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 135

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 135

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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sonville, Fla .; Charles H. Richards, Atlanta, Ga .; Mrs. George A. Clarke, Atlanta, Ga. One daughter, Mrs. Charles T. Wurm, died in 1885. Mr. Richards' work in the construction of the new water works plant is well known. to the public. It may be said that its successful completion with the scant means provided for the work is almost a miracle and redounds much to the credit of himself and his intimate associate, Mr. Robert M. Clayton, the able city engineer.

MR. FRANCIS MARION RICHARDSON, who died Nov. 13, 1894, was a pioneer citizen of Atlanta, and gave his efforts to her expanding prosperity when only a "handful" of houses were grouped about the railroad station, where now the Union depot stands. He was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., June 17, 1827; passed his youth in Upson county, and at one time was a prominent mer- chant in Thomaston, Ga. Moving to Atlanta in 1858, he entered the employ of Rawson, Gilbert & Burr. About 1861 he formed a partnership with Robert Faulkner, and this firm gave valuable aid to the Confederate army, in furnishing and forwarding supplies. Mr. Richardson received frequent letters from Gens. Hood and Joseph E. Johnston, commending his loyalty in the efficiency with which he promoted the cause of the south. After the desolation of war had interrupted Atlanta's development, he was among the first to become identified with the re- building of the city. During the destructive smallpox epidemic of 1866 Mr. Rich- ardson displayed a devotion and sacrifice that the people of his city will never forget. He was chairman of the relief committee of the municipal council, and worked with untiring energy for the thousands of suffering souls. The city treas- ury was depleted, and could render no assistance, but this fact did not discourage him, for after gaining the consent of the council he applied to other cities for aid and succeeded in raising a large sum of money and many supplies for the dis- tressed, stricken victims. Mr. James E. Williams, mayor at that perilous time, says of his conduct: "During the whole of Mr. Richardson's term of office no man could, in my opinion, have discharged his official duties more efficiently. I shall never forget his noble work during the smallpox epidemic of 1866. I have known him nearly forty years, and I do not know of anyone who has done more both for the moral and physical welfare of Atlanta than he." 'Mr. Richardson from his early youth was a member of the Methodist church, and labored in the field of Christianity with a true appreciation of the Gospel's teaching, and a love of morality and honor that bestowed on his endeavors the respect, confidence and admiration of the people. For many years he served as superintendent of Trinity Sunday school. He founded a Sunday school on Fair street, which grew into St. Paul's church, and gave years of ardent labor in that field. He also, with Dr. T. A. Ken- dall and Miss Laura A. Haygood, established Trinity Mission Sunday school, for which he labored as superintendent twelve years and up to his last illness. His especial delight was to help the poor and friendless, and no man in Atlanta was ever more beloved among that class of its population. A beautiful evidence of their devotion to him was given at his funeral, when hundreds of poor children marched past his coffin, each laying thereon a simple flower as token of their love for their dead superintendent. Miss Laura A. Haygood, who was associated with him in much of his Sunday school work, has said that she does not know of any inan in Atlanta's history who has done so much good among the poor as did Mr. Richardson. He was one of the most active factors in building up Methodism to its great strength in Atlanta. Mr. Richardson for many years was engaged in the stove and house furnishing business in Atlanta. In 1882 he accepted a position as general southern agent for Jones & Abbott, stove manufacturers of Zanesville, Ohio, and held it with marked success until his death. He left a widow and four

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children. The eldest of these is F. H. Richardson, editor of the Atlanta "Journal." The others are: Mrs. R. W. Rood, Atlanta; Edward Richardson, of the United States pension office; and W. W. Richardson, an Atlanta journalist. Mr. Rich- årdson was of Scotch-Irish stock. His father, Rev. Allen Richardson, served in the war of 1812 and moved from Virginia to Georgia in 1825.

DR. ROBERT BEMAN RIDLEY, one of the most successful and distinguished medical practitioners of Atlanta, belongs to a family of physicians-all eminent in the profession, he having two brothers, Dr. Charles B., and Dr. Frank M. Ridley, both located in La Grange, Troup Co., Ga., the last named having been in 1895 elected president of the Georgia State Medical association. Dr. Ridley was born in LaGrange in October, 1842. His father, Dr. R. A. T. Ridley, was a man of unusual prominence, and was equally distinguished in his profession and in public affairs. He was born in the historic village of Mecklenburg, N. C., and was graduated with distinction from the Charleston Medical college. For a number of years he practiced his profession, with lucrative results, in Troup county; and taking an active part in politics he represented his county in the legislature and also served the district for several terms as state senator. He was a man of blameless character and of wide personal influence. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Morris, was a daughter of John Morris, of North Carolina, and was born in that state in 1812. Dr. Ridley, the elder, died at LaGrange in 1872. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in Troup county and derived his academic education from the LaGrange high school. He was just preparing to enter the junior class at the state university when the declaration of war, calling the south to arms, prevented him from carrying out this cherished intention. In May, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the LaGrange light guards, which was subsequently attached to the Fourth Georgia Confederate regiment, commanded by Col. George Doles. This regiment performed its first service at Norfolk, Va., going to Richmond after the evacuation of that city, and participating in nearly all the important battles of the Virginia campaign, among them the following: Seven days' fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness (May 5 and 6), Spottsylvania court house, where he received two wounds, one in the leg and one in the shoulder; Winchester, Cedar creek, Sailors' creek, and Appomattox. The regiment during this campaign formed a part of Gen. Rodes' division in the celebrated corps of Stonewall Jackson. On the death of this lamented leader Gen. Ewell succeeded to the command. The young soldier for his gallant behavior was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. After a furlough of sixty days he rejoined his regiment and remained in the active service until Gen. Lee's surrender. After the war the subject of this sketch returned to his home at LaGrange and was soon after unanimously elected captain of the La Grange light guards. He subsequently engaged in mercantile pursuits at Augusta, but finding this sort of life distasteful to him he decided to adopt his father's profession, and thereupon commenced the study of medicine. Under his father's supervision he commenced his studies and was soon prepared to enter the Jefferson Medical college at Philadelphia. Grad- uating from this institution in 1869, with such men as Dr. A. W. Calhoun and Dr. J. S. Todd, he returned to LaGrange and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. Leaving LaGrange in 1874 he decided to spend a winter in the hospital practice in New York, after which he located in Atlanta. Since coming to this city he has enjoyed a large and constantly growing practice. For two years he was associated with Dr. J. S. Todd, the style of the firm being Ridley & Todd; but since that time he has practiced alone. Dr. Ridley has devoted himself in

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recent years chiefly to obstetrics, in which department of the practice he occupies- the leading rank. He is held in the highest esteem by his professional brethren and is regarded in the community as a man of talent, uprightness and integrity. Dr. Ridley is a member of the State Medical association of Georgia, and also of the Atlanta Medical society. In 1892 he was appointed one of the visiting physi- cians of the Grady hospital. Dr. Ridley was united in marriage on Nov. 23,. 1875, to Miss Emma Leila Hill, a daughter of the late Senator Benjamin H. Hill, a lady of rare beauty and culture, who died on May 19, 1883. Five children were born to them, of whom three are living. In February, 1886, Dr. Ridley was. inarried a second time, to the widow of Capt. John F. Kiser, of Atlanta, and five children have been born of this union, two sons and three daughters. Possessed. of a genial and attractive disposition, the personality of Dr. Ridley is magnetic and engaging. He is extensively read not only in his profession, but in general litera- ture, and his conversation is rich, fascinating and instructive. He is a man of pro- gressive ideas and believes in keeping abreast of the times. In his private life his. reputation has always been that of a just, conscientious and upright man.

DR. ULOF O. ROBERTSON, an eminent and learned physician of Atlanta, is a native of north Europe, having been born in the kingdom of Sweden July 12, 1846. In that country he passed his first two decades attending the schools: that afforded a liberal education and later entered the university, graduating a few vears afterward. In 1865, when peaceful relations were resumed between the contending sections of the Union, he decided to try his fortune in the new world, and embarked for America, landing in New York city, and remained in this, his first destination, for a few months, and subsequently moved southward, locating in middle Georgia. Having received a scientific and technical education, and being thoroughly acquainted with the practical working of machinery, he easily found a desirable position in a locomotive shop, and a few years later in a large saw mill, and began his labors immediately; but being unaccustomed to the warm climate, and as yet not acclimated, contracted a contagious malarial fever. There were no physicians in the neighborhood to whom he could apply for relief, and in fighting the disease himself, and in aiding and restoring his associates, who were alike attacked with the malady, he became interested in the science of hydrotherapeutics, and began investigations in this system. He was fascinated with the study, and resolving to prosecute medicine as a life-work went to New York, enrolled as a member of the Hygeio-Therapeutic college of that state, and was graduated in 1875. He then returned to Bartow county, Ga., practiced his profession for four years, and in 1879 removed to Atlanta, where he has since resided. Dr. Robertson was married in Chicago May 21, 1879, to May B., daugh- ter of C. H. Horine, a native of Kentucky. They have no children. He affiliates. with the Episcopal church of Atlanta. Dr. Robertson controls the only Hydro- pathic institute in the city. As manager and professional director he has encoun- tered and effected cures in some of the most difficult cases on record. The method of water treatment frequently proves the agent to combat disease when allopathy, homeopathy, the eclectic, and the various additional schools of medicine, have fruitlessly exerted their curative properties. To have established this boon to the sufferer in a city where no similar treatment is available is an act laudable and commendable. Dr. Robertson has a large, steady and growing practice, such as his skill and knowledge warrant; and his future prosperity, as indicated by his present increasing success, is undeniably assured.

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REV. JOHN B. ROBINS, D. D., is the son of T. S. Robins, and was born in Putman county, Ga., Sept. 21, 1851. His parents were of Scotch descent, and have transmitted to their son the peculiar traits of this vigorous and pros- perous race of people. His father was a prosperous planter and slave owner before the war between the states. At its close his property was all gone, and in common with the survivors of "the lost cause" he had to struggle to maintain his family. As a result John B. was brought up on the farm, where he learned those habits of industry and self-reliance that have marked his career in subse- quent life. In 1872 he graduated from Emory college, and in 1873 he was admitted to the bar in Greensboro, Ga., with a bright future before him. On Jan. II, 1874, he married the sweetheart of his boyhood, Miss Mason A. Alford, and in September of that year he removed to Putman county, Ga., and entered his chosen profession in the town of Eatonton, with great energy and bright hope of brilliant success. But God had better things in store for him. He was converted and called to preach in 1871, while in school, but was disobedient to the heavenly calling, and for six years he played the roll of Jonah, and came near being swallowed by worldliness. To use his own language, in 1877 he "abandoned forever a life of sin, and gave himself to his church." He was licensed to preach Oct. 27, 1877, and was admitted on trial in the north Georgia conference, M. E. church, south, in December of the same year. He entered the work of the ministry with great energy and enthusiasm, and in three years' time he was trans- ferred from the country to the city charge. After ten years' successful labor as a stationed preacher he was made presiding elder of the Dalton district, and such was his popularity in the district, and such his devotion to the work, that he regarded it as a great trial to leave Dalton, and to go to First church, Atlanta; but on his arrival in Atlanta his reception was so cordial and the co-operation of his people so hearty, that he at once entered on the labors of the year with his characteristic energy and devotion, and was soon recognized as one of the most popular preachers and pastors in this great city. His brethren in the pastorate gave expression to their confidence and esteem by electing him president of the Pastors' conference. As pastor of the First church he occupies one of the most honorable and responsible positions in the M. E. church, south. He is a terse and forcible writer, and a frequent contributor to the periodicals of his church. In 1895 he received the honorary degree of doctor of divinity from his alma mater, Emory college, and the week following the same degree was conferred on him by the university of Georgia. His pastorate of First Methodist church will end Nov. 20, 1895, at which time he will, under the law of his church, be appointed to another field of labor. For four years this church has been crowded Sunday after Sunday, and several hundred persons have been added to its membership. It is one of the largest, most influential and most intellectual churches in southern Methodism. Such a son is an honor to his parents and a blessing to his church. In addition to newspaper and periodical work he has written several books. His famous book, Christ and Our Country; or, A Hopeful View of Christianity in the Nineteenth Century, has given him rank among the best thinkers and writers of to-day. He is a ripe scholar and profound thinker, a finished writer and forcible speaker, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

PAUL ROMARE, vice-president of the Atlanta National bank, is a Swede by birth, having been born on the shores of the Cattegat, in the town of Torekov, province of Skane, Sweden, Nov. 20, 1828. His history is a most interesting one. His father was a sea captain and when a small boy he delighted in accompanying his father on long and difficult voyages. He came to America several times both

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with his father and brother, who followed the same occupation. Once when in the harbor of New York and an opportunity given to view the surrounding city and compare its attractive features to the towns of the old world, he became enamored of its charms, felt that liberty was the inspiring sentiment that governed its people, and believing that this was the place for the display of ambition and the field for individual accomplishment, he escaped from the ship in which he had crossed the sea, having had a difficulty with the captain the previous day, and eluding the search that was made, led by his brother, he remained securely concealed until all danger was past, and then emerged from his place of hiding to find a new world before him. Without a word of English at his command he was at first baffled by his condition, but seeing a brig bound for Mobile he boarded it and during the journey acquired a small vocabulary with the aid of Two Years Before the Mast. He made several trips after this, going to Cuba, Mexico and the West Indies. He soon after obtained a position with a fellow- countryman in the iron works of Cooperville, S. C., as interpreter, and later as clerk and bookkeeper, remaining here from 1850 to 1854. It was a prosperous industry, manufacturing pig iron, bar iron and hollow ware. In the summer of 1854 he revisited his old home, being warmly received after a long absence, and returned to his adopted land after a short visit. Through the personal friendship of George S. Cameron he secured a situation in the bank of Chester, S. C., and here the opening of the war found him. He enlisted in the Confederate service and contended with the same patriotisni as a native-born southerner. The war over he returned to Camden, S. C., but in the fall removed to Atlanta to accept a position in the Atlanta National bank. This was also through the instrumentality of his old friend, Mr. Cameron. He received the first deposit ever placed in this bank. Here he has labored ever since. These are his noble words: "I have made my home in Atlanta; here I expect to spend the rest of my life, and depart- ing bequeath to this city and her people my fondest wishes and blessings." Mr. Romare was married in Grace church, Camden, in 1863, to Miss Lucy Fisher. They have an accomplished, interesting family.

SIDNEY ROOT, retired capitalist, Atlanta, Ga., son of Salmon and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Root (of Puritan ancestry), was born in Montague, Mass., March II, 1824. The family genealogy shows that it went from Normandy, France -- whence it fled to England on account of the persecutions of the Huguenots. The original name was Racine, was afterward anglicized to Rootes-a spelling still preserved in Virginia. He was educated in the public schools, but never went to school more than three months in any one year, having to work the other nine. His father was a farmer, and about 1836 moved to Vermont, and bought a farm in Craftsbury of an ex-governor in whose honor the town was named. He early manifested a strong taste for architecture (inherited from his mother), and begged to study it; but his practical father decided he had better make a living, so apprenticed him to a jewelry concern at $2.50 and board per month, where he became an expert in the watch-making industry. In 1843 he borrowed $60 from his brother-in-law, W. A. Rawson, late of Atlanta, and came to Lumpkin, Stewart Co., Ga., where he entered his general merchandise store as a clerk at $250 a year. Two years later, at the age of twenty, he was admitted to a partnership, and three years afterward bought his partner's interest and assumed control of the business. Superior business capacity and methods, and the high standard of commercial honor he fixed for his guidance and observance, secured for him a large and lucrative business and phenomenal financial success. His great capa- bilities and largely augmented capital demanded a broader field for profitable and

Sidney Look-

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useful employment, he set about seeking it. He visited several large cities, and after careful investigation and profound thought he decided that Atlanta presented the most advantageous field for his ambitious commercial aspirations; so, in 1858, he came to Atlanta, and was largely instrumental in inducing his cousin and brother-in-law, the late E. E. Rawson, to come to Atlanta also. Entering into partnership with Mr. John N. Beach, a gentleman of capital, and engaged in the dry goods business under the firm name of Beach & Root. Their business soon exceeded in amount that of any other house in Atlanta, and was the first to engage in direct importation and the wholesale trade. Before the war they whole- saled goods to merchants in the southern part of Alabama and Mississippi, and filled orders for goods at retail to middle western Georgia and eastern Alabama. When the "unpleasantness" was "precipitated" Mr. Beach went to England, and with the confident expectation of southern independence three houses were established: Beach & Root, in Atlanta and Charleston, and Beach, Root & Co., in Liverpool. A prodigious business resulted, chiefly in exporting cotton and importing supplies through the blockade for the Confederate states. During the four years of "the war between the states" this firm did, perhaps, the largest business ever done by one firm in the south. In the autumn of 1864, charged with an important and delicate mission of the Confederate government to the govern- ments of Europe, he went abroad and remained about eight months, visiting Eng- land, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, and many of the West India islands. His business, especially his confidential relation with the Confederate government, brought him into direct contact with all its prominent officials, and enabled him to become pleasantly acquainted with many of the most distinguished men of Europe and other foreign realms, giving him advantages in this respect probably not surpassed by any other American citizen. On his return in July, 1865, Mr. Root found his property in ruins, his servants gone, his children uneducated, and himself under arrest. He was held for three weeks on the charge of holding Confederate property, while the fact was that the government owed his firm a vast sum. The value and magnitude of his business transactions, and his losses, may be inferred, when it is stated that the firm had thirteen or fourteen stores con- sumed by the destruction of Atlanta, immense stores of merchandise and war supplies and two thousand bales of cotton in various places in the south, besides several ocean craft. I11 1866 he sold most of his Atlanta property (his dwelling house to ex-Gov. Joseph E. Brown), and went to New York. There his business connection was maintained with Charleston and Liverpool for two years, when the firm was dissolved. Although his office was in sight of the stock exchange and the gold board, Mr. Root never speculated to the extent of a dollar, although in the thick of the "black Friday" he saved himself and all his friends from loss. A curious, but exceedingly interesting episode occurred in 1875. One day several negroes came to him at his office, 42 Broadway, and said they had been turned out of church for starting a mission on Twenty-sixth street, and asked him to preach for them. He demurred, telling them he was no preacher, that he had been a slave holder, a rebel, etc. They said they knew all that, but he came from their country (the south), they had but few friends and wanted his aid. He consented to try the experiment. The first meeting there were six in the congre- gation; but he persevered in the "experiment" until the hall was crowded, and, after great difficulties, he finally organized Mt. Olive (colored) church, which now has 1,000 members, who worship in a marble church on Thirty-third street, toward the building of which Mr. Root's friend. J. D. Rockefeller, gave $12,500. Mr. Root remained in New York until he returned to Atlanta in 1878, since when his time and valuable services have been devoted to general public and special educa-

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tion and religious development. When it was determined to hold the Interna- tional Cotton exposition in Atlanta in 1881 Mr. Root was commissioned to travel in furtherance of its objects and visit the principal cities of the United States and Canada, and during the exposition he had charge of the public comfort and foreign departments. In his final report Director-General H. I. Kimball makes the following voluntary complimentary mention of the services rendered by him: "Probably none of the officials will be better remembered by visitors to the exposition than Mr. Root, whose painstaking and earnest efforts to accommodate and oblige all who fell within range of his official duties, made him deservedly popular." When in 1883 Col. Lemuel P. Grant made his munificent donation of 100 acres of land to the city for a public park, Mr. Root was made president of the park commissioners, which he continued to be for many years, and is now serving as secretary. It is due to his tasteful suggestiveness and intelligently enthusi- astic co-operation with the landscape engineer that the drives and walks are so artistically laid out and appropriately christened, that the park to-day is so well equipped and so delightfully attractive as a recreative resort, of which the city is justly proud. For many years Mr. Root has taken a lively interest in the efforts to preserve and extend American forests, has attended many mcctings held by the International American Forestry congress, and is an enthusiastic member of the Southern Forestry congress, of whose meeting in 1887 he was president pro tem. His literary tastes are critical and very refincd; his reading extensive, while select, and his scholarly attainments far beyond those of most persons engaged in commercial affairs, while he is a writer of unusual brilliancy and ability. In 1865 he wrote a much-admired book of travels, which was published in London, and he also wrote a short story founded on incidents of the war, entitled History of a Union Spy, which was reprinted in London, and has con- tributed numerous interesting articles to various publications on different subjects. In religious and educational matters Mr. Root has been equally industrious, earnest and useful as in other fields where his services have been so efficient and valuable. In this work, particularly as connected with Sunday schools, his labors have been long continued and sclf sacrificing. For ten years he was superintend- ent of the Second Baptist Sunday school, Atlanta, and during his twelve years' residence in New York he was superintendent of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church Sunday school, was secretary of the board of trustees, a trustee of Rutger's Female college, and a member of several benevolent societies. He prepared a work, A General Bible Question Book, which had a very extended sale. For about fourteen years he has had largely under his care the Atlanta Baptist seminary for the theological and normal education of colored young men. For some twelve years he has been resident trustee and general supervisor of the famous undenominational Spelman seminary, which has grown from eleven pupils, two teachers, no property and few friends, to nearly nine hundred pupils, thirty-eight teachers and property worth $150,000. This institution for the indus- trial and Christian education of colored girls is favorably known all over the country, and is the largest institution of the kind in the Union. He has acted in Atlanta as the fiduciary agent of Mr. J. D. Rockefeller in the disbursement of more than $100,000 in building Rockefeller hall and other extensive improvements connected with and a part of Spelman seminary. It is safe to affirm that no man more fully enjoys the unreserved confidence of this distinguished philanthropist than Mr. Root. Of education Mr. Root has been an ardent, persistently working friend all his life. His life-long useful career is nearing its end. Its vicissitudes he has met as it became a true man. He has experienced its greatest extremes- a poor boy starting alone and moneyless to solve life's problem; then a million-

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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 135

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