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 44
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Carolina. George W. Bell was born in 1800, and was a son of John and Mary Bell. Grandfather Bell was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and George W. Bell was one of the leading politicians of the day. He was an uncompromising democrat, and one of the strongest nullifiers of his time. He was always a farmer, and was regarded as authority on all subjects connected with farming. He was a member of the Baptist church. The mother of A. W. Bell was a daughter of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Curry, both of whom were of Scotch-Irish descent. A. W. Bell was reared in his native state until he reached his fourteenth year, when he came with his widowed mother to Alabama, she settling in Lincoln, Talledega county in 1856. Here she remained until her death in 1866. She was a member of the Baptist church, took great interest in the church, and did the best she could to live a religious life. She was always a great help to those who were afflicted, and when any one was sick in the neighborhood the first thing to be done was to send for Mrs Bell, who was always ready to go to the bedside of the sick and minister to their necessities. The education of her son was very materially shortened by the war. At the age of eighteen he left school and enlisted in company E, Tenth Alabama infantry, under Capt. John J. Woodward. in 1862, and served until the close of the war. He was in some very hard-fought battles, among them the second Manassas, Gettys- burg, and the Wilderness, beside many smaller engagements. At the second battle of Manassas he was wounded, and also at the battle of the Wilderness, his cartridge box saving his life the first time, and his blanket the second. After the war, he returned to Lincoln, and accepted a posi- tion in the store of David Anderson, at Talladega, remaining there about one year. He then went to Mobile, and formed a partnership with J. M. Renfroe, and engaged in the commission and forwarding business. Soon afterward, he returned to Lincoln, and purchased half interest in the business conducted by Hardin & Ragland, purchasing Mr. Ragland's interest on time. Until 1872, this firm, named Hardin & Bell, conducted a large and prosperous business, when the firm was dissolved. By a .change then made, the name of the firm became Bell, Burnes & Gray, and this firm conducted the business until 1878, when Mr. Bell bought out his partners, and was alone in business until 1889. He then accepted as a partner, J. T. Law, and since then the firm name has been Bell & Law. In .November, 1870, Mr. Bell married Miss Nancy E. Coleman, daughter of Sidney and Elizabeth (Truss) Coleman. To this marriage there have been born six children, viz. : Minna, a graduate from Judson college; Katie, Charles R., French and Fred, twins, and William T. The mother . of these children was born in Saint Clair county, Ala., in 1854. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Baptist church, of which Mr. Bell has been a deacon for fifteen years. He is also a great Sunday-school worker, and has been superintendent many years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a worthy citizen of the county, and highly
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respected by all who know him. It should have been stated that he was one of the organizers of the Anniston Mercantile company, and has been its president since 1888.
T. J. BREWER, postmaster at Lincoln, Talladega county, is one of the oldest pioneers of the state of Alabama. He was born in Clarke county, Ala., in 1820, and remained in that county until he was eleven years of age. He then lived in Dallas county three years, and then went to Wilcox county and remained there one year. He then removed to Talladega county and settled at Estaboga, where he remained one year. He then removed to Lincoln and has since lived in beat No. 1, Talladega county. He was a son of James L. and Margaret A. (Walker) Brewer, the former of whom was born in Wilkes county. Ga., in 1795, was a soldier under Gen. Jackson, was in the battles of Talladega, Horseshoe, and Fort Mims. He was at the great battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815. He was discharged at Mobile, and remained there about four years, when the family, with the exception of T. J., removed to Mississippi, in which state the father and mother both died. T. J. Brewer never attended school but one day in his life. This was not, however, his inten- tion, for he started to school one Monday morning, intending to go for a considerable time; but he got into a fight with another boy and had to leave. Although his school days were so exceedingly short, yet he improved his time as well as he could privately, and became well informed upon all subjects of general interest, and a good business man. His father, James L. Brewer. was a son of Lewis and Mrs. (Reaves) Brewer, both of whom were of Welsh descent. The mother of T. J. Brewer was a daughter of Thomas and Rosanna (Davidson) Walker, both natives of Ireland, and who came from Chesterfield district, S. C., to Alabama in 1818. In 1819 Mr. Brewer's father was married, and in 1820 T. J. was born, as stated at the beginning of this sketch. The maternal grandfather was born on the voyage across the Atlantic from Ireland. The ship on which his parents sailed was cast away and they were about eight months in reaching America. On December 18, 1839, at night Mr. Brewer stole his wife and ran away, being married the same night to her; she was Miss Martha Jane Clark, daughter of Abner and Lucinda G. (Rosemond) Clark, both of whom were natives of South Carolina, and he came to Alabama in 1833. Abner Clark was a son of Matthew and Abagail (Baldwin) Clark. To Mr. Brewer's marriage with Miss Clark. there were born ten children, four sons and six daughters. Two of the children . died in childhood. and seven lived to mature years, viz .: Elizabeth P., James A., Margaret L., Lavinia, H. J., Thomas A., Laura B., and Mattie G. The mother of these children was born in Chesterfield district, S. C., November 11. 1820, became a member of Methodist Episcopal church in 1840 and lived consistently with the teachings of that church until her death, October 24, 1889. Mr. Brewer joined the church in 1848, and has been steward and class leader forty-seven years, with the same church
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and with the same class. He served as justice of the peace in beat No
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- for seventeen years consecutively, and never had an appeal taken to a higher court. The first vote Mr. Brewer cast was for William Henry Harrison for the presidency in the year 1840; the next was for Henry Clay in 1844, and from that time on he voted for every whig candidate for the presidency until 1860, when he voted for Bell, of Tennessee. It will thus be seen that Mr. Brewer was an uncompromising old line whig and never voted any other ticket. He opposed secession and so voted; but when Alabama seceded he could not leave his native state. He then did what he could for the Confederacy, except going into active service. He was over age at the beginning of the war and what he did afterward to keep out of the service was done honorably. His eldest son enlisted when about seventeen years old and fought all through the war, in Wheeler's cavalry, till the surrender. One of Mr. Brewer's sons-in-law also fought for the Confederacy, enlisting in the Thirtieth Alabama regiment of infantry. He was killed at the battle of Baker's Creek, just before the siege of Vicksburg, Miss. He was appointed by President Harrison postmaster of Lincoln, and now has held this office three years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined in 1847, and served as worshipful master seventeen years. He owns a large planta- tion, which he has conducted in connection with his other business. His trade is that of a machinic, at which he worked from 1844 until 1867, since when he has devoted himself to other lines of business. He is one of the leading citizens of the county, and has the esteem of all who know him.
THEODORE R. BURNS, one of the pioneer settlers of Talladega county. was born in Saint Clair county, in 1823. He is a son of Benjamin and Susan (Smith) Burns, both natives of South Carolina, but who came to Alabama in 1821, and settled in Saint Clair county, in the woods, on the public land. Here Mr. Burns cleared up a farm and remained until 1833, when he removed to Calhoun county and settled among the Indians, remaining three years, then coming to Talladega and settling at Easta- boga, where he remained until his death. He served as a soldier in the . war of 1812. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. The paternal grandfather of Theodore R. Burns was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war for a short time, being killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. The mother of Theodore Burns was a daughter of James Smith, a native · of Scotland, who emigrated to Mississippi, where he lived the remainder of his days. Theodore R. Burns was reared from childhood in. Talladega county, and received but a limited education, attending school but five months in his life. In 1849 he married Adelaide Young, daughter of Henry Young, who was a native of Tennessee, and was with Gen. Jack- son in the battles of Talladega, Horseshoe and Fort Mims. The latter was a native of Mississippi, was a member of the Baptist church, and died in 1850. In 1851, Theodore R. Burns married Elizabeth Worthing-
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ton, daughter of Samuel and Terrissa (Gorman) Young. The former was a native of Tennessee, and was among the early settlers of Jefferson county, Ala. To the marriage of Mr. Burns and Miss Young were born five children, four of whom are living: Samuel P., Mary W., Robert B., and Fannie. The mother of these children was born in Alabama in 1834. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burns are members of the Baptist church. Theodore R. Burns followed his trade, that of a blacksmith, about thirty-five years. In 1864 he enlisted in company F. Fifty-first Alabama regiment, under Capt. N. D. Johnson, and served until February 14, 1865. After the war he returned home, all he had being a wife and four children, and an old cavalry mare. He first began to work at his trade, also renting some land which he managed in connection with, or in addition to, his trade. He continued in this way until he purchased a farm of his own and at the present time he is conducting what is known as an "eight horse farm." He is also interested in a store at Lincoln, having been in the mercantile business at Lincoln about seventeen years. At one time he was appointed commissioner of Talladega county by Gov. Seay, but declined the appointment in pursuance of his invariable rule not to accept office of any kind. He has been a Mason about forty-five years, and is also a member of the Golden Rule. He is one of the substantial and reliable citizens of Talladega, and few stand higher in the estimation of the general public.
JOSEPH E. CAMP, a prominent young farmer of Talladega county, was born on the farm on which he now lives, in 1850. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Cobbs) Camp, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, and the latter of Virginia. Joseph Camp came to Alabama in 1832, and bought the land where the town or Ironaton is now situated. Later he purchased and settled on the farm where Joseph E. Camp now resides. He was a son of Joseph Camp. He was married in 1833 and had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. His sons are all living. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Joseph E. Camp was reared on the farm where he now lives. The war coming when it did, his opportuni- ties for receiving an education were interfered with, and so his educa- tion was somewhat limited. After the war, on account of the liberation of the slaves. he was kept at home to work. He attended college, how- ever, a short time. In 1975 he married Miss Annie Hausard, daughter of Maston H. and Elizabeth (Mynnatt) Hausard. They were natives of Tennessee, but came to Alabama in 1859. Mr. Hausard was a soldier in the late war. He was captain of a company, having enlisted in 1861, and serving till he was wounded in 1863, and thereby rendered unfit for further active service. It is worthy of remark that all his relatives were in the Union army. To the marriage of Mr. Camp and Miss Hausard, there were born seven children, six of whom are living, viz .: Mamie, Maud, Lillie, Daisy, Knox and Sarah. The mother of these children was born in Alabama, January 13, 1859. She and her husband are members
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of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, royal arch degree, of the Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias and of the Knights of Honor. He joined the Masons in 1871, and in 1873 his father joined the same lodge, so that he had the pleasure of initiating his father into the mysteries of Masonry. He has been tax collector of Talledega county for eight years, having been first elected in 1584. filling the office to the satisfaction of his constituents, and being re-elected in 1888. He has always been an ardent democrat in politics, and a fearless advocate of its principles. He is now engaged largely in the milling business, besides managing his farm, conducting a large grist mill and cotton gin at McElderry station. He is also interested in a large mill at Talladega, which is a very prosperous concern. He has a very beautiful home, and is one of the prominent and successful young men of the county.
W. J. CANNON, a retired business man of Sylacauga, was born in Lauderdale county, Ala., October 5, 1839. He is a son of Jabez and Sarah (Reeder) Cannon, both natives of Newberry district, S. C., who came to Alabama in 1820, settling in Lauderdale county, where they opened up a farm, upon which Mr. Cannon died in 1867. He was a son of Daniel Cannon, who was one of the early settlers of South Carolina. W. J. Cannon was raised to manhood in his native county, received a good common school education, at the age of fifteen began the superin tendence of his father's farm, and continued thus engaged until 1859. He then went to Louisville, Ky., and there served as a clerk in Garvin, Bell & Co's store until April, 1861, when he enlisted in company D, Ninth Alabama infantry, serving in that regiment through the war. He 4 left home on May 5, 1861, and returned home May 5, 1865. He served in the company of Capt. Butler Huston, going out as fourth lieutenant and being promoted to the captaincy of his company before the war closed. He was in A. P. Hill's corps under Gen. Robert E. Lee, and when Lee surrendered at Appomattox there were left but fifty-two of his regiment. He was always at his post of duty, although he was wounded · slightly on three different occasions. Among the battles he was in were the following: Seven Pines, Cold Harbor, Frazier's Farm, second Mannassas, Chancellorsville, Sharpburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Richmond, Petersburg, etc. After the war he returned home without a dollar in money, and had to work for money with which to buy changing clothes. He first began by selling goods on commission. In 1865 he borrowed some money and went into business at Artesia, Miss., remain- ing there six years. In 1873 he went to Mckenzie, Tenn., established himself in business there and remained until 1881. He then removed to Sylacauga and there continued in the mercantile business about three years, when he sold out and retired to the farm. In 1867 he married Mary E. Phillips, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Sadler) Phillips, the former of whom was a native of North Carolina, and was one of the leading Methodist Episcopal ministers of the state of Alabama. At the time of
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-TALLADEGA COUNTY.
of his death he had served probably more years in the ministry than any other man in the state. He died at the great age of ninety-three. To the marriage of Mr. Cannon with Miss Phillips there were born nine children, four of whom are living, as follows: W. Curtis, Mary E., Jabez P., and Willard J. Those who died were: Charles Q., Carrie, Reuben, one unnamed, and Ruth O. The mother of these children was born in Jeffer- son county, Ala., February 22, 1849, and died February 22, 1889. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. On March 20, 1890. Mr. Cannon married Katie L. Crumpler, daughter of Albert J. and Elizabeth Ann (Morris) Crumpler, both of whom are natives of Alabama. To this marriage there has been born one child, Sunie I. Mrs. Cannon was born and raised in Coosa and Talladega counties, Ala. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cannon are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. He was a Mason during the war, but since the war he neglected to keep up his connection with the order, and he has not renewed it to this time. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Cross. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cannon are useful and highly esteemed members of society.
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D. R. COLLIER, a prominent young business man of New Fayettville, was born October 15, 1860. He was reared in this country, and is the son of William and Melissa (Hood) Collier, both of whom were natives of Georgia. William Collier was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in a regiment of Alabama infantry. He enlisted in 1861 and served through the entire war. He was wounded once, the shot taking out a part of his back bone; but he survived the wound and is now one of the leading farmers of the county. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, and while he is not a member of any church, he is yet a liberal supporter of religion, as well as all other laudable causes and enterprises. The mother of D. R. Collier was reared in Georgia, and is a consistent member of the Baptist church. D. R. Collier was reared on a farm and received a good common school education. On November 25, 1883. he was married to Miss Ella Averiett, daughter of William Averiett, whose memoir appears in conjunction with this. Mrs. Collier was born and reared in Talladega county. After his marriage, Mr. Collier began farm- ing, an occupation which he has ever since continued to follow. In Sep- tember, 1891. he also engaged in the merchandising business in company with Wallace Averiett, and since then has done a good business., He is now one of the leading young business men of New Fayettville, and is everywhere recognized as a worthy citizen.
William A. Averiett, a prominent citizen of Alabama, was born in Lowndes county, July 17, 1830. He was a son of Benjamin and Sarah M ( Grubbs ) Averiett, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, born about 1805, and came to Alabama with his parents when about twelve years old. These parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth Averiett, were among the pioneer settlers of Alabama, and located in Autauga county, where Benjamin Averiett remained until his death. Benjamin Averiett,
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA.
the father of William A., removed from Autauga county to Lowndes county about 1828, and was one of the first settlers in the county. He made his way to the farm upon which he settled, through cane brakes, and unbroken forest, and when he came to a slough he would have to cut trees, roll them in and then put skid poles on top of the logs and slide the wagon over by hand, and then swim the team through the slough. The woods at this time were full of Indians and wild game, and at one time, when Mrs. Averiett was left at home with an old darkey, her husband being out in the field at work, a bear came near the house and caught a pet pig and carried it off. When Mrs. Averiett saw the bear carrying off her last pig, she, with true pioneer courage, seized a gun, followed the bear to the swamp, and when near enough, took deadly aim, and laid Mr. Bruin low. This was just three days before William A. was born, and when Mr. Averiett came home and heard all that had happened, he said to his wife: "Sarah, what in h-Il do you mean? One of these days I shall come to the house and find you killed!" She was a woman who knew no fear, and yet was of a gentle disposition, and a kind and indul- gent wife and mother. On another occasion, when she and the same old darkey woman were left alone in the house, the hounds chased a deer, bringing him to bay in the cow pen. Mrs. Averiett and the negro woman secured a plow line with which they lassoed the deer and tied him to a tree, where Mr. Averiett found him him upon coming home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Averiett were members of the Baptist church. Mr. Averiett was a Mason. He was one of the early traders with the Indians, keep- ing a store for that purpose., This store he conducted for several years. With this exception he was always a farmer. He was a man of great determination. It was said of him that he never undertook anything that he did not carry through. During the presidential campaign of 1860, Mr. Averiett was in favor of Douglas, and Gov. Fitzpatrick was for Breckinridge; a convention was held at which both were present, but a part of those present were for Douglas and a part for Breckinridge, the result being a disagreement. Mr. Averiett and Gov. Fitzpatrick were the leaders of the two sides, and they finally agreed to meet in a deer hunt, and the party that killed the fewest deer should support the candi- date of the other party. When the contest came off, as it did, almost according to agreement, Mr. Averiett's party killed thirteen deer to Gov. Fitzpatrick's party's six, and so won the contest. Mr. Averiett lived to the good old age of seventy-four. During the war he was too old to enter service, but he did become a member of the home guards. Will- iam A. Averiett was raised on the farm, received a good common school education, besides attending college at Selma, and began life for himself at eighteen years of age. He began on the farm where he now lives, and has been on this farm fifty-nine years. He is known as one of the most successful farmers in the county. In 1954 he married Margaret Hamil- ton, a daughter of Moses and Susan ( Maul ) Hamilton. By this marriage
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there were born three children, one of whom is now living, viz: Ella J., wife of D. R. Collier. The mother of Mrs. Collier was born in Lowndes county, was a member of the Baptist church, and died in 1860. On June 22, 1862, Mr. Averiett married, for his second wife, Mary A. Wallis, daughter of Daniel and Louisiana ( Welch ) Wallis. To this marriage were born a large family, six of whom are living, viz .: Lillian L., W. W., Ruby R., Mary F., Onela, and Benjamin W. The mother of these chil- dren was born in 1846, and reared in Talladega county. She is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Averiett is a member of the Masonic frater- nity .. He has always been a successful farmer, and is one of the leading democrats as well as one of the leading citizens of the county.
REV. THOMAS A. COOK, one of the pioneer teachers of Talladega county, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, in 1812. He was a son of Thomas and Maria (Cook) Cook, the former of whom was a sea cap- tain, and was lost at sea with his ship in 1815. He was lost on what he designed to be his last voyage, and he had promised his wife that when he returned, he would quit the sea. After Capt. Cook's death, his widow _determined to come to America. The first attempt to cross the Atlantic was frustrated by shipwreck in the English Channel; the second was defeated by shipwreck on the Isle of Man. In this disaster, the widow lost all her earthly possessions, except a looking-glass, which Rev. Thomas A. Cook now has in his possession, as a relic of heroism and disaster. The widow's third attempt was successful, and she landed at Charleston, S. C., in 1819, with her son. She had been educated in Scotland, and had there studied medicine; had been assisted to go through college by Mrs. Gladstone, and upon landing at Charleston, she began the practice of medicine, continuing to follow her profession till her death in 1857. Rev. Thomas A. Cook was educated, first at the schools of Charleston, second, by his mother, and in 1827, he entered Dr. Muhlen- berg's institute at Flushing, L. I., where he remained three years. While at this institute, he was known as No. 2, and has a silver cup with that number engraved thereon. Upon leaving the institute, Dr. Muhlenberg presented him with a small gold cross, requesting him to wear it in remembrance of his preceptor. M. Cook, in compliance with this request, put the cross on in 1829, and has worn it continuously ever since, a period of sixty-three years. After leaving Dr. Muhlenberg's institute, he entered the college at Charleston. S. C., where he completed his classical educa- tion. In 1831, he entered the Episcopal Theological seminary at Alex- andria, Va., remaining there three years. He then returned to South Carolina, and first directed his attention to the building of a church at Edgefield. During the illness of the rector, he took charge of a church at Buford, remaining about six months. He came to Alabama in 1836, settling in Florence, and was the pioneer Episcopal minister of Alabama. He built a church at Florence, and remained there three years, when he removed to La Fayette, Chambers county, where he organized a church
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