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 45
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and remained three years. He then removed to Forsyth, Monroe county, Ga., remaining about one year, and then to Decatur, Ala., where he remained two years. He then came to Talladega, erected a school for . young ladies, and taught this school for nearly thirty years. During his school teaching career, he and his wife have at times had as many as ninety pupils at the same time. In the latter part of 1874, he retired to the farm, where he now resides, and all the preaching he has done since that time has been without compensation. During his entire life, Mr. Cook has been a hard worker in the cause of religion and education. Dur- ing the war, he organized a company with a view to entering the active service of the Confederacy; but was taken ill and had to abandon the design. In 1834, he married Miss Ann Eliza Jones, daughter of Elias and Tabitha (Johnson) Jones. To this marriage there were born twelve chil- 1 dren, eight of whom are living, viz. : Maria Richard E., Julia, William A., Henry, Mary W., Florence V. and Nathaniel B. The mother of these children was born near Charleston, S. C., and, although brought up a Presbyterian, is now a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Cock is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is in full sympathy with the Scotch-Irish in this country. At a meeting of the Scotch-Irish, held at Atlanta, April 28, 1892, he was present, having got up from a sick bed to attend. Although he is now in the eightieth year of his age, he is remarkably strong, but says he is only waiting hopefully for the great change. While Mr. Cook has done much in the way of developing relig- ious sentiment, yet his greatest work has been in the way of the educa- tion of young ladies, he having done more in this cause than any other man in Talladega county.
RICHARD E. COOK, one of the leading citizens of Talladega county, was born in Lauderdale county, Ala., October 1, 1837. He is a son of Thomas A. and Ann Eliza (Jones) Cook, the former of whom was a native of Scotland, and came to the United States about 1820. Richard E. Cook was reared on the farm, and received a good common school education. On June 24, 1861, he enlisted in company E, Tenth Alabama infantry, under Capt. J. J. Woodward, and served during the war as a private soldier. At one time he had his gun barrel shot in two and a splinter of the stock driven into his thumb. The scar of this wound. which was the only one he ever received, still remains. After the war he returned to Talledega county and began farming. which he continued many years. On December 10, 1866, he married Miss Mary E. Landers, daughter of James M. D. and Melvina (Russell) Landers, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, and the latter of North Carolina. They removed to Talladega county in 1846. He served as a justice of the peace many years. To the marriage of Mr. Cook to Miss Landers, were born nine ' children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Thomas L., Annie E., William Hunter, Windsor Russell, Julian and Gustave. The mother of these children is a native of Georgia, and is a member of the Methodist Episco-
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pal church, south. Mr. Cook served some twenty-five years as a justice of the peace, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Although he began life with nothing, he now owns 1,500 acres of land, upon which he has an immense quantity of iron ore, and also a large quantity of clay, suitable for the manufacture of queensware, beside other valuable miner- als. He is also interested in 2,000 acres of land in Clay county, Ala., which tract is also rich in minerals, and upon which gold has been found. He is now mining ore. He is an uncompromising democrat in politics, and in the gubernatorial campaign of 1892 was in favor of the re-election of Gov. Jones.
JOSEPH C. CUNNINGHAM,, one of the oldest pioneers of Talladega county, was born in Jackson county, Ga., in 1832. He is a son of Joseph T. and Agnes (Montgomery) Cunningham, the former of whom was born ih Virginia, in 1799. By profession he was a civil engineer, and he was a captain in the war of 1812. He came to Alabama in 1844, and settled on the farm where Joseph C. now resides. He was one of the largest land owners in the state, owning 3,000 acres in one body here in Talla- dega county. and also 2,500 acres in Georgia. After coming to Alabama he was stricken with paralysis and was an invalid for many years before his death. He was a rigid Presbyterian in his religious belief. The mother of J. C. Cunningham was born in Georgia in 1781 and was a daughter of Hugh Montgomery, a native of Tennessee. He was a colonel in the war of 1812. Joseph C. Cunningham came with his parents to Alabama when he was twelve years of age, and grew to manhood on the homestead farm. He received a very limited education, and to get that he had to walk three miles to the little log school house which he attended. In 1852 he married Miss Martha R. McClelland, daughter of William and Martha (Roby) McClelland, the former of whom was a native of Virginia, came to northern Alabama, was probate judge of Morgan county and rep- resented Talladega county in the legislature when the capital was at Tuscaloosa. To the marriage of Joseph C. Cunningham with Miss McClelland were born four children, three of whom are living and are named as follows: Amanda S., John R. and Martha R. The mother of these children was born in Talladega county, in 1836. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a Mason, of the royal arch degree. In 1862, he enlisted in the late war in company C, . Thirtieth Alabama infantry, under Capt. David Anderson. He began his service as second lieutenant, remained in his company until 1864, when he resigned and came home. He was in Hardy's battalion and was at Selma when the Union forces captured the place, but he himself made his escape. At the close of the war he returned to his plantation, and has since then continued to follow farming. He now owns 720 acres of land, a portion of the old farm on which his father settled. He is.also largely interested in real estate in Texas. The land upon which his father settled is all in possession of different members of the family,
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except 160 acres. Mr. Cunningham is now recognized as one of the lead- ing farmers of the county, as well as one of the most prominent and sub- stantial citizens.
JOHN DIXON, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Talladega county, was born in Tennessee in 1832. He was a son of James and Cynthia (Driskille) Dixon, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Tennessee. James Dixon was a tanner by trade, and after coming to Talladega county in 1832, followed his trade for seven years. He then removed to Texas. where he remained the rest of his life. Dr. Dixon came to Talladega county in the year of his birth, and remained here till he was eight years of age. He then went to Coosa county and lived with his grandparents, John Driskille and his wife, until he reached his majority. After receiving a good education he began reading medi- cine in 1856. In 1858 he entered the medical college at Philadelphia, graduating in 1330. Upon leaving college he located at Rockford, Coosa county, Ala., and there began the practice of his chosen profession. But the war coming on he enlisted in the Fifty-ninth Alabama infantry, at first known as Hilliard's legion, commanded by Col. Hall, was made assistant surgeon, and served in that capacity through the war. At Chickamauga he was put under Longstreet, went with that general to Virginia and was there at the surrender of Lee. After the war he located at Fayetteville, where he has since remained, and now enjoys a large and lucrative practice and the confidence and esteem of all. In 1865 he mar- ried Matilda Kelly, daughter of James A. and Margaret (McNeil) Kelly. Of the children born to this marriage six still survive, viz. : Margaret B., James K., Catherine, Duncan P., Matilda and John. The mother of these children was born in Coosa county, Ala., in 1840. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, while his wife' is a member of the Presbyterian church. It has been said that Fayetteville has but two physicians; but it may be said, in offset, that these two are among the best in the state. Dr. Dixon is a member of the Masonic fraternity, stands very high as a man and as a citizen, and believing that every man ought to show his colors and carry his own principles into practice he voted for St. John for the presidency of the United States, being a very strong prohibitionist.
J. T. DONALDSON, M. D., the oldest and most prominent physician of Easta Boga. Ala., was born in Greenville, S. C., in 1842. He is a son of Nimrod and Sallie R. (McCollough) Donaldson, the former of whom was a farmer and merchant. and a son of Thomas and Mary (Cook) Donaldson, · both of whom were of Scotch descent. Thomas Donaldson was in the Continental army in the Revolutionary war, and was in the battles of Cowpens, Eutaw Springs and King's Mountain. The mother of the doc- tor was a daughter of William and Jeannette (Anderson) MeCollough, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Dr. J. T. Donaldson was raised in South Carolina, receiving a good common school education, but had not com-
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pleted his studies when the war began, and in 1861 enlisted in company D,' Hampton's legion. He was in the first battle of Manassas and most of the principal engagements in Virginia, was shot three times. and served until Lee's surrender, when he took a detachment of men and with them made his escape, riding from Lynchburg, Va., to South Carolina, more than 400 miles, in eight days, bringing the first news of Lee's surrender. He entered the army a private soldier, and by promo- tion was a first lieutenant at the close. During the last wear of the war he commanded a party of scouts, in the Longstreet corps. After the close of the war he began reading medicine with his brother-in-law,' Dr. B. P. West, and in the winter of 1865 he entered the Jefferson Medical college at Philadelphia, where he remained one term, and then during the years 1866 and 1867 he attended the Medical college at Charleston, S. C., grad- uating in the latter year, and immediately afterward began the practice' of medicine at his old home, Greenville, S. C., where he remained until
1870. He then removed to EastaBoga, Ala., where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and has built up an extensive and lucrative practice. In 1875, he married Emma C. Turner, daughter of E. C. and Emma R. (Rutledge) Turner, the former a native of Georgia, the latter of Tennessee. Her father was a son of Matthew and Eliza (Thomas) Turner; and her mother, a daughter of Henry A. and Mary (Nichols) Rutledge. Her great-grandfathers, on both sides, Rut- ledge and Middleton, were signers of the Declaration of Independence. To the marriage of the doctor with Miss Turner there have been born eight children, six of whom are living, viz .: Sallie T., Henry R., Mana Lieze, Hattie L., Milton L., and Boyce C. The mother of these children was born and raised in Talladega county. Both Dr. and Mrs. Donaldson are members of the Baptist church. The former has been a dea- con in his church for twenty years, is a Mason, of the royal arch degree, and a Good Templar. In politics he is one of the stanchest of democrats, and one of the most influential citizens of the county, ever bold and fearless in advocating what he deems to be for the best interest of his country.
JAMES EMBRY, one of the oldest of the pioneers of Alabama, was born in Clarke county, Ga., June 5, 1820. He is a son of Elijah and Frances Noell) Embry, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, but who came to Alabama with his family in 1939. He was a son of Joseph and Rachel (Olive) Embry, both natives of North Carolina. James Embry's father was in the war of 1812. and was in the battle of the Horseshoe. In politics he was an uncompromising old line whig. His mother was a daughter of Robert and Mary Noell. James Embry was reared in his native state until he reached his nineteenth year, and he then came to Alabama with his parents. All the education he ever received was at a six months' school, but he has been a great reader, and is well informed on all subjects of passing interest. On October 15, 1842, he married Louisa F. Collins, daughter of Jeremiah and Patsy (Moore) Collins both
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natives of South Carolina. but who came to Alabama in 1819. The former was a great politician in his day. He lived to be ninety-four years of age. To the marriage of Mr. Embry with Miss Collins there were born seventeen children, thirteen of whom are now living, viz .: Joseph J., Jesse C., Martha F., Elizabeth, Mary A. J., James A., Harriet, Maggie, Ella, J. C., J. R., Alonzo, and Amanda. The mother of these children was born in Alabama, February 20. 1826. and both she and her husband are members of the Baptist church. The only office he ever held was that of bailiff for his precinct, to which he was elected in 1863. As he was an anti-war man, he wanted the office in order to keep out of the war, but he was not then and never has been an office seeker. After his marriage he settled on the farm where he now lives, cut the first stick of timber and made the first rails on the farm. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined in 1846. He is one of the substantial citizens of his county, and one of the most progressive and representative farmers of the state. Since the war he has been one of the leading dem- ocrats of the county. He supported Reuben F. Kolb in the last election for governor of Alabama.
W. E. FRANKLIN, a progressive young farmer of Talladega county, was born January 25, 1863. He is a son of James and Susan (Harmon) Franklin. the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, born March 19, 1819. He was the son of Thomas Franklin. The father of W. E. Frank- lin came to Alabama with his parents in 1821, they settling in Jefferson county. He was deprived of all educational advantages from his youth, but being a natural mathematician he was able without school training to transact all his own business. He assisted his father to clear up a farm in Jefferson county, and when the proper time came made his own start in life by working by the month, and by splitting rails. He was married and became the father of three children, of whom one only is now living-W. E. He was a Mason, a democrat, and a member of the Baptist church. During the war he rendered great service to the Con- federate cause by hunting up deserters and returning them to the army. At the time of his death, which occurred September 1, 1887, he was highly respected by the citizens of the county. The mother of W. E. Franklin was a daughter of Jacob and Lucinda (Gann) Harmon, both natives of Tennessee. They came to Alabama, settling in Talladega county, and remained on the old farm until Mr. Harmon's death in 1884, when Mrs. Harmon moved to the home of W. E., and now lives with him. W. E. Franklin was reared on a farm, received a good common school education, and in 1879. entered Oxford college, Ala., remained there two years, taking a literary course. He then returned home, and since that time has given his entire attention to farming and his cotton gin, which he runs in connection with his farm. He now owns the old home place of 900 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation.
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-TALLADEGA COUNTY. 955
W. M. FRANKS, proprietor of the shingle manufactory at Stemley, Ala., is a native of Georgia, was born in 1866 in Bartow county. He is a son of S. M. and Eliza J ( Templeton ) Franks, both natives of South Carolina, the former born in 1826, and being a son of Charles and Alcy ( Burdett ) Franks. The grandfather of W. M. Franks was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The father of W. M. Franks enlisted in the late war in the Eighteenth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Roper. W. M. Franks' mother was a daughter of William and Rebecca ( Martin ). Templeton, and her father was also a soldier in the war of 1812. W. M. Franks' father was a Mason, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. He was a planter until after the war, but having contracted rheumatism while in the army, he was compelled to abandon farming and embark in merchan- dising, which he did, at Euharlee, Ga., where he remained in business , until his death, in 1879. W. M. Franks was reared in Georgia, and received a good common school education there. After he came to Ala- bama, he spent three months in Moore's commercial college at Atlanta, and in 1884, he and his elder brother, F. A. Franks, came to Alabama, and were, for five years, in the employ of D. W. Rogers & Co., at - Ren- froe, engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles. In 1889 they embarked in the same business on their own account, at Stemley, which they conducted in partnership until the death of the elder brother, in 1891, since which time Mr. Franks has conducted it alone. He owns a large mill, having a capacity of 60,000 shingles per day, and employs thirty men. He also has five miles of railroad upon which logs are deliv- ered to the mill. He also conducts a large general store in connection with his milling business for the convenience of his employees. Mr. Franks is a member of the Masonic fraternity, royal arch degree, and also a Knight of Pythias, and he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is one of the most enterprising young business men of Talladega county, and is one of the self-made men of the state.
BENJAMIN FREEZE, one of the pioneer settlers of Alabama, was born September 14, 1811. He is a son of Jacob and Martha (Tatum) Freeze, both natives of North Carolina, and Jacob Freeze was a son of Michael and Mary Freeze, early settlers of North Carolina. The family came to Alabama in 1818, first settling in the Cahawba valley, where Mr. Freeze opened up a farm, upon which he remained several years, when he removed to Talladega county. He settled near where Talladega now stands, and cleared up another farm. At that time the woods were full of Indians and wild game. Both he and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He was a highly respected man, and lived to a good old age. Benjamin Freeze was brought up on a farm, attending school only when there was nothing to do on the farm. In 1861 he married Mrs. Margaret (Patterson) Florence, daughter of Reuben, and Ruth (Waddle) Patterson, who were both natives of Tennessee. The
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former was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Shirley) Patterson, and the latter was the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Huskey) Waddle. To the marriage of Mr. Freeze and Mrs. Florence, two children, James M. and Martha, were born. Their mother was born in Tenenssee in 1828, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while her husband is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is one of the substantial citizens of Talladega county, and has always had the entire confidence and . respect of all who know him. James M., the only son, was born in 1863, and grew to manhood on the old farm. He received a good education and has always remained with his parents. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight of Pythias. While yet a young man, he occupies a high place in the estimation of the community in which he lives.
GEORGE W. GREEN, one of the pioneers of Alabama, was born in, Harris county, Ga., October 27, 1826. He is a son of Villit and Mary (Hallmark) Green, both of whom were natives of Georgia. The father of George W. Green immigrated to Alabama in 1830, settled at first in Chambers county, remaining there, however, only two years, when he returned to Georgia, living there the remainder of his life. His wife, the mother of George W., was a daughter of John and Amy (Satewhile) Hallmark, both of whom were natives of Georgia, but who emigrated to Texas, sometime in the twenties, where the former remained till his death. While he was always a farmer he had a fondness for hunting, which was the reason for his going to Texas, where he could continue his favorite sport. George W. Green came to Alabama with his parents, and although the family returned to Georgia after two years, he remained in Alabama, casting his lot among the Indians. After a while he hired out among the farmers, as they came to Alabama, and in 1853 he mar- ried Mary D. Thompson, daughter of John and Elizabeth M. (Taylor) Thompson. The former of these two people was born in Georgia, the latter in South Carolina. In January, 1835, they started to Alabama, but were driven back by the Indians. They therefore returned to Georgia, and remained there until the Indians were removed west of the Missis- sippi. They then returned to Alabama, where Mr. Thompson opened a farm, and lived upon it until his death. He was one of the old Indian fighters of this country. To the marriage of Mr. Green with Miss Thompson, there were born fifteen children, five of whom are now living, viz. : Mary E., John T., William H., Martha A, and James L. Their mother was born in Georgia in 1835. She is a member of the Baptist church. George W. Green enlisted. in 1862, in company A., of one of the Mississippi regiments, under Capt. A. C. Jones, and was detailed to the civil engineering and pontooning force. He was with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston on his famous retreat to Atlanta, and assisted to build the pon- toons for that general to cross creeks and rivers on his way south. Although he was in several hard-fought battles, among them the battles
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around Atlanta and at Jonesboro, he was never wounded. While in these last mentioned battles, his clothing all wore out, and he was reduced to a shirt, a pair of drawers and an old hat. He served to the close of the war, and then returned to Alabama, settling in Chambers county, where he began farming, and has since continued. He remained in Chambers county till. 1867, when he sold his farm and removed to Tal- lapoosa county, where he remained until 1870, when he returned to Talla- dega, where he remained two years. He then lived eleven years in Coosa county, when he moved to the farm upon which he now resides. In his removals he made considerable money, by purchasing a farm, improving it, and selling at an advance, then purchasing, improving and selling another farm, and so on until he made enough money to pay cash for the farm he now owns. In this way he made his money, and at the present time he is one of the substantial citizens and prominent farmers of Talla- dega county.
B. W. GROCE, M. D., one of the oldest physicians, now retired, of Tal- ladega county, was born in Lincoln county, Ga., February 12, 1820. He is a son of Shepherd and Susan (Steel) Groce, both natives of North Carolina. The father was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The doctor was raised an orphan, and his early educational advantages were very limited. In 1839 he began reading medicine with Dr. E. Lamar as his preceptor. 'He afterward attended the Georgia Medical college at Augusta, and grad- uated in March, 1842. March 22, 1842, he came to Talladega county, where he established himself in the practice of medicine, and continued in the practice forty-eight years. In 1849 he was elected by the whig party to the legislature, and served one term. He was an elector on the Bell and Everett ticket in 1860, and in 1861 he was elected senator from Talladega county, and served until 1865. In 1888 he was elected state lecturer for the farmers' aliance, and served three years and in 1892 he ' was elected president of the farmers' alliance of Alabama. It will thus be seen that Dr. Groce is, and has been for many years, one of the most prominent political leaders in the state. It is evident to all who under- .stand the nature of this remarkable movement, that those concerned therein, have gone into it from conscientious motives, and it is not nec- essary, in recognizing this fact, to pronounce judgment on the question, as to its necessity or policy, and it is very largely to the credit of such men as Dr. Groce, that they should have taken the stand they have, in many cases against strong public opinion. On June 1, 1841, Dr. Groce was married to Jane Lamar, daughter of Capt. Peter Lamar, a very prom- inent family of Georgia. Mrs. Groce was born in Georgia, and died in the August succeeding her marriage. On October 3, 1843, Dr. Groce mar- ried Miss Caroline B. McElderry, daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Boteler) McElderry, by whom he had eight children, four of whom are living, . viz. : Thomas J., George C., William M. and John S. The mother of
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these children was born in Morgan county, Ala., May 4, 1824, and died December 24, 1858. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. October 12, 1859, Dr. Groce married Miss Ann E. Boteler, daughter of Alexander and Matilda (McElderry) Boteler, by whom he had seven children, four of whom are living, viz .: Mary L., Robert Lee, Martha C., and Ida . McElderry. The mother of these children was born in Morgan county, Ala., May 15. 1886, and both she and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Dr. Groce is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and, as has already been stated, he is one of the leading alliance men of Alabama, and a most earnest worker for the cause of that party. During the three years when he was state lect- urer, he organized a great number of lodges in all parts of the state. In this alliance movement he is engaged, as in everything he undertakes, with his whole heart and soul, and be is one of its most able advocates.
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