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 122

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 122

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COL. W. H. HULSEY. One of the most distinguished citizens of Atlanta and a lawyer of marked professional attainments is Col. William H. Hulsey. Col. Hulsey was born on a farm in De Kalb county on Oct. 1, 1839. His grandfather, Jennings Hulsey, was a native of Virginia, but immigrated with his parents to South Carolina when still a mere child. He afterward came to Georgia and mar- ried Miss Rebecca Pate. He died in De Kalb county in 1852. The pioneers of the Hulsey family in America came from England. Eli J. Hulsey, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Jasper county, Ga., in 1812. He spent the greater portion of his life in agricultural pursuits, though, for several years before the war, he was engaged in the mercantile business in Atlanta. He married Miss Charlotte Collier, the daughter of Merrill Collier, of North Carolina, and ten children resulted from this union: Mary J., widow of Marcus A. Bell; William H., the subject of this sketch; Rebecca, wife of William C. Sanders; Laura, wife of Thomas J. Flake; Charlotte E., wife of Henry H. Loften; Augustus J .; Alice, wife of Eugene Flake; Lulu, wife of Thomas J. Hooks; John, and Hayden. Augustus J. Hulsey died in 1884. He was a gallant soldier during the late war, leaving the Georgia military institute at Marietta, Ga., in 1861 to enter the Confed- erate army. He served under Gen. Johnston until the war closed, participating in all the engagements of that command. The mother of Col. Hulsey died in 1886. This sore bereavement was closely followed by his father's death in 1888. After spending his early boyhood days in De Kalb county, obtaining his primary educa- tion at the old-field schools of that district, the subject of this sketch came to Atlanta with his parents in 1850. The remainder of his education was derived from the schools of that city. He was preparing to enter college when financial dis- asters overtook his father in business and prevented him from realizing his cher- ished ambition. At the age of fifteen he began to clerk in a shoe store in Atlanta, occupied the position for about a year and then gave it up for a place in a clothing store. Leaving this position he clerked in a dry goods store for about a year, after which he commenced the study of law in the office of Ezzard & Collier, two of the most distinguished members of the legal profession, both of whom are now dead. The subject of this sketch was admitted to the bar in 1859, and moved directly to

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Mitchell county to engage in the practice of his profession. He was allowed to practice for only a few months, however, as the declaration of war between the states put a stop to business of every kind. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F of the Sixth Georgia infantry, commanded by Col. Alfred H. Col- quitt, subsequently United States senator. Soon after enlistment the young soldier was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and served in that capacity for about a year. In the spring of 1862, while at home on a furlough, he was elected major of the Forty-second Georgia infantry, and a year later he was still further promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel A short time before the close of the war Col. R. J. Henderson, who commanded the regiment, was made a brigadier- general, and Col. Hulsey was placed in command of the Forty-second Georgia, one of the bravest regiments in the field. The war ended, however, before he received his formal commission. At Perryville, Ky., Col. Hulsey commanded the rear guard, in the retreat through that state, and mounted his command by cap- turing a regiment of Pennsylvania cavalry. He was in the battles fought at Big Bethel, Va .; Tazewell, Tenn .; Big Hill, Ky .; Chickasaw Bayou, Miss .; Baker's Creek; Siege of Vicksburg; Lookout Mountain; Resaca, in which engagement he was severely wounded; and the battle of July 22, near Atlanta. The capture of the famous De Grest Battery has caused the Forty-second regiment to be repre- sented in the cyclorama of the battle of Atlanta, on exhibition at Grant park, near the site of the old battle grounds. At the battle of Jonesboro, on July 28, 1864, Col. Hulsey commanded a brigade on the left of Atlanta during the battle. In the fol- lowing December he commanded the advance guard of Gen. Hood's infantry, driving the Federal pickets at Nashville to the shelter of the guns at Fort Negley. Col. Hulsey also participated in the bloody engagements at Franklin and Nash- ville. He was severely wounded in the latter fight, but notwithstanding his disa- bility he commanded the rcar guard on Hood's retreat for a day and a night until relieved. He was also in the fight at Binniker's bridge, S. C., a few weeks before the surrender. Though only a beardless youth during all these bloody encoun- ters, the comrades of Col. Hulsey describe him as a man who was absolutely without fear. While on the retreat from Baker's creek, Col. Hulsey and several of his command rode in the twilight into a party of Federals at Black's station. They called upon the little band to stop; but Col. Hulsey, fully realizing that refusal to obey meant almost certain death, defiantly refused, and riding off, under the fire of the enemy, escaped. While riding away from the Federal force at full speed, Col. Hulsey came suddenly upon his own command, which had been augmented by about 400 stragglers-making altogether about 1,000 men, who, seeing him riding down upon them, thinking that he was a Federal officer lead- ing a cavalry charge, opened fire on him, and he ran the gauntlet of hundreds of bullets, not one of which touched him. His horse having by this time become perfectly frantic, had the bit in his teeth, and as he went careering down the road a Confederate soldier, belonging to an Arkansas regiment, seeing him and think- ing he was a Federal, fired at him from a distance of not more than thirty feet, cut- ting a lock of hair from his head. Just then Col. Hulsey's identity was discovered, and a cheer went up from his men that testified their joy at his escape. Many narrow escapes, similar to the foregoing, might be recorded. After the war Col. Hulsey was united in marriage to Miss Marion Bateman, daughter of Claiborn Bateman of Georgia. For several months he resided in Houston county, but sub- sequently returning to Atlanta he formed a law partnership with his old pre- ceptor, Hon. William Ezzard. He was soon after elected solicitor-general of the Coweta circuit, and filled that office for eighteen months. He was then removed by the republican governor, Rufus B. Bullock, for partisan reasons, after which

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he resumed the active practice of his profession with his law partner. In 1869 Col. Hulsey was elected mayor of Atlanta, and held that office for one term, declin- ing re-election. He was the youngest mayor and one of the best that ever pre- sided over the affairs of that city. In 1878 Col. Hulsey was elected to a seat in the lower branch of the general assembly. During his term of service he was a member of the general judiciary committee, and the committee on railroads, which framed the famous Georgia railroad commission bill; Col. Hulsey being chairman of the sub-committee that reported it. In 1883 the subject of this sketch was again honored by his fellow-citizens by a seat in the legislature. During this session he was chairman of the special judiciary committee of the house. In November, 1893, Col. Hulsey was prevailed upon to enter the race for congress in the Fifth dis- trict. Though in the race for only ten days prior to the nomination he made a brilliant fight and was defeated by Col. L. F. Livingston by only 116 votes in the county which would determine the contest. Col. Hulsey is a member of the board of education and one of the most active, influential workers in that body. He is the president of the National Railway Building and Loan association, and is interested in various other enterprises. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a master Mason, and a consistent member of the Methodist church. During his term of office as mayor of the city the present public school system was established, the first established in Georgia, if not in the south. Col. Hulsey has six children living as follows: Eli B., William E., Marion, Fred, Eula, and Luther. He lost his eldest daughter, Hallie, the wife of Clyde L. Brooks, only a short while ago. In public and private life Col. Hulsey has always been . a model citizen, and he has ever been ready, both in peace and war, to discharge the full measure of his patriotic duty.

CALVIN W. HUNNICUTT, hardware and stoves, Atlanta, Ga., was born in Mecklenburg county, N. C., in 1827. When he was six years old his father moved to Montgomery county, N. C., and two years afterward migrated to Georgia and settled in Cobb county. Here he received a limited education-such as was obtainable at country schools at that period. At the age of twenty-one he came to Atlanta and engaged with the dry goods and clothing house of Haas & Levi as a clerk and continued with them five years. He then, with his fellow- clerk, John Silvey, formed the partnership of Hunnicutt & Silvey, with $500 capital embarked in the same line of business. They purchased as much as $15,000 worth of goods at a time on credit, and at once established a successful and profitable trade. At the end of six years the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Hunnicutt went into the drug trade with James A. Taylor, under the firm name of Hunnicutt & Taylor, and continued in the business five years. Retiring from this firm, he was detailed by the Confederate government to duty in the ordnance and medical departments at Cuthbert and Atlanta. In 1862, the firm which then consisted of Mr. Hunnicutt, Leonard, Bellingrath and James A. Taylor, com- menced the manufacture of alcohol for their trade, and soon after the Confederate government took charge of their manufactory, or rather permitted them to operate it, but the alcohol they manufactured was taken by the government. In 1863, Mr. Hunnicutt and Mr. Bellingrath bought out Mr. Taylor's interest and continued the business until 1865. Returning to Atlanta early in 1866 he engaged in brick making. Shortly afterward he formed a partnership with Leonard Bellingrath, an elder brother of his present partner, Albert Bellingrath, and went into the plumbing and gas-fitting business. Their combined capital was $350; and with this sum as a basis, one of the largest businesses in its line in the south has been established-to accommodate which a spacious, three-story store-house, besides

C. W. HUNNICUTT.

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basement, has been built, and a stock averaging $70,000 carried. The firm does a very large business, is wealthy, and financially impregnable. Mr. Hunnicutt is president of the Georgia stove works, established, and now in operation in Atlanta; and vice-president of the Atlanta Banking company. He has been elected a member of the general council of the city twice; and in 1881 was elected one of the county commissioners, and has been continued thirteen years, for eight of which he has been chairman of the board. In these positions his sound judgment and public spirit have been recognized, and practically manifested in his advocacy of measures adapted to promote the material and moral upbuilding of the city.

Mr. Hunnicutt was married Dec. 3, 1857, to Miss Letitia A., daughter of Edwin Payne, who was a native of Virginia. Six children blessed this union: Luther L .; Mary, wife of A. H. Green, Atlanta; Joseph Edgar; Eddie P., wife of Dr. C. O. Tyner, Atlanta; Letitia A., wife of W. W. Drake, Atlanta; Sallie F., unmarried. Mrs. Hunnicutt died Sept. 24, 1886. Mr. Hunnicutt is a member of the Pioneer Citizen's society of Atlanta, a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the First Methodist church, of which he is a steward.

DR. MILLER B. HUTCHINS, joint-owner, business manager and associate editor of the "Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal." was born in Greensboro, Ga., March 18, 1864, and very soon afterward was taken by his mother to Columbus, where she went to join his father, who was a Confederate officer. He spent the first six years of his life in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties, Ga., and then moved with his parents to Iuka, Miss., his parents both dying there within two years of that time. Young Hutchins was subsequently taken by his guardian, Col. N. L. Hutchins to Lawrenceville, Ga., and lived with him until 1879, when he went to the military school at Dahlonega, Ga., remaining there two years. He was then at Emory college at Oxford for a year, but on account of ill-health was obliged to leave before graduating. In 1883 he entered the Atlanta Medical college and graduated therefrom in March, 1886, with first honors, being also elected valedictorian of his class. From this time until the fall of 1887 he practiced his profession in his old home, Lawrenceville, Ga., coming at that time from that point to Atlanta and being appointed a demonstrator of anatomy pro tem in the Atlanta Medical college. Feb. 23, 1888, Dr. Hutchins was married to Miss Addie Davis, daughter of L. B. Davis, Savannah, Ga. Immediately after his marriage he went to New York and studied dermatology for three months in the schools of that city. He then served one year as assistant house physician in the New York Skin and Cancer hospital and as house physician for the following six months. Dec. 1, 1889, he returned to Atlanta and engaged in the practice of dermatology; and assisted in the business management of the "Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal" for two years. He then became active business manager. In 1889 he was appointed lecturer on dermatology in the Atlanta Medical college and three years later he was appointed demonstrator of anatomy and histology in the same institution, which position he still holds, together with the lectureship on der- matology and syphilis. Dr. Huchins is a member of the State Medical association of Georgia, the Atlanta Society of Medicine, the Tri-State (Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama) Medical society and also of the Presbyterian church. His father was Andrew Jackson Hutchins, a lawyer and Confederate officer, who was born in Gwinnett county, Ga., and died in 1872, aged thirty-three years. He was married to Jennie, who died September, 1870, daughter of James Word, a native of Georgia, and a soldier in the war of 1812, who died in 1890, at the phenomenal age of ninety-four. Andrew Jackson Hutchins had four children, of whom three survive: Dr. M. B. Hutchins, J. Nathan Hutchins, Hartford, Conn., architect,

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and Amelia Hutchins Alexander, Atlanta. Dr. Hutchins' grandfather was Nathan L. Hutchins, who was born in South Carolina and moved to Georgia in 1820, at the age of twenty-one years. He died in 1870, having served in the Georgia legislature; and as judge of the western circuit of Georgia for eleven years, which latter office is now filled by his son, Nathan L. Hutchins.

DR. CHARLES DAVIS HURT, one of the most successful physicians in Atlanta, is the son of Joel Hurt and was born in Russell county, Ala., July 26, 1843. His father was born in Putnam county, Ga., in 1813. He was a planter and owned large milling interests in Russell county, where he located in 1825. He served as sheriff of that county in 1830, was in the Seminole war in 1836. In 1838 married Miss Lucy Long, daughter of Nimrod Washington Long, a native Georgian. They had eleven children, of whom six grew up and three now survive: Dr. C. D. Hurt, Elisha F. Hurt of New York city, Joel Hurt, president of the Atlanta Street Railroad company, president of the East Atlanta Land company, secretary of the Atlanta Home Insurance company, which he organized, and engaged in many other business enterprises. Henry N. Hurt, one of the brothers, served in the Forty-fifth Alabama regiment, and died at Tupelo, Miss., in 1862. E. F. Hurt was also in the Forty-fifth Alabama regiment, serving until July 22, 1864, when he was severely wounded at Atlanta. Dr. Hurt's grandfather was Henry Hurt, who resided in Putnam county, Ga. Dr. Charles Davis Hurt resided in Russell county from the time of his birth until 1861, receiving his education in the schools of that district. In the latter year he entered the Con- federate service, enlisting in an artillery company, principally composed of Russell county men, commanded by Robert A. Hardaway, who was afterward promoted to the rank of colonel in the artillery. Young Hurt served as a corporal for nine months, when he was discharged on account of illness. In April, 1862, he re- enlisted in the Forty-fifth Alabama regiment, Company B. After serving as a private for a few months he was transferred to a cavalry regiment commanded by Col. Hannon, with whom he served until the close of the war. During most of his service with the cavalry he was quartermaster-sergeant, and took part in the battle of Manassas and many minor engagements. At the close of the war Dr. Hurt came to Macon county, Ala., and there engaged in farming until 1869, when he began the study of medicine with Dr. B. F. Johnson at Notasulga, Macon Co., Ala. A year later he went to the Atlanta Medical college, and in 1871 to the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, graduating there the same year. He located at Notasulga for one year, and then practiced at Hurtsboro until 1884, when he removed to Columbus, Ga., and lived there eight years. During his residence there he served as president of the board of health, for seven years was a member of the school board, and for the same number of years was chairman of the board of stewards of St. Luke's Methodist church. In October, 1892, Dr. Hurt came to Atlanta and is now vice-president of the Atlanta Society of Medicine, having been elected to that position for the term of one year, at the annual meeting of 1894. He is also a member of the Medical Society of Georgia, of which he is now a censor, chairman of the committee on programs, and very prominent in all its councils. He affiliated long ago with the F. & A. M., and was worthy master of Hurtsboro lodge, Hurtsboro, for several years during his residence at that point. He was also mayor of that city for one term. Dr. Hurt was married in July, 1863, to Mary Louisa Grant, daughter of John F. and Frances (Pollard) Cone. They have had eight children, of whom six are now living- three sons and three daughters: Charles D., cashier of Plant's bank, Macon, Ga., and partner in the insurance broking firm of Plant & Hurt, who married Anna

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Roe Gray, daughter of James M. Gray, Fort Valley, Ga .; George Nimrod, now residing in Macon, Ga .; Lulu, Lucy, John W., and Mamie Maud. Dr. Hurt was a member of the ninth international congress which met in Washington, D. C., in 1887, and is very prominent in professional as well as social circles, in which he is a universal favorite.

DR. THOMAS HENRY HUZZA was born in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 12. 1863,

and came to Atlanta with his parents, at the age of nine years. He was educated at the public schools of Atlanta, and was graduated from the high school with the first honor. In 1879 he entered Emory college at Oxford, Ga., from which he was graduated in 1883, having achieved the record of 100 in the standing of his class-the highest record for proficiency in study ever made in that institu- tion. After finishing his course there he taught school for one year in Tennessee, and then came to Rome, Ga., where he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Robert Battey. In 1885 he entered the Jefferson Medical college in Philadelphia, and was graduated in 1887. He returned to Rome, where he practiced one year, and assisted on the staff of Dr. Battey's private hospital. In the fall of 1888 he returned to Atlanta and entered upon the practice of his profession and has con- tinued to the present time. Dr. Huzza is a member of the State Medical associa- tion, the Atlanta Society of Medicine and the American Medical association. In 1889 he served as "quiz master" in the Atlanta Medical college. In 1890 he was chosen secretary of the Atlanta Society of Medicine, and in 1890-I he was lecturer on abdominal surgery in the Southern Medical college. In 1890 he commenced the publication of, and edited, a medical journal in Atlanta, known as "The Dixie Doctor," which he conducted for three years. Dr. Huzza is a member of the F. & A. M., and is a noble of Mystic Shrine (Yaavab Temple). He is past chancellor of Empire lodge, No. 47, Knights of Pythias, of Atlanta, and he is ex- treasurer of the Uniform Rank of Knights of Pythias, Gate City division, No. 5. He is a member of Capital lodge, No. 60, I. O. O. F., and of Empire Encampment, I. O. O. F., and he is a communicant of Trinity M. E. church (south). Dr. Huzza's father is Robert H. Huzza, who was born in Baltimore, Md. He came to Atlanta in 1872, where he established the first trunk factory in the south. He retired from business in 1891. At the commencement of the late war he entered the Confederate service, enlisting at St. Louis in Col. Kelly's regiment. He served during two years and left the army in 1863. Joseph Huzza, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch (whose father came from Wales), was born in Baltimore, Md., and was a soldier in the Seminole war.

MR. SAMUEL M. INMAN, perhaps the best known and most highly esteemed citizen of Atlanta, was born at Dandridge, Jefferson Co., Tenn., Feb. 19, 1843, the son of S. W. and Jane Martin Inman. His parents were members of a strong, earnest Presbyterian family, and after attending the primary schools located in and near his home he entered Princeton university and graduated with distinction after a commendable course of study. Just after emerging from this academical institution the clouds of civil war gathered over the country and he immediately enlisted in Company K of the First Tennessee cavalry, a part of Gen. Johnston's army. He served as a lieutenant of his company until the latter half of the war and was then detailed to special duty on the division staff. His conduct throughout these numerous campaigns was resolute, fearless and daring-that which finds the warmest co-operation in noble hearts. He gained the affection of his comrades and left behind a memory fragrant with deeds of gallantry and unselfish friend- ship. With an honorable parole he went to Augusta, Ga., engaged in business for I-53

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a year and in the spring of 1867 moved to Atlanta and has since resided there. In the same year he formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of S. W. Inman & Son, but during 1869 the firm was changed to S. M. Inman & Co., which still exists. This is one of the largest cotton houses in the world, controlling the majority of the southern states and the entire commonwealth of Texas, in which a branch office is located. Mr. Inman, with a rare discernment, has filled every department of his enormous business with capable, competent men, and with a satisfaction of their integrity and faithful devotion to the interests of the enter- prise, he finds much spare time for outside occupations. He has been connected with numerous important enterprises, and his encouragement is solicited in almost every new venture of importance. He is a large stockholder in the Constitution Publishing company, owns a great amount of real estate, and has nearly a half million dollars invested in other interests of the city. He is a promi- nent promoter of public projects, and to each of Atlanta's expositions has given valuable support, both by wise counsel and broad liberality. He is a director in the Inman system of railroads, stretching from Richmond to Montgomery, and Bristol to Savannah. He was largely instrumental in securing the appropriation by which the Technological school was erected and equipped; gave $5,000 froni his own private resources, and secured from Atlanta $75,000 and an annuity of $2,500. He was appointed a member of the board of commissioners, and by his sagacious management the school has improved rapidly and acquired a powerful influence in this section of the Union. In an unassuming manner he gave $5,000 for the support of the Y. M. C. A., offered $10,000 to a hospital for both white and colored, and accepts every opportunity for doing good and spreading the spirit of charity among the people. Mr. Inman belongs to a family of financiers, embracing the qualities and virtues of greatness. His brothers, John H. Inman, of the firm of Inman, Swann & Co., New York, and Hugh T. Inman, capitalist, Atlanta, are millionaires, admired and beloved by all who know them. Mr. Inman was married, in 1868, to Miss Jennie Dick, of Rome, Ga. She died in 1890, leaving two sons and a daughter. He was married again, in 1893, to Miss McPheters, a lovable lady of Raleigh, N. C. Mr. Inman is not an office-seeker, but any honor is in his power. The people would unanimously place him in any public position. His record as a pillar of Atlanta's prosperity and a gentleman of stainless honor is without reproach. High-toned, magnanimous, and with a heart that appreciates the trials and sufferings of the poorer classes, he is loved by every station of society. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian church, and devotes much energy to religious labors. Mr. Inman is a wealthy man, but not sordid nor penurious, and occupies the handsomest residence in the city. A noble, Christian nature has guided and controlled his life.

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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 122

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