A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II, Part 16

Author: Harden, William, 1844-1936
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1208

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The youth of Mr. Thomson was passed in the troublous days preced- ing and during the Civil war. Mr. Thomson received as good an edu- cation as was possible under the circumstances. He received a good commercial training in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, from which he was graduated in 1869.

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In January, 1870, Mr. Thomson came to Savannah, which has since been his home. His first position was in charge of the books of a whole- sale and retail grocery house. From this position he went into the old Southern Bank, as bookkeeper; this bank. established in 1870, was the beginning of the present Citizens' & Southern Bank. Leaving the South- ern Bank he became connected with the Merchants' National. Subse- quently he became identified with the National Bank of Savannah, when it was established November 10, 1885, and for eleven years he was cashier of this bank. Altogether he was twenty-five years in the banking business in Savannah-six years with the Southern. eight years with the Merehants' and eleven years with the National Bank of Savannah.

For four years after retiring from the bank he was special agent for the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company. Then in 1901 he was elected to the office of state and county tax collector of Chatham county, which he has filled, by successive elections. ever since. He is a very popular official and his office has a wide reputation for efficiency.

Mr. Thomson is a Mason of statewide prominenee, of both the York and Scottish Rites. a Knights Templar, and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and in addition is a Shriner. He was for several years treasurer of the Seottish Rite bodies in Savannah. He was for ten years a member of military organizations in Savannah, first of the Savannah Cadets, and then with the Chatham Artillery. By election of the Savan- nah Cadets he is an honorary life member of that historie organization. He is also a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and no one is more beloved in fraternal cireles. He and his wife are members of Wesley Monumental Methodist church.

Mr. Thomson was married in Savannah. Miss Margaret J. Meldrim, of this city, daughter of Ralph and Jane (Fawcett) Meldrim, becoming his wife. She is a sister of Gen. Peter W. Meldrim. one of the leading lawyers of Savannah. Mr. Thomson and his admirable wife are the parents of six children, all fine citizens and all sharing the high ideals of their parents. They are: Ralph M. Thomson, Rev. Thomas II. Thom- son, Robert C. Thomson, Edward G. Thomson, Margaret M., wife of Mr. Earl Dasher, and Meldrim Thomson. There are seven grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Thomson have three children: Thomas F., Jr., Robert P. and John L. Rev. Thomas H. Thomson and wife have two daughters. Euniee and Sarah ; and Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Dasher have a son, Thomas Thomson Dasher. Mr. and Mrs. Meldrim Thomson, of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, have one son. Meldrim Thomson, Jr.

HERMAN C. SHUPTRINE. No name is more prominent in pharma- ceutical affairs in Georgia than that of Shuptrine, the family, father and son, having been identified with this profession for a great many years. In addition to their prestige as good business men and excep- tionally skilled druggists, the Shuptrines are public-spirited and of unswerving principles and none is more worthy of representation in a volume of this nature.

Herman C. Shptrine, prominent Savannah drnggist and president of the National Association of Retail Druggists, was born in this city, the son of the late James Thaddeus Shuptrine, and of his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Newton. Of the former, whose much lamented demise occurred on August 15, 1911, more will be told in succeeding paragraphs. Herman C. was born in 1877, and here was reared and for the most part educated, his preliminary education being secured in the public schools of the city, after which he matrienlated in Emory College, Georgia. Before he became of age. he entered his father's store and he has been connected with it ever since, becoming a skillful pharma-

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' cist and thoroughly skilled in merchandising methods. Since his father's death he has been president of the Shuptrine Company, which had been incorporated by his father. He is one of the prominent young business men of Savannah, aggressive and enterprising, of the type which is aiding in the upbuilding of the city. He is active in the many-sided life of the city and is a member of Ancient Landmark lodge of Masons and a former member of the Savannah Cadets.

In September, 1911, Mr. Shuptrine was elected president of the National Association of Retail Druggists, at the thirteenth annual con- vention of that body, held at Niagara Falls. He is probably the youngest druggist who has ever been at the head of the organization, of which over 17,000 druggists are members. This conspicuous honor came to him quite unsolicited, his election having been brought about through the influence of his wide circle of friends in the association, and it was a source of commendable gratification not only to himself, but to the druggists and citizens generally of his home city, Savannah. In 1907 he was elected a member of the Georgia board of pharmacy for a term of five years, and in 1912, re-elected to the same office, and is a member of the board of education of the city of Savannah. It is an eloquent com- mentary upon his ability and the respect and confidence in which he is held.

Mr. Shuptrine was married in Savannah on the 8th day of June, 1898, the young woman to become his wife and the mistress of his household being Miss Alice Elizabeth Vendeveer, who was born in this city. They share their attractive home with a son and a daughter, namely : James T. and Sarah.

James Thaddeus Shuptrine, father of the foregoing, was the second oldest druggist in Savannah and one of the Forest city's most highly esteemed citizens. He was a native Georgian, his life record having begun in Effingham county, on October 15, 1850. His parents were D. C. and Caroline (Newton) Shuptrine. He passed the early years of his life in his native county and received the education accorded to the usual youth of his day and generation. Immediately upon reaching manhood he became identified with the drug business and he continued in this field of endeavor until the time of his death. It is speaking with all due conservatism. to say that he was one of the most widely known druggists in all the length and breadth of the state.

He had spent the greater part of his life in this city, having taken up his residence here at the age of nineteen years. His first business venture was in the employ of the late J. M. Heidt, whose drug store was located on the corner of Whitaker and Congress streets. He remained with that gentleman for six years 'and following that connection took charge of the drug business of J. H. Polhill on Abercorn street. He remained with Mr. Polhill until 1876, and was in this association at the time of the yellow fever scourge which swept over Savannah in that year. It is characteristic that he remained at his post throughout that trying period.

Mr. Shuptrine went into business for himself in 1877, his store being located a few doors below the present location of the Shuptrine Company. He moved into his present commodions quarters on Congress street about fifteen years ago and in the year 1906 the business was incorporated. Mr. Shuptrine was partienlarly successful in his business ventures. Serupulously conscientious in his dealings. kind and considerate in his private life, he won the admiration and respect of all with whom he came in contact. He was at one time president of the Georgia Pharma- ceutical Association and for many years acted as its treasurer.

Mr. Shuptrine laid one of the most important stones in the founda-

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tion of his success by his marriage on February 17, 1876, to Miss Sarah Newton. Their happy union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Mrs. Walter B. Stillwell, Mrs. F. E. Johnston, and Herman C. Shuptrine. He also had five grandchildren. He was essentially domestic in nature, finding his greatest pleasure about his own fireside. His home at 308 Bolton street, West, was known as one of the hospitable abodes of a city where hospitality has become a highly cultivated virtue.

Mr. Shuptrine was a member of Landrum Lodge of Masons and. exemplified in his own life the ideals of moral and social justice and brotherly love for which the order stands. The Masonic body held the last ceremonial rites and consigned all that was mortal of him to the grave. Ile had for many years been a member of the First Baptist church and was a member of the board of deaeons at the time of liis passing to the Great Beyond. It has been said of him that he was recognized all over the state as a man of shrewd business sagacity, as well as an aceomplished druggist. He was distinguished for unusual physical activity, and suceess was pretty sure to crown his undertak- ings. He was interested in all that pertained to the unity and advanee- ment of his profession and retained his office of treasurer in the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association until the June before his death, when he was forced to retire on account of deelining health. He was active in the local association of druggists up to a few years ago. The memory and influence of this gentleman will not soon be lost in the community which so profited by his good eitizenship.

JOHN WARD MOTTE. In the field of production of naval stores, it is safe to say that no one man is more widely known than John Ward Motte, president of the Producers' Naval Stores Company and very prominent in the commercial affairs of Savannah. Mr. Motte is one of those native Southerners, who within recent years have manifested a remarkable capacity in the promotion and conduct of great commercial and industrial businesses amounting to genius and to them is due in great part the renewed prosperity of the South, which is going forward with leaps and bounds. This distinguished Savannah citizen was born at Cheraw, in Chesterfield county, South Carolina. His paternal an- cestry is of Frenel Huguenot origin, his forbears having located in Charleston, South Carolina, early in the history of that city and they and their descendants have resided there for many years. In 1889, Mr. Motte canie to Savannah and this eity has ever since been his home.

It was in the year above mentioned that Mr. Motte first became iden- tified with the naval stores business and his main business interests have always been centered in the naval stores industry. He is the presi- dent of the Producers' Naval Stores Company, one of the most promi- nent and successful corporations engaged in this industry. This company is the suecessor to the John R. Young Company, which in turn was the successor to the Ellis-Young Company. Mr. Motte is also president of the Blue Creek Company, a large producing naval stores organization operating in Florida. He is financially interested in several other com- panies engaged in one way or another in the naval stores business. In addition to these he has many other interests of wide scope and importance. He is a director of the Savannah Bank & Trust Company. a history of which appears elsewhere in this work. It is this company which built the splendid fifteen-story office building at Bull and Bryan streets, perhaps the finest structure of its kind in the Sonth, and a source of great pride to all Savannahians. The general offices of Mr. Motte's companies are in this building.

Mr. Motte is vice-president and director of the board of trade and

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for many years has been one of its most active and useful members. He has been either at the head of or a member of several important delega- tions from the board that have accomplished great results for Savan- nah. It is due to the public spirited efforts of such citizens as Mr. Motte that Savannah has become one of the wealthiest, most prosperous and most enterprising cities of the South. He is a man of splendid ability and the continual progress and present standing of those enter- prises with which he is identified are largely to be credited to his experi- ence, executive ability, engineering skill and genius in the broad combi- nation and concentration of applicable forces.

The Chatham Nurseries (sueeessors to the W. J. Stevenson Com- pany), operating extensive green houses and a nursery in Savannah at Dale and Waters avenues. is fortunate in posessing Mr. Motte as president.

Mr. Motte was for several years an active member of the Savannah Volunteer Guards. and served with this command in the Spanish-Ameri- can war. Upon his return to the eity at the termination of the confliet he became an officer of the guards. Although eminently well fitted for the successful assumption of publie trust, he has served in but one office. namely, county commissioner of Chatham county, to which he was elected in 1906 and re-elected in 1910.

He is a prominent club man, belonging to the Oglethorpe Club, the Savannah Yacht Club. the Masonic order, the Elks and other social and fraternal organizations.

JAMES FAIRLIE COOPER MYERS. It is distinctively within the prov- ince of this historical compilation to enter record conecrning the cap- tains of those staunch and important commercial and industrial con- cerns through which is being conserved the progress and prestige of Savannah. James Fairlie Cooper Myers is vice-president of the Germa- nia Bank, also the American Naval Stores Company, of this city, a con- cern of national magnitude. He has been identified with the company in one capacity or another sinee 1881, when as a boy he secured a minor position with its principal predecessor, and no small degree of its rapid, steady growth and its present splendid scope and completeness may be partially traced to his executive ability, tireless energy, engineer- ing skill and genius in the broad combination and concentration of applicable forces.

Mr. Myers was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on the 7th day of April, 1867. His parents were Francis Nimis Myers and Mary Fairlie (Cooper) Myers.

.On his maternal side, Mr. Myers' ancestry presents an interesting and fascinating reeord. His mother, Mary Fairlie (Cooper) Myers, is the danghter of the late James Fairlie Cooper, who was a civil engineer of distinction and a resident of Alabama for a number of years. One of his most prominent achievements as an engineer was the building of the Western & Atlanta Railroad, which was financed by the state of Georgia, and of which he became manager after its completion. It was this which cansed him to become a resident of Georgia.

Thomas Apthorpe Cooper. the eminent English actor. the stage tutor of the elder Booth and of Edwin Forrest. after his removal from Lon- don to New York. in 1830. married Miss Mary Fairhie, a young woman widely famed for her wit and beauty and for her artistie and intel- lectual qualities. She was the daughter of Maj. James Fairlie, who was aid-de-camp on the staff of General Washington in the Revolutionary war and who subsequently served as elerk of the supreme court of New York. Mary Fairlie was the granddaughter of Gov. Robert Yates of

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New York (one of the colonial governors). and through this distin- guished forbear the subject secured membership in the Society of Co- lonial Wars. The Fairlies were intimate friends of Washington Irving and Mary Fairlie was the original of the character Sophie Sparkle in "Salamagundi." One of the daughters of Thomas and Mary ( Fairlie) Cooper, Priscilla Cooper, was likewise noted for her great charm of per- sonality. She became an actress of note and her playing of the part of Virginia in her father's production of "Virginins." in which the latter played the title role, at the old Bowery theatre of New York, was a not- able theatrical event of the early days. Priscilla Cooper gave up the stage upon her marriage to Robert Tyler, son of President Tyler. On account of the ill health of the wife of President Tyler, Priscilla Cooper Tyler became virtually the "Mistress of the White House" and her reign as such forms a delightful chapter in the social history of Washington.

Mr. Myers is one of Savannah's most distinguished members of the Sons of the American Revolution and his membership in the same comes from descent on his paternal side from Philip Minis, of whom he is the great-great-grandson. Philip Minis was born in Georgia in 1736 and it seems to be a pretty clearly established fact that he was the first white child born in the colony of Georgia, which was founded in 1733. On account of his activities in behalf of the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, he was named in the Georgia Royal Disqualifying Act of 1780. He passed to the great beyond in 1789.

Thus it will be seen that few have as inspiring a connection with the early years of American history and the spirit of the men who achieved American independence has come as a legacy to Mr. Myers, whose patri- otism' is manifest as a particularly fine type of citizenship. He is a génial gentleman, always courteous and considerate, of broad human sympathies and tolerance, and possessed of that sincere love of his fel- low men without which there can never be the highest success. All meas- ures likely to result in general benefit are sure of his support.

Mr. Myers was reared in Marietta. Georgia, where he attended school. In 1881, before he was fourteen years of age, he came to Savannah and soon after secured a position in the naval stores firm of S. P. Shotter & Company, with which business he has been connected ever since. It has since become the American Naval Stores Company. the organization of which was promoted by Mr. Shotter. and Mr. Myers holds the office of vice-president. The American Naval Stores Company is a very large and wealthy corporation, founded on Mr. Shotter's original company and embracing a number of other companies which have since been absorbed. Mr. Myers has made a splendid rise in the world of com- merce. Besides the position above mentioned. he is president of the South Atlantic Steamship Company and of the National Transporta- tion and Terminal Company. He is vice-president of the National Tank & Export Company and an officer of or financially interested in other connrercial enterprises of importance. He has lived in Savannah con- tinuously since 1881. with the exception of eight years. from 1886 to 1894. when he was a resident of New York City in charge of the offices of his company there. He is a director of the Germania Bank.

Mr. Myers was married in Savannah to Miss Lina Anderson, dangh- ter of John W. Anderson. Their happy marriage has been blessed with a son and à daughter- John Anderson and Carolyn Cooper. To see Mr. Myers at his best socially it is necessary to meet him in his delight- ful home. There his easy dignity, generous hospitality and cordial ways mark him at once as a true gentleman.

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ADAM COPE HARMON, for a number of years identified with the insurance business in Savannah and a resident of that city all his life, is a member of one of the oldest families known to the city. He was born here in 1850 and is the son of Abram and Anna Rosa (Cope) Harmon. The father was born near Lexington in lower South Carolina, and his father, the grandfather of Adam Cope Har- mon of this review, was born in Germany. He came to America and located near Lexington, South Carolina. where he passed the remainder of his life. His son, Abram Harmon, came to Savannah in about 1830 and died in 1859. The mother of Adam Cope Harmon was Anna Rosa Cope. She was born in Savannah and there lived her entire life. She was the daughter of Adam Cope, one of the well known early citizens of Savannah, who was born in England and came to Savannah in the days of Oglethorpe. He furnished active aid and support to the Con- tinental army during the War of the Revolution, after which he beeame prominent in the publie affairs of the city. He was one of the marshals who officiated at the notable oeeasion of Lafayette's visit to Savannah in March, 1825, and was one of those to assist in the entertainment of the city's distinguished and honored guest.

Mr. Harmon is the youngest child of his parents. ITis oldest brother, Richard Fuller Harmon, now deceased, was in the cotton business in Savannah for many years and was a prosperous and prominent man. He was always active and prominent in public affairs, and Harmon street was named in his honor. He was a member of the city couneil, in which body he was chairman of the committee on streets and lanes. One other brother is living at Savannah-Abram W. Harmon.

The early education of Mr. Harmon was but a limited one, owing to the meagre sehool facilities that were available during and just follow- ing the war. Ile was a student in the private school of J. F. Cann for a short time, but the greater part of his education was self-aequired. Beginning life for himself he first went into the drug business, in which he was engaged for four years. He then became chief clerk in charge of the whart for the line of steamships between Savannah and Washing- ton and after some little time thus employed he went into the retail grocery business. He later engaged in the milling business. and con- ducted a rice and corn mill in Savannah. This latter venture proved to be most unprofitable. and upon getting clear of it he engaged in the brokerage business, and later in the rice trade. In about 1900 Mr. Har- mon became established in the insurance business, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He is agent for the Continental Fire Insur- ance Company of New York, also general agent for the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company of San Francisco, each of which ranks among the highest of its class in the United States, and in the years which have elapsed since first identifying himself with the insurance busines, he has proven himself in every way fitted to handle the line in a success- ful manner, and the results of his labors have been profitable and pleasant.

Mr. Harmon is one of the directors of the Savannah Benevolent Association, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being past master of Zernbbable lodge A. E. & A. M. and a Knights Templar ..

In 1893 Mr. Harmon was united in marriage with Mrs. Isaquene (Lythgoe) Parrot, who was born in South Carolina of English parent- age. Mr. Harmon has one son, Wayman Potter Harmon.

GORDON SAUSSY. The legal profession of Savannah, Georgia, in- cludes among its members Gordon Sanssy, who has been identified with the practice of law here for over fifteen years.

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Mr. Saussy is a native of Savannah. He was born February 14, 1872, son of Robert and Gertrude L. (Keller) Saussy. His father, also a native of Savannah, born Dee. 24, 1840. now lives near this city, at Bonna Bella in Chatham county. For several years he was actively and prominently connected with the Central Railroad of Georgia and the Ocean Steamship Company. He was a member of the Georgia Hussars before the war, and upon the beginning of the conflict between the states he volunteered as a private, and served as such with efficiency and fidelity. In February, 1863, he was promoted to second lieutenant of Company A of the Hussars. October 27, 1864, he was seriously wounded at the battle of Wilson's Farm, near Boydtown plank road, below Bur- gess Mill, Virginia, and was incapacitated thereby till the close of the war. From 1866 to 1898, he made his home in New York City, where he was engaged in railroad and steamship service, and in the latter year he returned to his old home in Georgia. As above stated, he is now a resident of Bonna Bella. near Savannah.

Although born in Georgia. Gordon Saussy went to New York in early life and received his education there. He attended the College of the City of New York, and studied law in the law department of Cornell University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1896. That year he began the practice of his profession in Savannah, and here he has continued up to the present time.

NEWTON J. NORMAN. One of the most conspicuous figures in the recent history of this part of Georgia is the well-known gentleman whose name introduces this review. An enumeration of the men of this part of the state who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the community in which they live would be incomplete without reference to Newton J. Norman, a lawyer of admirable ability and solicitor general of the Atlantic circuit. com- prising the five counties, viz. : Liberty, Bryan, McIntosh, Effingham and Tattnall.

Mr. Norman was born at Flemington. Liberty county, Georgia, Sep- tember 12, 1855, the son of Capt. William S. and Susan Lorenna (Stacey) Norman. The father was born at Walthourville. Liberty county, Georgia, February 26, 1822, and died August 15, 1878. He was a lawyer by profession, a graduate of the State University at Athens, with T. R. Cobb, Charles C. Jones and others whose names are associated promi- nently with Georgia history, and afterwards studied law under Joseph Wilkins and Wm. B. Fleming. At the beginning of his law practice he removed from Walthourville to Hinesville, the county seat of Liberty county and situated about two miles from Flemington, and afterwards to Flemington. In addition to his professional interests he also became a large planter in Liberty county. At the beginning of the war he raised a company which was known as the Liberty Volunteers, becoming captain of the same and being stationed at Tybee island. After six months service his entire family were taken down with typhoid fever, which required his presence at home, and during which time his com- mand joined the army of Northern Virginia. As soon as his family was sufficiently recovered for him to take np duties again for the Con- federacy, he was appointed solicitor of revenue, under the Georgia Con- federate goverment, for the counties of Liberty and Bryan, which posi- tion he held with efficiency until the elose of the war. Upon the termina- tion of the great conflict, he was elected judge of the county court of Liberty county, and after four years on the bench, he resumed the prac- tice of law, in which he continued actively until his death. Captain Norman, in addition to his high repute as a lawyer and jurist, was also

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A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II, Part 16

Author: Harden, William, 1844-1936 Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1208

Author: Harden, William, 1844-1936
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1208