A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II, Part 75

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

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Walter B. Cheatham was born August 25, 1853. in Webster comty. Georgia. His early life was surrounded by good home influences and he was trained in the public schools. For his career he prepared at the Louisville Medical College, from which he was graduated M. D. with the class of 1877. His first two years in practice were spent in Macon. Georgia, after which he returned to Dawson, and in the subsequent thirty-four years has built up an extensive patronage among the best families of Terrell county. He was in active practice as a physician until 1906. In that year he was elected judge of the Terrell county Court of Ordinary. To this office he brought not only the ability and experience which belonged to every capable physican. but also a com- petent knowledge and interest in public affairs and a common sense efficieney which have done much to promote the fiscal welfare of this county. For many years Dr. Cheatham was an influential member of both the Terrell County and the State Medical Association. He has taken a leading part in municipal affairs, having served as mayor of Dawson and as member of the Dawson board of education. He is now president of the Dawson Telephone Company.

Dr. Cheatham married in 1878 Miss Sallie G. Farrar. Mrs. Cheatham was born in Jackson county, Georgia, in June. 1856. a danghter of G. W. and Fanny ( Day) Farrar. Their two children are Lillian G. Cheatham and Walter B. Cheatham, Jr. Dr. Cheatham takes much interest in social and fraternal work. He is affiliated with P. Schley Lodge No. 229 A. F. & A. M., with Lawrence Chapter No. 96 R. A. M .. with Cnth- bert Counsel R. & F. M. with the De Molay Commandery No. 5 Knights Templar, with Yaraab Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and also with the Dawson Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

If wholesome character and mental and moral endowment in ancestry count for anything in the lives of descendants, as science asserts, Dr. Cheatham owes much of what he is and what he has accomplished to forebears of whom any one might be prond. Virginia was the original family seat in America of the Cheathams. Dr. Cheatham's great-grand- father was Arthur Cheatham, who spent his earlier years in Charlotte county. Virginia, then moved to Pittsylvania county, and in 1sun came southward to Georgia, and in the pioneer days located with his family in Jefferson county.

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The head of the next generation in descent was grandfather Obadiah P. Cheatham, who was born in Charlotte county, Virginia, in 1794. IIe was a child when his parents migrated to Georgia, and he grew to man- hood in Jefferson county, where he learned the trade of a millwright. Publie spirited and patriotic he served in the War of 1812 and in the Indian wars of 1836 and 1837. He participated in the battle of Echa- way Nochaway. For some time his residence was in Butts county. Geor- gia, then in Stewart county, where he followed his trade, and aiso engaged in farming until his death in 1850. Obadiah C. Cheathanı married Charity Bryan, who was born in Meeklenberg county, North Carolina. The Bryan family thus introduced to the Cheatham relation- ship was distinguished for soldierly qualities and solid civic worth. Clement Bryan. the father of Mrs. Cheatham, was a native of North Carolina, and her grandfather was Col. Needham Bryan, who was a Revolutionary soldier and while serving in the colonial army fought in the battle of Allemanee. Col. Bryan subsequently settled in Smithfield, North Carolina, where he spent his last days. Clement Bryan from North Carolina became a pioneer of Randolph county, Georgia, and until his death was identified with the advancement of that county's agricultural and industrial interests. He married Edith Smith, a daugh- ter of Col. David Smith, who was a soldier of the Revolution. Colonel Smith's wife was Charity Whitfield. The founder of the .Smith family in America was John Smith, father of Colonel David, who was born in England in 1700, and came to Ameriea after reaching manhood, finally in 1742 locating in North Carolina at what is now the town of Smithfield, which was named in his honor. John Smith married Elizabeth Whit- field, also a native of England, and they both died in Smithfield, where their bodies were laid to rest in the churchyard.

The third generation of the Cheatham family in Georgia is repre- sented by Clement A. Cheatham, father of Dr. Cheatham. Clement A. Cheatham was born in 1822 in Butts county, Georgia, acquired his ele- mentary education in the publie schools, finished preparation for his profession in the Charleston Medical College and immediately on leav- ing college located in Stewart county, Georgia. He next moved to Wes- ton in Webster eounty, where he practieed and lived until the organiza- tion of Terrell county in 1856, in which year he took up his residence in Dawson, and was aetively identified with the practice of medieine until his death at the age of sixty-six years. Dr. Clement A. Cheatham mar- ried Elizabeth Irwin, a daughter of Jared Irwin, the third, and the descendant of a pioncer family of Georgia. Concerning the Irwin family the following authentie information was written by Jared I. Irwin of Sandersville :- "The founder of the Irwin family in America was Hugh Irwin, a native of Ireland who came to this country in colonial days, 'and settled in Meeklenburg county, North Carolina, where he lived sev- eral years. He then removed to Burke county, Georgia, accompanied by his family, being an early settler of that locality. His three sons, John. William and Jared removed to Washington county. Georgia, and secured large traets of land a few miles southwest of Sandersville. The son Jared, who became prominent in public affairs, was brigadier general of militia, and represented Washington county in the state legislature for several years, being president of the Senate. He was a member of the Constitutional Conventions of 1789 and 1798, serving as president of the latter body, and was governor of Georgia from 1796 to 1798, and from 1806 to 1809. Hle also had the honor of signing the act reseinding the Yazoo Law, and had the infamous Land Law, that was an imposition upon the people, burned in the public square at Louisville, which was then the capital of the state." Gov. Hugh Irwin died March 1, 1818,

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and his remains are buried at his old home in Union Hill, Washington county, where the state has erected a monument to his memory. Jared Irwin, the third, father of Elizabeth Irwin, was born and reared in Washington county, where he lived until after his marriage with Ann Williams. When the country lying between the Oconee and Chatta- hoochee rivers was surrendered to the settlers he removed to Stewart county, and there met his untimely death during the battle of Shepards Plantation after the massacre at the Battle of Roanoke.

Mrs. Clement A Cheatham survived her husband several years, pass- ing away at the age of seventy-six years. She reared eight children as follows: Loverd Bryan. Thomas A., Walter B., Annie I., Isabella, Katie, Fanny E., and Charlie V.

JOHN WRIGHT WHEATLEY. An early and honored resident of Sumter county, Jolin Wright Wheatley, of Americus, has for many years been prominently identified with the leading business and public interests of that city, and influential in promoting its material growth and prosperity. He was born, June 30, 1833. in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. which was likewise the birthplace of his father, John Wheatley. Jr.

His paternal grandfather. John Wheatley (1), was born and reared in the city of Nottingham, England. where as a young man he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. His sympathy with the French Revolutionists becoming the subject of warm discussions, he decided to seek a home on foreign shores, and in 1788 immigrated to America, locating in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, carrying with him a stock of merchandise, which he afterwards traded for a farm. A man of much ability, he soon became prominent in public life, and served as justice of the peace and scrivener. He lived to a venerable age, passing away in 1840, at the age of eighty-eight years.

John Wheatley (2), who died in 1873, aged seventy-six years, mar- ried Harriett Withington, a daughter of Martin Withington, whose grandmother. Rachael Thornton, was the only female survivor of the Wyoming Massacre which occurred July 3, 1778.

Gleaning his early education in the village schools. John Wright Wheatley remained beneath the parental roof-tree until seventeen years old. A manly, self-reliant youth, full of pluck and determination, he bade good-bye to friends and relatives in 1850, and started forth in quest of fortune. On December 24th, of that year, he made his appearance in Americus, Georgia, which was then a small village, giving scant promise of its present prosperous condition, while the country roundabout was but thinly populated. There were few railways in the state, and he made his advent on foot, walking part of the way from Maeon to Americus. Industrious and capable, he soon found employment with his cousin. Mr. R. T. McCoy, as a clerk in his general store, which was located on the corner of Lee and Lamar streets. When Mr. McCoy sold out, Mr. Wheatley, in partnership with Mr. McCoy's brother, HI. Kent MeCov. embarked in the drug business in Americus. Subsequently Mr. H. Kent MeCoy entered the legal profession, and was later made chief justice of the state of Georgia. In 1855 their store was burned, and Mr. Wheatley accepted a position as bookkeeper for P. H. Oliver, a general merchant. whose store stood at the corner of Colton avenne and Lamar street, near the site now occupied by the Commercial City Bank building. The firm failing in 1857. Mr. Wheatley took charge of the stock, which was later purchased by Nelson Tift. of Albany.

Being out of a situation. Mr. Wheatley returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, but his sympathies wore so evidently with the South that he thought best to come back to Georgia, and on his return to Americus he entered the employ of Kendrick & Johnson, general merchants, as

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bookkeeper, and ere long bought out the entire business. Early in 1861 the building and stock were destroyed by fire, and during the same year he was elected clerk of the Court of Ordinary of Sumter county. During the latter part of the war Mr. Wheatley was appointed aide-de-camp, with the rank of major. on the staff of General MeCoy, and with him went to the defence of Atlanta. and after the fall of that city was an active par- ticipant in the engagements at Jonesboro and Griswoldville. At the elose of the war, his sole possessions consisted of about a hundred bales of cotton, for a part of which he received twenty-five cents a pound.

Forming a partnership with his brother-in-law, W. H. C. Dudley, in 1866. Mr. Wheatley, as senior member of the firm of J. W. Wheatley & Company, engaged in the banking business, being affiliated with William Bryce & Company, of New York. This firm continued successfully until 1887, when it was merged into the Bank of Southwest Georgia, of which bank Mr. Wheatley was elected vice president. In 1897 he was made president of that institution, and continued in that position until 1905, when he retired from, aetive business. Upon the organization of the Commercial City Bank, he was made honorary president, an office which he has sinee filled most acceptably to all concerned. His beautiful home, "Harmony Hall," is pleasantly located on the Oglethorpe road, about two miles from the court house, and its hospitable doors are ever open to his many friends.

The record of Mr. Wheatley's public service has been as honorable and distinguished as his business achievements. For thirty years he rendered faithful service as secretary of the board of county commis- sioners. During that period the county buildings were erected, and much to the surprise of the majority of people in the county, all were paid for in full without any increase in the tax rate, payment being made from the sinking fund which Mr. Wheatley had created.

Mr. Wheatley married, May 10, 1855, Mary E. Dudley, who was born in Lexington, Georgia, November 20, 1835. Her father, George Edward Dudley, who settled in Ameriens in 1840, was one of the inost prominent lawyers of the South. and the author of Dudley's Law Reports, which were the first records of the supreme court ever published, and which are standard authority today. Mr. Dudley mar- ried Caroline Crawford, whose father, Honorable William H. Crawford, a well-known statesman, served as secretary of the treasury in the cabi- net of President Monroe, and was also minister to France, and was a presidential candidate in 1824 with Adams, Jackson and Clay. Four children have blessed the nion of Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley, namely : Caroline Susan, wife of L. C. Smith, of New York City ; John W. Wheat- ley, Jr., who married Emma Bird : George Dudley Wheatley, who mar- ried Maggie Calloway ; and William H. Crawford Wheatley, of whom a brief personal account may be found on another page of this work.

HON. WILLIAM HARRIS CRAWFORD WHEATLEY. Enterprising, pro- gressive, and possessing the attributes that would make him a trader in any sphere he might select. Hon. William H. C. Wheatley, of Amerieus, has long been an important factor in the development and promotion of the industrial, mercantile, manufacturing and agricultural prosperity of Sumter county. and a commanding figure in its financial circles. He was born December 6, 1866. in Ameriens, a son of John Wright and Mary ( Dudley) Wheatley, of whom a brief sketch may be found else- where in this biographical volume.

Obtaining his elementary education in the public schools of his native city, "Crawford Wheatley," as he is familiarly known, further advanced his studies at the Lehigh University, in Sonth Bethlehem. Pennsylvania, and later entered Steven's Institute of Technology, at Hoboken, New Jersey, from which he graduated, in 1887, with the degree

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of Mechanical Engineer. Returning then to Ameriens, he was here city engineer for a year. In 1888, becoming superintendent of the Americus Oil Company, he built a large oil mill in the city. it being one of the lead- ing industrial plants of that time. Subsequently he entered the firm of C. M. Wheatley & Company. architeets and builders, with which he was identified for three years. In 1891 Mr. Wheatley organized the Ameriens Construction Company, of which he was vice-president until 1893. at the same time serving as president of the Amerieus Refrigerating Company. During those two years both firms, aided by his untiring energy and activity, rapidly increased and extended their operations and their busi- ness. From 1893 until 1896 Mr. Wheatley was a member of the firm.of T. A. Klatz & Company. architects, and carried on a substantial business. Giving up active labor in 1896. he spent four years in rest. recreation and observation, in the meantime visiting the West Indies, and traveling extensively throughout Europe.

Returning to Americus in 1900, Mr. Wheatley was elected treasurer of the Sheffield-Ihmtington Company, a position for which his exeentive and financial ability amply qualified him. Resigning from that firm in 1905. Mr. Wheatley accepted the position of vice president of the Americus National Bank and in 1908 organized the Commercial City Bank, of which he is vice president and the principal stockholder, and which is honsed in one of the finest buildings in the city. Ile has also been officially connected with various other organizations of prominence. having served as president of the Americus Manufacturing and Improve- ment Company : as president of the Carnegie Library Association; and as president of the local Board of Trade, under whose auspices the anto- mobile road extending from Andersonville to Thomasville was estab- lished.

Mr. Wheatley has likewise been a dominant power in public affairs. and has rendered his fellow-citizens valuable assistance in positions of trust and responsibility. He served on the staff of Governor Terrell. holding the rank of lieutenant colonel. and in 1905 and 1906 represented the thirteenth senatorial district in the state senate, in which he served as chairman of the joint committee on new counties, and was the author of the Lieutenant Governor Bill of that session.

He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention held in Den- ver, Colorado, in July. 1908, which put in nomination the name of Wil- liam J. Bryan for presidential candidate, and in 1912 was delegate at large to Democratic national convention held in Baltimore, Maryland. I November, 1912. he was elected as a representative to the Georgia legis- lature without any solicitation on his part. his election being a proof of his great popularity as a man, and as a citizen. Mr. Wheatley is a member of the library commission of the state of Georgia, and is treasurer and fiseal agent of the third district agrienltural and mechanical school, an organization of great value to the young men and boys of this section of the state. He is greatly interested in the advance- ment of the agricultural interests of the state and county, and is hin- self an extensive owner of real estate.

On October 12. 1897. Mr. Wheatley was mited in marriage with Miss Helen Huntington, a daughter of Charles A. and Virginia ( Wyatt) Huntington, and of their union one son has been born. Charles Hunting- ton Wheatley. Socially Mr. Wheatley is a member of the New York Ath- letie CInb. of the Capital City Club, and the Piedmont Driving Chib. of Atlanta. Fraternally he is a member of the M. B. Conneil Lodge. Free. and Accepted Masons; of Wells Chapter, No. 42. Royal Arch Masons; of De Molay Commandery, Knights Templar ; and of Alee Temple. Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and has served as potentate in the southwest district.

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JOHN F. COCKE. A well-known and highly esteemed resident of Daw- son, Terrell county, John F. Cocke is distinguished both for his own life and work and for the honored ancestry from which he traces his descent. The member of a Georgia family that dates back to colonial times, he was born June 16. 1857. on a plantation in Lee county, Georgia. He is a descendant in the fifth generation from Caleb Cocke, the immigrant ancestor, his lineage being thus traced: Caleb,1 Zebulon," John," Isaac Perry,+ and John F.5

Caleb1 Cocke, said to have been a lineal descendant of Lord High Admiral Cocke, of France, immigrated to America from England about 1710, settling in North Carolina. It is said that he was a very large man, and was called the 'Great Hunter." Zebulon? Cocke was born and bred in North Carolina. Coming from there to Georgia in 1764, he located in Burke county on a two-hundred-acre tract of land granted him by King George. During the Revolution he fought with the colonists in their struggle for independence. At the opening of that war he had upwards of five hundred head of cattle on his farm, and at its close he had but one ox left with which to do his farm work, all of the other cattle having been taken by the British. He was one of the very first Baptists in the state, and a charter member of the Baek Camp Baptist church, which was organized in 1788, and to which he donated four acres of land. He was twice married, his second wife, great grandmother of Mr. Cocke, having been Mrs. Sarah Field, nee Perry.

John3 Cocke was born on the parental homestead, in Burke county, Georgia, September 4, 1784. Inheriting the patriotic ardor of his father, he served as a soldier in the War of 1812. About 1828 he removed to Lee county, Georgia, where he bought land that was in its pristine wild- ness, and with the aid of his slaves cleared and improved a fine planta- tion, on which he spent the remainder of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Lydia Davis. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza- beth (Daniel) Davis, and a granddaughter on the paternal side of Rev. Elnathan Davis, a noted Baptist preacher of Virginia. On the maternal side, she was also of honored ancestry. her Grandfather Daniel having been governor of the Carolinas before they were divided, and afterwards governor of South Carolina. All of her grandparents spent the closing years of their lives in Lee county, Georgia.

Isaac Perry+ Cocke was born in Burke county, Georgia, and subse- quently went with the family to Lee county. There he began life for himself, working as a farm laborer at low wages. Industrious and econom- ical, he accumulated quite a sum of money, which he invested in land, later buying slaves with which to work his property. During his earlier life in Lee county deer and other kinds of wild game were abundant, and often did much damage to the growing erops. There being no railways in the state, he used to team his cotton to Macon. one hundred miles dis- tant, the trip being a long and tedions one. He did not depend entirely upon cotton as a erop, but raised various other things, inchiding eattle, hogs and poultry. He was very sneeessful in his operations, and as his means allowed invested in other traets of land, at his death having title to five thousand acres of choice land. His home plantation, located eight miles west of Liberty, was furnished with substantial buildings, and well stocked. He maintained a summer home at Griffin, but otherwise lived on his home farm until his death. in 1863.

. Isaac Perry+ Cocke married Almeda Griffin, who was born in Henry county, Georgia, where her parents. William and Martha ( Barnett) Griffin, were, as far as known, life-long residents. She survived her husband, and married a second time. By her first marriage she reared three children, namely : John Franklin. the special subject of this brief biographieal review : Almira Florine : and Isaac Perry, Jr.

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John F.5 Cocke obtained his rudimentary education in the public schools of Carterville. later attending Bowdon College, in Bowdon, Georgia. Completing his studies, he settled in Lee county on land that had come to him by inheritance, and was there extensively and profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1899. In order that his children might have better educational advantages. Mr. Cocke then rented his large plantation. and settled in Dawson, buying an estate of four acres. with good buildings thereon. in the village. He still lives on that place. but has since bonght another plantation, consisting of two hundred and fifty acres of highly productive land, in Terrell county.

Mr. Cocke married. in 1877. Annie Eliza Moreland. She was born in Lee county. a daughter of John and Eliza (Sikes) Moreland. natives of Baker county, and life-long residents of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Coeke are the parents of five children, namely: Annie Elouise: Charles Dud- ley ; Stephen Moreland : and John Edwin and Julian Franklin, twins. Annie E., wife of James Bascom Hoyle, has three children. Annie Elou- ise, Mary Elizabeth, and Myra. Mr. and Mrs. Cocke are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally Mr. Cocke belongs to P. T. Schley Lodge. No. 229, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons.

COLONEL ROBERT LEE COLDING. Savannah has a legal fraternity of which she has every reason to be proud, some of the members of the profession having achieved nation-wide prominenee. Among its eminent representatives is Col. Robert Lee Colding, whose excellent equipment has given him high standing and a practice of large proportions. As his Christian name indicates. Colonel Colding comes of stauneh Southern origin and a glanee at the history of his forbears reveals a number of soldiers and patriots. He himself is a publie-spirited citizen of the best type, ever ready to give his support to any measure which in his judg- ment will be likely to advance the general welfare.

Colonel Colding, who has lived his entire life in the city of Savannah, is the son of Capt. Silas M. and Laura Franees (Sibley) Colding. The father, who died in 1886, when the subjeet was still a lad, was born in Sereven eounty, Georgia, and came to Savannah a bare-footed boy. He served in the Confederate army throughout the war between the states, becoming a regimental staff captain in the Fiftieth Georgia Infantry, in the army of northern Virginia. For a long number of years he was a successful cotton merchant : in his latter career as such, however, suffering finaneial reverses. The mother of Colonel Colding was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey ; when she was a year old her parents removed to Florida and later to Georgia. She was the daughter of Samnel Shute Sibley, a widely known newspaper man of the earlier days. Long before the war he was the proprietor of the Savannah Georgian, which was the predecessor of the present Morning News. The paternal grandfather, Henry Colding, was born in Sereven county, Georgia. of parents who came from Barnwell Distriet. South Carolina. Henry Colding's father. Blanchard Colding. of South Carolina, was a Continental soldier in the Revolutionary war. The family originated in Denmark. migrating thenee to Scotland and in Colonial days coming to America. They located first in New York after their arrival in the land of the stars and stripes and subsequently came to South Carolina.

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A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume II, Part 75

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

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