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 124

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 124

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CAPT. JOHN M'INTOSH KELL was born at Laurel Grove, McIntosh Co., Ga., on the banks of the Altainaha river, in 1823, almost within sound of the sea upon whose waves many years of his long, useful, and eventful life were to be passed. His great-great-grandfather, John Mohr McIntosh-or, as the Scotch write it, McIntosh Mohr, the word "Mohr" meaning chief of a clan-came over from Scotland to join Gen. Oglethorpe in 1735, bringing with him one hundred Highlanders and settling in that part of the coast country which still commemo- rates his name. These Highlanders served with great distinction in all the struggles with the Spaniards in those early days. At the attack of St. Augustine, Jolin McIntosh was wounded, captured by the Spaniards, and carried in captivity to Spain, where he remained a number of years. Gen. Oglethorpe took his family under his immediate protection, appointed his eldest sons, William and Lachlan, cadets in the regiment under his own command. The blood of heroic sires could scarcely fail to produce men of military genius, and among the family names are to be found some that will adorn American history so long as we continue to honor brave deeds and hold patriotism as a sacred virtue. The father of Capt. John McIntosh Kell was a lawyer of distinction, and was the junior partner of Gen. Anthony Wayne. He died at the comparatively early age of forty, leaving a widow and five young children. Taught at his noble mother's knee that life is earnest and duty holy, the subject of this sketch soon took up his part in life, and became the stay and pride of his mother, thus foreshadowing the part he was to take in later years. Through the assistance of influential friends, he was appointed a midshipman in the navy. At the age of sixteen he left the home of his childhood, and, as years went on, took his share in all the important events that illustrated his country at home and abroad. He served with distinction in the Mexican war. He was an officer in Commodore Perry's famous expedition to Japan, which opened to modern civilization that unknown and wonderful country. He volunteered for duty in the threatened trouble with Paraguay, but the intervention of Urquiza, president of the Argentine republic, prevented war. Later, when in the zenith of his manhood, he served his own state and the Con- federacy with all the devotion of his heart through the perils and disasters of the war between the states. In October, 1856, he married Miss Julia Blanche Munroe, of Macon, Ga. A brief service at Norfolk and eighteen months at the Pensacola navy yard constituted his only duties on shore. When the civil war began he was junior lieutenant at Pensacola. Upon the secession of Georgia from the union he tendered his services to his native state, and was placed in command of the steamer "Savannah," for coast defense, where he remained till May I, 1861, when, acting under confidential orders, he proceeded to New Orleans and reported for duty to Capt. Raphael Semmes. The Confederate government

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had purchased a passenger steamer that had run between New Orleans and Havana, and Capt. Semmes, having been tendered the command, had just begun the rather difficult task-at that time-of remodeling her and fitting her out as a war vessel. While the hull of the "Habana" was well built and she was quite fast, her upper works were too light, having been built for passenger accommodation only. After some weeks of work, however, she was put into shape for war purposes, and armed with one pivot 8-inch smooth-bore gun, and four thirty-two pounders (medium), in broadside. With this armament, and with a crew ready to brave any danger, the "Sumter," as she was re-christened in honor of the fort of that name, succeeded in running the blockade on June 30, 1861, in the face of the steam sloop-of-war, "Brooklyn," which chased her forty miles and nearly captured her. The winds and waves favored the daring little craft, however, and with skillful management she made her way to the high seas, where she began her career to "prey upon the commerce of the enemy." The second day out she captured her first prize, the "Golden Rocket." This was the beginning of her brilliant record, for which history has not given her full honor, as she has been overshadowed by the marvelous career of the "Alabama," her famous successor. Capt. Semmes' able and delightful book, Service Afloat, gives in detail the cruise of the "Alabama." Capt. Kell was executive officer of both vessels, for which position Admiral Semmes says he applied for him, because, having known him as a youth, he discovered that he "had in him the making of a man," and knew that he would discharge this trust with fidelity and ability. His daring career is recorded in the history of his country. After the loss of the "Alabama" he returned to the Confederacy, and was appointed to the command of the iron-clad, "Richmond." At the close of the war, worn with service and saddened by defeat, he quietly withdrew to a lonely country home, with no legacy but the consciousness of duty well performed, and with no light save the star of love shining at his fireside, to begin life anew amid the desolation of his native state. The coast, almost deserted by his kindred, had little charm for him; so amid the red clay hills of middle Georgia he found a refuge and a home, and reared manly sons and winsome daughters-"the world forgetting, by the world forgot"; until he was called by Gov. Gordon to be his chief of staff and adjutant-general of the state. He has since found congenial work, and a reward for past service and disappointments in the love and respect of his fellow-countrymen.

DR. WILLIAM S. KENDRICK, the subject of this sketch, has been for several years the proctor of the Atlanta Medical college. By reason of his conspicuous talents he is recognized as one of the leading exponents of the medical profession in the south. Dr. Kendrick was born on a plantation in Chattooga county, Ga., near the Alabama state line. He grew up among the furrows, so to speak, and his early life was that of the ordinary country youth, diversified only by such pastimes as fishing, hunting, and other innocent amusements of the plantation. He attended an old-field school, taught by Rev. F. C. Crawford, and later, by Prof. Dunlap Scott. In 1858, under the principalship of Prof. Scott, the school was transformed into a village academy, and became a local institution of rare merit. In 1862, young Kendrick enlisted as private in Company B, Ninth Georgia infantry. Although an immature stripling, he was full of the martial spirit and bent on shouldering his musket. He was at once made orderly of the regiment, and assisted in keeping the books and records. He did other valuable work and served in this capacity with marked devotion throughout the entire war. He was in the battles of Gettysburg, Spottsylvania, the Wilderness, Petersburg, and quite a

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number of minor engagements. He was stationed at Petersburg for nearly six months. Though never wounded, the young soldier had many narrow escapes. He was at home on a furlough at the time of Gen. Lee's surrender. For two years subsequent to the war young Kendrick managed his father's plantation and taught school. He became the principal of the institute he had previously attended, and for more than five years taught the young of that immediate section of the country. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Robert Battey, of Rome, Ga., and subsequently attended the Jefferson Medical college, at Philadelphia, for one year. Dr. Battey, having accepted a professorship in the Atlanta Medical college, the young student left the Philadelphia institution and came to Atlanta, graduating from the medical college, in which his patron was an honored preceptor, in 1874. Dr. Kendrick commenced the practice of his profession in Atlanta, and, after a successful experience of three years, he decided to prosecute his medical and scientific studies still further by attending the best institutions of London, Paris and Edinburg. He sailed for Europe accordingly, and entered upon the laborious study of his profession, under the leading scientists of the old world. On account of the diligence and fervor of his application he impaired his eyesight, and was forced to return to America. He remained for two or three years at his old home in Chattooga county, after which he spent three months in Bellevue hospital, New York city, thus further perfecting himself for the practice of his profession. In the fall of 1877 he came to Atlanta, and has since continued to practice medicine in that city. Dr. Kendrick is a member of the State Medical association, and is recognized as one of the ablest men in that body. He is also a member of the Atlanta Medical society, having served as the executive head of this organization. Dr. Kendrick has several times been a delegate from Georgia to the American Medical association, and has always taken a prominent part in the deliberations of the convention. As the proctor of the Atlanta Medical college, Dr. Kendrick has entire charge of the finances of that institution. He is a con- sistent member of the Central Presbyterian church, and is a man of deep religious convictions, believing that no life is complete or well rounded that is not modeled after the pattern of the Great Physician. Dr. Kendrick was united in marriage in 1877 to Miss Lula, daughter of Maj. W. L. Groves, who served as the gallant major of the Thirty-ninth Georgia regiment during the war. The father of Dr. Kendrick was a plain, but successful farmer, possessing a strong mind and character. He believed in the simple maxims of truth and honesty, and these he constantly held up before the minds of his children. He was a native of York district, in South Carolina, and died in 1876, at the age of sixty-nine years. The maiden name of Dr. Kendrick's mother was Martha Scott. She had nine children -four sons and five daughters. The only death in her family for nearly fifty years was that of her husband. Dr. Kendrick has been the proctor of the Atlanta Medical college since 1887. During his administration the record of attendance has steadily increased, and the institution has enjoyed great prosperity. No physician in Atlanta has a stronger personal following than Dr. Kendrick. His talents, his dignified bearing and his genial affability have made him not only a leading and successful practitioner, but one of the chief ornaments of his profession.

H. I. KIMBALL was a potent factor in Atlanta's prosperity. Much of his life was devoted to her upbuilding and welfare. He was the son of a poor carriage maker, and was reared to follow the same trade. He was born in Oxford county, Me., in 1832, and died April 28, 1895. Becoming dissatisfied with the narrow scope of opportunity in his native town, he left home at the age of nine- teen years and went to New Haven, Conn., where a better position was offered in a

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large carriage manufactory. He labored unceasingly, and soon was made manager of one of the most extensive factories in New England. But, although per- forming his allotted tasks perfectly, nature had prepared him for higher things, and determined that he should rise to positions that would allow executive ability and open for the world's betterment the gates of his great, noble heart. He lived in Boston for a short while, and then was called to Chicago, in 1866, to accept a responsible position with George Pullman. Being assigned the duty of building street car lines in the southern cities, he made an extended tour through the south, visiting Atlanta among other places. He was fascinated with the thrift and enterprise here visible, and predicted a brilliant future for this section and city. He assumed the management of the southern branch of the Pullman Car company, located in Atlanta, and for the next twenty years we see evidences of his labor in behalf of progress. It was largely through his instrumentality that the state capitol was removed to Atlanta; that the opera house was erected, and the union depot became a reality. He decided the wholesale section of the city by having the railroad tracks laid in their present positions at the rear of Alabama street, and encouraged the building of many additional railroads. At one time he was president of nine distinct companies. His activity secured the state bonds that enabled the Brunswick & Macon railroad to be built. In the Chicago fire of 1871 he suffered severe loss that "threw a damper" over his spirit for almost two years. Adversity greatly affects an ambitious man. Mr. Kimball always believed that the south was the best locality for the manufacture of cotton, and stren- uously urged the erection and operation of the Atlanta cotton mills. He also organized the Peters Park Investment company, and capitalized it at $200,000, and raised the Kimball house twice to completion. Mr. Kimball was a popular man, and having once formed a purpose, its consummation was inevitable. He was persevering, industrious, with personal judgment, coolness of decision and the courage of his convictions. He was a Methodist by faith, and a republican by political principle. He married the daughter of Mr. George Cook, of Boston, and left as his successors his wife and three children: Laura, the wife of Mr. Covall, of Boston; Mae, a charming young woman, and Hannibal I. Kimball, a rising young business man of Chicago.

ALEXANDER CAMPBELL KING, one of the leading members of the Georgia bar, and one of the most successful practitioners in the state, is a native of Charleston, S. C., and was born in that aristocratic old southern city on Dec. 7, 1856. From Charleston the subject of this sketch moved with his parents to Greenville, S. C., in 1862. Here he remained for six years, attending the primary schools and gaining the rudiments of an education on which he has since built the superstructure of his life's work. In 1868 he left the palmetto state in company with his parents and sought a home in Georgia, settling at Savannah, a city that resembled in many of its characteristics the city of his birth. In 1872 he went to Marietta, and two years later he came to Atlanta. Here his migrations ended. Since coming to Atlanta Mr. King has identified himself to such an extent with her busy life that he is looked upon as a typical Atlanta citizen. Leaving school at the age of fifteen the subject of this sketch though possessed of an ardent thirst for learning, was denied the privilege of a college education. He made the best of his opportunities, however, and after beginning the skirmish of life he devoted himself to his books, at such intervals as he could spare, with remarkable zeal and assiduity. He was determined, if pos- sible, to supply by self-culture the deficiencies of a collegiate education; and the success to which he has carried this resolution is emphasized by the fact that

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no member of the Atlanta bar is more widely read or possesses a broader range of general information. In February, 1874, Mr. King began the study of law with Col. George T. Fry (now of Chattanooga, Tenn.), one of the leading mem- bers of the Atlanta bar at that time. The young law student was admitted to the bar on April 9, 1875, entering at once into a legal partnership with Col. Fry. This, however, was dissolved in December, 1877, Mr. King continuing the practice alone until 1882, when he became a member of the firm of Van Epps, Calhoun & King. This partnership lasted until 1885, when the legal combination of King & Spald- ing was formed, the younger member of the firm being Mr. Jack J. Spalding. In January, 1887, the name of Patrick Calhoun was placed at the head of the firm, and for several years it was known as Calhoun, King & Spalding. The recent retirement of Mr. Calhoun from the firm gives it the original style of King & Spalding. Mr. King was chosen a delegate to the gubernatorial convention that nominated Gen. John B. Gordon for chief executive of the state in 1886. With this exception he has never occupied nor sought political position, and las merely discharged the duties of a quiet citizen, maintaining a deep interest in political affairs, but entirely without selfish or personal ambition. Though a loyal democrat and pronounced in his views on all party questions, he has never taken the stump, preferring to discuss issues quietly and to use his influ- ence in behalf of his principles or his friends without parade or ostentation. From 1888 to 1892 the firm of Calhoun, King & Spalding represented the terminal combination of railroads in the southern territory, embracing, at that time, the entire Richmond and Danville and Central systems. At the same time they were employed as general counsel for the Atlanta & West Point railroad and the Queen & Crescent system in Georgia, besides doing a large general practice. The firm of King & Spalding is one of the best in Atlanta, and nearly all the important cases tried before the courts of that city are represented, on one side or the other, by these enterprising attorneys. Mr. King argued alone in the supreme court of Georgia the case of Angier vs. the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia railroad, securing a reversal of the decision of the court below, and in the report of the case (Seventy-fourth Georgia, page 642) Justice Jackson, in concluding his opinion paid Mr. King the following high compliment: "I desire to express my obligations to Mr. King of counsel for the plaintiff in error, for the able and exhaustive argument and very complete brief he made in this cause." Mr. King was married on July 13, 1881, to Miss Alice M., a daughter of Mr. N. R. Fowler, of Atlanta. The success of Mr. King has not been restricted to his professional aspirations. He has demonstrated his ability in various directions. From 1881 to 1888 he served as a director of the Young Men's Library association, and took an active part in the promotion and upbuild- ing of that institution. For a number of years Mr. King was the chairman of the library committee, and in this office had charge of the library and its extension. He is one of the charter members of the Georgia Bar association, and was during the preceding ycar chairman of the executive committee. Before this body Mr. King has read a number of papers, among which may be mentioned: "A Sketch of the History of Land Titles in Georgia," read in Atlanta in August, 1885, and "Reform of Pleadings in Georgia," read in July, 1894, at Rome, Ga. Both of these essays, by distinctly pointing out the defects in the law, have resulted in various important modifications by the state legislature. No two papers ever read before the association produced a greater impression or resulted in such per- manent good. Mr. King is a man of social inclinations, and is fond of the compan- ionship and association of his friends. Though fond of reading and research, possessing a broad range of the best literature, as well as the current topics of the

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day, he takes a special delight in conversation, and is always ready for a social chat. He is one of the original members of the Capital City club and the Atlanta Driving club. As a lawyer, a man and a citizen, Mr. King has always commanded the respect and confidence of the community. Mr. King's father, Mr. J. Gadsden King, is still living. He is a native of South Carolina, but for a number of years has been a resident of Atlanta. Mr. King's grandfather, Mitchell King, was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to South Carolina in early manhood just after the war of 1812. He settled in Charleston, S. C., and immediately began the practice of law. It will be observed that the legal profession in its successful practice, as well as in a theoretical knowledge of the law, has come to the subject of this sketch by inheritance. Mr. King is still a comparatively young man. In the enjoyment of vigorous health, he has many years of activity before him, and will no doubt continue to illustrate for years to come both the genius and culture of the Georgia bar.

DR. JAMES JERROLD KNOTT was born in Henry county, Ga., June 16, 1839. In 1844 he moved with his parents to Griffin, Ga., where he received his pri- mary education, and resided until 1858. In 1851 he entered his father's drug store in Griffin, and later commenced the study of medicine under his father, Dr. Edward F. Knott. In 1858 he came to Atlanta and entered the Atlanta Medical college, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1859. He then returned to Griffin and practiced his profession for one year, after which he went to Paris, France, where he remained until the fall of 1860, visiting the hospitals of that city. Returning to Griffin, he again resumed the practice of medicine. In the winter of 1860-61 he delivered a course of lectures on anatomy and clinical surgery at the Georgia Medical college, at Griffin. In the spring of 1861 he applied for a position in the medical department of the Confederate army. Having failed in this, he enlisted as a private in an independent company which had been organized at Atlanta, and was sent to Pensacola. At the latter place the company was assigned to the First Georgia and Mississippi regiment, in which he served until October, 1861. After his discharge from the Confederate service he reported for duty to Gov. Joseph E. Brown, near Savannah, Ga., who assigned him to the Fourth Georgia regiment (state troops), as assistant surgeon, in which rank he served six months, at the expiration of which he received a commission from the secretary of war, as assistant surgeon in the Confederate army. He was immediately as- signed to the camp of instruction at Griffin, Ga., where he remained a month, and then went to Virginia, as assistant surgeon in the Fifty-third Georgia regiment, and served until the seven days' fight around Richmond, when he was made sur- geon in charge, although still remaining assistant surgeon in rank. He was in the Sharpsburg campaign, and was left in charge of the wounded after that memorable battle, where he remained until November, 1862, and then rejoined his command at Culpeper Court House, Va. He continued with his command until just previous to the battle of Fredericksburg, when he was placed in charge of the smallpox hospital of Gen. Lee's army, at Fredericksburg. He remained there until the battle of Chancellorsville commenced, when he rejoined his command as assistant surgeon in charge, and remained with it until the battle of Petersburg. Va., when he was commissioned as surgeon, and continued with the regiment until January, 1865, at which time he returned to his home on sick leave. After a month's rest he started to return to his regiment, but was taken sick at Augusta and placed in a hospital. On his recovery, he went on duty there in charge of the officers' ward, and was there when Gen. Lee surrendered. He returned to Griffin and again entered upon the practice of his profession, pursuing it until the fall of

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1866, when he settled in Atlanta, where he has continued to engage actively in the practice of medicine and surgery. During the yellow fever epidemic in Chatta- nooga, Tenn., he volunteered his services, did magnificent work, and contracted the disease himself. Dr. Knott was first married, in 1868, to Fannie E. Howe, by" whom he had four children, living: Edward L., Mary Eudora, wife of H. C. McCool, Atlanta: Frances A. and James P. In 1883 Dr. Knott was married a second time, to Nellie J. McCool. They have one girl, Eugenia. In 1893 he made a trip of observation of two weeks' duration to Brunswick and Jesup, Ga., during the yellow fever epidemic at those places. Dr. Knott's father was Edward F. Knott, who was born in Caswell county, N. C., and came to Georgia in his early manhood. He attended a course of lectures at Lexington, Ky., and in 1859 he was graduated from the Augusta Medical college. He practiced medicine chiefly at Griffin, and died in 1878. At the age of eighteen he lost a leg, and was thereby incapacitated from active service in the army; but he was engaged in the hospital service during the war. Back in the 40's he was a candidate for the legislature from Henry county, Ga., and was beaten by one vote. He married Mary A. F. Crenshaw, and by her had nine children, of whom five survive and reside in this state: Dr. James Jerrold Knott, John S. Knott, of Spalding county, Ga .; Dr. David F. Knott, of Carrollton; Louisa, widow of H. Johnson, of Brooks Station, and Edmund F. Knott, of Pike county, Ga. The mother of Dr. James Jerrold Knott died in 1888. His grandfather was James W. Knott, who was born in England, and came to America in his early manhood, with his brother; located first in Granville county, N. C., and came to Salem, Clarke Co., Ga., about 1830, and later to McDonough, Henry Co., Ga., where he spent most of his life. He died within ten miles of that place, in 1865.

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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 124

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