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 41

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 41

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Seminole war, and he served for many years as judge of the inferior court, and for six years was principal keeper of the Georgia penitentiary at Milledgeville, receiving his first appointment under Gov. Herschel V. Johnson. He died in 1877. Mr. Turk's father, William H., was born in Franklin county in November, 1818, and followed farming all his life. Early in the late civil war he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth regiment, and served three years. He officiated a number of years as justice of the peace and died in 1885. Mr. Turk's great-grandparents on his mother's side were William and Jane (Fleming) Ash. He was a native of South Carolina and served under Gen. Sumpter during the revolutionary war. His maternal grandparents were A. F. and Elizabeth (Mc- Crackre) Ash. He was born in Union district, S. C., and came with his father when a boy to Franklin county, Ga. He served in the Indian war as major. He represented his county (Franklin) in the Georgia legislature for quite a number of years and he was a man of great force of character. Mr. L. N. Turk grew to manhood on the farm and owing to the unsettled condition of the country he received but little schooling. He is essentially a self-educated man and as his father lost all his property during the war he began life with nothing. He served his county as surveyor for eight years and in 1858 he was elected clerk of the superior court and has been continually re-elected since. He made his first purchase of land in 1878, a small farm which he has profitably cultivated and to which he has gradually added until now he has 450 acres and a comfortable home. Mr. Turk was married in 1878 to Miss Isabella Telford, born in South Carolina Nov. 27, 1857, daughter of G. B. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Telford, native South Carolinians, who moved to Georgia in 1872. Mr. Wilson was a cousin of ex-Gov. Brown, and during the late war served in the home guard. Of the children which blessed this union, four are living: William, Joseph, Minnie, and George. The mother, an esteemed member of the Presby- terian church, died Oct. 21, 1893, and Jan. 17, 1895, Mr. Turk married Miss Alice Burns, born in Banks county, May 13, 1859, and daughter of John M. and Harriet (Long) Burns. Her father, son of David M. and Sarah (Hay) Burns, was born in Jackson county, Ga., where he still lives and served with the Con- federate army during the late war. Her grandfather Burns erected the first flour mill built in Jackson county, and was a general of militia when it was con- sidered a great local distinction and much coveted. Mr. and Mrs. Turk are members of the Presbyterian church.

JOHN T. WHITE, farmer, Banks (postoffice, Maysville, Jackson) county, Ga., son of Robert and Sarah (Miller) White, was born in Clarke county, Ga., in 1847. His paternal grandparents, John and Lavinia (Gray) White, were born in what is now Clarke county. He was a school teacher and a quite large farmer, and was a soldier during the war of 1812. Mr. White's father was born in Clarke county, served in the Confederate army for a considerable time, doing faithful service. His mother was a daughter of Joram and Lavinia (Ross) Miller. He was a native of South Carolina, but moved to Georgia when a young man, where he married and raised a family. He was a farmer, and finally moved to Forsyth county, Ga., where he died.

Mr. White enlisted in Company D, Capt. Dorsey, Young's battalion, and par- ticipated in many important arguments-in the defense of Atlanta, and generally in front of the Union army when "Marching Through Georgia." At the close of the war his only capital was industrious habits, energy and a determination to succeed. He has now a fine 300-acre farm under good cultivation, and operates a ginnery; is content with his gains and the good will of his friends and neighbors.

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Mr. White was married, in 1866, to Miss Elizabeth-born in Jackson county, Ga., in 1846-daughter of William and Mary A. (Baugh) Saville, native Georgians. Of the children born to them, eight are living: Robert, Tresne, Sallie, Morgan, Louisiana, Minnie, Pauline and Paul. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Baptist church.

JAMES O. WOOD, farmer, Phidelta, Banks Co., Ga., son of Josh and Stacy (Wheeler) Wood, was born in Jackson county, Ga., in 1833. His paternal grandfather, John Wood, was a native South Carolinian, and a farmer, and a soldier in the last war with Great Britain. Mr. Wood's father was born in South Carolina, and was raised a farmer. He came to Georgia in 1826, and settled in Jackson county, but some years later moved to what is now Banks county. He was a member of the Baptist church. His maternal grandfather, James Wheeler, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after the war migrated to Georgia and settled in Jackson county, which at that time was very sparsely peopled.

Mr. Wood was raised on the farm, received a very limited education, and when reaching maturity engaged in farming. In 1863 he enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. Whitehead, which was a part of Maj. S. J. Winn's cavalry battalion. He was in a number of battles, and in that at Limestone was severely wounded and sent to the hospital, and after remaining there four weeks was sent home. He started in life poor, but by hard work, economy and good management he has made money and secured a competency. He bought his first land during the war, and paid for it in Confederate money, and now has a good farm of 450 acres, with a good home on it. His farm is under splendid cultivation, and he is con- sidered one of the best farmers in the county. He has wisely invested a portion of his farm profits in the Harmony Grove mills, whereby he has consumers of his- surplus farm product right at his door Himself and wife own twenty-six shares of stock in the Georgia railway, and he owns twelve shares in the North Eastern and four in the Gainesville Southern. Wise farmers will encourage the establish- ment of manufactories near them.

Mr. Wood was married, in 1859, to Miss Louise-born in Franklin county in 1827- daughter of Joel and Elizabeth (Mays) Thomas. He was born in Elbert county, Ga., but when about two years old his father moved to Franklin (now Banks) county. He was a farmer and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Of the children which blessed this union, four survive: James M., W. E., physician, Dalton, Ga .; Arthur W., and Belle. He is a Master Mason, and Mrs. Wood is a devout member of the Presbyterian church.

BARTOW COUNTY.

JAMES T. M'D. ADDINGTON, farmer, Adairsville, Bartow Co., Ga., son of John and Rachel (Miller) Addington, was born in Union district, S. C., March 7, 1836. His grandfather, Henry Addington, was a native of England, emi- grated to this country before the revolutionary war, and settled in Virginia. He served as a soldier in the patriot army during the war, under Gen. Kelsey. After

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the war he moved to North Carolina, and thence to Union district, South Carolina, where he remained until he died. The children he raised were: Henry, died in Indianapolis, Ind .; James, went to Missouri; William, died near New Orleans, La., residence, Indiana; Rachel, married a Mr. McElreath; John, in Georgia; Carrie, married James Brown, Pickens district, S. C., deceased. Mr. Addington's father was born in South Carolina in 1791, but when eight years old went to live with his uncle, a Mr. Garrett, in Indiana-where he was raised. When he attained to man- hood he returned to South Carolina and settled in Union district, where he remained until the fall of 1836, when he migrated to Gilmer county, Ga., and engaged in farming. In 1851 he moved to Cass (now Bartow) county, purchased and settled on 320 acres of land on Pine Log creek. He remained on this place until 1883, when he bought the Dr. Layton property, near Adairsville, containing 150 acres, on which he lived until he died-in his 9Ist year. He was originally an "old-line whig" in politics, and later in life a republican. For many years he was a justice of the inferior court of Gilmer county, a man of fixed principles and purposes, and quite influential. He was a life-long, devoted member of the Baptist church. To him the following children were born: Margaret, widow of Jarrett Gordon; Susan, widow of Addington Huckelberry; Frances, widow of James Armstrong; James T. McD., the subject of this sketch; Henry, in Texas; William C. D., killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va .; Rachel, wife of James Harbin, Texas. Mr. Addington was raised in Gilmer and Cass counties and was educated in private schools. Having finished his own education, he taught in the counties of Cass, Bartow and Cherokee. He made his first home in 1860, near and east of Adairsville, where he lived until 1885, when he bought and settled on eighty acres of land half a mile southeast of Adairsville, where he now lives. He has served eight years as a justice of the peace; has served, also, as chairman of the board of education of Bartow county. He was a United States storekeeper and gauger for seven years. Mr. Addington was married, Dec. 20, 1860, to a Miss Margaret T. Houk, of Bartow (then Cass) county, who has borne him five children : Emma, wife of Wesley Cagle; Mary J., wife of Benjamin Schooler; Cora, wife of Thomas Landers, Atlanta; Lena D., and Lulu P. Mr. Addington has been a republican all his life, but in 1894 he united himself with the populist party, with which he is now aligned.

A MOS T. AKERMAN, deceased, ex-United States attorney-general, son of Benjamin and Olive (Meloon) Akerman, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., Feb. 23, 1821. The Akermans were of English origin, and his immediate progenitors and nearest relatives were natives of Portsmouth. His paternal grandfather was Joseph Akerman, and his grandfather on his mother's side was a soldier in the revolutionary army. Mr. Akerman's father was a surveyor by profession, and stood in high repute. Mr. Akerman's early life was spent in Portsmouth, where he attended the high school. He next attended Exeter academy, where he was prepared for college. He then entered Dartmouth college, from which, in due time, he was graduated. After his graduation, Mr. Akerman, in 1842, came to North Carolina and commenced teaching and reading law. From there he went to Peoria, Ill., but did not remain there long. Returning to the south, he located at Bath, Richmond Co., Ga., where he taught school. Subsequently he entered the family of Hon. J. McPherson Berrien, as a private tutor, under whom he completed his law studies. Thus prepared, he went to Habersham county, Ga., where he was admitted to the bar; located at the county seat, Clarkesville, and commenced practice. Later he removed to Elberton, Elbert Co., Ga., and forming a partnership with Robert Hester, an eminent lawyer of that place,

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remained there until 1871, when he located at Cartersville. His practice was con- fined to banking and railway suits, principally in the supreme court of Georgia and the United States courts in Atlanta and Savannah. In 1870 he was appointed United States district attorney for the northern district of Georgia, and later, the same year, was appointed attorney-general of the United States, and held that position until 1872. He served during the war in the quartermaster's department -with the rank of captain-on Gen. Toombs' staff, and filled the same position on Gov. Brown's staff at the siege of Atlanta. Politically, he was first an "old-line whig," but when the republican party was formed he joined that, became a promi- nent and leading member of it in Georgia, and continued true to its principles until his death. He was an influential member of the constitutional convention of 1868, and revised the Bill of Rights and the portions of the constitution relating to the judiciary, and also the reconstruction acts. Mr. Akerman ranked with the foremost in the legal profession in Georgia, enjoyed a lucrative practice, and his opinions were much sought after, particularly in railway and United States court cases. In all the relations of private life he was held in the highest esteem-a life-long, exemplary member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Akerman married Miss Martha Rebecca, daughter of Rev. Samuel Galloway, a native of Bethlehem, Pa., but a resident of Georgia. Mr. Akerman died Dec. 21, 1880. His wife is still living, together with the following children: Benjamin, Elwood, Fla .; Walter, ex-postmaster, Cartersville; Alexander, lawyer, state of Washington; Joseph, tutor ancient languages, university of Georgia; Charles, Alfred and Clement.

JOHN S. BEAZLEY, physician and surgeon, Stilesboro, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Charles and Catharine (Stewart) Beazley, was born in Spottsylvania county, Va., Aug. 12, 1832. His grandfather, Charles Beazley, was born in Eng- land, and emigrating to this country settled in Spottsylvania county, Va. Dr. Beazley's father was born near Spottsylvania court-house, Aug. 12, 1790, and was raised a farmer. In 1854 he migrated to Georgia and settled near Crawfordville, Taliaferro county, where he died Jan. 13, 1863. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Catharine, daughter of John Stewart, near Spottsylvania court- house, Va., and to them seven children were born: Frances, wife of W. A. Overton, now deceased; John S., the subject of this sketch; Frederick A., died in 1875: Arthur G. of Crawfordville; Julia C., widow of Marcus Googer of Craw- fordville; Isabella H., deceased, and Emma J., still living.

Dr. Beazley was educated by his grandfather Stewart, and then read medicine under Dr. Godfrey Hinkle, an eminent physician of the valley of Virginia, and afterward entered the university of Virginia and attended lectures in the medical department of that school. After the family came to Georgia he attended lectures at the medical college of Georgia, Augusta, from which he graduated in 1856. Locating in Crawfordville he practiced his profession until the "war between the states" occurred, when he entered the Confederate service, but was discharged from two different military organizations for disability. He was then appointed by Taliaferro county on the county board of physicians, on which he was continued during the war. In 1866 he located at Stilesboro; later moved to Floyd county, whence, in 1867, he returned and settled two miles west of Stilesboro. Here he established a large and remunerative practice and remained until 1883, when he purchased his present home. In connection with his large practice he operates his 620-acre plantation. He not only enjoys the reputation of being a skillful and successful physician, but also of being a successful farmer.

Dr. Beazley was married in 1858 to Miss Sarah, daughter of Richard Asbury,

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Warren county, Ga., a union blessed with three children: Reuben R., who mar- ried Lydia, daughter of D. V. Stockley, by whom he has had two children: John S., who married Lucy, daughter of Stephen S. Soggus, and Edgar G. Dr. Beazley is a stanch democrat, royal arch Mason and a prominent and exem- plary member of the Baptist church.

JOSHUA W. BOWDOIN, farmer, Adairsville, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Joshua and Beersheba Bowdoin, was born in Monroe county, Ga., Nov. 2, 1832. Some years preceding the revolutionary war two brothers, James and John Bowdoin, emigrated from England to America. James settled in Massachusetts, where he acquired large wealth and founded the now celebrated seat of learning at Brunswick (then in Massachusetts, now in Maine), known as Bowdoin college. John Bowdoin, the other brother and the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a Presbyterian minister, and settled in Virginia. James, his son, was born in Virginia, and when only nine years old entered the patriot army and served under Gen. Washington and Greene until peace was proclaimed and independence acknowledged. After the war he went to North Carolina, and subsequently emi- grated to Hamburg, S. C. In 1806 he moved into Georgia, purchased considerable land in what is now Monroe county, on which he settled and lived the remainder of his days. He married Miss Equilla Williams, and to them nine children-seven sons and two daughters-were born. Joshua, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the youngest child of James and Equilla Bowdoin, and was born in South Carolina in 1802, but was raised in what is now Monroe county. He was really a pioneer of Cass county, having settled on land now lying in Gordon county in 1833. He purchased 160 acres situated near Adairsville, now the home of his son, Joshua W. To this original purchase he afterward added until he owned 1,040 acres in one body, and a number of smaller tracts. Of the main body he cleared about 500 acres and was one of the largest and most prominent planters in the county. He was an active partisan and an unswerving democrat, and served many years as a justice of the inferior court. He was an ordained preacher of the Baptist church and preached in middle Georgia and east Tennessee. He was in- strumental in establishing many churches within the extensive boundaries of his work, among them Mt. Gilead, of which he was the faithful pastor forty years. He was married in Hancock county to Miss Beersheba Fails, by whom he had eight children: Frances M., deceased; Emily F., deceased, wife of Elisha Crisman; John W., physician, deceased; Elisha F., a member of the Sixty-fifth Georgia regiment, died of wounds received in the battle of Atlanta; Josephus D., deceased, was also a member of the Sixty-fifth Georgia regiment; Joshua W., the subject of this sketch, and two daughters who died in infancy. The mother of these children died in 1852, and he afterward married Mrs. Martha Lane.

Joshua W. Bowdoin, though born in Monroe county, was raised in what is now Gordon county, on the homestead where he now lives. He was educated in the common schools of the county and learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, First Georgia regiment, and soon afterward was detailed to manufacture firearms, and was located at Adairsville and Dawsonville. After the surrender he returned to the homestead which he inherited and engaged in farming. He owns about 300 acres of excellent land, and is a progressive, suc- cessful and prominent farmer, respected and highly esteemed. Mr. Bowdoin married Miss Annie, daughter of John J. Dodds of Gordon county, who has borne him three children: Annie, deceased wife of Henry Johnson; Emma, and Mon- tague. Mr. Bowdoin is an enthusiastic democrat and takes an active interest in the success of his party.

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WILLIAM BRANDON, deceased, progenitor of the now numerous and influential Bartow county family of that name, was born in Virginia; came to Georgia about the beginning of this century and settled on a plantation in what is now Gwinnett county, where he died. He raised the following named children: Lawson, moved to Cass (now Bartow) county; Nicey; Reed, died in Alabama; Thomas W .; Parthenia, married Penty Clower; William, died in Mississippi; Moses, died in Floyd county, Ga .; Jackson, died at Yorktown, Va., from exposure while in the army; Joseph P., died in Gwinnett county, Ga .; David (M. D.), died in Thomasville, Ga. Thomas W. Brandon, deceased, son of William, was born in 1803, raised in what is now Gwinnett county and received there what little school- ing he enjoyed. In the winter of 1834-35 he moved to Cass (now Bartow) county and settled in the wilderness among the Indians. He bought 600 acres of land, on portions of which his sons, Jefferson R. and David P. now live, between Stiles- boro and Euharlee. To this property he afterward added several hundred acres by purchase. He also bought an 80-acre farm, which forms a part of the plantation on which his son William J. now lives. He was in reality one of the pioneer planters in this part of the state and a citizen of prominence, influence and useful- ness. He was one of the early justices of the peace in the county and held the office for many years. In his early years he was an "old-line whig," but in the latter years of his life he was a democrat. He was a life-long, ardent and working Methodist, was one of the original members and organizers of the Brandon church which was established about 1836. He gave the land for the church and burial ground and helped to erect the first house of worship, which was built out of logs. This log-house has since been replaced by a nice and large frame build- ing in Stilesboro. He was for many years the class leader of the church. He married Miss Louisa, daughter of William Green of North Carolina, by whom he had ten children: Mary A., wife of W. J. Byers; Elizabeth, wife of J. S. Leak; William J .; Parthenia, wife of W. A. Templeton; Jefferson R .; David P .; Virginia; Florence, wife of W. E. Puckett; Avarilla, wife of H. II. Milam; Susan, wife of J. H. Walker. Mr. Brandon died in 1874 and himself and wife are buried on the old homestead.

William J. Brandon, eldest son of Thomas W. and Louisa (Green) Brandon, was born in what is now Bartow county, at the old family homestead, Jan. 4, 1835; was raised on the farm and received a fair common-school education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F., Eighteenth Georgia regiment, and as a member of that command participated in the battles of Gaines' Mills, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg and Knoxville. At the battle of Knoxville he was taken prisoner and sent to Rock Island, Ill., where he was held until June, 1865. At the close of the war he returned to the homestead, where he remained until December, 1867, when he settled upon the plantation where he now lives, and began the improvements which have made it the desirable home it is. He was one of the original members of Oak Grove Methodist church, which is the out- growth of the old "Brandon church"-a name it is yet known by among the old settlers. He contributed liberally toward the erection of the new edifice and is one of the trustees. He worthily represents the enterprise and public spirit of the family whose name he perpetuates, the citizenship of Bartow county and the Methodism he professes. Mr. Brandon married Miss Martha, daughter of James Kirkham of Bartow county, who has borne him seven children: Annie, wife of Lee Jolly; Blanche, wife of C. A. Dodd; Walter D .; Jefferson A .; Maude S .; Frank and Eugene, deceased. Mr. Brandon is a democrat and an enterprising and progressive citizen.

Jefferson R. Brandon, son of Thomas W. and Louisa (Green) Brandon, was

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born on the family homestead in what is now Bartow county, May 9, 1839. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Georgia regiment, and was with his regiment in every engagement in which it bore a part. He was promoted to a first lieutenancy in 1863 and remained in the service until April 6, 1865, when he was captured and sent to Johnson's island, and held until June 19, 1865. After the war he clerked in a store at Euharlee and afterward in Nashville, Tenn. He subsequently engaged in merchandising with G. L. McDowell, Atlanta, and Ashe- ville, N. C., until 1884, when he settled where he now resides. Mr. Brandon married Miss Kate, daughter of Samuel J. Sumner, by whom he has had five chil- dren: Paul H., William D., Moses T., Claude S. and Hugh P. Mr. Brandon is a strong democrat and served as county commissioner in 1877-8-9.

David P. Brandon, son of Thomas W. and Louisa (Green) Brandon, was born on the old homestead in what is now Bartow county, Oct. 13, 1842, and received a common-school education. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Georgia regiment, and with his command participated in the battles of Gaines' Mills, Seven Pines, second Bull Run (second Manassas) and Sharpsburg. He was captured in a fight three days before Lee's surrender and sent to Baltimore, where, after the surrender, he was paroled. He returned to the old homestead after the war, which has since been his home. He married Miss Betsy J. Hay, a union which has been blessed with six children: Thomas W .; Mary A .; Joseph G .; John R .; Charles G., and David P. Mr. Brandon is a member of the Methodist church.

WILLIAM BROWNE, stock-breeder, Cassville, Bartow county, Ga., son of Isaac and Ruth (Nave) Browne, was born in Carter county, Tenn., Jan. 23, 1839. His grandfather, Jacob Browne, was of Scotch-Irish extraction-his parents having emigrated from Ireland and settled in Northampton county, Pa., where he was born. In the latter part of the last century he migrated to Tennessee, and settled in Washington county, where he was an extensive planter. He had three children : Jacob, who died at Bowling Green, Ky .; Isaac, and Katie, who mar- ried Nathan Shipley, of Washington county, Tenn. Mr. Browne's father was born on the old homestead in Tennessee, was educated in the common schools of the county, and until 30 years of age followed the occupation of carpenter and cabinet- maker. After his marriage he settled, as a farmer, in Carter county, Tenn., where he now lives, in his eighty-fourth year. He has taken great interest in public affairs, filling many public offices of trust in the county, and is also a very prominent member of the Baptist church. His family consists of five sons and one daughter, by his first marriage: Christian; William; Isaac, Jr .; Murray, lawyer in Cartersville from 1876 to 1884, now of Winchester, Ky .; Dr. Daniel, now practicing medicine, and Margaret, wife of Joe A. Worley. By his second marriage, in 1855, Mr. Browne has two children, James C. and Mrs. Emma C. Renfroe.

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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 41

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