Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 110

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 110

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).

MR. JAMES R. COLLINS is a member of one of the oldest and most dis- tinguished families of Atlanta. The pioneer of the family, James A. Collins, was a man of sturdy character and independent ideas. He came to Atlanta in :844, among the first immigrants who turned their faces in the direction of the sprightly young village that was destined, in a few years, to become the acknowl- edged metropolis of the south. Mr. Collins had great faith in Atlanta's future and he devoted himself with patriotic zeal to the furtherance of all her public enter- prises. He was not only the pioneer merchant of the city, engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business, but occupied a seat in the first legislative councils of Marthasville, as the village was then known. Mr. Collins was a native of the state of North Carolina, but emigrated to Georgia during his early manhood. The

751

FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

subject of this sketch, Mr. James R. Collins, was born on a plantation in Cobb county in 1866. His father, William J. Collins, had served the Confederacy for four years, proving himself a gallant officer by his courage and daring as a lieutenant in the Ninth Georgia regiment of infantry. He was the son of Mr. James A. Collins, and was born in Atlanta shortly after his father's removal front Cobb county. After the war Lieut. Collins returned to his plantation in Cobb county, where his son was born. Here he spent his boyhood days. His education was chiefly derived from the schools of Cobb county, and those of the adjoining county of Fulton. He developed a strong and vigorous constitution and was proficient in all athletic exercises, performing great feats of strength and displaying marked physical endurance even as a boy. Mr. Collins completed his education in Atlanta. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Collins, who was possessed of strong busi- ness ideas, reinforced by a resolute ambition that was ready to grapple with any difficulty that might thrust itself in his way, decided to go into business for him- self. It was a bold venture for one of his years and inexperience, but he resolved to make it. He became the proprietor of a large and flourishing business, supplying the wants of the public with coal and wood, and demonstrating the fact that he was equal to the responsibility of managing a large establishment successfully. Mr. Collins remained in the wood and coal business until 1885, when he was elected to the office of deputy city marshal. He served in this capacity until 1892, when he was elected to the office of city tax collector for two years, serving the public, for that length of time, with marked zeal and fidelity. In 1891 Mr. Collins organized the Home bank, a successful enterprise planned by the young financier. He became the president of this institution and displayed great financial skill and foresight in the administration of its affairs. Mr. Collins is also vice-president and director of the Fidelity banking and trust company, organized in 1892. Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Carey, the daughter of Mr. John Carey, of Atlanta, in 1890. Two years later his wife died, leaving an only daughter, Louise. In 1894, Mr. Collins was married, a second time, to Miss Eleanor A. Sullivan, the daughter of Mr. Daniel Sullivan, of San Antonio, Texas. The martial spirit is strongly emphasized in the taste of Mr. Collins for military life. He holds mem- bership in both the Gate City guards and the Hibernian rifles, two of the leading military organizations of the city. In addition to these Mr. Collins is identified with nearly all the social organizations of Atlanta, being a prominent member of the Brotherhood of Elks, the Capital City club, the Commercial club, the Concordia club, and the Driving club. Mr. Collins is richly endowed with that peculiar gift known as personal magnetism. Perhaps no young man in Atlanta enjoys a more extensive popularity, and this has been fully demonstrated by the successful aspi- rations of Mr. Collins for public office. The combination of rare qualifications for business and the social graces that render a man pleasing is one that is seldom witnessed in such a marked degree as that possessed by Mr. Collins, and the 'udicious exercise of his endowments will no doubt result in continued honors to himself and to the community. Mr. Collins is a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and is loyal in his adherence to the tenets of the Catholic faith.

BENNETT JONES CONYERS, lawyer, Atlanta, Ga., son of Christopher B. and Fanny (Bullock) Conyers, was born in Atlanta, Feb. 23, 1864. The family is of English extraction, and is related to Sir Gerald Conyers, one of the promoters of the colony of Georgia. 'His great-grandfather, Ross Conyers, was a eitizen of North Carolina, a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war, and sheriff of Granville county in that state. He was a planter, and came to Georgia

752

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

in 1801. His grandfather, Bennett H. Conyers, was born in Granville county, N. C., in 1800, and when an infant was brought to Georgia with the family. Mr. Conyers' father was born in Coweta county, Ga., in 1832, and raised a farmer. Dur- ing the war he was in the Confederate service as a member of Phillips' legion. After the war he went to Cartersville, Bartow Co., Ga., where he successfully engaged in merchandising, dying in 1885. Mr. Conyers' mother was a daughter of Nathaniel Bullock of Bartow county. To this worthy couple ten children were born, of whom seven are still living: Bennett J., the subject of this sketch; James T., Christopher B., Abner J., James H., Elizabeth, and Arthur C. Mr. Conyers was raised in Cartersville, where he was educated and prepared for college; and in 1882 entered the junior class of the state university, Athens, Ga. Graduating in 1884 with the first honor and the degree of A. M., he taught school six years: One year as professor of Greek and mathematics in the Martin institute, Jefferson, Jackson Co., Ga .; one year as principal in the Perry (Houston county) malc and female college; and four years as principal of the high school, Seale, Ala. In 1890 he came to Atlanta, was admitted to the bar, and connected with the law department of the R. & D. (now Southern) railway for about sixteen months-to Nov. 1, 1891. He then entered into partnership with Judge E. C. Kontz-firm name Kontz & Conyers-which partnership still exists, having already won an extensive and remunerative clicntage, which is constantly increasing in extent and value. Professionally and socially, Mr. Conyers ranks high. He is a master Mason, and a member of the Baptist church-being clerk of the Jackson Hill Baptist church, Atlanta.

GEN. PHILIP COOK, deceased secretary of the state of Georgia, was born July 30, 1817, on the farm belonging to his father, Philip Cook, in Twiggs county, Ga., where he resided until he gained his majority, his father dying there three years later. Gen. Cook attended the "old field" schools of Twiggs county until he was fifteen years old, when he went to a noted school at Jeffersonville taught by Milton Wilder, a Massachusetts man. He then went to Forsyth, Monroe Co., Ga., to school for a year or so, and in 1836, at the age of nineteen ran away from this school and enlisted at Forsyth in Capt. W. A. Black's company-one of five companies raised for the Seminole war. He was mustered into service at Pecolata, Fla., and served three months as a private, in which capacity he enlisted, and was one of Gen. W. A. Scott's command which rescued Gen. Gaines, who was surrounded by the Seminoles. He was mustered out in 1836 and returned home, going from there to Oglethorpe university at Midway, Baldwin Co., Ga., where he remained three years and then went to Charlottesville, Va., going from Macon, Ga., by stage-the journey taking a week's time, and costing about $75. He attended the university of Virginia until 1841, when he returned to his home on account of his father's dcath. Leaving his brother, John R. Cook, on the old homestead he soon after began the practice of law in Forsyth, Ga., in partnership with Zachariah Harman, then solicitor general of Flint circuit. This partnership continued about three years, when Gen. Cook sold out and moved to Sumter county, Ga., where his health being poor, he bought a farm, living thereon from 1846 to 1850. The Southwestern railroad being then completed from Macon to Oglethorpe, and the prospects for a good town at the latter point being promising, he removed to Oglethorpe and commenced the practice of his profession, forming a year later a partnership with Col. T. W. Montfort, which continued about six or seven years, when it was dissolved. Gen. Cook remained in Oglethorpe until the war broke out, and in May, 1861, responded to the call of Gen. Joseph E. Brown for troops. Being an honorary member of the Macon county volunteers

753

FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

he went with them, which with nineteen other companies was mustered into service by Gen. Brown at Augusta, Ga., May, 1861. These twenty companies were ordered to the navy yard at Portsmouth, Va., and soon after, this company was assigned to the fourth Georgia infantry, Private Cook being appointed adjutant of the regiment and serving as such until after the seven days' fight around Richmond; when upon the unanimous recommendation of the regiment's officers he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Georgia. He was shortly afterward commissioned colonel, serving in that capacity until the death of Gen. George Doles at Cold Harbor, and then on the recommendation of Gen. R. E. Rhodes and Gen. Jubal A. Early he was promoted to be brigadier-general in June, 1864, and served as such until the war closed. Gen. Cook was in the battles of Malvern Hill, where he was badly hurt by the fragments of a shell; at Fredericks- burg; at Chancellorsville, where he was wounded in the leg by a minie ball and was laid up three months, part of the time at the hospital in Richmond, Va., and then at his home. Upon his recovery he rejoined his command at Orange Court House, Va., and next saw service at Winchester in two battles under Early, and at Harper's Ferry, skirmishing from Staunton to Williamsport, Va., almost every day. After being in battle with Early at Cedar Creek he went down to Petersburg where he was wounded in his right elbow and captured, lying in the Petersburg hospital July 30, 1865. Upon his recovery, Gen. Cook returned to Ogle- thorpe, Ga., and resumed the practice of law. From there he removed to Americus, Ga., in 1870 and practiced his profession at that point for ten years. In the latter part of 1870 he formed a partnership with Hon. Charles F. Crisp, now speaker of the United States house of representatives, which partnership continued until Mr. Crisp was elected to the bench, when his place was filled by Col. B. P. Hollis, this partnership continuing until 1880, in which year Gen. Cook sold his library, gave up the practice of law and retired to his farm. Gen. Cook's first political office was that of state senator, to which position he was elected from Macon county, Ga., in 1859, serving for two years. In 1863, while at home recovering from wounds received at Chancellorsville he was elected to the state senate from the thirteenth district, which comprised the counties of Macon, Sumter, and Schley. He served in the senate of 1863 for forty days and then re- joined his command as its colonel, returning and serving in the session of 1864. again rejoining his command after adjournment. In 1882, while on his farm in Lee county, Ga., he was appointed by Gov. McDaniel one of five commissioners. to erect the present state capitol which was completed in 1889. The appropriation for the construction of the state house was $1,000,000. Out of this $20,000 was paid for a portion of the site and when the building was completed the commissioners covered back into the treasury $118.50. Gen. Cook then returned to his farm, where he remained until February, 1890, when he was appointed secre- tary of state by Gov. John B. Gordon to fill the unexpired term of Maj. M. C. Barnett, whose death vacated the office. October, 1890, Gen. Cook was elected to the same office and re-elected October, 1892. He was elected to the thirty-seventh congress, but was refused his seat. In 1872 he was elected to the forty-second congress from the third district and was returned three times, his last term expiring in 1882, when he was succeeded by Hon. Charles F. Crisp. Gen. Cook was married in 1842 to Sarah G., daughter of Henry H. Lumpkin (brother of Gov. Lumpkin), of Monroe county. She died in 1860, leaving three children, of whom two survive, Lucy, wife of W. L. Peel, of Atlanta, and Philip Cook, Jr., now on the old home farm in Lee county. Gen. Cook's father was Philip Cook, son of John Cook, who was born in Brunswick county, Va., and was a farmer all his life. Philip Cook, Sr., was born in 1775 and in his early youth came to Georgia

I-48

754

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

with his parents from South Carolina. He was also a farmer and was one of the first sheriffs of Baldwin county, Ga. He was one of the commissioners appointed by the governor to explore the Ocmulgee river. He served in the war of 1812, first as captain and afterward as major of the Eighteenth United States infantry, which rank he held at the close of that war. Soon afterward he resigned and settled on his plantation in Twiggs county, Ga., where he died in 1841. He married Martha, daughter of John Wooten, a native of South Carolina, and to this marriage were born five children, of whom Gen. Cook was one. His only brother, John R. Cook, entered the Confederate service in 1862 as assistant surgeon and served through the war. He died in 1886. Gen. Cook's grandfather, John Cook, who was born in Brunswick county, Va., afterward migrated to South Carolina, where he was married and after the revolutionary war came to Georgia, where he died in Hancock county. He was a soldier in that war, participating in the battles of Cowpens and King's Mountain. Gen. Cook's great-grandfather was Henry Cook, who was probably the family's ancestor, who emigrated from Scotland. Gen. Cook, in spite of the hardship and perils he had endured, remained mentally and physically active to the day of his death; his judgment was mature and sound, and his kindliness of heart well known to those who had the privilege of his acquaintance.

DR. HUNTER POPE COOPER, one of Atlanta's most competent physicians, was born May 16, 1860, in Atlanta. A year later he was taken by his parents to Washington, Ga., and there he lived until fourteen years of age. He attended the schools at Washington until 1873, when he was sent to Kirkwood, four miles from Atlanta, and placed under the instruction of C. M. Neel, now principal of the Georgia Military institute at Edgewood, near Atlanta, and W. J. Northen, ex-governor of Georgia. He remained two years with these able instructors and then entered the university of Georgia at Athens; there he attained his senior year in 1877, but left that institution to take a special course at the university of Virginia preparatory to studying medicine. He continued his studies at the latter institution for three years, going from there in 1880 to the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons in New York, and earning the high honor of graduating among the first ten in 1883. The following year he served as interne at the Forty-second street hospital in New York, and the succeeding year in the same capacity in the Presbyterian hospital. In 1885 he went to Vienna and devoted himself for five months to hospital work there. After thus thoroughly and con- scientiously preparing himself for his life work, Dr. Cooper in January, 1886, returned to Atlanta, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the Atlanta Society of Medicine, of which he was president in 1890, of the Southern Surgical and Gynecological association and the National Association of Railway Surgeons. Dr. Cooper has contributed numerous articles to the various medi- cal journals; among those which have appeared in the Atlanta Medical and Surgi- cal Journal were those on "The Treatment of Hemorrhoids," "The Modern Treat- ment of Fractures," "Diagnosis and Treatment of Potts' Disease of the Spine," and "The Treatment of Coccygodynia." He is medical examiner for the Provi- dent Savings Life Assurance society of New York, chief surgeon of the Atlanta &: West Point railroad, the Western railroad of Alabama, local surgeon to the Georgia railroad, to the Central railroad of Georgia, and visiting surgeon to the Henry W. Grady hospital. For four years he was professor of chemistry in the Atlanta Medical college. His father, Thomas L. Cooper, was a Georgian and a lawyer, who, before the war, was solicitor-general of the Atlanta circuit. He entered the Confederate service in 1861 as captain of the Atlanta Grays, and

755

FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

at the time of his death was colonel of the Eighth Georgia regiment. He mar- ried Miss Mary, daughter of Alexander Pope, a native of Virginia, who came to Georgia with his parents when a child. Dr. Cooper's grandfather was Mark Anthony Cooper, who was born in Georgia, and for many years was prominent in public life. He was a member of congress in 1839-41-42-43, served in the state legislature, and was a major in the Seminole war in 1836. Dr. Cooper's great-grandfather was a Virginian, who came to Georgia in his early manhood and died there. His maternal ancestors were Scotch-Irish.

MR. JOHN TYLER COOPER is one of Atlanta's most useful and honored citizens. An aristocrat in blood, having been reared in the purple, so to speak, Mr. Cooper is intensely democratic in his feelings and believes in giving to all men that show of deference and respect to which they are properly entitled. No citizen of Atlanta, in this regard, has ever surpassed the subject of this sketch in presenting to the rising generation the pattern of a dignified and gentle chivalry. The antecedents of Mr. Cooper deserve mention. His grandfather, Thomas A. Cooper, was born in Ireland, though of English stock. He came to America in early manhood and espoused the heart of Mary Fairlie, a noted New York belle, who was the original Sophia Sparkle in Washington Irving's Salmagundi. He was one of the leading tragedians of that day and served as second to Ecker in the latter's duel with Alexander Hamilton's son. This was prior to the famous Burr-Hamilton duel. Mr. Cooper died in 1850, being at that time in the Philadelphia custom house. He was a man of singular talents and as an actor enjoyed a wide popularity. Mr. James Fairlie Cooper, the tragedian's son, and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in New York city. He grad- uated from the military school at West Point, and coming to Georgia a short while afterward, was employed in the construction of the Western & Atlantic railroad as civil engineer. At Cassville, Ga., on that road, he was married to Miss Sarah F. Spier, daughter of John Pittman Spier, a native of Virginia. He was

lieutenant-colonel of the Seventh Georgia regiment during the late war, serving in that capacity for six months. He was then appointed tax-in-kind quartermaster, locating first at Marietta, Ga., and then at Columbus. After the war he returned to his profession as civil engineer and located in Atlanta. For two years he was the city engineer of Atlanta. Mr. Cooper died in 1869. His death was fol- lowed by that of his wife in 1875. His sister, Priscilla Cooper, married Robert Tyler, son of President Tyler. She was the lady of the White House until the mar- riage of President. Tyler, which occurred during his term of office. A daughter was born to her while a resident of the White House as a result of this union. The subject of this sketch, Mr. John Tyler Cooper, was born in Marietta, Ga., on March 26, 1844. After a preliminary course of study in the primary schools of that place he entered the Georgia Military institute and in June, 1862, having recently attained his eighteenth year, he enlisted as a private in Company E, of the Ninth Georgia battalion of artillery, commanded by Maj. A. Leyden. He served in this capacity for a year, after which he was successively promoted to corporal, sergeant, ordnance sergeant and battalion quartermaster- sergeant. At the close of the war he was on Maj. Leyden's staff. Mr. Cooper was in the two battles at Knoxville and the one fought at Star Fort, near that city; also in the hard fighting at Campbell's Station, Ringgold, and the two days' fight on the road to Chickamauga, and the terrific engagement which subsequently took place at Chickamauga. After the war Mr. Cooper rode from Lynchburg, Va., to Athens, Ga., on horseback, disposing of his animal for $3,500 in Confed- erate money. Coming to Atlanta, he purchased at auction, with two or three

756

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

other gentlemen, a bale of cotton yarn for $10,000 in Confederate money. The yarn was afterward sold for $150 in greenbacks, netting Mr. Cooper $50 as his share of the proceeds. In a few months after his arrival Mr. Cooper entered the office of Judge Daniel Pittman as clerk to the ordinary of Fulton county, remaining in that office until 1881. The board of county commissioners was organized at this time and Mr. Cooper was made the clerk of that body, a position which he has since continued to occupy. In 1884 the subject of this sketch was elected to a seat in the city council as a representative from the sixth ward. His career in that body was able and conservative, and accordingly in 1885 he was promoted to the dignity of an alderman. In the following year he was nominated as a candidate for mayor of the city of Atlanta and triumph- antly elected. During his term of office he kept a close watch upon the in- terests of the public and gave to the city a wise, conservative and patriotic admin- istration. On the night of his retirement from office he was elected to a seat on the city board of health and served until September, 1894, when he resigned. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, and the Red Men. Recently, however, he has not affiliated with the brethren in any of these mystic organizations. Mr. Cooper is a consistent member of St. Luke's Episcopal church of this city, and is thor- oughly familiar with the government, principles and traditions of the Episcopal faith. Mr. Cooper was married in Montgomery, Ala., in 1875 to Miss Mary Crain Marks, a beautiful and cultured lady of that city. Two children were born to them who are still living: Samuel M., a student in the Bellevue high school at Lynchburg, Va., and Sarah F., in school at Montgomery, Ala. Mrs. Cooper died on Dec. 4, 1894. Mr. Cooper's brother, Charles F. Cooper, who enlisted in the Seventh Georgia cavalry, was a courier for Gen. P. M. B. Young. He was a brave and gallant officer and commanded the unbounded confidence of Gen. Young. He died in Houston, Tex., in 1893. By inheritance Mr. Cooper is a member of the Order of Cincinnatus. His maternal grandfather, James Fairlie, was a second lieutenant in the Second New York regiment and was afterward on the staff of Baron Steuben, with the rank of major. He subsequently married a daughter of Chief Justice Yates of the supreme court of New York. As the clerk of the board of county commissioners, Mr. Cooper has served the county for many years, and the duties of his office have been discharged with unre- mitting zeal, patriotism and fidelity.

CHARLES W. CRANKSHAW controls one of the largest jewelry establish- ments in Atlanta. Mr. Crankshaw was born in that city Dec. 23, 1856. In his young boyhood he entered the public schools of Atlanta; at the age of seven- teen years he discontinued attendance and accepted a position with a jewelry firiut as salesman, holding this place for several years; and then formed a partnership with J. C. Freeman, the firm being Freeman & Crankshaw, jewelers. This joint interest continued until 1892 when it was dissolved. Since that year Mr. Crank- shaw has conducted business alone, with no small degree of success. Holding the confidence of the people he has easily secured their patronage and built up- a large, increasing trade. In 1894, Mr. Crankshaw was united in marriage to Miss Mary Marsh, daughter of E. W. Marsh, Esq., but on May 14, 1895, sustained an irreparable loss in her death. Mr. Crankshaw is popular, entertaining and pos- sesses a personality that engenders friendships. He is one of the prominent club- men of the city-a member of the Capital City club, and chairman of the house committee, which office he has filled for six or seven years; a member of the. Piedmont Driving club, and for seven years president of the Cotillion club, which

J. C. COURTNEY.

757

FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

club has given the most elegant entertainments in the history of social Atlanta. Mr. Crankshaw has long been a participant in Atlanta's social gaieties and wears with befitting grace the wreath of popularity.

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.

Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 110

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1294

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294