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 137

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 137

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FRANK THEODORE RYAN, ex-city clerk, Atlanta, Ga., son of Lewis and Huldah Ann (Whitney) Ryan, was born in Talbotton, Talbot Co., Ga., July, 1838. His father was a native of Philadelphia, Pa., who came to Georgia in early manhood, was a merchant and sold goods all his life, and died in 1847. He was a soldier in the Creek war, 1836. Mr. Ryan's mother was a native of Connecticut, daughter of Stephen Whitney. They had two children: Frank T., the subject of this sketch, and Charles Roscoe. Mrs. Ryan is still living and makes her home with her son. Mr. Ryan was raised in Monticello, Ga., to which place his father moved from Talbotton when he was an infant. During his boy- hood he attended school in Monticello-which, when the famly first went there, was a relay station for the United States stage line between New York and New Orleans. At the age of twelve years he was sent to Reading, Conn., where he attended a high grade preparatory school three years, returning home in the fall of 1852. In 1853 he came to Atlanta, where he continued his studies until 1855, when he entered the machine shops of the Georgia railway. He worked there until 1859, when he went to Arkansas as a journeyman machinist. There he ran a steamboat until March, 1861, when he enlisted in Des Arc, Ark., as a private in an independent company, which, with other companies, captured the United States arsenal at Little Rock, and the fort at Fort Smith, Ark. In May, following, these independent companies rendezvoused at Mound City, Ark., and formed what was afterward known as the Twenty-fifth Arkansas regiment, commanded by Col. (afterward Gen.) Pat Cleburne. He served with his regiment until August, 1861, when he joined the First Arkansas Mounted Rifles, as a private, sharing in all the battles in which it was engaged until Sept. 20, 1863, when, at Chicka- mauga, he lost his left leg. In consequence of this he was out of active service about a year. In October, 1864, he was assigned to duty at Quitman to collect the

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tax-in-kind and to purchase supplies for the army, and in December following was transferred to Thomasville, in the same service. Here he surrendered, with all his supplies, when the war ended. During his service he was in the following among other battles: Elkhorn, where he was captured, and a week later escaped by crawling between the pickets; Farmington, Miss .; six weeks' fighting around Cor- inth; the Kentucky campaign under Gen. E. Kirby Smith, participating in the fight at Richmond, Murfreesboro, Tenn .; Jackson, Miss. (a week of fighting), and Chickamauga. After the surrender he returned to Atlanta to render what aid he could in rebuilding it-and his appreciative fellow-citizens kept him pretty busy for many years. In 1867 he was elected clerk of the market, and held the office until 1870, when he was elected city tax receiver and collector, and served one year. In 1871-2 he was assistant city clerk, and in 1873 was elected city clerk, and was continuously re-elected-serving seven years-until 1880, when he went into the plumbing and gas-fitting business, continuing it three years. In 1882 he was elected a member of the city council and served one term, and in 1883 was elected assistant clerk of the superior court, filling the position two years. Retiring from the public service, he has since given his attention to his private interests and private financial and improvement organizations. Mr. Ryan was married, in Memphis, Tenn., in 1872, to Miss Elizabeth C., daughter of the late Frederick Fisher, Ironton, Mo., by whom he has had three children: Frank T., Jr .; Anne Louise, and Paul. He is a member, and in 1889 was elected vice-president of the Fulton County United Veterans' association; a member of Tullulah tribe, No. 29, I. O. R. M .; a member and vice-chancellor of Empire lodge, No. 47, K. of P .; a member of the lodge and encampment, I. O. O. F., and has served as state grand representative; is a member of the Scotch-Irish society, and a liberal, zealous and exemplary mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. .

Charles Roscoe Ryan, his brother, enlisted as a private in an Arkansas regiment and did gallant service through the war. After the war he was prosperously en- gaged in merchandising in Memphis, Tenn., for many years, but died in Colorado, where he had gone for his health, leaving a widow and four sons: Charles R., Lewis W., William H., and Baxter.

GEORGE W. SCIPLE, of the firm of Sciple Sons, dealers in building materials and coal, of Atlanta, was born in Mobile, Ala., Jan. 14, 1855, where he lived for only two or three years, and then, with his father's family removed to Columbus, Miss., living there until the civil war opened. They then settled in the neighbor- hood of Columbia, Tenn., on a large plantation, and remained for eighteen months. Then, returning to Mississippi, located in Macon, and came to Atlanta, Ga., in November, 1865. In this city George W. attended school irregularly until the age of eleven years, when he began work in his father's grist mill (now the old Atlanta water works), located near Atlanta. In 1866 the father opened two general stores in Atlanta, and our subject assisted in these enterprises. Throughout his boyhood and early youth he had a decided inclination to barter, and even when eleven years old purchased old junk, comprising iron, brass, and lead, obtained from the local battle-fields, with $1.50 capital, and sold the same at 300 per cent. profit. This encouraged and whetted his eagerness to buy and sell. He secured a second lot, which he disposed of at $12.50. Suddenly occurred to him the feasibility and financial gain in cornering the chestnut market. He carried out the idea, bought all that were offered by all sellers, and held them, at the same time watching the eastern quotations until the price advanced sufficiently, and then sold them at $5.00 per bushel, clearing several hundred dollars. He continued trading until his father bought the grist mill, which stood on the site that the water works now

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occupy. Mr. Sciple aided his father in this industry two years. About this time he received an intimation that luck and good fortune would attend his days, for, investing $30 in the Georgia state lottery, he drew out $500, and magnanimously gave it to his father. In 1869 the family bought a farm, embracing 600 acres, in Bartow county, Ga., but after living here two years the father and son returned to Atlanta, with the intention of establishing a dray line, but finding the conditions unfavorable, abandoned their determination. It was in February, 1872, that George, his father, and brother, Charles E., founded the firm of Sciple & Sons. Having no capital, they purchased a train-load of wood on credit, borrowing $50 to pay the freight, and upon this base, industry, energy and integrity have built a considerable fortune. Later they added coal and different kinds of building ma- terial to the stock. In 1880 the firm began the manufacture of lime at Rogers' Station, Ga., and Rockmart. The former was discontinued in 1883; the latter is still in operation. Mr. Sciple's father, a pioneer of Atlanta's history, who aided her in establishing commercial intercourse with other cities, and strove earnestly for her advancement and progress, died in 1885, the stricken mother surviving her husband only one week. This sudden passing away of both parents was a severe shock to the sons. The firm has since continued as Sciple Sons. Mr. Sciple was united in marriage on October 22, 1884, to Lidie, the accomplished daughter of the late Col. Samuel Elam, of Americus, Ga. They have had five children, three of whom are living: Marie Alma, George W., Jr., and Carl Ellsworth. Mr. Sciple co-operates largely with religious organizations and is steward in Trinity Methodist church, of Atlanta. In 1892 he organized the Young Men's Real Estate Investment company, and was elected and is now president of the same. The company paid in its first year a dividend of 65 per cent. Mr. Sciple is now and has been for a number . of years a director of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He is not a politician,. nor does he care for notoriety. He is a business man, pure and simple, and has the pluck and genius that achieve laudable ends. He is a useful and honored citizen, modest and retiring, and is esteemed by the entire community.

DR. HENRY FORT SCOTT, a very prominent physician of Atlanta, was born in Fredonia, Chambers Co., Ala., June 26, 1853, and lived there until he was about four years old, when his parents removed to Marietta, Ga., and from that point to Lexington, Ga., in 1865. One year later they located in Augusta and finally settled in Atlanta late in 1867. Young Scott attended school in Lexing- ton and Augusta, his preceptor in the latter city being Maj. Capers, a noted educator of that day. When his parents removed to Atlanta his education was resumed at a private school conducted by James A. Richardson and E. G. Moore. In 1870 he entered Bowdon Collegiate institute, which was situated in Carroll county, Ga., and from there he went to Oglethorpe university, from which he graduated in 1872. After his graduation he began the study of medicine with Drs. H. V. M. Miller and John M. Johnson, going subsequently to the Atlanta Medical college and graduating in 1874. He was the youngest of his class, which numbered forty-two members, stood the highest in his examinations and took the only prize offered. In the year in which he graduated he was appointed demonstrator of anatomy in his alma mater and served in that capacity in 1874-5. acting as city physician at the same time. Determined to broaden the field of his observation and professional experience, Dr. Scott sailed in the spring of 1876 to the European continent, visiting Paris, London, Vienna and Berlin, spending the most of three years at the German capital, and graduating (magna cum lauda) in 1877 from Frederic William university-the second highest grade attainable. Returning to Atlanta he resumed the practice of general medicine, I-59

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but two years afterward contracted the field of his work and adopted as a specialty the treatment of the eye, ear and throat. For two years he lectured on diseases of these organs in the Southern Medical college, holding a full professorship. His eyesight failing and rendering difficult the inspection of delicate organisms, Dr. Scott resumed the practice of general medicine, which he now enjoys. He is a member of the Georgia State Medical association, the Atlanta Society of Medi- cine and the American Medical association, in addition to holding the office of medical examiner to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. He was orator for the State Medical association when that body met in Thomasville in 1875, and has contributed several widely-read articles and papers to professional maga- zines. He is a Knight Templar Mason and an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal church south, having also served as a steward of that denomination. Dr. Scott was married in 1879 to Lula S., daughter of Stephen Felker, Monroe, Ga., and they have two sons: Henry F., Jr., and Hugh M., and one daughter, Lula Belle. His father was Henry M. Scott, a native Georgian, who has had a remarkably successful mercantile career; has now retired and lives in Atlanta. Henry M. Scott enlisted in the Confederate service at the outbreak of the war and served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of physical disability, but afterward was engaged in supplying stores to the army of the south. His wife was Sarah J., daughter of Burrell Ragland, and Henry Fort Scott is their only living child. Archibald, the great-grandfather, was of the famous family of Scott, was born in Scotland and emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1770. He was educated in part by Dr. Ramsey, a distinguished physician of that state, whose daughter he subsequently married. He completed his education at Liberty Hall, in Rockbridge Co., Va., from which afterward sprang Washington college and still later Washington and Lee university. About 1772 Archibald Scott was licensed to preach by the Lexington presbytery, of which he was an honored mem- ber until his death in 1798. He settled in Middlebrook, between Staunton and Lexington, Va., and, a thorough whig during the revolutionary period, did much by his patriotic counsels to sustain constitutional liberty. As a Presbyterian minister he established some of the leading churches in Augusta and Rockbridge counties, Va. A number of his male descendants have been distinguished min- isters in both the Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Among them were Dr. W. A. Scott, Winchester, Va .; Rev. W. C. Scott, Farmville, Va., celebrated as a minister and as an author; Rev. Joseph Morton Scott, of Missouri; Rev. Dr. Scott, Galveston, Tex., and Rev. Dr. Scott, Atlanta, a veteran of the North Georgia conference, who have all occupied prominent appointments, the last- named being especially famous, both in his ministerial capacity and as an author. This venerable clergyman's eldest son, Archibald Henry Scott, was a graduate of Washington college and was afterward greatly distinguished as a classical teacher throughout the length and breadth of Georgia, having presided at the academies of Greensburg, Salem, Milledgeville and Hamilton. At these points he educated a very large number of the most eminent statesmen and jurists of Georgia, Alabama and several of the western states. Judges Harris, Crawford and Stephens, of the Georgia supreme court; Hon. Alfred Iverson, United States senator from Georgia; Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar and Hon. John A. Campbell, of the United States supreme court; Bishop Pierce, of Georgia, and other celebrities were among his favorite pupils. This great scholar and educationist died in Ala- bama in 1852, and was borne to his grave by the students of the Southern Military university at Fredonia, Ala. His wife, not less esteemed for her Christian char- acter and scholarly attainments, followed him a few years later, dying at the house of her daughter, who was the wife of Chancellor Foster, of northern Alabama.

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WILLIAM LINDSAY SCRUGGS, journalist and diplomat, of Atlanta, Ga., is a native of east Tennessee, where he was born Sept. 14, 1834. His remote paternal ancestor, Schroggs, came to England with William the Conqueror, where the name became anglicized first to Scroggs and then to Scruggs. In one term of the Cromwellian protectorate two of the brothers Scruggs emigrated to America and settled in Eastern Virginia as tobacco planters. The great- grandfather of William, whose name was likewise William, was a gallant soldier in the patriot army during the war of independence. He subsequently liberated his slaves (whom he established in the Northwest Territory) and migrated to east Tennessee, then a portion of North Carolina, where he settled in what is now Jefferson county. He was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and filled many positions of civic honor and trust. William's grandfather, Frederick, as also his father, Frederick, were likewise successful planters and stock-raisers, and men of exceptionally high character. The maternal ancestors of the subject of this sketch were the Kimbroughs, the Lindsays, Hales, Conways and McIntoshes, all of Scotch extraction. They settled in Virginia in the early colonial days; one of them was William Lindsay, an Episcopal clergyman who figured prominently in the struggle for independence. Mr. Scruggs was sent to college at the age of fifteen, and admitted to the bar when twenty-one years of age, but did not enter upon the practice. In 1856, at the early age of twenty-two, he was appointed a school commissioner of Tennessee, and six months later he was elected principal of Hamilton Male academy, where, young as he was, he won merited distinction as an educator. In 1861 he came to Georgia and settled in Columbus, where he was made editor-in-chief of the "Daily Sun," which, through his able and forceful editorials and sagacious management, attained to commanding influence. In 1866 he came to Atlanta, and in conjunction with Col. John S. Prather, established the "Daily New Era." He was the editor of the "New Era" from that time (with the exception of eighteen months) until 1872, when he was appointed by President Grant to the uncongenial office of United States assessor of internal revenue. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Library association, and largely in- strumental in establishing the present admirable public school system of Atlanta, his practical experience as an educator being of great service in this direction. In 1873, in recognition of his efficient service as an official, the government honored him with the appointment of minister to Colombia, South America (succeeding Gen. Stephen A. Hurlburt, of Illinois), in which position he developed an aptitude for diplomatic service which attracted the attention of the government and commended him for promotion. In 1878 he was appointed United States consul to China-first at Chin Kiang, and afterward at Canton. In 1882 he was tendered the consul-generalship at Panama, which he declined. Two weeks later, without solicitation on his part, he was appointed minister to Colombia a second time. He resigned this position in 1886, and in 1889 was, at the instance of Secretary Blaine, appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the republic of Venezuela. Mr. Scruggs has developed a remarkably decided capacity for diplomatic service, and the government's appreciation of it was manifested by his almost continuous retention and rapid promotion. Tactful, courtly and well-versed in international law and diplomatic usage, he made an unusually able minister, and during his twenty years of diplomatic service he negotiated several important treaties and adjusted many long-standing and vexa- tious disputes. While first at Colombia he was selected as arbitrator in an old and vexatious dispute between that republic and Great Britain. His arbitrament greatly pleased both governments and was highly commended by his own, and established a precedent for the amicable settlement of similar disputes between

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the South American republics and European powers. In consideration of the timely service thus rendered, and as a token of their high appreciation, the Colom- bian and British governments gratefully presented him silver souvenirs, which he accepted in 1877 when he was temporarily out of commission. It was in his editorial capacity Mr. Scruggs attracted public attention and became influential while yet a very young man. Intellectual, unusually well-informed on all sub- jects, and always scholarly, his editorials were strong, logical and finished. In politics he was a Federalist-whig, uncompromisingly opposed to Jeffersonian de- mocracy-hence he has found his views rather inconvenient in Georgia; never- theless, he has firmly maintained and ably defended them, always with courtesy, power and dignity, so as to command the respect and friendship of his political opponents. Of late years he has been an able and welcome contributor to the local press, and many leading American and European magazines, such as the "Law Review," "Magazine of American History," "North American Review," "Political Science Quarterly," etc., and has now, it is understood, ready for publi- cation, two volumes of his writings on political, judicial and international subjects. Mr. Scruggs was married early in life to Miss Judith Ann, daughter of the late Col. John H. S. Potts, of Stafford county, Va.

MR. ROBERT F. SHEDDEN, one of the youngest as well as one of the most successful general agents of the Mutual Life Insurance company of New York, was born in New York city on June 28, 1867. His early education was received in a school near his home, and his youth and early manhood passed in that great American metropolis. When fifteen years of age he entered the service of the Mutual Life as a clerk in the actuary's department, and displayed such receptive ability that he was soon transferred to the supply department and subsequently became secretary to the vice-president of the company, remaining in this position until 1887. At this time he began active agency work as assistant general agent with Mr. E. C. Benedict, and later was associated with Mr. A. T. Cunningham in Atlanta, Ga., under the firm name of Cunningham & Shedden. In January, 1893, he became sole agent for this company in Georgia, and in that position has added materially to the bulk and effectiveness of the business. It is a responsible office, requiring a thoroughly posted man to conduct its interests and multiply its influence. Since 1888 the amount annually collected in premiums has increased from $229,862 to $558,407, while the insurance in force has grown from $6,937,330 to $15,895,633. The "Weekly Statement," published by the Mutual company, compliments Mr. Shedden highly, and closes by saying: "He is a bright, active, clear-headed young man, and if his success in the past can serve as a criterion, he has a most promising future." Mr. Shedden is a member of the Capital City club of Atlanta, and a potent factor in the circles of society. No one is more popular nor enjoys the pleasure of so many social functions as he, for being clever personally and a happy conversationalist, his companionship is desired and sought. With a vim and perseverance that accompany inherent merit, he has worked with a never-failing spirit or ambition from boyhood, until to-day, achieving one success after another, and is as familiar with the principles of insurance as others of longer experience and more advanced years. His upward progress from an humble position to that of agent, controlling vast southern territory, has been steady and pronounced, for promotions invariably follow when capacity, integrity and devotion to obligation are revealed. Mr. Shedden has a magnificent business, and the company with which he is connected has on numerous occasions manifested its sincere appreciation in a substantial manner.

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FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

JUDGE T. J. SIMMONS, chief justice of Georgia's supreme court, is a native of Crawford county, Ga., born June 25, 1837. His early education was received in the common schools of the neighborhood and completed at Bromwood institute at La Grange, Ga. He read law under Col. A. D. Hammond of Forsyth, Ga., was admitted to the bar in August, 1857, and began the practice of his profession in Knoxville, Ga., near his home. He prosecuted this with prosperous results until April, 1861, at the commencement of the war. He enlisted with the first company that was organized in his county, and was elected lieutenant at once. He came first to Atlanta, where his company was made a part of the Sixth regiment, com- manded by Col. A. H. Colquitt, and from there was ordered to the Virginia frontier. In 1862 he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Forty-fifth Georgia regiment, of which Col. Tom Hardeman was colonel. In the fall of the same year he was promoted to colonel. A few months before the war closed he was recommended as brigadier-general of infantry by Gen. Lee, but his commission was never received because of the immediate surrender. After returning home he was chosen a delegate to the constitutional convention in November, 1865; when this duty was fulfilled he was elected senator from the twenty-third senatorial district. He was elected solicitor of the Macon circuit in 1867, but after a few months' service was displaced by Gov. Bullock appointing a republican to the office. In 1867 he removed to Macon, and four years after was made senator from the twenty-second district. He filled the chairmanship of the finance and bond committees. On the latter his suppression of fraudulent bonds was loudly commended. The state was saved an unnecessary expense of $11,000,000. While in the senate he served for two terms as its president. He was again elected to the constitutional convention in 1877, was appointed chairman of the finance committee, reported the financial scheme of the present constitution and saw it adopted without material change. During November, 1878, he was elected judge of the Macon circuit superior court, and held that office nine years. In September, 1887, he was chosen to fill the vacancy on the supreme bench caused by the death of Judge Hall. He was re-elected the following year without opposition, and unanimously nominated to fill the unexpired term of Judge Bleckley, chief justice, by the democratic caucus. "The Green Bag" says of him : "His mind is characterized by that rare and valuable faculty 'the genius of common sense.' His intellect intuitively perceives the substance of the case and is under no temptation to get away from it. This is the temperament that makes safe and conservative judges." This compliment is just, for Judge Simmons is able, con- scientious and generous.

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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 137

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