USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II > Part 74
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Mr. Walter S. Dozier and wife have six sous and one daughter, namely : James C., Raymond E., Walter C., Owen W., Oliver V .. Wil- son P., and Susie May. Mr. Dozier is affiliated with P. T. Schley lodge, A. F. & A. M. His wife belongs to the May Brantly Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and an Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Dozier both are members of the Methodist church.
BYRON ALONZO ALDERMAN. A retired business man and one of the leading citizens of Pine Park in Grady county. Mr. Alderman is a life- long resident of southwest Georgia, and beginning his own career in the woods and in a log cabin home he has used thrift and dilligence in acquiring a generous measure of prosperity and has provided well for his family, at the same time performing with fidelity his obligations to his community.
Byron Alonzo Alderman was born on a famn eight miles northwest of Thomasville, November 15, 1854. Ilis father was Hon. Isaac Alder- man, a man of unusual influence and ability. He was born December 5, 1826. in Sampson or Duplin county, North Carolina, where his par- euts were life-long residents. He was reared in his native state by his widowed mother, and acquired a better education than the ordinary. His great-grandfather. Daniel Alderman, married Abigail Harris and came to New Jersey from England about 1750; removed to North Carolina in the year 1755. Daniel Alderman had three sons: Johm. who married Mary Cashwell: Daniel, who married Sarah Newton, and
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David, who married Jemima Hall. David Alderman, Jr .. who was Isaac Alderman's grandfather, had three sous: David, who married Naney Morgan; Isaae, who married Elizabeth Morgan, and Elisha, who mar- ried a cousin, Rebecca Alderman. Daniel Alderman also had five daughters: Jemima, who married James Bland: Rachel, who married Bryant Buxton ; Sarah, who married James Newton : Mary, who married Jolin Crumpler. and Elizabeth, who remained single. Elisha Alderman and Rebecca Alderman were the parents of Hon. Isaac Alderman, and they had ten children, whose names are: James, Jemima, Sarah, Amos, Joseph, David. Isaac, Daniel, Susan, William. Hon. Isaac Alderman when a young man. took the vocation of teaching and on coming to Geor- gia he followed that line of work for a number of years. Ilis first resi- dence was in Thomas county, where he taught school and bought a piece of land eight miles northwest of Thomasville, where he built a log house in which his son, Byron A., was born. He continued to teach while
superintending the improvements of his land, and in time had acquired a substantial home and the means to provide well for his family. In the year 1863, he enlisted in the Confederate army and was in the struggle until the close. After the war he again took up teaching and farming, and remained on the old homestead until his death, September 24, 1900. The maiden name of his wife was Susan Alderman, daughter of Timothy and Sally ( Williams) Alderman, and distantly related to the family of which Isaac Alderman was a member. She was born August 30, 1832. and died November 29. 1897. Timothy Alderman was a native of North Carolina and his wife. Sally, a native of Georgia. Isaac Alderman had a number of public honors during his career, serv- ing as a member of the Thomas County Board of Education and also as a member of the board of county commissioners. He was also honored by election as a representative of Thomas county in the state legislature. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. Their six children were: Byron Alonzo, Laura, Virginia, Marcas E., Fannie and Mattie.
Byron Alonzo Alderman, as a boy, attended the rural schools and was later given the privilege of attendance in the high schools at Warsaw, North Carolina. Though well-educated he did not adopt a learned profession. but chose the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Early in his career he bought 250 acres of land covered with timber, and cornering upon his father's homestead. He went into the woods and at an eligible site eleared off some of the trees, erected a log cabin, and it was in that home that he and his young wife began married life. In time he effected the clearing of a large amount of land. and was a prosperous and successful farmer there until January, 1899, and in that year he moved into Pine Park and in September of the same year established himself in the mercantile business. In 1908 ill health com- Delled him to give up the close confinement of the store and he was then succeeded by his son, Early L.
Mr. Alderman was first married in 1878 to Janie Walker, who was born in Thomas county, a danghter of Jonathan and Mary ( Kitehen) Walker. (See sketch of Dr. W. A. Walker.)
Mrs. Alderman died in the year 1881. In 1885 he married his present wife. Martha Harman Kemph. She was born near Camilla, in Mitchell county, Georgia. Her father was JJacob Henry Kemph. a na- tive of Georgia, and a son of Faulton Kemph. Faulton Kemph was born in Germany and when a young man spent fourteen weeks on a sailing vessel, which brought him to Georgia. He lived for a time in Burke county, and thence moved to Lee county. He was a well educated man and was honored by official proferment in Lee county, where he
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David, who married Jemima Hall. David Alderman, Jr., who was Isaac Alderman's grandfather, had three sons: David, who married Nancy Morgan; Isaac, who married Elizabeth Morgan, and Elisha, who mar- ried a cousin. Rebecca Alderman. Daniel Alderman also had five daughters: Jemima, who married James Bland; Rachel, who married Bryant Buxton : Sarah. who married James Newton; Mary, who married John Crumpler, and Elizabeth, who remained single. Elisha Alderman and Rebecca AAkerman were the parents of Hon. Isaac Alderman. and they had ten children, whose names are: James. Jemima, Sarah, Amos, Joseph, David. Isaac, Daniel, Susan. William. Hon. Isaae Alderman when a vonng man, took the voeation of teaching and on coming to Geor- gia he followed that line of work for a number of years. His first resi- dence was in Thomas county. where he taught school and bought a piece of land eight miles northwest of Thomasville, where he built a log house in which his son, Byron A., was born. He continued to teach while superintending the improvements of his land. and in time had acquired a substantial home and the means to provide well for his family. In the year 1863, he enlisted in the Confederate army and was in the struggle until the close. After the war he again took up teaching and farming, and remained on the old homestead until his death, September 24, 1900. The maiden name of his wife was Susan Alderman, daughter of Timothy and Sally ( Williams) Alderman, and distantly related to the family of which Isaac Alderman was a member. She was born August 30, 1832. and died November 29. 1897. Timothy Alderman was a native of North Carolina and his wife, Sally, a native of Georgia. Isaae Alderman had a number of publie honors during his career, serv- ing as a member of the Thomas County Board of Education and also as a member of the board of county commissioners. He was also honored by election as a representative of Thomas county in the state legislature. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist ehureh. Their six children were: Byron Alonzo, Laura, Virginia, Mareas E., Fannie and Mattie.
Byron Alonzo Alderman, as a boy, attended the rural schools and was later given the privilege of attendanee in the high schools at Warsaw, North Carolina. Though well-educated he did not adopt a learned profession. but chose the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. Early in his career he bought 250 aeres of land covered with timber, and cornering upon his father's homestead. He went into the woods and at an eligible site eleared off some of the trees, erected a log cabin. and it was in that home that he and his young wife began married life. In time he effected the clearing of a large amount of land. and was a prosperous and successful farmer there until January, 1899, and in that year he moved into Pine Park and in September of the same year established himself in the mercantile business. In 1908 ill health com- Delled him to give up the elose confinement of the store and he was then sneceeded by his son, Early L.
Mr. Alderman was first married in 1878 to Janie Walker, who was born in Thomas county, a danghter of Jonathan and Mary ( Kitchen) Walker. (See sketch of Dr. W. A. Walker.)
Mrs. Alderman died in the year 1881. In 1885 he married his present wife. Martha Harman Kemph. She was born near Camilla. in Mitchell county, Georgia. Her father was Jacob Henry Kemph. a na- tive of Georgia, and a son of Faulton Kemph. Faulton Kemph was born in Germany and when a young man spent fourteen weeks on a sailing vessel, which brought him to Georgia. He lived for a time in Burke county, and thence moved to Lee county. He was a well educated man and was honored by official preferment in Lee county, where he
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spent his last years. He married a Miss Lewis, and reared two sons, of whom JJohn enlisted in the Confederate service at the breaking out of the war and lost his life in battle. Jacob Henry Kemph, father of Mrs. Alderman, lived in Dongherty county for some years after his marriage and later moved to Mitchell county, buying a farm about three and one-half miles south of Camilla. That was his home and scene of labors when the war eame on, and in 1863, the month not now being known, he entered the service of the Confederacy, and remained until the close. He returned home very ill, and died on the third day of May, 1865, three days after he reached home. The maiden name of his wife was Eveline Sapp, who was born in Mitchell county, daughter of DeLain and Mary ( Chastain) Sapp, natives and life-long residents of Georgia. Mrs. Aldermans mother, who died at the age of seventy-two, reared five children, whose names are: Mary F., JJohn Morgan, Julia L., Martha Harman and Henry DeLain. Mr. Alderman has just one son, by his first wife, named Early Lenwood. He is now engaged in the mereantile business as successor to his father at Pine Park.
Mr. Early Alderman married Miss Maybelle Sanford, and has three children named: Lenwood, William S. and Elizabeth Jane.
Mr. and Mrs. Alderman worship in the Baptist church in which he is a deaeon. In the year 1912, he was honored by appointment as a member of the board of county commissioners of Grady county to fill a vaeaney, and in the fall of the same year, he was elected by the people to the same offiee.
JOHN R. CARTER. An industrious and well-to-de agriculturist of Brooks county, John R. Carter is the proprietor of a fine homestead, which in regard to its appointments compares favorably with any in the neighborhood. IIe is a native of Georgia, his birth having occurred in Appling county, June 24, 1857. His father. Richard Carter, came as a young man from Robinson county, North Carolina. his birthplace, to Georgia. IIe was accompanied by his brother, Philip Marion Carter. Both served in the Indian wars, and the brother, it is supposed, lost his life while fighting the dusky savages. Richard Carter purchased land in Appling county while it was yet on the extreme frontier line, and in the wilderness built the log cabin which the family oeenpied several years and in which his children were born. Although too okl for military service in the war between the states, he joined, near the elose of the conflict, the Georgia reserves, which was composed of boys and old men, and was ealled out for home protection. During that period he served as sheriff of Appling county, but soon after the close of the war resigned the position. Selling his Appling county land, he moved to Brooks county, and after living on rented land for a while, purchased a farm in the western part of Dixie district, and was there a resident until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Elliott, survived him but a few years. They reared ten children, as follows: George M., Jane, Philip Marion. Ilar- riet E., Nancy A., Sanmel W., Frank R., John R., C. H. and Martha L. The two oldest sons. George M. and Philip M., served throughout the Civil war. They enlisted at Holmesville, Appling county, Georgia. about sixty miles from Savannah, and were paroled at Thomasville, this state.
Growing to manhood beneath the parental roof-tree. JJohn R. Carter assisted in the work of the home farm until he entered the employ of the S. F. & W. Railroad Company, now the Atlantic Coast Line, with which he was identified for twelve years, doing section work for eight years and being in the bridge building department four years. Resign-
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ing his position. Mr. Carter turned his attention to agriculture, having previously purchased five hundred acres of land, two hundred and five acres lying in Brooks county and the remainder just across the line in Thomas county, the tracts adjoining. IIe has now one hun- dred and fifty acres of his estate in a good state of cultivation, and has erected a substantial set of farm buildings. these being situated on high land, about four miles from the flourishing town of Boston.
Mr. Carter married April 26, 1896, Bertha Maddox, who was born in Thomas county, a daughter of Carey M. and Melissa (Singletary) Maddox. Mr. Maddox was born in Randolph county, Georgia, March 2. 1829. Ile removed to Thomas county, and was there married to Miss Melissa Singletary on the 11th of December .. 1868. He served four years in the war between the states, and during his services therein received one wound. Mrs. Maddox was born and reared in Thomas county. Three children have been born to MIr. and Mrs. Carter, namely : Bama Louis. John Russell and Bertha Vivian. In his political relations Mr. Carter is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and has served three terms as a county commissioner, a position to which he was elected in 1903, re-elected in 1907 and again in 1911 to serve for four years, making a total of twelve years in the position. Fraternally he is a member of Mount Horeb lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. Religionsly both Mr. and Mrs. Carter belong to the Missionary Baptist church.
MILTON HI. EDWARDS. One of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of eastern Georgia was the late Milton H. Edwards, land owner and capitalist, whose death occurred at his home on the morning of October 8, 1912. Coming to this place as a small boy, he spent all of his active business life in building up productive enterprises that not only brought prosperity to himself, but materially aided the town and surrounding country. A man of energy and wide interests connected with many of the largest business concerns of the city, he was a promi- nent figure in social and commercial circles of Eastman.
Milton Henry Edwards, the son of William Henry and Eliza Ball Edwards, was born near Glenville. Tattnall county, Georgia on May 20, 1862. His father was a native of Tattnall county and his mother of South Carolina. Their son, Milton H., of this review, was one of the twelve children born to them, seven of whom, three sisters and four brothers, survive. James M. and T. H., of Eastman: Virgil of Lake Butler, Florida, and W. J., of Lake City, Florida ; Ursula, the wife of the late Judge D. M. Roberts, of Eastman: Opheha, the wife of C. II. Peacock of Macon; Melissa, the wife of E. P. Miller, deceased, of Wal- thourville and Virginia, deceased, the wife of S. A. Foster, deceased, who was for many years a resident of Eastman.
Mr. Edwards came to Eastman and attended the schools of that city and after completing the high school course, engaged in the mercan- tile business as a clerk in the store of C. II. Peacock. In 1884, he. with his brother. T. H. Edwards, formed a partnership under the name of M. II. Edwards & Bro .. and throughout their long and active career were partners in every business undertaking. large or small. A large and Fuerative business was established and for many years this firm was the leading mercantile house in this section of the state. In 1905 this business was dissolved only to become a real estate firm, of which he was president, and in which enterprise he was actively engaged at the time of his death. In connection with this he was vice-president of the Oconee River Cotton Mills at Dublin, vice-president of the Eastman Cotton Mill, secretary and treasurer of the Improved Fertilizer Works
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of Eastman, a director of the Citizens' Banking Company of Eastman and also of the Ocmulgee Fertilizer Works of Hawkinsville and the Farmers' Fertilizer Works at Milan. Mr. Edwards was the leading figure in the establishing of most of these.
Milton Edwards joined the Baptist church in early manhood and ever remained a loyal and consistent member. He assisted in building the present edifice and was always one of the most liberal supporters. For a number of years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and faithfully served as one of the deacons until the time of his death. Although successful in every business undertaking. kindness and generosity were his dominant traits and rich and poor. black and white always found in him a true friend and wise counselor.
Twenty-eight years ago he was married to Orlena. daughter of John Council and Marcia MeCulloch Czar of Elkton, Kentucky, who yet sur- vive him. Eleven children were born to them, seven of whom are still living, viz: Carrie Belle, Nelle, Milton Carr, Christine, Edwin Me- Culloch, Willard Theodore, and Fannie Harris.
HON. MARK HARDIN BLANDFORD. A former justice of the supreme court of Georgia, a veteran of two wars. and a member of the Confederate congress, the late Mark Hardin Blandford, who died Jan- uary 31, 1902, was one of the most eminent men of south Georgia.
He was born in Jones county, Georgia. July 13, 1826, being in his seventy-sixth year at the time of his death. His father was Clark Blandford, and his grandfather was also named Clark Blandford. The grandfather was a native of England and came to America in young manhood, during the colonial era. and was married in this country. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he returned to England. where he owned some property and was never heard of again by any of his family or friends. He left a wife and three children in America. These children were Clarke, Champion and Polly. Polly married a Mr. Hardison of Florida. Champion died unmarried.
Clarke Blandford, the father. moved from Trenton. New Jersey, to Georgia, and for a time lived in Warrenton. Jones county, and from there came to Harris county, where he served as one of the first elerks of the court. The maiden name of his wife was Nancy Hardin. who belonged to the Hardin family of Kentucky. The three children of the parents were named Francis, Mark Hardin and Carrie.
The late Judge Blandford attended school in Pennfield, known as Murphy University of Georgia. He was less than twenty years of age when the war with Mexico was declared. and withont the knowledge of his parents he slipped away and enlisted in Captain Scott's Company, going into Mexico with that command and serving with the company in all its various marches and battles until the war was over. Return- ing home a veteran of this conflict, he took up the study of law in the office of Col. Hardeman of Macon, and was admitted to the bar by special act of the legislature.
Ile began practice at Tazewell, which was then the capital of Marion county. He rose to distinction in the law, and after a few years his practice was again interrupted by war. With the outbreak of the war between the states. he raised a company for the Confederate serv. ice, and this company took the name of the Buena Vista Guards, and was attached to the Twelfth Georgia Regiment. He went to the front in command of this company, and was severely wounded and lost his right arm at MeDower in the Allegheny mountains. Thus being disabled for further active service as a soldier, he returned home and was soon afterwards elected to the Confederate congress, defeating Col. Hines
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Holt. IIe continued in the Confederate congress until its dissolution at the close of the war, and then resumed the practice of law in Cohn- bus, Georgia. In 1869 he formed a partnership with B. H. Thornton. This firm was dissolved later, and he was associated with Lewis Garrard, under the firm name of Blandford & Garrard.
In 1874 Mr. Blandford was elected associate justice of the supreme court of Georgia to fill an unexpired term, and at the next regular election was chosen for the full termi. He served as associate justice for ten years. making an admirable record as judge of the highest court of the state, and on leaving the bench returned to Columbus, and formed a partnership for practice with Thomas W. Grimes. He con- tinned in that association and in active practice until his death on January 31, 1902.
Judge Blandford married Sarah Daniels, daughter of John Daniels, of Talbot county, Georgia. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom survived their father, namely: Robert Hall, since de- ceased ; John W. and Lucy Mary, who now occupy the old homestead near Columbus.
ASAHEL A. WILLETT. At this writing Asahel A. Willett of Americus has completed nearly a century of human life. He is one of the re- markable and venerable men of southwest Georgia.
Asahel A. Willett was born at Norwich, Connecticut, May 4, 1814. His father was Capt. Jedediah Willett, who was born at Norwich, and the grandfather was Jedediah Willett, who married Sarah Rogers. The family is lineally descended from the first governor of New York.
Grandfather Jedediah Willett was a shipbuilder and built some vessels for the government during the Revolutionary war. He later came into Georgia, locating at Macon, where he died. His son, Josepli E., was one of the first settlers of Macon, and it is said, cut the first tree ever felled on that site.
Capt. Jedediah Willett, the father, was reared in Norwich, Connecti- cut, and worked with his father in the ship yard. He early took up the life of a sailor, and in time reached the position of captain. His father then gave lint a ship, and he was engaged in the coast-wise trade, mak- ing his home in Savannah, Georgia, during the winter and in Brooklyn in the summer. He died of yellow fever about 1827. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Adgate, who was born in Norwich, daugh- ter of Asaliel and Mary ( Rogers) Adgate. She lived to a good old age and reared three children, whose names were Burnham, Asahel and Jared.
Asahel A. Willett, the almost centenarian. attended school at Pen- field and Norwich, Connecticut and in his youth acquired the trade of carpenter. Ile worked at that trade in Connecticut a short time and then moved to Macon, Georgia, where his grandfather and uncle were living. At that time Macon was only a village, and all the surrounding country a wilderness. He lived in Macon until about 1840, and then came to what is now Sumter county, but then a part of Lee county. At that time there were four log cabins in Ameriens. and Indians lived in the woods near by. The first store was opened a few years after his location there, and a man named Montgomery was one of the first, if not the first, merchant. Ile worked at his trade in this little settle- ment, and subsequently entered the merchandise business himself in this north part of the county. There were no railroads and he had to bring in all his goods with teams and wagons. His store was located on the stage route from Macon to Tallahassee and from Macon to Lumpkin. After about three years he traded his store property for other property
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in Amerieus, and there built the first house which was erected for the purpose of renting. Ile engaged in business as a merchant and also in real estate. and conducted farming for many years.
When the Mexican war broke out he raised a company for service. and during the first year of the war between the states, manufactured salt in Florida for the Confederate government. In 1862 he enlisted as a private and was soon put on detach duty at headquarters, being on the staff of Generals Wright and Cummins. He remained until the close of the war. and then resumed mereantile business and farming. After several years in Americus, he moved to the plantation where he now resides, a mile and a half from the courthouse.
He married on October 1. 1844. Elizabeth White, who was born in Virginia. a daughter of Peter and Permelia ( Andrews) White. Mrs. Willett died at the age of sixty-eight. Their eight children were: Adelaide, Hattie, Jedediah, James, Augustus, Mollie, Amanda and Joseph.
WALTER B. CHENTILAM, M. D. Of a Georgia family resident in this state since the beginning of the nineteenth century, Dr. Cheatham is one of the ablest representatives of the four generations which have lived and furnished their honorable activities to the civie and economic welfare of Georgia.
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