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 128

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 128

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JOHN T. MOODY. Ranking among the leading business men of Atlanta, and strictly a self-made man, is John T. Moody. Though three decades have not yet passed over his head, he has lived long enough to make a place for himself in the business world that even in this country, renowned for energy and enter- prise, is one to excite the ambition of the rising generation. Mr. Moody was born in Etowah county, Ala., May 25, 1868. There he lived until sixteen years of age, attending the public schools of Gadsden and preparing himself for the line of work he has so successfully followed. At the age of sixteen, with a brave heart and firm determination, he left his native state and came to Rome, Ga., taking a position with Batty & Hamilton, wholesale grocers. He began at the bottom of the ladder, but soon found himself promoted to a responsible position, with a thorough knowledge of the business. In 1888, when twenty years old, he deter- mined to come to Atlanta, where his keen business perception told him was a wider field for a young man. He associated himself with Maddox, Rucker & Co., and was employed in the fertilizer and cotton department. Having mastered the de- tails of this branch of the trade, he entered into business for himself in 1890, forming a partnership with Mr. G. S. Brewster, in the manufacture of fertilizing products, and also in the private banking business, which business is now conducted under the firm name of the Moody Loan and Banking company. The career of this enterprise has been distinguished by success from the first, and holds a prominent part in the commercial interests of the city. Mr. Moody was married in Atlanta, Oct. 30, 1888, to Miss Mabel, daughter of Mr. G. H. Holliday, president of the Holliday Lumber company, of Atlanta. They have one child, Mary Helen Moody. Mr. Moody is a member of the I. O. O. F., and with his wife belongs to the First Methodist church. Mr. Moody has, by his care, industry and perseverance, succeeded in accumulating a comfortable supply of this world's goods. Candid and straightforward, systematic and punctual in his business, and upright and clean in his dealings, he has established a career honorable to himself and to the community in which he lives.

WILLIAM ADOLPHUS MOORE, who passed away on July 31, 1891, has won the enviable distinction of being the foremost wholesale merchant in the southern states. He was born at Kingston, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1819, the grand- son of Samuel Moore, of Scotch origin, who was a native of Pennsylvania, residing in Lancaster as inn-keeper for some years, and then moved to Tennessee, married Ann White, of German descent, and taught a small school. His father and mother were John Moore and Susan Moore, respectively. Her father was a son of Scotland, who came to America and settled in South Carolina, going subse- quently to Tennessee. Her mother was Barbara Mccullough. While yet a boy Mr. Moore was left an orphan and he, with the aid of his brother, was compelled to support the younger children. This was the severe school in which he was taught frugality, patience and perseverance, and developed the noble traits of manhood that breathed a calm and gentle satisfaction in his latter days. When sixteen years of age he accepted a humble position that paid the meager salary of thirty-six dollars per annum and his board. In 1845 he went to La Fayette, Walker Co., Ga., but removed to Tennessee again shortly after, locating in Chattanooga. His employer opened a branch house in La Fayette, Ga., and placed him in charge of it, the firm being Moore & Mclendon, but he soon sold his interest for a small cash consideration and the balance on time. In 1853 he entered into partnership with Edwin W. Marsh, the firm being Moore & Marsh, and was familiar to every southern merchant. In the same year they returned to Chattanooga and conducted a mixed dry goods and grocery business with

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success until the Union army put them to flight. Mr. Moore, with his family, refugeed first to Cassville and then to Decatur, Ga., he being in such feeble health that his services were refused by the Confederate government. His sympathy was with the south from first to last, but his better judgment caused him to advise against secession. He remained at Decatur through the dark and destructive period, suffering the direst hardships and privations. Immediately after the war Messrs. Moore & Marsh located in Atlanta, established the first wholesale dry goods and notion house in the state and in time the largest below Mason and. Dixon's line, shipping their goods into Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mis- sissippi, Florida and the Carolinas, and made Atlanta the recognized agent for all. northern products. In 1867 they erected a large building, and in 1880 a magnifi- cent structure to facilitate their growing industry. This firm, by its perfect integrity, energy and judgment, easily won decided supremacy. Mr. Moore was a model man, with the great and imitable attributes, exceptional business ability, simple, engaging manners and a heart that beat in unison with all that is true and noble and just. In the commercial sphere he is Georgia's pioneer and pattern. He made religion the staff for his support and comfort, and carried it into his everyday life. He was a Presbyterian deacon in Chattanooga and an elder in Atlanta. He gave generously to the Christian cause, and erected the Moore Memorial church of his own denomination and left bequests for various charities, among them a liberal donation to the Henry W. Grady hospital; the founding of a scholarship at the Agnes Scott institute, located at Decatur, Ga., and a fund for the assistance of weak churches of the Presbyterian church, south. He was a complete man, wise, honorable and just. In 1850 he married Miss Euphemia Barry, who survives him.

MURPHY. This name, though seemingly so inconsequential because so well known, has an origin and an ancestry quite as remote and royal as any in this country. Irish history and heraldry give it high rank and eminently noble and chivalric characteristics. According to the most reliable historical authorities the Murphy's are direct descendants of Cathoire (Cahire-More), king of Leinster, Ire- land, in the second century, who finally became king of Ireland. Two out of a large family of sons-Rossa Failge and Fiacha Baikeada-became most dis- tinguished. From the last-named descend the MacMorroghs-Murchada, or O'Murphy-anglicised as Murphy, and the Cavanaghs. From this distinguished ancestry are descended those so widely scattered who bear the name of Murphy. Through diverging lines the parents of the subject of this sketch were lineal de- scendants of Fiacha Baikeada, son of Cathoire, king of Ireland in the second century. But Mr. Murphy needs not this or other distinguished ancestry to com- mend him; his own estimable character and unostentatious life-work do that. The family coat of arms is ancient and denotes authority and royalty, and the. motto: "Fortis et Hospitalis," the highest type of chivalry and hospitality. And the ancestral home of the family is in the valley, where meet the water of the Avon and Avoca, which inspired Moore's beautiful poem, "The Meeting of the Waters:

"There is not in the wide world a Valley so sweet As that Valley in whose bosom the bright waters meet." * * * *

"Sweet Vale of Avoca! how calm could I rest In thy bosom of shadows with the friends I love best."

ANTHONY MURPHY.

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Anthony Murphy, capitalist, Atlanta, Ga., son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keyes) Murphy, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, Nov. 6, 1829. His father was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1804, and his mother in County Wicklow, adjoining. They emigrated to the United States in 1838, and settled first in Schuylkill county, Pa. Subsequently he went with his family to Iowa, where he lived many years, came south in 1878, and died June 18, 1879. His widow is still living. Anthony was nine years of age when his parents emigrated to this country; he lived with them until he was eighteen years of age, and was educated at the public schools. At the age mentioned he went to Trenton, N. J., where he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade. After serving three years he went to Piermont, N. Y., worked there a year in the Erie railway shops, and then went to the Pittsburgh (Pa.) shops, where he worked at his trade another year. In 1854 he came to Atlanta, and after working four years as a machinist, he ran on the road as a locomotive engineer eighteen months. After this he was made foreman of motive power and machine shops of the Western & Atlantic (state) railway, which position he held until 1861. That year he went into the employ of the Confederate states, but at the end of six months he went to Columbia, S. C., as master machinist of the Columbia & Charlotte railway. After a short stop in Columbia he returned to Atlanta, and soon afterward went to Montgomery, Ala., and took charge of the motive power of what is now the Louisville & Nashville railway, and remained there until driven out by Gen. Wilson's raiders. After the war he came back to Atlanta and engaged in the saw-milling and lumber business. In 1869 he built a saw-mill in Dodge county, Ga., with headquarters in Atlanta, which he continued until 1882. In this venture he was phenomenally prosperous, and at the date last named retired from active business and has since operated as a capitalist. It was during Mr. Murphy's connection with the Western & Atlantic railway (April 12, 1862) that the famous "engine chase" and capture of the locomotive "General" occurred. He was foreman of the machine and motive power, which was absolutely under his control. That morning he was called to examine an engine which supplied the power to cut wood and pump water for the locomotives at Alatoona. While at breakfast at Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) he heard a noise as of escaping steam, and at the same time noticed that the engine was moving, and remarked to the engineer and fireman, "Some one is moving your train." On reaching the door he saw the engine with three cars moving out of sight. Sending a man on horseback to Marietta to wire the superintendent, he started with the conductor and engineer on foot, knowing there was a squad of section hands with a hand, or pole-car, just ahead. Taking this the pursuit was continued until farther on they obtained an engine, with which, after overcoming all obstructions they overtook the engine just north of Ringgold, where the raiders had deserted and taken to the woods. But for his knowledge of the road and his control of the motive power which he utilized, the result might have been very different. Mr. William Pittinger, one of the Federal raiding party who escaped, in a book published by him, says: "The presence of Anthony Murphy that morning was purely accidental. As an officer of high authority on the road, commanding all engineers and firemen, knowing all the engines and everything about the road perfectly, his presence at that time was most unfortunate for us. He was a man of great coolness and good judgment. His first act was far-sighted. He sent a man on horseback to Marietta to notify the superintendent at Atlanta by wire." To Mr. Murphy, more than to any other man, is due the successful termination of that exciting "engine chase." In 1866 he was elected a member of the city council of Atlanta, and served by re-election nearly three years, and was again elected in 1870. This service was rendered

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during the most trying period of Atlanta's history and rendered efficiently. He originated the water works movement in 1866, was president of the water works board for some years, floated the bonds issued for their construction-the work being completed in 1874. During this period he originated and superintended the construction of immense cisterns for saving water for fire extinguishment, was the principal mover in the matter adopting steam fire-engines and purchased the first steam fire-engine, and actively co-operated with Dr. O'Keefe in establishing the present magnificent public school system. Mr. Murphy's early training, together with his practical common sense and strictly business methods, made his services at this time of inestimable value to the city. Mr. Murphy was a jury commissioner a number of years, and served two terms on the county board of roads and rev- enues, of which he was chairman of the committee on buildings, and built the present model alms-house. He advocated the building of the Georgia Air Line (now R. & D.) and represented the city's stock, was an important factor in saving what is now the Georgia Pacific railway, was one of the promoters of the building of the Atlanta Cotton factory and as one of its board of directors was an earnest and watchful worker during its construction, was one of the committee of forty- nine who formulated the present city charter which saved the city from threat- ened bankruptcy, and was appointed by Gov. Gordon one of the commissioners. to appraise for the state the value of the road, rolling stock and betterments of the Western & Atlantic railway. Quiet, reticent, undemonstrative, he is yet an almost invincible power when brought into action-it is only then that his true value is. developed. A more evenly balanced mind is rarely found. While his head is cool, a warmer heart throbs not in the breast of man. Blessed with a sound judg- ment, of unbending integrity and governed by the most scrupulous exactitude in all business transactions, it excites no wonder that he has been deservedly financially successful and is held in the very highest esteem by all who know him. Mr. Murphy was married in 1858 to Miss Adelia McConnell, who, and her parents before her, are natives of Georgia. Her mother was a Bell on the paternal side and Hampton on the maternal side-connected with the distinguished South Caro- lina family of that name. This union has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are living: Annie E., wife of G. H. Tanner, clerk of Fulton county superior court; Kate F., wife of Charles E. Sciples, of Sciple Sons, Atlanta, Ga .; Robert E., John K., Adelia, Anthony, Jr., and Charles C. Mr. Murphy is not a member of any church (though he was raised a Roman Catholic), but is Catholic "in spirit and in truth," liberally contributing to the dissemination of Christianity irrespective of the agency. He keeps fully abreast with the progressiveness of the age, is fully alive to the highest interests of Atlanta and is an earnest and energetic worker in promoting those interests.

COL. PRYOR L. MYNATT, a talented lawyer of the Atlanta bar, was born in Knox county, Tenn., in 1829. Here he was reared and received his early education, preparing himself for the seminary at Maryville, Tenn., in which insti- tution he took a full course, graduating in 1849, before arriving at his twentieth birthday. He then returned to his home, worked on the farm for one year and went to Clinton, Addison county, to assume charge of the academy located there .. In 1850 he removed to De Kalb county, Ala., still following the calling of a school- master; but after a year, on account of his father's declining health, he thought best to be near him, and returned to his home. With the late Horace Maynard, at one time minister to Turkey, he studied law for four years, and was admitted to the bar in 1855, after having also completed a law course in Cumberland university at Lebanon, Tenn. After being recognized as a practitioner he went to

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Jacksboro, Tenn., near the Kentucky line, and began active practice. Two years later, by reason of his father's death, he found himself in his old home, settling his father's affairs and winding up the estate. When this was satisfactorily done he went to Knoxville, Tenn., resumed the practice of law, and in 1858 entered into partnership with C. F. Trigg, who was afterward appointed a judge of the United States district court by President Lincoln. Mr. Trigg was an out- spoken supporter of the Federal cause, and when about to be arrested, escaped, through a stratagem devised by Col. Mynatt. In 1861 Mr. Mynatt enlisted in Company I of the Third Tennessee cavalry as a private, and fought in the ranks for two years. During 1863 Col. Carter, an old friend and neighbor of the Mynatt family, offered him the post of commissary of his regiment with the rank of captain, and later was appointed commissary of the brigade. A splendid service in this position soon elevated him to division commissary, which he held until the surrender. Col. Mynatt was often and desperately exposed in the almost daily raids and forages, but escaped safely through them all. When the war closed he came to Atlanta, Ga., took up again his legal duties and has since resided and practiced there. He was married in 1860 to Alice L., daughter of the late honored and beloved Campbell Wallace, of Atlanta. Col. Mynatt was a member of the constitutional convention of 1877, appointed chairman on the homestead committee. To the next legislature he was elected and placed on the general judiciary committee and made chairman of the committee on corpora- tions. His career as a citizen, a soldier, a lawyer and a legislator is exemplary and worthy of imitation.

JOSEPH VAN HOLT NASH, JR., is a native of Petersburg, Va., having been born in the year 1868. He resided in that city until eight years old, and from there moved to Baltimore, Md. On arriving at the age of matriculation he en- tered Randolph-Macon college, located at Ashland, Va., and after graduating came with his parents to Atlanta, Ga. In 1880 he went to Savannah to become a student at the Georgia Military academy, and after a course in that school, returned to Atlanta. To perfect himself in commercial transactions he studied a short time in a business college and later took a position with an insurance agency of Atlanta. In September, 1894, he was tendered the office of assistant general manager of the American Book company of New York, which he accepted and now occupies with much credit. He was married Nov. 9, 1894, to Josephine, daughter of the late Samuel Hoyle, of Atlanta. Mr. Nash is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias and affiliates with the Roman Catholic church. In 1886 he joined the Atlanta rifles, one of Atlanta's military companies, has experienced a celebrated past record as a private and has filled every rank by successive promotions until he was honored by the captaincy in July, 1893. Mr. Nash is an agile athlete and before the cares of business accumulated on his shoulders he took great interest in the Atlanta gymnasium, and is now a warm supporter of lusty sports and robust, healthful exercise. He is exceedingly popular among the young men of the city, being admired for his sterling qualities, for his cordial, cheering characteristics, and the manly attractions that fasten friends as magnetism induces bits of steel. He is achieving deserved success.

THOMAS B. NEAL. Perhaps no city in the south can boast of a stronger or more thorough banking system than Atlanta, and prominent among the bankers to whom this credit is due is Capt. Thomas B. Neal. Capt. Neal is a native of Pike county, Ga., and was born in that county on Oct. 21, 1838. His grandfather, David Neal, came from South Carolina, and was a gallant revolu-

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tionary officer in the struggle for independence. The father of Capt. Neal was born in what is now Pike county. He came to Atlanta after the war and became one of the leading financiers of that city. He died in Atlanta a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety years. The Scotch-Irish ancestry from which Capt. Neal sprang explains, in a measure, the secret of his commanding influence, as well as the sturdy characteristics of his family. Until his nineteenth year the subject of this sketch lived in the little town of Zebulon. He received only a common school education, but made the best of his advantages. Leaving Zebulon, he went to Minden, La., where he clerked for two years in a general store. In 1860 he went into business for himself, and was just beginning to realize his first profits when the war commenced. Although opposed to secession as a remedy for the existing evils, of which the south complained, he entered the Confederate service, enlisting as a private under Gen. N. B. Forrest. He served under this gallant officer throughout the entire war, surrendering at Gainesville, Ala., in 1865. While in the service the subject of this sketch participated in the following battles: Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Corinth, Holly Spring, the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., the first and second battles of Franklin, Tenn. He was also in the heavy fighting between Dalton and Atlanta, and in front of Wilson on the retreat from Nashville, Tenn. His career of service ended at Gainesville, Ala. On the retreat from Corinth, Miss., the subject of this sketch was captured by the Federals and taken to Alton, Ill., where he was kept in prison for four months. After the war he returned to Minden, remaining there until 1885. The progress of his native state since the war had been so marked in commercial and industrial lines that he turned his face in this direction and came to Atlanta. In 1886 he organized the Neal Loan and Banking company, with a capital stock of $100,000, becoming the president of that institution. Under his able financial management the bank has steadily grown in popularity and strength, and is to-day recognized as one of the strongest banking institutions of the city. Since Capt. Neal has been a resident of At- lanta he has been a strong advocate of all enterprises that have sought to advance her true interests, and has been, since the inception of the movement, an ardent promoter of the Cotton States and International exposition, being at the present time a member of the board of directors. Capt. Neal was married in 1866 to Miss Mollie Cash, the daughter of Mr. P. B. Cash, of Louisiana. Though seven children have blessed the union thus happily formed, only one of them survives, Emma, the wife of Mr. Lee Douglas, a successful young dry-goods merchant of Atlanta, and a member of the firm of Douglas, Thomas & Davison. Capt. Neal is a member of several mystic brotherhoods, being a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a master Mason. A consistent member of the Second Baptist church of Atlanta, Capt. Neal has not been careless of his spiritual interests, and he has faithfully performed all the duties enjoined upon him by his church. His life is that of a man whose purpose seems to be the attainment of a lofty ideal and whose business integrity has always been above reproach.

[ EVI B. NELSON, one among the many able financiers in Georgia, was born in Chemung county, in the lower part of the state of New York, on May 4, 1838. At a very early age, however, he moved with his father into Tioga county, settling in one of the most delightful portions, the village of Newark Valley. This region of the state is famous for its picturesque scenery, and the quiet, subtle influence of this charming locality may have been a potential factor in shaping his life. At the age of thirteen he sustained the severe misfortune of losing his father, who was quite an eminent physician, and who, prior to his long illness, enjoyed

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a monopoly of the best practice in that immediate section of the state. The bereavement occasioned by his sad death was aggravated by the helpless condi- tion in which he was forced to leave his family, consisting of a wife and two small children. This was due to the fact that, for nearly three years preceding his death, Dr. Nelson was a confirmed invalid, unable to carry on the practice of his profession. During his long illness the little money that had accumulated from his practice had been completely exhausted, and at the time of his death he had no patrimony to leave his children save the good example that he had always set before them, and a father's parting benediction. The educational advantages enjoyed by Mr. Nelson were extremely meager. He was forced to begin the skirmish of life at a time when most boys are in the schoolroom, and the knowledge of books which he subsequently acquired was gathered entirely from his own self-instruction. Soon after the death of his father he entered a store at Cortland, N. Y., and received his first lessons in the art of making money. In order to get a start in business he agreed to board himself and after the expira- tion of the first year to receive, as compensation for his services, the sum of $100. This was not a large sum of money, but to a young boy who was just starting out in life it looked like a great deal. The labor expended by the young clerk in earning his year's salary impressed upon him the need of saving every dollar that he could possibly keep back after paying his honest debts. This became the fixed maxim of his life and he made it his inflexible rule never to allow his expenses to exceed his income. In a large measure this simple maxim explains the success attained by Mr. Nelson in the financial world. After one year's service in Cortland a better position was offered him in Oswego, N. Y., which he accepted and retained until the spring of 1856, and then decided to adopt the advice of Mr. Greeley, and turned his face in the direction of the undeveloped west. Suc- cess awaited him at the destination of his journey. He selected the little village of Toledo, in Iowa, as his starting point, and became one of its citizens on the last of March, 1856. His financial affairs were not by any means in good shape, as his cash assets at the time amounted to only $2.50, and he was indebted to a generous friend in the sum of $75 for the expenses of his trip. In a short time, however, by reason of his push and energy, he obtained a position as deputy recorder and treasurer of the county. He retained this position until June, 1861, when he left the office to enlist as a private in the Union army. He entered the service as third sergeant in Company C of the Tenth Iowa regiment volunteer infantry, but was subsequently detailed as lieutenant and acting assistant adjutant- general, performing gallant service, until June, 1862, when, before the receipt of a promised commission as lieutenant, he was compelled to retire on account of injuries received. The operations of the regiment were confined to the west, and the scenes of the campaign in which the young officer figured were pitched in Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. After the war Mr. Nelson returned to Toledo and resumed his old position. He soon resigned it, however, to engage in the real estate business and subsequently in the business of general merchandise, in which vocations he remained until 1869, when he organized the Toledo Savings bank, with a capital stock of $50,000, and became the cashier of that institution. During the same year he was elected a member of the town council of Toledo, and was subsequently in 1873 elected to fill the office of mayor. From 1870 to 1874 Mr. Nelson was a member of the board of education. During the latter year and for five subsequent years he was elected school treasurer. Leaving his western home in 1881 Mr. Nelson decided to cast his lot in Atlanta. Accordingly he moved to that enterprising city in September of that year, engaging in the farm-loan business, with Mr. C. P. N. Barker, as a partner. Mr. Barker had been

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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 128

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