USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II > Part 31
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In 1849 Henry Mitchell eame with his mother, brothers and sisters to America, joining his father, who had emigrated from Scotland the previous year, in Canada, the ocean voyage in a sailing vessel having covered a period of six weeks. Landing in New York, the family went by way of the Hudson river and the Erie canal to Rochester, New York, thence by way of the Genesee river and Lake Ontario to Hamilton. Canada, where, there being no railroads, they took teams to convey
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them to Guelph. Continuing his education, which he had begun in Scotland, Henry Mitchell attended the schools of Guelph regularly until seventeen years old, in the meantime earning a little ready money by clerking during his leisure time in a store. Anxious then to seeure congenial and remunerative employment, he bade good-bye to home and friends, and journeved to New York City, where he expected to find his unele, Henry Kinghorn. The unele, however, had died. Con- cluding therefore to go farther south, Mr. Mitchell went to Charleston, . South Carolina, where he hoped to have an opportunity to develop his niechanieal ability by learning the machinist's trade. Finding no favor- able opening in that city, he sought other employment, applying for work to Mr. James M. Rahb, who was the master mechanic and super- intendent in the building of the Charleston & Savannah Railroad, of which a few miles only had then been completed. He began work as a common laborer, but after two days was given clerical work, later becoming first a fireman, and then a railroad engineer.
On the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Mitchell was made ser- geant of an independent company, and sworn into service, as an expert mechanie being placed on detached duty. He continued as an engineer, and in that capacity formed the acquaintance of General Lee, and was detailed to run his special train, having charge of the engine that drew the general's train while he had charge of the Georgia-Florida district. As previously stated, Mr. Mitchell's great ambition had always been to learn the machinist's trade, and while with General Lee left the train without permission to work in the railroad shops, which were under the supervision of his former employer, Mr. S. S. Haines, who was elected superintendent to take the place of the former superin- tendent. The commanding officer hearing of this, ordered Mr. Mitchell to headquarters. Mr. Haines accompanied him, pleaded his ease most eloquently, telling the officers that as a good mechanic Mr. Mitehell was worth more to the Confederacy in the shops than at the front, putting his side of the case so effectively that Mr. Mitchell was allowed to remain in the shops, where he became familiar with all kinds of work.
A few days before the surrender of Fort Sumter, Mr. Mitehell was called there to adjust the sights of the cannon, and was afterwards one of the volunteers that undertook to blow up the Ironsides. and at the close helped to sink the Confederate boats that they might not be of service to the Federals. The close of the war left Mr. Mitehell penni- less, but he and a companion, having found a boat adrift, established a ferry across the Ashley river, and for a few days carried on a profita- ble business, most of their patrons being Union soldiers. Entering then the employ of the United States government, under Bob Hunter, he was for a short time engaged in the construction of bridges, and the raising of sunken vessels.
Receiving financial aid then from his home people, Mr. Mitehell returned to Canada, and there served an apprenticeship of three years in the machine shops of F. G. Becket & Company. Returning then to the South. Mr. Mitchell was for a year employed as an engineer on the Fernandina & Cedar Keys Railroad. At the solicitation of Mr. S. S. Haines, he then went to Savannah, Georgia, and from that time: until 1877 was an engineer on the Atlanta & Gulf Railroad. Resign- ing that position. he entered the employ of his father-in-law, for six months having charge of his saw mill in Sereven. Georgia. The follow- ing two years he operated a saw mill at Ocean Pond. Florida, and sub- sequently became a partner in the firm of Dale. Dixon & Company, which was operating a planing mill in Savannah, and a saw mill in
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Liberty county, Georgia. The latter plant Mr. Mitchell operated until it burned, six years later. Captain Dale died abont that time, and Mr. Dixon and Mr. Mitchell purchased his interests in the business. and under the firm name of Dixon, Mitchell & Company operated a planing mill in Savannah, and a saw mill in Alexandria, Georgia. for several years. The partnership being dissolved in 1903, and the busi- ness disposed of, Mr. Mitchell located in Waycross, and was here profit- ably engaged in the Inmber business until 1911, when he sold out, and has since lived retired from business cares, making his home with his son, Joseph D. Mitehell.
Fraternally Mr. Mitchell is a member of Waycross Lodge, No. 305, Aneient Free and Accepted Order of Masons: Wayeross Chapter. No. 9, Royal Arch Masons: Damaseus Commandery, No. 18. Knights Tem- plar; and also belongs to Golden Rule Lodge of Savannah, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Mitchell married, in 1877. Kate Dale. who was born and edu- cated in Savannah, a daughter of Capt. Joseph J. and Delia (White) Dale, the former of whom was a native of England, while the latter was born in the United States. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1883, in early womanhood, leaving two children. one of whom lived but eighteen months. The other child, Joseph Dale Mitchell, born in Wayne county, Georgia, but raised and educated in Savannah, was for many years associated in business with his father. He married Minnie Jones, and they have five children, namely: Katie Dale, Minnie, Joseph Dale, Jr., Nellie Burr, and William Bruce. He, too, stands high in the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, being eminent commander of Damascus Commandery, No. 18, Knights Templar.
J. MARK WILCOX. Talented, energetie, and well versed in legal lore, J. Mark Wilcox, of Hazlehurst. is rapidly winning for himself an honored position in the legal circles of Jeff Davis eounty, and deserves great credit for the position which he has won, not only as an attorney. but as a popular and esteemed citizen. He was born May 21. 1890, at Willacoochee, Coffee county, Georgia, of substantial Scotch-Irish ances- try.
His father, Jefferson Wilcox, M. D .. is one of the best known and most prosperous physicians of Coffee county, and a man of prominence and influence. Very active in public affairs. he represented his district in the state legislature in 1892. 1894. and 1896. and 1898 served as state senator. During the Spanish-American war he raised a company of immunes, which was organized as Company B, Third United States Volunteer Infantry. and with them saw service in Cuba. He married Marion Henson, who was likewise a native of Coffee county, Georgia. and they are the parents of two children. namely: Ira E .. of Savannah. Georgia, in the employ of the Southern Bell Telephone Company; and J. Mark. the subject of this brief biographical record.
After completing the course of study in the Willacoochee high sehool J. Mark Wilcox attended Emory College, in Oxford. Georgia. for two years. Going then to Macon. Georgia. he was graduated from the law department of Mercer University with the class of 1910. Imme- diately locating in Hazlehurst. Mr. Wilcox has met with most eneon- aging success in his professional practice, and as one of the younger generation of lawyers has a brilliant prospect for a prosperous future in his career. On November 9. 1911. he was appointed prosecuting attorney for Jeff Davis county, and is filling the position with charae- teristic ability. He is also a director of the Farmers State Bank of Hazlehurst. and its attorney.
Vol. II -- 1 4
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SEABORN WALTER JOHNSON, M. D. Long familiar with the rudi- ments of medicine and surgery, Seaborn Walter Johnson, M. D., of Hazlehurst, has continually added to his knowledge by close study and earnest application, and through sheer merit has gained a fine repu- tation for professional skill and ability. He was born, February 7, 1859, in Appling county, Georgia, which was likewise the birthplace of his father. Matthew Johnson, and the county in which his Grand- father Johnson settled on coming to Georgia, in Bulloch county. The great-grandfather of Dr. Johnson was Mathew Johnson, a soldier in the Revolutionary army under General Washington, and his father, John Johnson. was born in Scotland in 1707, and came to Ameriea about 1730, with the Stewart clan, who were exiled from their native land and came to the colony of North Carolina.
Reared to agricultural pursuits. Mathew Johnson has been quite successful as a tiller of the soil, finding in farming both pleasure and profit. He married Elizabeth Cobb, who was born in North Carolina. a member of a family prominent in the Revolutionary war. She came with her parents to Georgia when about twelve years of age, settling in Jefferson county. She died on the home farm in Appling county. Five children were born of their marriage, as follows: Lewis W., a farmer in Appling county, died in 1886; Daniel W., postmaster at Nicholls, Coffee county; Seaborn Walter, the special subject of this brief sketch; Mary, wife of Jesse T. Sellars, a farmer in Jeff Davis county ; and Marjorie, wife of W. P. Myers, of Baxley, Georgia.
Growing to man's estate beneath the parental roof-tree, Seaborn Walter Johnson successfully learned the three R's in the common schools, the body of instruction at that day, later attending Vanderbilt Uni- versity in Nashville, Tennessee. for a year. studying in both the lit- erary and medical departments. A man of his mental caliber naturally turns to a professional life, and his choice led him to continue the study of medicine. Going therefore to Atlanta, Georgia, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was there graduated with the class of 1887, receiving the degree of M. D. Immediately locating in Graham, Appling county, Dr. Johnson remained there seven years, gaining wisdom and experience of value. He was afterwards settled for a number of years in Baxley, and in Douglas, in each place meeting with good suceess, his natural skill winning for him the confidence of the people. and gaining him a large patronage. In 1911 he took a post-graduate course in New York City, at the Bellevue hospital.
While living in Appling county, Dr. Johnson took much interest in local and state affairs, in 1890 and 1891 representing Appling eounty in the state legislature. While a member of that body, the doctor intro- duced and fathered the "Jim Crow" bill, which was passed during the same session, the bill providing for separate accommodations for white and black traffic on the railroads of the state, and being opposed by every Georgia railroad: Fraternally the doetor belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, being a member of Hazle. hurst lodge, and to R. A. M. Chapter, No. 95. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
On November 27. 1890. Dr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Mamie K. Anthony. a daughter of Rev. J. D. and Josephine ( AAlex- ander) Anthony, and sister of Rev. Bascom Anthony, of the South Georgia Methodist denomination. Her father was dubbed the "Bishop of the Wire Grass," and at the time of the marriage of his daughter Josephine was living in Spring Hill. Montgomery county, Georgia. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson have four children, namely: Ruby Claire. born in 1894: Hallie R., born in 1896; Opal Anthony. born in 1900; and Grace, born in 1904.
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ANSEL A. PARRISH. Among the active and prosperous business men of Valdosta is Ansel A. Parrish, born in that part of Lowndes county that is now Berrien county, Georgia, and a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of this section. The family originated here with Henry Parrish. the grandfather of Ansel A., who took a leading part in the public affairs of his community and at one time was a member of the Georgia state legislature. Ansel A. Parrish was one of the many brave and loyal vonth who, yet in their teens, so gal- lantly went to the defense of their beloved Southland in 1861-65, and he is one of the few remaining actors in that great struggle.
Henry Parrish, who was of North Carolinian stoek, was reared and married in Bulloch county, Georgia, and removed from thence into southern Georgia in a very early day, loeating in that part of Irwin county which later was transferred to Lowndes county and still later became Berrien eounty. He bought land about six miles east of the present site of Cecil and entered aetively and prominently into the public life of this seetion. He died in middle life. His wife, who was a Miss Nancy Williams before her marriage, bore him twelve children and survived him fifty years, passing away at a remarkably advanced age. Ezekiel W. Parrish, born February 16, 1818, in Bulloeh county, Georgia, son of Henry and father of Ansel A., was very young when his parents removed to southern Georgia and after his father's death he remained with his mother until his marriage, when he bought land one mile from where is now located the town of Cecil and there engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1864 he sold his farm and received its value in Confederate money, which he still held when the war closed, but fortunately he had retained about seventeen hundred acres east of Hahira in Lowndes county. He settled on the latter estate, erected the necessary buildings and made it his home until his death on September 1, 1887. Martha C. (Wootten) Parrish, his wife, born in Taliaferro county, Georgia, had preceded him in death, her demise having occurred in June, 1871. She was a daughter of Redden Wootten and wife, the latter of whom was a Miss Bird before her marriage. Ezekiel W. and Martha C. (Wootten) Parrish were the parents of twelve children, namely: Nancy E., Redden B., Susan, Ansel A., James H., Joel W., Matthew R. A., Mary A. A., Ezekiel W. J., Martha M., John E. W. and Absolon B.
Ansel A. Parrish, born February 20, 1846, the fourth in this family, was reared amid pioneer seenes, for in his youth there were no rail- roads in this section of Georgia and his father went to Albany, Georgia, sixty miles away, to market his cotton. All cooking was done before the open fire and his mother would card, spin and weave the wool into homespun cloth which her deft fingers would then convert into garments for her family. Mr. Parrish received such educational advan- tages as the publie schools of his day afforded, and when old enough took up duties on the farm. In May. 1864. he enlisted in Company B of the First Florida Special Battalion for service in the Confederate army and was assigned to the commissary department. where he con- tinued until the close of the war. Returning to his Georgia home, he took np farming and also taught school to earn money. the money with which to advance his education. He was a student in the Valdosta Institute when occurred the death of Professor Varnedoe, then presi- dent of the institution. For sometime after conelnding his studies there he clerked and then engaged in the mercantile business inde- pendently, continuing thns for seven years. He then took up the sale of sewing machines and when bicycles eame into use he engaged in their sale and repair. One of the first in his city to see the future of the
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automobile, he opened a garage for the repair, storage and sale of auto- mobiles and has continued in that line of business to the present time.
On July 16, 1874, Mr. Parrish was united in marriage to Mary Emma Peeples, a native of Berrien county. Georgia, and a daughter of Judge Richard A. and Sarah (Camp) Peeples, more specifie men- tion of whom will be found in the sketch of C. B. Peeples appearing on other pages of this volume. Seven children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Parrish, namely: Carrie May, Maggie Alline. Charles E., Irene A., Ansel A., Richard E. and Edwin Willard. Carrie May is now Mrs. Francis II. Ramsey, of Valdosta, Georgia, and has one son. Francis II. ; Maggie A., now Mrs. Albert N. Swain, resides in Rich- land. Georgia, and has three children. Albert N .. Ansel Parrish and Emeliza : Charles E., married Julia Collier and has two children. Col- lier E. and Margaret ; Irene married Dr. A. L. Smith, of Empire, Geor- gia and they have three children, Mary E., Dorothy and Samuel A .; and Ansel A., married Nona Hester and has a daughter, Caroline.
Mr. and Mrs. Parrish are members of the Tabernacle Baptist church at Valdosta and both are ardent advocates of temperance.
ROBERT BUTLER MYDDELTON. When it is stated that this esteemed citizen of Valdosta has served as clerk of the superior court in Lowndes county, Georgia, continuously since 1908 and that he succeeded his father, Robert Thomas Myddelton, the incumbent of that office for thirty-one consecutive years, further attestation as to the family's worth and standing will be unnecessary. Three generations of the Myddeltons have been native to Georgia soil and have sprung from their common ancestor. William Myddelton, who was born in England and came to America in colonial times, settling in South Carolina. William Myddelton was married in South Carolina to Margaret Thompson and removed from that state to McIntosh county, Georgia, where both spent the remainder of their lives as farmer people. Their son Augustus Myddelton, born in MeIntosh county, Georgia, was reared in his native county to agricultural pursuits and after his father's death assumed charge of the home farm, which he conducted by slave labor. Later he removed from MeIntosh county to Chatham county and bought a tract of land at Bethesda. ten miles from Savannah, where remained his home for about fifteen years. Removing from there to Bryan county, he bought a plantation of 720 acres on the Midway river. where he resided until March, 1863. when the war activities of the time having made his home in this section unpleasant and unsafe, he took his family to Valdosta, Lowndes county. He bought a home in the village and a farm a few miles ont and continued his residence in Valdosta until his death in May, 1864, at the age of sixty. Mary Percival (Todd) Myd- delton, his wife, was born in McIntosh county. Georgia, and was a daughter of John and Margery ( Percival) Todd. She survived her husband many years and passed away at the advanced age of ninety. To this union were born the following children: John, Eugenia, Mar- garet, James. Ezra, Harriett, Samuel, Sara and Robert T.
Robert Thomas Myddelton, the youngest of this family and the father of our subject, was born near Savannah, Chatham county, Geor- gia, January 27. 1845, and was educated at Flemington, Liberty county. He was but a youth when the Civil war broke out, but fired with the zeal and loyalty which characterized the sons of the South, he enlisted in his seventeenth year in Capt. S. D. Bradwell's company of the Twenty-fifth Georgia Volunteer Infantry. After he had served about one year he was discharged on account of disability, but in 1864 he again enlisted, this time in the Twentieth Battalion of Georgia Cavalry
Carey IM Sweat.
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and went with the command to Virginia, where it was transferred to the Jeff Davis legion ( Mississippi troops) and served in Young's brig- ade of Wade Hampton's command. Young Myddelton was in active service until the close of the war. when he was paroled and returned to the home of his parents in Valdosta. For a time he clerked in a store there and then later engaged in the mercantile business independently, continuing it until compelled to give it up on account of ill health. Removing to a farm, he continued on it until 1878, when he began his duties as clerk of the superior court of Lowndes county, to which office he had been elected in the fall of 1877. By successive reelections he has continued in that offiee thirty-one years and then he resigned. Cer- tainly no more eloquent testimony could be given of the confidence and esteem he has commanded from his fellow citizens. He has also served as a member of the city council several terms and also as mayor of Valdosta. In November, 1868. was solemnized his marriage to Euphe- mia Smith, who was born in Lowndes county to Duncan and Margaret (Dasher) Smith. They have reared eight children, as follows: Smith, Mary, Robert B., Effie, William. Ralph, Paul and Archibald. Both Mr. and Mrs. Myddelton are members of the Baptist church, and he affil- iates fraternally with Valdosta Lodge No. 184, Free and Accepted Masons.
Robert Butler Myddelton was born in Valdosta, Georgia, March 6, 1873, was edueated in the public schools of that city and when a mere hoy took up responsible duties as a clerk in a store. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ of A. S. Pendleton, wholesale and retail groceries, with whom he remained four years. The following nine years were spent as a bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Val- dosta, and then he was appointed deputy clerk of the superior court of Lowndes county and clerk of the city court of Valdosta. In the fall of 1908 he was elected clerk of the superior court to succeed his father, who had resigned, and by reeleetion he has been continued in that offiee to the present time, also in the office of clerk of the city court.
The marriage of Mr. Myddleton took place in November, 1898, and united him to Miss Mande Hodges. a native of Bulloch county, Geor- gia, and a daughter of Eli W. and Louise (Keller) Hodges. They have two children, Robert Hodges and Margaret Louise. Mr. Myddelton is a member of Valdosta Lodge No. 184. Free and Accepted Masons, Val- dosta Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Malta Commandery of Knights Templars, and of Alee Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.
CAREY M. SWEAT. Possessing rare business ability and foresight, Carey M. Sweat occupies a position of prominence and influence among the substantial and influential residents of Wayeross, being identified with various enterprises of magnitude and importance. A son of the late Capt. James A. Sweat, he was born, December 9. 1861, in Ware eounty, Georgia, on a farm lying five miles south of Waresboro.
Born and bred in South Carolina, Capt. James A. Sweat migrated in early life to Georgia, locating in what is now Pierce county. The southern part of the state was then but sparsely settled, being largely in its primitive wildness, with plenty of deer, turkeys and other wild game common to this region, The Indians here had their happy humt- ing grounds, and ofttimes caused the newcomers fear and trouble through murderous attacks, thieving and otherwise molesting them. The whites built log forts, to which the women and children repaired for safety when the redskins started ont on a death-dealing mission, while the men organized companies for protection against the savages. James A. Sweat becoming a captain of one of those little brave bands
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of pioneer settlers. About 1853 Captain Sweat removed to Ware county, Georgia, and having purchased a traet of wild land five miles south of Waresboro erected first a log house, and later replaced the original structure with a substantial frame house. With the assistance of slaves, he cleared and improved a homestead, and later, as his means inercased, bought large tracts of land in Ware and adjacent counties, becoming an extensive and prosperous landholder. He continued his agricultural operations until his death, at which time he was sixty-one years, one month, and fifteen days old.
Captain Sweat was three times married. He married first Elizabeth Newburn. She died in 1853, leaving eleven children, namely: Thomas, Martin, Bryant, Farley, Elias, Ancil, Charlotte, Cassie, Maria, Tabitha and Mary. He married for his second wife Mary Newburn, a sister of his first wife. For his third wife Captain Sweat married a widow, Mrs. Serena (Miller) Clough, who by her union with her first lius- band, Mr. Clough, had four children, Jonathan J. Clough, deceased ; Mary, still living: Emma. and Lilla, deceased. She was born in Ware county, Georgia, a daughter of Martin and Nancy (Brewton) Miller, and granddaughter of William Miller, a pioneer of Bulloch county, Georgia, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war. By this union two children were born, namely: Carey M. Sweat, the subject of this sketch, and Frank L. Sweat.
Although young when his father died, Carey M. Sweat assumed the care of the home farm to a large extent. He attended the public schools as regularly as possible, acquiring a good knowledge of the common branches of study, while under his mother's guidanee he was well trained to habits of industry and thrift. Succeeding eventually to the ownership of the parental homestead, he carried on general farm- ing successfully until twenty-seven years old, when he made an entire change of occupation and residenee. Removing to Waycross, Mr. Sweat's first introduction into the business world was as a manu- facturer of turpentine, an industry in which he first embarked while living on the farm. His industrial and financial interests expanded rapidly, fortune smiling on his every effort, and he is now associated with many enterprises of note.
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