USA > Georgia > Clinch County > History of Clinch County, Georgia, revised to date > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
HUGHES, JOHN FRANKLIN, was born in Clinch County, July 20th, 1875, the son of Jeptha and Catherine (Gibbs) Hughes, and a grandson of William Hughes, a pioneer citizen of Clinch. Mr. Hughes was reared on his father's farm near DuPont, and was married about 1904 to Miss Mary Register, daughter of O. P. Register, by whom
257
History of Clinch County, Georgia
he has one son. In 1902 he was nominated for county treas- urer, and elected over John G. Griffis by 202 votes. He was re-elected in 1904 and 1906, and retired from the office Jan- uary Ist, 1909. He removed to Homerville during his incum- bency as treasurer, and entered the grocery business. He operated this until 1908, when he was elected cashier of the Bank of Homerville. He held this position until 1911, when he resigned and removed to St. Mary's, Ga., where he ac- cepted the same position with the Bank of Camden County, which he still holds.
HUTTO, ISAAC D., was born in South Carolina in 1818 and came to Georgia when a young man. He married Sarah, daughter of Joshua Lee. They had no children, but adopted a son, Jackson Hutto, who was a son of James Newman, de- ceased. Mr. Hutto early in life joined the Primitive Baptist Church and was ordained a minister. He served Prospect Church as its pastor many years. In 1855 he was elected tax collector of Clinch County and re-elected the next year, serv- ing until 1857. He lived to be about eighty years old, and died at his home above DuPont. He is buried at Prospect Church.
HUXFORD, FOLKS, was born in Coffee County, Novem -. ber/16th, 1893, the son of Calvitt and Kansas (Drawdy) < Huxford. In 1906 his parents removed to Homerville. In 1910 he commenced working in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court, and worked there several years. In 1915 he was appointed constable of the 1224th district, and the same year was elected the clerk of the Board of County Commis- sioners in September, which position he still holds. He was also appointed one of the county registrars in 1916, and is deputy clerk of the County Court under Judge S. L. Drawdy. He married February 2Ist, 1913, Miss Orie L. Kirkland, daughter of D. E. and Meddie (Register) Kirkland, and by her has one daughter. He is a member of the Methodist Church. He served as acting postmaster at Homerville for
258
History of Clinch County, Georgia
about six months following the death of Postmaster D. E. Kirkland in November, 1913.
JEFFORDS, JERRY M., was born in Ware County, about 1845, and was married to Mary Herren, daughter of Levi Herren, Sr., about 1868. He was appointed constable of the 106Ist district in 1873 and served a few years, and in 1880 was elected sheriff of Clinch County, and commis- sioned January 13th, 1881. He was re-elected sheriff in 1882 and 1884. Subsequently removed to Ware County where he died about 1908. He had a son, Harmon V. Jeffords, Jr.
JACKSON, FRANCIS MARION, was born in Alabama, July 15th, 1825. When the Mexican War commenced, he enlisted in the army and saw active service in that war. Later he came and settled in Clinch County, and when the Civil War broke out Mr. Jackson was very instrumental in organ- izing companies in Clinch County for service in the Confed- erate Army. He was elected captain of Co. "H" 29th Georgia, and served as second sergeant in Co. "I" 4th Geor- gia Cavalry. After the war he was elected justice of the peace of the 586th district and served about a year. In 1892 Captain Jackson was elected on the Board of County Com- missioners and served two years. He lived to the ripe age of 87 and died October 12th, 1912. He was buried at the Lovejoy graveyard. Captain Jackson was counted as one of the county's ablest and most intelligent men of his day, and was an excellent officer during the war. He married Miss Mary Griffin, daughter of Noah H. Griffin, of Clinch County, and they raised a large family of children.
JOHNSON, BRYANT R., was born in Clinch County in 1861, the son of Rowan B. and Alief (Tomlinson) John- son. He was raised on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty-one was elected clerk of the Superior Court, and com- missioned January 9th, 1883. The office in those days was not such a remunerative office, consequently after holding office about a year, Mr. Johnson removed from the county,
259
History of Clinch County, Georgia
leaving Isbin Tomlinson, his deputy, in charge. He subse- quently lived in Macon and was a railroad employee. He married Martha Ann, daughter of John Moore, and had several children.
JOHNSON, DAVID, was born in this State, January 29th, 1802, the son of David Johnson, Sr., and was one of the first settlers of the county. He took an active part in the Creek Indian war of 1836-38, and commanded a company in this war, and from this he earned the title of "General." He married Miss Nancy Burnett, and by her had: Rowan B. Johnson, Martha (drowned), David H. Johnson, Joseph B. Johnson, Bryant Johnson, Melvina, who married Harris Sirmans; William Johnson, Cassie and Eliza, who married Joseph Jones. Bryant and William Johnson were killed in the Civil War. When the first election for justices of the Inferior Court was held for the new County of Clinch in 1850, General Johnson was elected one of the justices. In 1861 he was again elected, but was succeeded in the following September by R. G. Dickerson. General Johnson died April 10th, 1879, age 77 years, survived by his wife and several children.
JOHNSON, DAVID H., was born in what is now Clinch County in 1835, the son of General David Johnson. He married Rebecca Tomlinson, daughter of Harris Tomlinson, Sr., about 1856, and by her had several children, all daugh- ters except one, James T. Johnson. He was elected a justice of the peace of the 586th district in 1864; again in 1865 and 1869. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Clinch County and commissioned January 14th, 1875. He was re-elected in 1876 and served until 1879. On February 14th, 1891 he was commissioned justice of the peace of the 1280th district and served until 1897. April 22d, 1902, he was commis- sioned ex-officio justice of the peace of the same district and served until his death, which occurred at his home near DuPont, April 4th, 1903.
260
History of Clinch County, Georgia
JOHNSON, ISHAM F., was born in Liberty County, about 1810, and settled in this section about 1845. He was a brother-in-law of Elijah Mattox, Mr. Mattox marrying Lavinia Johnson. He was commissioned a justice of the peace of the 719th district of Ware County March 10th, 1848, also on March 3Ist, 1849, and March Ist, 1852. He was elected one of the first justices of the Inferior Court of Clinch County in 1850, serving until 1853. Mr. Johnson married Miss Martha Darsey, of Liberty County, and had several children. He lived in the southern part of the county. He died about 1875.
JOHNSON, JOSEPH B., was born in Ware, now Clinch County, in 1832, the son of General David Johnson. He lived in this county all his life. He was elected surveyor of Clinch County in 1854 and re-elected in 1856, serving until 1857. In the Civil War he was a private in Co. "H" 29th Georgia Infantry, and served throughout the war. He died October 12th, 1881. Mr. Johnson was never married.
JOHNSON, RILEY, was born in what is now Clinch County in 1847, the son of John J. Johnson, for many years a resident of Homerville. He married Miss Lizzie Tison, of Homerville,, June 9th, 1867, and by her had several children. At the age of twenty-one he was elected county treasurer of Clinch County, defeating James C. Cooper. His official bond for $4,000 is dated August 29th, 1868. He soon re- signed the office, and Allen Smith was appointed in the fol- lowing November for the unexpired term. In later years Mr. Johnson removed to Florida, where he died.
JOHNSON, ROWAN B., was born in Lowndes County, November 29th, 1830, the son of General David Johnson. When he was only three years old his father removed to Ware (now Clinch) County, where he was raised to man- hood. When he was only sixteen years of age he was elected captain of the militia district at a time when it was regarded as a local distinction. In 185 1 he was elected a justice of the
26I
History of Clinch County, Georgia
peace of the 970th district and served about one year. He married in 1847, Miss Alief Tomlinson, daughter of John Tomlinson, Sr., by whom he had two children, one of whom, B. R. Johnson, was in 1882 elected clerk of the Superior Court. In 1862 Mr. Johnson, Sr., enlisted in Co. "B" 2d Georgia Regiment, western division, and was commissioned captain. Returning home in 1865 he was elected a justice of the Inferior court, and served until that court was abolished. In 1862 Mr. Johnson's wife died, and he married Miss Caro- line Floyd, daughter of Jason Floyd, of Liberty County, by whom he had three children. His second wife dying in 1872, Mr. Johnson married Mrs. Emaline Clifton, widow of Wm. H. Clifton and daughter of George Dame, Sr. She died and he married Miss Carrie Day, of DuPont, who survived him. Mr. Johnson was elected to the Legislature four times and was as many times defeated for it. He was first elected in 1884, defeating M. M. Caswell. In 1886 he was defeated by John C. Humphreys for re-election. In 1889 he was elected at a special election to fill out the unexpired term of James P. Mattox, deceased. In 1890 he was defeated for re-election by his Populist opponent, Dr. L. C. Mattox. In 1892 he was again elected, defeating John C. Humphreys and Elias Griffis in the primary and E. C. Hodges, Third Party, in the general election. In 1898 he was defeated in the primary by D. C. Fender, and in 1900 by Col. S. L. Drawdy. In 1902 he was elected, defeating Col. S. C. Town- send in the primary. He took his seat and served through the session of 1902 and 1903, and when the Legislature convened in 1904 he was taken sick, which proved to be his last illness. He died June 19th, 1904, and was buried at Prospect Church. He was seventy-four years old at his death. He was a very familiar figure in the legislative halls and was an able, and conservative legislator.
JONES, JOHN C., was born in Sampson County, N. C., January 25th, 1852, and early in life his parents removed to
262
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Wilcox County, Ga. From there they removed to Clinch County when John C. Jones was sixteen years old. In his youth he happened to a misfortune by being bitten by a snake, by which he came near losing his life. It left him a cripple the remainder of his life, completely losing the use of his legs. In 1880 he was elected tax receiver of Clinch County and commissioned January 13th, 1881. He was continuously re- elected over all opposition until his death. He had just been re-nominated for the office in 1904, when he died. He mar- ried in 1894 to Mrs. Fannie C. Moore, widow of Henry C. Moore, and daughter of Jesse Smith, and by her had two children, John T. Jones and Fannie L. Jones. His first wife having died, Mr. Jones married in 1902, Mrs. Ellen D. O'Quin, widow of E. W. O'Quin, and daughter of James C. Smith. Mr. Jones died at his home in Homerville June 5th, 1904, of paralysis, and was buried in the Homerville cemetery. He was a very consistent member of the Homer- ville Baptist Church for many years, and was for several years prior to his death clerk of the church.
JOYCE, HENRY, was born in Ware, now Clinch County, June 26th, 1831, the son of Martin Joyce. He mar- ried Rebecca, daughter of Moses Tomlinson, Sr., and by her had several children. On January 10th, 1854, he was com- missioned tax collector of Clinch County and served one year. Mr. Joyce lived in the Mud Creek district and was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He died at his home March 2 Ist, 1907, and is buried at Arabia Church.
KIGHT, JAMES M., was born in Ware County, Septem- ber 9th, 1835, the son of Hiram and Sallie (Smith) Kight. He was raised in what is now Clinch County and since 1858 has been living on his present farm about three miles South of Argyle. He was married in 1857 to Mary Strickland, daughter of Aaron Strickland, by whom he had five children. His first wife dying about 1900, Mr. Kight married Miss Adilene Kight, daughter of Thomas Kight, by whom he has
263
History of Clinch County, Georgia
one son. In 1870 Mr. Kight was elected coroner of Clinch County and commissioned February 7th, 1871 for two years. In the Civil War Mr. Kight served in the Confederate Army from 1862 to the close, in Co. "K" 26th Georgia Regiment. On July 2d, 1885, Mr. Kight was commissioned ex-officio justice of the peace of the 1389th district, an office which he held for thirteen years. When the Populist Party was formed in Clinch County, Mr. Kight joined them, and served as a Populist on the board of registrars of Clinch County for six years, beginning 1898.
KING, ZIBA, was born in Appling County, later Ware, November 29th, 1818. After Clinch was created he came to this county where he resided until 1868, when he removed to Manatee County, Fla. He was elected justice of the peace of the 970th district and commissioned August 24th, 1860, and served four years. On May 10th, 1866 he was com- missioned judge of the first County Court of Clinch County, and served about two years, when he removed to Florida. Judge King first settled in Manatee County, later in DeSoto County, Florida, accumulating a nice fortune there in the cattle business. He was married May 28th, 1868, to Fannie A. Tanley, but subsequently divorced, and later married Miss Florida Brewer, July 24th, 1870, by whom he had eight chil- dren. His death occurred March 7th, 1901, he was survived by his wife and children and his remains were buried in the cemetery at Fort Ogden, Fla. A daughter of Judge King married J. E. T. Bowden, who in 1916, was candidate for Congress from the eleventh district of Georgia.
KIRKLAND, JOHN COBB, was born in Appling County, June 27th, 1824. He participated in the Indian war of 1836-38, although only a lad, and at the age of twenty- two was elected justice of the peace of the 970th district, then in Ware County. In 1850, when Clinch County was created, Mr. Kirkland was elected first clerk of the Superior and In- ferior Courts. He was commissioned April 12th, 1850, and
264
History of Clinch County, Georgia
served until 1852. In 1854 he was elected justice of the peace of the 106Ist district being re-elected in 1857, 1861 and 1865. He was one of the first settlers of Homerville, and in 1872 was commissioned ex-officio justice of the peace of the Homerville district. He was reappointed in 1876, 1880, 1885, 1889, 1893, 1897 and 1901, and held the office at the time of his death. Mr. Kirkland was first married to Miss Elizabeth Nettles, daughter of Martin and Cassie (New- bern) Nettles, and by her had five sons: Franklin D. Kirk- land, James Seaborn Kirkland, William G. Kirkland, John B. Kirkland and Joseph G. Kirkland. His first wife having died, Mr. Kirkland married Miss Vasti Stafford, daughter of Edmund Stafford, March 31st, 1872. By this marriage he had nine children, viz .: David E. Kirkland, Ada, Delia, Zilla, Edmund S., Emma, Kizzie, Berry C. and Thomas M. Kirkland. Mr. Kirkland died on his 80th birthday, June 27th, 1904, after an illness of about two weeks, and was buried in the Homerville cemetery. His widow died in 1907. Mr. Kirkland had never been sick from the time he was a boy until his last illness, and his strength and vigor was maintained despite his advancing old age.
KIRTON, SAMUEL R., was born in Georgetown, S. C., July 25th, 1867. His father died when he was about two years old, and was probate judge of his county at the time. In 1886 Mr. Kirton graduated from the South Carolina Mil- itary Academy in Charleston, with the degree of B.S. After being employed with railroad companies for some time as civil engineer, etc., he came to Clinch County in 1892, and was elected county surveyor in 1894. He was re-elected in 1896 and served until January Ist, 1899. He married Miss Nora Smith, daughter of Charlton H. and Martha ( Hender- son) Smith, in September, 1897, and they had several chil- dren. Mr. Kirton was for several years employed by the G. S. Baxter Co. at Fargo, but for the last year or so has lived at Argyle, near where his farm is. He is a member of the
265
History of Clinch County, Georgia
board of tax assessors of Clinch County, having been ap- pointed in 1916, and is also a jury commissioner.
KNIGHT, JONATHAN, was born in originally Irwin County, January 17th, 1817, the son of William A. Knight, He came to what is now Clinch County in 1836 and settled on Suwannoochee Creek, where he lived until 1863, when he moved back to Berrien County. He married Miss Frances Staten, daughter of Barzilla Staten, Sr., in 1835. To this union were born thirteen children, viz .: Barzilla, Sarah, Catherine, Kizziah, Elizabeth, William A., Margaret, Lovdy, Cinderella, Celesta Ann, Mary C., Ulysses A., and Matilda T. Staten, of whom five are living. Mr. Knight served in both the Indian and Civil Wars; in the Civil War he served as first lieutenant in Co. "H" 29th Georgia In- fantry. The only office which Mr. Knight held was that of justice of the Inferior Court, to which he was commissioned January 10th, 1861. He was a justice until Sept. 10th, 1861. Mr. Knight died October 10th, 1886, and his remains were buried at Union Church on Allapaha River.
KNIGHT, JOHN, was born in originally Irwin County, in 1826, and married Miss Dicy -, and they had several children. He served through the Civil War in the Confeder- ate Army, and in 1890 was elected on the Board of County Commissioners and served two years. He died about 1900.
KNIGHT, LEVI J., was born in Wayne County, Septem- ber Ist, 1803, and was reared in that county and married Mrs. Ann D. Herring, in July, 1827. He then moved to what is now Berrien County a few days after their marriage. Mr. Knight settled on Beaver-dam Creek, near the town of Rays City, and lived there until his death. He never did live in Clinch County, although closely identified with it. Mr. Knight participated in the Creek and Seminole wars from 1818 and 1836, the last several years of which he com- inanded the pioneer troops in this section as major and colo- nel. When the Mexican War broke out, Mr. Knight en-
266
History of Clinch County, Georgia
listed and served as a captain of volunteers the greater part of that war, and when the Civil War broke out, or was im- minent, he mustered the Berrien County Minutemen at Nash- ville, Ga., and out of the 125 men more than 50 were over six feet two inches tall, of this company he was captain. When hostilities began the minutemen were mustered into the 26th and 29th Georgia Regiments, one of which, Co. "G" 29th Georgia, he became captain. Mr. Knight did not serve through the war on account of his old age and serious affliction from asthma, from which he died in 1870. He was commissioned a justice of the peace of the 658th district of Lowndes County in 1829, and served until 1832, when he was elected State senator from Lowndes County. He was again elected justice of the peace and commissioned October 15th, 1838. He served again as senator through the sessions of 1834-35 and 1837 to 1841. In 1845 he was again elected justice of the peace and served four years. In 1851 he was elected State senator from the 5th district, which then included Berrien County, and served through the session of 1851-52. Mr. Knight was a delegate to the State constitutional con- vention of 1868 from the 6th district, which then included Clinch County. This was the last public service of Captain Knight. His death occurred February 23d, 1870, and he was buried at Union Church about ten miles from his home. He was one of the leaders of his day and an able man.
LASLIE, ARCHIBALD D., was born in Telfair County, Ga., January 29th, 1825. He came to Clinch County when a young man and was elected clerk of the Superior and Inferior Courts and commissioned January 10th, 1854. He served two years. He took up the study of medicine and graduated from a medical college and practiced medicine in Clinch and Echols Counties the remainder of his life. In the Civil War, Dr. Laslie joined Co. "I" 29th Georgia regiment, first serv- ing as a private and later as assistant surgeon of his company. After the war was over he came back to this county and re-
267
History of Clinch County, Georgia
sumed his practice, but in the winter of 1868-69 removed to Echols County, where he lived until his death. Dr. Laslie married Mrs. Catherine Davis, of Clinch County, February 23d, 1868, and by her had seven children: R. F. Laslie, Mrs. W. J. Coleman, Miss George Laslie, Mrs. J. W. Wil- son, Mrs. W. T. Duke, A. C. Laslie and C. B. Laslie. Dr. Laslie served Echols County as representative in the General Assembly of 1890-91, and was appointed by Legislative Act, a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Echols County, by an Act approved December 9th, 1893. He served until 1895. He died April 27th, 1909, at his home in Echols County.
LASTINGER, GUILFORD, was born in Bulloch County in 1813, the son of William Lastinger. His father moved to what is now Clinch County, where he grew to man- hood. Mr. Lastinger first married a Miss Mikell, and after her death married Miss Isabelle Brack about 1865, by whom he had four daughters. In 1872 his second wife died, and he married Mrs. Lauraney Malone, widow of L. S. Malone, Sr., and formerly Cornelius, July 22d, 1874, by whom he had one son. He was elected justice of the peace of the 1052d district in 1850 and served two years. In 1852 he was elected the first Ordinary of Clinch County, and served four years. In 1868 he was elected representative on the Radical ticket, and served through the sessions of 1868-69, and 1870. After this he never held any other office. He spent the declining years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Belle Crosby, of Pierce County, where he died in 1896. Mr. Lastinger was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and an ordained minister. In the Civil War he had six grown sons to go to the front, all of whom died or were killed except one, Guil- ford T. Lastinger, who is yet living.
LEE, PERRY M., was born in Ware County, now Clinch County, about four miles north of where DuPont now is, February 14th, 1848, the son of Zachariah and Phoebe
268
History of Clinch County, Georgia
(Register) Lee. He was raised up near DuPont and has re- sided near there all his life. He was married to Miss Eliza- beth J. Fiveash, daughter of Matthew Fiveash, November 14th, 1867, by whom he had twelve children. In 1874 he was elected clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County and commissioned January 14th, 1875, for two years. Later Mr. Lee lived several years at the old county seat, Magnolia, where he was appointed ex-officio justice of the peace in 1900. He served two years. He removed to DuPont about this time, where he entered the mercantile business with two of his sons. In 1915, Mr. Lee was appointed on the Board of County Commissioners created by the Legislature, and in 1916 was elected for the full term, from the 1280th and 970th districts.
LEE, PERRY R., was born in Clinch County, January 12th, 1878, the son of William J. and Rhoda ( Clements ) Lee. He was raised up on the farm and attended the public schools in Mud Creek and at Homerville. He was married to Miss Pearl Smith, daughter of Benjamin Smith, Febru- ary 22d, 1900, by whom he has four daughters. He was elected sheriff in 1908 over three strong opponents, and took charge the following January Ist. He has since been re-elected in 1910, 1912, 1914 and 1916 over strong opposition. Pre- vious to his election as sheriff he was a farmer but removed to Homerville with the taking up of the duties of his office.
LIGHTSEY, JACOB, was born in South Carolina, June 17th, 1810, and early in life came to this State and settled in Ware County. He married Miss Christina Rice about 1835 and by her had several children. He engaged in the Indian war of 1836-38, and in 1840 was commissioned justice of the peace of the 584th district of Ware County. He served as State senator from Ware during 1844-45. In 1855 he was elected a justice of the Inferior Court of Clinch County and served until 1857. He did not hold any other office except as town councilman of DuPont. He died at his home near DuPont.
269
History of Clinch County, Georgia
April 17th, 1892. His wife preceded him to the grave by two years.
MCLENDON, ISAAC T., was born in Laurens County, Ga., March 19th, 1835, and came to this county about 1860. In the Civil War he served a while in the Confederate Army, and was in 1864 elected surveyor of Clinch County and served two years. He was again elected in 1872 and commissioned January 18th, 1873, for two years. He married Miss Elpha Smith, daughter of James C. Smith, May 20th, 1869, and they had twelve children. Mr. Mclendon taught school in and around Homerville for many years at different intervals. He was an active member of the Baptist Church at Homer- ville. His death occurred at his home in Homerville, April 8th, 1901, and he was buried in the Homerville cemetery. Mr. Mclendon studied law and was admitted to the bar at Homerville in September, 1880, but never actively pursued this profession.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.