USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 36
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
McCook, Mary Fountain and Mary Lizzie Stripling, the chapter began its career.
The community's attitude is worthy of note because it was partly in response to a patriotic public desire for annual observances of Memorial Day in Gordon, that the work of the Chapter was begun.
Since that day it has become an annual custom to invite the Con- federate Veterans of the county, their wives and widows, to the memorial exercises and basket dinner following.
Prior to this the people of the town met a few times at the ceme- tery and placed flowers and Confederate flags on the graves of the veterans who lay calmly sleeping there, and held a short program of singing and speaking to attest the love and admiration for the "noble dead" and to the "noble living."
Gordon's interest in the lost, but ever-living cause has deepened and widened and while no tall shafts of marble have been reared to commemorate the memory of those who fought for a noble cause, the members of the chapter have worked zealously to do all the good they could to alleviate as much suffering and distress among the re- maining veterans and their wives as was possible with a small treasury.
The present active officers and members of the chapter are as fol- lows: Mrs. C. E. Gladden, President; Mrs. J. W. Brooks, Jr., Vice-President ; Mrs. W. D. Dewell, Recording Secretary; Mrs. T. J. Finney, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. L. J. Fountain, Treasurer ; Mrs. J. W. Hooks, Historian; Mrs. Janie W. Frasuer, Registrar; Mrs. R. L. Sanders, Chaplain, and Mesdames T. B. Dennard, G. W. DuPree, J. F. Hall, J. S. Miller, Misses Pearl Byington, Izetta Davis, Willie Davis and Emma McArthur.
(MRS. J. W. HOOKS. )
W. C. ADAMS.FAMILY
Few families have produced more men of ability than has been found among the descendants of Wyriott Cason Adams. His fa- ther, Peter Adams, came from North Carolina as one of the first settlers of Wilkinson County, building his home in what is now Laurens County about two miles from Blackshear's Ferry. So well did he select the material that the house is yet standing. Here he reared his family, his son, Wyriott Cason, being born Oct. 2, 1823.
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The latter was married Oct. 29, 1846, to Martha Ann Hall (Jan. 27, 1828-Oct. 11, 1903) the daughter of Isaac and Susanna (Ross) Hall. (see Hall Sketches.) They made their home near where their son, Edgar, now lives. Their children were: Abilean Horace, Isaac Wyriott, Cuyler Hall, Dorah, Oscar Cason, Edgar, and Josie Homer.
WV. C. Adams proved a successful planter and was highly re- garded by his fellow men. The war coming on he served in Co. D, 8th Ga. Reg. with the rank of Ist Lieutenant. Although a man of ability, he was not one to push himself into the forefront in public life, and was not what is commonly called a politician. However, in: 1872 when the contest was on which was to result in the restora- tion of the Democratic party to power, while at home at work, W. A. Hall returning from the County Democratic Convention noti- fied him of the fact that he had been nominated for Representa- tive. At first refusing to enter politics, the urging that it was for the success of the party induced him to accept. One of the first bills he introduced was that creating a Board of County Commissioners.
His son, Cuyler Hall Adams (Dec. 16, 1854-May 26, 1919), was reared on his father's farm and attended school at Red Level. He first married Eula Beall, daughter of T. N. Beall, and their children were: Alva, m. Rachel Lassiter; Lallah, m. Leon Hall; E. Cuyler, m. Leo White; Sybil, m. Ist Chas. Butler, 2nd, H. A. Green. After the death of Eula, he married Grace Rogers and to this union were born: Sam, m. Annette Butler; Lucile, m. J. O. Cannon ; and Dewey Cecil (Pat). His third wife was Dora Strip- ling, of Macon. Their children : Hazel and Calton.
C. H. Adams was also a successful farmer as well as a successful merchant, he with his son, Alva, operated a store for many years, located where Walnut Creek School now stands. He accumulated considerable property and was one of the foremost citizens of the County. Public spirited, friendly and hospitable, he was highly re- garded by his fellowmen. Aspiring to the office so ably filled by his father, he was elected and served during 1905-6-7-8 as Representa- tive. He also served as County Commissioner for several years.
This sketch would be incomplete were it not to include a brief mention of Alva, the oldest son of C. H. and Eula B. Adams, one of the best friends the schools of Wilkinson ever had-Walnut Creek, the improvements in the Danville School-are monuments
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to his leadership. Intensely loyal to his friends, generous to a fault, his untimely passing was indeed a blow to Wilkinson County.
Oscar Cason and Abilean Horace Adams are successful planters residing in Laurens County. Wiley Adams, a son of A. H., is Sheriff of the City Court of Dublin.
Edgar is the only son of W. C. Adams now in Wilkinson County and is still living at the old home of the Adams. He has never mar- ried having assumed the care of his widowed mother until her death. He takes great pride in his father's honorable record and has striven to maintain the high standards of honesty and uprightness fixed by his father's example. He is one of the county's prominent farmers and is respected by all those who know him best as a man of integrity. He served in 1911-14 as County Commissioner and through the years 1921-1923 as Superintendent of County Chain- gang. His efficient handling of this, the most expensive phase of the County's operations, proved him to be conscientious in the discharge of his duties.
WILLIS ALLEN
Willis Allen was born in Pulaski County and moved later to Cool Springs, now known as Allentown, where he engaged in the mercantile business and had vast farming interests. He was suc- cessful in business, public spirited and noted for his generosity and helpfulness to those in trouble. During the War Between the States when Sherman's troops marched through Wilkinson, leaving a trail of desolation, Willis Allen came to the aid of those in distress and sent wagon loads of food, clothing and other necessities. He was a member of Cool Springs Masonic Lodge.
According to tradition, the Allens came from Belfast, Ireland. James Allen, father of Willis Allen, was born June 29, 1782, died May 22, 1837. He married Jane Coleman, born Sept. 30, 1778, died Sept. 23, 1851. Their children were Mary ( 1806-1865) Married Linkfield Perkins. After his death she married Wyatt Meredith. (No children.) William, born 1811, married Nancy Lee. Their children were Mary (married Tom Sanders), Hiram, Willis, William, Coleman, John, Jesse, Crawford, Clifford. John W., born Sept. 15, 1812, died Feb. 28, 1856. Married Mary Ellen -. No children. Willis, born Dec. 16, 1815, died Feb. 21, 1871.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Married first to Mary Ann Meredith, daughter of Wyatt Mere- dith, born Aug. 22, 1829, died June 7, 1857. Of their six children, only two lived. John, born Dec. 21, 1845, died June 7, 1894. Married Isabel King, 1869. Served in War Between the States. Willis, Jr., born Feb. 15, 1857. Willis Allen's second wife was Sarah Rebecca Meredith, born Nov. 16, 1838, died July 4, 1926. She was a daughter of Samuel Meredith and Elizabeth (Burke) Meredith. Mrs. Allen was a leader in her community, where she was active in church and public affairs. She acted as steward in the church for twenty-five years and superintended Sunday School for forty years. She was one of the founders of the Allentown Metho- dist Church and gave the lot for the church and parsonage. The children of Willis and Sarah Allen were: Susan, born 1860, mar- ried Washington Baker, Jan. 12, 1882, died May 30, 1883. Jane Coleman, born Nov. 3, 1861, married George Orinthus Allen Daughtry Nov. 5, 1882. James, born March 15, 1861, married Lilla King, Oct. 30, 1894. Elizabeth, born Feb. 2.4, 1866, died Aug. 30, 1867. Sarah Burke, born May 4, 1868, married Fred- erick Shepherd who died 1890. Then married John J. King Sept. 26, 1894. Wyatt Meredith, born May 4, 1868, married Mary Louise King Sept. 16, 1913. Robert Carroll, born Feb. 13, 1871, married Nettie Pickron, 1894, died May 14, 1926.
Jane Coleman Allen married G. O. A. Daughtry. Their chil - dren are: Helen Virginia, Jennie Sue, Allen Willis (married Re- becca Hearn Nov. 12, 1927.), George O. A., Jr., Sarah Elizabeth (married Drane D. Smith Nov. 15, 1916), Annie Moore Daugh- try. Allen Willis Daughtry and George O. A. Daughtry, Jr., served in the World War. The children of Sarah Elizabeth and Drane Smith are Helen Virginia, Jane Estelle and George Daugh- try.
(By Miss Jennie Daughtry)
NATHANIEL HUNTER BACON
Nathaniel Hunter Bacon was born October 24, 1886, Lexington, Georgia, the son of Lewis Howard Bacon and Annie Mae Hunter, grandson of Nathan Hunter and Sarah Richter, Joel John Bacon and Emily Susan Howard; great-grandson of Nathan Hunter and Annie H. Smith. He traces his Revolutionary ancestry to
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Lewis DuPre who served his country as Captain during the War and as a member of the Provincial Congress. He was raised to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel during the War.
Although not a native of Wilkinson County yet Mr. Bacon has adopted this as his home and is recognized as one of its leading and public spirited citizens. He is Mayor of Irwinton ; a member of the Masonic Lodge ; is now serving as a member of the Trustees of the Wilkinson County High School and is a consistent Democrat.
Mr. Bacon served as Bank Auditor before coming to Irwinton in 1919, when he resigned his position to become cashier of the Irwinton Bank, which position he has filled ever since. His business- like methods of operating the bank has won for him the approbation of its officials.
In addition to his duties as banker, Mr. Bacon operates very successfully his model farm, growing on it the finest varieties of fruits, vegetables and other food products. Besides his fine milch cows, Mr. Bacon is a breeder of pure-bred Poland-China hogs for which he finds a ready market.
He was married February 3, 1916, to Elizabeth Brett Camp, the daughter of Dr. B. F. Camp (1852-1928) and Annie Slade Brett Camp; grand-daughter of George and Sallie (Cutchins) Camp and of George Augustus Brett and Mary (Slade) Brett; great-grand-daughter of William and Penelope Slade; great-great- great-grand-daughter of William and Anne (Gainor) Slade. Mrs. Bacon is justly proud of her Virginia and North Carolina lineage tracing her ancestry also to Colonel Benjamin Blount who served as Colonel during the Revolutionary War and whose line goes back to the Danes who came to England in the seventh century. She is a member of the John Ball Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and is now serving as Vice-Regent of the Chapter. She is a degree graduate of Hollins College, Virginia, and is serving as one of the teachers in the Wilkinson County High School. She is active in the work of the Baptist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have six children ; Nathaniel Hunter, Jr., Franklin Camp, John Brett, Paul Howard, Anne Elizabeth, and Catherine Virginia.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
ALEXANDER BAUM AND AMELIA FRIED BAUM
Alexander Baum was born in Sohern, Germany, in the year 1822, and came to America at the age of 25 years and located in Irwinton, Ga. In the year 1850 he was married to Amelia Fried, who was born in Monzinger, Germany, and came to this country with her sister, Mrs. Louis Gardner, at whose home she was mar- ried.
Unto this union eleven children were born, ten of whom reached manhood and womanhood. They were N. B. Baum, A. W. Baum, Mrs. Matilda B. Kohn, Mrs. Rebecca B. Fenchel, Mrs. Georgia B. Brunson, Mrs. Annie B. Hughs, Emmett M. Baum, D. B. Baum, Miss Caroline Baum and Warren J. Baum.
Alexander Baum was a successful business man, who began poor but accumulated a sufficiency of this world's goods. He was of a noble, generous, kindly nature, and those less fortunate than he found in him a friend ever ready to give and give generously of his possessions. When the War Between the States was declared, though of foreign birth, he championed the cause of the Confederacy and enlisted in the Militia and fought bravely and well throughout the conflict. Being appointed keeper over the Commissary, he per- sonally looked after the wants and comforts of his comrades, as it was humanly possible in those trying times, helping to make them comfortable and contented. While he was away in the conflict, his family suffered severely at the hands of Sherman's men, who put his wife and children out in the rain till they ransacked his home and took all their valuables and left Mrs. Baum with a severe cold that resulted in her total deafness, from which she never could hear again. Alexander Baum died in Atlanta, Ga. in September, 1885, and was buried in Savannah, Ga., in the family burial ground.
Too much cannot be said of Amelia Baum. She was truly a noble woman in Israel; and in every walk of life, as wife, mother and friend she gave living proof of the traditions of her fore-fath- ers faith. Religious, generous, kind, charitable, noble and good, no one ever left her presence, however heavily ladened with sorrow and care, but who was inspired with her religious faith. To be re- ligious means to be good; and this was truly exemplified in every act of hers. To the proud, she was tolerant, to the oppressed, she was inspiring, to the poor, charitable, to the sick, comforting, and most
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helpful to those who had lost their way in this life. She died in Ir- winton, Ga., in October, 1910, at the age of 86 years, leaving a mental picture of all that was beautiful and good in life. She is buried by the side of her husband in Savannah, Ga., in Laurel Grove Cemetery.
(Written by a member of the family)
JAMES MORRIS BEALL
At Carnesville, Ga., Dec. 10, 1824, was born James Morris Beall, fifth son of Gen. William and Nancy Chandler Beall. His father, a descendant of that great Indian fighter of colonial days, Col. Ninian Beall, and of Thaddeus Beall, who was Brigadier Major on the staff of Gen. Resin Beall in the Revolution, was himself a soldier of the War of 1812, and later, Assistant Adjutant General of Georgia. His mother, a woman of prayer and strong faith, was from a pious, intelligent family.
In 1832, his family moved to Carroll, then a frontier county. There on the farm which they cleared he grew to young manhood, developing mind, character and muscle.
He next clerked in a store at Carrollton. Then he organized the firm of Beall and Thomason, and became manager. This was a success. Later he wound up an estate in Texas for some Georgia heirs. The exposure incident to the long, arduous trip and return on horseback, brought on rheumatism, which rendered him an in- valid for five years. His capital exhausted, but undaunted when able to ride he bought horses on credit and drove them to Florida, thus financing his winters in that climate. Thus recuperated he was soon able to enter the store of his brother, T. N. Beall, at Irwinton.
In Oct., 1861, he followed the family traditions, enlisting and becoming Ist Lieutenant of Company G, 2nd Ga. State Troops, with Capt. R. L. Storey which were detailed by Gov. Brown for coast and bridge defense. After six months there he joined a com- pany for service in the Confederate army, but was unable to pass the physical test. Appointed clerk in the Comptroller General's Office at Milledgeville he remained there till the war closed.
While a soldier, he had, April 22, 1862, married Miss Mattie A. E. Hughs, daughter of Rev. G. B. Hughs. They now bravely set to work and through their united efforts acquired a farm in
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Wilkinson County making there a happy home in which their family of six children was reared. No man ever had the help of a more plucky or devoted wife. Having united her fortunes with his under clouds of war, she remained his comfort and stay till he fell asleep Sept. 12, 1906.
One of his comrades wrote of him: "He was a good man, a fine officer ; he was so patient with the men, even when they were in- clined to be disobedient. If ever angry he never showed it. During the whole service I never saw a thing in him but the best a man could be."
With the tenderness of a woman, the temperament of a poet, the courage of a Bayard, the sense of honor that made his word his bond, he was faithful and true in all the relationships of life.
His children are: James, Green, and Thomas A. Beall, Mattie, (Mrs. Drew Davidson), Sallie, Mrs. Nobie Ward Dykes, and the grandchildren are: Misses Clara and Mattie Will Beall, Ar- thur and J. B. Davidson.
(By Mrs. Nobie Ward Dykes.)
ROSS AUGUSTUS BELL
Ross Augustus Bell, late Tax Collector of Wilkinson County, was born a few miles Southwest of Irwinton, March 14, 1864, the son of John Ross Bell and Mary Webster (Brooks) Bell, (the daughter of Philip Brooks a veteran of the War of 1812). John Ross Bell was the son of John Bartlett and Elizabeth (Herndon) Bell. The Bells are of Scotch descent, having migrated first to Ire- land and later to Virginia. John Bartlett Bell was born in Virginia and removed from there to North Carolina first and later to Wil- kinson County, he died about 1868. His son, John Ross Bell, served faithfully in Co. D, 57th Ga. Regiment during the War Between the States. When he first enlisted he could not write his name but the necessity of writing home caused him to get other members of the Company to teach him and in three months he was writing his own letters.
Our subject's education was obtained mainly at Bethel, Lindsey and Irwinton Schools. Growing up as he did during the terrible Reconstruction Era, when the youth of Wilkinson was so busy re- building the losses inflicted by Sherman's Army and the aftermath
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of the war, his schooling was necessarily limited but he took ad- vantage of the opportunities he had and made the most of them. Honest, honorable and upright, Mr. Bell won the respect of all those who knew him best. He owned, at his death, January 8, 1930, a well kept farm where he lived and was considered one of the best and most progressive farmers of his section. Mr. Bell, at the in- sistence of his many friends, entered the race for Tax Collector in 1924, and was elected. So well did he fill the position to the satis- faction of the voters that in 1928, he was re-elected to this office.
Mr. Bell was married April 3rd, 1890, to Sarah Hatfield, the daughter of John Richard and Sarah ( Hughs) Hatfield, who was the daughter of Whitfield Hughs and granddaughter of Rev. John Hughs, one of the most prominent Baptist preachers in the history of the county. Richard Hatfield was the son of Joseph and Martha (Freeman) Hatfield who was the daughter of George Washington Freeman, a descendant of John Freeman. Joseph Hatfield was the son of Richard (1765-1859) and Rebecca (Player, 1767-1860) Hatfield. Both Joseph and his son, John Richard, served in the War Between the States. Joseph died on the march of Western Con- federate army from Kentucky. John Richard was detailed to guard prisoners in Andersonville and was there at the close of the war, bringing home his sword and blanket. One of Mrs. Bell's most cherished possessions is her father's sword. After the creation of the Board of County Commissioners he served as a member for sev- eral years.
According to family traditions, Richard's father was a Scotch sailor on a vessel plying between Charleston and the Old Country, and brought Richard with him from Scotland when only seven years of age. Richard's daughter, Frankie, who married Fletcher Reed, had the Scotch brogue. Richard's children were: Jane, Mary Ann, Bernetta, Martha, Frankie, Caleb, John, Samuel William, Joe, Huckaby and James. On all their lines of ancestry, both Mr. and Mrs. Bell can justly claim descent from the best original pioneer stock of Wilkinson County and on the Hughs line, Mrs. Bell can trace her ancestry to the Revolution.
Mrs. Bell is one of nature's sweet and lovable, noble women, kind and considerate, neighborly and hospitable. She visits the sick and ministers to the needy. To know her is to love her. She is a faithful member of the Ball's Methodist Church.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Bell have reared four children: Jack Ross, L. Wesley, Otho W., Raleigh, and had one daughter, Mary Lora, who died 1912. They have given their children all the advantages of the best schools the county afforded. Their oldest son, J. R., was mar- ried to Emmie Ruth Pennington, Dec. 17, 1916, and in 1925 while in the employ of the Pynetree Paper Company at Gordon, he was accidentally killed by a heavy roll of paper falling on him. He left two sons, Jack, Jr., and Billy.
L. Wesley was married in 1925 to Jessie Mae Shepherd and is farming near Irwinton.
Otho W., after graduating at the Irwinton High School, assisted his father in the management of the duties of the Tax Collector's Office until his death and was appointed to fill the vacancy until an election could be held, which resulted in his favor. He, in all probability, holds the record for being the youngest Tax Collector in Georgia. He was married in 1928, to Ethel Jackson, a success- ful school teacher of the county.
Raleigh is a student at the Irwinton High School.
THE BILLUE FAMILY
Stephen Billue came to America among a band of Hugenots from France before the Revolutionary War (supposedly) about 1765, and settled in Waxhaw, North Carolina, the birthplace of Andrew Jackson.
According to family tradition he left with Jackson's two older brothers to fight in America's behalf. He served through the war and came back to Waxhaw. (Jackson's brothers were killed and brought back and buried on the church ground of the "Old Round Top" Presbyterian Church near Waxhaw of which the Jacksons and Stephen Billue were the founders) Stephen Billue and all his descendants that remained in North Carolina are buried at "Old Round Top." (See church record now in possession of Mrs. Bessie Steele Ardrey, Pineville, North Carolina, Route 16.)
He married Elizabeth Williams (a native of Ireland who came over before the war about the year 1780). Only two children were born to them, Stephen, Jr., born 1802 who lived and died in North Carolina and James Richmond born 1804 who was the first of the Billues to settle in Georgia. He came at the age of about thirty-five
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
and settled near Big Sandy Church, "The Old Billue Place." He bought approximately one thousand acres of land, mostly forest then.
James Richmond married at the age of thirty-eight, Miss Sallie Dupree, who died about a year later.
Then at the age of forty-three he married Miss Elizabeth Ford- ham who was the daughter of Benjamin Fordham and came from North Carolina in 1812 when she was only two years old. They crossed the Oconee River about the mouth of Big Sandy Creek. They carved their names and date on a beech tree that stood on the bank.
There was only one child, the late James Franklin Billue, born 1850 (March I).
On October 19, 1883, James Richmond Billue died and is bu- ried at the Fordham Cemetery in the lower part of Wilkinson County (near Oconee Church). His wife, Elizabeth Fordham Bil- lue, lived several years longer and died on May 31, 1912, at the age of 102 years. She is also buried in the Fordham Cemetery which is near the old Fordham home.
James Franklin Billue was very active in politics, being Justice of the Peace in his early life and Clerk of Commissioners in his later years. No one loved his friends better than "Squire" as he was commonly called. He was a special friend of Thomas E. Watson and for many years his leading support in this county. He was a member of the Big Sandy Baptist Church practically all of his life.
He was married to Miss Dora Viola Adams, the only daughter of W. C. and Martha Hall Adams (See W. C. Adams sketch).
Seven children were born to them, namely: Isaac Franklin, Min- nie Viola, Bessie Belva, Dotha Vivian, Dora Agnes, J. F., Jr., and Mattie Sue.
Isaac Franklin, the oldest, born October 1, 1875, like his father was also active in politics in his earlier years. He has been a mem- ber of the Irwinton Baptist Church for thirty years and for the last fifteen years a deacon. Also a director of the Irwinton Bank since it was founded in 1911. He is a lover of music and for many years taught singing schools in different parts of the state.
Being the first Rural Letter Carrier in the County he has served Uncle Sam twenty-eight years and has refused the Presidency of Tenth District Association. He married first in 1902, Fannie G.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Hartley, daughter of Hiram A. and Anna Jane Hoover Hartley, granddaughter of Hillery and Rhoda (Mason) Hartley. Hillery Hartley was a veteran of the Indian War in 1836, being a member of the Wilkinson Grays under the command of Capt. G. B. Burney.
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