USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
Edneated in the district schools, and early initiated into the mysteries of farming, John Obed Stanaland remained a member of the parental household until twenty-two years old. Entering then the employ of the S. F. & W. Railroad Company, now the Atlantic Coast Line, he was for fourteen years identified with its roadway department. Lured back to the soil, Mr. Stanaland next purchased a tract of land in the Dixie dis- trict, near the Pidcock station, and has since been here actively and prosperously engaged in general farming and stock-raising, his success placing him among the wide-awake and progressive farmers of his neigh- borhood.
Mr. Stanaland married, November, 1891, Jimmie Alderman, who was born in Brooks county, Georgia, a daughter of Elias Alderman. She is of pioneer stock, being a granddaughter of James and Jane ( Roberts) Stanaland, of whom a brief account is given on another page of this volume, in connection with the sketch of Ezekiel Alderman.
Elias Alderman was born in Thomas county, Georgia, in 1846, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits. Grown to manhood, he bought land near Pavo, lived there a number of years. Disposing of that prop- erty, he purchased a tract of land in lot No. 467, Tallokas distriet, Brooks county, and on the farm which he improved spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1899. He married, in 1870, America Beaty, who was born in Brooks county, Georgia, a daughter of William Beaty, Jr., and granddaughter of William and Mary (Drew) Beaty. Born and brought up in Washington county, Georgia, William Beaty, Jr., came as a young man to Brooks county, locating near Harmony church, where he bought a tract of timber land. Clearing a space in the forest, he first erected a double log house, and then began the pioneer labor of redeeming a farm from the wilderness. There being no railways in the state at that time, he was forced to take all of his farm produce to Talla- hassee for marketing purposes, making the round trip with a four-mule team, and being several days on the road. Clearing and improving a large farm, he was there a resident until his death, at the age of seventy- nine years. The maiden name of the wife of William Beaty, Jr., was Elizabeth Self, who was born in Telfair county, Georgia, where her par- ents, Thomas and Mary ( Moore) Self. were early pioneers. Six children were born of their union, as follows : William ; JJames : Berrien ; America, who became the wife of Elias Alderman; Jackson ; and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Akerman reared eight children, namely : William ; Jim- mie, wife of Mr. Stanaland; Anna : Wessie; Shelby; Ona; Birdie; and Rupert.
Mr. and Mrs. Stanaland are the parents of four children, Ollie. Mat Hazel, Timnie Lee, and Elias Alderman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stanaland are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES M. PATTERSON. For nearly a score of years a resident of Brooks county, James M. Patterson has during that time been associated with the development and advancement of its agricultural resonrees.
-
880
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
his farming property being located in Dixie district. A son of the late John W. Patterson, he was born in 1853, in Museogee county, Georgia.
His grandfather, John Patterson, was born, it is supposed, in North Carolina, and was of Seoteh-Irish parentage. Soon after assuming the duties and responsibilities of a married man he migrated to Georgia, becoming an early settler of Burke county. In 1835 he moved to Mus- eogee county, Georgia, and having bought a traet of land near Boxspring was there engaged as a tiller of the soil during the remainder of his life. He married Sarah Wright, who was likewise of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and of their union seven children were born, as follows: Robert, Daniel, Jolin W., Ruth, Margaret, Cornelia, and Catherine. True to the relig- ious faith in which they were so strictly reared, both of the parents were communicants of the Presbyterian church.
John W. Patterson first opened his eyes to the light of this world in 1825, his birth occurring in Burke county, Georgia. When he was ten years old he accompanied the family to Muscogee county, which was his home for many years. In 1856 he came with his own family, and with that of his father-in-law. James McMurray, to Thomas county. Buying a tract of unimproved land lying three miles east of Boston, he erected a double log house in the timber, and immediately began the pioneer labor of clearing and improving a homestead. Five years later his work was interrupted by the breaking out of the war between the states. Hastening to the support of the Confederacy, he enlisted, in 1861, in the organization known as the Dixie Boys, a company which was at- tached to the Fifty-seventh Georgia Volunteer Infantry. Serving under Generals Johnston and Hood, he was with his regiment in all of its battles, including its many engagements on Georgia's soil against Sher- man's forees, and in the battles at Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. After the latter fiercely fought battle, his regiment was ordered to Vir- ginia to join Lee's army, and had got as far as North Carolina when Lee surrendered. The Fifty-seventh Regiment then surrendered, and Mr. Patterson, with his eomrades, returned to Georgia. Resuming his former occupation, he continued the improvements already initiated on his farm until 1870, when he sold out, although he continued a resident of Thomas county many years thereafter. In 1893 he moved to Brooks county, where, three years later, in 1896, his death occurred.
The maiden name of the wife of John W. Patterson was Cornelia McMurray. She was born in Muscogee county, Georgia, and was there brought up and married. Her father, James McMurray, was born in North Carolina, of Scotch-Irish parents. As a young man he came to Georgia, living first in Burke county, then in Muscogee eounty, from there eoming, in 1856, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, to Thomas county, buying land three miles east of Boston, and there living until his death, at the age of four score years. Mrs. Cornelia Patterson died at the early age of thirty-eight years, leaving five sons and two daugh- ters, all of whom are now living, as follows: Harriet, James M., Robert C., Theodora M., Lila, John B., and Ernest E. She was a faithful and valued member of the Presbyterian church, to which her husband also belonged, and in which he served for several years as an elder.
But three years old when his parents settled in Brooks county, James M. Patterson here acquired a practical common school education. Early initiated into the secrets of good farming. he proved a faithful worker and remained with his parents until attaining his majority. He sub- sequently tried elerking for awhile, but on his marriage again turned his attention to farming. being located near Boston, Thomas eounty, until 1893. Since that time Mr. Patterson has been a resident of Brooks county, and has been busily employed in cultivating and improving his farming property.
881
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
In 1883 Mr. Patterson was united in marriage with Georgia Wat- kins, a native of Whitley county, Kentucky. Her father, Clark Wat- kins, eame from Kentucky to Georgia in 1870, settling first in Colquitt county, from there coming, in 1884, to Thomas county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was of honored ancestry, his mother, whose maiden name was Buchanan, having been a kinswoman of Presi- dent James Buchanan. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have nine children, namely : Edith I .; Cornelia, Eunice, Ruby, Deborah, Robert C., Frank, Edwin, and Georgia. Both Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are worthy mem- bers of the Presbyterian church and have reared their children in the same religious faith. Mr. Patterson is aetive in denominational work and for twenty years has served as an elder in the church. IIe is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and for a number of years has been secretary and treasurer of the West Side Farmers' Club.
CAPT. THOMAS NEAL GANDY. Occupying an honored position among the substantial business men of Brooks eounty, Capt. T. N. Gandy for a quarter of a century was actively identified with the advancement of the mereantile interests of Dixie as one of its leading general merchants. A son of Book A. Gandy, he was born Deeember 30, 1836, in Thomas county, Georgia, of pioneer stock. According to tradition, the imini- grant ancestor of the Gandy family eame from England to America in colonial times, settling in South Carolina. He was twiee married, his first wife bearing him twelve daughters, while his second wife beeame the mother of twelve sons, from whom the Gandys of the present genera- tion are deseended.
Brinkley Gandy, the captain's grandfather, was born and reared in South Carolina. In 1803, accompanied by his family, he eame to Geor- gia, locating as a pioneer in what is now Montgomery county, where he bought land, and was subsequently engaged in farming until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Leah Nasworthy, was born in South Carolina, of English ancestry.
Born in Darlington district, South Carolina, in September, 1801, Book A. Gandy was but two years old when his parents brought him to Georgia. Growing to manhood in Montgomery county, he remained on the home farm until 1825, when he beeame one of the earlier settlers of Thomas eounty. Buying a tract of land five miles east of Thomasville, he began the pioneer labor of hewing a farm from the forest. Four of his brothers eame with him to Thomasville, and each subsequently mar- ried, and raised large families. After elearing quite a portion of his land, he sold, and bought another traet twelve miles east of Thomasville, and was there a resident until his death, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. He married Elizabeth Browning, who was born in Montgomery county, Georgia. Her father, Daniel Browning, a native of North Carolina, settled in Montgomery county, Georgia, in 1803. In 1827 lie removed to Thomas county, and having purchased land four miles east of Thomas- ville was there engaged in tilling the soil a number of seasons. Retiring then from active pursuits, he spent the remainder of his long life of four score years with his children. He married Honor Grace, who was born, it is thought, in Tattnall county, Georgia. Seven sons and three daugliters were born into their household, all of whom were living at the breaking out of the Civil war, at its close the mother, one daughter and four sons liad joined the silent majority on the other side. Of the marriage of Book A. and Elizabeth ( Browning) Gandy, ten children were born, as follows: Thomas N., Henry, Book, Brinkley and Maria, twins. Fatima, Albert, Taylor, Mary and William. Five of the sons . served in the Confederate army during the war between the states, four
882
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
of whom, Henry, Book, Brinkley and Albert, lost their lives in the service.
Brought up in Thomas county, T. N. Gandy acquired his early education in the public schools, and was well trained in the different branches of agriculture as a youth. About 1859 his father gave him a farm, and two years later, at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in the company known as the Thomas County Volunteers. He was mus- tered in as first sergeant of his company, and six months later was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant. The company was attached to the Twenty-ninth Georgia Volunteer Infantry, which was first sent to the Atlantic coast, and later to northern Georgia to oppose Sherman's forces. In the summer of 1864 Mr. Gandy was commissioned captain of a com- pany of Georgia Reserves, which was assigned to the Twelfth Georgia Volunteer Infantry, and of that company he had command until the close of the conflict.
Returning then to Georgia, Captain Gandy resumed work on the farm which his father had given him. He subsequently sold out, pur- chased eleven hundred acres of land in the same county, and for eight years successfully managed his large plantation. Selling that property. Captain Gandy was for a few years engaged in the-fivery business at Thomasville. In 1887 he opened a general store in Dixie, and here, by his systematie business methods, his strict attention to all of its details, and his thoroughly upright dealings. he met with most gratifying re- sults, winning for himself an honorable record as a merchant. He sold out his place of business in August, 1912.
Captain Gandy married, January 26, 1859, Miss Maggie Kemp, daughter of Peter and Alley Kemp, of Thomas county. Both the cap- tain and Mrs. Gandy are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Politically the captain was formerly a Whig, but is now an earnest supporter of the principles enunciated by the Democratic party. Although not an aspirant for public office, he has served as justice of the peace the past nine years.
FRANK M. AUSTIN. Heredity and environment, says Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis of Brooklyn, are but half truths and the part they play in determining a man's career are as nothing compared with the influence he can himself exert if he so prepares himself that he is ready when opportunity knocks at his door, and this statement of the noted divine is well borne out in the life history of Frank M. Anstin, one of the fore- most farmers of Brooks county. He was born in Dougherty county, Georgia, March 26, 1854, being the youngest child in a family of sixteen boys and girls born to John. and Catherine Austin.
Mr. Austin was but seven years old when the war between the states occurred, and during the ensuing four years chaos reigned supreme. His opportunities for advancement in any direction were of the most meager, hard work, only, being in store for him. He had learned to read when quite young, and though he scarce saw the inside of a schoolhouse, he acquired a practical business education, and by extensive and intelli- gent reading has added to his store of knowledge until now but few are better informed in regard to the topies of the day than Mr. Austin. Inheriting a rugged constitution and an inclination for work, he entered the employ of the A. & G. Railroad Company, and for a number of years was connected with its roadway department. Resigning that position in 1882. Mr. Austin located in Dixie, Brooks county, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for seventeen years. Buying land in 1900, Mr. Austin embarked in farming. an ocenpation with which he has since been prominently identified, in addition to the
.
883
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
care of his farm running a farm commissary. Mr. Austin owns 446 acres of rich and productive land, which he operates by tenants, cotton, corn, melons, and pindars being his principal crops, and bringing him a good annual ineome.
Mr. Austin married, at the age of twenty-four years, Mary Daniel. She was born in Thomas county, Georgia, a daughter of Aaron and Martha (Ivey) Daniel, and is of pioneer stoek, her grandparents on both sides having been among the earlier settlers of southwest Georgia. Of the eleven children born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Austin, three have passed to the life beyond and eight are now living, namely : Guy Leslie, Regina Frank, Frederick Lyle, Roy Coleman, Olah Matell, Mary Nadine, Elra Marion, and Annie Leone. Guy Leslie, a well-known physician of Berlin, Colquitt county, married Opal Elizabeth Smith, and they have one son, Philip Leslie. Regina Frank is successfully engaged in teaching. Frederick L. is in the employ of the Railroad Terminal Com- pany at New Orleans. Roy. living in Brunswick, Georgia, is an em- ployee of the Southern Railroad Company. The other four children are still in sehool. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are both identified by membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Fraternally Mr. Austin is a member of Dixie Lodge. No. 242. Free and Accepted Masons. He cast his first presidential vote in 1876, for Samuel J. Tilden, and has sinee been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He has never been an office seeker, but has served as tax eolleetor in Brooks county.
GEORGE W. AUSTIN. For many years prominently identified with the advancement of the mercantile and agricultural prosperity of Dixie distriet, Brooks county, George W. Austin is numbered among the rep- resentative men of Brooks county, and is well deserving of special men- tion in this biographieal work. A native of Georgia, he was born in Laurens county, the date of his birth being June 7, 1849.
His father, John Austin, was a native of Georgia, and grew to man- hood in Haneoek eounty. Marrying at an early age, he lived for a time in Laurens county, going from there to Florida, where he was employed for a number of years as an overseer on large plantations. On his re- turn to Georgia he located in Brooks county, where he spent the remain- der of his long life, dying at the age of eighty-six years, at the home of his son, George W. Austin. His wife. whose maiden name was Catherine Bray, was born in North Carolina. and died in Brooks county, Georgia, at the age of four score and four years. Of their sixteen children, thir- teen grew to years of maturity, as follows: William M., W. B., Joseph, Elizabeth, J. T., Mary, R. F., Lucinda, Newton J., Rachel, Crosby, George W., and Frank M.
Although there were no free schools in his vicinity when he was a boy, George W. Austin improved every opportunity for acquiring use- ful knowledge, securing largely through his own efforts a practical busi- ness education. At the age of nineteen years. having previously formed an intimate acquaintance with the numerous branches of agriculture on the home farm, he began life as a wage-earner, and for five years was in the employ of the A. & G. Railroad Company. now the Atlantic Coast Line, as section master in the roadway department. He was then made station agent at Dixie. Georgia. a position which he resigned at the end of five years. In the meantime Mr. Austin, who was a man of energy and enterprise, had embarked in the mercantile business in Dixie. start- ing with a fine stock of general merchandise. Accumulating consider- able money as a merchant. he wisely invested it in land, buying at first one hundred acres, and in addition to conducting his store successfully Vol. II-23
ـمه
884
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
was also engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1909 Mr. Austin trans- ferred his mercantile interests to his son, Hugh B., and is now devot- ing his time and energies to the management of his farm and of his private affairs. He has added to his landed possessions at different times, and now has title to about 650 aeres of land, three hundred of which are under a high state of cultivation, producing good annual erops.
On February 15, 1877, Mr. Austin was united in marriage with Julia J. Benton, who was born in Dixie district, Brooks eounty, Georgia, a daughter of Shout Judson Benton. Mrs. Austin's grandfather, Joseph Benton, was born in North Carolina, where his father, Hugh Benton, settled on coming from France to this country. Brought up on a farm, he became an expert in the art of raising rice, and for many years was an overseer on rice plantations. He married Hannah Bloeker, a native of North Carolina. Shout Judson Benton was born January 10, 1832, in Colleton county, South Carolina, and as a young man learned the ear- penter's trade. Beginning work for himself in Brooks county, Georgia, he followed his trade in this section of the state many years, in the meantime buying and selling several different pieces of realty. He is now living retired in Dixie. Mr. Benton married Manira Maulden, who was born September 30. 1835. in what is now Brooks county, Georgia, where her parents, Holmes and Dicey (Millin) Maulden, were pioneer settlers. They reared a large family of children, as follows: Hugh, Elizabeth ; Julia J., wife of Mr. Austin; Henry O .; Fanny ; Viola; James ; Jesse ; Claudia ; and Thaddeus, who lived but seven years, he having been the second son in succession of birth.
Eight children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Austin, namely : George R., Ilugh B., Julia Ethel, Manira E., Mary Elizabeth, Winnie Davis, Harry Murray, and Alla Tutela. George R., who studied law, and was admitted to the bar, is now a bookkeeper for the Standard Supply and Fuel Company of Savannah; he- married Stella Gibson, and they have three children: Catherine, Robert and Margaret. Hugh B. Austin, also a lawyer by profession, is one of the leading merchants of Dixie, where he is also engaged in the eross tie busi- ness; he married Josie Stewart, and they are the parents of five chil- dren : Christine, Manira, Stewart, George W., Jr., and Virgil. Julia Ethel died at the age of twenty-four years. Mary Elizabeth, wife of Ned B. Jones, has one sou, Austin Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are both trustworthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally Mr. Austin belongs to Dixie Lodge, No. 242, Free and Accepted Masons.
GROVER CLEVELAND EDMONDSON. A rising young attorney of Quit- man, Grover Cleveland Edmondson has started in life with brilliant prospects for a successful eareer, and, continuing his present eourse, is sure to make for himself an enviable reputation, not only in legal eireles, but in the business and social affairs of the community. A son of Simp- son D. Edmondson, he was born in Tallokas distriet, Brooks eounty, Georgia, September 10, 1891. on the homestead cleared and improved by his grandfather. Rev. John Edmondson.
His great-grandfather. Isaac Edmondson, was a native of either Eng- land or Scotland. Immigrating to America in early manhood, he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and at the close of the war settled in Bulloch county, Georgia. His health subsequently failing. he went to Savannah to consult a physician, and died in that eity. His widow, Nancy Edmondson, survived him several years, and spent her last days in what is now Brooks county, Georgia, passing away in 1842. She was the mother of six children, as follows: Susan, Elizabeth, Sally, James, John and David.
.
.885
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
Rev. John Edmondson was a lad in his teens when he came with his widowed mother and her family to Brooks county. All of southwestern Georgia was then a wilderness, inhabited by wild beasts of all kinds, and by the Indians, who at times were very troublesome. His eduea- tional advantages were exceedingly limited, although he attended school four months, earning the money to pay his tuition by splitting rails. He was an intelligent reader, however, and acquired a good knowledge of men and things. Beginning life even with the world, he invested his first money in land, buying a timbered tract, and for several years there- after he and his faithful helpmeet oeeupied the humble log house which he erected, his little cabin having neither windows nor floors. In com- mon with her few neighbors the wife used to card, spin and weave the homespun material with which the family was clothed, while he kept the family larder well supplied with wild game from the forests. He was quite suceessful, clearing and improving a farm with the help of slaves, and was there a resident until his death, in 1865.
The maiden name of the wife of Rev. John Edmondson was Martha Strickland. She was born November 13, 1814, in Tattnall county, Geor- gia, and at the age of fourteen years, on November 27, 1828, she was married. Her father, Archibald Strickland, came from one of the Caro- linas to Georgia, and after living for awhile in Tattnall county removed to what is now Brooks county, becoming one of its earlier settlers. Buy- ing land in the Tallokas district, he redeemed a farm from the wilderness, and here spent the remainder of his life, dying at a good old age. Mrs. Martha Edmondson survived her husband a number of years. Both she and her husband were active members of the Primitive Baptist church, he being one of its local preachers. They reared a family of ten chil- dren, as follows: Mary, Naney, James, Martha, Louisiana, John A., Orpha V., Simpson D., Sally Ann, and William W.
Born in what is now Brooks county, Georgia, June 23, 1842, Simp- son D. Edmondson was educated in the district schools, and as a youth was well trained in the various branches of agriculture. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-first Georgia Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of North Virginia, and did gallant service under "Stonewall" Jackson. Taking part in all of the campaigns and battles in which his regiment was engaged, he was five times wounded at the battle of Antietam, four of the injuries being slight, and the last one, when he was bit by a minnie ball in the knee, being very serious. For eight months he was forced to use erutehes, and was afterwards detailed to the commissary department, with which he was connected until the close of the war. He was present at the siege of Atlanta, and was one of the last to leave that city. Returning home at the cessation of hostilities, he resumed farming on the parental homestead, on which he is still living, having sneceeded to its ownership.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.