USA > Georgia > Clinch County > History of Clinch County, Georgia, revised to date > Part 16
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C. H. Smith
T. S. Kirkland
A. B. Smith
Mar. 3, 1913
David J. Sirmans J. G. Tomlinson
Feb. __ , 1877
T. G. Jenkins
Jonathan O'Steen S. R. Smith
Feb. 4, 1901
Daniel O'Steen
S. R. Smith
Jan. 1,1903
215
History of Clinch County, Georgia
1280th District.
Name
Name
Name
Appointed
T. G. Jenkins
David J. Sirmans J. G. Tomlinson
Feb. 16, 1878
P. M. Lee
David J. Sirmans Levin Tomlinson
Jan. 6,1879
P. M. Lee
David J. Sirmans George Cornelius
Feb. 2,1880
R. B. Johnson
David J. Sirmans George Cornelius
Apr. 5, 1881
R. B. Johnson
D. J. Sirmans, Jr. John A. Mikell
Mar. 7, 1883
P. M. Lee
C. H. North
John A. Mikell
Feb. 25, 1887
John T. Courson
F. D. Clifton J. W. Holloway
Artemus Rice
Sept. 9,1890
D. H. Johnson
Augustus DuPont J. J. Hughes
Feb. 2, 1891
D. H. Johnson
J.H.W.Livingston, J. A. Mobley
Feb. 6, 1893
L. L. DuPont
Joseph Jones
P. A. Register
Feb. 4, 1901
L. L. DuPont
C. H. North
J. P. Tomlinson
Jan. 1,1903
C. C. Lee
C. H. North
J. P. Tomlinson
Jan. 2, 1905
C. M. McLamb
Robert E. Lee
F. M. Hughes
Jan. 7, 1907
C. M. McLamb
E. E. Tomlinson
F. M. Hughes
Jan. 4, 1909
C. M. McLamb
E. E. Tomlinson
F. M. Hughes
Jan. 2, 1911
C. M. McLamb
E. E. Tomlinson
F. M. Hughes
Mar. 3, 1913
1365th District.
S. W. Register
J. J. Taylor
W. R. Keen
Feb. 25, 1887
S. W. Register
J. J. Taylor
W. E. Taylor
Feb. 25, 1889
S. W. Register
J. J. Taylor
Marion Bennett
Feb. 2, 1891
P. M. Bennett
M. A. Taylor
John Griffis
Feb. 6, 1893
A. O. Register
P. M. Bennett
I. W. Griffin
Feb. 4, 1901
J. R. Allen
Seward Bennett
John McLain
Jan. 1,1903
J. R. Allen
Seward Bennett
A. G. Bennett
Jan. 2, 1905
T. E. McLain
Seward Bennett
A. G. Bennett
Jan. 7,1907
W. M. Zeigler
N. E. Baldwin
A. G. Bennett
Jan. 4, 1909
E. B. Allen
A. J. Baldwin
W. M. Zeigler
Jan. 2, 1911
J. R. Allen
E. C. Dedge
John McLain
Mar. 3, 1913
1389th District.
J. R. Dickerson
James M. Kight
j. R. Allen
Feb. 25, 1887
J. R. Dickerson
James M. Kight
T. R. Allen
Feb. 25, 1889
WV. H. Hinson
F. M. Kight N. J. Smith
Feb. 2, 1891
W.J.Strickland,Jr. T. P. Jordan
W. M. Mainor
Feb. 6, 1893
W. H. Hinson
Randal Corbitt
B. A. Harper
Feb. 4, 1901
W. H. Hinson
J. J. Dickerson
B. A. Harper
Jan. 1,1903
WV. H. Hinson
J. J. Dickerson
B. A. Harper
Jan. 2, 1905
W. H. Hinson
D. J. Godwin
B. A. Harper
Jan. 7, 1907
IV. M. Kight
D. J. Godwin
B. A. Harper
Jan. 4,1909
T. R. Dickerson
Randal Corbitt
IV. M. Kight
Jan. 2, 1911
J. R. Dickerson
Randal Corbitt
WV. M. Kight
Mar. 3, 1913
Jailors of Clinch County-
(This List is not complete. )
M. S. McIntosh Feb. 13, 1875
Robert B. Crum
May 13, 1876
P. M. Lee
Feb. 25, 1889
John T. Courson
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Erie Edwards
April 13, 1877
A. B. Findley
Aug. 4, 1879
William D. Smith
1880
K. C. Smith Mar. 6, 1885 1 I ] 1 1
A. T. Newbern 1894 1 1 I 1 1
T. F. M. Sweat
1901
C. W. Byrd.
I9II
S. W. Elliott
1913
Clerks of Court of Ordinary-
L. A. Sirmans
Sept. 1, 1868
Josiah Sirmans
Aug.
1, 1873
H. C. Dukes, Dept. 1
May 4, 1874
Josiah Sirmans
Oct. 10, 1877
S. L. Drawdy
Feb. 14, 1889
R. G. Dickerson
Jan. 15, 1902
Presidents of Board of Education-
H. A. Mattox 1872-1876 James A. O'Steen 1898-1902
A. J. Caswell 1888-1892 Jesse R. Booth
1902-1904
N. S. Knight 1892 F. M. Hughes
1904-1913
H. A. Mattox 1892-1893 John G. Griffis
1913-1915
Benjamin Smith 1893-1894 D. O. Johnson
1915-1916
D. C. Fender 1894-1898
Judges of Superior Court, Clinch County, 1850-1919- NOTE .- (*) resigned; (t). appointed.
I. Augustus H. Hansell Hawkinsville, Ga. 1850-1853
2. Peter E. Love Thomasville, Ga. 1853-1855
3. A. E. Cochran Brunswick, Ga. 1855-1859
4. William M. Sessions Holmesville, Ga. Brunswick, Ga.
1859-1861
5. A. E. Cochran
6. William M. Sessions*
1864-1872
7. John L. Harris (died) Brunswick, Ga. 1872-1879
8. Martin L. Mershon* Brunswick, Ga. 1879-1886
9. Courtland Symmest Brunswick, Ga. 1886
10. Spencer R. Atkinson*
Brunswick, Ga. 1886-1891
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1861-1864 Blackshear, Ga.
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217
History of Clinch County, Georgia
II. J. L. Sweat
Waycross, Ga. 1891-1897
12. Joseph W. Bennett*
Brunswick, ua. 1897-1902
13. F. Willis Dartt
Douglas, Ga. 1902-1903
14. Thomas A. Parker
15. J. W. Quinceyt
16. James I. Summerall
Blackshear, Ga. 1915-1919
Solicitors General, 1867-1916-
I. J. S. Wiggins 1867-1869 6. J. I. Carter 1885-1889
2. P. B. Bedford 1869 7. W. G. Brantley 1889-'97
3. A. J. Liles 1869-1871 8. John W. Bennett 1897-'09
4. Simon W. Hitch 1871-1881 9. J. H. Thomas 1909-1910
5. G. B. Mabry 1881-1885 10 M. D. Dickerson 1910-'19
Foremen of Grand Juries, Clinch County, 1867-1916-
NOTE .- This information is given, as the author believes it will be of interest besides throwing light on the leaders of the day. The militia district numbers following each name shows the district in which the foreman lived.
Term
Name District
Sept. 1867
John C. Kirkland 1224
March 1868
David D. Mahon 1052
Sept. 1868 Thomas G. Ramsey
I224
April 1869 John C. Kirkland 1224
Oct. 1869 John C. Kirkland I224
June 1870
Thomas G. Ramsey 1224
April 1871
Cornelius A. Smith
970
Oct. 1871
Jesse Smith
970
April
1872
David J. Sirmans
970
Oct.
1872
William S. Tomlinson
586
April 1873
David J. Sirmans
970
Oct. 1873
John C. Kirkland
I224
April 1874
Francis M. Jackson
586
Oct. 1874
David H. Johnson
586
April 1875
Martin S. Corbitt 1061
Oct.
1875
Glover G. Foreman 1052
April
1876
Peter Stotesberry
1052
Baxley, Ga. 1903-1914
Douglas, Ga. 1914-1915
218
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Term
Name
District
Oct. 1876
David J. Sirmans
1280
April 1877
Charles Strickland
586
Oct. 1877
Francis M. Jackson
586
April 1878
David J. Sirmans
1280
Oct. 1878
Frank Sloat
1052
Oct. 1879
David O'Quin
970
March 1880
Charles Strickland
586
Sept. 1880
Peter Williams
1224
March 188 I
Hamilton A. Mattox
I224
Oct. 1881
Francis M. Jackson
586
March 1882
Cornelius A. Smith
1224
March 1883
Madison M. Caswell
I224
Oct. 1883
F. B. Sirmans
586
March 1884
G. G. Foreman
1052
Oct.
1884
Benjamin Smith
586
March 1885
F. B. Sirmans
586
Oct. 1885
Cornelius A. Smith
I224
March 1886
Moses Tomlinson
1052
Oct. 1886
Francis M. Jackson
586
March 1887
Moses Tomlinson
1052
Oct.
1887
John J. Drawdy
I224
March 1888
Moses Tomlinson
1052
Oct. 1888
R. S. Holtzendorf
1052
March 1889
John C. Humphreys
1052
Oct. 1889
Martin S. Corbitt
1061
March 1890
John C. Humphreys
1052
Oct. 1890
Willis B. Gibbs
1280
March 1891
Hamilton A. Mattox
I224
Oct. 1891
Lewis Smith
I224
March 1892
Hamilton A. Mattox
I224
Oct. 1892
Andrew J. Caswell
I224
March 1893
John C. Humphreys
1052
Oct.
1893
Martin S. Corbitt
1061
April 1894
William A. Ecord
I224
Oct. 1894
Elisha Moore
1061
April
1895
E. J. Futch
970
219
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Term
Name
District
Oct. 1895
James R. Dickerson
1389
April 1896
B. E. Mattox
I224
Oct. 1896
E. J. Futch
970
April
1897
Moses Tomlinson
1052
Oct.
1897
Moses Smith
586
April 1898
Randal Brogdon
586
Oct. 1898
Elisha Moore
1061
April
1899
Martin S. Corbitt
1061
Oct.
1899
J. R. Dickerson
1389
April
1900
B. E. Mattox
I224
Oct.
1900
Samuel Cowart
1280
Oct.
1901
R. M. Crum
I224
April
1902
E. J. Futch
970
Oct.
1902
Augustus DuPont
1280
April
1903
William T. Smith
I224
Oct.
1903
James A. O'Steen
I224
April
1904
Frank Dickerson 1280
Oct.
1904
R. M. Crum
I224
April 1905
F. B. Sirmans
586
Oct.
1905
P. McK. Williams
970
April
1906
Perry M. Lee
1280
Oct.
1906
W. B. N. Crews
1052
April
1907
William A. Ecord
1224
Oct.
1907
Charlton H. Smith
1224
April
1908
F. B. Sirmans
586
Oct.
1908
A. H. Culpepper
I224
April
1909
H. J. Peagler
I224
Oct.
1909
F. B. Sirmans
586
May 1910
George M. Dame
1224
Nov.
1910
Warren R. Dickerson
586
May 19II
F. B. Sirmans
586
March 1912
J. Floyd Fender
1052
Oct.
1912
S. R. Kirton
1389
March 1913
Acy H. Timmerman 1052
Oct.
1913
B. E. Mattox
I224
April
1901
F. B. Sirmans
586
220
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Term
Name
District
March 1914
S. A. Sweat
1224
Oct. 1914
S. R. Kirton 1389
March 1915
George M. Dame
I224
Oct. 1915
Moses S. Eason
970
March 1916
John F. Daugharty
1219
Clerks of County Court (old court)-
Simon W. Hitch
May 12, 1866
John L. Morgan
Aug. 27, 1866
Robert L. King, Jr.
Feb. 1, 1867
Bailiffs County Court-
William M. Austin
May 30, 1866
James B. O'Quin
June 4, 1866
Allen Smith
June 2, 1866
J. J. Sweat
Dec. 30, 1907
P. R. Lee.
Dec. 31, 1908
Deputy Clerks County Court-
M. A. Cornelius
June 2, 1913
Folks Huxford
Dec. 8, 1914
Clerks Superior Court and Their Deputies-
Clerks
Term
John C. Kirkland
1850-1852
George W. Newbern
1852-1854
Archibald D. Laslie
1854-1856
David O'Quin
1856-1868
John H. Mattox
Dan H. Stewart
Francis M. Goette
J. L. Sweat L. Smith James C. Cooper George W. Newbern Alfred Newbern Josiah Sirmans
H. D. O'Quin
1868-1871
James Tomlinson
1871-1873
Edward T. Dukes
1873-1875
C. A. Smith
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Deputies Jonathan Knight A. D. Laslie
22I
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Clerks P. M. Lee
Term 1875-1877
Deputies A. J. Caswell M. M. Caswell
Cornelius A. Smith
1877-1880
David O'Quin
1880-1881
Abraham Morgan
1881-1883
Josiah Sirmans N. J. Smith B. A. Whittington James P. Mattox
C. C. Drawdy R. J. Pannal Perryman Moore
B. R. Johnson
1883-1884
Isbin Tomlinson
W. A. Ecord
1884-1893
I. H. Drawdy Roscoe W. Yates
S. W. Register
1893-1908
A. O. Register P. E. Findley
A. O. Register A. J. Gibbs
1908-1909
A. J. Gibbs
1909-1921
G. A. Gibbs
Deputy Sheriffs of Clinch County, Georgia-
Sheriffs
Term
Harrison Jones
1866-1867
Joseph E. Bass
1868-1871
James M. Nelms
1871-1873
Robert N. Brady
1873-1875
David H. Johnson
1875-1879
John T. Courson
1879-188I
Jerry M. Jeffords
1881-1887
B. E. Mattox
1887-1889
Deputies William M. Austin
Erwin Johnson
J. E. Jordan
James M. Nelms John J. Drawdy
John G. Tomlinson Joseph E. Bass Erie Edwards A. B. Findley Erie Edwards Eason Smith A. B. Findley John A. Mikell K. C. Smith Jefferson D. Mattox William S. Mattox
222
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Sheriffs Frank Dickerson
Term
1889-1897
Bryant O'Steen
1897-1901
S. A. Sweat
1901-1909
Deputies T. F. M. Sweat Absalom T. Newbern
S. A. Sweat Jerome J. Sweat J. Tom Faulk R. S. Williams
John H. Mattox
Perry R. Lee
1909-1917
G. C. Register George W. North
G. C. Register A. Hargraves S. W. Elliott
CHAPTER XIV.
Sketches of Lives of Clinch County Officers, 1850-1916. Alphabetically Arranged.
A USTIN, WILLIAM M., was born in this State in 1830, Coming to Clinch when young, he settled here, and at various times was in the employment of the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad. The first office that he held in this county was that of justice of the Inferior Court, to which he was commissioned September 10th, 1861. In 1862, when O'Steen's company was organized at Homerville for service in the Confederate Army, Mr. Austin enlisted and served as a sergeant in his company. Returning home, he was elected tax collector ín 1864, and served two years. Under Harri- son Jones he served a short while as deputy sheriff, and in 1867 was elected sheriff for the unexpired term of Mr. Jones. After this he was station agent at Homerville a while. By his wife, Harriet E. Austin, Mr. Austin had six children, viz .: E. A. Austin, Rosa, Bartow, Lealona, John and H. Austin, these names being obtained from an old census re- port for 1870. Subsequently Mr. Austin removed to Wayne County, where he died.
BARNHILL, JOHN FRANKLIN, was born in Horry County, S. C., March 27, 1867, and came to this State at an early age. He married Miss Sula Johnson, of Bryan County, Georgia, November 5th, 1896, and they have three chil- dren, Leo, Audrey and Olney Barnhill. In 1902 Mr. Barn- hill came to Clinch County and engaged in the turpentine business, in which he has become signally successful, finan- cially. He is now one of the largest land owners in the county. He lived in the 114Ist district at a place called Lyken until 1913, when he removed to Homerville. He built a beautiful home at Lyken, and at Homerville has a still bet-
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
ter residence. Mr. Barnhill was postmaster at Lyken for several years. Lyken was connected by a star route with Homerville. In 1914-'15, Mr. Barnhill, together with Mr. J. H. Ferdon, bought and installed the town's light and water plant. In 1915 he was elected on the town council, and was appointed on the Board of County Commissioners cre- ated by Legislative Act. Upon the organization of the Board in September, he was elected its chairman, which posi- tion he now holds. In 1916 he was elected for the full term of four years beginning January Ist, 1917, defeating A. B. Smith. Mr. Barnhill, although possessed of a meager edu- cation, is one of the best business men in the county, and his service on the Board has demonstrated his high character and business ability.
BASS, JOSEPH EVERETT, was born in Sampson County, N. C., February 11th, 1811. When eighteen years old he moved to Sumter County, Georgia, where the present city of Americus now is. He engaged in the Cherokee Indian war when it came on, and after it was over he went back to his old home and married Miss Christian Cameron. Com- ing back to Sumter County, he lived there until a few years later. While in Sumter County, four children were born to them, David A. Bass, Archibald C. Bass, Mary J. Bass, and Joseph E. Bass, Jr. Moving to Irwinsville, in Irwin County, he was sheriff of that county for eight years. A few years prior to the war he moved to Clinch County and settled three miles south of Homerville, but when the Civil War broke out, he moved his family to town. In 1868 he was elected sheriff of Clinch County, an office which he held three years. After his term of office expired, Mr. Bass served as a deputy under his successor, James M. Nelms, until 1872, when he removed to Orlando, Fla. Here he served as deputy sheriff four years, afterwards moving to Tampa, Fla., where he died August 25th, 1897, age 86 years. At the time of his death he was survived by seven children.
225
History of Clinch County, Georgia
BRADY, ROBERT N., was born in this State in 1840, in what is now Fulton County. He was born and raised on a farm which his father owned not far from where Atlanta now is. Prior to the Civil War, Mr. Brady bought a pair of horses and a pair of mules and with a big wagon of merchandise, started out to trade in live stock and merchan- dise. He came to this section during the war, and married Miss Ann Marshall, of Berrien County, by whom he had two sons, Samuel H., and John Brady. When O'Steen's company was organized in Homerville for service in the Confederate Army, Mr. Brady, together with his brothers, joined this company, serving until 1865. Returning home he opened up a store at Lawton, which he ran until his election as sheriff of Clinch County in 1872. In this election he defeated James North. Mr. Brady was commissioned January 18th, 1873. In 1874 he was killed by some parties who lived in the vicin- ity of the Okefinokee Swamp. Mr. Brady had a warrant for a party who lived in the neighborhood of the swamp, and after pursuing his man as far as the Everglades in Florida, captured him and carried him to Live Oak, Fla., and put him in jail, as Clinch County had no jail then. He returned home on a Friday night and at dinner the next day was called from his table by parties in front of his house, and as he emerged through the door was shot in the chest before he could hardly recognize his assailants. The sheriff's brother, Lewis J. Brady, was at the house at the time, and came out and engaged the crowd who proved to be relatives and con- federates of the man whom the sheriff had arrested. Lewis J. Brady was shot in the abdomen and died in a few minutes. The sheriff lingered after this for three months and six days and died from the effects of the shot in his breast. He could not speak above a whisper from the time he was shot until he died. Thus ended the life of a brave officer of the law, faithful to every trust.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
BURKHALTER, RICHARD H., son of Isaac Burkhal- ter, was born in Charleston, S. C., April 24th, 1806. When Richard was small his father moved to Pulaski County, Geor- gia, and there the son grew to manhood, and married Miss Senie Haskins, June 13th, 1827. To this union was born eleven children, four daughters and seven sons. In 1844 he removed to what is now Clinch County and lived here until his death. He was elected a justice of the peace of the 1052d district in 1853, and served two years. In 1856 he was elected ordinary of the county and served until 1858. Mr. Burk- halter was also married a second time, to Annie Belote, by whom he had five children. His second marriage occurred October 12th, 1848. Mr. Burkhalter died at his home in Mud Creek, November 16th, 1862.
BURKHALTER, SHEROD, was born in Clinch County, March 24th, 1859, the son of James M. and Nancy Burk- halter, and grandson of Richard H. Burkhalter. He was raised on the farm and married Miss Sallie Corbitt, daugh- ter of Allen Corbitt, October 3d, 1879. They had six chil- dren. After the death of his first wife he married Lorena, daughter of K. C. Smith, and by her has one child. He was admitted to the bar in Florida November 5th, 1895, and later coming back to Georgia, was admitted here. He has been located at Homerville in the practice of law since January IIth, 1902. Colonel Burkhalter was commissioned solicitor of the County Court, October 30th, 1909, and re- commissioned August 28th, 1911, for two more years. He is an active member of the Baptist Church.
BYRD, CUYLER WASHINGTON, was born in Pierce County, October 18th, 1859. After living in Pierce and Ware Counties some time, he removed to Clinch County, where, after farming several years, he entered the mercantile business with his son, Leon Byrd, in Homerville. In 1912 he was elected constable of the 1224th district, and about the same time was appointed by the Ordinary as coroner of Clinch
227
History of Clinch County, Georgia
County, to succeed W. R. Findley, who had removed from the county. In 1914 Mr. Byrd removed to Ware County, but in 1916 returned to Clinch county, where he is farming near Homerville.
CARTER, JESSE W., served as justice of the peace of the 66 Ist district of Lowndes County for several years, being elected in 1841 and 1846. In 1850 he was elected and com- missioned a justice of the peace of the 1052d district of Clinch County, and served until 1856. In 1856 he was elected tax receiver, and served one year. Mr. Carter lived in Clinch County until the formation of Echols County, when he be- came a citizen of that county. In the Civil War he was a private of Co. "H" 29th Ga: Infantry. He married Priscilla, daughter of Barzilla Staten, Sr., who died about 1846. Mr. Carter, together with William S. Roberts and Jonathan Knight, were the administrators of the estate of Mr. Staten.
CASWELL, ANDREW J., was born in Tattnall County, February 7th, 1838. When the Civil War came on he joined and served in Co. "A" 29 Georgia, about three years. After the war was over he came to Clinch County and settled at Homerville, where he lived until his death. In 1867 he mar- ried Miss Martha Smith, daughter of James C. Smith, and by her had eleven children, nine sons and two daughters. For several years he engaged in the mercantile business in Homer- ville, afterwards purchasing a farm on the outskirts of town. He constructed the famous Caswell mill-pond near town, which is now owned by Hon. R. G. Dickerson. Mr. Caswell served several years on the Board of Education, qualifying November 22d, 1876. He served until 1890, being presi- dent of the Board several years. Under P. M. Lee, Mr. Caswell served as deputy clerk of the Superior Court. In 1892 he was elected county treasurer, defeating W. H. Gary in the primary. Mr. Caswell received 218 votes and Mr. Gary 191. In the general election he defeated Lewis Smith, Third Party candidate, 314 to 173 votes. He was commis-
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
sioned treasurer January 6th, 1893, and was just getting acquainted well with the duties of the office when he was taken sick. After a short illness he died August 11, 1893. He was buried in the Homerville cemetery. His widow is now living in Jacksonville, Florida, where two of her sons, Drs. James M. Caswell and S. T. Caswell, practice medicine.
CASWELL, MADISON M., was born in Tattnall County, on the Ohoopee River, February 23d, 1843. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Co. "A" 29th Georgia, and served until the close of the war. In 1869 he came to Homerville, where he resided until about 1890, when he re- moved to Valdosta, where he now lives. Mr. Caswell mar- ried Sarah, daughter of James C. Smith, and by her had sev- eral children. In 1870 he was elected tax collector of Clinch County, and was commissioned February 7th, 1871. By suc- cessive re-elections he was tax collector twelve years, which is the longest any collector has held the office. In April, 1876, he was appointed a jury commissioner, serving four years. In 1886 he was again appointed a jury commissioner, but re- moved to Valdosta before his term expired. Under P. M. Lee, Mr. Caswell served as deputy clerk of the Superior Court.
COHEN, JOSEPH J., was born in Ohio about 1815, and came to Clinch County about 1850. He was a school teacher by profession. He married Zilpha, a daughter of John Wil- liams, Sr., and his wife, Nancy, but after a divorce married Mary Simpson and by her had a son, William Cohen. Mr. Cohen was elected a justice of the peace of the 970th dis- trict in 1857 and served two years. He was commissioned surveyor of Clinch County January 12th, 1857, and served one year. In the Civil War he enlisted in 22d Georgia Ar- tillery. While in the army he contracted a sickness which ter- minated in his death in 1863. His remains were brought home and buried at Arabia Church. The grave is not marked and its exact location in the cemetery is not known.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
CORBITT, MARTIN S., was born near the site of Salem Church, in the northern part of Clinch County, May 12th, 1840, the son of Newsom and Pollie (Smith) Corbitt. He married Lenora W. Pafford, of Coffee County, November 26th, 1867, and by her had eleven children, viz .: Catherine Imogene, Maryan M., Newton R., William Manning, Henry Madison, Mastin Rabun, Frances L., Martha, Wealthy A., Rebecca V., and Levia Jane Corbitt. After his first wife died, Mr. Corbitt married Miss Minnie Faircloth, who was a native of Sampson County, N. C., August Ist, 1899. To them were born Duvon C., Frazier S., and W. J. Corbitt. In the Civil War Mr. Corbitt served as a sergeant in O'Steen's company. Towards the close of the war he was permitted to return home on account of ill health. In 1868 he was elected tax collector of Clinch County, defeating R. G. Dickerson, and served until 1871. In 1884 he was a candidate for Ordinary and in a very hot race defeated George Cornelius by one vote. He was commissioned Janu- ary 13th, 1885, and served four years. In 1889 he was ap- pointed a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and served until 1891. With the formation of the Populist Party in Clinch County, Mr. Corbitt joined it, and became one of its leaders. He was its candidate for representative in 1896 and 1898, and for Ordinary in 1900. On April Ist, 1902, he removed from his old home in Clinch County to Pearson, in Coffee County, where he lived quietly until his death, eleven years later. He died on July Ist, 1913, and was buried with Masonic ceremonies at Salem Church in Clinch County. Mr. Corbitt was for years a member of the Methodist Church, having his membership at the old Fussell Church in Coffee County, later transferring it to the Pafford Church. He became a member of Salem Church later. Mr. Corbitt joined the Masons in 1867, and was a Master Mason until his death. For about twenty years before his death he was past master. He was greatly interested in his lodge and his church, and often rode miles in order to attend. Appro-
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
priate resolutions were adopted by Satilla Lodge No. 163 on his death.
CORBITT, NEWSOM, was born in Tennessee in 1808, the son of Isham Corbitt. With his father Mr. Corbitt re- moved to Clinch County about 1840. He married Pollie, a daughter of Rev. William Smith, and after her death again married, and raised a large family of children. He was elected a justice of the peace of the 586th district in 1853, and again in 1861, and 1865. In 1868 he was elected State senator from the fifth district, defeating C. A. Smith. He was elected on the "radical" ticket. In the senate he served on the committees on Deaf and Dumb Asylum, Agriculture and Manufactures, and Journal. He voted for the adoption of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Federal Constitution. Mr. Corbitt lived to be about 75 years old.
CORBITT, RANDALL, was born in Clinch County, February 25th, 1856, the son of Richard R. Corbitt. He was married to Miss Sarah Jane Geiger, December 12th, 1878, by whom he had ten children. Nine are living. In 1912 Mr. Corbitt was a candidate for county treasurer, and defeated W. H. Hunter by one vote. He served one term ( 1913-'15) and was not a candidate for re-election. Mr. Corbitt lives on his farm a few miles north of Argyle, where he has lived for many years. He is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
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