A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II, Part 22

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

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Dr. Crawford's family consists of his wife and two children, Mary Barron and William. Mrs. Crawford, formerly Miss Rachel Miles Shell- man, is a daughter of Maj. W. F. Shelhan.

GRANTHAM I. TAGGART. In recalling the men who have contributed to the business prosperity of Savannah, Georgia, and whose names belong to the roll of men of distinction in military life. the late Col. Grant- ham I. Taggart claims prominent notice. His birth took place on October 17, 1828, at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, and his death occurred October 24. 1905, at Savannah, Georgia. His father was James Taggart and his grandfather was Capt. JJoseph Israel Taggart who commnded a Delaware contingent in the Continental army in the Revolutionary war and was imprisoned on the British frigate, Roebuck.

In the schools of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, Grantham I. Tag- gart obtained his education and when he was sixteen years of age his practical father decided that his services could be profitably utilized in his grocery store. That the youth had other ambitions may be judged by the fact that he continued his studies at night in order to qualify himself for teaching school and in fact. taught two terms of school just. across the Susquehanna river from his native place. Prior to this, how- ever, he had had his first taste of military life, in 1845 enlisting as a volunteer for service in the Mexican war, and. although young, had been made second lieutenant of the Sixth Company. First Battalion, Third Regiment. Pennsylvania National Guard. Whether it was the times in which he lived that aronsed his military spirit and later developed his powers. or. whether they were an inheritance from his Revolutionary grandfather, may not be determined, but it is certain that after the Third Regiment was sent back home on account of the cessation of the war. he continued in close touch with military matters and as a member of the state militia, studied taeties and the science of war.

In 1853 he left his native place and went to Philadelphia and there engaged as a clerk in several retail stores on Market street and later,

GRANTHAM I. TAGGART

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in partnership with two other young men, embarked in the hat, cap and fur business in that city, and a satisfactory business was being done when the Civil war broke out. He joined the first volunteer company enlisted at Philadelphia and through the interest of Hon. Simon Cam- eron, then secretary of war. in President Lineoln's cabinet, who was a friend of his father, the young man was commissioned second lieutenant, and. he continued in the Federal army until the elose of hostilities between the North and South. A record is here presented of the battles in which he participated: 1861. Bull Run and Fredericksburg: 1862, Corinth, Island No. 10, New Madrid; 1863, Arkansas Post, Baker's Creek, Big Black River, Farmington, Grand Gulf, Jackson, Siege of Vicksburg, Port Gibson and Raymond; 1864, prior to accompanying General Sherman's forces on its march to the sea, Long Bridge, Roanoke Station, Reams Station, Siege of Petersburg, Spottsylvania-Court House, Todd's Tavern. White Oak Swamp, Wilderness. Beaver Dam, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Mechamp's Creek, Ashland and Hawk's Shop.

Colonel Taggart's connection with the history of Savannah began in the fall of 1864, when, as chief commissary of subsistence, under Gen. John A. MeClernand, with the rank of captain, he entered Savannah and established headquarters for his department opposite the residence on Bull street, that was the headquarters of the commander, General Sherman. His services, however, were never strictly confined to the commissary department while chief in command, for he was such an efficient all-around soldier that he was needed in many departments. During the siege of Vicksburg he served under General Grant with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. At various times during the war, Colonel Taggart was detailed to conduct schools of instruction for officers in saber practice, being a skilled swordsman. He received many medals for conspicuous bravery in battle and efficiency on scouting expeditions, while, in the files of his letters and the documents preserved by his family, there are included many testimonials as to his ability as a soldier and officer as well as expressions of the highest personal regard, a num- ber of these being from General Grant, having enjoyed the confidence and friendship of the great commander for many years.

Under date of August 23, 1864, Brig .- Gen. John II. Wilson wrote to Gov. Andrew G. Curtin. of Pennsylvania, as follows :

"Colonel Taggart is well qualified to command a regiment and has seen varied, aetive and honorable service in all parts of the country. I have known him from the beginning of the Vicksburg campaign, and have always found him at his post."

Under date of June 17, 1863, the following letter was written by Maj .- Gen. John A. MeClernand, from the headquarters of the Thirteenth Army Corps, near Vicksburg :

"Permit me to recommend Lieutenant-Colonel Taggart, chief com- missary of the Thirteenth Army Corps, for promotion in the line. Ile is an officer of remarkable activity, zeal and aptitude. I believe he would distinguish himself in command. He has afforded valuable services to me, not only in his own department, but in general service on several battlefields. He will fulfill every just expectation. I hope von will be pleased to give him a wider and more conspicuous field for the display of his talents." This letter was directed to President Lincoln.

In January, 1866, Colonel Taggart returned to Savannah, his pre- vious experiences during war convineing him that here might be found an ideal home during peace. He established the coal business which

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has been continued by the family ever since, in his later years his two sons, Grantham I. and John P .. under the firm name of Taggart & Company, assuming charge. This is one of the largest coal firms on the South Atlantic coast, being wholesale shippers. The firm are coaling contractors for steamships and they have English representatives in the firm of Hull, Blythe & Company, of London. With great foresight and judgment they are managing the coal situation precipitated by the recent conditions brought about by coal troubles in England, Wales and Germany. Colonel Taggart, late in 1866, embarked in a theatrical enterprise, in partnership with a brother of the late Fanny Davenport, taking over the management of the old Savannah theater and produc- ing excellent plays presenting such noted people as Fanny Davenport and Joseph Jefferson. Although this venture was not a success it was not so much for want of business foresight as on account of the temper of the times and a lack of financial stability among people who for- merly had been of independent fortune. It was some years later before complete confidence was restored and old-time conditions again pre- vailed. After his retirement from the theatrical business, Colonel Tag- gart devoted himself exclusively to his coal interests.

Colonel Taggart married Miss Martha Ethel Kirksey, who was born at Tallahassee, Florida, and died at Savannah, in 1903. Their two sons, as mentioned above, are prominent business men of this city and in addi- tion to his coal connections, Grantham I. Taggart is also president of the Taggart-Delph Lumber Company of Savannah. While a resident of Pennsylvania, Colonel Taggart became identified with the Masonic fraternity and subsequently served as district deputy grand master of that state.

HARRY B. GRIMSHAW, superintendent of the Seaboard Air Line Rail- way, Savannah. Georgia, is prominent and popular alike in both busi- ness and social circles of this city. A brief review of his life gives the following facts :

Harry B. Grimshaw was born in Choetaw county, Alabama, in 1872. When he was a child, his parents removed to southern California, where he spent twelve years of his boyhood. Returning to Alabama. he began railroad service in 1890, at the age of eighteen. as a fireman, running out of Troy, on the old Alabama Midland Railway. He worked on that road till 1892, when he became an employe of the operating department of the old Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railroad (now the Sea- board Air Line), and has remained with this system, under its different changes, ever since that time, with the exception of two years. when he was superintendent of the Savannah & Statesboro Railroad. Mr. Grim- shaw has lived in Savannah since 1898.

On September 1. 1905, Mr. Grimshaw became superintendent of the Savannah division of the Seaboard Air Line, his jurisdiction then extend- ing over the Savannah terminals and the lines west of Savannah extend- ing to Montgomery, Alabama. On November 1. 1910. his jurisdiction as superintendent was expanded to inelude, in addition to the territory just mentioned, the main north and south line of the Seaboard extending from Columbia. South Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida. This consol- . idated territory embraces 740 miles of railway, and is perhaps one of the largest divisions under one division superintendent. Mr. Grimshaw has rendered notably efficient and skillful services in railroad operation and is of high standing in railroad official eireles.

While not a politician in any sense of the word, Mr. Grimshaw can be depended upon to support the best men and measures, and is recog- nized as an all-around representative citizen. In 1910 he was honored

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by being elected a member of the Savannah board of aldermen. Fra- ternally, he is an Elk and a Mason. He belongs to Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 231, F. & A. M., and Richard Nunn Consistory, No. 1, in which he received the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite; and he has membership in Savannah Lodge of Elks, No. 183.

ROBERT B. HUBERT, of Savannah, is a representative of one of the prominent families of southern Georgia.

He was born in Effingham county, Georgia, son of Hiram and Lela M. (Morton) Hubert, now residents of Quitman, Brooks county, this state. The IIuberts are of French Huguenot descent, and the first of the family who came to America landed in the Old Dominion following the Edict of Nantes. From Virginia Hiram Hubert's father came to Georgia, about 1800, and made settlement in Warren county. The original home established by him in that county is still in possession of the IIubert family. ITiram Hubert, a native of Warren county, lived for several years in Effingham county, where he was a prosperous planter. and from whence he removed to Quitman, Brooks county. which, as above stated, is still his home. Mr. Hubert's mother, Lela M. (Mor- ton) Hubert, was born at Haleyondale. Sereven county, Georgia. where her father, who was a native of Massachusetts, had settled in the early days. Her father was of English descent and her mother, whose maiden name was Archer, was descended from one of the Salzburger colonists from Germany who settled in Effingham county in 1734. Mrs. Hubert's maternal grandmother was an Ennis, a member of a family who came direct from the north of Ireland to south Georgia previous to the year 1800. An unele of the subject of this sketeh, his mother's eldest brother, the late J. O. Morton, who died at Quitman, Georgia. in 1910, at the age of ninety-two years, was one of the oldest bankers in the United States and had been in the banking business at Quitman for a number of years.

Robert B. Hubert received his education in the publie schools of Quitman and lived there with his parents until 1891, when he came to Savannah. This city has sinee been his home. In 1906, the Savan- nah Pure Milk Company, of which he was one of the organizers, was es- tablished, and he became its secretary and manager and continued with the company until it was dissolved, 1911. He is now in the dairy busi- ness for himself at 16 Estell avenue, where he has a large and modern plant.

Mr. Hubert is one of the prominent Masons of Savannah and Georgia. He is a member of Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, of Savannah, of which, in 1910, he served as worshipful master ; also he is a Knight Templar Ma- son and a member of Alee Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Savannah.

Mr. Inbert's wife, formerly Miss Josephine Boulinean Hodges, was born and reared in Savannah.

RAIFORD FALLIGANT. Among the more prominent members of the younger generation of the bar of Savannah is Raiford Falligant, who has attained a deservedly high place for ability and integrity in his profes- sion. As indicated by his name he is of French stock and comes of a race distinguished for their patriotism and military enthusiasm. the Falligant history containing several pages unsurpassed in interest and romance. In days of peace, the stanch traits transmitted by his ances- tors are revealed in the subject in a particularly good type of citizenship.

Savannah is the scene of the birth of Raiford Falligant. his life ree- ord having begun within the fair boundaries of the city on the 12th day of Jannary, 1879. He is the son of Dr. Louis Alexander and Rosa

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Oliver (Brown) Falligant. The father was born in Augusta in 1836 and died at his home in Savannah July 5, 1903. He was a physician and surgeon of unusual distinction and a veteran of the Civil war. He held the post of surgeon in the Confederate army; was stationed at Fort Pulaski just prior to its capture; and had charge of the medical department at the time Sherman's army came into Savannah. He had studied medicine in the medical department of Johns Hopkins Univer- sity at Baltimore and his breadth of spirit led him in later years to perfect himself also in the homeopathie school and he combined the two schools in his practice. He was city health officer and an alderman of Savannah for a number of years. He achieved much well-merited fame as an expert on yellow fever, which came to him following his heroic services as a physician in Savannah during the yellow fever epidemie of 1876, at which time he was also a member of the sanitary board of the city. The federal authorities appointed him a member of the board of experts of the congressional yellow fever commission in 1878, in which capacity he went to New Orleans and gave his services to that city during the great epidemic of 1878. He was a member of the advisory couneil of the American Public Health Association; a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy and a member of the Homeopathic Yellow Fever Commission. He was one of the most publie-spirited men in his profession and was connected with various other useful activities in connection. He wrote au exhaustive report of the yellow fever epi- demic in Savannah in 1876, which was contributed to the medical press and afterward reprinted in pamphlet form. He was a member of the Society of Cincinnati, as was also his brother, Judge Robert Falligant.

Dr. Falligant had nine brothers and sisters; of these, the late Judge Robert Falligant was also a prominent citizen of Savannah, but in an- other profession-that of law. He was born in this city in 1839 and died here on January 3. 1902. He was a state senator for a number of years and later was judge of the superior court for the Savannah circuit. He was an able and accomplished jurist and did a large share in contrib- uting to the high professional prestige of the city which was the scene of his activities. During the war he was active in the Confederate army and was lieutenant in command of a field battery of Georgia troops. After the war he was captain for a number of years of the Oglethorpe Light Infantry.

Mr. Falligant's paternal. grandfather was Louis Numa Falligant, who was the son of Louis Falligant, a Frenchman. and it is the record of the latter's life that gives to the Falligant family history a romantic tinge of the greatest interest. It was the latter who was a soldier un- der Napoleon on the Island of Martinique and founded the Falligant family on American soil. This Louis Falligant was born in the village of Paimboeuf, France: was well educated, trained for a soldier and became an ardent follower and admirer of Napoleon, whose army he joined. The Little Corporal sent him to the Island of Martinique in charge of the military stores on the island, a position of importance. There he met, wooed and married Miss Louise Benedict, a beautiful young American girl, who in early childhood had lost her parents, in Norfolk, Virginia, her home. and was taken by a neighboring family to Martinique. There she was placed in a convent condueted by French nuns. Josephine de la Pagerie, who later was to become the Empress Josephine, being a student in the convent at the same time, and the min in charge of the school being an aunt of Josephine. Miss Benediet. thus accustomed to the French language from childhood, became very pro- ficient in the tongue and when in later years she came to America with her husband, she had to acquire her native language.

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About the year 1814, or shortly before the downfall of Napoleon, Louis Falligant and his wife left the Island of Martinique and went to Paris and later to Paimboeuf, the ancestral home of the Falligants. The downfall of Napoleon and the radical change of affairs in France led Falligant to long for other seenes and he decided to come to America, his wife's native country. With his wife and children he left France in the latter part of 1815 and first located in Philadelphia, becoming asso- ciated in business with Henry Dreeash. Ile soon removed from Phila- delphia to Norfolk, Virginia, and in the fall of 1817 he came with his family to Savannah, where the Falligants have since resided, and where Louis Falligant resided until his death. His son, Louis Numa Falligant, was born on the Island of Martinique and was married in Augusta, Georgia, January 6, 1836, to Miss Eliza Robey Raiford, and these two were the parents of Dr. L. A. Falligant and Judge Robert Falligant, referred to in foregoing paragraphs.

Louise Benedict, through her ancestry, was a member of a prominent family in early colonial history. She was the granddaughter of Eli Benediet, descendant of an English family that came to America about the same time as the Puritans and with a number of other English fami- lies settled the town of Danbury, Virginia. Eli Benediet was a Royalist in the War of the Revolution and became a lieutenant in the English army, which he had joined at the age of eighteen. He died November 27, 1795, at the age of thirty-six. The subject's paternal grandmother, Eliza Robey (Raiford ) Falligant, was born in North Carolina, daughter of Alexander Gray and Eliza (Battey) Raiford, and granddaughter of Robert Raiford, who was captain and brevet major in the Continental line in the American Revolution.

Mr. Falligant's mother, who is still living in Savannah, is the daugh- ter of Marmaduke D. and Catherine Elizabeth (Salfner) Brown. Miss Salfner was the daughter of Matthew and Dorothy Salfner, who came with the Salzburger family from Germany to Savannah, about 1759, being among the earliest settlers of Chatham county. The present gen- eration, as represented by the subject, still owns much valuable land in Chatham county that has been in the family since the first generation of Salfners, who received a grant of land at Vernonsburg (now White Bluff) from King George.

Mr. Falligant received his preliminary education in the public schools and subsequently matriculated in the University of Georgia, from the law department of which he was graduated in the class of 1899. Ever since that time he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in this city and is one of Savannah's repre- sentative young citizens.

On the 21st day of April, 1908. Mr. Falligant became a reeruit to the ranks of the benedicts, the young lady to become his wife being Miss Iola P. Baker, born in Macon, Georgia. They have a son, Raiford. Jr. They are prominent in the best social circles of the city, and Mr. Falli- gant is a member of the Society of Cincinnati.

JEFFERSON RANDOLPH ANDERSON was born in Savannah, Georgia, September 4. 1861. and has back of him an honorable and distinguished ancestry. He is the eldest of five children. In the paternal line he is descended from Capt. George Anderson, of England, who came to this country from Berwick on the Tweed, and was married in Trinity church, New York, on February 16, 1671, to Doborah Grant of that city, and settled in Savannah abont the year 1763. Mr. Anderson's grandfather was Mr. George Wayne Anderson, who was a nephew of Justice James MI. Wayne of the supreme court of the United States, and was for forty

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years prior to the Civil war the president of the old Planters Bank in Savannah, one of the greatest of the South's antebellum financial insti- tutions. His father was Col. Edward Clifford Anderson, Jr., who, at the bloody cavalry battle at Trevillians Station, in Virginia, in 1864, succeeded to the coloneley of the Seventh Georgia Cavalry in the army of the Confederacy: and who fell a victim at the post of duty in the yellow fever epidemic in Savannah in 1876.

In the maternal line. Mr. Anderson is a lineal descendant of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and author of the Deela- ration of American Independence, his mother. Jane Margaret Randolph, of Albemarle county, Virginia, being a granddaughter of Col. Thomas Jefferson Randolph. of "Edgehill," in that county, and who himself was the eldest grandson of Mr. Jefferson.

Jefferson Randolph Anderson obtained his early education in various schools in Savannah, Georgia, and was graduated from the Chatham county high school in the class of 1877, and then entered the Hanover Academy of Hanover county, Virginia, of which Col. Hilary P. Jones was the principal. He remained a student there through two consecu- tive years. and in 1879 matriculated in the University of Virginia, spend- ing there the scholastic years of 1879-80 and 1880-81, pursuing his studies in various branches in the academic department. He then went abroad and enjoyed superior educational advantages in the University of Gott- ingen in Germany, where for nearly two years he pursued the studies of history, literature and Roman, or civil, law under the celebrated jurist, Professor von Ehring. Returning to America in the summer of 1883, he again entered the University of Virginia, taking during the session of 1883-84 a part of the academic course and a part of the law course. He attended the summer law school of Prof. John B. Minor during the summer of 1884 and during the following session of 1884-85 took the remainder of the regular law course, being graduated in June, 1885, with the degree of Bachelor of Law.

While at the university, Mr. Anderson was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, which he joined in 1879. and in 1883 he became a member of a student social organization known as the Eli Banana, composed of the leading students in the various Greek letter fraternities. He took active interest in all branches of student life, and in the spring of 1884 was the "how oar" on the 'varsity crew. In June, 1884. he was elected by his fellow students to the position of "Final President" of the Jefferson Literary Society, which at that time was regarded, and perhaps still is regarded. as the highest honor which could be conferred by the students of the university upon a fellow student.

Mr. Anderson was admitted to the bar in Virginia and began prae- tieing law in Savannah. Georgia, in November. 1885. in the office of his relative, the late Judge Walter S. Chishohn, one of the most distinguished lawyers in Georgia, who at that time was the general counsel for the Plant System of Railways, the Southern Express Company and many other large interests. In the summer of 1887 Mr. Anderson decided to branch out for himself. and as a preliminary step, took a course in prac- tical business training in the Eastman Business College at Ponghkeepsie. New York, and opened his law office in Savannah the following October. In May, 1890. he entered the law firm of Charlton & Mackall as junior partner, a partnership which the following year caused the firm style of Charlton, Maekall & Anderson to be adopted and which was retained until the retirement of the senior partner in June, 1900. This firm bo- came in 1895 the general counsel for the Georgia & Alabama Railway and represented many large corporate, as well as private, interests. The firm of Maekall & Anderson then existed from July, 1900, until October,

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1902, when it was dissolved and Mr. Anderson continued for some years alone in the practice. In February, 1908. he formed a co-partnership with Hon. George T. Cann, who resigned from the beneh of the eastern judicial circuit of Georgia for that purpose, and this firm under the style of Anderson & Cann continued until January 1, 1911, when Hon. J. Ferris Cann became a member and the firm name was changed to Anderson, Cann & Cann. This firm is the division counsel for the portions in Georgia of the fourth and fifth divisions of the Seaboard Air Line Railway, and represents a large and influential clientele, their practice being general, although largely in the departments of corpora- tion law and admiralty.

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A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II, Part 22

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