USA > Georgia > Clinch County > History of Clinch County, Georgia, revised to date > Part 20
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
McMILLAN, TARLTON, was born in Barnwell dis- trict, S. C., on what was known as Squirrel Bay, July 27th, 1826. In his early life he learned the blacksmith trade and also farmed more or less all his life. He came to this State in 1849 and to Clinch County in 1853. When Dr. J. H. Mattox was clearing up a place, where Homerville now is, in 1854, he employed Mr. McMillan to cut 3,000 rails for him with which to enclose his field. Mr. McMillan therefore re- members very well the wild character of the county at that time and the beginning of Homerville. In 1855 he settled not far from the Suwannee River ; here he was elected justice of the peace in 1858 and held the office for three years. He married Miss Margaret Strange in 1850, and they had ten children, six daughters and four sons. During the Civil War he was exempt from military duty three years and six months on account of being a blacksmith. During 1864 he was mus- tered in the army together with David Smith, another black- smith, and after giving both a test to ascertain which was the
270
History of Clinch County, Georgia
better smith, Mr. McMillan was relieved and he returned home. During the short time he was in the army, he was at- tached to Co. "I" 43d Georgia Regiment. He was discharged at Atlanta. Following the war, he settled at DuPont, where he was appointed ex-officio justice of the peace October 28th, 1868, being the first officer of that kind to be appointed in the county. He served several years. Mr. McMillan was nominated for coroner of Clinch County in the primary of 1896, defeating J. B. Kirkland, and was elected in the gen- eral election without opposition. He was re-elected in 1898, 1900 and 1902. Since that time he has lived at his home in DuPont. He is now in his ninetieth year and is the oldest man in the county. He is well known and is a respected old man.
MATHIS, JOHN, was born in Bulloch County about 1810, the son of Edmund Mathis, one of the original settlers of what is now Clinch County. After moving here he mar- ried Jemima, daughter of Joshua Lee, and had several chil- dren. He was elected coroner of Clinch County in 1851 and served until 1858. In 1861 he was re-elected coroner and served until 1864. He died about 1868 and was buried at Prospect Church in Hamilton County, Fla.
MATHIS, TYRE, was born in Bulloch County, in 1808, the son of Edmund Mathis and brother to John Mathis (above). He married Nancy, a daughter of Joshua Lee, and they had several children. He was commissioned a justice of the Inferior Court of Ware County January 15th, 1849, but resigned with the formation of Clinch County, and was elected to the same position in Clinch in 1853 and served one year. He died about 1880 and is buried at Prospect Church in Clinch County.
MATTOX, BANKSTON ELIJAH, SR., was born in Clinch County, where Homerville now is, November 14th, 1854, the son of Dr. John Homer Mattox, the founder of Homerville. He was educated in the local schools and has
271
History of Clinch County, Georgia
been living in Homerville all his life. He married Miss Nancy E. O'Quin, daughter of Hon. David O'Quin, January 9th, 1878, and by her had seven children. In 1877 he was elected constable, and held that office one year. In 1886 he was elected sheriff of Clinch County and commissioned Janu- ary 8th, 1887, for two years. In 1892 he was elected on the Board of County Commissioners, and qualified October 3 1 st, 1892. He served two years. Mr. Mattox was elected at a special election in 1904, to succeed John C. Jones as tax re- ceiver, for the unexpired term. He was commissioned June 9th, 1904. He served until the Ist of January following. In 1912 and 1914 he was narrowly defeated for this office. Be- sides these offices, Mr. Mattox has held several lesser posi- tions, such as county registrar, jury commisisoner and school trustee.
MATTOX, ELIJAH, was born in Colleton district, S. C., July 15th, 1798, the son of John Mattox. When he was yet a lad the elder Mattox removed to Tattnall County, where the young Elijah Mattox grew to manhood, receiving a good education. He married Miss Lavinia Johnson, of Liberty County, about 1820, and by her had ten children, viz. : Carrie M. Mattox (died in infancy) ; Julia A. Mattox, who first married B. G. O'Bryan and later J. A. Whitting- ton ; John Homer Mattox; Louisa A. Mattox, who married Judson Greene; Helen M. Mattox, who married H. A. Mat- tox; Victoria O. Mattox, who married L. J. Sirmans; Adilene A. Mattox, who married Randolph Boring; Cicero M. Mat- tox and James M. Mattox (died in infancy). About 1830 Mr. Mattox removed to Waresboro, Ga., where he was elected clerk of the Superior and Inferior Courts in 1834, serving one term. In the session of 1839-40, Colonel Mattox was senator from Ware County. January 16th, 1844, he was commissioned surveyor of Ware County, and served one term, and was in 1848 again elected surveyor, serving two years. Under Governor Chas. J. McDonald, Colonel Mattox served
272
History of Clinch County, Georgia
as aide-de-camp a while, and about this time granted a large number of lots of land in Ware and adjoining counties, be- coming an extensive land owner. He was instrumental in the creation of Clinch County, and in the Act creating same was named as one of the commissioners to lay out and organize the new county. He was commissioned surveyor of Clinch County, April 12th, 1850, serving until 1851. His death occurred at his home at Blount's Ferry, January 2Ist, 1856, and was survived by his wife who was the executrix of his estate. Mrs. Mattox died in 1882. Mr. Mattox was admitted to the bar in his younger days, but never did pursue the profession.
MATTOX, HAMILTON A., was born in Tattnall County, August 2d, 1834, the son of Michael Mattox, who was a brother to Elijah Mattox. He came to Clinch County when a young man and married Miss Helen M. Mattox, his cousin, April 10th, 1856, and to them were born eight sons, five of whom are living. Mr. Mattox was one of the first to settle at Homerville, and during and following the war owned and ran a general merchandise business in Homerville. He served a short while in the Confederate Army in 1864 in Co. "I" 12th Georgia Regiment. He was commissioned a jus- tice of the Inferior Court of Clinch County March 26th, 1864, and re-commissioned January 23d, 1865, and served until that court was abolished. In the election of 1870, Mr. Mattox defeated D.H. Johnson for representative, and served through the sessions of 1871 and 1872. During his term as represen- tative he introduced and passed a bill requiring non-resident land owners to return the lands they owned in the county where the land was situated and not in the county of their residence. Later Mr. Mattox served as a jury commissioner for about twenty years. He was also a member and president of the Board of Education several years. About 1880 he entered the turpentine business with H. P. Mattox, and en- gaged in that until about 1896. After this he removed to his
273
History of Clinch County, Georgia
farm, about six miles east of Homerville, where he resided until his death, which occurred December 12th, 1906. He was buried in the Homerville cemetery. Mr. Mattox was a member of the Methodist Church at Homerville, and was for many years Sunday School superintendent and recording steward.
MATTOX, JAMES POLK, was born in Tattnall County, November 15th, 1860. When he was a young man he came to Homerville and began as a store clerk for H. & H. Mattox Co. Later he became interested in another business of the same nature. He studied law and was admitted to the bar at the March term, 1883, of Clinch Superior Court, and soon acquired a very lucrative practice. On February 19th, 1888, he was married to Miss Minnie Crum, daughter of Robert B. Crum. Colonel Mattox was elected to the Legislature in 1888 and took his seat in the House at the following ses- sion that fall. In Atlanta he was taken sick with typhoid- pneumonia about the time that the Legislature adjourned for the holidays. His death soon followed on January 13th, 1889. His remains were brought back to Homerville and interred in the local cemetery. The Homerville bar passed resolutions on his death, an extract from which reads : "In .his untimely death from typhoid-pneumonia, a loving husband has been taken away, and the county and State has lost a true public servant and our profession a worthy and respected member." His wife died in 1896. Colonel Mattox and his wife were active members of the Methodist Church, and were teachers in the Sunday School several years. He was a Mason.
MATTOX, LUCIUS CORNELIUS, was born in Tatt- nall County, May 5th, 1829, the son of Hon. Elijah Mattox. He received his education under private tutorage and in 1849 entered the Eclectic Medical College at Macon, where he graduated February 9th, 1851. After practicing medicine in Madison County Florida, for about two years, he came to
274
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Clinch County and settled near Homerville, about two or three miles east. Dr. Mattox first married Miss Sarah A. Shinholser, of Macon, April 6th, 1854, and by her had six children, viz .: Gertrude, Oscar T., Mattie, Adilene, Rena, and Wilbur F. Mattox. In the Civil War he served as a sur- geon in the 5th Georgia Cavalry, and was wounded, not seri- ously, at Saltville, Va. After the war was over he came back home, where he was elected justice of the peace of the 1224th district and commissioned March 20th, 1865, and served until 1867. For many years after the war he was the only practicing physician in the county, or at least in the vicinity of Homerville. In 1890 Dr. Mattox was nominated by the Populists and elected representative from Clinch County, and served through the session of 1890-91. He served on the House committees on Agriculture, Insane Asylum, Temper- ance and Deaf and Dumb Asylum. In 1892 he was nomi- nated by the Populists as their candidate from the 11th dis- trict for Congress, and received the support of the Republi- cans also. He received 6,078 votes to 11,091 cast for Henry G. Turner, the Democratic candidate. His first wife having died in 1882, Dr. Mattox married Miss Eliza Lanier, daugh- ter of Rev. Robert F. Lanier, of this county; there were no children by this marriage. Dr. Mattox was a member of the Methodist Church for many years, but in later years joined the Second Adventists and was ordained a preacher in that church. He was also a Mason. For two years prior to his death he was the Populist member of the Board of County Registrars. He was an active Sunday School worker also. He died June 2Ist, 1898, at his home near Homerville, and he was buried on his home place, beside his mother and first wife. His widow re-married in 1902 to Mr. W. A. Ecord.
MOBLEY, WILLIAM H., was born in Appling County, near Mann's Ferry, Altamaha River, March 5th, 1865, the son of Solomon Mobley and his wife, Mary Mann. He was raised upon the farm and in 1893 married Miss Belle
275
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Morgan, of Echols County, by whom he has two children. He was appointed a member of the Board of County Com- missioners in 1915, under Legislative Act, from the 114Ist and 1219th districts, and was in 1916 elected for the full term of four years. He is engaged in the mercantile business at Fargo, where he lives, and has extensive holdings in that section.
MONK, MALACHI M., was born in Clinch County, in 1868, the son of Hampton and Eliza Monk. He was mar- ried to Miss Armindie Herren, December 23d, 1888, and by her had several children. The only office he ever held in Clinch County was that of tax collector, to which he was nominated in the primary of 1896, defeating Hon. Moses Tomlinson. By successive re-elections he held the office until 1903, when, owing to a shortage in his accounts, he turned the office over to his bondsmen and removed to Florida. It is generally thought that the shortage came about through careless handling of the funds and not through any criminal intent. He had employed various assistants in his office.
MOORE, HENRY C., was born in Clinch County, Octo- ber 10th, 1850, the son of John Moore. Early in life he became a cripple from rheumatism, and when twenty-six years old was elected county treasurer of Clinch County. He was commissioned January 17th, 1877, and by continuous re-elec- tions served until his death. He married Miss Fannie C. Smith, daughter of Jesse Smith, September 2d, 1879, and by her had three daughters, viz. : Lucy, Lorena and Belle Moore. His death occurred June 17th, 1891, after a long and dis- tressing illness. The county commissioners in their report to the Grand Jury, at the October term, 1891, said in part: "Since the last session of your honorable body a Divine Prov- idence has seen fit to call to his last account our worthy treas- urer, Henry C. Moore, who has served the County of Clinch for the last fifteen years in that capacity. He has been the custodian of the moneys of this county, and during all the
276
History of Clinch County, Georgia
years with the demand that terminated his life, even yet when the Messenger of Death came, he left his books correct and the money on hand to a fraction of a cent. . This tribute is signed by F. B. Sirmans, Isham Patterson and W. H. Gary, commissioners.
MORGAN, ABRAHAM, was born in Appling County, October 8th, 1856, the son of Jonathan L. Morgan, who came to Clinch County in 1860. He was raised on his father's farm about ten miles south of Homerville, and when he was sixteen years old he was employed by Josiah Sirmans, at Homerville, as assistant in his store, express and post office work. After the death of Mr. Sirmans in 1881, Mr. Mor- gan was elected clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County, and commissioned January 13th, 1881, for two years. After his term of office expired he moved to Waycross, where he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, May 5th, 1885. When this office was raised to the third-class, in 1887, he was re-appointed and continued as postmaster until the Republicans went into power. He was appointed postmaster at Haylow, Ga., in 1895, but in 1899 resigned and returned to Waycross, where he was employed as a clerk in the post office. In 1903 he was appointed assistant postmaster by W. A. McNeil, and re-appointed in 1905 by C. E. Murphy, and in 1913 by H. C. Bunn. Mr. Morgan is at present assistant postmaster. He married Miss Julia E. Wideman, of Clinch County, June 30th, 1886, by which marriage there are two children.
MORGAN, HAMPTON, was born in Appling County in 1843, the son of Hon. John L. Morgan, Sr. In 1853 his father removed to Magnolia and in 1860 to Homerville. In the Civil War he served a while in Co. "K" 26th Georgia Infantry, but in 1864 was elected Ordinary of the county at the age of twenty-one. He was commissioned January 14th, 1864, for four years. He married about 1869, Miss Mary A. McDonald, a daughter of Rev. W. A. McDonald, of
277
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Ware County, and after her death married a Miss Sweat. He eventually removed about 1867 to Florida, where he died about 1895 at Ybor City.
MORGAN, JOHN L., was born in Habersham County, Georgia, in 1802, and removed when he was a young man to Appling County. Here he lived until 1846. He married in 1819 Miss Fannie L. Harris, by whom he had nine children. He was elected justice of the peace of the 583d district of Appling County in 1845, but resigned the next year and re- moved to Lowndes County. He lived there until 1853, when he removed to Magnolia. Here he opened up a store which he continued to run until his removal to Homerville. In 1854 he was elected judge of the Inferior Court and served four years. In 1861 he was again elected and served until 1868. He was elected Ordinary of Clinch County and commissioned January 29th, 1858, and re-elected in 1861, serving until 1864. About 1868 Mr. Morgan, with his son John L. Morgan, Jr., established a gin and grist mill at Homerville, which, although equipped with the latest machinery, proved to be a failure. In 1871 Judge Morgan was re-elected Ordi- nary for two years. In 1880 he was again elected Ordinary and commissioned January 27th, 1881, for four years. Al- though past four score years during his last term of office, yet Mr. Morgan was strong and vigorous and he employed no clerk in his office. Judge Morgan's death occurred at his home below Homerville five miles, July 28th, 1888, age 86 years. He was buried in the Homerville cemetery. Mrs. Morgan survived her husband and died about ten years later in Hamilton County, Fla. Judge's Morgan's sons are, in their order : Joseph, who was killed in 1861 in the war ; John L., Jr. ; Hampton ; Lemuel T. (killed at Manassas) ; Thomas C .; William R., and Quarterman B. Morgan. Judge Mor- gan was the first W. M. of the Masonic Lodge at Magnolia.
MUSGROVE, WILLIAM VERNIE, was born Novem- ber 15th, 1880, the son of C. H. and Julie Musgrove. He
278
History of Clinch County, Georgia
worked on the farm and entered the turpentine business as a woodsrider, and after several years' hard work entered the business for himself. He has pursued the turpentine business for the last fifteen years and has been a successful operator. He married in 1900 Miss Alice O'Steen, a daughter of Jona- than O'Steen, and they have six children. Mr. Musgrove never aspired for any office until 1916, when he announced for Ordinary. He was elected by a majority of 233 votes, defeating the incumbent, J. T. Dame. His term of office will begin January Ist, 1917. Mr. Musgrove's father, who was a native of Baker County, died March 23d, 1915.
NEWBERN, ALFRED, was born in 1830, in Lowndes County, the son of William C. Newbern, who was a justice of the Inferior Court and a sheriff of that county. He mar- ried Elizabeth Moore, and by her had a son, George L. New- bern. The elder Newbern served as deputy clerk under H. D. O'Quin, and in 1870 was elected county treasurer. He was re-elected twice, and served six years. Mr. Newbern subse- quently removed to Florida, where he died at the home of his son.
NEWBERN, GEORGE WASHINGTON, was born January Ist, 1825, in Appling County. He married about 1847, Miss Rebecca Thomas, a daughter of Absalom Thomas, of Ware County. They had eight children. In 1851 Mr. Newbern was elected clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County and commissioned January 14th, 1852, hold- ing the office two years. January 12th, 1857 he was com- missioned a justice of the Inferior Court and served one year. In the Civil War he was second lieutenant in Co. "I" 4th Georgia Cavalry. Under H. D. O'Quin he served a while as deputy clerk of the Superior Court. In 1874 he was elected State senator from the 5th district, defeating Daniel Lott. In 1881 he was elected county school commissioner and qual- ified January 16th, 1882. He served in this capacity until 1892. Mr. Newbern was a minister of the Missionary Bap-
279
History of Clinch County, Georgia
tist Church and served several churches in this county as pastor. He was one of the original members of the Masonic lodge organized at Magnolia. His death occurred July 10th, 1 892, at his home in Homerville, and his remains were buried in the North cemetery near DuPont.
NICHOLS, WILLIAM M., was born in Jones County, April 9th, 1830, the son of Simon W. and Margaret (Waver) Nichols. With his parents he came to Ware County, now Clinch, and at the age of twenty-four was elected a justice of the Inferior Court of Clinch County. He was the next year elected a State senator from this county, serving through the session of 1855-56. In 1857 he was re-elected to the Inferior Court and served one year. Mr. Nichols' wife was Miriam, daughter of Governor Wilson Lumpkin. After the war Mr. Nichols removed to Atlanta, where he became proprietor of the Kimball House. He died in Atlanta, Sep- tember 6th, 1882, and was buried there. His wife died 'about 1908. They had no children. Mr. Nichols, with his brother, Dr. W. J. Nichols, owned much land in Clinch County, al- though the control of it was nominally in their father.
NORTH, JOHN J., was born in Colleton district, S. C., November 16th, 1792. He came to this State at an early age, and in the Indian war of 1836-38 commanded the troops as captain in this county. He was elected a justice of the peace of the 719th district in 1833 and 1843, and served two terms. Mr. North was married three times and had twenty children including those who died in their infancy. His last wife was Rebecca, a sister of Tarlton McMillan, of this county. He was elected a justice of the Inferior Court of Clinch County in 1857, and served until 1861. He lived near DuPont, and his death occurred June 19th, 1880, age 88 years. He is buried at the North cemetery near DuPont.
NORTH, WILLIAM B., was born in Clinch County in 1848, the son of James North. He was married September 18th, 1877, to Harriet Stalvey, by whom he has several chil-
280
History of Clinch County, Georgia
dren. He has served eleven years on the Board of Educa- tion and for six years was ex-officio justice of the peace of the [ 14Ist district. About 191 I he removed from the Wiregrass district, his old home, to about three miles below Stockton, where he owns a nice farm. He was appointed on the Board of County Commissioners in 1915 by Legislative Act, from Stockton and Withers district, and in 1916 was elected for the full term.
O'QUIN, DAVID, was born in Appling County, March 12th, 1821, the son of Silas O'Quin. He was married about I 847 to Miss Matilda Higgs, of Ware County, and by this marriage had eight children, viz .: Eli W. O'Quin, H. A. O'Quin, Victoria, who married William Barlow; George W. O'Quin, Nancy E., who married B. E. Mattox, David H. O'Quin, and Janie, who married B. R. Futch. When Mag- nolia was founded he became one of the first merchants there, and in 1854 was elected sheriff of Clinch County, serving two years. He was elected Clerk of the Superior Court and In- ferior Court in 1856 and served by continuous re-elections until 1868. During the old days when Magnolia was at its best, Mr. O'Quin, whose home was very roomy, ran a hotel and his home was often a social center for the village. In 1868 he did not offer for re-election, and his brother was elected clerk. From then on, he gave his time to farming. He was appointed ex-officio justice or the peace of the 970th district January 15th, 1876, and served in this capacity until his death. He was appointed clerk of the Superior Court in De- cember, 1880, to succeed C. A. Smith, resigned, and served about two months. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge at Magnolia. His death occurred April 19th, 1884, at his home at Magnolia, and his remains were buried in the Homerville cemetery under the auspices of the local lodge of Masons. His widow died in 1895.
O'QUIN, HANSFORD DUNCAN, was born in Appling County, in 1816, the son of Silas O'Quin. He was elected
281
History of Clinch County, Georgia
Clerk of the Superior and Inferior Courts of Appling County and commissioned January 20th, 1846, serving two years. Later he came to Clinch County and taught school. He was admitted to the bar about 1867, and practiced intermittently until his removal to Berrien County, some years later. He was elected clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County in 1868, and served three years. In 1871 he was elected the first county school commissioner of the county, qualifying June 3d, 1871. He was re-elected in 1876, and served until 1882. He was a member of the Board of Education 1879-1884, after which he removed to Berrien County, where he died about 1890. Mr. O'Quin was first married to Mrs. Matilda Joyce, daughter of Rev. G. W. Newbern, and after her death to Mrs. Vicy Benton, also daughter of Rev. Newbern, and they had several children.
O'STEEN, BENJAMIN, was born in Ware County, April 16th, 1849, the son of John R. O'Steen. He was raised upon his father's farm. He married September 22d, 1867, Miss Mildred Herren, daughter of Levi Herren, Sr. In 1876 he was elected coroner of the county and commissioned January 17th, 1877, and held this office four years. He died December 11th, 1901, and was buried at Arabia cemetery. Mr. O'Steen was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.
O'STEEN, BRYANT, was born in Clinch County in 1860, the son of John R. O'Steen. His father was killed in the Civil War and he was thus deprived of a father's help at an early age. He was reared on the farm, married Miss Jerushia Tomlinson, daughter of Enoch Tomlinson, Decem- ber 22d, 1887, and they have several children. In 1896 he was nominated in the Democratic primary, defeating Peter A. Young, his nearest opponent, by thirty-one votes. In the ensuing general election, he defeated his Populist opponent, Moses S. Eason, by 187 votes. In 1898 he was nominated in the primary, defeating J. A. Smith, by 688 votes. In the following general election he defeated his Populist
282
History of Clinch County, Georgia
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.