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 44

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 44

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Joseph G. Lowry, second son of Solomon Reese Lowry, was born in Forsytli county, Dec. 7, 1836, but was raised in Cass (now Bartow) county, and educated at the Cherokee Baptist college in Cassville. In 1859-60 he engaged in merchan- dising in Cassville, and in March, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Fortieth Geor- gia regiment. After five months' service he was transferred to the purchasing department, under Maj. Cummings, and subsequently to the post quartermaster's department, under Capt. George S. Seaton, where he remained until the close of the war. After the war he returned to the old homestead and commenced farming, which he has followed ever since. He has a choice tract of 305 acres of land, and ranks as one of Bartow county's most progressive and successful farmers. At one time he was actively engaged in developing and mining iron ore. In politics he is an active and prominent member of the populist (or third) party. He is a leading and influential member of the Methodist church.

WILLIAM H. LUCAS, deceased, son of John Lucas, was born in Sparta, Hancock Co., Ga., Jan. 8, 1814. His family was a branch of the promi- nent Lucas family of Richmond county. His early education was obtained in the private school of Rev. Dr. Beman, Mount Zion, Hancock Co., one of the most eminent educators in Georgia at that time. Subsequently he was graduated from the University of Virginia. He was associated for many years with Col. Bates in publishing the "Alabama Journal," at Montgomery, Ala., when a young man, and was very active and prominent in politics and public life. About this time and for many years he was a whig, but before he died he became a deni- ocrat. In 1859 he canie to Cass (now Bartow) county and bought a 500-acre plantation-on which his widow now lives-where he spent his declining years as a planter, and died. Toward the close of the war he was a member of the "Silver Grays," a military body organized in Augusta, Ga., for home duty. He was a man of extensive reading and information, and of considerable force of character, prominent and popular in political and social circles. Mr. Lucas was twice married, first to Miss Champ Bradfute, granddaughter of the distinguished Col. William Bird, of Virginia. By this marriage he had two children: Alfred, Columbus, Ga., and Carrie L., wife of Laurent B. Hallaquint, Montgomery, Ala. Mr. Lucas' second marriage was to Frances L. Martin, daughter of the promi- nent banker of Augusta. Mr. Lucas was a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity. In early life he was a member of the Methodist church, but before he died he united himself with the Protestant Episcopal church.

WILLIAM H. LUCAS.

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BARTOW COUNTY SKETCHES.

HENRY J. M'CORMICK, civil engineer and farmer, Stilesboro, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Isaiah and Matilda (Sproulls)McCormick, was born in Abbeville district, S. C., Feb. 10, 1838. His paternal grandfather, Hugh McCormick, was of that sturdy stock known as Scotch-Irish, and was a native of County Clare, Ireland. He belonged to that numerous body of Presbyterians who, in the last century, seceded from the national church establishment of Scotland. About 1784, in consequence of religious troubles in Ireland, he emigrated to this country and settled on Long Cane creek, Laurens district, S. C. Like many of his country- men he was a weaver by trade, and followed it-operating the old hand-loom- in connection with his large farming interests, when established in his new south- ern home, until his death. After arriving in this country he married Miss Martha Johnson, also a native of County Clare, Ireland, whose parents emigrated to America before the revolutionary war and settled in South Carolina. There were born to them three sons: Hugh, who died in South Carolina; Daniel, who died in Richmond county, Ga., in 1875; Isaiah, and one daughter, Jane, who married James Wylie, and died in Tennessee. Isaiah, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Laurens district, S. C., in 1810. He was raised on the farm, and his educational advantages were quite limited. In 1853 he came to Georgia and settled in Cass (now Bartow) county on a plantation he bought, situated on Euharlee creek, near Stilesboro. In early life he was an "old-line whig," but afterward became a strong democrat. He was raised a member of the seceding organization mentioned above, but subsequently united with the Presbyterian church, of which he was a devout and devoted member. His wife was a daughter of Charles Sproulls, a South Carolina family of English origin. Nine children were born to him and grew to maturity: Henry J., the subject of this sketch; Frances, wife of S. T. McGinnis; Martha, wife of B. B. Mc- Ginnis; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Turner; Susan, wife of T. S. Hawkins; Anna H., Charles S., John, and Thomas, all of Bartow county. He died in 1873 and his wife in 1890. Capt. McCormick was raised a farmer in Abbeville district, S. C., until he was sixteen years old, when he came with his parents to what is now Bartow county, and finished his education at Stilesboro institute. March 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, First Georgia battalion, for twelve months. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he was commissioned second-lieutenant of a company in Phillips' Legion, was soon promoted to first lieutenancy, and then to the captaincy. On May 18, 1862, by the accidental discharge of a musket in the hands of one of his men, he was shot and lost his left leg. On his recovery he was detailed for post duty, and stationed at Cartersville, Ga., and afterward at Augusta, where he remained until the war closed. Returning from the war, he resumed farming, and in addition followed his profession of civil engineering and taught school. In 1873 he was elected surveyor of the county and held the office until 1881. He was again elected in 1886, and held the office until 1892. In 1894 he was the democratic candidate to represent Bartow county in the general assembly. He is president of the Bartow County Veterans' asso- ciation, secretary of Phillips' Legion Survivors and president of Stilesboro Farm- ers' club, one of the leading organizations of the county. Capt. McCormick was married March 12, 1863, to Miss Josephine, daughter of L. Hawkins, deceased, of Bartow county, by whom he has had six children: Clara M., deceased wife of Irwin W. Williams; Robert R., Atlanta; Charles S., Atlanta; Mary G .; John H., and Jessie J. Capt. McCormick is an active and influential member of the Baptist church, of which he has for many years been a deacon. He ranks among the foremost of Bartow county's progressive farmers and is a very popular citizen.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

JOHN N. PEACE, farmer, Adairsville, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Major and Biddy (Gilleland) Peace, was born in Hancock county, Ga., June 25, 1818. His great grandparents were natives of England, emigrated to America some years before the revolutionary war, and settled in Virginia. During the voyage Mr. Peace's grandfather, John Peace, was born, grew to manhood in Virginia, and was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. After the war he taught school many years, and married Miss Elizabeth Wade, a native of Wales, England. In the latter part of the last century he came to Georgia, and took up his revolutionary soldier's claini of 250 acres of land in Hancock county, where he lived until he died. To him the following children were born: Major; John, died in Columbus, Ga .; Daniel, lost his life in a steamboat accident while on his way from Illinois to Georgia; Elizabeth-Mrs. Johnson; Nancy, married Lemuel Lovett; Jane, married Peter Bray; Martha, married Robert McCook; Temperance, married William Brewster. Major Peace, eldest son of the above, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in North Carolina in 1791, but was raised on the farm in Hancock county, and died on it in 1854. He was a prominent democrat, and for many years was sheriff of Hancock county. He was a consistent and exemplary member of the Methodist church for a generation or more. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Biddy Gilleland, who died in 1820, having borne him four children: Elizabeth, deceased; William, deceased; John N., the subject of this sketch; Susan, married Allen Dozier, who died, when she married Moses Pitman, who also died, and she is now living in Adairsville. His second wife was Miss Sarah Vincent, by whom he had six children : West, deceased; Daniel, deceased; Nathaniel, in Texas; Lovejoy, near Albany, Ga .; Annie, deceased; Sarah J., married Henry Dickens, both deceased. John N. Peace was raised on the old homestead in Hancock county, where he received a common-school education. On reaching manhood he followed overseeing for twenty-seven years in Georgia and Alabama. While a resident of Hancock county he held the office of justice of the peace for many years. During the late "unpleasantness" he was detailed by the officials of Barbour county, Ala., to run a farm to raise stock and grain for the Confederate army. In 1866 he purchased his present place, which then consisted of eighty acres. To this he has added until he has a splendid tract containing 421 acres, excellently well improved. Mr. Peace has been married twice, the first time to Miss Ann May Minton, of Hancock county, who died in Alabama in 1865, having borne him five children: William, who was a member of the First Alabama battalion sharpshooters, and died while a prisoner at Rock Island, Ill .; Elizabeth H., wife of George W. Byrd; Nancy, wife of M. V. Shaw, Texas; Susan, wife of Laughlin Mclain, Arkansas; Martha E., at home. His second marriage was to Mrs. Adaline (nee Fry) Barnes, of Alabama, by whom he had five children: John; Robert L., deceased; George A., Floyd county. Ga .; Joseph B .; Louisa, wife of Henry Scott. Mr. Peace is a stanch democrat, has been a Methodist for fifty years, being now an exemplary member of Mt. Carmel church.

JAMES G. RYALS, D. D., deceased, formerly of Cartersville, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Joseph and Lucy Ann (Connor) Ryals, was born in Montgomery county, Ga., April 24, 1824. His grandfather, William Ryals, was born in North Carolina in June, 1768, was raised a planter, came to Georgia the latter part of the last century and settled in Montgomery county, and dicd there, Nov. 29, 1827. He raised the following family: Winnie, who marricd Burrill Calhoun; Penelope, who married J. G. Connor; Joseph, Matilda, who married a Mr. Partin: William, who married Eliza Connor, and John B., who married Maria Connor.

Dr. Ryals' father was born Nov. 20, 1796, and died in Montgomery county,

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BARTOW COUNTY SKETCHES.

Sept. 8, 1859. He was a large planter, quite prominent in county politics, and represented the county in the general assembly. He was happily married to Miss Lucy Ann Connor-a union blessed with seven children: Harriet G., who married Carson Culbreath; James G., the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married John A. Morris; Annie E., who married Hiramn Swain, who died, and she after- ward married John Pierson; Mary C., who married Dr. John Raubs; Josephine, who married George T. McLeod; Lucy, who married Maj. W. H. Mann, who was killed in the battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864. She afterward married Joseph T. Lawson.

Dr. Ryals received his preparatory education in the best schools of the county, and then entered Mercer university, from which he was graduated in 1852. He read law under Judge Francis H. Cone, Greensborough, Ga., and was admitted to the bar the year he graduated. After teaching school a year in Columbus, Ga., he came to Cass (now Bartow) county in 1854, purchased the plantation on which his son-in-law, J. J. Connor, now lives, and commenced the practice of his profes- sion in Cartersville, which he assiduously pursued with eminent success for seven years. About this date he was converted and joined the Baptist church. He was ordained the same year as a minister, and was at once called to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Cartersville. After officiating at this church a year he accepted calls from the Acworth and Raccoon creek churches, serving them about fifteen years, when he was elected professor of theology at Mercer university, Macon, Ga. He usefully held this important professorship until his death-profoundly lamented-which occurred in 1892. Politically he was a democrat, and before his connection with the church took an active interest in political affairs.

Dr. Ryals was married Jan. 13, 1852, to Miss Mary E., daughter of A. James, of Greene county, Ga., and this marriage was blessed with five children: Lucy C., who graduated with high honors from Wesleyan Female college, Macon, Ga., and afterward married James J. Connor, attorney, Cartersville, Ga .; James G., Jr., deceased, who graduated with first honor from Mercer university in 1877, and later from the university of Virginia, taking first honors in thirteen schools, and the degree of A. M. in post-graduate course. He was elected president of the state normal school of Alabama, which position he held at the time of his death; Walter M., deceased, who graduated from Mercer university in 1880, and died in 1886; Thomas E., who graduated from Mercer university in 1884, also from university of Virginia, now a practicing lawyer in Macon, Ga., and Robert L., who graduated from Mercer university in 1886, was afterward professor of mathematics four years, and is now a rising member of the Macon, Ga., bar.

WILLIAM W. TRIMBLE, farmer, Adairsville, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Augustus C. and Louisa (Brogdon) Trimble, was born in Cass (now Bartow) county, May 8, 1843. His grandfather, William Trimble, a well-to-do farmer of Scotch-Irish extraction, settled early in life in what is now Newton county, where he died in 1821. He married Miss Margaret Wellborn, by whom he had three children, of whom one, Augustus C., was the father of the subject of this sketch, who was born in what is now Newton county, in 1818. He was reared on the farm, a farmer, which was his life occupation. While yet a boy he went to Gwinnett county, Ga., whence, about 1833, he came to Cass (now Bartow) county and settled between two and three miles from Adairsville-one of the sturdy pioneers who settled among the Indians. He inherited from his mother 300 acres of land, and to this he added Soo, which made him one of the largest land owners in the county. Of this he opened and cultivated 600 acres. He served as clerk of the superior and inferior courts in 1848-49, and was prominent in the public affairs of

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

the county. He was a member of the state troops or home guard in 1864-65. He married Louisa, a daughter of Wiley Brogdon, a Cass county pioneer, who bore him three children: William W., the subject of this sketch; Josephine, wife of John Camp, Rome, Ga .; and Virginia, wife of W. L. Le Conte, Bartow county. The mother of these died in 1849, and for his second wife he married Miss Adeline Fain, by whom he had two children: Hattie, deceased wife of Eli Smith; and Helen, present wife of Eli Smith. She dying, Mr. Trimble married Miss Mary Thompson, who survives him-he having died May 15, 1894. He was a strong, active and influential member of the democratic party, and a Master Mason; he was also an ardent and working Methodist, and one of the founders of the church at Adairsville, of which he was a steward for fifty years. Mr. Trimble, the subject of this sketch, was raised a farmer on the homestead, where he now lives, and was educated in the common schools of the county. In 1861, he joined the First Georgia regiment, in which he served six months, and then enlisted in Company

. I, First Georgia cavalry, with which he served to the close of the war. He was. in the Kentucky and Tennessee campaigns, at the defense of Atlanta, and with the force that foiled the Stoneman raid. After the war he settled down to business on his farm, the successful cultivation of 450 acres of which fully occupied his. time and attention. Mr. Trimble married a daughter of Col. J. W. Gray, Adairs- ville, a union which was blessed with eight children: Clara, Minnie, Ella, Lulu, William, Gussie, Layton and Richard. Mr. Trimble is an active democrat, and a member and steward of the Methodist church.

J. M. VEACH, miller and farmer, Adairsville, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Thomas and Lydia (Snyder) Veach, was born in Frederick county, valley of Virginia, Aug. 14, 1823. His grandfather, Thomas Veach, settled originally in Delaware.

Mr. Veach was reared and educated in Virginia; but when nineteen years of age went to Adams county, Ill., where he engaged in the mercantile business until 1847, when he came to Marietta, Ga., where he was employed the same way. In. 1848, lie came to Adairsville, Cass (now Bartow) county, where he continued his mercantile business, and also engaged in purchasing grain. During the war he was a purchasing agent for army supplies for the Confederate government. In 1868, he erected a mill and engaged in the milling business, in which he was phenomenally successful-so much so, that in 1881 he erected his present mill, which is operated by the roller process, and has a capacity of 250 barrels of flour per day, the actual daily output being 200 barrels, for which he has a steady market. For many years Mr. Veach has also been engaged in farming, in addition to his other important business enterprises, at one time operating a farm of 500 acres, but now reduced to 275 acres. He was a promoter of, and an original stockholder in the Merchants' bank, Atlanta, also of the Underwriters, now Home insurance company, of Atlanta, and was one of the original stockholders of the Piedmont Park association. Besides, he is connected with a number of important private and public enterprises in Chattanooga, Tenn. In 1892, he was elected to represent Bartow county in the general assembly-and such are his general ability and sound judgment, he could long before have been honored with public office, if he would have accepted it. Far-seeing, enterprising, public-spirited, he occupies a front position among the farmers and business men of the county, and ranks as its richest individual citizen.

Mr. Veach married Miss Julia, daughter of Benjamin Echols, of Chattanooga, and to the union three children have been born: George, farmer and miller, Adairsville; Anna, wife of N. H. Grady, Chattanooga; and Henry M., cashier and

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BARTOW COUNTY SKETCHES.

bookkeeper of the mills, Adairsville. Mr. Veach is an uncompromising democrat, and a prominent master Mason, having been worshipful master of his lodge for fifteen years. No citizen of Cherokee, Ga., is more widely or favorably known than Mr. Veach, none more financially solid or more highly esteemed.

AULSEY A. VINCENT, farmer, Pine Log, Bartow Co., Ga., son of Pleasant and Susan (Edwards) Vincent, was born in Madison county, Ga., in 18II. His grandfather, Isaac Vincent, was born in North Carolina, and, about the beginning of this century, moved with his family to Georgia, and settled in Elbert county, where he died. Being left a widow Mr. Vincent's mother moved in 1835 to Cass (now Bartow) county, and bought and settled on 100 acres of land on Two Run creek, right amongst the Indians. Her family consisted of eight children: Elizabeth, who married S. H. Bowland, and died in Louisiana; Aulsey A., the subject of this sketch; Mary, who married C. Bostick; Richard (deceased), who married Miss Ballew; Isaac (deceased), who also married Miss Ballew; John M. (deceased), who married Miss Edwards, of Alabama; James D., who married Miss Jenkins, and died on his way to California; and Margaret, now Mrs. Hicks, who resides on the old "home place." Mr. Vincent's mother died in 1877, aged eighty-four years.

Mr. Vincent came to Cass county with his mother and peddled goods in the surrounding country until 1836, when he engaged in merchandising two years in what is now Pickens county, selling principally to the Indians. In 1838, he pur- chased 160 acres of land in Cass county on which he lived until 1846. That year he bought the land-160 acres-on which he now lives, to which he has since added by purchase until his tract contains considerably more than 500 acres. This land he cleared and improved and has tilled for nearly half a century. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, but has held no office except one- that of county commissioner, which he held six years. Mr. Vincent has been married three times. His first marriage was to Miss Martha Upshaw, by whom he had thirteen children: Mary, wife of W. F. Weems; William E. (deceased); Georgia Ann Matilda (deceased); Lucinda H., wife of G. W. Hughes; Martha Della A., wife of Newton Campbell; James M., married Sallie Trippe, who died, and then he married Luella Styles; Chesley B., who married Ida Stephens; Malvina R., wife of William T. Bradford; Aulsey E., who married Agnes Adair; Lucius M., who married Sallie Mahan; Luawah G .; Bevnia, wife of A. J. Reynolds; Lorena G., wife of Dr. W. J. Daniel. By his second wife, Jane E. Bell, a widow, he had three children: Hart E .; Stella D., wife of John P. Adair; and a babe unnamed. His third marriage was to Margaret McEver, by whom he had one child, unnamed. Mr. Vincent was a whig before the war, but since has been a democrat. He is one of the oldest living citizens of Bartow county, and is revered by his neighbors and fellow-citizens.

JOHN H. WALKER, deceased, son of John and Elizabeth L. (Holcomb) Walker, was born in Laurens district, S. C., in 1816. His father was English- born, and went to France, whence he emigrated to this country and settled in Vir- ginia, and afterward moved to South Carolina, where he lived until his death.

Mr. Walker was raised in South Carolina, and when a young man-about 1835 -- came to Georgia and settled near Kingston in Cass (now Bartow) county. Later he bought and farmed on land now a part of the Dr. W. H. Felton farm, until 1852. At that time he purchased a tract of 200 acres, to which he afterward added 100 more-on which he settled and farmed, and where his son, James P., now lives. He made important and valuable improvements on this place, where he died May 26,

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

1886. Early in life he was a whig, but later became an ardent democrat. For a number of years he filled the office of justice of the peace. Although not regularly enlisted he served in South Carolina during the war as a guard of military prisoners. He was a Master Mason, and an influential member of the Methodist church. Mr. Walker was married in South Carolina to Miss Catharine Cleardy, and to them ten children were born: William, deceased; Letitia, deceased wife of Thomas A. Owens; Sally, deceased wife of Z. T. Wright; Charlie, died from exposure during the war while serving as a member of Company F, First Georgia cavalry; Mary, deceased wife of Thomas Bridges; John H. Farmer, Bartow county; James P., Bartow county; Fanny, deceased; Randolph; and Lula, deceased.

JOHN H. WALKER, JR. (son of John H. Walker, Sr.), was born on Pittard's creek, four miles north of Cartersville, Ga., April 3, 1846. He was raised a farmer, educated at the common schools of the county, and was graduated from Emory college, Oxford, Ga. April 18, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, First regi- ment, Georgia state troops, with which he served to the close of the war. At the battle of Kennesaw mountain, May 18, 1864, he received a gunshot wound in the right shoulder, but he remained on the field. After the war he remained on and operated the old homestead place for fifteen years. He then farmed in different places until 1892, when he came to his present home, where he operates a farm of about 400 acres. In 1876 he was elected receiver of tax returns and served two years-one term-was United States census enumerator in 1880, and has several times been school enumerator in the county. In connection with his farming inter- ests he deals in real estate. Mr. Walker was married March 3, 1881, to Miss Sue, daughter of Thomas Brandon, Bartow county, by whom he has had eight children : John H., Ethel, Kate E., Rena, Blanche, Mary, deceased; Ruth, Thomas B. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Methodist church, of which he is a Sunday school teacher.

JAMES P. WALKER, fourth son of John H. Walker, Sr., was born in Cass (now Bartow) county, April 27, 1849. He was raised on the farm, and educated at the common schools of the county. He began life as a clerk, and later bought a farm. Subsequently he purchased the family homestead, where he has since, and now lives, successfully conducting a farm on improved and progressive principles, and is a confided in and leading citizen of the county. Mr. Walker was married in 1889 to Miss Emma, daughter of the Rev. John W. Stipe, of the North Georgia conference M. E. church south. He is an exemplary member of the Methodist church, a member of the board of stewards and a class leader. He is recognized as one of Bartow county's most substantial and influential 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 44

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