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 146

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 146

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JOHN P. LAMB, deceased, treasurer of Glynn county, Ga., son of John and

Elizabeth (Webster) Lamb, natives respectively of South Carolina and Con- necticut, was born in Glynn county, near where he now lives, July 29, 1825. Mr. Lamb's father was brought to Georgia from South Carolina when a child, and died in Glynn county when about sixty years old, and his mother died when about fifty-five years old. His grandfather, Frederick Lamb, was born in Virginia, and when a boy ran away from home and entered the revolutionary army. The disbandment of the army at the close of the war left him at Camden, S. C., where he met and married Celia Bowen, and not long afterward came to Georgia and settled in Glynn county. John P. Lamb was elected tax collector of the county in 1852 and again in 1856. In 1860 he was elected sheriff, which office he held at the outbreak of the war. On Aug. 17, 1861, he enlisted in the Glynn county guards. His command was stationed on St. Simons island, where batteries were established, and where the guards remained until 1862. He served in the army during the entire war but with the forces assigned to coast defense. He sur- rendered to Capt. Lee of the "Wamsutta," and was paroled June 1, 1865. In 1872 he was elected treasurer of Glynn county, and was re-elected at each succeeding election, and held it until he died, affording the most conclusive testimony as to his faithfulness and efficiency as an officer, and of his popularity as a citizen. Mr. Lamb was married in 1844 to Miss Martha Middleton, who after bearing him seven children, all of whom are dead, died Nov. 28, 1878. He was again married in July, 1883, to Miss Amy Jones. Mr. Lamb began life as a poor man, but died possessed of a good 1,000-acre farm and half a thousand head of cattle, besides much other stock and property. He was regarded as one of Glynn county's most substantial and highly respected citizens, was a master Mason, and was a member of the Methodist church, of which his widow is a much-prized and exemplary member.

JUDGE M. L. MERSHON, attorney at law, Brunswick, Glynn Co., Ga., son of William and Elizabeth (Brown) Mershon, natives of Hancock county, Ga., was born in Monticello, Fla., April 26, 1839. The Mershons in this country are reputed to be descendants from a lad whose parents being Huguenots fled from France on the promulgation of the edict of Nantes. His parents having died

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during the voyage, he, after landing, was apprenticed in New Rochelle, N. Y. Enos Mershon, the Judge's grandfather, was a native of Maryland. Judge Mershon was educated in the comnion schools of Florida, came to Georgia in 1859, and shortly afterward settled in Brunswick. During 1859-60 he studied law, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar. He enlisted in 1861, and served through the war in the army of the west, mainly under Gens. Bragg and Hood. Judge Mershon was a member of the constitutional convention of 1877; was subse- quently elected judge of the Brunswick circuit court twice, but resigned in 1886 before the expiration of his second term, and went to south Florida and practiced law. In 1890 he returned to Brunswick, where he settled and resumed the practice of his profession, acquiring a fine reputation and securing a large practice. In 1892 he was elected to represent Glynn county in the general assembly in which body he made strenuous efforts to have a state board of health established. Judge Mershon is highly esteemed as a lawyer and as a citizen, and is very popular with all classes of his fellow-citizens.

C. G. MOORE, undertaker, Brunswick, Glynn Co., Ga., son of Benjamin and Percy (Stocking) Moore, was born in Litchfield, Conn., March 13, 1832. His great-great-grandfather was an Irishman; his great-grandmother was a Miss Collier, who was born in Scotland. While Mr. Moore was yet young his father had the misfortune to lose his eyesight, and at the tender age of thirteen he started out to solve the problem of life. He was for awhile in New Haven, and while there was a member of the New Haven Blues. In 1855 he came to Georgia, and located in Thomasville. He was in the employ of the Atlantic & Gulf (now Savannah, Florida & Western) railway, and during the war as foreman of the, machine shops. In 1866 he permanently established himself in Brunswick, where he has been satisfactorily successful. Not being much inclined to office-holding, he has filled but one, and that was as an alderman of the city for three years. He has established a good business, and is the leading undertaker and director of funerals in the city. Mr. Moore was married in 1866 to Miss Sarah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, of Patchogue, Long Island, N. Y. Her mother, Mrs. Abbie (Tuttle) Smith, is still living, and at the advanced age of ninety-five can read the New York "Herald" without the aid of glasses. Three children blessed this union: Mary (Mrs. Valentine), Sarah Jane (Mrs. Graham), and William Benjamin. Mrs. Moore died Oct. 6, 1876, of yellow fever, and in November, 1878, Mr. Moore married Miss Annie E. Brooks, a native of Wis- cassett, Maine. Mr. Moore is a member of the Methodist church, and Mrs. Moore is an Episcopalian.

TOBIAS NEWMAN, wholesale liquor merchant, Brunswick, Glynn Co., Ga., son of Eberhard and Marguerite (Williams) Newman, was born in Germany, Oct. 22, 1848. His parents were natives of Hanover, Germany, where they lived and died, the father in 1886, aged seventy years, and the mother in 1890, aged sixty-eight years. Capt. Newman came to the United States when only thirteen years old, and followed the sea in the commercial marine service for seven years, when he went on the revenue cutter "Petrel" as quartermaster, and served in that capacity two years. In 1869 he went into business in Columbus, Ga., and remained there until 1886, when he went to Brunswick and established himself in his present enterprise, continuing that in Columbus until 1890. Beginning life a mere boy and poor, he has, as the results of the national traits of his race-patient industry and frugality-built up a profitable business and accumulated a hand- some competency. Capt. Newman was married in 1869 to Miss Tennie Evens, born in Apalachicola, Fla., daughter of Jack and Mary Evens. Mr. and Mrs.

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Evens were natives of Ireland. To Capt. and Mrs. Newman eight children were born: George, Mollie, Nettie, Maggie, Josephine, Walter, Tobias, Jr., and Eberhard. Mrs. Newman is a Catholic. Capt. Newman is a member and the captain of Oglethorpe division No. 4, uniform rank, Knights of Pythias. He was the proud and exultant winner of the division prize-$200 cash-for the best-drilled com- pany. He is very enthusiastic in regard to everything pertaining to the military company to which he belongs and with whose members he is very popular. He is very much respected in Brunswick as a citizen and business man.

CHARLES D. OGG, merchant broker, Brunswick, Glynn Co., Ga., son of Rich- ard T. and Nannie (Anderson) Ogg, was born in Louisa county, Va., Dec. 9, 1859. His parents were natives repectively of Goochland and Louisa counties, Va. His father is still living in Louisa county, aged about sixty-seven years; but his mother died in 1882, when about forty-eight years old. They had three chidren, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second, and is the only survivor. Mr. Ogg was educated in the private schools of Rockbridge county, Va., and at Rich- mond college, Richmond, Va. He began his business life when only thirteen years old, on his father's farm; his father being a railroad man placed the farm in charge of the boy on strict business principles-for a consideration. His father, how- ever, paid for his education; this and his home experience was all the capital he had. What he has now of property and enviable reputation is the result of his own efforts. Prior to 1882 he taught school four sessions and then engaged as a clerk in the general office of the C. & O. railway in Richmond. While thus em- ployed he studied and learned shorthand. About 1883 he went to Hinton, W. Va., as stenographer of the Huntington division of the C. & O. In 1885 Mr. Ogg was made chief clerk in the office under E. H. Barnes, superintendent of that di- vision. In March, 1886, he accompanied Mr. Barnes to Atlanta as chief clerk in his office, he having received the appointment of superintendent of the Atlanta and Brunswick division of the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia railway. In Octo- ber of that year Mr. Ogg was appointed general agent at Jesup, Ga., for the same road; and in December, 1888, he was transferred to Brunswick, where he served the company as agent until May 1, 1890. On that date he retired and embarked with Mr. B. A. Hancock in the merchandise brokerage business under the firm name of Hancock & Ogg. Dissolving his connection with Mr. Hancock he entered in partnership with R. F. Bowles in September, 1890, in the same business, the firm being R. F. Bowles & Co. In February, 1892, he bought the Bowles interest and since then has had entire control. His sales annually aggregate the hand- some sum of $250,000. Besides valuable real estate and bank and other stocks in Brunswick, Mr. Ogg is largely interested in real estate in Kansas City, Mo. He is a stockholder and director of the Merchants' and Traders' bank and a member of the discount board. He is a director and chairman of the transportation com- mittee of the board of trade. He has been at the head of several delegations to present Brunswick's grievances to the railroad commission in Atlanta, particularly in January and February, 1893. Interested parties had secured rates favorable to other competing points extremely prejudicial to Brunswick; and to the strong and persistent efforts of Mr. Ogg is mainly due the credit of securing an equitable adjustment and a restoration of the old rates. He was also one of the delegates from Brunswick to the first direct trade meeting in Savannah in February, 1893. Mr. Ogg is an ardent and enthusiastic Mason-senior warden of the "blue lodge;" and has recently been instrumental in establishing a chapter of royal arch Masons, of which he is P. S. Mr. Ogg's steady, continuous and rapid promotion from the time he entered upon railway work until he retired from it, is conclusive proof of his industry and his fidelity to the interests of the company and of their appre-

J. Newman

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ciation of his services; while his splendid success since he entered upon his present business, and the important and responsible positions he has held and now holds in commercial and fraternal organizations and banking institutions bear gratifying and unmistakable testimony to his business sagacity and sterling integrity of character.

JOHN T. PALMER, boot and shoe merchant, Brunswick, Glynn Co., Ga., son of Dr. John T. and Amanda (Barbour) Palmer, was born in Lumpkin, Stewart Co., Ga., Dec. 27, 1851. His grandparents were John and Nancy (Flood) Palmer, of Waterford, Ireland. Mr. Palmer's father and two brothers and an uncle came from Ireland to the United States in 1832, and located in Pittsburg, Pa. His grandfather, although a man of some means, believed it best for each of his sons to be master of some trade, so he remained in Pittsburg three years that he might accomplish his object. Mr. Palmer's father learned the trade of tailor, and after "graduating," migrated to Athens, Ga., went thence to Washington, Ga., and finally in 1849, went to Lumpkin, Ga. Here he studied medicine under Dr. Thomas Battle, and entering the field of practice, achieved quite a success. He volunteered at the beginning of the war and was appointed assistant surgeon of the Seventeenth Georgia regiment, and remained in the army until after the battle of Chickamauga. Having contracted pneumonia by exposure during the battle, his health failed and he resigned in 1864. He died the next year. Dr. Palmer was a very enthusiastic Mason, and had taken all the degrees except the thirty-third; and he held many positions of honor and trust in the fraternity. He numbered among his particular friends, Alex. H. Stephens, "Bob" Toombs, and many other prominent men of the state and nation. He was a member of the Methodist church, took great interest in all its work, was a class leader and an enthusiastic Sunday school worker. Mr. Palmer, the subject of this sketch, started in business life as a clerk at the age of nineteen, with R. C. Black, Americus, Ga., and steadily advanced in his line until now he has become the leading dealer in Brunswick in every style and grade of foot-wear, with a good start and a bright promise of a competency in the near future. 1878 Mr. Palmer married Laura, daughter of Capt. J. W. Sealy, a native of Marion county, Ga., but now a prominent citizen of Cuthbert, Ga. To them four children have been born: John Sealy; Helen Amanda; Marion Dunwoody and Lucien Key. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are members of the Methodist church.

A. T. PUTNAM, livery stableman and real estate dealer, Brunswick, Glynn Co., Ga., related by blood to the revolutionary hero, Gen. Israel Putnam, is the son of Willis and Amanda (Thompson) Putnam, and was born about ten miles from Gainesville, Hall Co., Ga., Dec. 27, 1836. Mr. Putnam's father was born in Virginia, and was a descendant of one of the three brothers who emi- grated to this country before the eighteenth century, two of whom were named John and Israel, the last named probably the father of Gen. Putnam, who was born in Salem, Mass., Jan. 7, 1718, whose hazardous and courageous exploits of attacking a wolf in its den and escaping from the British by riding down a pre- cipitous rock stairway numbering several hundred steps, and extraordinary bravery during the war, are familiar to all readers of American history. His mother was a daughter of Andrew Thompson. She was born Nov. 13, 1820, and died Oct. 4, 1841. Mr. Putnam received but ten months' schooling at his father's expense; all besides he paid for himself. When fifteen years old he began the battle of life- left to his own resources-and for the first twelve months he was paid $40. He was a messenger for Gov. J. E. Brown in Milledgeville, and in 1861 accompanied Gov. Brown to Atlanta. He served some time with the state troops; but in January,

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1863, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-second Georgia battalion, served through the war and was paroled at Augusta, he being home at the time on a furlough. After the war he settled in Brunswick, where, by enterprise and unusual sagacity in making investments, he has accumulated quite a fortune, including among other valuable property, an entire block of brick buildings. He lost $55,000 by the war. He has served the city as alderman about ten years. Mr. Putnam was married to Miss Mary Harton, of Putnam county, Ga., Feb. 1, 1861, who bore him three children, one of whom only is living. His wife died in 1880. Mr. Put- nam contracted a second marriage in 1881, with Miss Viola Johnson, of Houston county, by whom he has had two children, of whom only one is living, Etta. Both the wives of Mr. Putnam were nieces of the late W. B. Johnson, a wealthy capitalist of Macon Ga. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam are active and liberal and conse- quently influential members of the Missionary Baptist church. The congregation has recently erected a beautiful house of worship which cost about $40,000. Mr. Putnam was chairman of the building committee and contributed largely to- ward its construction, in addition to which he has become personally responsible for an unpaid balance due on it. Mr. Putnam is a master Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. He has passed through all the chairs of the last named fraternity, and represented his lodge at the grand encampment. He is also a member of the Legion of Honor. The practical foresight of Mr. Putnam is demonstrated by his carrying a heavy life insurance policy.

J. B. WRIGHT, merchant, St. Simon's Island, Glynn Co., Ga., a son of M. C. B. and Elizabeth (Anderson) Wright, was born in Glynn county, Aug. 5, 1853. His parents were respectively of English and Scotch descent; both were born in Glynn county. Major Samuel Wright, the ancestor of this family, came to Georgia with Gen. Oglethorpe, and first settled in Frederica, on St. Simon's Island. Mr. Wright's father was at one time sheriff of Glynn county ; his mother died about 1884 aged fifty-five years, his father at an earlier date. J. B. Wright began life for himself at the early age of fourteen, with no means and no aid from his father; but he managed to wrest from his hard conditions of life a very handsome prop- erty. He owns three-fourths of the steamer "Hessix," and manages its business. He was married to Lizzie M. Earle, of Brooklyn, N Y., in 1879, by whom he has had three children; but one only, Mary Elizabeth, is now living. Mrs. Wright is a Catholic. Mr. Wright is a Mason and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

G. W. WRIGHT, deceased, merchant and farmer, Sterling Station, Glynn Co., Ga., a son of James B. and Ann (Bumett) Wright, natives of Glynn county, was born in Glynn county Oct. 25, 1829. His father was a son of Maj. Samuel Wright, a British officer during the war of 1812, who then made the acquaintance of a lady whom he, after peace was proclaimed, returned to the United States and married. James B. Wright died in 1865, and his widow, aged eighty-four years, died in 1879. Mr. Wright was thrown on his own resources when fifteen years of age, followed farming and farm-managing before the war; and his services in the last named capacity commanding good salaries, enabled him to acquire a fairly handsome estate. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the Fourth Georgia cavalry and was made orderly sergeant of his company, an office, however, which he did not long retain. Being regarded as a very cool and brave man, and an unusually good woodsman, he was principally employed in scout work, serving as such in Tennessee and Georgia. He was in the battles of Atlanta and Jones- boro, and when the end came he was guarding a railway bridge at Doctortown, Wayne Co., Ga., where he surrendered and was paroled in 1865. His most thrilling and impressive experiences during the war were two narrow escapes from death

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-one when a bullet grazed him in front, and another when a bullet grazed him in the back, each passing above the saddle; and on one occasion when all he had to eat for four days was one small "nubbin of corn" about four inches long. When the war ended he had lost everything except his land and a yoke of oxen. Going bravely to work, good farm management and judicious investments accumulated a fair fortune, but he could not be considered wealthy. Mr. Wright had a general merchandise store, carried a large and well assorted stock, owned 5,000 acres of land, and was a stockholder in the Southern bank of the state of Georgia, in Savannah. Unambitious as to political honors he declined offers to place him in office. Mr. Wright was married to Miss Clifford Burnett in 1851, by whom he had one child; and his wife died soon afterward. The child, a daughter, died also at sixteen years of age. In 1857 Mr. Wright was married to Miss Annie E. Taylor, daughter of Silas W. and Marguerite (Lowery) Taylor, natives of Glynn county, and this second union was blessed with nine children: G. W., Jr., J. S., Charlton, Mary Letitia (Mrs. P. W. Fleming), Ada, Daisy, Bessie, Maggie, and one which died in infancy. Mr. Wright was a devoted member of the Protestant Episcopal church, of which his bereaved widow is also an exemplary member.

GORDON COUNTY.

FRANCIS A. FULLER, farmer, Reeves Station, Gordon Co., Ga., son of W. J. and Melinda (Lay) Fuller, was born in Gordon county Aug. 15, 1865. His father was born and raised in Warren county, Ga., but left there in 1844, and settled in what is now Gordon county. His mother was a native of South Caro- lina. Their union was blessed with nine children: Spivey, deceased; Boon J .; W. G .; Polly; Benjamin H .; Freeman L .; Susie; Ada, deceased; and Francis A., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Fuller was raised on the farm, his educational advantages were very limited, and he started out in life with no capital except good health, an honest purpose and a resolute will. His principal pursuit has been farming; but he has used his surplus earnings in successful trading until he has accumulated considerable real estate, and is regarded as being now one of the solidest men in the county, and, prospectively, one of its wealthiest. He is a progressive farmer, public spirited, alive to the interests and development of the county, a good manager, and a "wide-awake" trader. He is a prominent and active member of the Missionary Baptist church.

M. A. GUNN, farmer, Plainville, Gordon Co., Ga., son of Alexander and Mar- guerite (Blackwood) Gunn, was born in Lincoln county, N. C., in 1828. His father was born, raised and educated in Glasgow, Scotland. About the beginning of the revolutionary war he, in company with five hundred college boys, came to this country. He settled on a farm and married in North Carolina, where he lived until 1849, when he came to Georgia and settled in Cass (now Bartow) county. Nine children were born to his parents: M. A., the subject of this sketch, Mary A., John M., James T., Jane G., Marguerite C., Henry M., William, and Belda A. Mr. Gunn was raised on the farm in North Carolina, where his educational advantages were very meager. On attaining to manhood he moved to South Carolina, where he lived ten years, and then came to Georgia.

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Farming has been his principal occupation, though he has had considerable to do with machinery. He settled where he now lives in 1858, where he has a large, well stocked and well improved farm; and, although he began with very little, is now "full-handed," and is one of Gordon county's most prosperous and sub- stantial citizens. In addition to conducting a large farm he is an extensive fruit grower-one of the largest in that part of the state. He entered the Confederate service during the late war, enlisting in 1861 and serving until the surrender in 1865. Mr. Gunn was married in 1858 to Miss Lucinda, daughter of William and Polly McDonald, of Floyd county, Ga., by whom he has had nine children: William A., John H., Mary A., James P., Robert, M. E., Georgia Lucinda, Rosie, and Thomas P. He is a prominent member of the Methodist church.

JOHN MARTIN GUNN, farmer, Plainville, Gordon Co., Ga., son of Alexander M. and Marguerite (Blackwood) Gunn, was born in Lincoln county, N. C., in 1832. (For sketch of his father see sketch of his brother, M. A. Gunn, preceding this.) Mr. Gunn migrated from North Carolina to Georgia in 1863 and settled in Gordon county. He was exempted from military service during the late civil war on account of physical disability. In addition to farming he owned and operated a grist mill during the war and supplied the Confederate gun factory at Adairsville, Ga., with meal and flour. He is a progressive and good farmer, entirely reliable in every respect, and no citizen of the county is more highly esteemed. Mr. Gunn was married in 1863 to Miss Cornelia L., daughter of John and Katharine Wood, of Clarke county, Ga., by whom he has had eight children: John T. A., Calvin G., Alevia, Minnie, Katharine, Nettie S., Henry, and Benjamin Franklin. He is a prominent and influential member of the Methodist church.

W. R. HARBIN, physician and surgeon, Calhoun, Gordon Co., Ga., son of Thomas W. and Matilda (Reda) Harbin, was born in Oconee district, S. C., April 25, 1832. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Mary (Wether- spoon) Harbin; and his maternal grandparents were Jonathan and Sarah (Ward) Reda. To his parents the following children were born: Sarah C., Samuel V., Mary E., Jonathan M., Andrew P., Nathaniel W., Harriet Rebecca, and W. R., the subject of this sketch. Dr. Harbin enjoyed excellent educational advantages while growing up, and after receiving his primary and preliminary education, read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Robert B. Maxwell, a very success- ful and eminent practitioner of Oconee district. He then attended lectures at Charleston, S. C., Medical college, from which he was graduated in March, 1858. He immediately located in his native county, where he successfully practiced for thirteen years. In 1871 he came to Georgia and bought a farm and settled in Gordon county, continuing and building up a large and valuable practice. During the war he enlisted in a squadron which was soon converted into the Seventh regiment South Carolina cavalry, Col. J. B. Sloane; saw much active and arduous service, and was in all the skirmishes along the north side of James river, and in all the fights from Richmond to the Appomattox. He was captured at Farmville the Saturday night before the surrender, and remained a prisoner until the news of that event reached him. When released he walked home, a distance of four hundred miles. Dr. Hardin enjoys an enviable reputation in his profession, and has the unlimited confidence of the community. Dr. Harbin was married March 28, 1861, to Miss Mary S., daughter of Thomas R. and Susan A. Shelor, of South Carolina, who has borne him four children: Thomas W., Robert M., William P., and Nina V. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and a prominent member of the Missionary Baptist church. .

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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 146

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