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 148

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 148

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JOHN F. ESPY, farmer, Buford, Gwinnett Co., Ga., son of Robert and Eliza (King) Espy, was born in Jackson county, Ga., in 1839. His paternal grand- parents, John and Elizabeth Espy, were natives of North Carolina, and came to Georgia soon after the revolutionary war, during which he was a soldier in the patriot army. He was much esteemed and popular, and held many public offices. Mr. Espy's father was a native Georgian, born in 1795, and grew to manhood on the farm with very meager educational advantages. He began life very poor as a farmer and blacksmith, and became quite rich. He served many years as a justice of the inferior court. His mother was a daughter of John and Eleanor E. (McCutchings) King, who were natives of Virginia, and early in life migrated to Georgia. He was a soldier in the revolutionary army. Mr. Espy was reared on the farm, and after receiving a fairly good country school education, entered the Martin institute at Jefferson, Jackson county. Soon afterward the "war between the states" began; in 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Capt. D. L. Jarrett, Eighteenth Georgia regiment, Col. W. T. Wofford. Among the many hard- fought battles in which he participated were those in the peninsula, Malvern Hill, Seven Oaks, all through the campaign against McClellan, the seven days' fight

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around Richmond, etc. He served as county commissioner four years, and on the county board of education about ten years. In 1892 he was elected to represent Gwinnett county in the general assembly. He filled all these offices with credit to himself and acceptably to his fellow-citizens. He meets every obligation, private and public with scrupulous fidelity, and no citizen is more respected. He began life after the war without a dollar, but by hard work and close economy he has, with steady progress, gradually come to the front and acquired a competency. Mr. Espy was married in 1869 to Miss Mary, born and reared in Gwinnett county, daughter of Washington and Biddy (Ballew) Allen, and to them five children have been born: Leila, Cotta, Washington, Ferdinand and Ruth. Himself and wife are exemplary and influential members of the Methodist church.

NATHAN LOUIS HUTCHINS, deceased, a very prominent lawyer in his day, and an ex-judge of the western circuit of Georgia, was born near the head- waters of the Savannah river in old Pendleton (afterward Anderson) district, S. C., April 11, 1799. His father was without means, and the greater part of his education was acquired by studying at night by the flickering light of a pine knot. He began life for himself as a clerk in a store. Later he came to Elberton, Ga., where he acted as deputy for the clerk of the superior court, Mr. Bowen. While thus employed Gen. John A. Heard advised him to read law, which he did, and at which he made rapid progress. Having been admitted to the bar-Judge Dooly presiding-he located in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Co., Ga. In 1825 and 1827 he was elected to represent the county in the general assembly, after which he devoted his entire time and attention to the practice of his profession, ranking with the foremost among the very able men-the Cobbs, Dougherty, Hillyer and others- who made the bar of the western circuit so distinguished. In 1857 he was ap- pointed judge of the circuit by Gov. Herschell V. Johnson, and held the office continuously by re-appointment, or election by the people, until 1868, when he was removed by those who "in form of law exercised authority." Retiring to private life he died Feb. II, 1870. He was a man of extraordinary nerve and of un- flinching courage, and one of the most affable and kindly disposed. He was loved most by those who knew him best, and was held in high estimation as judge, law- yer and citizen.

NATHAN L. HUTCHINS, judge superior court, western circuit, Lawrence- ville, Gwinnett Co., Ga., son of Nathan Louis and Mary Dixon (Holt) Hutchins, was born in Lawrenceville, Oct 4, 1835. His father (see sketch) was an able lawyer and a former judge of the western circuit. His mother was a daughter of Hines Holt, Sr., at one time treasurer of the state. Judge Hutchins received his primary and preparatory education at the schools in his native town, and then attended Emory college, Oxford, Ga. After his graduation he read law, and was admitted to the bar just before the civil war began. He enlisted in a company which was a part of the Sixteenth Georgia regiment, and was made first lieutenant. He was soon promoted to a captaincy, in which capacity he served with conspicuous gallantry until June, 1863, when he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Third Georgia battalion sharpshooters. With his com- mand he participated in the fiercely-contested battles of Malvern Hill, Crampton Gap, Sharpsburg, Fredricksburg, Gettysburg, Knoxville, Wilderness, Cold Har- bor and in all the battles of the memorable campaigns of 1864 and 1865, in de- fense of Richmond. He was three times wounded: first at Sharpsburg, then at the Wilderness and lastly at James river, when Grant sprung his mines near Petersburg. He was taken prisoner at Sailor's creek April 6, 1865, and after

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having been confined in Washington some time he was sent to Johnson's island, where he was detained until July, when he was paroled. During his army service he was conspicuous for the faithful discharge of his duties in their minutest de- tails, and for his cheerful endurance of the dangers, privations and hardships incident to army life. His genial disposition and unostentatious bravery tested on many a sanguinary field, won for him the regard of officers and men, including brigade and division commanders, such as Gens. Howell Cobb, Thomas R. R. Cobb, Wofford, Du Bose, McLaws, Kershaw and others. Col. Hutchins took an active part in the famous charge of Longstreet's corps at the battle of the Wilderness, by which the left wing of Grant's army was checked, and in the noted flank movement of Wofford's brigade, which contributed so much toward Con- federate victory. For skill and gallantry in the operations around Knoxville in 1863 he was especially complimented in the report of the commanding general. Returning to his home after the surrender he entered actively upon the practice of his profession, in which he at once took a front position and quickly secured a clientage both valuable and influential. In 1872, as an applicant for the judgeship of the western circuit, he was generally and strongly endorsed by the bar and the people; but Judge Rice, an older and more experienced applicant, was given the appointment. In 1876 he was elected to represent Gwinnett county in the general assembly, having five opponents, and in 1878 was re-elected without op- position. As chairman of the finance committee, and on the floor of the house in general legislative work, his faithful, eminent services won for him an enviable reputation. In 1880 he was again elected to represent the county in the general assembly, and was again made chairman of the finance committee. In 1882 he was elected judge of the western circuit by the general assembly, and the January following assumed its duties. In 1886, and again in 1890 and 1894, he was re- elected. Judge Hutchins is justly respected and held in high esteem by the bar for his profound legal attainments and his dignity and impartiality on the bench. With the people no citizen enjoys greater or more deserved popularity. Judge Hutchins was happily married March 27, 1866, to Miss Carrie Orr, of Lawrence- ville. Politically he is and always has been an ardent and uncompromising democrat.

JONES. The name of Jones is one not unfamiliar to readers of American history; and the record of one of the family's representatives in Gwinnett county, Ga., is not altogether devoid of interest. George H. Jones, farmer, late keeper of the penitentiary, Norcross, Ga., son of Thomas H. and Margaret (Hoyle) Jones, was born in Gwinnett county in 1833. His paternal grandparents, Wyley and Margaret (Pegram) Jones, were natives of Wales, who at length emigrated to this country and settled in Virginia, where they were rated among the best and worthiest of citizens. Mr. Jones' father was born in Virginia in 1799, and in 1821 migrated to North Carolina, where he entered the employ of a merchant named Hoyle as a clerk. The second year of his residence there he was made deputy sheriff of the county, and after serving in that capacity some time was elected sheriff. Resigning the office he came to Georgia and settled in Gwinnett county and engaged in merchandising at Hoyle & Jones' old stand, near the present site of Norcross. He accumulated a large property, but was about ruined as a result of the war. About the first money he received after the surrender was for some black walnut trees grown from seed planted by him in the corners of the fence when he settled on the place. The trees were sold to a lumber firm in Atlanta, and a part of the product was used in the construction of what is now the governor's mansion. He was one of the promoters, a firm friend and strong advo-

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cate, and a member of the first board of directors, of the Georgia Air line, recently the Richmond & Danville railway. He was the soul of honor, and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Gwinnett county. His mother was a daughter of Adam and Sarah (Fite) Hoyle. He was of German descent, and the family was among the early settlers of North Carolina. He came to Georgia in 1827 and engaged in merchandising with success and profit. In religion he was a Quaker and later a Presbyterian. Mr. G. H. Jones was raised on the farm, and his educational advantages were far from good. He was the fourth of seven children, and his mother died before he was four years old. His brothers mostly engaged in business or professional life, while he preferred that of a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Capt. Thomas, Forty-second Georgia regiment. Taking the measles, he was left at Knoxville, but as soon as he recovered he rejoined his company at Tazewell, Tenn. After the battle there, in which he was a participant, he was detailed by special order to duty in the quartermaster's department, Chattanooga, and was sent to southwest Georgia to purchase provi- sions for the army. But in August of 1863 he voluntarily went back to his company,when he was detailed as a scout, a branch of the service in which he continued until the surrender, and at the same time held a commission as captain in the quartermaster's department. He saw much hard service, passed through many thrilling experiences and dangers, and had many narrow escapes from death by being individually shot at while scouting. He went right and left and was nearly all the time scouring the country around Sherman's army, generally returning with valuable information, and was with Jolinston's army on its retreat. After the fight at Jonesboro he was sent from Lovejoy's command to Gen. Wheeler, when in east Tennessee, with important dispatches, which he delivered successfully at Decatur, Ala. He was captured several times during the war, but always managed to escape; the last time just before the close of the struggle. On this occasion he was left under guard of one man while others of the squad which captured him went in pursuit of his comrades. Watching his opportunity he knocked the guard down and made his escape. During the war he had the misfortune to lose his right eye by the concussion of a shell. In 1872 he was elected to represent Gwinnett county in the general assembly and was one out of forty-five who steadfastly fought a law passed by the legislature during Gov. Bullock's official term leasing the state road, which they regarded as a fraud. In 1888 he was elected to represent the thirty-fourth senatorial district, performing his duties here with the same fidelity as in the lower house. In 1891 he was appointed principal keeper of the penitentiary by Gov. Northen, and made one of the most efficient officers the state ever had in that position-retiring in 1895. He has been a member of the Agricultural society since about 1866, of which he was elected vice-president two years ago, and still holds that position. He has been an active member of the executive committee fifteen years, and of the fair committee ten years-always maintaining an intense interest in the affairs of the society. Mr. Jones is an active and an enthusiastic, untiring worker in any cause or movement promising the public good and progress, and is one of the best of the county's citizens. Mr. Jones was married Dec. 23, 1857, to Mrs. Ann E. Harrison (nee Martin), daughter of A. W. and Exer (Smith) Martin, a union blessed with four children: W. G., R. H., Thomas F., and Clara. The mother of these, an estimable and exemplary member of the Methodist church, died in May, 1867. In October following he married Miss Sarah L. Martin, a sister of his deceased wife, by whom he had two children: George L., and Mamie H. She, also a devoted member of the Methodist church, died in November, 1872. In October, 1876, he contracted a third marriage with Miss Lulu, daughter of

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John G. and Lucinda L. (Walker) Trammell, members of noted old Georgia families. Mr. Jones has been a member of the I. O. O. F., is an active and ardent master Mason, and himself and wife are prominent and influential members of the Methodist church. He and others organized a Sunday school at the old church near his country home, known as Mt. Carmel, in 1867, of which he has been its beloved superintendent nearly all the time since.

T.T. KEY, retired physician, farmer, Norcross, Gwinnett Co., Ga., son of George and Madeline (Stephens) Key, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., Jan. 2, 1835. His great-great-grandfather, Martin Key, was a native of Wales, England, came to this country and settled on Manhattan island. He was the Key who leased thirty-six acres of land for ninety-nine years, now a part of Broadway an'd Central park, New York city. The lease expired in 1878, and the subject of this sketch, with other heirs, have been trying to effect a settlement, but as yet without success. His great-grandfather-son of the above-was born in Vir- ginia, and was the father of Chiles Terry Key, Dr. Key's grandfather, who married Miss Clark. He was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war, immediately after which he came to Georgia and settled in the woods in what is now Elbert county, and cleared a farm. Dr. Key's father was born in Elbert county in 1808, and, as might be expected, had very limited educational advan- tages. He was raised a farmer, was a successful one, and made it his life-occupa- tion. In 1837 he moved to Henry county, Ga., and in 1851 moved to De Kalb county, Ga. His mother was a daughter of Thomas Harden Stephens. When they were married he had $80-one year's salary as an overseer-and his wife had a piece of heavy cloth she had woven. This is what they began life with. They settled in the woods and lived awhile in a tent made of that piece of cloth; yet he lived to become a quite wealthy man. Nine children were born to them, and when they married he gave to each of them four negroes, and later gave each two more. When he died, in 1859, he had thirty slaves that were sold for division, showing that he was a thrifty, practical farmer, and a very superior manager of surplus income. Dr. Key was raised on the farm, and received but a limited education. When nineteen years old he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. T. M. Donald, and was a member of the first class that attended the Atlanta Medical college in 1855. He afterward went to Philadelphia and attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical college, from which he was graduated in March, 1856. He immediately located in Gwinnett county and had very promis- ing success; but in 1860 he decided to go to Louisiana. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-seventh Louisiana regiment. He was made a lieutenant of his company, and in a quiet, private way was their physician, his comrades paying him for the same through friendly, neighborly consideration. In the fall of 1863 he was taken sick, given up to die, and requested to resign, which he did. After the war he returned to Gwinnett county to find himself a ruined man-nearly everything gone except his land. He commenced farming and chopping wood to haul to Atlanta, and not long afterward resumed the practice of his profession, which he continued with satisfactory success until 1883, when his impaired health compelled him to relinquish it. He then engaged in the real estate business in Atlanta and followed it in that city until 1894, when he came to Norcross, where, in connection with farming, he still engages in the real estate business. Dr. Key stands high with the profession as a skillful practitioner, has achieved success as such, has the implicit confidence of the people among whom he has lived and now lives, and is held in the highest estimation as a Christian gentleman. Dr. Key was married in January, 1857, to Miss Rhoda-born and raised in Gwinnett

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county-daughter of John and Elizabeth (Malona) Carroll. Six children are the fruit of this union: George O., William D. Q., James L., Lola L., Maude M., and Anna I. He is a member of the Pioneer Citizens' society of Atlanta, a master Mason of long standing, and himself and wife are very devoted working members of the Methodist church; the doctor, often, by request of the local preacher, occupying the pulpit.

JOHN J. M'DANIEL, farmer, Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Co., Ga., son of James and Elvina (Johnson) McDaniel, was born in Gwinnett county in 1831. His great-grandfather, James McDaniel, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country and settled in Virginia. His grandfather, William McDaniel, was born in the state of Virginia, and migrated to the state of South Carolina, where Mr. McDaniel's father was born in 1812, and was nine years old when his father moved in ox-carts, most of the way through virgin forests, to Georgia and settled in Gwinnett county. Too old for service during the war, he was de- tailed to stay at home and look after the families of the soldiers in the field. Mr. J. J. McDaniel was raised on the farm, and the meagre education he received was obtained at the primitive dirt-floor log school house, with slab seats, stick-and-mud chimney, with light graciously admitted through square holes sawed through the logs in the sides. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F-of which he was made orderly sergeant-Thirty-fifth Georgia regiment. He saw no little hard service, and par- ticipated in some of the most important battles of the war, among them: Seven Pines, seven days' fight around Richmond, Fair Oaks, the raid into New Jersey, second Manassas, where his commanding officer, Col. Thomas, standing by and a witness, he shot two horses to death at one time, that were drawing a cannon, the object being its capture. He was also at Harper's Ferry and Fredericksburg. He was one of the three detailed to set fire to Manassas-which was effectually de- stroyed. At Fredericksburg he was seriously wounded and lost his left leg; but he remained with the army a long time afterward. After he came home he taught school awhile, and began life anew on one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which he has added to by subsequent purchases until now he is one of the large land owners of the county, and is recognized as one of its leading citizens. He was elected tax receiver since the war and served six years. Mr. . McDaniel was married in 1855 to Miss Martha Wills, who died soon afterward. In 1872 he con- tracted a second marriage with Miss Vina, daughter of T. D. and Adaline (Barrett) Matthews. Of six children born to them four survive: Zella; Paul E .; Eva, and Mary. Himself and wife are active members of the Baptist church.

S T. M'ELROY. But few of the citizens of Georgia, who were such before the late calamitous conflict, are without war records; fewer still have one of as thrilling details as the subject of this sketch. S. T. McElroy, merchant-manufac- turer, Norcross, Gwinnett Co., Ga., son of William and Margaret (Tilley) Mc- Elroy, was born in 1844. His paternal grandfather, Samuel McElroy, was a farmer, and a South Carolinian. In 1826 he came to Georgia in an ox-cart and settled in the woods in De Kalb county, where he cleared a farm, on which he lived till he died. Mr. McElroy's father was born in Anderson district, S. C., in 1813, came to Georgia with his father in 1826, and made farming the pursuit of his life. His mother was the daughter of Stephen (Still) Tilley. They, also, were South Carolinians and among the early settlers of DeKalb county. Mr. McElroy, in common with the majority of boys and youths born and raised in upper Georgia about the time he was, received a very limited education. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Capt. Morton, Thirty-sixth Georgia regiment, Col. Jesse Glenn, and, with his command was in many fiercely fought battles. At the battle of Baker's Creek,

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May 16, 1863, he was twice wounded; first by a shot in the left side, and then in about two minutes afterward in the left leg just above the ankle. This occurred about noon, in the hottest part of the fight, and he was left on the field, where he remained until late in the afternoon of the next day. After he was wounded the Confederates were forced back, but rallying later in the day, they regained their lost ground, and the new lines of battle were so formed that he lay between them perfectly conscious of what was going on, and of the extreme peril he was in. During the long-continued cannonading which followed language is inadequate to express the excruciating agony he experienced physically from his wounds, and mentally from impending further bodily mangling or sudden shocking death. Late in the next day-the 17th-he, with many other wounded soldiers, was carried to a farm house, but it being already full he was placed on the ground in the yard. When the surgeon reached and examined him he very unceremoniously am- putated his leg. He was afterward taken to Clinton, where he was placed in a ward in charge of Dr. James Camak. The people were very kind to the wounded men, but Mr. McElroy gratefully remembers and mentions two ladies who were especially so; one was Mrs. Hill, a school teacher who, during the intervals between school hours, would bring food and delicacies and suitable beverages, and feed and minister to the sufferers with her own hands. Another kind lady was a Mrs. Jungherr, who carried Mr. McElroy to her own home and there cared for him until he was able to come home, when she went with him in her carriage to the station to take the train. When the train reached Jackson it was found that the track was torn up. He and some of his companions hired a cart and oxen and were hauled ten miles to a railway, and a train was taken to Demopolis, Ala., where a Confederate parole camp was maintained, and he was furloughed and came home. He reached Atlanta on the Fourth of July without a cent. He called on a sup- posed friend for help, who put him off till the next morning, and then sent a negro with a dray to carry him home. When about a mile and a half from Atlanta he discharged the negro and got another friend to help him homeward. After the surrender he found himself penniless, at "the foot of the ladder," so to speak, and but one leg to help him climb. Being the oldest of four children he had the family to provide for, and the outlook was far from encouraging; but he bravely assumed the duty. Sustained by conscious integrity, a quiet courage and an inflexible will and purpose, he went courageously to work, and the result shows what these characteristics can accomplish. He began on the farm and made and saved some money. In 1870 he engaged in merchandising in Norcross and has achieved re- markable success; his enterprise has proved profitable and his business has in- creased until his firm has become one of the leading ones of the county, with a finan- cial standing not surpassed. In 1887 the firm of S. T. & J. E. McElroy was formed and the manufacture of chairs was entered upon; and two years later the manufacture of a general line of furniture, beds, etc., was added. The establish- ment now employs fifty hands, and has a daily capacity of 250 chairs and fifty beds, besides an indefinite quantity of furniture. To these, which have proven so remu- nerative to him, and which are so valuable to the community and county by develop- ing its resources and affording employment to the industrious needy, he has added a corn and wheat mill. For his sagacious enterprise Mr. McElroy richly merits his success and the gratitude of his fellow-citizens; and he has set an example which should be emulated in every community throughout Georgia and the south; "hard times" would then disappear. Mr. McElroy was married in 1866 to Miss Laura Lively; a union which was blessed with six children: Leonora; William; Beatrice; Minnie; Lovick, and Ruby. The mother of these, an exemplary mem- ber of the Methodist church, died in 1883. In 1885 he was married to Mrs. Kate Folley, who died childless in 1887, and the following year he contracted a third

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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 148

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