shot out of his hands. He was then commissioned second lieutenant, and served through the defense of Vicksburg and was captured there. He was afterward captured, the second time, at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., after which he was taken to Johnsons Island, in Lake Erie, where be was held nearly .one year a prisoner. Except while he was in prison, he was with his company dur- ing all of its engagements. After the war was over, he returned home to his family, and began life anew, having lost all he had accumulated, prior to the long and bloody conflict. He at once began work at his trade, manufacturing carriages, wagons, etc., on his own account, and continued at this for sixteen years, during a portion of this time, however, being also engaged in merchandising. After sixteen years as a manufacturer of vehicles, he discontinued this part of his business, but came before his trade as a dealer in the carriage and wagon business, he the same time carrying on the dry goods and grocery business. In these lines he has been very successful, and is still engaged in following them. To his marriage with Miss Miller, ten children have been born, eight of whom are living, viz. : William J., Laura A., wife of W. R. Huey; Junious O., Frances R., wife of Dr. W. F. Slaughter; Virgil L., Marvin R., Renna I. and John T. Jr. The mother of these children was born in Pendleton district, S. C., but was raised in Talladega. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Mr. Adams has been alderman of the city of Talladega several years, is a democrat, and has always taken an active interest in politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is a chapter Mason, and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge. He has been collecting steward in his church for twenty-five years. He is one of the leading citizens of the county, and although he began without property, and then had his accumulations once scattered by the war, yet he is now one of the most substantial citizens of the county, all of which shows what it is possible to do, by persistent industry, and well directed efforts, in a country where men of industry and effort are free to follow the bent of their inclinations. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams are highly useful members of society, and are both highly respected and esteemed.
C. G. ALMAND, a most worthy citizen of Talladega, was born in Atlanta, Ga., in 1847. He was a son of Azman R. and Jane (Hayes) Almand, the former of whom was a Baptist minister for twenty-five years of his life, and managed a large plantation in connection therewith. C. G. Almand was reared on the farm, and had but limited educational
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-TALLADEGA COUNTY. 941
advantages, bacause of the breaking out of the war when he was only fourteen years of age. In 1863 he enlisted in company I, Second Georgia state troops, and served until Lee's surrender. He had fought in some very severe engagements, being with Gen. Johnston on his great retreat, fighting at Kennesaw Mountain and at Marietta, and in the skirmishing down to Atlanta. At Atlanta he was taken sick and furloughed home. While he was in the severe battles mentioned and others, beside many skirmishes, he was wounded only once, and then but slightly, and had his clothing shot through on several occasions. After the war he returned to Georgia, and began life as a farmer. In 1871 he married Mrs. Ada C. (Rainey) Cox, daughter of Etheldredge and Elizabeth (Johnson) Rainey, both of whom were natives of Georgia. To this,marriage of C. G. Almand there were born three children, viz. : Albert R., Estelle and Harry. The mother of these children was raised in Georgia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Almand are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and Odd Fellows. In 1881 he removed to Talladega and established himself in the lumber business. He munufactures his own lumber, having a large saw mill, and employing twelve men. Mr. Almand is one of Talladega's best citizens, throughly honest and reliable in every way.
S. W. BEAVERS, a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Talladega county, was born in this county, July 27, 1855 .- He is a son of M. W. and Emily ( Cunningham ) Beavers, the former of whom was born in Saint Clair county, February 22, 1822. His education was limited and he devoted his life to farming. He served as justice of the peace for several years in the early days. He was a Mason and a Baptist. He was a son of Major and Melvina ( Clack ) Beavers, both of whom were native's of Tennessee. The mother of S. W. Beavers was a daughter of Samuel and Miss ( Jent ) Cunningham. The father of S. W. Beavers cleared up a farm in the woods on the Coosa river, and lived on this farm for many years. In 1872, Mr. S. W. Beavers married Miss Virginia Morgan, daughter of Philander and Martha ( Ragland ) Morgan, by whom he had five children, four of whom are living, viz .: Spencer, Cather- ine B., Winston and Myrtis. The mother of these children was born in 1865, and was reared in Talladega, her native county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beavers are members of the Baptist church. He received but limited education and, like his father, has devoted his atten- tion to farming. He now owns 780 acres of good land, a large portion of which is under a high state of cultivation, showing that Mr. Beavers is one of the progressive farmers of the county, where he is well known and highly respected by all who know him.
A. W. BELL, one of the most prominent business men of Lincoln, Ala., was born in Chester, S. C., in 1841. . He is a son of George W. and Jeannette (Curry) Bell, both of whom were natives of South 55*
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