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 153

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 153

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W. N. COLEMAN, planter, merchant, stockman and fruit grower, Northen, Hancock Co., Ga., is a type of the vigorous and successful young man of the day. Mr. Coleman is the son of Richard and Rebecca (Thomas) Coleman, and was born in Nottaway county, Va., April 3, 1849. His father was a prosperous planter of that county, but dying early, left Mr. Coleman at fifteen years of age to fight life's battles for himself and a younger sister. The property was left in such shape as to give him little assistance. Securing a clerkship at the country store of Col. J. W. Harper at the insignificant salary of $50 per year and board, he soon made himself a necessity by diligent and faithful service. He remained with Col. Harper three years, receiving an increase in compensation each year. In January,

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1870, the lad concluded to try his fortunes in the south, and arriving at Augusta secured a position in the wholesale grocery house of Z. McCord. The following year he came to Hancock county, where he engaged with an uncle, H. W. Cole- man, who was a merchant and planter on the Ogeechee river. A year was spent with him, a few months with A. S. Bass, a merchant at Devereaux, and three years with D. A. Jewell & Co., at Jewells, and then Mr. Coleman felt equipped for busi- ness of his own. In company with a brother-in-law, J. E. Medlock, and Mr. G. W. Bass, the firm of Medlock, Bass & Co. began business at Jewells, and continued successfully for some three years. Mr. Bass then sold his interest to Mr. Coleman, who, after two years' successful continuance of the business, sold to his partner, and began farming at the point where he now resides, seven miles east of Sparta. He began on a limited scale, but has each year added to his possessions, until he has a little community of his own. A comfortable and commodious dwelling stands on one side of the road, among shrubbery and flowers of every variety. On the opposite side is a large gin house, with the latest improved machinery, and a barn in which may be found thorough-bred Jersey cattle, thoroughbred horses, and a large store building, filled with a choice stock of goods, a carriage and black- smith shop, and, best of all, a neat little school-house and church. These build- ings are all comparatively new and present a fine appearance to the traveler's eye. Mr. Coleman has a fine plantation of 900 acres, and a magnificent bearing peach orchard of 10,000 trees. He is too busy to engage in politics, but is a stanch democrat. He and his family are members of the Methodist church, to which he is most liberal in donations. On Jan. 28, 1878, Mr. Coleman and Willie, daugh- ter of James H. Middlebrooks, began their married life. They are the parents of four children: Rebecca, died in infancy; Hawley, a bright lad of eleven years; Virginia, nine, and Herbert, four. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman deserve and receive the respect of a large circle of friends, whom they delight to entertain and honor.

JOHN L. CULVER, planter, Culverton, Hancock Co., Ga., is a worthy scion of one of the oldest and most prominent families in middle Georgia. His grandfather, George Culver, together with two brothers, came to the state from the Chesapeake bay country in Maryland soon after the revolutionary war, and settled in Hancock county. Here he married Elizabeth Ellis, who bore him a large family of sons and daughters. Hardy C., one of these sons, the father of John L., was born in 1800, and about 1824 married Ann L. Latimer, to whom were born eleven children, as follows: William H., merchant, Culverton; Henry H., deceased; John L., Ann Elizabeth, deceased wife of Daniel Connell, Culverton; Mary J., wife of Capt. J. W. Moore, Culverton; Thomas H., a lieutenant of Company K, Fifteenth Georgia regiment, killed at the battle of the Wilderness; German P. and Benjamin C., planters, Culverton; Robert M., deceased in child- hood; Everard H., private in Company K. Fifteenth Georgia regiment, killed at Gettysburg, and Amazon B., who died in girlhood. Both parents of this family died in 1865. Hardy C. Culver was a man of wonderful energy, fine business judgment, and was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. He founded the town of Culverton, and was always foremost in every work that promised well for the public good. He gave liberally to all educational enterprises, and as a Methodist was untiring in his efforts for the advancement of that denomination, being an intimate friend of and co-worker with the late Bishop George F. Pierce. In politics he was a whig, and, though not at all fond of political life, he, by reason of his peculiar fitness, was forced to yield to the solicitations of friends, and represented his county in the legislature a number of terms, frequently drawing the support of democrats because of his just and conservative views. John L. Culver was born Dec. 26, 1829. He was raised on a plantation and given a good

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common school education. In July, 1861, he entered the Confederate service as captain of Company K, Fifteenth Georgia regiment, and saw service in Virginia until 1863. On the advice of his physician he resigned his commission and returned home to recuperate his failing health. When Sherman invaded Georgia he again became a soldier, this time as special escort to Gen. Gustavus Smith of the state troops, in whose service he remained to the end of the war. Mr. Culver's life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. As a planter he has no superior in the county, and combines with a scientific knowledge of that honorable pursuit, an aptitude for business and public life which has won for him a state-wide reputa- tion. In politics he is a stanch democrat and did fine service just after the war in wresting his county from the rule of incompetent negroes and rascally carpet- baggers. He represented his party in the lower house in the sessions of 1872-73-74 and 1875, and in 1890 was elected to represent the Twentieth senatorial district in the general assembly. He is at present chairman of the democratic executive committee, and president of the democratic party organization of Hancock county. The village of Culverton was incorporated in 1890, and he has since served as mayor. As a steward in the Methodist church and a member of the masonic fraternity Mr. Culver is a useful and popular adjunct of the community in which he resides. His marriage occurred in Glascock county, Ga., Nov. 12, 1850, his wife having been Miss Mary L., daughter of Louis Cheely. Four children were raised to maturity: Mary M., deceased wife of R. H. Moore, Culverton; Anna M., at home; Louis E., wholesale hardware merchant, Macon, Ga., and B. Louvill, wife of J. E. Kidd, Milledgeville, Ga.

WILLIAM S. DICKSON, planter, Sparta, Hancock county, Ga., is a pros- perous planter living five miles southeast of Sparta. Hewas born in the county Sept. 25, 1839, and is the son of James M. and Margaret A. (Crawford) Dickson. The Dickson family history available at this time dates back to William's grand- father, Curry Dickson, who grew to manhood and passed his life in Hancock county. No data as to his birth and antecedents could be obtained. He married Elizabeth Shy, a name familiar to all Georgians as of the highest respectability, and from their union sprang three boys and one girl: James M., W. S., D. W. and Emily Francis, now Mrs. Thomas Jordan, Craig county, Tex. James M. is the father of William S., and is still living near him at the advanced age of eighty years. He is exceedingly well-preserved and still looks after his little farm as in his younger days. He married in 1838, and has seen eight children grow to maturity, as follows: William S., the subject of this sketch; James C., David W. and Green L., successful planters of the county; Eliza J., single; Sarah, wife of B. J. Clark; Georgia B., single; Emily F., wife of Jamcs M. Dickson, also planters of Hancock county. William S. has always resided in the county of his nativity. When the war broke out he enlisted early as a private in Company K, Fifteenth Georgia regiment, and did his duty manfully till the surrender. The regiment arrived too late to be of service in 1861, but from the opening of the campaign in 1862 to the surrender, saw plenty of hard fighting. While Mr. Dickson was in the ranks he participated in the seven days' battle around Rich- mond, Fairfax court house, Second Manassas and at Gettysburg. In the latter battle he was severely wounded in the left shoulder, disabling him to such an extent as to preclude his carrying a musket in the ranks, and on his return to the army he was therefore detailed for service on the wagon train. He was married in Hancock county, Dec. 24, 1865, to Rebecca, daughter of John A. Kelly. Mr. Dickson is a deacon in the Baptist church, and a most uncompromising democrat . in politics. His democracy is of that type that finds no sacrifice too great for the advancement of the interests of the party, and much credit is due him for the solid

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front which it has been enabled to present in the county to the advancing hosts of populists.

DAVID DICKSON, deceased. Nothing so touches the heart of the true Georgian

with sadness as does the contemplation of the rapidly decaying old plantation house of ante-bellum days, and its hoary-headed and tottering inmate, both soon to be numbered among "the things that were, and are not." They speak of proud days, days when the "planting element" dominated in the realms of politics and society, and read the law to all other occupations. This element was especially strong in Hancock county, where just before the war were some of the largest and finest plantations in the state. Possibly the largest and finest of these was that of the gentleman above named, he at one time having cultivated a body of some 30,000 acres. A drive of twelve miles southeast of Sparta will bring the traveler to the old Dickson plantation, where he will find the spacious house and outbuildings still standing though the "hand which held the plow" fies nerveless and still, under the sod it once cultivated. David Dickson was born in Hancock county, Ga., July 4, 1809, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Dickson, an humble but honest parentage. Like most of the early settlers, they were dependent on the efforts of their own hands for their daily bread, and thus brought their children up in the best agricultural training school ever yet discovered. As David approached manhood, the period in which slave labor was most profitable dawned upon the south, and for the next two decades held sway. Beginning with moderate means he amassed property rapidly, and during the entire latter half of his life was probably the wealthiest man in his county. Some of his methods were peculiarly his own. It is said that he was phenomenally kind in the treatment of his slaves, and such was his influence over them that he had no use for an overseer. He was not an educated man so far as book knowledge is concerned, but was endowed with more than ordinary gifts of mind in the sphere in which he labored. He knew the productive qualities of every foot of his land, and could tell to a bushel or a bale just what each plat ought to yield. Thus, when free labor took the place of slave, he allotted each his portion in the spring-time, and told him just how much it would yield if properly cultivated. His rents were collected on those figures, of course allowing for the season, and it is said he had very few failures as a consequence. Mr. Dickson was liberal with his means toward all worthy public enterprises and in matters pertaining to education and religion ; and though he favored no particular denomination, his moral character was such as to command the respect of his associates. He never used tobacco or liquor in any form, and was very chaste and careful in his language. He retained his powers, both physical and mental, to the last, dying suddenly within an hour, on Feb. 13, 1885, leaving his entire property to a former favorite female slave, who at her death, willed the same to her two sons, Julian H. and Charles G., the present owners of the large property.

CHARLES WILDS DU BOSE (deceased), lawyer and jurist, was born in Darlington district, S. C., on Sept. 24, 1825. His family were French Hugue- nots, their ancestors having emigrated from France to the then province of South Carolina upon the revocation of the edict of Nantes in the seventeenth century. His grandfather, Elias Du Bose, held a commission and bore a conspicuous part in the revolutionary war. His father, John Wilds Du Bose-named in honor of his maternal uncle, Judge Samuel Wilds, a highly-distinguished jurist of South Caro- lina-married his cousin, Elizabeth Roberts, the daughter of Dr. John Roberts, a Baptist clergyman living in Cherac's district; and Charles was their only sur-

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viving son. While still in infancy his mother died, and with the boy Mr. Du Bose left the state of his nativity and sought a new home on the St. Mary's river, Florida, where he purchased a large tract of land and spent the remainder of his life as a planter. When Charles was about five years of age his father brought to his home a second wife, the daughter of a relative who lived on the "High point of the Cumberland," Miss Mary K. Miller, first cousin to his wife Elizabeth. This gentle lady proved to be a faithful stepmother to the lonely, sensitive child, whose heart was, however, bound up in the father, to whom he was passionately attached, but who died when the boy was just verging on manhood. This second marriage was blessed with sons and daughters, and among them the thoughtful, quiet lad grew up tenderly cared for by the mother, to whom to the end of her life he was a true, unselfish elder son. His education was directed by the Rev. Dr. Baird, a Presbyterian clergyman, and noted instructor of boys at the academy in "Old St. Marys;" his uncertain health, deterring his father from sending him away from home. At sixteen the studious boy grew weary of the monotony of plantation life and longed for other scenes. With high hope in his young heart he left his father's sheltering arm and went to Augusta to begin the study of law, in the office of his relative, the Hon. Andrew J. Miller. Into the family of his step- mother's brother he was admitted as a son, remaining there until he was made a member of the bar of Georgia, by special act of the legislature, at nineteen years of age. Advised by Mr. Miller, he immediately went to Sparta in Hancock county, where he went into practice with Hon. Eli H. Baxter. Upon the election of his co-partner to the judgeship of the northern circuit he formed a second connection with the Hon. Linton Stephens, which was dissolved in 1860 by the latter's appoint- ment to a seat on the supreme bench. Between these two men, totally dissimilar in temperament, there grew a lasting and tender friendship. "Perhaps, more than all else, to gratify his friends, Mr. Du Bose accepted the clerkship of the supreme court, holding that position through many difficulties until removed, under recon- struction influences, in 1868. Very early in the war he and Linton Stephens formed a company of infantry called the "Confederate Guards." Upon the pro- motion of Capt. Stephens to the rank of major the command devolved upon him, but his friends, particularly Hon. Alex. H. Stephens, objected so strongly to his going to the front on account of his delicate health, and the imperative need for his presence at home, that he reluctantly consented to remain behind. This was a grief to him while the war lasted, so much so that when the governor made his last call for volunteers he presented himself at once, as a private soldier in the camp at Atlanta, only to be prostrated with camp fever. Learning this the gov- ernor sent his carriage, brought him to the city, and upon his positive refusal to return home, gave him a position on his personal staff. From 1848 to 1860 he held the office of ordinary of Hancock county by continuous elections; and during the war he was twice elected to the lower branch of the general assembly, serving in all six years. It was during the latter part of his service as legislator that he succeeded in getting through the house the bill introduced by Hon. Andrew J. Miller, but which he could never get further than the senate. This was the bill called "The Woman's Bill," now a law, giving to every married woman her own property. For that service the women of Georgia have cause to be forever grate- ful to Col. Du Bose's energy and perseverance. He was a member of the secession convention in 1860, and in 1866 was sent as delegate to the constitutional con- vention at Milledgeville. In 1877 he was again elected to a similar convention which framed our present constitution. From that time he declined all offices, even modestly refusing to listen to tempting offers of judicial preferment, devoting his energies solely to his profession. At last, however, he yielded to the solicita-

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tion of friends, and consented to represent the Twentieth senatorial district. Dur- ing this term occurred the famous impeachment trials of the comptroller and state treasurer, he being one of the small minority whose votes acquitted Mr. Renfroe. At this term also his son, Andrew Miller Du Bose, represented his county in the lower house, his colleagues being the Hon. William J. Northen, who afterward served two terms as governor of the state. It was at the earnest solicita- tion of his friend, Col. Du Bose, that Mr. Northen then, for the first time, made his appearance in official life. In cach of these varied public trusts Col. Du Bose proved himself able, conscientious and faithful. In 1848 he married Miss Cath- erine Anne, eldest daughter of Rev. Win. Richards, a faithful and devoted clergy- man of the Baptist denomination, who came with his family from England while she was very young. Her education began in the northern states, was continued under the care of the beloved Mrs. Edgerton (afterward Mrs. Orme of Milledge- ville), at her famous school at Midway, Ga. This union was particularly fortu- nate, congeniality of tastes and perfect understanding giving to their home life an unusual degree of wedded happiness. Mrs. Du Bose early won distinction in the literary world as a writer of prose and verse. She has enduring mention in many works, referring to "Female Writers of the South." Her little book, The Pastor's Household, and many poems and periodical contributions attracted widespread attention. Her entire family seem to have been gifted with the literary faculty, notably her oldest brother, Dr. Wm. C. Richards, of Chicago, who won eminence as poet, scientist, lecturer and divine. Mr. T. Addison Richards of New York city, a distinguished landscape artist and writer, who held the responsible position of corresponding secretary of the National Academy of Design for forty years. Also her sister, Mrs. Amelia S. Williams of Tennessee, who wields a ready and facile pen in prose and verse. The children of this happily married pair have all grown to man's estate, in honor. The eldest was Charles S. Du Bose of Warrenton, Ga., whose death at the untimely age of thirty-two cut short a life of great usefulness and rare promise, and inflicted a blow to his father's heart from which he never fully recovered. This youth quickly rose to eminence at the bar, and served the state twice as legislator, and afterward in the state senate, from which his failing health compelled him to resign. Hon. Andrew Miller Du Bose, his second son, has represented his county in the lower house, and still practices law in his father's old office in Sparta, Ga. His two younger sons are Dr. Wmn. Richards Du Bose, an eminent and valued surgeon in the United States navy, and Dr. George Pierce Du Bose, who holds a responsible and honorable position in the medical department at Washington, D. C. To each of these sons it was his pride and happiness to give every advantage of education, building firmly upon the solid foundation laid by their devoted mother. Their success in life amply repaid his self-sacrificing efforts. His work thus nobly done, Col. Du Bose departed this life on Oct. 22, 1890, having just completed his sixty-fifth year. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and counted one of the most useful citizens of his county and state. His sturdy integrity and unwavering hon- esty, his steadfast friendship and useful devotion to his wife and children, his gentle, courteous demeanor, and the graces that ever adorned his practical Christian life secured for him the admiration, esteem, reverence and love of every one who knew him. His wife still survives him, in the beautiful home he made for her, blest by the loving care of her sons, and their accomplished wives, and enjoying the competence won for her by his professional energy and zeal.

JAMES A. HARLEY. Conspicuous among the old and reliable families of Hancock county the name of Harley stands worthy of honorable mention. Different members have won distinction in professional and literary circles, and

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have intermarried with other families equally as eminent, notably the Battles, of lasting prominence throughout the state. The progenitor of this branch of the family, William J. Harley, was a native of Barnwell district, S. C. He was educated at a Baptist theological seminary, graduating in 1828 in the class made famous by Drs. McIntosh, De Votie and others of scarcely less prominence in religious circles. Serving the Master in the pulpits of South Carolina until middle age, he came to Hancock county, where several years before he had met, while attend- ing a Baptist association, Miss Mary L. Battle. They were married in 1843, and thus began a life of connubial bliss unmarred by a single unkind act or word during its continuance. They made Hancock county their place of residence during all their married life, and were the parents of a most interesting and cul- tured family: James A .; Ella A. (deceased), at fourteen years of age; Mamie B., and Anna S., teachers; W. I., a prominent and successful planter and stockman of Hancock county; and Reuben B. Rev. Harley continued in the Baptist min- istry until 1870, the date of his death. He was a man whose labors were wonder- fully blessed in building up his denomination throughout the state. Mrs. Harley was a woman of tender and loving sympathies, a most devout Christian, and instilled into the hearts of her children a lasting reverence for that noble mother- hood which she so worthily typified. She died at the age of seventy-two years, in 1890. James A. Harley, the eldest son, is a member of the bar at present in Hancock county. He was born April 1, 1846, and was educated at Mercer uni- versity, where he graduated in 1868. After leaving school he taught for a year in Alabama, then entered upon the study of the law under the preceptorship of Geo. F. Pierce, now deceased. Being admitted at Sparta in 1869, he at once entered upon the duties of his profession and has built for himself a large and remunerative practice. Mr. Harley has never held public office but once, and then by appointment by Gov. McDaniel, to the solicitorship of the northern circuit in 1884, to fill an unexpired term. He acquitted himself creditably to the end of the term, and then declined being a candidate for election. Although a mere boy when the war broke out he at once enlisted in Col. R. H. Anderson's regiment of cavalry, known as the Fifth Georgia, and did gallant service in the western division of the army. Being captured by Sherman's cavalry near Atlanta he was carried to Savannah and from thence to Point Lookout, where he was held prisoner until his exchange in February of 1865. He did not again enter the army. Mr. Harley was united in wedlock March 1, 1870, to Anna F. Pierce, youngest daughter of the late Bishop George F. Pierce of the Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Harley have had born to them four bright children: Pauline, George F., Ella A., and James A., Jr. Mr. Harley is of course a democrat, and of the same faith as his father. He is an active worker in the church, and is superintendent of the Baptist Sunday school at Sparta.

REUBEN BATTLE HARLEY, lawyer, Sparta, Hancock county, Ga., youngest child of the above parentage, was born Nov. 2, 1859. He was educated in the excellent academy at Sparta and studied law at Mercer university. His examina- tion occurred before Judge E. H. Pottle at Sparta in 1884, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice, and is looked upon as a rising member of the profession. Mr. Harley has not yet married, being wedded to his work and to his books. His distinguished characteristic is his fondness for literature, in which he is quite fond of history, and in that branch of literature has delved deep and retained the results of his research. An hour's conversation with him reveals this fact most pleasantly. He takes great interest in his profession, and as a member of the Georgia Bar association has done valuable service in its delibera-

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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 153

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