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 138

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 138

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MAJ. W. F. SLATON, the efficient superintendent of the Atlanta public schools, was born in Meriwether county, Ga., March 6, 1831. After a thorough home training, where the principles of truth, integrity and honor were instilled in his young heart, he entered a school in Autauga, Ala., whither the family had moved, and here he obtained the foundation for higher and more difficult studies. Leav- ing this primary institution he was for a long time under Dr. Charles P. Beman, the most distinguished educator of the day, and one who has, above all others, inspired the minds of Georgia youths with patriotism and true greatness, and prepared their intellects for high positions in both state and national governments. Under this famous tutor the young student advanced rapidly. His excellence was not confined to a single topic, but seemed to grasp with a ready comprehension and unravel the knotty problems of every branch of learning. All his faculties were developed simultaneously, and he found a delight in mastering every science. Dr. Beman often complimented him upon his ripe and scholarly attainments.

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Thus intellectually armed to meet life's conflict, he began his first professional labors in a small school located in Oak Bowery, Ala. Seeing the discipline he maintained and the ability displayed, the parents placed their children under his tutorship. The members increased daily and the success of the school was established. About this time he met Miss N. J. Martin, a young lady of wealth, beauty and accomplishments, the daughter of an influential southern family. He became at once enamored of her charms, and they were united in marriage Dec. 6, 1853. With his bride he went to Auburn, Ala., established a large, prosperous high school, and was instrumental in founding the military college at Auburn. When the south took arms against her northern brothers he was among the first to enlist in her ranks. He fought with intrepid courage at Corinth, Iuka and Vicksburg. As an officer he was commended by his generals and lauded by those who touched shoulder to shoulder with him in the fierce engagements. Prudence, honor and bravery characterized his career. During the war Maj. Slaton was twice captured, once at Vicksburg, but was soon after exchanged and returned to his command, and once at Lookout Mountain. From here he was taken to Johnson's island, Lake Erie. In 1871 Maj. Slaton moved to Griffin, Ga., accepted the principalship of Sam Bailey institute, won cordial praise for culture and management, and remained until 1874. At that time he was elected principal of the boys' high school of Atlanta, Ga. He popularized the school by his industry and skill and built it gradualy from an inefficient factor of education to. its present flourishing state. In 1879 he was elected superintendent of the public schools above a great number of competitors, and has since occupied this position. By magnetism, discipline and new methods he invigorated the school system, infused a popularity that has never waned and made of them the educational standard of the south. Maj. Slaton has delivered numerous addresses that pro- nounce him an earnest, erudite leader. Chief among these were lectures before the Peabody institute and the National Association of Superintendents in New York. In personal appearance Maj. Slaton is erect, soldierly in bearing, with noble and attractive features. He is an orator, eloquent and persuasive. By a genial disposition and magnetic personality he has gained innumerable friends; by energy, strength of character and indomitable will he has perpetuated a reputation for powerful mental attributes. Maj. Slaton's father was a resolute, industrious planter and influential citizen of Georgia. His mother is a member of an honored Georgia family, possessing practical judgment, benevolence and a guarded, kindly love in the rearing of her children.

JOHN MARSHALL SLATON, of the law firm of Glenn, Slaton & Phillips, was born in Meriwether county, Ga., Dec. 25, 1866, and lived for five years on a farm, consisting of 2,000 acres, that had belonged to the family more than one hundred years. From this extensive plantation he moved in 1871 to Spalding county, Ga., and during the four succeeding years attended a small school of that neighborhood. In 1875 he came to Atlanta, passed with distinction through the grades of the public schools, and received a diploma from the boys' high school in 1880. He then entered the sophomore class of the university of Georgia, Athens, at once asserted a leadership, which continued throughout his entire course, and was graduated with first honors and a M. A. degree in July, 1886. He returned to Atlanta, and, having determined from early boyhood to become a lawyer, entered upon his studies with this intention in the office of Hopkins & Glenn. After thorough study he was admitted to the bar in July, 1887, and began practice alone, continuing until February, 1893, when he formed a partnership with John T. Glenn. When Mr. Glenn succeeded Hon. Hoke Smith in the firm

BURTON SMITH.

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FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

of Smith, Glenn & Smith, the partnership of Glenn & Slaton was dissolved, and Mr. Slaton resumed practice alone. Mr. Slaton is a democrat of the old Jefferson type, and amid the political tumult of to-day maintains and espouses the principles that have guided and controlled the party in the past. In 1891 he was honored by election as president of the Young Men's Democratic league, an organization composed of 1,200 members, representing the leading professions and occupations of the city. Mr. Slaton is a Mystic Shriner, past grand of the I. O. O. F., past sachem of the Comanche Tribe Independent Order Red Men, and a member of the Capital City lodge Knights of Pythias. He is a Methodist by religious faith, and belongs to the Trinity Methodist church of Atlanta. In April, 1894, Mr. Slaton again entered partnership, this time with John T. Glenn and B. Z. Phillips. The firm is Glenn, Slaton & Phillips. He is a young attorney, who is rapidly forging to the front. With zeal and energy, integrity and perseverance, his suc- cess has steadily emerged from the domain of doubt, and is now decidedly assured.

ALEXANDER WYLY SMITH, one of the most prominent-young lawyers of Atlanta, was born in the rural district of Habersham county, Ga., June 24, 1861, and lived in that county until he was seven years of age, when his parents removed to Athens, Ga., and he subsequently attended school in that city for four years. In September, 1872, he entered the public schools of Atlanta, coin- pleting his course with first honors in June, 1876, and winning a prize scholarship in the university of Georgia, Athens. He studied at the latter institution until the completion of his junior year in 1878, when he left the university and returned to Atlanta, engaging in the wholesale grocery business with his father, Henry Lamar Smith, until June, 1883. At this time he began the study of law with Judge Marshall J. Clarke, was admitted to the bar Oct. 2 of the same year, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession. In June, 1885, Mr. Smith formed a partnership with B. F. Abbott, which continued until March 1, 1891, when he retired and associated himself with his brother, Victor, in company with whom he still practices. He is a democrat but not an active politician; never- theless taking the greatest interest in his party's success. Mr. Smith was married September, 1885, to Ida, daughter of the late Samuel S. Kendrick, a native of Vermont. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. Smith's father, Henry L. Smith, is a Georgian by birth and has been one of Atlanta's most prom- inent business men, having been engaged in the wholesale grocery trade for many years before his retirement. He served as captain of Company I of the Sixty-fifth Georgia regiment in the early part of the late war, and was afterward made judge- advocate-general, acting as such until the cessation of hostilities. Alexander Wyly Smith is a great favorite professionally as well as socially, and has been connected in his practice with many famous causes. As auditor of the Cotton States and International exposition, and chairman of its committee on privileges and con- cessions, he has contributed largely to the successful management of that great enterprise.

BURTON SMITH. The Atlanta bar is indebted to its younger members for much of the legal scholarship, judicial learning and forensic eloquence that have made it luminous in recent years. Conspicuous among these members as a talented and successful advocate is Mr. Burton Smith. Though aiming at results, rather than display, Mr. Smith has rarely ever failed to carry his point before the jury and his record in this respect is a happy exemplification of the fact that juries are more easily persuaded by the logic of plain facts than by passionate appeals to sentiment or prejudice. Mr. Smith was born at Chapel Hill.

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N. C., on Sept. 18, 1864. His father, Prof. H. H. Smith, is one of the most cultured citizens of Georgia, and a man of robust mind and character. At the time of his son's birth he occupied a professorship in the university of North Caro- lina, located at Chapel Hill. Surrounded by these refining influences the life of young Burton Smith received its first impressions and he lost no time in the selec- tion of a definite ideal. His mind was essentially legal in its operations even as a boy and his future career was not only revealed distinctly to himself but plainly foreshadowed to all who came in contact with him. His father's connection with the university of North Carolina ended only when the institution was closed as a result of reconstruction. He then organized the public school system of Shelby- ville, Tenn., and Houston, Tex., and afterward became president of the Texas State Normal school. Young Burton attended school at these several places, receiving very thorough training under his father, and was finally prepared to enter the state university at Athens, Ga. Graduating from this institution in 1882 as one of the leaders of his class and honored with a speaker's place at commence- ment, Mr. Smith came to Atlanta and entered the law office of his brother, Hon. Hoke Smith, the present secretary of the interior. After reading law he was admitted to the bar in June, 1883. He and his brother remained together under the firm name of Hoke & Burton Smith until 1892, when the partnership dissolved, Mr. Smith branching out by himself. Surrounded by a well organized force of associates Mr. Smith controls a large and lucrative practice and one that is steadily growing. A conscientious advocate, as well as a profound student of the law, Mr. Smith feels it incumbent upon himself to give each client, regardless of the issue involved and blind to all thoughts of compensation, the benefit of his legal skill and research. He has never been known to surrender or abandon the interests of his client, and his loyalty in this respect is largely the explanation of his phenomenal success at the bar. Mr. Smith, in addition to a large practice, including his connection with the M. & N. G. railroad receivership of the G. C. & N. railroad and the celebrated Ryan case, has been chiefly distinguished at the bar by his successful prosecution of suits for personal injury. He is the attorney for the Atlanta "Journal," the Southern Bell Telephone company, and the Atlanta Accident association, together with several smaller corporations. A firm believer in Atlanta's assured destiny, Mr. Smith as made large investments in Atlanta real estate, and he has always been loyal to the interests of the city, and, though he has never in any way sought office, he has always taken interest in municipal affairs. He is posted on all questions of local and national interest and possesses a rich store of political and general information. Mr. Smith was the temporary chairman of the meeting called for the purpose of organizing the Young Men's Democratic league, and he has ever since been a devoted, though an unofficial, worker in the ranks of that organization. From 1884-88 he served as a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Library association. He was a member of the board of curators of St. Luke's church for six years, serving four years under Bishop Beckwith and two under Bishop Nelson, and resigning in June last. He is on the executive committee of the State Bar association, a member of the American Bar association, and delegate from Georgia to that association. In June, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Gordon, daughter of United States Senator John B. Gordon. They have only two children-a boy of six and a little girl of two years. In his home life Mr. Smith is supremely happy and from the rosy faces that gather about the fireside his successful career at the bar has received its crowning inspiration.

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FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

HOKE SMITH, secretary of interior, lawyer, Atlanta, was born at Newton, N. C., in September, 1855. His great-grandfather was a colonel in the revolu- tionary war, and his grandfather, William True Smith, was a graduate of Dart- mouth college, and a man of prominence in New Hampshire. Prof. H. H. Sinith, LL. D., father of Hoke Smith, was born in New Hampshire and is a graduate of Bowdoin college. He moved to the south about forty years ago, and was president of Catawba college at Newton for several years. In 1858 he moved to Chapel Hill and became a professor in the state university at that place. In 1868 he located in Lincolnton, and in 1871 he became connected with the public schools of Atlanta. From 1873 to 1878 he was superintendent of the Shelbyville high school and then moved to Texas, where he organized the public schools of Hous- ton. He then succeeded Prof. Bernard Mallon as president of the State Normal school at Huntsville, Tex. He returned to Atlanta in 1882, where he is now principal of the girl's high school. Prof. Smith married Miss Mary (Brent) Hoke, a lady of English and German descent, the daughter of Michael Hoke, of Lin- colnton, N. C., a lawyer of great powers. Mrs. Smith comes of a family, nearly all of whose male representatives were public men. Her grandfather owned the first iron furnace and cotton factory in North Carolina. Her brother, R. F. Hoke, was one of the youngest major-generals in the Confederate service. Hoke Smith was educated at Chapel Hill until his thirteenth year, and from that time was continued under the direction of his father till he commenced the study of law in the office of Collier, Mynatt & Collier, in Atlanta, in May, 1872. He taught school for one term in Waynesboro, and in 1873 was admitted to the bar at the age of seventeen. At this early age he exhibited the characteristics of self- reliance, earnest acquisition of knowledge and industry, inherited from his an- cestry, and before he had attained his majority he was in possession of a lucrative practice. He began his career in a strange city, where he was practically unknown, dependent entirely upon his own resources, which makes his rare success the more remarkable. He first gained distinction in the Stafford murder case, appearing as assistant prosecutor; then three years later he aided the prose- cution in the Hill murder case, securing conviction in both cases. Among his earlier civil cases was that of Tanner vs. Atlanta & Charlotte Air Line railroad, a case of personal injury, and involved legal questions then undecided in Georgia. Mr. Smith secured for the plaintiff a verdict for $16,000. From this time Mr. Smith's practice has been unsurpassed by any lawyer in the state. It has been general in character, but in late years has been largely corporation and com- inercial litigation. Mr. Smith's debut in politics was made in 1876. When only twenty years old he was chairman of the democratic executive committee of Fulton county. In the contest relative to the removal of the state capital from Milledgeville to Atlanta he was sent on the stump to represent his home. He espoused the cause of tariff reform in the campaigns in his state since Mr. Cleve- land's first administration, and was called to the cabinet of the president on his second election. For the first ten years of his practice Mr. Smith was alone, but in 1883 his brother, Burton Smith, became associated with him. Mr. Smith was president of the Young Men's Libary association in 1881-83; was among the found- ers of the "Atlanta Evening Journal," and is president of the Journal Publishing company. Mr. Smith was married in 1883 to Miss Birdie Cobb, daughter of Gen. T. R. R. Cobb, of Athens, Ga. As a lawyer Mr. Smith is noted for clear and forcible presentation of argument. He is practical in his order of thought and work, and in his talk goes to his object with incisive directness. Few lawyers of his age have been so many years in practice or have had such successful ex- periences in all the avenues of litigation.

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COL. HENRY FRANKLYN STARKE, of Atlanta, Ga., would attract atten- . tion anywhere on account of his commanding figure and martial bearing. Six ieet three inches high and very erect, he was just such a man as Napoleon would have selected for a place in the Old Guard. His father, J. H. Starke, resided in Richmond, Va., where Col. Starke was born in 1841. Eben Starke, his grand- father, was a citizen of New Hampshire, and his great-grandfather was the dis- tinguished Gen. Starke of the American revolution, a friend of Washington and a hero of many hard-fought battles. This gallant revolutionary soldier distin- guished himself as lieutenant of rangers in the old wars with the French and Indians, during all the campaigns of Abercrombie and Amherst. On the first news of the battle with the British at Lexington he hastened with a party of New Hampshire men and fought at Bunker Hill. He joined Washington's forces in 1776, and took a part in the battle of Trenton. He afterward won great dis- tinction and was commissioned brigadier-general with a vote of thanks by con- gress for the brilliant victory won by him at Bennington. Subsequently he served most gallantly under Gates and Washington, and at the close of the revolutionary war had command of the northern department. The people of New Hampshire in reverence for his memory have erected a fine granite monu- ment in his honor, which is said to be exceeded in height only by the Washington monument, and his statue was recently placed in the capitol at Washington as a tribute to the worthy bravery of one of New England's greatest sons. "A man with a noble ancestry," says Pauline in Bulwer's Lady of Lyons, "is like a representative of the past." But like the supposed prince to whom this was applied, though possessed of an honored ancestry, Col. Starke is not "a pen- sioner on the dead." He has carved out a character of his own and his fame rests on personal merit. Depending on his own resources and energies, he has made fame on the battle-field and won success in many business achievements. His own luster mingles gracefully with the glory of his ancestry. Col. Starke was sent at an early age to England, where he was carefully educated, principally by private tutors, and after several years thus profitably spent in Europe, returned in 1857 and made his home in Texas. About this time he conceived a passion for the legal profession, read law and, though young, stood a brilliant examination and was admitted to the bar. He was in Dallas, Tex., when the civil war began, and enlisted in the spring of 1861 in the Sixth Texas cavalry regiment, of which he was made color-bearer. He served in this position about a year, after which he was gradually promoted, until at the time of the surrender he was a lieutenant- colonel of a separate cavalry command. His entire record was brilliant and on the field of Corinth he was promoted for gallant conduct. He participated in the following battles, serving under Gen. Ross, the brave Texas leader, viz .: Chaustenalla, I. T .; Elkhorn, Ark .; Springfield, Mo .; Corinth, Iuka and Far- rington, Miss .; Murfreesboro, Resaca and Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville, and was also in many other engagements in several states on both sides of the Mis- sissippi river. At the battle of Hatchie bridge, just after the battle of Corinth, Col. Starke was wounded, and left for dead on the field, where he was found by the enemy and held as a prisoner two weeks. After the war Col. Starke went to Egypt and served in the Egyptian army for a year, holding a commission in the army of the khedive as bey, answering to that of captain in the United States army, and was assigned a position on the staff of Sir Samuel Baker, with whom he served in Egypt, Syria, Dorfer and Khartoum. He resigned his commission in 1866, and after traveling through Africa, Europe and Asia, to increase his knowl- edge of the world, returned to the United States. He went to Canada, and arriving there during the oil excitement, operated boldly and successfully. He then

H. F. STARKE.

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FULTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

engaged in the lumber and mercantile business in Chautauqua county, N. Y., and after continuing there two years moved to Canandaigua, N. Y., and went into the insurance and mercantile business. Col. Starke came to Atlanta in 1885, and soon after locating here went into the real estate business, and has been interested in many large and successful enterprises. He is now president of the Henrico Land company, and of the Georgia Hedge company, and was the president of the Ingleside Land company. Col. Starke was married in Canandaigua, N. Y., in 1876, to Miss Cornelia B., daughter of Hon. W. H. Lamport, then a member of congress. He is a member of the Virginia society, of the Confederate Veterans' association, of the Sons of the Revolution and of the Scotch-Irish society, of which he is vice-president. He is a Knight of Pythias, a Mason and a member of the Presbyterian church.

ANDREW PERRY STEWART, the present tax collector of Fulton county, was born in Jackson, Butts Co., Ga., Dec. 14, 1848. His father was Frederick S. Stewart, a native of Oglethorpe county, Ga., who, by profession, was a con- tractor and builder. He served in the last war as a member of the Sixth Georgia battalion of artillery, led a Christian life of charity and benevolence, and died at Charleston, S. C., in 1887. Mr. Andrew P. Stewart remained in Jackson for ten years, receiving instruction and gaining the elements of an education. From here he removed to Griffin, and then to La Grange, Ga., where public schools afforded better facilities for learning. When the curriculum of the schools was completed he left home for Atlanta, seeking a position where he might gain a livelihood. He secured one with the late F. M. Richardson, working for hin1 constantly for three years. He then, finding a more profitable opening with L. B. Langford, the hardware merchant, entered his employ and remained there for ten years, after which time Mr. Stewart purchased the stock of Mr. Langford, who was desirous of withdrawing from business, and pursued this mercantile occupation until 1888, when he sold out to Mr. C. A. Conklin. Mr. Stewart has taken a close interest in municipal politics throughout his residence in the city. In 1878-79 he represented the fifth ward in the city council. In 1889 he was honored by election to the office of tax collector, and re-elected in 1891, 1893 and 1895. The re-elections signify the confidence expressed by the community in his capability, integrity and honor. Mr. Stewart was married in the year 1872 to Miss Fanny S., daughter of the late Judge Jetho W. Manning of Atlanta, and one child -a son, Ovid-has blessed their marital life. Mr. Stewart co-operates largely with the secret organizations and societies. Believing that they are productive of unlimited good, he gives them a broad encouragement and support. He is a Mystic Shriner, and a Knight Templar Mason, also a member of the I. O. O. F., and a deacon in the First Baptist church. In the past he has served as superin- tendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Stewart is a conscientious, pious worker for that which is loved. As a sturdy guardian of the county's finances and a pro- nounced pillar in the city government he is respected and admired.

JUDGE G. H. TANNER. Perhaps no county in the state can boast of a more efficient lot of public servants than the county of Fulton. Faithful, conscien- tious, public-spirited, devoted to the welfare of the county, they are model office- holders, and, as such, deserve the recognition and respect of all who admire fidelity in the discharge of high official duty. Among this number of devoted and trustworthy public servants may be mentioned Judge George H. Tanner, the popular clerk of the superior court of Fulton county. Judge Tanner is a native of the adjoining county of Clayton, and was born not far from Atlanta in the year

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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 138

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