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 39

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 39

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Capt. Paine was married in 1857 to Miss Gertrude Dasher. She having died, he contracted a second marriage in 1872 with Miss Anna E. Turner. Mr. Paine has one son, Charles H. Paine, who is in the drug business at Valdosta, Ga.

DR. THEOPHILUS O. POWELL, superintendent of the state lunatic asylum,

was born in Brunswick county, Va., in 1837, and when six or seven years of age came to Georgia with his parents, who settled in Sparta, Hancock county. There he was educated largely under the supervision of that very eminent educator, Richard Malcom Johnson, of national fame, and after studying medicine for a time attended · lectures at the Georgia Medical college, Augusta, from which he graduated in 1859. Soon after his graduation he located in Sparta and was rapidly advancing in the public estimation when the civil war broke out. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Forty-ninth Georgia regiment and served as such until about August, 1862, when he accepted an appointment as first assistant physician to the state insane asylum at Milledgeville. He served as such until February, 1879, when he was appointed superintendent, a position which he has creditably held ever since. While in the Confederate service Dr. Powell was in all the battles around Rich- mond and many skirmishes. In 1886, in compliance with a resolution of the senate and house of representatives of the general assembly of Georgia, Dr. Powell submitted to that body a very full and exhaustive report of his "investiga- tions as to the increase of insanity in this state, and the most important factors in its causation so far as it has been practicable to ascertain them." This report re- flects the highest credit on Dr. Powell's professional erudition, profound study and patient research and placed him high "on the roll of honor" of the medical pro- fession. His great scientific attainments, intelligent considerateness for the unfor- tunate and conscientious discharge of every duty devolving upon him has commended him to the confidence of the people and of the "powers that be," who are satisfied that no more efficient officer could be found. Dr. Powell is a member of the State Medical association of Georgia and was president of the State Medical association in 1887; is a member of the American Medico-Psychological association and of the National Medico-Legal society, and few, if any members of the pro- fession stand higher than he.

Dr. Powell was married in 1860 to Miss Frances, daughter of Edward Birdsong, of Hancock county, a union blessed with two children: Julia, wife of P. A. West of Baldwin county, and Harriet, wife of John Conn of Milledgeville, Ga. He is a chapter Mason, Scottish rite and a trustee of Milledgeville Lodge No. 3, F. and A. M.

JUDGE LUCIUS Q. C. LAMAR was a son of John Lamar and was born July 15, 1797, and from boyhood was a lover of books, reading with good effect almost everything that came within his reach, but had a decided partiality to poetry and other works of imagination. In after life he was distinguished for his attainment in belles-lettres, for the classic purity of his composition, and for forensic eloquence.

In 1816 he commenced the study of law in the office of Joel Crawford at Milledgeville, where he read with great assiduity, and, among other acquisitions,

T. O. POWELL.

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became an accurate pleader. Having spent twelve months or more in this office, and wishing to complete his professional education, he repaired to the celebrated law-school at Litchfield, in the state of Connecticut, in which Judges Reeve and Gould alternated in delivering a course of lectures. During a period of thirty years or more the Litchfield school was almost the only institution of the kind, and by far the most famed, in the United States. It was sought by students from almost every part of the union, and from no state, probably, in greater numbers than Georgia.

About the year 1818 or 1819 young Lamar was licensed "to plead and practice in the several courts of law and equity in this state," opened an office at Milledge- ville, and not many months thereafter married Miss Bird, the daughter of an eminent physician of that place. Though few lawyers have brought to the bar higher qualifications, he lacked some, and for a few years his prospects were anything but bright. While others with not a tithe of his genius or learning were seen to be reaping rich harvests of fees and crowded with clients, he remained poor and almost briefless. How and why did this happen? Courage, truth and honor were among the most conspicuous elements of his character, and he seemed to have the esteem and confidence of every one. But he could not court clients or solicit patronage; his characteristic independence and legitimate self-esteem would not tolerate even the semblance of unworthy condescension. He doubtless wanted what is commonly called address; he had no turn for frivolous chat, story- telling, anecdotes, etc. In short, he lacked those qualifications on which humbler natures rely for conciliating popular favor.

But there was another peculiarity attached to this gifted young man, which is very seldom seen in persons of his age and fervid temperament. It would seem that the tone of his nervous system was liable to accidental spells of depression, which not only impaired his capacity for social companionship, but, at times, the highest energies of his mind. At the bar and elsewhere, when under the weight of this incubus, he has been known to betray a want of thought and of expertness in the transaction of business, which, to those who knew him best, was astonishing. On one occasion, an important case of his being on trial in the county of Twiggs --- a case he had much at heart, and in which he had made great preparation-when in the prescribed order of speaking it became his turn to address the special jury, he arose with perfect self-possession, and having proceeded through an exordium of great appropriateness and beauty, suddenly came to a dead pause. No one knew the cause until he, with humility and confusion of face that betrayed the deep morti- fication under which he suffered, declared in an undertone to his associate counsel, that he could not proceed, and that the whole advocacy of the cause must fall into the hands of the associate.

In the summer of 1821, his first preceptor in the law having retired from the practice some four or five years before, resumed it, and Lamar became his partner. This co-partnership, by its terms, was limited to three years, and before the expiration of that time Lamar had so many opportunities of exhibiting proofs of his great professional ability that he never afterward wanted clients or fees.

Mr. Lamar doubtless had ambition-a legitimate ambition-to acquire, by meritorious actions, that fame and fortune which may at all times be justly awarded to useful and brilliant achievements ; but he had an insuperable aversion to catching office as a mere fortuitous windfall, or getting it by surrendering himself to the arbitrary management of a political party. Under the influence of such generous self-denial, he more than once refused his name as a candidate, when success was little less than certain. This conduct when Thomas W. Cobb --- about the fall of

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1828-became a candidate for the bench of the Ocmulgee circuit, will serve to exemplify some of the lofty traits which belonged to the character of Lamar.

Mr. Cobb was an experienced and confessedly an able lawyer-had been for many years a respectable member of congress, desired to continue in the public service, but in the decline of life preferred a station nearer home. That popularity, however, which carried him three terms to the house of representatives, and after- ward to the senate of the United States, now forsook him. He was beaten on joint vote of the general assembly, by a large majority ; but for some cause, best known to himself, his successful opponent (Judge Eli S. Shorter) within a few days resigned the commission of judge, and the vacancy had to be filled. Cobb's friends again presented his name, and Lamar was importuned to offer as the rival candidate. Had he consented, his election was morally certain; but he had becoming respect for Mr. Cobb's seniority and past services, was no stranger to the unworthy motives of those who were most intent on a second defeat, nor to the plasticity of that illy-organized college of electors, the general assembly. His refusal was per- emptory, and Mr. Cobb was permitted to take the office he so much coveted.

Before the term for which Mr. Cobb had been elected expired, his death made a vacancy which Mr. Lamar could honorably consent to fill. He came, then, into office on such conditions as met his approbation, and continued until the day of his own lamented death to discharge its duties with signal ability, and with public applause which few in judicial stations have had the good fortune to receive.

The melancholy event of Judge Lamar's death (occasioned, as it was, by his own hand) filled the wide circle of his friends and acquaintances with lamentation and astonishment. He was yet a young man, with sufficient wealth for entire inde- pendence, unequaled popularity, a wife and children on whom he doted; no man, indeed, seemed to have more to attach him to life. To the inquiry everywhere made, "What could have caused the suicide?" no satisfactory answer was given. Some supposed it to be religious frenzy, originating in recent and deep impressions on that subject. One who knew him intimately has assigned that which was probably the true and only cause-insanity, resulting from accidental derangement of cerebral organism. The disease of which the judge died may, therefore, be assumed as a natural one, and as explicable, on pathological principles, as apoplexy or any other malady of the brain.

Whatever may have been predicted of the eventful career of Judge Lamar, had he lived longer and been placed in congress, or on some other theater favorable to the display of his splendid oratory and ardent patriotism, it is admitted that, both at the bar and on the bench, he attained the first rank. He presided with great dignity, and was most effective in the dispatch of business. No one who knew the man ever ventured on an act of rudeness or disrespect to his court; yet every person whose deportment was worthy of it had unfailing assurances of his kindness. His lectures of instruction to the grand juries, at the opening of a term, were delivered in admirable style; and his charges to special and petit juries, engaged in the trial of difficult and much-litigated cases, might well serve as models to any bench.

His manners in public and private life were wholly free from useless formality, but frank, bland and refined. He left a young family of sons and daughters (one of his sons, L. Q. C. Lamar, became United States senator from Mississippi, secretary of the interior under Mr. Cleveland's first term, and a justice of the supreme court of the United States.

The above and foregoing is from the pen of his law partner, the late eminent Joel Crawford, and this testimony, from one so competent, establishing the high rank of Judge Lamar in the profession, and also as a citizen, the attempt to improve

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the picture would be vain; no room is left for art or friendship to throw further light on a character so nobly molded. He was truly a man of great moral ele- vation, and universally beloved. His sensibilities were very acute, and his emulation was entirely unselfish. Aiming to extend the conquests of his profound intellect to the verge of possibility, he overtasked his nervous system, resulting in that deplorable act which deprived his country and his friends of a pattern of excellence. His fame secure, his virtues without a blemish, his memory will ever remain dear to the people of Georgia, and to all who can appreciate an exalted nature. He is buried in the beautiful cemetery at Milledgeville, Ga. A handsome monument, in the form of an obelisk, twelve or fifteen feet high, has been erected by the members of the bar over his remains, on which is the following inscription, which is said to have been from the pen of the late Judge Iverson L. Harris :

"Sacred to the memory of Lucius Q. C. Lamar, late judge of the superior court of the Ocmulgee circuit, who, during a brief period of four years, discharged the duties of that high office with probity, firmness, efficiency and unquestionable reputation. The devoted love of his family, the ardent attachment of personal friends, the admiration of the bar, and the universal approbation of his enlightened admiration of justice, attest the goodness and greatness of one arrested by death too early in the bright career in which he had been placed by his native state.

"Born, July 15, 1797. Died, July 4, 1834.'

W R. ROBISON, physician and surgeon, Milledgeville, Ga., son of Willian H. and Elizabeth Robison, was born in Washington county, Ga., in 1843. The family is of old Virginia stock, but his father was born in Washington county and followed farming all his life. His father's brother, Samuel Robison, was a brigadier-general in the Indian war, and was a member of the general assembly . twenty-two years in succession.

Dr. Robison was educated in part in Washington and Hancock counties. On July 15, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fifteenth Georgia regi- ment, and served as such two years, and was then elected second lieutenant and, six months later, first lieutenant. He served in this capacity until near the close of the war, at which time the Confederate ranks were so depleted from such long marches and terrible battles, the companies were consolidated, when he was made captain of Companies G and K, holding that rank when he surrendered at Appomattox. Among the important batttles in which he bore an active and gallant part were: Yorktown, Seven Pines, seven days' fight around Richmond, second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Knoxville, Gettysburg, Chicka- mauga, Wilderness, Sailor's creek, and Appomattox. While in the army he was wounded three or four times, but was never in a hospital, and had but two short furloughs. After the surrender he walked home from Appomattox, made a crop that year, and farmed the three following years. In 1868 he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. G. Shinholser, and subsequently attended lectures at the Georgia Medical college, Augusta, from which he graduated in 1872. He located immediately at Toombsboro, Wilkinson Co .. and continued there practicing his profession and selling drugs until 1881, when he moved to Mil- ledgeville, to practice with his brother-in-law, Dr. J. G. Shinholser. Dr. Shin- holser died about a year later, leaving three children to rear, when Dr. Robison moved to the farm in Washington county, where he lived five years-practically abandoning his practice. Having discharged this self-imposed sacred duty to these dependent orphans, he returned to Milledgeville in 1886 and resumed the practice of his profession, which he has since continued, growing yearly in repu- tation and extent of practice, and in the popular favor.

I-18

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Dr. Robison was married in October, 1867, in Wilkinson county to Miss Sallie, daughter of the late Mr. J. G. Shinholser, sister of his deceased partner. Six children were the fruit of this union, but none of them survive. He is a prominent and influential member of the Methodist church.

Dr. Robison had three brothers in the war: W. F., a member of the north Georgia Methodist conference, who was a chaplain of the Fifteenth Georgia regiment, and is now president of the Young Harris college, McTyierre, Towns Co., Ga .; Samuel, who was in the Twenty-eighth Georgia regiment and died in 1862 while in the army; and Milton, who died in 1864 while in the service.

HENRY STEVENS, founder of the great "pottery" establishment in Baldwin county (about ten miles from Milledgeville), Ga., was a son of Walter and Elizabeth Stevens, and was born in Cornwall, England, May 21, 1813. Com- mencing to work in a pottery when quite young, by the time he was eighteen years of age he had become quite proficient. On reaching that age he engaged as a sailor on a merchant vessel sailing between Liverpool and New York, and followed a sailor's life five years. When twenty-three years of age he came to Augusta, Ga., and accepted a position as foreman of hands at work grading. laying ties, rails, etc., on the Georgia railway then being built between Augusta and Union Point. When that work was completed he was appointed a conductor, and continued as such a number of years. He next engaged in the saw-mill business in Greene county, Ga., and selling and erecting the "Page mill," a double circular saw, which being the first introduced into that part of the state, excited no little curiosity and interest. He had very great success both in his saw-milling business and selling and erecting mills throughout middle Georgia, continuing until 1854. That year he bought a large tract of timber land-virgin forest-ten miles south of Milledgeville, in Baldwin county, established a saw-mill plant, and launched out extensively in the lumber business. He continued in it with phenomenal success until 1871. On the land he had purchased was an extensive and very valuable deposit of fireclay, and Mr. Stevens utilized and profited by his early training by beginning the manufacture of sewer pipe, a great variety of pottery, and stone-ware. This enterprise, like his other ventures, proved to be an extraordinary success from the start. Being the only works of the kind in the south, the output having been excellent at the beginning and improved as experience was gained and facilities added. and the management having been exceptionally able the business has grown to enormous proportions. During the war he supplied the Confederate government with many articles needed by the army, knives, shoe-pegs, and Joe Brown pipes, etc., and as a consequence, when Gen. Sherman was "marching through Georgia," his mills were burned and his works leveled to the ground. After the surrender he had nothing but his land, an indefinite amount of Confederate currency, and six or seven dollars in gold. He went bravely to work and rebuilt his mills, and as lumber brought good prices, he very rapidly recuperated and placed his vast and varied interests on the road to their present prosperity and magnitude. The products of the mills and pottery have attained a wide-spread enviable reputation, and are shipped to all parts of the south. Mr. Stevens was more solid than brilliant. Caution and carefulness were happily combined with energy and enterprise, guided by almost unerring sagacity; and added to these were practical business qualifications which guaranteed the success accomplished. Another thing-he carried his religion with him into his business, and in his manifold and varied business transactions, with all classes of people, he never lost sight of his Chris-

Henry, Hevers

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tian obligations and duties. There was always a hearty welcome, a bed in his house, a place and a plate at his table, and money in his palm for the preacher of the gospel of peace. Though remarkably successful in all his worldly pursuits, Christian principle and Christian liberality were a dominant characteristic of his every-day life. An interesting incident which occurred just after the war forcibly illustrates this: A Methodist preacher stopped over night at his house, yet midst the ruins left by Sherman's devastating march. During their conver- sation the preacher's absolute destitution-want at his home-was made apparent to Mr. Stevens. As already stated, all, and the only, good money he had, was six or seven dollars in gold, and this, true to the generous impulses of his heart, and his profound sense of Christian obligation, he freely gave to the preacher. In 1876 he sold out to his sons, and retired to the quiet enjoyment of a home hallowed by Christian practice, faith and hope.

Mr. Stevens was happily married in Greene county, in 1837, to Miss Matilda, daughter of John and Martha Stevens, formerly of North Carolina, and descend- ants of early settlers of that state. Her parents started in life poor, but by hard work, close economy and good management, accumulated a small fortune. He died about 1850, and his widow died about 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Stevens eight children were born: Martha Jane, wife of F. M. Bone; Walter Crawford, partner Stevens Bros. company; Annie E., wife of David Brewer; John Henry, partner Stevens Bros. company; Fannie Matilda, died in 1887, wife of Rev. J. W. Glenn, Methodist preacher; Eliza, wife of F. C. Davis, Newton county, Ga .; William Park, treasurer and general manager H. Stevens Bros. company, Macon, Ga .; and one who died in infancy. The mother of the above, a very pious and exemplary member of the Methodist church, born in 1823, died in 1862. Mr. Stevens contracted a second marriage with Miss Carrie, daughter of William Torrance, by whom he had no children. In both marriages Mr. Stevens was exceptionally fortunate and happy. He was an ardent and prominent master Mason, and a most devout and very influential member of the Methodist church, a real working Christian, a steward nearly all his life, and a trustee.

He died Jan. 16, 1883; and his last wife died in 1883.

JOHN HENRY STEVENS, manufacturer, Stevens' pottery, Baldwin county, Ga., son of Henry and Martha Matilda Stevens, was born in 1851. He grew to manhood on the plantation, and received his early education at the common schools of the county, after which he attended Emory college two years. He then engaged in business for himself for awhile; but in 1876 he joined his brothers in purchasing the pottery business established by his father. In addition to the extensive pottery business done by the firm, they cultivate about 1,000 acres of land. They are already doing the largest business in their line in the south, throughout which their goods are shipped; and their business is constantly increasing. Mr. Stevens was married in 1873 to Miss Julia, daughter of A. J. and Talitha (Wright) Webb, a union which has been blessed with six children: Lemma, wife of Lee Crittenden Manley; Henry A., deceased; John H., Jr., deceased; Maggie Mell, deceased; Pearl and Rubie. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist church, of which he is a steward.

WALTER CRAWFORD STEVENS, manufacturer, Stevens Pottery, Baldwin Co., Ga., son of Henry and Matilda Stevens, was born in Greene county, Ga. He grew to manhood on the plantation, assisting generally on that and in the "pot- tery" his father was engaged in establishing. He obtained his primary education

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at the common schools of Baldwin county, after which he attended Emory college, at Oxford, Ga., two years. In 1876 he and his brother, John Henry, and his uncle, William Stevens, of Sparta, Ga., formed a partnership under the firm name of Stevens Bros. & Co., which they continued with growing reputation and increas- ing business until the uncle died. They then bought their uncle's interest in the business, and continued the same as Stevens Bros. Company. To meet the rapidly increasing demand for their products, they established an immense additional plant, equipped with the best latest improved machinery, making William P. the general manager and treasurer of the new company, known as The H. Stevens Sons company, Macon. The introduction of this industry by the father, and its subsequent permanent establishment and wonderfully rapid improvement and extension by the sons, demonstrate what persistency of effort and intelligent and well-directed enterprise can accomplish-especially with abundance of the best raw material at hand, and the skill to utilize it.

Mr. Stevens was married in 1872 to Miss Emma Heard, daughter of Wilson and Mary (Wright) Davis, by whom he has had three children, Mittie Irene, wife of Dr. M. M. Stapler, Macon, Ga .; Maria, and one child which died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are prominent and active members of the Methodist church, of which he is a steward.

D.B. SANFORD, lawyer, Milledgeville, Baldwin Co., Ga., was born in Greensborough, Greene Co., Ga., April 1I, 1839, his family being one of the most influential at one time in that county, and one of the best known in the state. He was educated at the excellent schools in his native county, where he lived until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to Milledgeville, and in 1859 was appointed deputy clerk of the supreme court. On the death, soon after, of the principal clerk, he was commissioned by the general assembly to bring up the unfinished work. Suspending this work, he enlisted, in February, 1861, as a private in the Greene Rifles, at Greensborough. The company was assigned to Phillips' legion; later he was elected first lieutenant of Company A of that legion, and in 1864 he was commissioned as captain, holding the rank until the close of the war. Among the important battles in which he was a gallant and efficient participant were: Second Manassas, South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Fredericks- burg, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Wilderness, and Sailor's Creek. After being twice wounded at this last-named battle, he was captured and sent to Washington, D. C., where he was detained until August, 1865, when he was released. On his return home he studied law, and in 1867 he was admitted to the bar. He located at once at Milledgeville and resumed his work on the supreme court records. In 1873 he was elected ordinary of Baldwin county, an office which he held by re-election four terms-sixteen years-during all of which time he successfully practiced his pro- fession. In 1889 he was appointed county commissioner, and in January, 1895, he was reappointed. Mr. Sanford is now, and for ten years has been president of the board of trustees of the Middle Georgia Military and Agricultural college, and also has for ten years been a director of the Milledgeville Banking company. His retention of these several important and responsible official positions is conclusive proof of his capacity and fidelity, and of the estimation in which he is held by his fellow-citizens.

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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 39

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