USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II > Part 54
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GUSTAVUS P. FOLKS, M. D. Prominent among the best known and most highly esteemed residents of Waycross, Ware county, is Gustavus P. Folks, M. D., a retired physician, now carrying on a substantial busi- ness as an agriculturist, horticulturist and real-estate dealer. A native of Ware county, he was born in Waresboro, a son of Hon. William B. and Mary J. (Miller) Folks, and a brother of Hon. Frank C. Folks, M. D., in whose sketch, which appears elsewhere in this volume, further parental and ancestral history may be found.
Having laid a good foundation for his future education in the public schools of Lowndes county, and at Waycross, Gustavus P. Folks naturally turned his attention to the study of medicine, acquiring his first knowl- edge of that science under the tutorship of his father. Subsequently going to Louisville, Kentucky, he was there graduated from Louisville Medical College with the class of 1889. Locating at Dupont, Clinch county, Doctor Folks remained there ten months, meeting with encourag- ing success in his profession. Returning to Waycross, he was here ac- tively employed as a physician for twelve years. Having in the mean- time become specially interested in matters pertaining to the produr- tions of the soil, the doctor retired from his professional labors and turned his attention to farming and the growing of fruit, in that in- dustry planting the first peach orchard in Ware county. In addition to his agricultural and horticultural labors. he deals extensively in real estate, principally in timber lands, having now a well-established and profitable business. In 1910, Doctor Folks erected his present fine home on College Hill, a new residential part of Waycross, and there takes pleasure in welcoming his many friends and acquaintances.
Politically Doetor Folks invariably supports the principles of the Democratic party by voice and vote. Fraternally he is a member of Wakefield Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias; of Wayeross Lodge. No.
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99, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Waycross Lodge, No. 369, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Hoo Hoos, an organization composed of dealers in lumber and timber lands. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Doctor Folks married, in 1889, Belle C. Knox, who was born in Wayne county, Georgia, which was likewise the birthplace of her father, Capt. James Knox. IIer paternal grandfather, Reddiek Knox, was born in Pitt county, North Carolina, where his parents, who were of Welsh and Scotch ancestry, settled on coming to America. Brought up in his native state, he migrated to Georgia in pioneer days, he and his family making the removal with teams. At the end of two years of frontier life, he and his family went back to their old home, but later returned to Georgia, settling in Wayne county. Buying a traet of wild land, he improved a farm and there spent the remainder of his life. He mar- ried Ruhanna Taylor, who was born in North Carolina, and died on the home farm, in Wayne county, Georgia.
Born in 1830, Capt. James Knox grew to manhood beneath the paren- tal roof-tree, and upon the breaking out of the war between the states offered his services to the Confederacy. Being commissioned captain of Company G, Twenty-sixth Georgia Volunteer Infantry, he went with his regiment to Virginia, and as a part of the Army of the Potomac was at the front in many engagements of importance. Being paroled at the close of the war, the captain turned his face homeward, and walked, barefooted, the greater part of the distanec. Resuming his former occu- pation, he was for a while successfully engaged in farming, but later embarked in mercantile pursuits at Lulaton, Wayne county. In 1879 the captain came to Waycross, which was then a quiet village of about five hundred souls. and, having opened a general store, was here a resi- dent until his death, in 1899.
Captain Knox married Mary Jane Jones, who was born in what is now Pierce county, near Big Creek, not far from the birthplace of her father, James Jones. Her paternal grandfather, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Folks, was born in North Carolina, of Welsh ancestry, and came to what is now Pierce county, Georgia, in pioneer times, when the Indians made such frequent raids upon the newcomers that it was neces- sary to have in each county one or more large log forts to which the settlers might flee for safety when the redskins became too troublesome. Securing title to extensive tracts of land, he carried on farming with slave labor until his death. James Jones. the father of Captain Knox's wife, became owner of a large plantation near the east end of the Oke- finokee swamp, and was there profitably engaged in farming and stock- raising the remainder of his life. passing away in 1850, being murdered by a slave belonging to one of his neighbors. The maiden name of his first wife, Mrs. Folk's grandmother, was Sarah Mizell. She spent her brief life in Georgia, dying in early womanhood. The wife of Captain Knox survived him several years, her death occurring in 1907, at the advanced age of seventy-five. She reared eight children, as follows: Sarah, who married Rev. John Strickland : Kate, deceased, was the wife of J. L. Courson ; Mary died at the age of twenty-five years; Dora, wife of Andrew J. Miller : Belle C., wife of Dr. Gustavus P. Folks: William L .; Edward W., and James J. Dr. and Mrs. Folks have one child, Dorothy Mildred Folks.
HON. FRANK CLINGMAN FOLKS, M. D. A prominent and successful physician of Wayeross, Hon. Frank Clingman Folks. M. D., has not only gained marked prestige in his profession, but is known as a progressive and publie-spirited citizen, and as a man of the highest principles of
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honor and integrity. A native of Jefferson county, Georgia, he was born on a farm that is now included within the corporate limits of the city of Wadley, his father, Hon. William Bardon Folks, M. D., having been born, in 1830, in the same place, while his grandfather, Amos Folks, was a native of North Carolina.
His paternal great-grandparents were of English birth, or of Eng- lish ancestry. After living for many years in North Carolina, they mi- grated to Georgia. making the removal with private conveyances, bring- ing with them their household goods, stock, and slaves. Buying land in Jefferson county, he improved a homestead. and there both he and his faithful helpmeet spent their remaining days.
A young boy when his parents moved to Georgia. Amos Folks assisted his father to some extent in the pioneer labor of improving the farm, and during his active career was a successful planter. He died while yet in manhood's prime, in Jefferson county. His wife, whose maiden name was Celia Lofly, was a life-long resident of that county. Three sons and one daughter were born of their marriage, as follows: Green, the oldest son, enlisted during the Civil war in the Confederate army, and died while in service, in Virginia; Solomon died in early manhood; William Bardon, father of Frank C. Folks. M. D., and Catherine, who married Dr. Seaborn Bell, of Emanuel county.
Acquiring his literary education in the sehools of his native county, Dr. William Bardon Folks began the study of medicine under Dr. William Hauser, of Jefferson county, and was graduated from the Savannah Medical College with the class of 1855. Practicing but a short time in Jefferson and Washington counties, he loeated, in 1856, in Waresboro, then the county seat of Ware county. At that early day neither railroad. telephone or telegraph lines spanned the country, Ware county, and all of the nearby counties, being then in their pristine wild- ness. As the population grew, his practice increased, his visits, which extended many miles in either direction, were made on horseback, often- times the trails which he followed having been those made by the Indians. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he offered his services to the Confeder- acy, and being made surgeon of the Twenty-sixth Georgia Volunteer Infantry, he went with his regiment to Virginia, joining the Army of the Potomac. He continued with his regiment until the close of the conflict, when he resumed his practice in Waresboro. He subsequently settled in Yankee Town, afterward in Tibianville, where, in addition to his practice he engaged in mercantile business. Removing from there to Whigham, Decatur county, he was station agent on the Atlantic and Gulf railroad for two years, and during the next two years practiced medicine at Valdosta, Georgia, after which he lived for a while in Savannah.
When Waycross was first started. Dr. W. B. Folks was the first physician to locate in the new town. and built the fourth house erected within its limits. Here he was actively and prosperously engaged in the practice of his profession until about two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1886. Energetic and public-spirited, he became exceedingly influential in public affairs, and served two terms as mayor of the city, and represented the fifth distriet, which included Ware. Clinch and Coffee counties. in the State Senate. to which he was elected in 1878.
Dr. William B. Folks married Mary Jefferson Miller, who was born, in 1830. in Jefferson county, Georgia, whose parents were life-long resi- dents of Jefferson county. Her grandfather. Thomas Me Watty, immi- grated from Scotland to America. settling in JJefferson county, Georgia, in pioneer days. She survived her husband many years, passing away in 1906. Five children blessed their nion. as follows: Rosa, who diedl at the age of eighteen years; Frank Clingman, the special subject of this
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brief sketch; Chauncey M .; Gustavus P .; and William B., Jr. The father was a stanch Democrat in polities, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
After completing the course of study in the publie schools of Ware county, Frank Clingman Folks read medicine first with his father, and later with Dr. William Dumean, of Savannah. Then matriculating at the Savannah Medical College, he was there graduated with the class of 1876, receiving the degree of M. D. Immediately entering upon private practice of his profession. Dr. Folks was for four years located at Homer- ville, Clinch county, where he made rapid progress along the pathway of success. In 1880 he returned to Waycross, where he has since continued in his field of labor, having won a noteworthy position in the front rank of the medical fraternity of Ware county.
The doctor has taken quite an active part in public affairs, in addition to having served two terms as mayor of Waycross has represented the fifth distriet in the state senate, to which he was elected in the fall of 1888, just ten years after the election of his father to the same position from the same distriet. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Aeeepted Order of Masons, and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously both the doctor and Mrs. Folks are valued mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.
In 1877 Dr. Folks was united in marriage with Emma A. Morgan, who was born in Clinch county, Georgia, a daughter of Jonathan L. and Susan (Hargreaves) Morgan, who were born in Georgia, Mr. Morgan having been of Welsh lineage, and Mrs. Morgan of English ancestry. Eight children have been born to Doctor and Mrs. Folks, namely : Ada, who died in infaney; Rosa; Mabel; Frankie; Willie; Fleming; Robert. and Louise. Rosa married first George Bell, who died in early life, leav- ing one child, Sarah Bell; she married for her second husband P. K. Groff, of Akron, Ohio, and they have one son, Philip Folks Groff. Mabel. who married Charles Newton, has two children, Frances and Charles. Frankie, who became the wife of Walter P. Rivers, died March 1, 1912. Willie Folks, the doctor's oldest son, is a graduate of the Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is now engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Waycross. Fleming was graduated from the Atlanta School of Pharmacy. Robert and Louise are both pupils in the Wayeross high school.
EDWARD JEROME BERRY. Eminently capable, courteous, painstaking and accommodating, Edward Jerome Berry, of Wayeross. elerk of the superior court, is administering the affairs of his office so wisely and conscientiously, and with such complete thoroughness as to win the approval of all concerned. A son of Francis C. Berry. he was born in Lexington, South Carolina, December 16. 1869, of English lineage, his great-grandfather Berry, a native of England, having immigrated to this country in colonial days, settling in South Carolina.
Alexander Berry, Mr. Berry's grandfather, was reared and educated in South Carolina, the larger part of his life having been spent in Charleston. where for many years he was employed as an accountant. His wife was a native, and a life-long resident. of that state.
The only son of his parents. Francis C. Berry was born. in 1829, in Charleston. South Carolina. Scholarly in his tastes and attainments. he embarked in a professional career when young, and after teaching school in various places in his native state. came, in 1882. to Georgia, and here continued his profession. teaching first in Appling county, and later in Ware county, where he spent the later years of his life, passing away in 1904. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Higgs, was born in Beau-
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fort, South Carolina, being one of a large family of children born to Jacob and Sarah (Smith) Higgs, of whom but two are now living. She died in 1902, leaving three children, as follows: William Alexander, Francis M. and Edward Jerome.
Acquiring an excellent education in the schools of Ware county, Georgia, Edward Jerome Berry taught school from the age of eighteen years until twenty-three years old. He was afterwards employed for a time as a bookkeeper, and subsequently served for eighteen months as school commissioner. In 1901 Mr. Berry was elected clerk of the superior court, and has been confirmed in the office by successive re-elections ever since, performing the duties devolving upon him in that capacity to the absolute satisfaction of all with whom he is officially brought in contact.
Mr. Berry married, December 11, 1894, Miss Nellie Mizelle Cason, who was born in Ware county, Georgia, a daughter of J. Alfred and Nancy (Migell) Cason, natives respectively of Ware county, Georgia, and of Charlton county, they having been the parents of thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have two children, namely : Ruby Irene and Edward James.
Fraternally Mr. Berry is a member of Wakefield Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias; of Waycross Lodge, No. 99, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Waycross Lodge, No. 305, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Waycross Chapter, No. 9. Royal Arch Masons; of Damascus Commandery, No. 18, Knight Templars ; and of Allalı Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mrs. Berry is a member of the Ladies of the Modern Maccabees. Both Mr. and Mrs. Berry belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
THOMAS JEFFERSON DARLING. Prominent among the leading lumber manufacturers and dealers of Ware county is Thomas Jefferson Darling, of Waycross, who was for many years identified with the upbuilding and growth of this section of the state, and has contributed his full share towards advancing its material interests, as proprietor of the Darling Construction Company being associated with one of its most valuable industrial enterprises. A son of Dr. Thomas Jackson Darling, he was born, June 25, 1868, in Blackshear, Pierce county, Georgia, of New Eng- land lineage.
His grandfather. Joseph Darling, was born in 1784, either in Rhode Island, or in Georgia, of Rhode Island ancestry. For many years a resi- dent of Richmond county, Georgia, he owned a large plantation on the Washington road, eight miles from Augusta, where both he and his wife spent their last years. at the close of life being buried side by side on the old home plantation, his death occurring October 4, 1844. He married Mary Manning Dunevan, who was born March 5, 1783, and died April 14, 1847, having survived him two and one-half years.
Born in Richmond county, Georgia, in 1828. Thomas Jackson Darling laid a solid foundation for his future education in the days of his youth. and was subsequently graduated from the Augusta, Georgia, Medical College with the degree of M. D. Beginning the practice of medicine in Blackshear. Pierce county, Dr. Darling continued there until the break- ing out of the war between the states, when he offered his services to the Confederacy, and as a surgeon in the army continued in active service until the close of the conflict. Resuming then his practice in Blackshear, he remained there until his death, JJune 14, 1873. being one of the fore- most physicians and surgeons of that part of the county.
The maiden name of the wife of Dr. Darling was Bashabee Elizabeth Godbee. She was born in Alabama, JJuly 29, 1829, a daughter of Samuel Isaac Ivy Godbee, and grand-daughter of Samuel Godbee, who married
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Elizabeth Moore, a daughter of Abner Moore. Samuel Isaac Ivy Godbee, who removed from Alabama to Georgia in 1830, and spent the remainder of his years in Richmond county, married Elizabeth Mobley, a daughter of James Alexander and Sarah ( Wimberly ) Mobley. The Moores, Mobleys and Wimberlys were among the early and prominent settlers of Richmond county. Dr. Darling's wife outlived him many long years, passing away October 9, 1903, leaving eight children, as follows: Rena, Mina, Dora, Will, Emma, A. C., Thomas Jefferson, and Edward Lee.
Receiving his preliminary mental training in the public schools of Blackshear, Thomas Jefferson Darling afterwards continued his studies at the Jolinsonville High School. Apprenticing himself to a firm of builders at the age of seventeen years, in Orlando, Florida, he remained with his employers three years, and was afterwards foreman of a carpen- tering gang for four years, in Blackshear, Georgia, and in Waycross. Embarking then in business on his own aecount in Wayeross, Mr. Darling built up a patronage that extended throughout southern Georgia, and into Florida, as a contractor and builder, filling many large contraets. In Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Darling erected the magnificent Dyal Upchureh office building, and in Wayeross has had the supervision of the building of many of its most substantial and handsome business bloeks. He erected the Young Men's Christian Association Building, the Bunn Bell College Building, and many others of note. He has built three court houses, numerous school houses, and hundreds of dwellings. in South Georgia, ereations of his brains and hands being in evidence in many places. Retiring from the building industry in 1908, Mr. Darling has since been prosperously employed in the lumber business, having an extensive yard in Waycross, and a finely equipped planing mill.
On August 8th. 1895. Mr. Darling married Laura Le Count, who was born in Kekoshkee, Wisconsin, May 25, 1868, a daughter of Charles Le
. Count, and grand-daughter of John Hendrix Le Count. Her great- grandfather, John Le Count, was born at New Rochelle, New York, of Freneh Huguenot ancestry, and served, so it is supposed, as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John Hendrix Le Count, a native of New Rochelle, New York, served in the War of 1812, and Mrs. Darling now has in her possession his papers giving him an honorable discharge from the serviee. He subsequently removed to Wiseonsin, locating at Hart- ford, where he spent his remaining years. He married Esther Smith, who was born in Dutchess county, New York, a daughter of Stephen and Deborah (Bashford) Smith, both of whom were life-long residents of Dutchess county, his birth occurring in 1770, and his death in 1845, while she was born in 1783 and died in 1851.
As a young man Charles Le Count migrated to Wisconsin, and until 1869 was there engaged in the hardware business. In that year he settled in Nebraska, in York, which was then a frontier town. seventy miles from a railroad. Opening a hardware store there, he built up a good business, and became prominent in public affairs, serving as treasurer of York county, as treasurer of the city of York, and as treasurer of the County Agricultural Society, and of seven other organizations of minor import- ance. On account of impaired health, Mr. Le Count sold out his Nebraska interests in 1885, and purchased an orange grove at Anthony, Marion eounty, Florida, where he lived until 1906. Coming then to Georgia, he resided in Wayeross until his death, in February, 1907.
Mr. Le Count married Jane Amanda Littlefield, who was born. August 20, 1824, in Readsboro, Vermont, a daughter of Elisha Alvin Littlefield. Iler grandfather. Asa Littlefield, who was born May 6, 1762, and died June 19, 1845. married. March 24, 1782, Lois Stark, whose birth- occurred May 15, 1755, and who died April 25, 1740. In 1820 Elisha
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Alvin Littlefield married Lydia Maria Parsons, a daughter of Joseph and Rachel ( Battles) Parsons, who removed from Canada to Vermont, and they subsequently left New England, going to Kekoshkee, Wisconsin, where both spent their remaining years. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Le Count were people of sterling worth and integrity, highly esteemed in the busi- ness and social circles of Kekoshkee, and were valued members of the Universalist church. They reared four children, namely: Adelaide. Jolin, Charles, and Laura, now Mrs. Darling. Mr. and Mrs. Darling are the parents of four children, namely: Thomas JJackson Darling, Charles Le Count Darling, Dorothea Darling, and Sunshine Darling. Politically Mr. Darling supports the principles of the Democratie party in state and town elections, and in national affairs is a Prohibitionist. Religiously both Mr. and Mrs. Darling are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
PRATT ADAMS WILLIAMS, a recent acquisition to the town of Vidalia, Georgia, was born October 5, 1878, at Ellabell, Bryan county. this State, one of the family of twelve children of Judge P. W. and Mrs. Sarah Frances (Duggar) Williams, both natives of that county, and now resi- dents of Lyous. Toombs county, Georgia. The other members of the family, including six sons and five daughters, are as follows: Pem- broke C., Robert T., James J .. Garland, Osgood, Teddy, Mrs. W. I. Gray- bill, Mrs. J. D. Bradley. Mrs. Charles Garbutt, and Miss Duluth and Miss Letha. Two of Mr. Williams' brothers, Pembroke C. and James J., are attorneys, the former a resident of Silver City, Idaho; the latter asso- ciated in practice with his father at Lyons.
Pratt A. Williams received his primary education in the common schools. Afterward he attended Bryan Institute and Hogan Academy, where he fitted himself for college. He is a graduate of Emory College, with the class of 1898, and of the law department of the University of Georgia at Athens. On the completion of his law course, he opened an office at Pembroke. Georgia, where he practiced his profession for a period of ten years, having large experience with criminal cases and practicing in all the courts. Four years he served as solicitor general of the Atlantic cirenit.
On coming to Vidalia in August, 1911, he associated himself with Judge C. C. Curry in the practice of law, and soon afterward put on foot the organization of the Vidalia Loan & Trust Company, of Vidalia, of which he is president. and which will be in operation carly in the summer of 1912, with a capital stock of $50.000.00.
In 1912 he entered the race for congress from the Twelfth District, opposing Hon. Dudley M. Hughs, M. C., and waged a heated campaign, but withdrew from the race before the election, because of a death in his family.
In 1901, Mr. Williams and Miss Annabelle Mathews were united in marriage. Mrs. Williams is noted for her musical attainments. and is a member of one of the distinguished families of the State. She is a daughter of Captain and Mrs. L. A. Mathews, of Dublin. Laurens county, and a grand-daughter of General Blackshears of both Indian and Civil war fame. Mr. Williams' grandfather. James T. Williams, also served in the Civil war. and as a soldier in the Confederate army proved himself loyal to the southern canse.
Fraternally, Mr. Williams is identified with the Junior Order of American Mechanies, and the Sigma Nu, the latter having membership in both the Emory and the University of Georgia chapters. He and his interesting family are a valued addition to the town of Vidalia.
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WILLIAM NEYLE COLQUITT. Among the popular and talented young citizens of Savannah is William Neyle Colquitt, secretary to ex-Alayor Tiedman of the city and former lawyer and journalist. He comes of distinguished southern aneestry and has succeeded admirably in living up to the traditions of his antecedents. Mr. Colquitt is one of Savan- nah's native sons, his birth having occurred within the boundaries of the beautiful city. March 8, 1878. IIe is the son of Walter Wellborn and Lilla (Habersham) Colquitt. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of Savannah and then matriculated in the University of Georgia, being graduated from that institution in 1898 with the degree of LL.B. Ile hung out his maiden shingle in Atlanta, but dabbled in journalism, and finding it most congenial work, gave more and more of his attention to the affairs of the Fourth Estate. IIe came back to Savannah. and soon thereafter was proffered and accepted the city edi- torship of the Savannah Press. In 1907 he became secretary to the mayor of Savannah, and continued in that capacity until January, 1913.
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