USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 40
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William Cason, grandfather of L. R. Cason, settled in Washing- ton County between Sandersville and Oconee about 1800, moving there with his wife, Rhoda, from on the Tar River, N. C. They had one daughter, (Mrs. Stuart) and three sons, Henry (Ala.), John
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Justin (Fla.) and Dennis, father of L. R. Cason, born in.Washing- ton County 1805, died December 2, 1862. Dennis Cason married Sarah Massey, born in N. C. 1806, died Nov., 1887. Sarah was a daughter of Ahel Massey and Elizabeth (Jones) Massey, who moved to Washington County from North Carolina in 1814. L. R. Cason had three brothers who also served during the War Between the States, Abel, 1862-65, with First Georgia Battalion ; William, 1851-65, with First Georgia Regiment, later with First Georgia Battalion ; and John, enlisted 1861 in Co. B, 28th Georgia Regi- ment, died of illness May, '62, and was buried at Oakwood Ceme- tery, Richmond, Va. When Mr. Cason visited Richmond a few years before his death he had a marker placed there for the family, in addition to the Confederate marker. These four soldier brothers had three sisters widowed by the war-Mary, m. Owen Elkins, d. Nov., '62, at Seven Pines ; Rhoda, m. H. L. Hodges, d. '62, at Sharpsburg ; Nellie, m. Tom Tucker, d. June, '62, in Seven Days' fight around Richmond.
Jan. 4, 1874, L. R. Cason married Martha Virginia Stephens, of Toomsboro, granddaughter of John Stephens and Elizabeth (Matthews) Stephens, who moved to Wilkinson County from N. C. in 1822. John Stephens served with the N. C. Militia during the Revolutionary War, and his grave, two miles south of Tooms- boro, was marked April, 1925, by Major General Samuel Elbert Chapter, D. A. R., Tennille, Ga., the first grave in the county to be so honored. James, the oldest child of John and Elizabeth, was born in N. C., Feb. 27, 1817, and was married in 1840 to Jerusha Barnes, daughter of William Barnes and Cecelia (Vickers) Barres. Of the six daughters (they had no sons) of James and Jerusha, tour became the wives of ex-Confederate soldiers, Martha Virginia be- ing the wife of L. R. Cason. During the War Between the States James Stephens did home service which entitles his descendants to membership in the S. C. V. and the U. D. C.
(By Mrs. Sarah Cason Todd and Addigene Cason.)
WILLIAM IRWIN CHAMBERS
Was born in Washington county September 15, 1812, died Dec. 31, 1893. He was the son of Lucy (Johnson) and Simon Peter Chambers, Jr., who was the son of Simon Peter Chambers, Sr., who came to this country from France, when he was sixteen years of
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age, he was one of the first settlers of Savannah, Ga., and was one of the first to rebel against King George. (See Whites History of Ga.) He married a Miss Stewart, sister of Gov. Jared Irwin's wife, relatives of Gen. Stewart for whom Stewart County was named. They had only one child, Simon Peter, Jr., who had seven children : William Irwin, David, James, John, Nancy, Rebeckah, Susan.
William Irwin Chambers in 1841 married Hannah Jane Hall, the daughter of Zilpha (Jones) and Ira Hall, born Dec. 10, 1825, died March 17, 1888. She ministered unto all with whom she came in contact, her loving words and deeds of kindness still live in the hearts of those who knew her. Her memory is like a guardian an- gel, always with us. There were twelve children in this family: Franklin, Ira, Andrew, Joel, Oscar, Julia, Anna, Laura, Ada, Nora, Ruth, one son died in infancy. William Irwin Chambers was the grandfather of forty-four children, and great grandfather of seventy. He was an old landmark of Irwinton, Ga., came here in 1849, and lived in the same house for forty-four years, he was one among the few settlers who lived here, when Irwinton was nothing more than a forest of tall pines. He was a very intelligent man and had a far reaching insight into the future; he was at one time the leading merchant of Irwinton as well as a practical farmer ; he be- lieved in raising home supplies; he was also County Treasurer for a number of years, and in this capacity made a worthy officer, no man was more bitterly opposed to the Civil War and although three of his sons enlisted and did gallant work for their home and coun- try he declared that such a conflict would bring ruin and destruc- tion to this country; though he vigorously opposed the war, he did his part at home, (being too old to enlist), by furnishing supplies to the wives and children of those who were at the front; he was also Postmaster during this period. When the Homestead Law was being discussed, he openly opposed it, with all the vigor born to the human soul; he was the type of honesty that looked upon the dis- honesty of his day with unspeakable condemnation; he abhorred profanity and did not even tolerate slang in his family; he was chaste in his language and had ideals of the highest type; he dealt fairly and squarely with his fellowman, and left his family a good name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches.
(By Ruth Chambers Everett.)
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FRANKLIN CHAMBERS
July 27, 1842-November 26, 1928
No son of Wilkinson ever loved his native county more, none ever gave to her more patriotic, more unselfish, more unstinted service as its public servant than did Franklin Chambers, lawyer, Confederate Soldier, Ordinary, Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1877 for the 21st District, Representative, State Senator, and Presidential Elector.
He was born in Irwinton, the oldest son of William Irwin and Jane (Hall) Chambers. (See W. I. Chambers Sketch.)
William I. Chambers was indeed a most remarkable man, and one whose outspoken opinions carried great weight in his day. Stern and uncompromising in matters relating to public duty, he held the utmost confidence of the people of the county. In 1860 when the vote on the secession question was held, it is said that he made the political fight of his life against seceding, and when the Convention at Milledgeville cast the deciding ballot, he predicted the ruin which later followed.
Although only nineteen years of age when Co. F 3rd Ga. Reg. was organized at Irwinton, the subject of this sketch, fired with the spirit of patriotism which was sweeping the county was one of the first to enlist for service, April 26, 1861. His intrepid spirit, cool- ness under fire and power of leadership, caused his promotion one year later to Ist Sergeant of the Company, even though yet a mere boy. At the second Battle of Manassas, August 30, 1862, he re- ceived a wound.
January 1, 1864, at the age of twenty-two, having been elected Ordinary of Wilkinson County, he received his discharge and re- turned to Irwinton to perform the duties of this office. During this time he also assisted the Inferior Court in the discharge of its du- ties.
When Sherman's Army was approaching Irwinton, it seems he was the only person who thought about removing the County Rec- ords from the courthouse in anticipation of its being burned. Call- ing Leroy Fleetwood to his assistance the two piled all the most important Records and Documents into boxes and loading them on a wagon carried them into the heart of Big Sandy swamp and buried them. Dampness seeping into the boxes injured some which
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may yet be noticed. But for this one act of his many chapters of this history would have had to be omitted.
He studied law while Ordinary and was admitted to the bar. His ability as a lawyer soon brought him to the forefront and earned for him the recognition as one of the ablest members of the bar in this section. In 1876 he was chosen as an Elector to the National Democratic Convention of Tilden and Hendricks. The next year he served as a delegate from the Twenty-First Senatorial District to the Constitutional Convention. During the two succeeding years he served as Representative from Wilkinson. In 1892 and 1893 he was Senator for the 21st District. After this he practiced law at Ir- winton until 1895 when he moved to Macon and opened an office with Hon. Hoke Polhill where he continued his practice as long as his health permitted.
Mr. Chambers was married in 1868 to Elmina Hughes, daugh- ter of Heywood and Elizabeth (Wynne) Hughes, of a prominent Twiggs County family. Their children are :
Franklin Breckinbridge, born April 28, 1875, President of the Wilkinson County Bank, a leading merchant of Toomsboro; one of Wilkinson County's most progressive and substantial citizens ; a man whose integrity is unquestioned ; who married November 20, 1912, to Lamar Albea, of Sandersville, and whose children are: Frank, Jr., Barbara, William Thomas and Kathleen.
Hugh, born March 8, 1872, graduated Mercer University, A.B. Degree, 1892; University of Georgia, B.L. Degree, 1895; began the practice of law in June, 1895, in Sandersville, Ga., moved to Macon, Ga., January, 1899, joining his father; married June 17, 1899, in Millen, Ga., Elizabeth Butts, the daughter of Lawrence Butts, Confederate Soldier ; Solicitor Washington County Court, 1896-98; Judge, Municipal Court Macon, January 1, 1915, to date; children, Sue, (m. M. R. Gardner), Elmina.
Elbert, who has been engaged continuously in the Railway Mail Service since seventeen years of age, was married to Julia Davis and lives at Decatur, Ga. Children : Davis (accidentally killed in a football game), Effie, (Mrs. Montgomery), Franklin, Helen, El- bert and Katherine.
Effie, married James Baker of Macon and lives in Macon. Her numerous friends in Irwinton frequently speak of her grace and
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charm, her utter unselfishness and her love and care for her aged father and mother.
ANDREW CHAMBERS
Was the son of William Irwin, and Jane ( Hall) Chambers. He was born March 16, 1848. Died Aug. 3, 1917. He joined the army at sixteen years of age; was wounded in the Battle of Griswold- ville ; was Agent for the Central Railroad at McIntyre, Georgia, for fifteen years ; also did a large mercantile business up to the time his health failed him.
He was married to Maxie B. Jackson, daughter of James and Elizabeth Pittman Jackson, born October 17, 1850, died Septem- ber 10, 1906. She was a wonderful example of true womanhood ; their home was "A house by the side of the road, and was truly a friend to man." Their hospitality was unexcelled. They had only one child, James Jackson Chambers, of Macon, Georgia. He in- herited a big, generous heart from his parents; and has been suc- cessful in the business world. He married Julia Schall, also of Ma- con, Ga., daughter of Margaret (Merkel) and Jacob Schall.
Andrew Chambers was very active in a political way, and had a wide influence; often he was urged by his friends to run for office, but always preferred to use his influence for others. He had a mag- netism about his personality that drew people to him and although frank and outspoken on all issues, he numbered his friends by all who knew him.
He was steadfast in his convictions and the embodiment of sin- cerity.
(By Ruth Chambers Everett.) GEORGE W. EVERETT
The son of Elizabeth (Corbett) and James Brickus Everett, of Oconee, Ga., Washington County, born Feb. 22nd, 1862. James Brickus Everett was born in Raleigh, N. C., and came to Georgia in boyhood. He enlisted in the Confederate Army and gave four years service for his country. He was a successful farmer, and one of the pillars in old Bay Spring Church, Washington County ; he was upright and honest in all his dealings with his fellowman.
George W. Everett came to Irwinton, Georgia, Wilkinson
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County and entered Talmage Institute, Jan. Ist, 1882. For a num- ber of years he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1903 he was appointed Rural Carrier on Route No. 2, Irwinton, Ga., and has already completed twenty-seven years of service. Jan. 16, 1887, he was married to Ruth Chambers, youngest daughter of Jane ( Hall) and William Irwin Chambers. There were seven children in this family: James William, born Dec. 24, 1887, married Eva Snell, they have one child, James William, Jr .; Floy Lee, born Aug. 24, 1889; Myrtle, born April 7, 1891, married Gainer E. Fulford, Wrightsville, Ga .; George Frederick, born April 7, 1893, married Beulah Pennington ; Oscar Chambers, born June 9, 1897, died May 19, 1905; Irwin Emory, born July 29, 1899, married Alma Skip- per, they have one child, Irwin Edwin; Malcolm Hall, born Aug. 14, 1900.
George W. Everett was reared in a Methodist family and true to his ancestry he has not departed from the faith. For a number of years he has been Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Irwin . ton Charge. He not only collects and looks after the affairs of his own church, but is very diligent and keeps in close touch with the country churches and in every way tries to strengthen and encour- age the work of each church. The interest of his pastor is always on his heart; he gives freely, and puts forth great efforts to bring up the assessments in full.
May he continue in usefulness and hold God's banner high ; never falter, never fail.
(By Ruth Chambers Everett. )
HOMER ADOLPHUS CLIETT
Homer Adolphus Cliett was born in Cairo, Miss., August 18, 1894, the son of Sara Alice (Valentine, d. 1895) and Pearsel Boaz Cliett (b. Dec. 2, 1863, m. Dec. 17, 1884) ; grandson of Sara Ann (Johnson, b. Jan. 12, 1831, m. Sept. 8, 1847, d. Montpelier, Miss. June 12, 1916) and Thomas A. J. Cliett (b. Feb. 14, 1826, d. Feb. 16, 1895; and of Lina (Luther) and Jesse Valentine.
After graduating at the Clay Co. Agricultural High School, Pheba, Miss., in 1914, he entered the Mississippi A. & M. College and in 1917, received his B. S. Degree in Agriculture. While in College he was a member of the George Rifle Fraternity, Agricul-
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tural Club, the Philotectic Literary Society, Rifle Club, Night Hawks, Y. M. C. A., and Sable Club.
In 1918 he came to Irwinton as County. Agricultural Agent, serving as such until 1919, when he removed to Sandersville to take charge of the work there. During 1921 was Bleckley County's first Agricultural Agent, at Cochran, and in 1922 was at Barnes- ville. From 1923 to 1925 he served again as the Wilkinson Co. Agent, being instrumental in having the first cattle dipping vats built in this section, conducted the first County Fair, and his exhibit won second prize at the State Fair. In 1925 he was trans- ferred to Americus where he has been in the same work, where under his supervision many of the farmers of Sumter Co., are im- proving their methods of farming-winter legumes are rapidly becoming popular-his 4-H Club boys are breaking all records heretofore established in their products and Sumter Co., is known throughout the State as one of the banner agricultural counties. The four scholarship loan funds for deserving members of his 4-H Clubs, which he has been able to establish, will unquestionably mean much to the future of the county.
In the various counties where he has served as Agent, Mr. Cliett has won for himself state-wide fame in finding markets for the farmers' product, in the numerous prize-winning exhibits at Fairs, organizing Boys' Clubs, etc. In recognition of his meritorious ser- vices membership in the Epsilon Sigma Phi Society of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture has been conferred upon him.
Mr. Cliett is a deacon in the Baptist church, a director in the Kiwanis Club, member of the Chamber of Commerce, a Royal Arch Mason and a Democrat.
He was married Feb. 2, 1919, to Sarah Carol Nesbit, of Irwin- ton (b. April 29, 1894, the daughter of A. H. and Sarah J. Nesbit, see their sketch). Mrs. Cliett after attending Talmadge Institute spent one year at Bessie Tift College, and then graduated at G. S. C. W. at Milledgeville in 1917, being a member of the Glee Club at the latter place. After her graduation she taught for two years at Irwinton. Not only does Mrs. Cliett make a most admirable wife and mother, but wherever she makes her home she takes an active interest in church and civic affairs. She is a member of the Baptist Church, Pianist for the Sunday School, officer in the P .- T. A., member of the Woman's Literary Club of the W. C. T. U. and
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Garden Club. While in Sandersville she was a member of the Woman's Club and at Barnesville of the Three Arts Club. Each year she has assisted in the Woman's Department at County Fairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Cliett have two children : Pearsel Alexander, b. July 19, 1920, and Eleanor Marilyn, b. July 23, 1923. Intellectual and talented, they give promise of a bright future.
CHARLES CULPEPPER
Unhonored and unsung by historians, his memory forgotten, ex- cept by a few, no man ever lived in Wilkinson County who more richly deserves space in this History than does Charles Culpepper.
While we have no direct data on the date and place of his birth, yet we have every reason to believe that he was a native of Vir- ginia. We find his brother, Sampson Culpepper, being granted land in Washington County, Georgia, by reason of his service in the Revolution. Charles was evidently too young to fight in this war. We first find Charles in Georgia as an active Baptist Minister serving in the Hepzibah Association.
Mr. Culpepper was married to Rachel, the eldest daughter of that grand old North Carolina patriot, Josiah Warren, who will go down in history as "The lone horseman from Burke county," who rode upon the excited scene before the State House at Louis- ville, Georgia, in 1796 at the very moment when the Yazoo Act was about to be burned, and drawing from his pocket the sun-glass suggested to his friend, Jas. Jackson, that the accursed document be consumed by fire drawn from heaven.
Among the earliest settlers of Wilkinson are found three Cul- peppers, Charles, his brother Sampson, and Joel (probably also a brother ). These settled in the vicinity of Toomsboro, the home of Charles being on the lands formerly owned by Dr. N. T. Cars- well, now by Geo. H. Carswell, four miles east of Irwinton.
Never was a man more thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Missions than was Charles Culpepper. He, it seems was first to realize the tremendous opportunity of the Baptist church in that vast territory lying between the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers into which hordes of settlers were literally pouring, clearing the lands and building their homes, a vast region without community cen- ters, clamoring in every settlement for some place of worship, some
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clearing house for social intercourse to break the monotony of the backwoods.
Seizing the opportunity, sometimes with Rev. Shirey as his part- ner, sometimes with Rev. John Ross, also a Virginian, he began the work of planting churches. Roads were as yet mere trails, but these consecrated men, without pay or hope of reward would select a community where there were already members of the Baptist church, and using these as a nucleus would announce services and invite the neighborhood, and soon a church would be organized. His unceasing activities won for him the approbation of his fellow Baptists. As the churches were organized they were added to the Hepzibah Association, which by reason of its enormous area and number of churches was becoming unwieldy. Thus, in 1814, when the Ebenezer Association was formed at Cool Spring church at Al- lentown, Charles Culpepper was a leading spirit and now became a member of the Association, which his work in organizing churches had made possible.
It was during these years that the question of Missions was be- ginning to agitate the Baptists. Into this movement he threw his whole being, and in no small way was responsible for the rapid growth of the Missionary idea. The Hepzibah Missionary Society was organized, among the first in Georgia, and Culpepper was made its President. Thus, Charles Culpepper might well be called "The Father of Missions" in Wilkinson County. Through the years that followed he was ever in the forefront leading the Mis- sionary elements of the Baptist churches in this section, and in Houston County where he later moved.
And not alone as a minister of the Gospel was Charles Culpep- per noted. His strength of character, his reputation for honor had so endeared him to the citizens of Wilkinson County, that, when the selection of the county site was to be made, and every effort was be- ing exerted to choose those commissioners to perform this duty who could not be swayed by public opinion or hope of gain, Charles Cul- pepper was one of those appointed by the legislature.
In 1816, he was chosen to represent Wilkinson County in the legislature, serving one term.
In 1824, when the educational system of Wilkinson was re- organized, Charles Culpepper was appointed one of the commis- sioners of the Winkinson Academy.
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Culpepper was sought after and took an active interest in all public gatherings. The Fourth of July celebrations sometimes took political turns and the toasts given were often at odds with the po- litical beliefs of Culpepper, who was a strong supporter of the Troupe ticket. However, the toasts which he gave as is recorded in the newspaper accounts of the day, evidence a man of education, culture, and a deep understanding of human nature. They were such as would not antagonize the numerous Clark supporters pres- ent, for whose political opinions he showed every respect.
It was inevitable that Culpepper should be a Troupe supporter. Not only was it natural for him to align himself with the great mass of his fellow Virginians in Georgia, but, likewise his wife's father and brothers stood by the party advocated by the Virginians.
In 1809, having now moved from Burke County to Laurens, Josiah Warren and his wife both died, leaving several minor chil- dren. Culpepper was appointed their guardian and took them to his own home near Irwinton. Having no children of his own, he lavished upon them a father's love, giving them every ad- vantage of an education. Best of all he seems to have transmitted to these orphans that divine spark which animated his whole being. And whether in the ministry, in the laity; whether as lawyers, on the Bench, or as State House officials, these orphans and their descendants have ever since borne the mantle of Charles Culpepper. Though near ninety years have passed since his death, they still re- vere his memory; his influence still lives.
One of these orphan boys was Lott Warren, Superior Court Judge and Congressman, who besides being eminent in public life, was a local Baptist preacher and founded the First Baptist Church at Albany, Georgia. A second, Kittrell Warren, became a mis- sionary to the Indians, the father of the beloved of Dr. E. W. Warren, for so long pastor of the First Baptist Church at Macon, himself the father of Dr. L. B. Warren, another Baptist preacher. General Eli Warren, another of these orphans, while on Mr. Cul- pepper's farm, became famous by being the first person to pick a hundred pounds of cotton in one day, cotton then being planted in hills in such a manner as to retard picking. He later became one of the leading lawyers of Georgia, his only son Josiah L. Warren be- ing also a Baptist preacher, pastor of the Baptist church at Mil- ledgeville and his health failing, went into business at Savannah.
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Another grandson of General Warren was Dr. William Warren Landrum, formerly Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and other large churches in several Northern cities. To Hon. War- ren Grice, another grandson of General Warren, the compiler is deeply indebted for assistance in the preparation of this book.
GEORGE ORINTHUS ALLEN DAUGHTRY
George Orinthus Allen Daughtry was born in Nansemond County, Virginia. He received his preparatory education at Buck- horn Academy, Como, N. C., then went to Richmond College. At the age of nineteen he came to Twiggs County and practiced law in Jeffersonville, moving a few years later to Allentown where he be- came a merchant and planter. The remainder of his life was spent there except the years between 1903 and 1916 when he and his family lived in Macon. He was successful in business, active in po- litics and served in the Georgia legislature as representative from Wilkinson in 1900 and 1901.
Mr. Daughtry was a man of unusual personality. He had a quick wit, lively imagination and could always entertain an audi- ence with his humorous stories. People were attracted to him by his genial humor and friendliness while his sympathetic attitude, gen- erosity and loyalty won for him a vast number of friends. He was always glad to help those in trouble and was known as "the friend to the negro and poor whites" to whom he never failed to give help and encouragement. He was most ambitious for his children, al- ways striving to give them the best advantages. Through his sym- pathetic and understanding nature, there existed a spirit of com- radeship between him and his family.
According to tradition the Daughtry ancestors were Scotch Irish and settled on the east coast of Maryland, moving later to Virginia. Allen Daughtry and Ann Daughtry, grandparents of G. O. A. Daughtry, lived in Nansemond County, Virginia. Their children were Margaret (married John B. Jenkins), Elizabeth (married James Holland), Lucy (married Elijah Joyner), Sarah Allen, Dr. William H. Daughtry of Southampton County, Dr. Mills Everett Daughtry, and Solomon P. Daughtry. Every male member of the Daughtry family fought in the War Between the States. Dr. William H. Daughtry was a surgeon in the 14th Va.
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