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 7
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Williams has two sons and one daughter living. In appearance he is almost an exact counterpart of his father. He has, for many years, been presi- dent of the Can't Get Away club, a well known benevolent organization of Mobile. Col. Williams possesses much executive ability, and in this respect also resembles his father, who was well known throughout the length and breadth of the state for his ability as a presiding officer.
ROBERT E. WILSON, a well-known citizen and merchant of Mobile, was born in that city, April 24, 1854. He is the son of Benjamin E. Wilson, who was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1825, and was a son of Robert Wilson, also a native of Baltimore. The mother of Robert E. Wilson was Miss Ann Hynes, who was born in Ireland about 1827, and came with her parents to the United States when a young girl. Benjamin E. Wilson removed from Baltimore to Mobile, when he was a young man, and for many years he was an architect and builder. He died in 1876, his widow still surviving. Robert E. Wilson was reared in Mobile, and was edu- cated at Barton academy and Towle's college. - After leaving school, he accepted a clerk's position with Deegan & Conboy, hardware dealers of Mobile, and remained in their employ seven years. He next became a clerk for Scranton, Barney & Co., hardware merchants, with whom he remained four years. In 1885, he engaged in the retail hat and furnishing business, opening one of the largest houses in the city in that line. He has ever since continued in the same business, and has met with gratify- ing success. Mr. Wilson is a director in the Mobile Brewing company, and he is a member of the Manassas and Elk clubs, beside various other societies and organizations. He was married, April 27, 1881, to Miss Annie V. Boullemet, of New Orleans, by whom he has two children.
MORGAN COUNTY.
BAXTER CRAWFORD, mayor of New Decatur, and an extensive whole- sale and retail lumber dealer, was born in Ralls county, Mo., February 11, 1853. When about fourteen years of age he went to Louisiana, Mo., and made his home with his brother, J. F. Crawford. for about three years, attending school during the winter months, and working during the sum- mer months. From his brother's he went to Highland, Kas., and entered the Highland university, where he remained about three years While at the university, in 1874, he married Miss Rebecca J. Forbes of Highland. Upon returning to Missouri, he located at Vandalia, where he spent a year clerking for a mercantile establishment. He next engaged in general mercantile business at Livonia. Mo. In 1880 he removed to Winfield, Mo., and engaged in the lumber business. In 1856 he removed to Mont- gomery City, Mo .. and continued in the lumber business both at that place and at Winfield. In September, 1887, he located in Decatur, Ala., and in the spring of 1888, engaged in the lumber business as a member of the Klibacker Lumber company. The same year, upon the death of Mr. Kli-
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backer, Mr. Crawford succeeded to the business, and has since conducted it, remaining at the Klibacker Lumber company's stand until the fall of 1890, when he purchased the Southern Lumber company's business, and removed his business to that company's place. Mr. Crawford has been . so successful that he now has the largest business of the kind in the two cities of Decatur and New Decatur. In 1891 he was elected mayor of New Decatar by a large majority. The contest was entirely non-partisan and non-political, being entirely on the candidates for the office, and Mr. Crawford's selection has been demonstrated to have been eminently wise by the. manner in which he has performed the duties of his office. Mr. Crawford is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and he is an elder in the Presbyterian church of Decatur, and also superintendent of the Sunday school of that church. To Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have been born eight children, five of whom are now living.
BENJAMIN F. CROSS, M. D., son of Benjamin F. and Martha (Wilson) Cross, and brother of Dr. S. E. Cross, was born in Lauderdale county, Ala., January 9, 1834. His time was passed in attending school until he was twenty years of age, when he returned to the home farm and read medicine with Drs. Crittenden and Kyle, until qualified for entering the university of Louisville, Ky. He graduated from the medical department of this instituiton in March, 1857, and located for practice in Decatur, his present place of residence, and at once became prominent in his profes- sion, which kept him busily engaged until the early part of 1862, when he entered company D, Seventh Alabama cavalry, as first lieutenant. He had filled this position but a short time, when he was appointed surgeon of his regiment, in which capacity he served until the war came to an end. He fought at Franklin, Tenn., while a lieutenant, and after he became surgeon, had charge of a hospital at Shelbyville, Tenn., for a short period. After the close of hostilities, he resumed his practice at Decatur, and was very energetic in relieving the yellow fever victims in the epidemics of 1878 and 1888. He is a member of the Morgan county Medical society, of which he is also senior censor; in 1890 he was vice- president of the State Medical association, and also a member of the American Medical society. He is a Freemason, a Knight of the Golden Rule, a Knight of Pythias. and a member of the A. O. U. W., and medi- cal examiner for all these orders. The doctor was married, in October, 1862, and a week later left his bride and started for the war again, seeing her no more for two years. There have been born to this union eight children, of whom seven still survive, viz .: Fannie, Lizzie, Mattie, Benjamin F., Thomas, Hattie and Shadie (girl).
DR. S. E. CROSS, of Decatur, Morgan county, Ala., is a native of Lau- derdale county, same state, and was born April 18, 1823, a son of Benja- min F. and Martha (Wilson) Cross, the former a native of Tennessee. After receiving the usual- preparatory education at the schools of his neighborhood. he, for a while attended Berea academy, in Marshall
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county, Tenn., and later Cool Grove academy in Lawrence county, Ala. Leaving the latter in 1845, he began the study of medicine, but the death of his father necessitated the abandonment of this pursuit, and until 1856 he remained upon and managed the home farm. He then re-commenced the study of medicine, and for several years read under the preceptor- ship of Dr. James Kyle, of Lauderdale county. Becoming qualified, he practiced the profession in his own neighborhood, until the spring of 1863, when he answered. the call to arms and enlisted in a company that was organized in Lawrence county, Ala., and wihch was under command of Capt. Kempy, and attached to the reigment commanded by Col. Burt- well. In the early fall of the same year he took part in a skirmish at Cane Creek, but was most of the time on detailed duty. In November, 1863, while on duty in Lauderdale county, pressing wagons into the serv- ice, he was captured by the enemy and sent to Camp Morton, Ind., where' he was confined until March 19, 1864, when he was sent to Fort Dela- ware, and held until the war closed. On his release he returned to Lau- derdale county, and farmed until 1872, when he entered the university of Louisville, Ky., and completed his medical education, graduating in March, 1873. He then practiced in his native county again until 1888, when he removed to Decatur, where he has secured a lucrative practice and is looked upon as a skillful practitioner. He enjoys the esteem of his fellow-professionals as well as that of the public in general. He was the organizer of the Lauderdale county Medical society, and was a mem- ber of its board of censors; he is also a member of the Morgan county Medical society and of the State Medical association. The marriage of the doctor took place December 22, 1846, to Miss Margaret T. Shelburne, daughter of Samuel Shelburne of Lauderdale county, and seven children have been born to the union, viz .: Isabella, wife of Dr. John A. Barbee, of Collins county, Tex. ; Mary E., deceased wife of S. L. Crow, of Lau- derdale county, Ala .; Morela, wedded to Capt. Charles Watson, of Iuka, Miss .; Benjamin F., of Black Jack Grove, Tex .; Oliver A., of Dallas, Tex .; Sterling and Thomas M., of Decatur, Ala.
DR. W. L. DINSMORE, of Decatur, Morgan county, Ala., is a native of the state, having been born in Lawrence county, December 19, 1851. His father, David L. Dinsmore, was a native of Kentucky, but has been a resident of Alabama since 1820. He was a farmer in his calling, and for about . twenty years was treasurer of Lawrence county. He married Eleanor Kyle, who bore him eight children. died in 1883, the husband following in 1887. Of the eight children alluded to, seven grew to matu- rity, and four still survive, viz .: Esther, married to D. C. Goodlett, of Moulton, Ala .; Henrietta, wife of Dr. W. C. Rosamond, of Jasper, Ala. ; Dr. D. F. Dinsmore, of Lynchburg, Va .; and Dr. W. L. Dinsmore, whose name heads this notice. One of the sons, John, was killed at the battle of Corinth, Miss., being at the time a lieutenant in a company attached to the Twenty-seventh Alabama infantry. Dr. W. L. Dinsmore
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received his early education in the field schools of his county, and at Moulton high school. At the age of eighteen he left the latter institu- tion and returned to the home farm, on which he remained until twenty- six years old. In 1878 he commenced to read medicine under his brother, Dr. D. F. Dinsmore, who was then in practice in Lawrence county, Ala. ; subsequently he attended Vanderbilt university, at Nashville, Tenn., from the medical department of which he graduated in 1881. He at once began practice at Jonesboro, Ala., where he met with the most flattering success and remained until 1889. when he removed to Decatur, where he stands in the front rank of the profession. He was a member of the Lawrence county Medical society, and was for several years its secre- tary; he is now a member of the Morgan county Medical society, and for two years was its secretary; he also belongs to the State Medical assoca - tion, and keeps well abreast with the advances made in medical science. He is likewise a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, south, and socially occupies an enviable position. The doctor has been twice married-first. in 1880, to Miss Nannie L. Wert, who bore him three children, named David A., William Wert and Eleanor. His second marriage took place, in 1887, to Miss Bettie Neeley, and to this union have been born two children, of whom one survives and is named Lewis M.
DANIEL L. DOWNS, one of the leading citizens of Decatur, and a prominent and influential member of the board of aldermen of Decatur, was born in Huntsville, Ala., December 25, 1840. His parents were D. L. and Ann E. (Evans) Downs, the former a native of England, and the latter of Wales. They came to the United States with their family of five children in 1836, and located at Huntsville, Ala. Mr. Downs was for many years engaged in merchandising in Tuscumbia, Ala., and his death occurred in 1864, while on a visit to his son in Franklin, Tenn. His widow died in Helena, Ark., in 1867. Daniel L. Downs was the only child born to his parents in the United States, and is the only one of the children now living. He received a common school education, and in 1857 engaged in business with his father in Tuscumbia. In 1862 he joined the La Grange cadets. company B, Thirty-fifth Alabama infantry, and was made orderly sergeant of the company. He participated in the attack on Baton Rouge August 5, 1862. After six months' service he was sent home on detached duty under Estes, who promoted him to a captaincy. After twelve months spent in this service, his company was disbanded, and he was ordered to his original regiment, with which he was in the column in front of Sherman in Georgia, and he was in the engagement at Peach Tree Creek. He afterward went with Hood into Tennessee, and was at the battle of Franklin, where his regiment lost half its numbers in killed and wounded. At this battle he received a wound in the leg, which disabled him for life. After this battle he was paroled at : Nashville, and went thence to Tuscumbia, Ala., where he
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engaged in merchandising in 1966, continuing four years. "The following four years were spent at Hartsell's, Morgan county. In 1874 he located in Decatur, where he has since resided. Capt. Downs was married in 1867 to Miss Jennie E. Burlison, daughter of William and Minerva (Ste- phenson) Burlison. Upon removing to Decatur he engaged in merchan- dising for a number of years, meeting with success, and retiring from active business in 1887. He is at present a member of the board of aldermen of Decatur, is a director of the First National bank of Decatur. and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south.
HIRAM S. FREEMAN, one of the most prominent citizens of Decatur, Ala., and mayor of old Decatur, was born in New York state, September 15, 1838. In 1864, he came south as far as Nashville, Tenn., for the bene- fit of his health, and in 1865, he removed to Jackson county. Ala. After recovering his health, and having fallen in love with the southern climate, ' country and people, he decided to locate permanently in the south. Having in his boyhood been connected with the lumber and saw milling business, he engaged in the same business in Jackson county. In 1870 he removed to Decatur and continued the lumber business in that city. He erected an extensive saw mill on the banks of the Tennessee river. In connection with the saw mill he carries a full line of lumber, laths, shingles, sash, doors, blinds, etc., and he also manufactures a superior grade of hoops. Recently, in connection with C. E. Hay, he engaged in the manufacture of furniture, and they now have twenty-five hands at work in their fac- tory. Captain Freeman has been a very prosperous man since he came to Alabama, and he is to-day regarded as one of the solid business men of Decatur. He is an extensive owner of real estate, both improved and unimproved. He owns and rents over forty substantial residences in Decatur, all of which he himself erected. As an evidence of Capt. Freeman's standing and popularity in Decatur, it is only necessary to note that in 1873, three years after he located in the place, he was elected, without effort or solicitation on his part, a member of the board of aldermen of Decatur, and was continuously re-elected to that office until 1889, when he was elected mayor of the city. After serving one term as mayor he was re-elected to that office, in 1891, and is now serving his second term. He is a director in both the First National bank of Decatur, and the Exchange bank of new Decatur. Captain Freeman was married in 1865, to Miss Rachel Sutherland, of Jackson county, Ala., by whom he has four children, orly one of whom, a daughter, now survives.
P. C. GASTON, M. D .- This gentleman is one of the most experienced physicians and surgeons of South Decatur. Morgan county, Ala., and has been a resident of the place since 1889. He was born in Giles county, Tenn., in 1848. and is a son of T. C. Gaston, a native of Chester district, S. C. T. C. Gaston came to Alabama in his youthful days and settled in Limestone county, of which he became surveyor and magistrate, holding the latter office for many years. He married Catherine Johnson of
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Alabama, who bore him eleven children, of whom Dr. P. C. Gaston is the third in order of birth, and of whom seven still survive. The father died in Limestone county, Ala., in 1889, at the age of seventy years, and the mother in September, 1892, also at the venerable age of seventy. P. C. Gaston was primarily educated in Giles county, Tenn., and in Limestone county, Ala., finishing at Giles college, Bethel, Tenn. In 1854 he left his alma mater and joined the Tennessee Methodist Episcopal conference, and for seven years traveled and preached in its interests in Limestone county, Ala., Madison county, Ala., White county, Tenn., Buford county, Tenn., and Humphreys county, Tenn. In 1873 he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Westmoreland and Dr. Wilkerson, of Limestone county, Ala., subsequently attended lectures at" Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., and graduated from the medical department of the latter in 1878. He at once located at Athens, Ala., where he conducted a very successful practice for eleven years. During this period he was a member of the Limestone county Medical society, and was for some years its president and secretary. In 1889 the doctor removed to Decatur, Ala., where he has since been in active practice. He is now a member of the Morgan county Medical society and the state Medical association, as well as of the Masonic fraternity, and stands deservedly high in the com- munity in which he lives. The doctor has been twice married-first, in 1877, to Miss Carrie. daughter of Benjamin Garrett, of Giles county, Tenn., and secondly, in 1885, to Miss Fannie, daughter of J. M. Malone, of Limestone county, Ala. To this last marriage have been born two children, of whom one-Jane K .- is still living.
J. C. GILLESPIE, M. D .- This popular young physician of Decatur, Morgan county, Ala., is a native of Tennessee, born in Blount county, December 5, 1855. His father, Campbell M. Gillespie, was also born in Blount county, Tenn., and married Miss Narcissa Lorinda Clarke, a native of the same state. Their union was blessed with eight children, of whom seven still survive and are named, in the order of their birth, as follows: Samuel C., of Madison, Ala .; Narcissa E .; Dr. J. C .; Philander M., of Madison; John F., of Birmingham; Hessie, and William H., the latter also a resident of Madison. The parents of these children came to . Alabama, in 1870, and located in Morgan county, but in 1879 removed to Madison county, where they still reside, and where the father is still following his life-long vocation of farming. Dr. J. C. Gillespie was edu- cated at the high school and at the college of Fayetteville, Tenn., and also at the college of Somerville, Ala. In 1875, he left the last-named institution, and for three years taught school in Morgan county, Ala., in the meantime devoting his attention to the study of medicine. Being thus prepared, he attended lectures at the medical department of the Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., and graduated in 1881. He located for practice at Madison, Ala., for nine years, had a numerous clientele, and while residing there was a member of the Madison county
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Medical society and of the state Medical association. He still holds his membership in the latter, and is, beside, a member of the Morgan county Medical society and keeps fully posted in the progress of medical science. In the fall of 1887, he settled in Decatur, and, in 1890, opened a drug store in East Decatur. December 22. 1881, the doctor was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary E. Stephens, daughter of W. H. Stephens, of Madi- son, Ala., and the union has been crowoed by the birth of five children, viz .: Lovinda Newell, Eddie Mary, Harriet Elizabeth, Goldie Vashti, and James William.
C. C. HARRIS, a prominent attorney of Decatur, and president of the First National bank, was born in Lawrence county, Ala., January 28, 1842. He is the son of William and Nancy L. (Stovall) Harris, the former of whom was born in 1806. in Grainger county, Tenn .; and the latter in Lawrence county, Ala. William Harris resided in Lawrence county for many years, and in 1875 removed to Decatur, where he died, June 28, 1884. His early life was a continuous struggle with adverse cir- cumstances. However, after he had passed the meridian of life, his efforts were crowned with success, and he accumulated a handsome com- petency. C. C. Harris received his early education from a private instructor. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service as a private sol- dier in company F, Sixteenth Alabama infantry, and was soon promoted to lieutenant. He was wounded at the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, and at Franklin, Tenn., and from the effects of the wound received at this latter battle he was confined four months in a private house in Franklin. He was afterward captured and spent some time' in Camp Chase, Ohio. At the close of the war he returned home and began the study of the law, and in 1866 he was admitted to the bar in his native county. He filled the offices of clerk of the circuit court and solicitor for Lawrence county, and in 1872 removed to Decatur, where he has since resided and practiced law in connection with his varied business inter- ests. In 1881, in connection with three other gentlemen, he established the bank of Decatur, which was subsequently converted into the First National bank, of which he became president at the time of its organiza- tion and has continued to hold the office ever since. He, with others, was instrumental several years ago in inaugurating the movement which had for its object the improvement and building up of Decatur, from which movement the city was greatly improved and benefited, and to which it owes its recent growth, and its present prosperous condition. Upon the organization of the Decatur Land. Improvement and Furnace company, he was chosen its attorney. As a lawyer Col. Harris stands among the leaders in Decatur, and as a business man his abilities are considered second to those of no other man in Decatur. As a citizen he is regarded as one of the most energetic and enterprising, and as one of those who have unselfishly devoted their time and means toward building up and improving the city, and who have encouraged all enterprises calcu-
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lated to benefit the community. Col. Harris was married February 14, 1869, to Miss Julia Wert, daughter of M. Wert of Moulton, Lawrence county.
C. E. MALONE, real estate agent of Decatur, Ala., was born in Savan- nah, Ga., February 22, 1841. He was educated at the Hilliard institute. Forsyth, Ga., and at Edenton, Ga., high school, where he was attending school when the war broke out. He enlisted in the Fourth Georgia infantry as a private soldier in 1861, and served as such two years, when he was appointed commissary of the regiment, and served in that position to the end of the war. During the first year of his service, he was sta- tioned at Norfolk, Va., where he saw the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac, and he participated in the following battles. Seven Pines, then was constantly under fire in the Chickahominy swamps in front of Richmond, for six weeks; he was with Early in his demonstration against . Washington; he was in the battle of Chancellorsville; both battles at Fredericksburg, at Gettysburg, which was his last battle, being made commissary then, and not being afterward in active service. He was slightly wounded at Chancellorsville. After the war was over he engaged . in planting cotton in southwest Georgia for two years, when he went to Barnwell district. S. C., and was there engaged in planting for about fifteen years. In February, 1888, he came to Alabama, settling in Deca- tur, where has since resided, and where he has been engaged in the real estate business. He is now business manager for the Alabama, Kaolin & Mineral company, and he is a stockholder (one of five) in the ownership of the Black mines, in Franklin county, Ala., where hematite ore is mined. Mr. Malone belongs to the Baptist church, and is a deacon. He was married, November 15, 1866. to Phobe S. Willingham, daughter of B. L. Willingham, a native of South Carolina, but who now resides in Macon, Ga. By this marriage, Mr. Malone has had nine children, eight of whom are now living, viz .: B. W .; Jane A., widow of J. K. Hedges; C. E., Jr. ; B. L. ; S. H .; R. L. ; Thomas H., and Ernest P. The father of C. E. Malone was Charles J. Malone, a native of Virginia, and his mother was Jane A. Hudson, a native of Putnam county, Ga. Charles J. Malone was an officer in the Seminole war, and a farmer by occupation. He died in 1872, aged about sixty-six years. His wife died in 1878. C. E. Malone was made captain of the Bull Pond guards of Barnwell district, S .. C., in 1877, and held that position until he left South Carolina, in 1888.
S. L. ROUNTREE, M. D., a prominent physician of Hartsell's, Morgan county, Ala., was born in Maury county, Tenn., July 9, 1837. He was educated at the academy at Spring Hill, Tenn., and leaving school in 1856, he began to read medicine at Santa Fe, Tenn. He afterward took one course of lectures at the university of Kentucky at Louisville, and graduated from the university of Pennsylvania in 1860. He came to Ala- bama in the same year, and in spring of 1861, enlisted as a private soldier in the first company organized in Morgan county, the company enlisting
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