USA > Georgia > Georgia's public men 1902-1904 > Part 12
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HON. S. R. BRINSON.
S IMEON RUSSELL BRINSON. Representative from Decatur county, is a native of that county. being born at Brinson on February 19. 1826. He is the son of Simeon and Hattie Russell Brinson. Mr. Brinson is a cousin of ex-Congressman Benj. E. Russell, of Bainbridge, who has been for years a leading figure in political and journalistic circles : and also of R. M. Johnson, the distinguished editor of the Houston Post, one of the most influ- ential papers in the State of Texas.
Mr. Brinon received a common school education in the schools of his county and later attended Mercer University for two years. He entered
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newspaper work at Bainbridge in 1897 as editor and owner of the Bainbridge Searchlight, and has been one of the most successful publishers in that sec- tion of the State. Despite his comparative youth, Mr. Brinson has made his paper very influential and has advocated every progressive idea in his county. He is a strong advocate of the Good Roads movement and is one of its foremost exponents in that section of the State. He has attended several conventions held in the interest of road improvement and has devoted much time and attention to the close study of the important questions involved. He is not married, but is not confirmed in the habit, and will hardly remain in single harness long.
Mr. Brinson was nominated for the Legislature in the face of strong oppo- sition, and the extremely successful race he ran is an evidence of the high regard in which he is held by the people for whom he labors. His colleague, who was elected at the same time, Hon. Benhart Nussbaum, has since died, and Hon. Byron B. Bower has been elected in his stead. Mr. Brinson is serving on the committees on Military Affairs, Penitentiary, and Public Printing.
HON. C. C. RICHARDSON.
C HOVINE CLEGG RICHARD- SON. Representative from Houston county, is a South Carolinian by birth, having made his appearance in that State on Novem- ber 16. 1857. in the town of Sumter, Sumter county. He is a member of the famous South Carolina family of Richardsons which has furnished the Palmetto State with governors and congressmen from time to time. Ile is the son of Dr. C. H. Richard- son. Judge John S. Richardson of the Circuit Court, Congressman John G. Richardson and the famous Governor John Peter Richardson were relatives of his.
Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Alice Culpepper at Byron, Ga., on July 29, 1885, and they have an interesting family of five children-Kate,
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Maggie, Susie, Chovine, Jr., and Marion. His residence is at Byron, and he is engaged in the practice of law, supplemented by a general mercantile bus- iness. Mr. Richardson is one of the leading business and professional men of his county, and, like many of the sons of old South Carolina who have found homes in this State, has won success.
He was a member of the last General Assembly, having been elected to the lower branch, and, so well pleased were the people of his county with his legislative career, he was honored with their endorsement for a second term. During the present session he is serving on several commit- tees, among them being Corporations, Education, Enrollment, Immigration, Labor and Labor Statistics, Pensions, Special Judiciary.
HON. H. P. HOWARD.
H T ENRY PHILIP HOWARD, Representative from Lau- rens county, is serving his first term in the House. He was born in Wilkinson county, Georgia, May 2, 1851. His parents, James M. and Frances Howard, were well- known residents of Wilkinson and were connected both by blood and marriage with some of the best peu- ple of that section of the State. Mr. Howard was married to Miss Mar- tha II. Gilder of Laurens county, January 19, 1874.
Mr. Howard studied law with one of the leading attorneys of that section of the State and was ad- mitted to the bar after standing an excellent examination. He has been located for a number of years at Dublin, where he has been one of the leaders at the bar.
Being concerned with affairs of the law, Mr. Howard has hitherto kept aloof from political life. Upon the solicitation, however, of numerous peo- ple in his county he consented to make the race for the House, and was nominated by a good majority at the primary and was elected. Laurens has
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come within the last few years to be one of the most important counties in the State, and this session sent two Representatives to the House- for the first time.
By appointment of the Speaker, Mr. Howard is serving on the following important committees : General Judiciary: Immigration : Privileges & the Floor; Roads and Bridges: Ways and Means.
HON. E. S. BALDWIN.
E ZEKIEL SMITH BALDWIN, Representative from Seliley county, is a native of Mon- roe county, Georgia, the son of Samuel B. and Emily Smith Bald- win. He was born August 1, 1835. Ilis parents moved to Talbotton. where Mr. Baldwin was reared.
Mr. Baldwin was married in Ma- con county February, 1859, to Miss Artimesia C. Taylor, and they have reared an interesting family-Mrs. M. L. Shealey of Oglethorpe, Mrs. W. II. Gaines of Oglethorpe. Mrs. G. W. Chipley of Columbus, Mrs. C. C. Carlton of Plant City. Fla., Claude Taylor Baldwin and Char- lie E. Baldwin.
Mr. Baldwin entered the Confederate service in July, 1862, as a member of Company D, Twenty-ninth battalion of cavalry. His command served throughout the war, for the most part being engaged in the operations in Florida.
While Mr. Baldwin has been prominent in the public affairs of his county for a number of years, he has never sought official position, except that of County Surveyor, which he held for a number of years. He was elected to the House by a handsome majority, which testified to his position among his fellow citizens.
In the IFouse he has been appointed to serve on the following committees : Appropriations, Counties and County Matters, Vice-Chairman of Immigra- tion, Public Library, Special Judiciary, Ways and Means.
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HON. C. M. BOOTH.
C HARLES M. BOOTII. Rep- resentative from Walton county, was born in Jack- son county, January 6, 1854. His parents had been respected resi- dents of that section of the State some years and were connected with a number of well-known families.
The greater part of Mr. Booth's life has been spent in Walton coun- ty. where he was married December 10, 1882, to Miss Mary Smith. They have two daughters-Alma, who married Mr. B. H. Jenkins, and Floy, who is now Mrs. E. M. Will- iams.
Mr. Booth has been prominent in his adopted county for several years. He has served as Notary Public and Justice of the Peace, and also County Surveyor for twenty years, and has been of great value to his people in these important capacities. He has always taken great interest in the affairs of his county and has ever been ready to give her his best efforts, whether in official or unofficial capacity.
Mr. Booth was elected to the House for the first time in 1900 and served his constitueney with such fidelity that he was honored with another term, during which he is increasing the enviable reputation already won.
Mr. Booth is serving on the committees on Appropriations, Education, General Agriculture, Labor and Labor Statistics. Penitentiary. Railroads, Special Judiciary.
HON. R. E. DAVISON,
R OBERT EMMETT DAVISON. Representative from Greene county, was born at Woodville, in that county, where he still resides. on Octo- ber 14, 1854. He is the son of James M. and Margaret Davison, who were honored residents of the county for many years. James M. Davidson was one of the leading publie men of his county before the Civil War, and represented it several times in the Legislature when the capitol was at Mil- ledgeville.
He was married at Bairdston in December. 1825. and has an interesting
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family composed of nine children, three boys and six girls. Mr. Davison is a merchant at Woodville, and is also interested in agriculture, having farm- ing interests near at hand.
The first public service performed by Mr. Davison was as representative from his county in 1894. when he served on the Penitentiary Committee; after which he retired from politics and took up the more peaceful pursuits of private life, giving strict attention to his personal interests until this year, when he was called upon by his fellow-citizens to again represent them.
Mr. Davison's previous legislative experience will stand him in good stead during the present session. He has been appointed by the Speaker to serve on the committees on Appropriations and Corporations.
HON. E. M. OWEN.
E MMETT MARSHALL OWEN. Representative from Pike county, was born at Hollonville. in that county, October 19, 1822. His parents were B. M. and Mrs. Mary Owen.
Mr. Owen attended the common schools of his native village and later entered Gordon Institute. at Barnes- ville. While a student in this splen- did institution Mr. Owen took a prominent part in the military life and in the work of the literary so- cieties. He was a good student and took a high stand in his class. He graduated with the class of 1897. After graduating at Gordon Insti- tute, Mr. Owen taught for a while. He then entered the law department of the University of Georgia, and grad- uated with the degree of B. L. in 1900.
Since leaving the University Mr. Owen has been teaching. He has taught flourishing schools in Meriwether county and recently has been at the head of the Hollonville school.
Mr. Owen is unmarried. He resides at Hollonville. His election to the House was his first appearance in political life, and he defeated several strong opponents. He is a member of the following committees : Appropriation. General Judiciary, Chairman of Hall and Rooms, Penitentiary. Roads and Bridges. University of Georgia and its Branches.
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HON. H. H. LITTLE.
H ENRY H. LITTLE. Repre- sentative from Hancock County, is a native of that county and a member of a family which has long been promi- nent in that section of Georgia. He is connected with a number of the most influential families in the State, among them being the Har- rises, the Sasnetts and the Littles of Western and Southern Georgia. He is also a descendant of Governor Ra- bun.
Mr. Little was born in 1822 and graduated from Emory College in 1891, taking a degree in the literary department. He afterwards studied law at the University of Georgia, and graduated with the Law Class of 1899. During the years between his graduation from Emory and his entrance into the legal profession, he was engaged in teaching. He resides at Sparta, where he is regarded as a leader of the local bar. Mr. Little is serving on the committees on General Judi- ciary, Georgia State Sanitarium, Railroads.
HON. W. N. PHILLIPS.
W. N. PHILLIPS, Representative from Quitman county, was born in Gordon county, Georgia, in 1852. near Reeves Station. In 1860 his father moved to Southwest Georgia. locating in Randolph county in the winter of that year, and the subject of this sketch worked on the farm. following peaceful agricultural pursuits until his marriage in 1872. After his marriage Mr. Phillips moved to Quitman county, where he has since resided. For a number of years he paid strict attention to his agricul- tural interests and did not allow himself to be attracted by the blandishments of political life until he was brought into prominence during the celebrated uprising against the "town ring" in his county. and was thereafter put for-
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ward for various county offices. He was once a candidate for the State Senate, but was defeated by the narrow margin of sixty votes.
Mr. Phillips is engaged in mercantile pursuits at Morris Station, besides being one of the substantial farmers of his county. He has four daughters, all married : Mrs. E. E. Willis, of Montgomery. Alabama : Mrs. F. R. Ball, of Dothan. Alabama : Mrs. A. F. Lee. of Macon, Georgia and Mrs. W. U. Ogle- tree. of Atlanta. Speaker Morris has appointed Mr. Phillips to serve on the committees on General AAgriculture ; Penitentiary : Roads and Bridges : Wild Lands.
HON. W. H. BEALL.
W HI. BEALL. Representative from Paulding county, + is a native of the county of which he is now a repre- sentative, having been born at Dal- las. He continued to reside there until his 20th year, and received a common school education in the school at that place. He then at- tended the Atlanta Medical College in the year 1881, and in 1883 en- tered the medical department of the University of Tennessee, graduating with the class of 1884. He began the practice of his profession at Bremen. Ga .. remaining there until 1890, when he moved back to Pauld- ing county. locating at Bird, some nine mile from Dallas, where he yet resides.
Dr. Beall's entrance into politics began with this year. when he defeated R. M. Ritch, the Populist nominee for the House, by a majority of 258 votes, and becoming the first Democratic representative from Paulding in several years. He is married and the father of two interesting children. His father was also a prominent citizen of Paulding, having served several terms in the House. and also represented his district in the Senate at one time. Dr. Beall is serving on the following committees this session: Excuse of Members. Georgia State Sanitarium. Hygiene and Sanitation, Penitentiary. Railroads. State of the Republic.
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HON. B. H. BURTON.
B ENJAMIN HARRISON BUR- TON. Representative from Franklin county, was born August 29. 1848. near Carnesville. Ga .. in the county of which he is now a representative in the lower branch of the General Assembly. His father was Benjamin Harrison Bur- ton. who was a prominent citizen of that section of the State for quite a number of years, and his mother, before her marriage, was Miss Jane C. King.
Mr. Burton was married near Carnesville on the 9th of November. 1823. to Miss Emmalissa Parsons. and they have three sons-James H .. Rush and Thomas Reed. Mr. Burton's residence is at Iron Rock. Mrs. Burton was born in Pickens county. South Carolina.
HON. W. D. MILLS.
W ILLIAM DAVID MILLS, Representative from Cher- okee county, resides at
Canton. He is engaged in the prac- tice of law, and since locating there has built up a good business.
Mr. Mills is a native of Pickens county. Georgia, where he was born June 11. 1820. His parents were Hiram J. and Linsey Mills.
On May 14. 1899, Mr. Mills was married at Canton to Miss Ada Priscilla Evans of that place. Their union has been very happy, and one child. a son, has been born to them.
Mr. Mills is another member of the House who never before held public office. Since attaining his majority and being admitted to the bar he
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has been so busily engaged in professional work that he has had neither oppor- tunity nor desire to enter politics. However, this year he was prevailed upon by his friends throughout the county to make the race for the House. So satisfactory was his candidacy to the people of the county no one opposed him. His election under such circumstances was a deserved tribute to the esteem in which the young member from Cherokee is held by his people.
Mr. Mills is serving on the following House committees : Corporations, Chairman of Invalid Pensions, Hygiene and Sanitation, Labor and Labor Statistics, Penitentiary.
HON. W. L. HENRY.
T W ILLIAM LEACH HENRY, Representative from Mur- ray county, is a resident of Beaver Dale, in that county. He was born among the hills of Murray on the 14th of January, 1853, and is a farmer by occupation. His parents were Rev. S. H. and Mrs. Rossie A. Henry.
Mr. Henry was married in his na- tive county on March 21, 1818. to Miss Sarah W. McCamy, and they have four children-Robert H., Jes- sie, Claude and Lewis.
Mr. Henry has been prominent in the political life of his county for many years, and has filled several positions of honor and trust. He was elected to membership of the Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenue of Murray county in 1897. and served on that body through the years 1892. 1898 and 1899. He established a reputation as a careful and painstaking guardian of the people's interests. So pleased were the people of his county with his course in official life, he was nominated for Represent- ative in 1900 and elected. He served in the last House with great credit and was elected this year for another term. He is a member of several im- portant committees of the House, among them being Immigration, Internal Improvements, Manufactures. Roads and Bridges.
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HON. W. A. WOOTEN.
W ILLIAM A. WOOTEN, Representative from the county of Montgomery, resides at Mt. Vernon. where he is engaged in the practice of law, and also has important business inter- ests. Mr. Wooten was born in that county March 6, 18:3, his parents being John A. Wooten and Jennie McEachin Wooten. His ancestors on both sides have been prominent people in that section of the State for a long time.
Mr. Wooten is unmarried. This is his first venture into political life. Since his admission to the bar he has established a splendid practice in his native county. and is consid- ered one of the leading young lawyers of that section. He has taken great interest in the proceedings of the House, and is serving on the following com- mittees : Immigration. Internal Improvements, Mines and Mining. Public Library, Special Judiciary.
HON. M. V. CALVIN.
M ARTIN V. CALVIN, Representative from Richmond county, is one of the most prominent members of the General Assembly, and has been a member of that body for eight consecutive terms. He is a resident of Augusta, and is a farmer and journalist.
Mr. Calvin is an authoritative writer on agricultural topics, and has done a great deal toward the advancement of agricultural interests in this State. He is a scientific and successful farmer. and has done a great deal to spread the diversified-crop idea throughout this and ajoining States.
During his entire term of service in the Legislature Mr. Calvin has been a consistent and strenuous advocate of progress along agricultural. industrial and educational lines, and has done the State marked service. In Richmond county he was one of the leaders in establishing the system of publie roads which has made Richmond noted throughout the South, and which serves as a model for the entire section. He was a member of the Board of Education
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of that county for nine years and was a working member in every sense of the word. Mr. Calvin was among the first advocates of the Girls' Normal and Industrial College at Milledgeville and the Georgia School of Technology, and has always taken a great deal of interest in these institutions, and has worked untiringly for their success. He is one of the leaders of the House, and his leadership is of great value to his colleagues. He is a graduate of Emory College and has always taken great interest in the institution.
Mr. Calvin is chairman of the Committee on General Agriculture and is a member of the committees on Appropriations. Banks and Banking. Corpora- tions, Hall and Rooms, Pensions, Public Printing, Temperance, University of Georgia and its Branches.
HON. J. E. HAYS.
J AMES ELIJAH HAYS, Rep- resentative from Macon county, is a Floridian by birth, having been born at Green- wood, Jackson county, December 27, 1862. He is the son of James and Sarah Hays.
Mr. Hays has been a prominent citizen of Montezuma for several years. He has served as alderman and has twice been elected to the mayoralty of that thriving little city. In 1900 he was elected to the Senate from the Thirteenth district. He made a splendid reputation as a legislator during his term in the Senate, and was a member of sev- eral of the most important commit- tees of the body. He took a prominent part in the work of the Senate and rendered his constituency and the State splendid service. So pleased were the people of his county with his record in the Senate upon the expiration of his term he was elected to the House, and is a member of the following com- mittees : Corporations, Manufactures, Mines and Mining, Special Agri- culture.
Mr. Hays has been married twice, first to Miss Martha Dawson at Mon-
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tezuma, November 3. 1885. She died in 1890, leaving one child, Mattie Dawson Hays. On June 26 of this year he was married to Miss Louise Fred- erick, a member of one of the leading families of Marshallville, Ga.
HON. T. J. SHACKELFORD.
T HOMAS JEFFERSON SHACKELFORD, Represen- tative from Clarke County. is a native of the neighboring county of Jackson, having been born in that county on the 16th of Febru- ary, 1868. His parents were Chas. W. and Carrie M. Shackelford. both members of families that had been prominent in that section. Mr. Shackelford received his common school education in the schools of that county and afterwards attended the University of Georgia at Athens, from which notable institution he was graduated with the Class of 1891, receiving the degree of Bache- lor of Arts. Having aspirations leading him to the study of law, he entered the law department of the same institution and was graduated therefrom in 1892, taking his B. L. degree.
After graduation he entered upon the practice of his profession in Athens, associating himself with his brother. F. C. Shackelford under the firm name of Shackelford and Shackelford. His legal career has been very successful and he is considered to be one of the leading attorneys of his city.
Having had no desire for political preferment. Mr. Shackelford had never entered the arena until this year. His membership in the present House of Representatives is the first office he has ever held.
Mr. Shackelford is unmarried. He is deeply interested in a number of subjects of importance which come before the legislature. among them being education. agriculture, good roads and a pure ballot and has given them a great deal of study. Mr. Shackelford is serving on the Committee on Cor- porations. of which he is Chairman, and on the General Judiciary and Mili- tary Affairs committees.
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HON. D. J. FUSSELL.
D AVID J. FUSSELL, Repre- sentative from Chattahoochee county. was born near Cus- seta, in that county, on the 11th of October, 1842. His father was Ben- jamin A. Fussell, who came from North Carolina to Georgia seventy years ago and settled in Telfair county. After living in Telfair for several years he moved to Chatta- hoochee, where the subject of this sketch was born.
Mr. Fussell is a mechanic by occu- pation and has been one of the lead- ing citizens of Cusseta for many years. He has always been a consist- ent Democrat and served continu- ously as Justice of the Peace since 1812. He was appointed Judge of the County Court until the same was abol- ished. He has also been mayor of Cusseta several times and served his town with faithfulness and zeal. He is a consistent Christian and has been active in the work of his church.
Mr. Fussell has taken great interest in important legislative matters the Speaker. he is serving on the committees on Counties and County Matters. General Agriculture, Georgia School for the Deaf, Immigration, Internal Improvements.
HON. A. W. EVANS.
A. WILLIS EVANS. one of the Representatives from Washington county, before being elected to his present position had never be- fore held any office in the gift of the people. His public service hitherto had consisted of a term as city attorney of Sandersville and one as attorney for Washington county. Mr. Evans was born June 9, 1814. the son of Colonel Beverly D. Evans, Sr., and Mrs. Sallie P. Evans, and has since resided at Sandersville, the place of his birth. His father was one of the most prominent men of his day in the State, a brave soldier of the Confed- eracy and a distinguished private citizen. Judge Beverly D. Evans of the Middle circuit is a brother of A. W. Evans.
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Mr. Evans was married at Cedartown, Georgia, on January 4. 1899. to Miss Lillian Booz of that place and one child, a daughter, Lillian Beverly Evans. blesses their union. He has been one of the leading attorneys at the bar of his native county since his admission and comes to the House well equipped to serve well the interests of his constituents.
Mr. Evans' committee appointments for the session are: General Judiciary ; Journals ; Amendments to Constitution : Georgia School for the Deaf: Ways and Means.
HON. J. S. MIZELL.
J TOSEPH S. MIZELL. repre- sentative from Charlton county. was born in that county, November 25, 1861. His father was Noah Newton Mizell. a well-known farmer of that county, who has been prominent in public life there for many years. At pres- ent the elder Mr. Mizell is filling the office of County School Commission- er, which position he has filled acceptably to the people and with credit to himself for eight years. Perry Mizell and Peter Grooms, the grandfathers of Mr. J. S. Mizell. were sub-tantial farmers and lead- ing citizens of Charlton for many years.
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