USA > Georgia > Georgia's public men 1902-1904 > Part 3
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After the war he butchered in Cuthbert to get money enough to return to Marietta.
Returning to Marietta he was employed by the State railroad to rebuild bridges over the Chickamauga river. Later he was made chief engineer of the South and North Railroad of Alabama, now part of the Louisville and
JAMES W. ROBERTSON, - ADJUTANT GENERAL.
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Nashville system. Then he became chief engineer of the Georgia Western Railway of Georgia, now part of the Southern system. Later still he was appointed superintendent of the Macon and Brunswick Railroad.
In 1874 Colonel Robertson turned his attention to manufacturing. In that year he was elected president of the Roswell Manufacturing Com- pany of Roswell, Georgia. Ten years later he built the plant of the Porter Manufacturing Company, which is located six miles from Clarkesville, Georgia.
Governor Gordon appointed him railroad commissioner in 1890. He served in that capacity until compelled to resign on account of private busi- ness. He was in charge of the Porter Manufacturing Company and the Roswell Manufacturing Company until serions illness in 1898 forced him to retire from active business.
Ile was appointed Adjutant-General of Georgia by Governor Candler, succeeding JJohn Melntosh Kell, deceased. Colonel Robertson, as his whole record shows. is not only a man of work, but of remarkable versatility. Winning success as military commander, engineer, railroad man, railroad commissioner, business man, his career, so full of good service to the State, both in war and in peace, undoubtedly justifies the belief that he would have achieved high renown in the political arena. That he has in him the elements which make statesmen cannot be doubted. But he has steadily declined to run for office.
STATE LIBRARIAN C. J. WELLBORN.
C® ARETON J. WELLBORN, State Librarian, is serving his second term in that position, but between the two terms has occurred a lapse of forty years. Judge Wellborn is a native of Union County, Georgia, where he was born April 8, 1836. His father. Johnson P. Wellborn, was one of the leading men of the county, and served for fourteen years in the General Assembly. being at various times member of each branch.
Judge Wellborn was married at Milledgeville, when that place was the capi- tai, to Miss Sarah M. Candler, a member of the noted family of that name in the State. She was a cousin of Ex-Governor Allen D. Candler. Of the chil- dren born to them, there are now living: Carlton J. Wellborn. Jr., now Representative from Union county ; Dr. E. C. Wellborn, a prominent dentist
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of Blairsville. and Mrs. Louisa Wellborn Jones, wife of Col. R. P. Jones, of Waynesboro. Ga.
The public eareer of Judge Wellborn has extended over a period of more than forty years, and he is now oeeupying the same position with which he began. He was appointed State Librarian in 1858 and held the position two years. At the outbreak of the war he was appointed Quartermaster of the Tenth Regiment of State troops, and held the position until transferred to the head bookkeeper's office of the Western & Atlantie Railroad. He served in the Senate from 1868 until 1872, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1877. In 1878 he was again eleeted to the Senate, and was later eleeted Solicitor-General of the Blue Ridge circuit. In 188 ?. when the Northeastern cireuit was ereated, he was elected Judge and served two years, being succeeded by Judge Estes. At the expiration of Judge Estes' term, Judge Wellborn was again elected and served two consecutive terms. After retiring from the bench. where he had an honorable and distinguished career, he was elected to the secretaryship of the Senate for a term. Later, under the Democratic administration, he was appointed Assistant Attorney-General for the Interior Department at Washington, and held the position six years.
After spending several years in the peacefulness of private life, Judge Well- born was ealled to the office of State Librarian onee more, being appointed by his friend of many years. Governor Allen D. Candler, in November, 1901. Since that time he has filled that important position acceptably and with the fidelity which has ever distinguished his public service. During his long public career he has been intimately associated with several generations of the leading men of the State and has numbered his friends by hundreds. He is a gentleman of the old regime in the true sense of the term, an able lawyer, an upright and eapable jurist. a publie official with a splendid record for fidelity in every trust imposed upon him.
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STATE CHEMIST J. M. McCANDLESS.
P ROF. JOHN M. MCCANDLESS was born in Camden, S. C. He removed to Atlanta in early boyhood. and was educated chiefly by his father. After leaving his father's tutelage, he entered the University of New York for four years. He studied chemistry there under Prof. John W. Draper, the celebrated authority on that wonderful seience. Graduating with the degree of B. A., he decided that he would follow the profession of chem- istry, for which he had been admirably qualified. He returned to Georgia and became a student, in the laboratory at AAthens, of Professor H. C. White, then State Chemist. There he showed sueh remarkable aptitude for the practical side of the science that Professor White declared him to be a wonderfully bright pupil and predicted that he would attain eminence in his profession.
In January, 1885. Professor McCandless opened a laboratory in Atlanta, as analytical and consulting chemist. He soon won a wide reputation. By reason of his exceptional knowledge and skill he was made the chemist of the Atlanta Board of Health. His services in that capacity made him very prominent. At that time the water supply of Atlanta was a problem of great moment to the people. To this subject, Professor McCandless gave special study. His suggestions in regard thereto were always full of expert intelligence and common sense. Drs. Armstrong and Baird, the most active members of the Board of Health, sought his advice on all points looking to the solving of the problem.
Later on Professor McCandless performed important public service by his opposition to Atlanta's so-called artesian well. Much money had been wasted in the effort to get a satisfactory well. Failure followed upon fail- ure. The matter gave rise to popular discontent. The people were divided on the subject. The opposition of Professor MeCandless to continuing the useless and expensive work was effective. Indeed, it may be truly said that he was largely instrumental in stopping this work. He showed great energy about this time in preserving the old waterworks supply system of Atlanta from contamination. The accomplishment of this noble public purpose was due largely to him.
From the first he advocated the selection of the Chattahoocheee River as the source, with a filter plant connection, of Atlanta's water supply. He made suggestions and submitted plans to this end which, at last, led to the present excellent system. To him, probably, more than to any man, is At- lanta indebted for the abundance and purity of her water.
PROF. JOHN M. MCCANDLESS, STATE CHEMIST.
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He accepted the professorship of chemistry in the Southern Medical Col- lege, in 1889, but, after a time. pressure of professional duties compelled him to resign the position.
In 1898. Commissioner of Agriculture Stevens, looking for a man of the highest capacity in his line for State Chemist. offered the position to Profes- sor MeCandless. His previous business connection as analytical and con- -ulting chemist to the large chemical works of the State peculiarly fitted him for the discharge of the duties of the office. He has signalized his incum- beney by suggesting and actively aiding in carrying out badly needed reforms in the oil and fertilizer laws of the State, raising the quality and safety of the oils and the grade of the fertilizer- sold in Georgia.
The wisdom of Commissioner Stevens' selection has been amply demon- strated by the eminently satisfactory services which Professor McCandless has rendered the State.
STATE ENTOMOLOGIST W. M. SCOTT.
P ROF. W. M. SCOTT. Georgia's first State Entomologist, was born May 3. 1813, at Sugar Grove, Virginia. It was in the harvest field and between the corn rows that his first schooling was gotten, his father, L. M. Scott. a successful farmer of Smith County, Virginia, directing his early education.
In his early boyhood he first laid the foundation of his agri- cultural and horticultural training by practical work on his father's farm. Having finished his academic course at the Glade Springs Military Academy. Virginia. he took the Horticultural Course in the Virginia Polytechnic In- stitute at Blacksburg, where he not only stood high as a student. but also won medals of distinction in the literary societies. Graduating from that institution at the head of his class, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, in 1896. he was a once chosen assistant horticulturist and entomologist of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. He held this position acceptably until appointed State Entomologist of Georgia.
Meantime he studied a special course in Entomology at the Virginia Poly- technic Institute, from which he graduated with the degree of Master of Science in Entomology in 1898.
On March 1, 1898. Commissioner of Agriculture Nesbitt appointed him State Entomologist on the recommendation of the Georgia State Horticultural Society.
PROF. W. M. SCOTT, STATE ENTOMOLOGIST.
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Beginning his work by thoroughly inspecting the fruit-producing regions of Georgia, he located the various insects which attack orchards and nurseries. He devoted special attention to the investigation of the San Jose scale, the dreaded insect pest which threatened to destroy the fruit interests of the State.
In the main, he has succeeded in applying remedies for insect pests. But in many cases he has been forced to condemn and demolish thousands of infected trees to save the State from the spreading diseases. He has found it necessary to employ compulsory measure in comparatively few instances. As a rule nurserymen and fruit-growers have promptly co-operated with him in the execution of the laws.
Mr. Scott is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a member of the Association of Economie Entomologists, and is Sec- retary of the Georgia State Horticultural Society. His publications have dealt principally with insects and diseases of horticultural erops, and his bul- letins on the treatment of the San Jose scale are especially creditable.
On March 21. 1900, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Mary Florence Roop, daughter of F. S. Roop, one of the most prosperous stock farmers of South- west Virginia.
Since his appointment to the position of State Entomologist Mr. Scott has made his home in Atlanta and has acquired large orchard interests in Cobb and Habersham couties. He is therefore enabled to give his much sought for advice to fruit growers from a practical standpoint.
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STATE GEOLOGIST W. S. YEATES.
M ON. WILLIAM SMITH YEATES, the State Geologist, was born in Murfreesboro, Hertford County, North Carolina. December 15, 1856. IIe is descended from fine old Revolutionary stock. Jesse Yeates, his great-grandfather. a soldier of the Revolu- tionary War, was a member of Colonel Hardy Murfrees' regi- ment. He fought in the battles of King's Mountain, Guilford Courthouse, the Cowpens and Stony Point. He was also a captain in the War of 1812.
Mrs. Virginia Scott Yeates, his mother, was the granddaughter of General John Scott, of Virginia.
The father of the subject of this sketch. Jesse L. Yeates, was a man of great distinction. He was a major in the Confederate AArmy. attached to the Thirty-first North Carolina Regiment. After the war he became a promi- nent lawyer of Eastern North Carolina. He represented the First District of North Carolina in the Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses of the United States.
After preliminary schooling in the primary and high schools of Murfrees- boro. Professor Yeates attended Randolph-Macon College. Ashland, Virginia. a year and a half. He then entered Emory and Henry College. Emory. Vir- ginia, where he studied three and a half years. He graduated there June. 1878. taking the B. A. Degree. Three years later that institution conferred upon him the degree of M. A. in consideration of the further prosecution of literary and scientific studies.
In 1879, Professor Yeates served as an agent of the United States Fish Commission. He distributed yonng fish from the hatching-station at Avoca, North Carolina. Later, turning his attention to educational work he spent a year and a half as principal in two high schools. On December 2. 1880. having accepted a clerkship in the United States Fish Commission work of the Tenth Census. he entered upon the discharge of his duties. When the National Museum in Washington City was reorganized and enlarged. he was made assistant to the curator in the department of Minerals and Economic Geology. This was on March 22. 1881.
Immediately he began selecting and classifying minerals, ores and rocks sent to the National Mnsenm by foreign governments exhibiting at the Phila- delphia Centennial Exposition. The Curator of the department assigned him to this work, within two weeks after his appointment. and, in addition, he was charged with the duty of identifying minerals sent to the Smithsonian In- stitute from all parts of America.
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In 1882 Professor Baird, director of the National Museum, placed Professor Yeates as Acting Curator at the head of the Department of Minerals. He held the position until 1883, when on the appointment of an Honorary Cura- tor. Professor Yeates was advanced to the grade of "Assistant" in charge of the mineral collection. AAfterward he was promoted to Assistant Cura- tor. and with the title received a still higher promotion.
When the Corcoran Scientific School of the Columbian University was organized he was appointed to the chair of mineralogy and made. also, Professor of Geology. His school work did not conflict with his museum duties. The technical schools of Washington hold night sessions.
Hle exhibited a splendid collection of gems and ornamental stones. includ- ing rare specimens from all parts of the world. which constituted part of the National Museum collection at the Cincinnati and New Orleans Expo- sitions, 1884, and at the World's Fair, Chicago, 1893. Professor Yeates has collected and arranged in an attractive and educational way minerals. ores, building stones and woods of the State. Exhibited at Atlanta. Nash- ville and Omaha Expositions. these collections have taken the highest awards for excellence and installation. Many bulletins on the geological resources of Georgia and administrational reports have been issued as a result of the work of the State Geologist.
Professor Yeates is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America : mem- ber of the Philosophical Society. of Washington, D. C .: member of the Geological Society of Washington. D. C .: of the American Chemical Society; the American Institute of Mining Engineers : the American Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Science, and the International Congress of Geologists of 1891.
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STATE TREASURER ROBERT E. PARK.
C APTAIN ROBERT EMORY PARK, the Treasurer of Georgia, was born in LaGrange. Troup county. Georgia. January 13. 1844. He was descended from fine old Revolutionary stock. His father, Major John Park, was a native of Georgia, having been born in Clarke county in 1800. His mother. Sarah Robertson Park, was also born in Clarke county.
The grandfather of Captain Park, William Park. of Spartanburg district, South Carolina, was a soldier in the patriot army of the Revolution, and served under General Sumter : and the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, John Park, was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania. He was killed at the battle of the Cowpens. The founder of the Park family in America was Arthur Park. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. and came to West Chester, Pennsylvania, from Connty Donegal, Ireland, in 1220. Beverly Robertson, Captain Park's great grandfather on his mother's side, served with distinction in the Colonial Army. He was an officer in a Virginia regiment and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
When Captain Park was a child his parents removed from LaGrange to Greenville, Ga. There he received his primary education. He attended Brownwood Institute at LaGrange, where. under the tutorship of Professor William Johns, he was prepared to enter Emory College. Oxford. in 1860. After remaining there a year he went to the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Anburn. Ala. Leaving that school June 12. 1861. he repaired to Tuskegee. Ala .. where he enlisted in Company F, Twelfth Alabama Regiment of Infantry. The first Captain of this company was R. F. Ligon, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of Alabama. After serving as private one year the com- pany was reorganized and the subject of this sketch was unanimously elected Second Lieutenant. At the battle of Seven Pines he was chosen First Lieuten- ant. and after the battle of Winchester he was made Captain. He had com- manded the company nearly eighteen months, owing to wounds received by Capt. J. N. McNeely. Captain Park was among the bravest and gallantest men who wore the gray. He made a record during the war of which any soldier might be proud. At the battle of Winchester (September 19, 1864) he received a terrible wound in the leg. and was left upon the field. Thirteen pieces of bone were taken from his leg. He was captured and sent to West's prison hospital. Baltimore, thence to Point Lookout, Maryland, thence to the old capitol prison at Washington, and lastly to Fort Delaware. There he was kept until June 14. 1865, when he was released.
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Among the many battles in which Captain Park took part may be mentioned Williamsburg. Seven Pines, Seven Days' Fight Around Richmond, Fredericks- burg. Hagerstown, South Mountain. He was, also, at the battle of Hanover Court House with Gen. Lee, and during the invasion of Maryland and Penn- sylvania was in the great battle of Gettysburg. On one occasion he was sent to Richmond on thirty days' hospital furlough. At the expiration of twenty- five days he rejoined his command. For several days he was placed in com- mand of the regiment, all his senior officers being among the killed, wounded or absent.
When Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Captain Park was among the heroic few who refused to take the oath of allegiance, although a prisoner in Fort Delaware at that time.
After the war he returned to Greenville and began the study of law. This was in 1866. Later he became a teacher in the Tuskegee High School. After one year he went to the Henry Lucas Institute, Mt. Meigs, Ala .. teaching there two years; and was then called to the principalship of the LaGrange High School. He spent two years in that position, and then removed to Macon, where he accepted the general agency for the Southern States of the Ivison-Blakeman Company, school and college text-books. He afterwards be- came the general representative of the American Book Company in the South- ern States.
Since 1880 he has been a valuable member of the Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society. He is a Trustee of the Mulberry Street Meth- odist Church of Macon. a Royal Arch Mason, an Odd Fellow, member of the Knights of Honor, and of the Knights of Damon. In 1886 he was made a Trustee of Emory College. He is also a Trustee of Wesleyan Female College.
Captain Park's first wife was Miss Ella, daughter of the late General W. S. Holt. She died March 8, 1890. The children are Ella Henrietta and William Holt Park.
In April, 1894, Captain Park married Mrs. Emily Hendree-Stewart at Richmond, Va. She is the accomplished daughter of the late Dr. George Hendree, of Tuskegee, Ala.
Captain Park was a Lieutenant-Colonel on Governor Northen's staff during his first term and declined reappointment. He is an honorary member of the Macon Volunteers, and has ever been a friend to the State military and all public enterprises.
He was elected State Treasurer in 1900, and re-elected in 1902.
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RAILROAD COMMISSION.
CHAIRMAN SPENCER R. ATKINSON.
S PENCER R. ATKINSON is a native of Camden County, Georgia, where he was born forty-five years ago. His father was Alexander S. Atkin- son, and his mother's maiden name was Miss Mary Ann McDonald, a daughter of Governor McDonald, of Georgia.
During his boyhood, Judge At- kinson resided with his parents in Marietta. Cobb County. Upon reaching his majority, he decided to locate in the West, and spent two years in Texas. Becoming con- vinced that no State could equal that of his nativity in all that makes life a pleasure. he returned to Georgia, and the Lone Star State lost a settler who would without a doubt have become one of her most prominent citizens.
Upon his return to this State he adopted the law as his profession, and im- mediately took a high stand at the bar of the Brunswick judicial circuit. About the same time he was married to Miss Mary Virginia Harrison, of Camden county, a cultured and charming lady. They have no children.
Judge Atkinson, like most Georgians, is a Democrat. He was elected Judge of the Brunswick circuit November 10, 1886, in which capacity he ably served the public until the spring of 1892, when he resigned and resumed the practice of law. In November, 1894, he became a Judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia. His work while a member of this great tribunal was of the highest order, and his opinions and decisions are generally admitted by the profession to be models of soundness, force and clearness.
In November, 1897, Judge Atkinson resigned his position upon the Supreme
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Court to become a member of the Railroad Commission, of which body he is chairman. and in which position he has rendered most valuable service to the State by reason of the fairness, ability and industry which have characterized his administration of the affairs of that important department.
It is neither exaggeration nor flattery to say that in clearness and force of intellect, in learning and integrity, Judge Atkinson. as a lawyer, jurist and gentleman, is the peer of any man in Georgia.
HON. G. GUNBY JORDAN.
G. GUNBY JORDAN, Rail- road Commissioner, is a splendid type of the in- dustrial developer of the new South. Since the close of the war he has been a leader in the commercial, financial and industrial life of the State.
Mr. Jordan is a native of Sparta, Hancock county, Georgia, where he was born 56 years ago. He entered the military service of the Confeder- acy at an early age as a member of Nelson's Rangers. This was an in- dependent organization of cavalry. which made a splendid reputation for bravery and daring. The com- mand participated in the operations around Atlanta, and during the latter days of the war acted as special escort to General Stephen D. Lec.
After the close of the civil conflict Mr. Jordan attended school for a year at Sparta. In 1866 he secured a position in Columbus with a wholesale grocery firm, and began his business career in that city. Since that time he has been closely connected with the growth of Columbus in every way.
The next year Mr. Jordan was elected treasurer of the Eagle & Phenix Man- ufacturing Company. With the assumption of the duties of this position began his connection with the textile industry in which he has made both fortune and reputation. He served as treasurer and credit man of the corpor- ation for twenty years. In 1813 he was chosen cashier of the Eagle & Phenix Savings Bank, which position he held for thirteen years. In these capacities
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Mr. Jordan made a splendid reputation as a sagacious business man and an organizer of great ability.
After an extended term of service with the Eagle & Phenix institutions, Mr. Jordan resigned in 1886 to promote the building of the Georgia Midland and Gulf Railroad. He was made president of the Georgia Midland & Gulf Construction Company. and. upon the completion of the road, was made Gen- eral Manager. While serving in this capacity he instituted the movement which led to the construction of the Columbus Southern road.
In 1894 Mr. Jordan resigned all connection with railroad interests and accepted the position of Railroad Commissioner tendered him by Governor Northen. He was the practical member of the commission, being thoroughly conversant with railroad affairs, and his service was eminently capable and satisfactory.
The most noteworthy feature of Mr. Jordan's splendid carcer is his suc- cessful rehabilitation of the Eagle & Phenix corporation. For many years this company was one of the most successful manufacturers of cotton goods in the entire country. Its properties were immensely valuable, and its stock was eagerly sought by investors. After Mr. Jordan severed his connection with the corporation in 1886 the business showed a downward tendency and matters reached their climax later when the affairs of the corporation were thrown into court. Mr. Jordan successfully reorganized the company, and it is to-day a monument to his business ability. He is its president, and under his man- agement the mill has taken once more its old rank among Southern textile industries.
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