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 49
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an enrollment of 135 pupils, and the number increased so rapidly that by January, 1887, there were fully 200 in attendance. A public school build- ing was erected in the fall of. 1886 and the following winter, and it was ready for occupancy the next spring. This is a two-story structure, ninety by seventy feet in size on the ground and contains eight rooms. It is one of the handsomest buildings in the state, and cost somewhat more than 810,000. Mr. Skaggs believes in the development of all the elements of civilization, and the above brief sketch gives some idea of what he has accomplished and what he desires should be accomplished in his native state. And these works accomplished have a more enduring value than marble monuments, for they have in themselves, especially the system of public schools, the power of self-perpetuation, and have also in them the sure safe guards of the state. [The materials for this sketch were taken from a copy of The Mountain Home, published in Tal- , ladega, in 1886.]
REV. J. F. SMITH is one of the oldest ministers of the gospel in Alabama. He was born near Montgomery, September 5, 1821. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Scott) Smith, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1782, came to Alabama in 1818, settling in Autauga county. He followed his trade, that of a carpenter, throughout his life, and after he came to Alabama lived the rest of his life within ten miles of where he first settled. His death occurred in 1862. While he was raised in a Quaker family, yet he never accepted their religious belief, remaining a Methodist Protestant all his life. He was somewhat of a politician. being a nullifier in 1831, a whig in 1840, and then a warm admirer and supporter of William Henry Harrison, and a Douglas demo- crat in 1860. He was opposed to secession, but nevertheless when his state went out of the Union, he went with his state. He had served as county commissioner and overseer of the poor. Rev. J. F. Smith spent the early years of his life amid the pleasures of the farm, and up to the age of sixteen years he had the poorest of educational advantages. At the age of twenty-two, however, his advantages improved, and he studied Latin and Greek. This was after he had entered the ministry. In order to help himself along he taught school ten years in all. In 1845 he was licensed as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1846 he was ordained and continued to labor in this calling twelve years. In 1859 he withdrew from the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church and in 1859 was ordained a deacon in the Protestant Episcopal church, and some years afterward was ordained a minister in this church. He has been a minister in this denomination ever since, with the exception of a year or two, when he taught school. His first charge was at Prattville, Autauga- ville and Lowndesboro. In December, 1869, he came to Talladega, and since then has remained in that place with the exception of 1882-83-84, when he was in Jacksonville, Ala. He built the church at Talladega. and has done much to build up the congregation. He has had charge of this
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church in all eighteen years. Since 1891 he has been exclusively engaged in missionary work. In 1817 he was married to Miss Martha L. Hightower, daughter of William and Nancy (Brown) Hightower, the former of whom was native of Georgia, and came to Alabama at a very early day. To his marriage with Miss Hightower there have been born eleven children, five of whom are now living, viz. : Nancy J., wife of James H. McLein; Thomas H .; Martha W .. wife of W. D. Riddle; Lillian, wife of L. E. Steel, and Herbert. The mother of these children is a native of Alabama, and has always been a great help to her husband in his ministerial labors.
DR. ROBERT SPENCE, well known as a successful veterinary surgeon of Talladega county, was born in Scotland, June 30, 1534. He is a son of William and Helen ( Hardie, Spence, both of whom were natives of Scotland. As is well know, the name of Spence is a prominent one in both Scotland and the United States, and William Spence was a leading man in Scotland before coming to this country, and also in Alabama afterward. The latter came to this country in 1848, and followed his profession of veterinary surgeon in Alabama for many years. In politics he was one of the leading democrats of his day. He was a son of William Spence, and Mrs. Helen Spence was a daughter of John and Marion ( Cousin) Har- die. Dr. Robert Spence came to the United States with his parents, and took up the practice of a veterinary surgeon where his father left off. For many years his practice extended over a territory 100 miles from home. In 1861 he enlisted in company G. Fifty-first Alabama cav- alry, which served under Gen. Joseph Wheeler. The captain of his campany was James T. Dye. Dr. Spence served under Gen. Wheeler about one year, and was then promoted to be first lieutenant of a company in the Twenty fifth regiment, Alabama infantry, in which he served six or eight months, when he was wounded. He then returned to his own company, and had nearly recovered from his wound, when a relapse took place and he was given up by his physician to die. He, however, recov- ered. In the meantime he had been promoted to a captaincy, which gave him a company in a Tennessee regiment. When he arrived to take com- mand of this company, being in doubt as to whether the company wished him for its captain, he had the company drawn up in line, made them a short address, and stated to them that if they preferred he should not be their cap- tain he would not remain. He then asked those who favored his remaining to step two paces to the front. and promptly every man stepped to the front. He therefore remained. Capt. Spence had a great deal of experience, remaining in the army until the close of the war. With the exception of the time he was suffering with his wound, he was all the time in actual service. After the war he returned to Talladega county and resumed his veterinary practice, and in connection with it also conducted a farm. Beginning life without any property, he has been so successful that he now owns one of the most beautiful homes in Talladega county. In Feb-
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ruary, 1869, he married Emma Morris, daughter of William A. and Susan (Wynn) Morris. To this marriage there were born four children, two of whom are living, viz .: Joseph, who is a graduate of Lexington (Ky. ) college, and Lizzie Ellen. Their mother was born and brought up in Talladega county. Dr. Spence has given considerable attention to poli- tics, and is now one of the recognized leaders of the third party move- ment in Talladega county. He had always been a democrat, but at the same time he has always believed in the right and equal rights before the law, and when in his opinion his party was counting men into office that were not elected, he was one of the first men to denounce such prac. tices in politics, and joined the third party, which he considers is an organized protest against dishonesty in politics. He has thus shown his manliness and courage and has made himself a prominent and distin- guished citizen of the county, as well as being a representative farmer. , Formerly he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. Now both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and highly respected for character and high social qualities.
GEORGE M. THORNTON, a leading citizen of Talladega county, was was born in 1834. He is a son of William H. and Emeline E. (White) Thornton. A biographical sketch is presented in the followig paragraph and it is therefore deemed unnecessary to reproduce it in this connection. George M. Thornton was raised in Talladega county. He received a good education, and in 1879, married Amanda C. Jemison, daughter Samuel and Fannie (Edmonds) Jemison. Samuel Jemison was a son of Robert Jemison, one of the pioneer settlers and ancient landmarks of the county. The Jemison family of Talladega all sprang from him. He was a miller by trade, and died in 1861. To the marriage of Mr. Thornton with Miss Jemison, there were born six children, five of whom are living, viz. : Elva, Fannie, William H., Amanda L., and Rebecca J. The mother of these children was born September 29, 1856, in Talladega county. Both Mr. Thornton and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. In 1881 and 1882, Mr. Thornton was engaged in storekeep- ing in this county, conducting his farm at the same time. He was then manager of the store of the Clifton Iron company at Ironaton, Ala., for six years. He then became bookkeeper and store manager for D. W. Rogers & Co., at Renfroe, and still remains in this position. He is a Knight of Pythias and is one of the most worthy citizens of Talladega county.
J. M. THORNTON, one of the most prominent citizens of Talladega, was born in 1843. He was a son of William H. and Emeline E. (White) Thornton, the former of whom was born in Georgia, and brought up in Harris county, that state. He was unfortunate in early life in being deprived of the benefits of an education, and at the age of sixteen entered a store, where he remained, as clerk. until he was twenty-one years of age. He was then admitted to partnership in the firm, at Whitesville,. Ga., and remained there until 1844. He then removed to Columbus
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where he again entered the mercantile business, but. affer one year, his wife's health failed, and he had to give up his business at that place. He then removed to Alabama and settled in Goldville, Tallapoosa county. where he again engaged in the mercantile business, and remained there six years. He then bought a plantation where the battle of Entchop taugh was fought. Here he ran a store in connection with his plantation until 1836, when he was elected judge of probate of Talladega, and served continuously, except during the re-construction period, for a very long time, when his health failed, and he was compelled to resign his office, and four years later he died. He was a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, south, was an earnest worker in the cause of religion and a liberal supporter of the church. He was superintendent of the Sunday school, and his house was a home for all preachers. He was a whig before the war, remained a whig after the war closed, and became, a democrat. In his first race for the probate judgeship, he had, as an opponent, A. J. Cotton, who had held the office for many years; but he defeated Judge Cotton by a large majority. After the election, Judge Cotton being a poor man, he took him into the office and gave him half the profits arising therefrom, to help him along. In this position his ambition was to be an impartial judge, and so well did he perform his duty, that but few of his decisions were ever reversed. During the war he held his office. and, as nearly all the men of Talladega were in the army, he devoted much of his time to looking after the families of those in the field. He worked almost day and night in collecting and distrib- uting food and clothing. He was a son of William and Mrs. ( Carter ) Thornton, the former of whom was a native of Ceorgia. The grand- mother Carter belonged to one of the noted families of Georgia. .J. M. Thornton was reared in Talladega county, receiving a good com- mon school education, and when seventeen years of age, in 1861, enlisted in company D, First Alabama infantry. On account of having lost an eye when he was fourteen years of age, he was made commissary sergeant, and was not allowed to be in the front lines in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, yet he participated in several battles. In 1866, he married Martha Lawson, daughter of Andrew and Priscilla (Douglas) Lawson. Andrew Lawson was a native of Tennessee; but removed to Talladega in 1833. He served the county as sheriff three dif- ferent times. To Mr. Thornton's marriage with Miss Lawson there were born three children, viz. : Emma, Eugenie and Lawson. Their mother was born in Talladega county, and was brought up there. Both Mr. Thornton and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. While Mr. Thornton is a public-spirited man, and favors all enterprises that have for their object the promotion of the interests of the community, he never consented to become a candidate for office. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Honor. Both he and his
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wife are regarded as among the best people of the county, and are highly respected by all their friends and neighbors.
BARCKLEY WALLACE TOOLE, M. D., one of the leading physicians- of the city of Talladega, Ala., was born on the 17th of February, 1835, at Maryville, Tenn. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors moved from near Charlotte, N. C., about the year 1780-83, to what is now known as east Tennessee. His grandfather, John Toole, settled a few miles below Knoxville, on the Holston river, in a horse-shoe bend of nearly a thousand acres, and which has been known for more than a hundred years as "Toole's Bend," and is still owned by the doctor, and other members of the family. In this "Bend," William Toole, the father of B. W. Toole, was born, in June. 1791. His mother, Elizabeth Wallace, the daughter of Jesse and Martha George Wallace, was born in Jefferson county, east Tenn., in August, 1799. B. W. Toole was raised in Maryville, Tenn., and, received a good collegiate education from Maryville college, one of the oldest institutions of learning in the south. He then read medicine, and, in 1861, graduated from one of the best medical schools of the country, and began the practice of his profession. In this same year, 1861, the war between the states began, and early in 1862, at his country's call, Dr. Toole enlisted as a private, in the Thirty-first Confederate regiment of Tennessee infantry, Col. William M. Bradford commanding. Dr. Toole was appointed surgeon of this regiment. In 1863, he was made brigade surgeon, and in the latter part of 1864, was made chief-surgeon of a cav- alry division, and in this position he served until May 7, 1865, when he was captured and paroled at Athens, Ga. He then retured to his home in Tennessee, but only to remain a short time, for the war had left that part of the state in a lawless, dangerous, and demoralized condition. He, therefore, in December, 1865, moved to Talladega, Ala., where he has since resided, giving his entire attention to his profession. He now enjoys -- as he has for years-a large and lucrative practice. He is held in the highest esteem as a physician and surgeon, not only in Talladega, but throughout the state. For years he has been president of the Talla - dega county Medical society. He is now, 1892, vice president of the Medical association of the state of Alabama. For a number of terms he served as an alderman of the city of Talladega, and for twenty years past, he has been a trustee of the Synodical Female institute. It was very largely through his efforts and influence that the Isbell Female college became a "fixed fact," and a "thing of beauty," to adorn the city, as well as to bless and educate her daughters. He is now, as he has been from the first, president of the board of control of this college. Dr. Toole is an earnest, zealous, and influential member of the Presbyterian church, having for a number of years been an elder in said church, and in every effort that is made to build up and promote either the moral or material interests of his city and county. he is always ready to aid and assist with well-defined opinions and convictions, which he expresses without fear,
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favor, or restraint. He is no less positive and outspoken in his political views and principles. Dr. Toole's life and character are but the logical sequence of his Scotch-Irish descent. with all the positive and decided traits that result from such a union. Dr. Toole was twice married. In 1866, he married Miss Virginia Fulkerson, daughter of James L. Fulker- . son, of Tennessee. She died in May, 1877, leaving three children, Ellen, ' Alice, and Arthur. In October, 1879, he was married to Miss Hannah V. Lanneau, daughter of the Rev. James Lanneau, of South Carolina. She died in June, 1889.
LARKIN WATTERS, one of the pioneers of Talladega county, was born in Clark county, Ga., August 22, 1818. He was a son of Collins and Matilda (Britton) Watters, both of whom were natives of Georgia. Col- lins Watters was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father, Joseph Wat- ters, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Collins Watters came to Perry county in 1822, settling on the Cahawba river, in what was at that time a wild unbroken wilderness, and lived for a considerable time on game as the principal article of food. The nearest grist mill was on the Mahan creek, forty miles away, and they had to pay 83 per bushel for corn. However, when their meal was exhausted it was an easy thing to take a gun, go into the woods and kill a bear or deer. They remained in Perry county until 1836, when they removed to Talladega county and set- tled in Fayetteville beat, where Collins Watters remained until his death, which occurred in 1857. Larkin Watters has remained in this beat ever since coming here, except two years, which he spent in Louisiana, but he only cast one vote outside of the beat, which was at Columbiana, Ala. Being the eldest in the family, he had to assist his father in clear- ing up the farm, and thus the time, which under more favorable circum- stances would have been devoted toward securing an education was devoted toward securing a subsistence. In 1852 he married Elizabeth Kirkland, daughter of Alfred and Sarah (Mixson) Kirkland, who were the pioneer settlers of Alabama, and who lived to be about ninety years of age. During the late war, when Wilson's soldiers were making their famous raid through Alabama, they went to him and threatened to kill him unless he told them where his money was; but he refused to tell, say- ing they might kill him if they wanted to. They made him remove his shoes and when he had taken one of them off, he commenced belaboring them with his old shoe, that being the only weapon he had; but he was soon overpowered. The soldiers, however, did not get any of his money. To the marriage of Larkin Watters with Miss Kirkland, there were born three thildren, one of whom is living, viz .: William M. Mrs. Watters was born in Autauga county, January 27, 1834, was a member of the Bap- tist church, and died April 24, 1858. On December 15, 1858, Mr. Watters married Miss Ann Parker, daughter of Elijah and Susan (Boles) Parker, both natives of Georgia. He was a soldier in the Creek war and enlisted in the late war in the Third Alabama regiment, being made sergeant of
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his company. He served from 1861 to 1863, when he was discharged on account of his disability. caused by his services in the war. Upon recov- ering his health he again enlisted, this time in what was known as the "Old Man company". His first company was known as Prattville Greys. To this marriage of Mr. Watters with Miss Parker were born nine chil- dren, six of whom are living, viz. : Egbert, John, Robert, Frank, Harvey and Eula. The mother of these children was born in Autauga county in September, 1839. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. In 1863, he enlisted in company F, Fifth Alabama cavalry, under Capt. N. D. Johnson, the regiment being commanded by Col. John T. Morgan. He did a great deal of skirmishing on Gen. Johnson's famous retreat before Gen. Sherman. While he had his horse shot under him on different occasions, he never received a wound. He was offered a com- mission, but never would accept one. He never shrank from duty, and on several occasions he offered to take the place of other soldiers detailed on dangerous duties. He was always a true and brave soldier and delighted to be on the skirmish line. At the present time he is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Talladega county. He takes great delight in relating stories of pioneer life and is a highly entertaining conversationalist.
CAPT. W. T. WEBB, one of the foremost citizens of Talladega county, was born August 13, 1833, in Anson district, N. C., and is the son of John and Lucretia (Smith) Webb. The former was a native of Virginia, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, while the latter was a native of North Carolina. The Webb family has always been noted for honesty and truthfulness, and it is said of Elijah Webb, a Baptist preacher, that he once rode twenty miles to pay a debt of 25 cents. Capt. W. T. Webb, when about seven years old, came to Alabama with his widowed mother. He was reared on the farm, and his mother being poor, his educational advantages were very limited. In order to aid his mother in supporting her family he had to work out, the first year at $3 per month. In a few years, however, by hard work and close economy, he managed to save enough money to pay for his tuition, and received a good, practical education at Mardisville academy. After leaving school he accepted a position as clerk in a grocery store owned by John Bives, at Talladega. He remained in this position one year, when, on account of a disagreement with his employer he lost his place. He then fell sick, but upon recovering was offered a position as bartender in a saloon; but thanking the gentleman who made him the offer, he declined, saying that he could not do anything that his mother told him was wrong. He then accepted a position with a brick-mason, and served his apprenticeship at that trade, which he followed till the breaking out of the war, erecting, during the time some of the finest brick buildings in the state, among them the First Baptist church at Montgomery, and accumulating, by the
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time the war broke out, considerable money. In 1862, he entered in company F, Thirtieth Alabama infantry, as second lieutenant, rising to the rank of captain. He served all through the war and took part in many a hard-fought battle and many a long and tedious march. He was at Tazewell, Tenn., in the Kentucky campaign with Bragg, at Port Gib- son, where he had full command of the company supporting the battery, as was also the case at Baker's Creek. At the latter battle, Gen. Ste- phen D. Lee rode up to the regiment and said "Thirtieth Alabama, fol- low me." The regiment followed him to within 200 yards of the enemy, being thus offered up as a sacrifice to hold Grant back until Pemberton's army could be saved. He was then in the defense of Vicks- burg, and was wounded in both thigh and knee, the scars of which wounds he will carry to his grave. With the rest of Gen. Pemberton's army he was captured at Vicksburg, July 4th, 1863, but was soon after- ward paroled. In September following, at Demopolis, Ala., his company was re-organized, and Col. E. W. Pettus was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, Capt. Webb being promoted to be ordnance officer on Gen. Pettus' staff. Gen. Pettus' brigade was composed of the Twentieth, Twenty third, Thirtieth, Thirty-first, and Forty-sixth regiments of Ala- bama troops, the several colonels being J. M. Deadman, Bibb, C. M. Shel- ley, D. R. Hundley, and George E. Brewer. Upon being re-organized, the brigade was ordered to Bragg at Chickamauga, and fought in all the bat- tles around Chattanooga under Bragg, with him to Dalton, and with John- ston to Atlanta. It then was sent with Hood to Tennessee. Under Hood they crossed the Harpeth at Columbia, attacked the enemy in their entrenchments, drove them out and followed on up to Franklin, in the battle at which place Hood destroyed the morals of his army. After the defeat at Nashville, December 15, 1864, when Hood's army was in full retreat, Capt. Webb, as ordnance officer, on December 17, about four miles south of Franklin, had orders to carry ammunition to the brigade in the rear. On his way back he met a cavalry brigade that was stam- peded, the colonel in command, of which asked him where he was going. On being answered by Capt. Webb, he said, "You had better get, for the. Yankees are coming down the pike like h-1." In less than a minute the Yankees were upon them, and one of their officers cut the issuing officer, D. V. Smith, through the nose and cheek to the teeth. Capt. Webb succeeded in turning all his wagons back but one, and while trying to save this one was shot at more than twenty times, never receiving a wound. Here one of Hood's batteries was captured and was being marched to the rear in charge of a single Federal officer, who was trying to cross the bridge where Capt. Webb was trying to save his wagon. Seeing the entire battery being led off by one man, Capt. Webb disputed his right to take it back, and a duel resulted, between the Yankee and Capt. Webb, in which the captain, at the second fire, shot his man dead. He then ordered ten men to go into the creek and bring his wagon out, which
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