USA > Georgia > Georgia's public men 1902-1904 > Part 7
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The success won by Mr. Morris in the practice of his profession through- out the Blue Ridge circuit and in other nearby counties has been marked. Few legal practitioners of his age have succeeded in establishing so lucrative a business in such short time. Mr. Morris has given especial attention to what is ordinarily termed anti-corporation practice and has been successful in some important litigation in the form of damage suits against various railroads. He has consistently refused to accept the representation of rail- roads. preferring to represent the cause of the people whose property or per- sons have been injured by the corporations.
Mr. Morris came from the sturdy mountain stock which in the past has furnished the State with many notable men and the supply seems to be in no wise falling off. He is the son of M. P. Morris of Milton County, who was a well known citizen of that section and his mother was, before her marriage, Miss Captic Hays of Cobb County, a member of one of the leading families of the county.
On September 20. 1899. Mr. Morris was married to Miss Cora Cheney of Marietta. and their union has been blessed by two children, Cora Lucille, a beautiful little girl of two years, and a handsome lusty boy who was born only a few days after his father's election to the Speakership.
NEWTON A. MORRIS, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
889966
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CLERK JOHN T. BOIFEUILLET.
OHN THEODORE BOIFEUILLET, of Macon, for four years Clerk of the House of Representatives, and who was overwhelmingly re-elected to this position at the present session of the Legislature, is one of the best known men in the State.
Mr. Boifenillet was born in Macon, August 3, 1859. His parents were Hon. John T. Boifeuillet. Sr., and Annie Lydia Mckinnon. He graduated at Mercer University with class distinction and society honors. Among his classmates were Gov. W. D. Jelks, of Alabama; ex-Congressman Thomas E. Watson, the distinguished historian; ex-Congressman C. L. Moses, who is a member of the present Legislature: Hon. Seaborn made in his senior year at college when he was elected anniversariun of the C. L. Moses, who will be a member of the next Legislature; Hon. Seaborn Wright, and other eminent Georgians. The first test of his popularity was made in his senior year at college when he was elected anniversarian of the Ciceronian Society after an exciting contest which aroused interest in col- legiate circles throughout the State. The triumph that attended him then was a forerunner of the numerous political vietories that have crowned him since. Mercer University bestowed upon him the degree of A. B. and A. M.
Mr. Boifenillet adopted journalism as his profession. He rapidly went from reporter to city editor, managing editor and editor. He was formerly city editor and managing editor of the "Macon Telegraph," and was for years editor of the "Macon Evening News." For more than twelve years he has been the Maeon correspondent of the "Atlanta Constitution."
In 1890, while editor of the "Macon Evening News," he was first elected to the Legislature from Bibb County. He led the ticket over several candidates by a large majority. He was triumphantly re-elected three times afterwards in hotly contested elections. In his fourth and last race there were eight can- didates, and he came out of this. like he did the first one, at the head of the ticket, leading all his contestants easily.
During his eight years of continuous service as a member of the Legislature Mr. Boifeuillet played a brilliant part. He ranked high as a debater. was a skilled parliamentarian, and made a model presiding officer. He was the author of many important bills that passed the Legislature, but in none of his work did he take more pride and interest than in what he did in behalf of education and labor. Among the educational bills introduced by him, and which became laws, were the following :
A bill to appropriate $20,000 to inaugurate the State Normal School at Athens.
JOHN T. BOIFEUILLET, CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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A bill to establish the State Textile School at Atlanta, the first of the kind in the South. A marble slab has been erected at this school in honor of Mr. Boifeuillet.
A bill to appropriate $25.000 to build a dormitory for the Georgia Normal and Industrial College at Milledgeville, and which was named "Atkinson Hall" in honor of Governor Atkinson.
A bill ereating a book commission, which had for its purpose the obtaining of better and cheaper public school books.
He also introduced a bill providing quarterly payments to the public school teachers in place of the old system of annual payment. and advocated numer- ous other measures beneficial to the public schools of the State.
Mr. Boifeuillet was equally zealous in behalf of labor.
At the request of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers he introduced a bill which is now the law of the State. which makes it unlawful for any rail- road company to employ in this State any telegraph operator to receive and transmit messages governing the movement of trains, who is less than eigh- teen years old. and who has not had at least one year's experience as a tele- graph operator. The purpose of this law is to make railroad travel more safe. It is said that many railroad accidents have been caused by the inefficiency and inexperience of telegraphers.
TIe also introduced a bill to require railroads to pay their employes at least monthly, and have a fixed time of the month for payment.
He also advocated the following bills :
To prohibit railroads blacklisting employes : to prohibit the working of the convicts of the State in competition with free labor ; to prohibit children under twelve years of age working in factories : to make September 1 Labor Day and a legal holiday in Georgia.
After serving continuously for eight years as a member of the Legislature, Mr. Boifeuillet was overwhelmingly elected Clerk of the House in 1898 over a combination of four candidates, and so efficiently and popularly did he dis- charge his duties that he was unanimously re-elected in 1900. and was tri- umphantly re-elected this year.
Mr. Boifeuillet has received complimentary appointments by governors, such as member of their staff and trustee of State institutions. He has been favored with important municipal offices at home, and has been a delegate to numerous political conventions.
It is confidently predicted that in the near future Mr. Boilfeuillet will reap higher honors than any he has yet enjoyed.
In 1882 Mr. Boifeuillet married Miss Clara Nutting. daughter of Col. C. A. Nutting. a leading banker of Macon. and by this marriage he has two attrac- tive daughters, Misses Bessie and Clare Boifeuillet. Mrs. Boifeuillet's lament- able death occurred in February, 1901.
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JOHN WESLEY AKIN.
J OHN WESLEY AKIN, Representative of Bartow County. was born in Cass- ville, Bartow County. Geor- gia, June 10, 1859. He grad- uated at Emory College, in 1811. where he received A. B. and .A. M. degrees and was awarded Speakers' places-as Sophomore on declama- tion ; as Junior and Senior, on schol- arship. He took the Boynton Medal for the best essay. open to the college. and was elected successively to every office in his Literary So- ciety. including first President from his Class and Anniversariun.
He was admitted to the bar at Cartersville, Georgia. in 1818, where he has since resided and practiced law. In 1882 he was married to Miss Frances Trippe Johnson. grand-daughter of Judge Turner Trippe and daughter of the late Abda Johnson, who served several terms in the Legis- lature before the war. was a member of the Georgia Constitutional Con- vention of 1821, colonel of the 40th Georgia Regiment in the Confederate army. and one of the ablest lawyers in Georgia.
Judge Akin's mother was formerly Miss Mary de Verdery, whose family left France during the Revolution of 1:89. His father was the late War- ren Akin, the only man ever elected in his first term Speaker of the Geor- gia House of Representatives. a member of the Confederate Congress. one of the most eminent lawyers of his day, an eloquent speaker and a local Methodist preacher.
Judge Akin has devoted himself to his profession and business interests. Until his election to the Legislature in 1902, by the biggest majority ever given a candidate in Bartow County, he held only one public office -- that of Judge of the City Court of Bartow County, to which he was appointed about ten years ago without being an applicant. Ile has been President of the Board of Education of Cartersville Public Schools ever since they were organized, and is a member of the Methodist Church. He has three chil- dren, Mary de Verdery, Lillian Gatewood and Frances Berto.
Judge Akin is a thirty-second degree Mason, Past Master and Past High Priest, Past Junior Grand Warden of Georgia, and author of "Akin's Lodge Manual and Masonic Law Digest," now in its fifth thousand and second
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edition. the adopted standard of Georgia Masonry. He was for ten years Secretary and afterwards President of the Georgia Bar Association. He is the author of several addresses and essays whose publication attracted wide attention. Among them. "The Poet Bleckley," "Sidney Lanier," "Aggres- sions of the Federal Courts." "The Fourth Form of Government," "Hiram Warner," "Jefferson Davis, " "Benjamin H. Hill," "The Real John Marshall." "The Circuit Judge." "The Kingdom of Light and The Vanished King." etc. He is also conjoint author of the "Van Epps-Akin Index-Digest of Georgia Reports." three volumes of about 3,200 pages, considered the most comprehensive work of its kind extant.
During the present session Judge Akin is Chairman of the Committee on Amendments to Constitution, Vice-Chairman of the General Judiciary and a member of the Committee on Appropriations.
Judge Akin's law practice is among the best. He is the largest land- owner in Bartow County and has been largely concerned in the development of the mineral interests of his section.
HON. WILLIAM V. ALMAND.
W ILLIAM VOLANY AL- MAND. Representative from Rockdale County, is a native of the adjoining County of Newton. having been born in the latter county on March 31. 1850. He is the son of J. L. Al- mand, a brave soldier of the Confed- eracy, and Annie Dennard Almand. of Newton County. Mr. Almand was married December 21. 18:1. to Miss Lenorah E. Kennon, a daugh- ter of Hinman Kennon of Ken- tucky. E. L. Almand. a prominent business man of Social Circle and Mrs. Dabney of Conyers are their children. By occupation Mr. Almand is a funeral director and under- taker. His political service, has been as member of the Board of Education of Rockdale. Board of Education of Conyers, alderman and afterwards mayor of Convers. He was elected to the House by a handsome majority. and has been appointed to serve on the following committees: Appropriations ; Geor- gia School for the Deaf; Manufactures. His residence is at Conyers.
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HON. WALTER E. STEED.
W Y ALTER E. STEED, Repre- sentative from Taylor County. is a native of Tal- bot County, Georgia, having been born in that county on Sep- tember 23. 1867. He is a lawyer by profession, being engaged in the practice at Butler when not occupied with legislative duties. He was married on June 3, 1893, to Miss Isabella Corbin Carithers, of Butler, and one child. William Walter. blesses their union.
Mr. Steed made his appearance in official life at an early age, being elected mayor of Butler soon after attaining his majority. So satis- factory was his administration that he was re-elected for another term and in the year 189? he again occu- pied the position. In 188? he was a member of the State Executive Com- mittee from the Third Congressional District and during the years 1900-1902 is serving on the same body as a member from the State at large. He has also been Judge of the County Court of Taylor County and County School Commissioner of that County. He was elected to the State Senate from the Twenty-third District in 1898, to the House from Taylor in 1900, and again this year. His public career has been uniformly successful and he has taken a prominent part in the deliberations of both branches of the General Assem- blv.
Mr. Steed is a pleasing and graceful speaker and is one of the leaders of the present House. At one time he contemplated standing for the Speakership and his entrance into the race would have complicated matters extremely, as he was one of the most popular members of the last House and had a strong following over the State. For the present session Mr. Steed is serving on the following important committees: Chairman of Penitentiary Committee : Amendments to Constitution : Appropriations: Corporations : Education ; General Judiciary ; Hall and Rooms; Pensions : Railroads : and University of Georgia and its Branches.
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HON. WILLIAM S. HOWELL.
W ILLIAM S. HOWELL, Rep- resentative from Meri- wether, was born in Greene county July 11, 1859. His father, Samuel A. Howell, was a member of Hanleiter's Battery of Artillery in the Confederate service, and died of typhoid fever at Savan- nah in 1864. His mother's maiden name was Miss Georgia Ely.
By profession Mr. Howell is a lawyer. He graduated at Mercer University in 1882 and taught school for several years in Green- ville. After reading law under Ma- jor John W. Park, he was admitted to the bar in 1889 and has since practiced his profession in Green- ville. He has been twice married, first to Miss Hattie E. Kilpatrick of White Plains, Georgia, and after her death, to Miss Annie M. Davidson of Green- ville.
The only office held by Mr. Howell before coming to the House, was, mem- bership on the Board of Education of Meriwether county. He was elected to the House in 1900 and again this year.
Mr. Howell took rank in the House last session as one of its most energetie and best posted members and his constituency having done themselves the honor of returning him, he is better fitted than before for active and intelli- gent service. He is a student of measures and a close observer of men and things and were his ambitions political instead of legal aspirations. Meri- wether County, which has furnished so many occupants of high offices, would find in Mr. Howell in a few years a man well worthy to adorn any position in the gift of the people. Mr. Howell is an able and successful lawyer and has no desire to dabble in polities until it becomes habitual.
Mr. Howell is a member of the Special Judiciary Committee.
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HON. J. W. MAYSON.
J. + W. MAYSON. of Decatur Representative of DeKalb County, was born in Atlanta. Georgia, in 1852. Sprung from a sturdy ancestry, he gave promise in early life of the success- ful career he has since achieved.
He was educated in the common schools of his native county and re- ceived a thorough training in the rudimentary branches of English. Subsequently he attended the Med- ical University, at Louisville, Ken- tucky, and graduated from that in- stitution in 1826.
Locating in Fulton County. he was appointed Superintendent and Physician for the Alms House, which position he filled acceptably for five years. Continuing in his profession. he did a general practice in North Atlanta until his removal to Decatur. Georgia. in 1891, when he retired and entered the real estate business. Such is the confidence of the people of Decatur in his integrity and practical good sense that they have honored him with the office of Mayor for eight years, which position he still occupies.
In 1898 he was elected to the Legislature from DeKalb County and served his constituency for two years with fidelity and cfficiency. To show their appreciation of his services, they again elected him to the same honorable body for the years 1902-3.
Dr. Mayson has been twice married. first to Miss Collier. of Fulton County, by whom he has four children still living. In 1902 he was again married. this time to Miss Zachry, of Henry County.
He is an enthusiastic Mason and has done much to make his local lodge one of the most flourishing in the State. As Deacon and Warden and Mas- ter. he has endeared himself to his brother Masons and made character and reputation for himself.
For years he has been identified with the Methodist Church and has always contributed liberally both with his means and influence to the sup- port and furtherance of Christian institutions.
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As a business man he is a marked success, having accumulated a comfort- able fortune for himself and managed with judgment the affairs of others.
Of genial and sunny nature, affable and approachable, he is singularly popular, and has won his place with the people as much by his kindliness of heart as by his worth as a man and citizen.
During the present session Dr. Mayson is serving as Chairman of the Com- mittee on Manufactures and is a member of the following: Banks and Bank- ing. Georgia State Sanitarium, Penitentiary, Special Agriculture.
HON. B. S. MILLER.
B RICK STONEWALL MIL- LER. of Museogee County, was born in Buena Vista. Marion County, Georgia. on February 14, 1868. He is the son of E. W. Miller, who was born in Columbia County, but moved to Monroe County while he was yet a boy, and there received his early education.
The father of B. S. Miller com- menced the study of law at Talbot- ton, Georgia, in the office of Geo. W. Towns. afterwards Governor of the State. At Buena Vista, Geor- gia, the county seat. he formed a partnership with John Campbell, then Solicitor-General of the Chat- tahoochee Circuit. Afterwards he formed a partnership with Mark H. Bland- ford, who later became one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Geor- gia. His next partnership was with Judge William B. Butt, now Judge of the Chattahoochee Cireuit. In 1852 he was elected the first Ordinary of Marion County. He was a major of militia during the war and distinguished himself at the battle of Griswoldville ,where he lost a great number of his command. On several occasions since the war, he has represented Marion County in the Legislature. He was always a Democrat and always fore- most in the battle for the supremacy of Democratic principles. He died
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at Buena Vista, Georgia, on September 4, 1892, and was buried with Masonic honors, having been a Mason of high degree for many years.
B. S. Miller was reared and received his earliest education in the town of Buena Vista, and. later, graduated at the University of Georgia with the degree of bachelor of law, in the class of 1888. At the commencement of 1888, he was one of the champion debaters chosen by the Demosthenean Society. He was also selected by the society to deliver at this commencement a eulogy on the life and character of Chancellor Patrick H. Mell. Lucian L. Knight was selected by the Phi Kappa Society for the same purpose. After his graduation, he traveled over the United States for a year, and. in August. 1890. located in Columbus. Georgia. and began the practice of law, at which he is now engaged. He is also a planter, owning a large plantation of 2,500 acres near Columbus, Georgia, whereon he runs as many as thirty plows. mak- ing three hundred bales of cotton per year. He takes a great pride in his plantation and it is said to be one of the best in that section of the State.
Mr. Miller was President of the Young Men's Democratic League of Mus- cogee County during the famous Atkinson-Evans campaign in the spring of 1894, and took an active part for Governor Atkinson, and his county gave Atkinson a large majority. He was a delegate to the gubernatorial conven- tion which nominated Governor Atkinson, and seconded his nomination. He was a delegate to the Congressional Convention at Warm Springs. from the Fourth District. in August, 1894. He is now serving his second term as a member of the Georgia Legislature from Muscogee County. He first served in 1900-1901 and was chairman of the Pension Committee, and chairman of the Congressional Re-apportionment Committee. He was also a member of the General Judiciary, Appropriations, Ways and Means. Western and At- lantic Railroad, and other important commiteees.
Mr. Miller married Mary Elizabeth Wooten. of Buena Vista, Georgia. on November 6, 1896. She was a daughter of William Wooten, the banker, of Dawson, Georgia. At the time of the marriage her mother, Mrs. Anna P. Wooten, who was a widow, lived in Buena Vista. They have no children.
Like all men who have achieved more than ordinary success in life. Mr. Miller has a woman to thank for it. In this case it is a "step-mother." and it is, unfortunately. an instance altogether too rare. Being left motherless at an early age, Mr. Miller's father married again, his second wife being Mrs. Fannie Etheridge Butler. Mr. Miller says himself "No boy ever had a better mother, and all that I am I owe to her and a good wife." Mr. Miller's own mother was Miss Sallie Jones, of Pike County.
Mr. Miller is Chairman of the Committee on University of Georgia and its Branches and a member of the Amendments to Constitution, Appropriations. Education, General Judiciary, Labor and Labor Statistics committees.
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HON. JOHN LUTHER KENT.
J OHN LUTHER KENT is one of the new men in the lower House this term. He comes from Wrightsville. Johnson County. where he bears the reputa- tion of being one of the strongest members of the bar.
He was born at Wrightsville. March 27. 1868. His parents are Capt. T. W. and Mrs. Martha B. Kent.
He was educated in the common schools of Johnson, and farmed for several years. He read law and was admitted to the bar in 1894, and has built up a large practice and a nice estate.
He was married. October 15, 1890. to Miss Clara Virginia Trawick of Linton. Georgia. Four children, two girls and two boys, have blessed this union.
HON. JAMES R. BROCK.
J AMES RUSSELL BROCK who represents the county of Dade, is a native of that county and was born in Tren- ton, June 20, 1861. He is the son of Dr. William E. Brock. a well- known physician of that locality. The member from Dade is by pro- fession a physician and has been connected with the State Peniten- tiary for fifteen years or more, most of the time in the capacity of physi- cian to the camps in Dade County and part of the time as superintend- ent of the Dade mines. Dr. Brock was married at Gadsden, Alabama. in October, 1889, to Miss Delia Fahey and to them have been born two children, Lalla M. and J. Raymond Brock. Although he has always
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been an active worker in the party ranks, Dr. Brock has never before held office. He resides at Cole City and has been appointd to serve on several committees, among them being the Committees on General Agriculture; Hygiene and Sanitation : Penitentiary; Railroads.
HON. NAT D. ARNOLD.
N AT D. ARNOLD, Represen- tative from Oglethorpe county, who is one of the most successful business men and planters of his county, was born in Wilkes county. March 9, 1869. He is related to a number of the most inflential families in that section of the State. among them being the Callaways, Lumpkins and John- sons. He was married to Miss An- nie Callaway of Wilkes, and they have one child, Katie Mae.
Mr. Arnold has now large manu- facturing and wholesale mercantile interests. but nearly all his life has devoted his attention to agriculture and has come to be one of the largest planters in his section. He owns about eight thousand acres of land and makes about one thousand bales of cotton annually. all of his farming interests being conducted under his immediate supervision. He is also largely interested in the Arnold Grocery Company, of Athens, which concern does a successful business in its line.
Since reaching his majority, Mr. Arnold has been called upon by his peo- ple to fill many offices of honor and trust in his county, which he has done acceptably and well. He was elected to the Legislature for the first time in 1896, again in 1898, and once more this year. He is an experienced and conscientious legislator and gives his county splendid service. He has been appointed to serve on the following committees: Education; Invalid Pen- sions ; Penitentiary : Railroads. He is also vice-chairman of the Committee on General Agriculture.
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HON. WILLIAM HARDEN.
W ILLIAM HARDEN, Rep- resentative of Chatham county. is a native of the county which he now represents, having been born in Savannah on the 11th of November, 1844. His parents were Edward J. and So- phia II. (Maxwell) Harden and on each side he is descended from some of the notable patriots of the early days of the colony. On the 11th of December, 1879, he was married to Miss Mary E. Daven- port in the city of Savannah.
Mr. Harden is one of the best- posted writers on historical subjects in the South, and has contributed articles along this line to various magazines from time to time. He is an antiquarian of considerable repute, a member of divers societies and scientific bodies throughout the country.
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