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 47

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 47

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"Resolved, first, that Judge Charles L. Bartlett so discharged the duties of the office of judge of the superior court of the Macon circuit as entitles him to the commendation of every citizen of the circuit. Second, that we exceedingly regret the necessity which has caused his resignation of that important office. Third, that he will carry with him in retiring from the bench the respect and affectionate regard of the members of this bar."

This report was signed by J. L. Anderson, W. H. Felton, A. L. Miller, B. M. D. and E. H. Winship. Many laudatory speeches were also made on the occasion -a fitting tribute to Mr. Bartlett's success on the bench.

WILLIAM CAPERS BASS, president of the Wesleyan Female college, Macon, was born in Augusta, Ga., Jan. 13, 1831. His father, Rev. Henry Bass, was for many years a successful pioneer Methodist preacher, and the son grew up in South Carolina, owing to the division of the conference, which put the father, a few years after the son's birth, across the Savannah river. At Cokesbury young Bass pre- pared for college, and there, Aug. 22, 1848, at the age of seventeen, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church south. In January, 1850, he entered the sopho- more class-half advanced-at Emory college, and was graduated in 1852. He served as assistant to Rev. Crosby W. Smith, president of the Greensborough academy, until the latter was called to take charge of the Wesleyan, when he succeeded him. When in his twenty-first year he applied for a license to preach, and entered the ministry as a preacher at the old Walker church, made famous as the place where Bishop Pierce delivered his first sermon. At the close of his labors in Greensborough he went to Madison Female college. Then he entered upon his special work as a teacher of girls. After a year's service he was called to Wesleyan, but declined, remaining there five years longer. Again called to the Wesleyan, he accepted the professorship of natural science, October, 1859. In this pioneer of female colleges he began what has proven his life work. In 1874 he was chosen to be president of the college, to succeed Dr. Bonnell. Eminently wise was the selection, for there were few who could have shown more important requisites than Dr. Bass. He was possessed of business tact and executive ability, and under such a combination the college took new life and has assumed a ranking position among the colleges of the country. To few, if any, is the Methodist church of Georgia more indebted than to William C. Bass. Hundreds of women, whose character he was greatly instrumental in molding and developing, have been scat-

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tered, not only over Georgia, but over the south, from the Potomac to the Rio Grande.

Dr. Bass was married in July, 1854, to Octavia Nicholson, of Greensborough, and much must be set down to the credit of the helpmate who has aided him in life. In the management of the Wesleyan college Rev. Bass has been distinguished for his liberality, and in thirty-five years diplomas have been given free to more than 700 young women. One-half of these were daughters of itinerant Methodist min- isters, and the same number have probably been educated totally at Rev. Bass' expense. As an educator, the daughters of Georgia have never had a more earnest advocate than Dr. Bass. In his baccalaureate for twenty years, in his sermons in churches and at camp meetings, and in his addresses before the annual district and quarterly conference, his eloquent appeals for female education have been heard. The Red Cross Knight, in the palmiest days of chivalry, was never a truer champion of the woman of his vows. All the daughters of Georgia have a bold defender in Capers Bass, and never was fealty to an espoused cause more faithfully kept.

JOHN SPRINGS BAXTER, one of Macon's most distinguished citizens, was born in that city, Dec. 3, 1832, and was taken to Athens when but a child in arms, by his parents. In that city he grew to manhood, attending private instruction in Dr. Beman's famous school, and graduating from the University of Georgia in 1853, with the degree of A. B. He then went to Jefferson Medical college, at Phila- delphia, and was graduated in 1856. He returned to Macon and there began prac- tice. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Macon volunteers, an old military company, organized about 1825, which was assigned to the Second Georgia battalion, and known as Company B. He served as a private till April, 1862, when he was made surgeon of the battalion, and acted as such about two months. He then went to Richmond, where he was made assistant surgeon to the Third Georgia hospital. Two months afterward he was appointed surgeon of the Forty-sixth Georgia regiment, in the field, which regiment was then stationed at Charleston, S. C. He accompanied the regiment, in May, 1863, to the relief of Vicksburg, and remained with the army until the surrender of Gen. Johnston, at Greensborough, N. C. He officiated as surgeon in the battles of Jackson, Miss., and on the retreat from Chat- tanooga to Atlanta. After the war he resumed his practice in Macon, for about a year, and then went into the general merchandise business with George S. Jones. under the firm nanie of Jones & Baxter. He retired from business the latter part of 1873, and in 1876 was made a director of the Southwestern railroad, running from Macon to Eufaula, Ala. and Columbus, Ga., the length of the road being 333 miles. In May, 1891, he was made president of the Southwestern, and served as such until February, 1894, and at the election of that year was made vice-president, an office which he now holds. In 1876, in connection with the late W. B. Johnston, he organized the first artificial ice company established at Macon, and carried it on until 1884 ,and then sold out. He was one of the original incorporators of the Macon Brewing company, and was one of its directors, and when the company went into the hands of a receiver, in 1891, he and R. H. Plant reorganized the com- pany as the Acme Brewing company, of which he is now a director. He was one of the men who agitated and secured the building of the Macon water works, and was a director up to 1893. He is a director of the Central Georgia bank, the Macon Fire Insurance company, the Macon Building and Loan association, and the Ocmulgee Land company, all of Macon, and of the Southern Mutual Insurance company, of Athens, Ga. Dr. Baxter was married in November, 1858, to Caroline, daughter of the late Judge Edward D. Tracy, a resident of Macon, and has one child, Tracy Baxter, who is an attorney in Macon. His wife died in 1861, and Dr.

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Baxter has never remarried. He belongs to no church, though he affiliates with the Presbyterians, and belongs to no secret society. The only office he ever held was that of city physician, one year, 1857.

The father of Dr. Baxter was Thomas W. Baxter, born in Greene county in 1786. He was a merchant in Macon and Milledgeville, Ga., for many years, and later had charge of the Athens manufacturing company. He died in Athens in 1844. Thomas W. Baxter was a brave soldier in the Seminole war, and in the civil war furnished six sons, including the subject of this sketch, to the Confederate. army, viz: Andrew, Thomas W., Eli L., who died in service; Edwin G. Baxter, killed in the service in Texas, and Richard B., who was all through the service until the attack on Knoxville in 1864, where he was captured and held until the war was over. He was in the Third Georgia regiment, first, and was a private in the Fifteenth Georgia regiment when he was captured. The grandfather and grand- mother of Dr. Baxter were natives of North Carolina, and the family is of Scotch-Irish descent.

A LECK BLOCK, president of the Acme Brewing company, of Macon, Ga., was born in New York city, Sept. 21, 1856, and two years later came with his parents to Americus, Ga., where they lived till 1865, then moving to Macon, Ga., where they have since resided. The greater part of Mr. Block's education was received in Macon, but at the age of 14 he left school and entered the real estate and insurance office of Turpin & Ogden. For two years he acted as clerk, then book-keeper, and later became a full partner, continuing in this business till 1890, when he devoted himself to other interests. In 1884, in partnership with his brother, N. M. Block, he embarked in the beer business, establishing a warehouse, doing general bottling and shipping beer all over the state. A few years later they added the wholesaling of whisky to their trade. Still in company with his brother, Mr. Block, in 1886, organized a stock company and purchased the Central City ice plant, which had been established about a year, with a capital of $17,000. The new company increased the stock to $40,000, enlarged the plant and elected Mr. Block president, in which capacity he served till 1891, when he was made manager, a position which he still holds. Mr. Block and his brother own the controlling interest in this enterprise. In 1890 the Macon Brewing company built a brewery costing $340,000; after running it two years, they were obliged to place it in the hands of a receiver. The receiver conducted it a year, when it was put up for sale, selling for $112,000. The company was reorganized, with a capital stock of $150,000, of which $142,000 was paid in. Mr. Block was made president March 10, 1893; H. Horne, vice-president, and a dividend of 8 per cent. declared the first year. The new brewing company is known as the Acme Brewing com- pany, the officers are: President, A. Block; vice-president, H. Horne; secretary, treasurer and superintendent, J. N. Hazlehurst. The last year this business was managed by the old company they sold 8,000 barrels of beer. The new company sold their first year 15,800 barrels. Mr. Block and his brother disposed of their other beer interests, but retain the wholesale whisky trade. Mr. Block is a director of the Academy of Music and stockholder in the following enterprises: American National bank, Progress Loan and Improvement company, and Bibb Loan association. He is a democrat, but not an active politician, and is a member of Central City lodge No. 3, Knights of Pythias. He was married in July, 1891, to Leonora Metzer, a native of Cincinnati. Mr. Block is one of the keenest and most successful business men in Macon; good fortune has smiled upon all his undertakings; he is an agreeable, whole-souled gentleman, making friends as readily as he does money. Mr. Block's father, Joseph Block, a native of Germany,

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served in the Confederate interests during the late war, as home guard. He lives in Macon, and is seventy-four years old.

ARTHUR E. BOARDMAN, president of the Macon Gas Light and Water company, was born in Macon, Ga., March 20, 1850. He received his primary education in his native city, and graduated, with the degree of civil engineer, at Rensselaer Polytechnic institute in Troy, N. Y., in 1870. Immediately after grad- uating he returned to Georgia and engaged in surveying the extension of the Southwestern and other railroads. In 1872, Mr. Boardman was elected city engineer of Macon, and a year later entered the service of the Macon Gas Light company. He rebuilt the gas works, built the water works, and also built the gas works at the state asylum at Milledgeville, Ga., and the water works at Americus, Ga. In company with W. A. Jeter, Mr. Boardman, in 1886, formed the Jeter & Boardman Gas and Water association. The history of this association will be found in the sketch of Mr. W. A. Jeter, published in this volume. Mr. Boardman, in 1893, was president of the American Gas Light association, and presided at their meeting in Chicago during the World's Fair. He is a director, and for several years was vice-president of the Macon Savings bank, of which his father, J. M. Boardman, was president almost to the time of his death in 1893.

While not an active politician, Mr. Boardman is a stanch democrat. He is not a member of secret societies, and his affiliations are with the Episcopal church. Mr. Boardman was married in 1875 to Rebecca W., daughter of Clinton C. Tallman, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

JOHN WILLIAM BURKE. No man in Macon is more widely or more favor- ably known than the gentleman of whom this sketch is a brief mention. A life full of service for the Master, as editor, preacher and business man, has carried him into all parts of the state, and has diffused most widely an influence which has always been exerted for the uplifting of society. John W. Burke was born in Watkinsville, Ga., Oct. 1, 1826, and there reared to the age of fifteen years. At that age he entered upon an apprenticeship to the printers' trade in the office of the "Athens Banner," and on which paper he continued to labor until February of 1849, when he removed to Cassville, Ga., and established the "Cassville Stand- ard." After six years of successful management of this periodical, he began the work of the ministry, joining the Georgia conference of the Methodist church, his first circuit being that of Cassville. In 1856 he was transferred to the Lawrenceville circuit, where he continued until 1858. In the latter year, Rev. Burke, on account of his knowledge of the publishing business, was placed in charge of the Methodist Book repository, located at Macon, which he managed successfully until 1864. A private venture in the publishing business was then entered upon, J. W. Burke & Co., of which he has since been president, being established on the ruins left by Sherman. Under his careful management this soon became one of the institutions of Macon, and for many years was the leading printing establishment in Georgia. In connection with his duties for this concern, Rev. Burke continued to labor with untiring zeal in the cause of Methodism, filling various important and useful positions in the Georgia conference. In 1878, he was the presiding elder for the Macon district, and in 1880, filled that difficult office for the Americus district. He was for twenty-five years the publisher and assistant editor of the Southern and the Wesleyan Christian "Advocate," the length of his service evidencing the quality of his services. Rev. Burke's nuptials were solemnized with Caroline White in 1848, and to them have been born the following children: Fannie, Mrs. Col. Nat. E. Harris, Macon; Mary, Mrs. B. H. Sasnett, Atlanta; Leila, Mrs. W. R. Holmes,

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Macon; E. W., manager of The J. W. Burke Company; Rev. W. B., a Methodist missionary in China for the past eight years, and J. W., Jr., who was killed by lightning at Cumberland Island, Ga., at the age of twenty-four. This family was reared in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and the parents now con- template them useful and prominent members of society.

THOMAS C. BURKE, dealer in paints and oils, was born in New York city, February 27, 1856. Four years later he came with his parents to Macon, Ga., and was there brought up and received his early education. He finished his scholastic course with R. A. Slaughter. Upon leaving school.he entered the office of his father, who was a contractor, and continued with him for one year. In 1874 Mr. Burke and his father, with a capital of $600, established a paint and oil store in Macon, under the firm name of C. Burke & Son. This partner- ship existed until August, 1886, when the father died, and since then the business has been carried on under the name of T. C. Burke. The first year of the co-partnership's existence it did a business of about $6,000, but it has steadily increased the volume of its transactions until 1893 they amounted to $150,000. Mr. Burke is one of the five owners of the Academy of Music in Macon and is vice-president of the Academy of Music company, president of the Progress Loan and Improvement company, director of the Union Savings bank and Trust company, was a member of the municipal bond commission, and is now fire commissioner in Macon. He owns stock in many commercial enterprises. He has never sought political preferment and has never held a political office. He is a firm democrat but not in any way an active politician. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He had one brother who was a priest and died in New Orleans at the age of twenty-nine. His sister Maggie is now known as Sister Legouri, a sister of mercy in the Mount de Sales convent. Mr. Burke. attends to all the legal business for this convent. He was married in 1886 to Mary S., daughter of John W. Bessman, Augusta, Ga., and they have two children: Mary Henrietta and Martin L. Mr. Burke's father was Christopher Burke, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who came to America in 1837, at the age of twenty years, settled in New York, and remained there until 1860, when he came to Macon, where he died in 1886, as above mentioned. Christopher Burke served as commissioner of Bibb county and alderman from the third ward of Macon. During the war he had charge of the paint shop of the Macon & Western railroad at Macon. Thomas C. Burke is widely esteemed in social and business circles, his shrewd yet affable nature and ready wit making him a univer- sal favorite.

THOMAS J. CARLING, capitalist of Macon, Ga., was born in New York city June 13, 1839. He was educated there and learned the plumbing trade, but in 1873 removed to Macon and has since resided in that city. In 1874 he re-engaged in the plumber's business, conducting it until 1885, when in partnership with H. R. Bryan he built the Macon & Suburban street railroad, four and one- half miles long, Mr. Carling owning ninety per cent. of the stock. He sold the street railway the same year it was built and then in partnership with Mr. Bryan bought and remodeled the Lanier house, of which he is still the principal owner. In company with several others he built, in 1893, the Macon & Indiana Springs railroad, which is seven miles in length and chiefly owned by him. In March of the latter year he purchased the "Telegraph," one of Macon's favorite news- papers, and has sold a certain interest in it, his intention being to dispose of the remainder in a short time. Mr. Carling was elected to the city council in 1891;

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though he was only in the field two weeks before election he defeated four other candidates who had made regular canvasses for the office. Two years later he was made chairman of the council for twelve months. Mr. Carling is a Mason, a Mystic Shriner, Royal Arch and Knight Templar. He is now master of Mabel lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M. He is also a member of Syracuse lodge, No. 36, Knights of Pythias. He has held every office in that lodge and in the grand lodge. He is now supreme representative of the state. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., the Red Men, and is colonel of the uniformed Knights of Pythias. He was married in 1876 in Columbia, S. C., to Ella F., daughter of Rev. Robert Miller, now of Macon, Ga. Mr. Carling's father was John Carling, a native of New York.

WILLIAM R. COX, senior member of the large wholesale grocery firm of Cox & Chappell, Macon, Ga., is a native of the county in which he now resides. He is a son of D. M. Cox, who soon after his birth, April 4. 1843, removed to Houston county. Here William R. came to years of maturity, receiving such education as could be had in the ordinary schools of that period. The war between the states was the first great event of his life, and though but a youth, he did battle bravely for the undying principles of the Confederacy. Mr. Cox enlisted in the First Georgia, in April of 1861, and passed the twelve months of that enlistment in Pensacola, Fla., and in Virginia. Returning to Macon when his enlistment had expired, the company of which he was a member a month later was mustered into the artillery service and joined Gen. Bragg, who was operating in the department of Tennessee. As a corporal of this com- pany Mr. Cox followed it with varying fortune through a large number of important campaigns and it is but just to add that they were looked upon as one of the most efficient and skilled batteries in the western army. Mr. Cox received a slight wound at Perryville, Ky., but otherwise returned from the war unharmed. Perry, Houston Co., was the point at which Mr. Cox made his first business venture, but disposing of his interests there in 1868 he came to Macon, where he began at the bottom round, clerking for several years He afterward became junior member of the firm of Jacques, Johnson & Cox, whole- sale dealers in liquors and cigars. He subsequently established in company with Mr. Corbin the firm of Cox & Corbin, and now handles groceries and provisions exclusively. The domestic life of Mr. Cox has been most felicitous, his home having been presided over since November of 1873 by Lizzie, the accomplished daughter of Col. J. E. Jones, a former president of the Central Georgia bank, and for long years a leading spirit in the business circles of Macon. After his death Mr. Cox purchased the old Jones homestead, one of the most beautiful residence properties in the city, where he now resides. William R. Cox is a wide-awake business man, and is interested in various business enterprises. He is vice-president of the Central Georgia bank, and a director of the Southwestern railroad. In politics he votes the democratic ticket, is a Methodist in religion, and is an ex-alderman of the city of Macon, and president of the Alexander free school board of that city.

WILLIAM A. DAVIS, one of the most prominent business men in Bibb county, was born on a farm eight miles east of Macon, Ga., April 4, 1847, living there until he was thirty years of age. He studied at Jeffersonville, Twigg's Co., Ga., in the years 1861-2-3. In 1863, though but sixteen years old, he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Company B, Second Georgia battalion

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of cavalry, as a private, and later was made orderly sergeant, serving as such until the surrender. He fought in the battles of Chickamauga and Griswoldville, participated in many skirmishes, and left the service with an enviable record. After the cessation of hostilities he resumed his studies at the academy of Allen- town, Twiggs Co., of which James E. Croslin, an educator of reputation, was principal, and then returned to his home in Bibb county, being called there by the death of his father. He managed the homestead from 1866 to 1877, during which period he was elected to represent Twiggs county in the general assembly, and during the session served with distinction on the committees on agriculture, public institutions and other matters before the legislature. A majority of his fellow-members not favoring the permanent institution of the college at Dahl- onega, a bill to that end was defeated, but Mr. Davis secured a reconsideration and succeeded in having the bill passed, to which fact the agricultural college at that point now owes its existence, and for which service he received unstinted praise. Entering municipal as well as state politics Mr. Davis has been elected alderman from three different wards of the city of Macon-serving six years in all in the city council-and for four years of that time he acted as mayor pro ten. He has also been road commissioner from his district for several years. In 1880 he came to Macon and five years later, in company with M. C. Balcomb, engaged in the business of handling cotton, the style of the firm being Davis & Balcomb. This firm existed until 1890, when it was re-arranged under the title of W. A. Davis & Co., and now continues as such. For years Mr. Davis was a director of the Merchants' National bank of Macon, which went into voluntary liquidation in 1893. He is now vice-president and director of the Guarantee company of Macon, and has interests in various other business enterprises. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Mystic Shriner. He has held all the principal offices in the subordinate lodges, to-wit, past master of Macon lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M .; past high priest of Constantine chapter, Royal Arch Masons; past eminent commander of the St. Omar commandery, Knights Templars, and he is at this time grand senior warden of the grand lodge of the state. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Encampment, having held all the chairs and being at present district deputy grand master. He is past noble grand of United Brother's lodge, I. O. O. F., and past chief patriarch of the Encamp- ment. He is, as well, a Knight of Pythias. He affiliates with the Baptist church, and, while living on his farm, was for many years a deacon of the local church. In 1868 Mr. Davis married Mary R., daughter of J. W. and Susan (Barlow) Summers; they have four children, Hattie B., Edwin, Mabel C., and Gussie M. Edwin is a graduate of Mercer university, Macon. Mr. Davis' father was Elisha Davis, a native of Burke county, Ga., who was several times elected to the general assembly. He was a jurist and served on the bench of the inferior court of Bibb county for many years. He died in 1866 at the age of sixty-one. Two of his sons, in addition to William. A., served in the late war. John N. was in the Bibb county cavalry and with the western army almost all the time that army was in the field. Gilbert M. enlisted in Hampton's brigade as a private, saw service during the entire war period, and was mustered out when in command of his company. Elisha Davis' father was John Davis, a Virginian by birth and the son of John Davis, a Welshman, who emigrated from Wales to Virginia and was killed in the revolution at the battle of Brandywine. William A. Davis has won his way in life by force of individuality and honest determination to succeed, using his great natural abilities to the best advantage; and as a public-spirited citizen has- won a host of friends in social, business and political circles.

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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 47

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