USA > Georgia > Georgia's public men 1902-1904 > Part 8
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He was in the Confederate service throughout the entire war, being a member of Company F. 54th Georgia Infantry, and also served some time in the Signal Corps. He was appointed Assistant Librarian of the Georgia Historical Society in 1866. and in August. 1869, was elected Librarian, which position he has since held. He is a member of the Board of Mana- gers of the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences in Savannah, and is Cus- todian of that institution. He is also a prominent member of the Georgia Society of the Sons of the Revolution and is a ruling elder in the Presbyte- rian church. He has served one term previously in the House, and during the present session is a member of the connnittees on Enrollment. Georgia School for the Deaf, Military Affairs, Public Library and Temperance.
The recent noteworthy revival of the interest on the part of our people in the history of Georgia during the early days may be traced in large part to the indefatigable labors of William Harden. There has been little interest taken in the proper preservation of the records of colonial times, and for years the patriotic societies of the State were in a moribund condition. Mr. Harden was instrumental in the revival of the Georgia division of the Sons of the Revolution, and has for a number of years been its secretary. Com-
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ing from distinguished Revolutionary ancestry, both paternal and maternal, it was but natural that he should take great interest in such matters. Savannah is the center of historical research in this State. and Mr. Harden is the best posted among its citizens in this important work.
HON. JOHN A. CROMARTIE.
J OHN ALEXANDER CRO- MARTIE. Representative of Appling County, which he describes as the leading county in the State from an alpha- betical standpoint at least, is a na- tive of North Carolina. He was born at Whitehall, Bladen County, on May 6, 1861. and came to Geor- gia twenty-one years ago. His pa- rents. Alexander K. and Kate A. Cromartie were of Scotch descent, their ancestors, who came to this county from Cromartie County, Scotland, being among the early Presbyterian settlers of North Caro- lina and their son is at present a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church at Hazlehurst. where his home is.
Among some of Mr. Cromartie's notable ancestors were his grandfather, Capt. Daniel Monroe and his uncle, Maj. John Monroe, of North Carolina.
Mr. Cromartie served four terms as mayor of Hazlehurst and was directly instrumental in building a magnificent school building there and giving the town one of the best schools in that section. He was also chairman of the Executive Committee of his county during some of the hottest campaigns against the Populists in that county. He has been engaged in the naval stores and lumber business since coming to Georgia, until recently. when he took up merchandising and farming. He was married November 18. 1885, at Graham, Georgia, to Miss Mattie Lee Williams and they have six children, Alex, Hen- drick, Esten, Annette. Norma and Earl. This is Mr. Cromartie's first term in the House and he will take rank among the well-posted. well-balanced. hard- working representatives who look closely after the interests of their constit- uency and the State. He has been appointed by Speaker Morris to serve on the following committees: County and County Matters; Immigration; In- valid Pensions ; Roads and Bridges.
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HON. CLEMENT EVANS DUNBAR.
H TON. C. E. DUNBAR is the youngest of the three mem- bers from Richmond Coun- ty. He was born in Au- gusta. September 25. 1815. He comes from one of the most promi- nent families of that city, his par- ents being Wm. M. and Rebecca Dunbar.
Mr. Dunbar is by profession a lawyer. He is a graduate of the University. and since his graduation has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Augusta. By his attention to business, and by his charming personality. he has been enabled to build up quite a large practice and also a leadership in local politics.
Mr. Dunbar is serving on the committees on Enrollment. Military Affairs. Mines and Mining. Special Judiciary and University of Georgia and its Branches.
HON. ISRAEL MAPLES.
H PON. ISRAEL MAPLES. member from Mitchell County, is one of the promi- nent men of South Georgia. He is serving his second term in the lower House.
He was born in Mitchell County. January 29, 1848. Ilis father was Israel Maples, who came from Moore County. North Carolina. His mother was Miss Musgrave, of Baldwin County, Georgia. In 186%, he was married to Miss Maggie Pul- len. a daughter of Dr. Moses Pul- len. In 1869, Mr. Maples moved to Texas. and lived there until 1883. Returning to Georgia. he established a farm near his father, and upon
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his death he purchased the old homestead. where he now resides.
Mr. Maple's father fought in the Indian War in the 40's, and was in the noted battles of Calawahee and Chickasawhachee. He was a great hunter. He was also prominent in politics, representing his county twice in the house and once in the senate. He was serving in the house when the State seceded from the Union.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Maples has been blessed by nine children, six sons and three daughters.
HON. PLEASANT A. STOVALL.
P LEASANT A. STOVALL is one of the three members from Chatham in the lower House. While this is Mr. Stovall's first term in the House, he is not a novice in legislative work, and there is not a man on the floor more familiar with the State laws and the work of legisla- tion than he.
Mr. Stovall was born in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia. July 10. 1852. His parents were Bolling A. and Martha W. Stovall. In 1885, he was happily married to Miss Mary Ganahl. daughter of Judge Ganahl of Augusta, who up to the time of his death. some four years ago, was very prominent in political and professional circles.
Mr. Stovall is by profession an editor. After leaving college, he was on the staff of the "Augusta Chronicle" for a number of years. receiving his newspaper training under the late lamented ex-Senator Patrick Walsh. editor and owner of "The Augusta Chronicle."
Early in the 90's, Mr. Stovall moved to Savannah and established the "Savannah Press." He has managed the paper most successfully. "The Press" editorial page, which is recognized as one of the brightest in the South. is widely read and quoted. The paper is to-day one of the best pieces of newspaper property in the South.
While his newspaper work has kept him too busy to participate in office holding, Mr. Stovall has not been without honors. He was trustee of the State University for six years, from July 1886, and since February. 1896. has been
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a trustee of the publie schools of Chatham County. He held positions on the staffs of both Governors Northen and Atkinson.
Mr. Stovall's marriage is blessed by three bright children, Sada, Pleasant and Joseph.
Mr. Stovall is noted as a writer and speaker, and on the floor of the house there is not a man more eloquent and masterful in debate.
He is Vice-chairman of the Committee on the University of Georgia and its Branches and is a member of Edneation. General Agriculture, Journals, Military Affairs and Ways and Means Committees.
HON. HERBERT M. FRANKLIN.
H ERBERT MITCHELL FRANKLIN, Representa- tive of Washington County. was born at Tennille. Geor- gia, on November 6, 1861. the son of Samuel O. and Mary E. Frank- lin. and is still a resident of the place of his birth. Mr. Franklin has filled positions of honor and trust in his native town ever since his majority and has been identified in many ways with its advance- ment. He served three terms as mayor and was alderman for eleven years and was president of the Chatauqua Association several years ago which gave one of the most suc- cessful chatauquas ever known in a town of similar size. He also served on the county Executive Committee for several years and rendered hi- party splendid service and was a delegate to the National Convention of the party in Chicago in 1896.
Mr. Franklin was married to Miss Helen Rogers at Barnesville. February 3. 1894. and two children have been born to them, Julia Franklin and Herbert M. Jr. He is serving his second term in the House and is an experienced and able legislator, takes great interest in the proceedings of the body and a prom- inent part in its deliberations. Speaker Morris has appointed Mr. Franklin to serve on the following important committees: Appropriations: General
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Agriculture ; Chairman of Committee on Georgia State Sanitarium ; Military Affairs; Penitentiary: Special Judiciary: University of Georgia and its Branches, and Education.
Few members of the House have ever taken such high rank during their first terin as did Mr. Franklin. He is active and alert and has made himself well-versed in parliamentary procedure. Ever since his entrance into the legislative field, he has made a close study of economic questions and import- ant measures that come before the House. He is especially interested in labor questions, and has been a consistent and firm advocate of the various measures that have come before the House for the prevention of the labor of children in the cotton mills of the State. Possessed of a fine presence, a good flow of language. and an easy. affable manner, Mr. Franklin is thor- ouglily at home on the floor of the House, and his numerous friends enthu- siastically predict a bright political future for him.
HON. HENRY F. GRIFFIN.
H ENRY FAULK GRIFFIN. of Jeffersonville, Twiggs Coun- ing members of the lower ty. is one of the hard work- House. This is his third term.
Mr. Griffin was born at Big Sandy. Georgia. January 6, 1859. His parents were E. S. and A. M. Griffin. He is happily married. and six children. three boys and three girls, have blessed his union.
Mr. Griffin is one of Twigg's wealthiest and most enterprising farmers. He has not been without political honors, having served his people as justice of the peace. sher- iff and lastly. as member of the House. now entering upon his third
term.
Mr. Griffin's father. the late E. S. Griffin, left a fine record as a legislator. He represented his county several years before and during the civil war. and served in this capacity some twenty years since and was a member at the time of his death.
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HON. GASTON D. BRUCE.
G ASTON D. BRUCE, Represen- tative of the county of Lump- kin, was born in that county on October 13, 1861, and is by occupation a photographer. He is the son of Aquilla and Elizabeth Bruce and has resided in his native county most of his life. In 1895 he was elected tax assessor of Noble County. Oklahoma and on his re- turn to Georgia was elected Chief of Police of Dahlonega. He repre- sented Lumpkin in the last House and for this session is filling the following committee appointments : Appropriations : Enrollment : Geor-
gia State Sanitarium ; Special Judiciary.
Mr. Bruce is naturally very much interested in the welfare of the North Georgia Agricultural College,
HON. LAMARTINE G. HARDMAN.
L AMARTINE GRIFFIN HARDMAN, Representa- tive from Jackson County, is a well-known physician and surgeon of Harmony Grove and a leading capitalist of that section of the State. He has been promi- nent professionally and along indus- trial lines in his native county where he still resides.
Dr. Hardman was born in Har- mony Grove, Jackson County, on April 14. 1856, his parents being W. B. J. and S. E. Hardman. He has remained in the county of his birth, taking an active part in its advancement along industrial and business lines. He is president of the Northwestern Banking Company ; of the Harmony Grove Mills: of the Hard-
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man Roller Mills and is also owner of a sanatorium at Harmony Grove. Be- -ide these varied interests, he is also a farmer on an extensive scale and in short is one of the captains of industry of his section. He is prominent and progressive and an aggressive developer of the natural resources of the State. Dr. Hardman has never married, being, it might be said. wedded to his pro- fession. He is well-fitted to take an active part in the deliberations of th' House and has been appointed to membership on the following committees : Chairman of the Committee on Hygiene and Sanitation : Appropriations : En- rollment ; General Agriculture : Labor and Labor Statistics and Manufactures.
HON. JOHN N. HOLDER.
J T OHN NATHANIEL HOL- DER. Representative of Jackson County. was born in the County of which he is now a representative in the lower branch of the State Legislature on July 22. 1868, and by profession is editor of the "Jackson Herald," a weekly newspaper published at Jef- ferson. His parents were Thomas R. Holder and Martha Pendergrass Holder. George Whitfield. the emi- nent preacher, is an ancestor of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Holder was married to Miss Ada May McElhannon at Jefferson on July 1, 1891, and they are blessed with three children, Erie, Kathleen and Marguerite.
Mr. Holder's introduction to the service of the people was as president of the Board of Education of Jackson County, from 1896 to 1898. and in the latter year he was elected to the Legislature and served during 1898-1899. At the next election as it was Jackson's time to name the Senator from the Thirty- third District. he was promoted to the upper House. The habit of representa- tion getting a hold on him. he stood for the House at the last election and was again successful. He has always been a Democrat and has fought the party's battles in his paper and was also at one time member of the Executive Com- mitee of the Ninth Congressional District. He graduated at the State Univer- sity with the Class of 1890, taking first honor. During the present session he is a member of the following committees: Chairman of Committee on Education : Appropriations : Penitentiary : W. & A. R. R.
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HON. ALBERT M. DEAL.
A LBERT M. DEAL, Represen- tative from Bulloch County, is filling his second term. Ile was born in Bulloch County, January 2. 1868. His father was John Deal. a thrifty farmer of that county, and his mother came from the MeElveen family.
Mr. Deal was educated at Wash- ington and Lee University, Lexing- ton, Va., graduating in the law de- partment in 1896. He has prac- ticed law at Statesboro since Decem- ber, 1896, and has built up an ex- tensive and lucrative practice.
In September, 1897. he was ap- pointed by Governor Atkinson solic- itor of the county court of Bulloch County to fill an unexpired term in that office. In October. 1898. he was reappointed solicitor by Governor Allen D. Candler. which position he held until October. 1900, when he was elected to the General Assembly.
Mr. Deal comes from one of the most progressive counties in the State. and his success professionally and politically reflect- credit upon his ability and enterprise.
He has always been an ardent Demoerat, and active in campaign work when his party needed his services.
He is an active member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Deal took quite a prominent stand in the house during his first term. He is a gifted orator and in many debates on the floor in which he en- gaged. lie sustained himself with eredit and to the admiration of his many friends.
Mr. Deal's committee appointments are Manufactures, Mines and Mining. Pensions and Special Judiciary and on each of these he is a most energetic and valuable worker.
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HON. DANIEL E. NISBET.
D ANIEL EVANS NISBET. Representative from Burke County, is a scion of one of Georgia's old and distin- guished families, and in his veins runs the blood of many ancestors who have been prominent in the public eye, for generations in the State. He was born in Macon on February 18, 1863. his father being Charles A. Nisbet, a well-known lawyer. and his mother the daughter of Daniel Evans, a wealthy planter of Burke County. His father was a son of Eugenius A. Nisbet, one of the most distinguished lawyers in the State and a member of the Su- preme Court for years. The subject of this sketch is related to the well known Georgia families of Evans. Battles and Greens.
Before the war the Nisbet and Evans families were wealthy, but that con- flict, resulted in the destruction of their property along with that of their neighbors and friends and Mr. Nisbet's early years were passed amid straight- ened circumstances. His father died in Houston county in 1871 and the youth was taken to the home of Judge J. T. Nisbet in Maeon. where he received several years schooling and expected to attend Mercer University, but the necessities of the family called him home to Burke County to take upon his boyish shoulders the support of his widowed mother and orphan sisters. His is the usual story of the self-made man who gains his education by hard work and appreciates it all the more.
In 1884 Mr. Nisbet was married to Miss A. A. Greiner, of Augusta, and they have six children, three boys and three girls. By occupation he is a farmer and teacher, and he has been highly successful in each calling. This is his first public office, but coming from a long line of legislators and , public men he will illustrate the great county of Burke to the advantage of his constituency. His committee appointments are: County and County Matters : Internal Improvements.
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HON. JOHN J. FLYNT.
J OHN JAAMES FLYNT, Repre- sentative from Spalding County, was born at Griffin in that county on September 22. 1812. His parents were Tilghman W. and Martha Turner Flynt. his father being a prominent citizen of that county. Mr. Flynt is unmar- ried.
Mr. Flynt never offered for pub- lic office until 1900 when he became a candidate for the House of Rep- reséntatives and was elected. So pleased were his constituents with his record in the last House that he was returned for the present term and thereby hangs a tale which is interesting as showing an habitual politieal peculiarity of one of the leading counties in the State. Mr. Flynt is the first man to be elected to serve two full terms in the House of Repre- sentatives from Spalding County in the last thirty-five years. This is a very peculiar feature of Spalding politics and one that can hardly be duplicated in the State. for generally it is the rule for a representative to be returned for the second term. and so general has the custom become in many other counties that it is looked upon in the light of a vindication of his legislative career. It is no small tribute to Mr. Flynt's popularity with the people of his county and his ability as a legislator that he has broken a rule of so long standing.
Mr. Flynt studied law under Ex-Governor James S. Boynton and was admitted to the bar in Griffin in the fall of 1895 and has sinee been engaged in the successful practice of his profession. He is serving on the following committees : Amendments to Constitution : Appropriations; General Judi- ciary : Military Affairs; University of Georgia and its Branches. He is also Chairman of the Special Judiciary Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on the Western and Aflantie Railroad.
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HON. WARREN GRICE.
W ARREN GRICE, Representa- tive of Pulaski County, was born at Perry, in Houston County on December 6, 1815. His father. Judge Washing- ton L. Grice, has been a member of the State Senate. lieutenant colonel of the 45th Georgia Regiment in the Confederate army and judge of the Macon circuit. His mother was, be- fore her marriage, Miss Mattie V. Warren, daughter of General Eli Warren of Perry and niece of Lott Warren of Albany and Peter Love of Thomasville, both circuit judges and members of Congress. Judge Love was one of the seven members from Georgia who withdrew from
Congress when their State seceded.
Mr. Grice was married June 18, 1901. to Miss Clara E. Rumph, at Willow Lake, near Marshallville, the splendid country home of her father, Mr. Sam- uel H. Rumph. They have one child, Ruth. He was educated at Mercer University where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and is now an enthusiastic member of the Knights of Pythias.
The first political service of Mr. Grice was as member of the House of Representatives in 1900-01, when he was a member of the following com- mittees : General Judiciary ; Pensions ; Temperance : Ways and Means ; Mili- tary: Education : Contested Elections ; Congressional Re-apportionment ; Amendments to Constitution. He is Captain of the Pulaski Volunteers, G. S. T. and a member of the law firm of W. L. Grice & Sons, with his father and brother, Herbert L.
During the present session Mr. Grice is serving on the committees on Audit- ing; Excuse of Members: Georgia State Sanitarium: Manufactures; Jour- nals; Military Affairs : Special Judiciary and Ways and Means.
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HON. PEYTON M. HAWES.
P EYTON MOSELEY HAWES, Representative from Elbert County, is serving his second term in the House, having been a member of that body during By profes- the years 1900-1901. sion he is a banker and farmer and has been a leading business man of his town. Elberton. for a number of years, but has recently retired from active business life. Mr. Hawes was born in Lincoln County, Georgia, on November 8, 1859, the son of Mose- ley and Jane B. Hawes. His first appearance in official life was as mayor of Elberton, which position he filled for two terms and at the expiration of the second term was eleeted a member of the city council, of which body he continued a leader for three consecutive terms. He was married to Miss Jessie McIntosh of Elbert County on December 8, 1880. They have no children.
During his service in the House, Mr. Hawes has been one of the leading members, giving especial attention to finaneial matters and reforms in the banking laws of the State. For the present session he is Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Banks and Banking, and is also a member of the following committees : Appropriations : General Agriculture : Military Affairs : Peniten- tiary : Pensions. of which committee he is Chairman : University of Georgia and its Branches.
Mr. Hawes is a splendid example of the successful business man who, after aeeumulating a competeney, retires from aetive business life and devotes his time to the management of his vested interests. Such men as he, when they turn their attention to legislative work. make the most valuable members of the body, and it is safe to say that there is no member of the House more competent to deal with the important financial and industrial ques- tions that come before the Legislature than the genial Representative from Elbert. Long business training and ripe experience in the management of important financial institutions make splendid training for the law-making body, and a man so fitted is better equipped to render the State and his con- stituency effective service than is a member who comes through a desire for
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political influence and experience. While Mr. Hawes is a working member rather than a politician, his admirers predict that there are other honors within his reach shoul dhe desire them.
HON. J. B. McCURRY.
Pay
ULIAN B. MeCURRY is serv- ing his first term as Repre- sentative from Hart county. He was born at Hartwell April 22, 1879, and is one of the youngest men who ever sat in the House.
Hle is a son of Asbury G. MeCur- ry and Francis Norton MeCurry, nee Benson. Among his notable ancestors are the Blasingames of Sonth Carolina.
Mr. McCurry is a lawyer by pro- fession, and a successful one. Ile is unmarried.
He was a member of Governor Candler's staff.
He was nominated over four opponents to the House, and bears the dis- tinetion of being the youngest man ever nominated to the General Assembly from Hart County. His father, Asbury G. MeCurry, was the youngest member of the House, session 1878.
Mr. MeCurry is the junior member of the law firm of A. G. and J. B. Mc- Curry. This firm enjoys the largest practice of any firm in Northeast Georgia. The senior member. A. G. MeCurry, served as a member of the special committee from the Legislature to inspet th work of the late codi- fiers of the Georgia laws.
Mr. MeCurry, with his other honors, also fills the position of a member of the Congressional Committee of the Eighth Congressional District.
lle is a member of the following Honse committees: Education, General Agriculture. General Judiciary, Penitentiary, Banks and Banking, Rail- roads. University of Georgia and its Branches, and Chairman of the Com- mittee on Public Library.
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HON. PATRICK M. MULHERIN.
P ATRICK M. MULHERIN, Representative from Rich- mond county, is a native of Maryland, having been born in Bal- timore on June 8, 1849. His pa- rents were Michael and Mary Mul- herin and from the general run of family names it may be easily in- ferred that Mr. Mulherin is of Irish extraction. He has been married twice. The first time to Miss Ellen Toohey, and after her death to Miss Katherine G. Kavanaugh on Febru- ary 16, 1898. His children are Mrs. Catherine Joy. Edward, Henry, Elizabeth. Patrick M. Jr., and Anna Mulherin.
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