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 125

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 125

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MR. CLARENCE KNOWLES. Perhaps no man in Georgia is more thor- oughly identified with the insurance business in this state than Mr. Clarence Knowles. Mr. Knowles was born in Pensacola, Fla., in December, 1853. He resided in that state until the beginning of the late war, at which time he inoved with his parents to Columbus, Ga., being then about eight years old. He received his early training from the schools of that city, but as soon as the war closed he returned to Pensacola, where his education was completed. In 1870, though still a mere youth, he decided to try his luck in New York, and accordingly embarked in the metropolitan life of that city. He secured a good position with one of the best insurance companies of New York, and soon developed in usefulness to such a marked extent that his employers could very easily foreshadow his success in the insurance field. Having acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, and made the acquaintance of all the leading insurance men of the country, Mr. Knowles decided that a wider field of success awaited him in the south, and, returning to this section, he located in Columbia, S. C. He shortly afterward came to Atlanta, acting at that time in the capacity of a general adjuster. His first impressions of Atlanta were so favorable that he decided to cast his lot in that city. He found it the home of industrious and enterprising business men, whose pro- gressive spirit prophesied for it a commanding place among the cities of the south. His friendships rapidly increased, and he soon realized that he was building up a large and remunerative business in that city. At the present time Mr. Knowles is the southern agent for quite a number of fire insurance companies, and he has the reputation of conducting one of the largest and most successful agencies in Georgia. Mr. Knowles is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. and is also a Knight Templar and a Shriner. Mr. Knowles was united in marriage, in 1882, to Miss Fannie Judah, daughter of Mr. William H. Judah, of Pensacola,

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Fla., now deceased. They have only two children, Constance and Clarence, Jr. Devoted to his little household, Mr. Knowles spends much of his time in the enjoyment of his home fireside. He delights in entertaining his friends, and never appears to be so happy as when they avail themselves of his generous hospitality. Belonging to one of the best families of the south, the social and personal char- acteristics of Mr. Knowles are peculiar to this section. No man in Atlanta possesses a larger or more loyal retinue of friends, and no one is more willing to serve them than Mr. Knowles. Few readers of southern literature are more familiar with the best publications of southern authors, or include a greater number of them among their warm personal friends. He has frequently enter- tained at his home that gifted southern writer, Mr. Thomas Nelson Page, and is a very enthusiastic admirer of his books. Mr. Knowles has never courted political influence, and has always been careful to avoid the scramble for office. He is a close observer, however, and is always ready to discuss public questions in a conversational way. His views are maturely formed and always fearlessly ex- pressed. Recently Mr. Knowles was drawn as a member of the United States grand jury. Judge Newman, recognizing his ability, designated him as the foreman of that body, and a careful review of the record will show that a more thorough or faithful officer never discharged the duties of that responsible position. In both his public and private life Mr. Knowles has always exemplified the qualities of a true man and a good citizen.

ANTON L. KONTZ, Atlanta, Ga., was born in the city just after the city itself was born, his parents having come here in 1848, a short time previous to his birth. They settled on Marietta street, nearly opposite where the United States custom house now stands, and the spot where he first saw the light of day ever since has been his home. His father owned a small farm near the city on which young Anton was an enthusiastic helper; the then "plow-boy" has since developed into one of the ablest financiers, and one of the most popular, influential and progressive of Atlanta's progressive citizens. His early education was obtainedl in Atlanta, which, even then, could claim to have as good schools as any in the statc. After the war he made the acquaintance of Alexander H. Stephens, who at once became deeply interested in him, and in 1871 induced him to go to Baltimore and enter Richard Malcolm Johnston's school for boys. He attended that school three years, then returned to Atlanta and engaged as a clerk in a leading tobacco store. In less than a year afterward he secured a position as conductor with the Pullman Sleeping Car company. After serving as such four years he was made assistant agent in the Atlanta office, then agent, and in 1879 he was promoted to the superintendency of the Atlanta district, which comprised at that time almost the entire south, and was the highest position in their gift in this section. He held this position twelve years, and then, in 1891, resigned to accept the administratorship of several large estates and give closer attention to his own increasing capitalistic interests. He was regarded by Mr. Pullman as one of the very best of his able staff of officers; and had he not loved Atlanta so well, he might have gone higher, and held more responsible positions elsewhere. As evidence of his superior financial ability, as well as his conscientious fidelity to trusts confided, one instance may be cited: One estate he took charge of con- servative business men valued at $65,000. In less than two years he wound it up and paid over to the three legatees $55,000 each, total $165,000, earning almost interest enough to pay the entire expense of administration. Although he had always been regarded as a man of sound business judgment and financial ability, his wonderful success in the management of this and other large estates, and

A. L. ΚΟΝΤΖ.

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of his own affairs, brought him into greater prominence, so that to-day Mr. Kontz is considered one of the soundest and safest of Atlanta's business men. Owing to his extreme modesty he has persistently refused public office, for which his peculiar abilities have often caused him to be suggested. When the Commercial Travelers' Savings bank was organized Mr. Kontz, believing that the city needed such an institution, accepted the cashiership and active management, which he held for eighteen months, until it had been firmly established. Mr. Kontz is and has for some years been a director of the Southern Banking and Trust company. At present he is the treasurer of the Cotton States and International exposition, which is at present being held in Atlanta. In 1888 he was elected a member of the city general council, defeating his opponent, himself a prominent and popular citizen, by 1,900 majority, which was the largest majority given any candidate for city office at that election. He was made chairman of the committee on parks, and took great interest in the improvement of Grant park; was a member of the finance committee; and was one of the board of water commissioners, and chairman of the water works committee, when the preparations were begun for the city's splendid new water supply. The same year he was elected a member of the council he was elected a member of the city board of education, and is still a member, and chairman of the committee on teachers and examinations. He takes great interest in the public schools; and of all the positions Mr. Kontz has held, he prizes that of being member of Atlanta's board of education most highly. Although not a politician he takes great interest in politics; and when Alexander H. Stephens was nominated for governor in 1881, he and a few other friends organized the Stephens club, and so enthusiastic and efficient was its campaign that Fulton county gave Mr. Stephens a larger majority than any other county in the state. This club is still in existence as the Young Men's Democratic league, and is the strongest political organization in the county. Mr. Stephens' admira- tion and friendship were such-for it increased from the time he first knew him as a boy-that when he was elected he wanted to give him a public office-an honor which Mr. Kontz declined. Poverty and distress arouse his profoundest sympathy. All organized charities find in him a cheerful and generous supporter and co-laborer. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, has held all the chairs, and is now grand warden of the grand lodge of Georgia. He affiliates with the Presbyterian, church.

ERNEST C. KONTZ, lawyer, Atlanta, Ga., was raised in Atlanta and received his primary education in the public schools. He was afterward employed for two years in the large wholesale house of John Silvey & Co., where he received valuable business training. In 1880 he began a four years' course at Neel's Kirk- wood Military academy, where under the strict discipline of a graduate of the United States Military academy he was prepared for college, entering the univer- sity of Georgia in the fall of 1884; here he was anniversarian of the Phi Kappa Literary society, by election of its membership, 1887; was president of his class 1887; and was public speaker in both his junior and senior years, as the reward of his scholarship. He graduated from the literary department 1887. In 1888 he took a course of law lectures under Prof. John B. Minor at the university of Virginia. In 1889 he graduated from the law department of the university of Georgia. Within a few months after his admission to the bar, which occurred in 1889, he was appointed sole counsel for Pullman's Palace Car company for Georgia and South Carolina. In 1890 he was, without more than the expression of a willingness to serve, elected over a strong opponent recorder of the city of Atlanta. As recorder he tried about 12,000 cases; of these only eleven were I-54

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appealed; none was ever reversed, and in one particularly hard fought case involv- ing large property rights, which was twice carried to the supreme court, he was both times sustained. He has a large law clientage, and takes an active interest in all movements for the moral and intellectual advancement of the community; is a member of the board of directors for the Young Men's Library association, one of the foremost libraries of the south; a director of the Young Men's Chris- tian association, and is the superintendent of one of the largest and most flourish- ing mission Sunday schools about the city, as an adjunct to which is run a large free day school. His parents were both Germans and Judge Kontz highly honors the sturdy people of his ancestry, but himself born in this country and having a large acquaintance throughout the state and having traveled quite extensively throughout the various sections, has broad views of our country. In a literary address delivered by him on the subject "Georgia" he said: "Oh, proud Georgia! Mother of soldiers, scholars, statesmen, grand men and noble women, seated on your everlasting hills clothed in the rich drapery of forest and of plain; decked in your rich rude jewels, and with lap well filled with amaranth of immortality, sheaves and choicest gifts for your children; in one hand cities, the other out- stretched in benevolent deeds and ever ready for the protection of your people; your feet resting at the sea, 'mid orange blossoms, emblems of your worth; your tresses bound with mountain laurel, fit emblem of your virtue and your glorious achievements ; palms strew your pathway; with your sisters go on in your majesty while the nations wondering watch your sure and steady march to new victories and to greater glory." These sentiments illustrate his love both of state and of the indissoluble union. He is careful, thorough, scholarly, is himself his severest critic, and has the promise of a successful career.

FR LAWSHE, retired jeweler and optician, Atlanta, Ga., son of John and Mary Lawshe, was born in Union county, Pa., March 27, 1824. His grandfather, John Lawshe, was a citizen of New Jersey, and was a commissary in the army during the war of 1812. His father, also named John, was born in New Jersey, and died in Pennsylvania in 1845, aged 61 years. Mr. Lawshe was raised on the farm, and the only education he received was four terms of schooling of three months each. In 1828, when he was four years old, his parents moved to Louis- burg, Union Co., Pa., where he lived until 1848, when he left home to build up his fortune in the south. He traveled by wagon from his home to Pittsburg, thence by boat down the river to New Orleans, coming from there to Bibb county, Ga., where his brother, William C. Lawshe, had been living some years. He remained there six months, and then came to Atlanta, where he located Aug. 16, 1848. Atlanta has been his home ever since. The first thing he did was to make some window sash, he having learned the cabinet-makers' trade in Pennsylvania. The following December he went to work for a jeweler, and made himself master of that trade. A year later, the latter part of 1850, himself and Riley Baker formed a partnership-Baker having $31.75 in stock, and himself $7.25 in cash. A year later Mr. Lawshe bought ont his partner and continued in the business until 1884, being compelled to retire from active business life, on account of three years of sickness, from which he has fully recovered, and is now in the enjoyment of robust health, full of the vim and vigor which characterized his early manhood. With erect form, elastic step, and a bright eye twinkling with humor, he walks Atlanta's streets now as aforetime. During the early stages of the civil war he was in the state's service, and, later, in that of the Confederate States; on account of disability he was assigned to gathering supplies for the hospitals. He remained in Atlanta until the first shell was thrown into the city, when he was ordered to

JOHN R. LEWIS.

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Augusta, Ga., to attend to the above duties. Mr. Lawshe organized the first lodge of Odd Fellows in Atlanta, in 1849; was noble grand four terms, and represented his lodge in the grand lodge three times, of which he has been grand senior warden. He is now an Ancient Odd Fellow. He is also a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men. In 1851 Mr. Lawshe was made a Mason, and he has been exalted to the royal arch degree. In 1852 he united with the Methodist church, of which he has been a liberal, consistent and working member ever since. The church was then known as Wesley chapel, but is now known as the First M. E. church, south. He was chairman of the building committee which had in charge the erection of the present spacious and imposing edifice; is chairman of the board of trustees, and a member of the board of stewards. Mr. Lawshe was married Aug. 8, 1854, to Miss Sallie W., daughter of Willis Peck, who, with his wife, was a native of North Carolina. This union was blessed with five children: John Z., prominent physician, Atlanta, rapidly rising to professional distinction; William P., died in 1892; Anne E., wife of Eugene Hardeman, Atlanta; Mar- garet M., and Er, Jr. The estimable wife and mother-a lifetime consecrated and zealous member of the Methodist church, died Nov. 9, 1894.

THOMAS JAMES LEFTWICH, lawyer, Atlanta, Ga., son of Rev. James Turner Leftwich, was born in Alexandria, Va., in 1861. His father was a native of Virginia, and is a retired Presbyterian clergyman. He was a chaplain in the Confederate service; and, in response to a call, came to Atlanta in 1868, assuming the pastorate of the Central Presbyterian church. Later, he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian church in Baltimore, and removed to that city. He is not now doing any stated work. Mr Leftwich was seven years old when his father came to Atlanta, where he received his boyhood schooling, including a course at Neal's Military school at Edgewood, a delightful suburb of the city. Later, he attended the Bingham academy, at Mebaneville, N. C., where he was prepared for college. He then entered Johns Hopkins university, Baltimore, where he took a special course, including law, graduating in 1880; immediately after which he was admitted to the bar, at Annapolis, Md. Locating in Minne- apolis, Minn., he entered vigorously upon the practice of his profession, in which he was very successful, achieving many notable triumphs, established a fine repu- tation, and secured a good clientage. Believing that Atlanta would become the great city of the south, with a great future before her, he determined to remove to the city; so, in 1890, he came to Atlanta. He has been singularly successful from the start, both in management of his cases and securing an influential clientage. In May, 1893, he became associated with Capt. Harry Jackson in the practice, a partnership which still continues. Mr. Leftwich has an exalted conception of his profession, conforms to its time-honored customs, and is scrupulously exact in his transactions with his clients and the profession. Enthusiastically devoted to the law, and of unquestioned ability, he has a brilliant future before him. He possesses a delightful, magnetic personality, is a fluent and instructive conver- sationalist, a fine writer and impressive speaker-in all things a perfect gentleman. Mr. Leftwich was happily married in Bedford county, Va., in 1883, to Miss Camilla S. Price, a member of a distinguished old family of Virginia. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.

GEN. JOHN RANDOLPH LEWIS, secretary Cotton States and International exposition, was born in Erie county, Pa., Sept. 22, 1834, where he received his education and lived until he was sixteen years old. Leaving there in 1851, he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he studied and practiced dentistry until 1856. That

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year he went to Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated at the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery, and then went to Burlington, Vt., where he practiced his pro- fession, entered the university of Vermont, located there, and in 1860, graduated from the medical department. He, however, did not engage in the practice. In April, 1861, he volunteered in the Union service, and May 2 was mustered in as- sergeant of Company H, First Vermont regiment. After three months' service he was discharged, but immediately re-enlisted, and on Sept. 16, 1861, was mustered into the service as captain of Company I, Fifth Vermont regiment. On July 16, 1862, he was made major of the Fifth Vermont regiment, and on October 6, following, was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. On May 5, 1864, he lost his left arm in the battle of the Wilderness; June 5, following, was- made colonel of the regiment, and mustered out as such Sept. 11, 1864. On Sept. 8, he was made colonel of the First regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps. On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers for gallant services in the battle of the Wilderness, and on March 31, 1867, was honorably mustered out of the volunteer ranks. He was made a major of the Forty-fourth United States- infantry Jan. 22, 1867, and was retired April 28, 1870, with the rank of colonel. On March 2, 1867, he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and colonel in the regular army-the first for "gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of White Oak Swamp, Va.," and the second rank (colonel) "for gallant conduct at the Wilder- ness." Gen. Lewis participated in the following battles: Golding's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Va. (where he was wounded in the leg), Second Bull Run (Manassas), Fredericksburg (first and second battles), Salem Church, Burkitts- ville, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, and Wilderness, where he lost his arm. After the war Gen. Lewis was placed in command of the post at Elmira, N. Y., where he paroled about 5,000 prisoners of war; and in the fall of 1866, he was ordered south and assigned to duty as inspector-general on the staff of Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, at Nashville, Tenn. Six months afterward Gen. Fisk was mustered out of service, and Gen. Lewis was assigned to his position as assistant commander "Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands." He served here until January, 1867, when he was ordered to Georgia, and assigned to duty as inspector- general on the staff of Gen. C. C. Sibley, at Savannah, Macon and Atlanta. In 1868 Gen. Sibley was retired, and Gen. Lewis was appointed to his position as- assistant commander of same bureau, as at Nashville, in which he remained until April 28, 1870, when he was retired. The succeeding fall he was appointed by Gov. R. B. Bullock, and confirmed by the senate, as state school commissioner, and organized the present admirable school system of Georgia. After serving. eighteen months, he resigned and went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he engaged in business with Gen. L. A. Grant, late assistant secretary of war. He remained in Des Moines until 1876, when he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and lived there until 1880, when he returned to Atlanta, and rendered valuable service in behalf of the International Cotton exposition in 1881. In 1883 he established a wholesale and retail rubber goods business in Atlanta, which soon assumed great proportions- and became very profitable. Having been appointed postmaster of Atlanta by President Harrison, Aug. I, 1889, he disposed of his interest in the rubber goods. business, and devoted his time and superior abilities to the duties of the office .. During his incumbency important and valuable improvements were made, cal- culated to facilitate the transaction of business inside and outside; and during his administration the aggregate business of the office increased from $136,000 to. $207,000 per annum. Dec. 1, 1893, Gen. Lewis was succeeded by Dr. Amos Fox, democrat. In April, 1894, he was made secretary of the Cotton States and Inter- national exposition, to be held in Atlanta in the fall of 1895. Gen. Lewis is a

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member of the G. A. R., of which he has been junior vice grand commander-in- chief, and commander of the department of Georgia. He also belongs to the Loyal Legion-his membership being in the Ohio commandery. He is also president of the Summit Land company, Atlanta, which owns a very desirable tract of 600 acres of land about ten miles northeast of Atlanta, of sufficient elevation to command a view of the city. Gen. Lewis was married Aug. 17, 1856, to Miss Frances H., daughter of F. M. Mattice, of Buffalo, N. Y., and to them two children have been born: Fred W., now in the United States Military academy at West Point, and Harold B., at home. He is a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientists.

DANIEL HOWARD LIVERMORE, vice-president of the State Savings bank of Atlanta, Ga., and president of the Bank of Calhoun, Ga., was born in Sanger- field, N. Y., in 1868. In this little town he was reared, received a primary in- struction and a liberal education, and graduated in Waterville, N. Y., in 1889. From here he went to the Rochester (N. Y.) Business university, and was grad- uated from this thorough institution in 1891, and soon after, with a desire to test his efforts away from home and assume a personal responsibility over his growing ambition, he migrated to Georgia, locating in Calhoun, a small town in the northern portion of the state. Here he organized the Bank of Calhoun and was at once elected president. While still holding a controlling interest and the highest title in the bank, he removed to Atlanta in October, 1894, and was chosen vice-president of the State Savings bank, in which he had bought a large block of shares. In 1891 Mr. Livermore was united in marriage to Helen, daughter of A. J. Hale, of Waterville, N. Y. They have one child, Howard Jerome Livermore, a bright, happy-hearted little fellow. Mr. Livermore is a member of the Presbyterian church, and aids religious endeavor with an unstinted liberality. His father was Daniel Livermore, born in the state of New York, and a veteran captain of the late war. His mother was Ella Brigham, also a native of New York. Mr. Livermore is a very provident and practical man, who believes in anticipating the future by prudent forethought. He has handsomely fortified the pecuniary condition of his family by carrying a $100,000 policy on his life in the Mutual Life Insurance company of New York. This is a substantial attestation of sincere devotion. Mr. Livermore, when first elected, was perhaps the youngest bank president in the United States. The phenomenal success that has attended his financial operations has fully justified the wisdom of his selection to positions of such importance and responsibility. He has large moneyed connections in the east which, coupled with his present affluence, indicate a flattering future.

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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 125

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