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 51

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 51

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His father, James Hoge, was a native of Virginia, reared in Tennessee, but moved when only a young man to LaFayette, Walker Co., Ga., where he resided twenty-five years, moving from there to Atlanta in 1857, acting as agent for the Western & Atlantic railroad from 1857 until 1863, under appointment from Gov. Joseph E. Brown. In 1873 he moved with his family to Macon, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying in March, 1884, after having been connected first with the Georgia railroad and subsequently with the Central railroad. His mother was a native of Baltimore, a woman of marked amiability and deep piety ; she died May 5, 1893, and her remains were interred beside those of her husband in Rose Hill cemetery, Macon.

The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 8, 1853, in Walker county, Ga. He is the youngest of nine children, a brother of Mrs. M. E. Patton, Miss Mary and Miss Augusta Hoge, of Chickamauga, Ga .; of Mrs. Kate Cumming, of Tampa, Fla .; James M. Hoge, of Midway, Ky .; Joseph T. Hoge, of Macon, Ga .; and of the late Col. Edward F. Hoge, who was a prominent attorney of Atlanta and who for a number of terms represented Fulton county in the state legislature, and was the founder of the Atlanta "Journal."

Mr. Hoge's boyhood was passed in Atlanta, where he had the advantage of excellent schools. When but a young man he entered the service of the Georgia railroad and continued with it in various capacities until 1878, when he accepted a position with the Central railroad. In 1883 he was made trainmaster of the southwestern division of the Central railroad, which position he held until 1888, resigning to accept the positon of superintendent of transportation of the Georgia Southern & Florida railroad, then in its infancy. He was afterward made superin- tendent of the same road, and later went to the Macon & Northern as superintend- ent, where he remained for a little more than a year, returning to the Central to accept his present positon of superintendent of the Main Stem division.

April 2, 1884, he married Miss Clara Wells, daughter of the late Joseph E. Wells of Macon. They have been blessed with two children, Edward Foster and Joseph Wells. Mr. Hoge is a Presbyterian in religious belief, being an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Macon. He is a member of the democratic party and takes pleasure in doing his part in the spreading of its principles. His standing in railroad circles is of the best, his wide knowledge of the business being equaled by but few; he is a popular and efficient official, a gentleman of elegant address and refined tastes.

DR. WILLIAM FLEWELLEN HOLT, one of Macon's leading and most successful physicians, was born in Bibb county Aug. 25, 1835. His early years were passed in Macon, Ga., and there he received his primary education. In 1852 he entered the university of Georgia at Athens and graduated two years later. He immediately commenced a course of study at the Jefferson medical college at Philadelphia, taking his degree there in March, 1857. Returning to Macon he began the practice of his profession and in the spring of 1863 was appointed state surgeon by Gov. Joseph E. Brown. Soon after he was made assistant medical director of the state of Georgia with headquarters in Macon and Atlanta. He served in this capacity until the close of the war, which found him in Macon, Ga., where he has since remained. Dr. Holt was under fire during

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four miles, which will shortly be built from Dublin to Savannah, 110 miles; and is also director in the Savannah & Western railway. Mr. Hughes is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, and Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Hughes was of Welsh extraction, and was a native of North Carolina, whence he migrated to Georgia in his youth. He became a very prominent planter, acquired a great acreage, large live-stock interests and many slaves. Mr. Hughes' father, Hayden Hughes, was born in Jefferson county, Ga., in 1805, and died in 1880, leaving a large amount of property. Mr. Hughes is a highly-cultured and genial gentleman of splendid physique-seldom equaled-and is the oldest living representative of the family.

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS JETER was born in Houston county, Ga., Sept. 15, 1850. His grandfather was a native of Virginia and descendant of prominent French ancestry. His father was A. A. Jeter, who was born in Laurens county, Ga., in 1823. He was a planter all his life, was a captain of the militia before the war, and died in 1888. The career of William Augustus Jeter has been one of mag- nificent development and broad usefulness. He was endowed with uncommon faculties of courage and perception, and threw himself into the liberal and pro- gressive movements of the times with the genius of a man born for affairs. Until twenty years of age his sphere of work was confined to the farm where his eye first saw the light, but his ambitious spirit wished a broader field of action, and it soared out to find it. He located at Hawkinsville, Ga., and faced the future confidently with all the heartiness of a sanguine nature. His masterful indi- viduality soon became conspicuously impressed upon the annals and events of the town. His life there was crowded with successful endeavors. For two years he conducted a large grist mill business, and then, with Thomas H. Henley, now, also, of Macon, organized the Hawkinsville Brick Manufacturing company, which they managed with great success for four years, making over 12,000,000 brick during that time. He next established a turpentine-barrel factory, employing over 100 men. He fared prosperously in this undertaking. Then he built and operated a cotton-seed oil mill, and, also, formed à company and constructed a cotton compress, one of the first cotton compresses built in the interior of the state. In 1884 he personally built a steamboat, named the "Mary Jeter," and bought another of the same size, and, by the organization of this boat line between Hawkinsville and Abbeville, Ga., on the Ocmulgee river, the naval store business was established on the western side of the river, and the trade of Hawkinsville was largely increased, it becoming the main shipping point for all destinations as far south as Abbeville. He operated this line with remarkable success about three years, when he sold it. No sooner was he done with one undertaking than his busy brain was engaged with another. In 1885, so closely identified had he become with the affairs of Hawkinsville, and in a hundred ways contributed to her prosperity, that the people elected him mayor, an honor they specially desired to show him in testimony of their high personal regard and as a tribute to his public spirit, pro- gressiveness and exceptional success. During his term as mayor, he formed the Jeter-Boardman Gas and Water association, with headquarters at Macon. This company built the gas, water and electric works at Brunswick, Ga .; water works at Tampa, Fla .; Ocala, Fla .; Tuscaloosa and Florence, Ala .; Johnson City, Tenn., and Cartersville, Ga. All of said works are owned and operated now by the Jeter- Boardman association, which also owns and operates the gas, electric and water plants at Macon, Ga., which property alone is worth over $1,000,000. Prosperity smiled upon him in Hawkinsville, but his energies took a wider range than that locality could afford. He began studying the map of the country, and his keen

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perception told him that Brunswick, Ga., was at no distant day destined to become a great seaport, and expand in commerce, increase in population and enhance in values. In 1885 he moved from Hawkinsville to Brunswick and became a leader and important factor in the material development and substantial growth of the city by the sea. There, as elsewhere, he quickly demonstrated that he was full of resources, and was a tireless worker. He immediately commenced the construc- tion of the water works there and from that time on has devoted himself to the building and management of the other works already mentioned. His operations in this line have been so extensive and so successful that he is known over the south as "the water king." His investments in real estate and various business enterprises in Brunswick brought him rich returns. He profited greatly by the material progress which he inspired and which aided immensely in sending Brunswick bounding forward on the road to prosperity and development. He found it an unpretentious town and helped to make it one of the most famous in the state. So rapidly and extensively had the business of the Jeter-Boardman Gas and Water association grown that he was forced to remove from Brunswick to Macon, a still larger city, and the headquarters of the association. It will be observed that Captain Jeter never went backward. He was always moving on- ward and upward. He took charge of the office of the association at Macon, and his fine executive ability here had full sway and a splendid opportunity was afforded for the display and exercise of that shrewd financial management for which he is noted. The results have been golden. Soon after Capt. Jeter's re- moval to Macon, the association purchased the gas, electric and water plants of the Macon Gas Light and Water company, one of the most valuable pieces of property of the kind in the south. In addition to his presidency of the Jeter- Boardman Gas and Water association, he was elected vice-president of the Macon Gas Light and Water company. He ably and successfully discharges the duties of the dual positions. In 1876 Mr. Jeter wedded the widow of John R. Love, Esq., her maiden name being Susan Laidler, a native of Houston county, Ga. She is "a woman nobly planned, to warn, to comfort and command." Their married life has been full of sunshine and happiness. Four children have blessed their union: Willie Belle, Daisy Fay, Emma Evans, and W. A., Jr. Capt. Jeter and his interesting family live in a beautiful home on College street, the fashionable residence thoroughfare of the city. Here they are surrounded by all the comforts and pleasures that wealth can afford. Mr. Jeter is a man of domestic temperament and simple habits. He finds his chief joy around the family fireside and in the peace and contentment of the home circle. He is a gentleman of literary taste, broad culture and genial intelligence. He is generous and liberal; the door of hospitaity is always open. His nature is genial and his manners re- fined. He is a member of the Baptist church and has firm religious convictions. He is faithful to his friends and true to his obligations. His interest and influence are always on the side of honesty and justice, hence, his success. By strong industry and enterprise he has thrived.

H ENRY L. JEWETT, treasurer of the Georgia Southern railroad, and one of the most active business men of Macon, Ga., for the past sixty years, is a New Englander by birth, having been born in that historic old- county of Hartford, Conn., Aug. 29, 1821. He was given a liberal education. Under the able tutelage of Revs. Wm. Cornwell and David Short, Episcopal ministers, he was at thirteen a well-educated lad, being versed in Greek and Latin, in addition to the common branches. At that age George, a brother who had gone into business in Macon, prevailed upon his parents to permit Henry to come south and join him

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in the venture. In 1835, therefore, he joined his brother in a mercantile business in the city of Macon and there began a business life which has been most active and successful for six full decades, a record equaled by but very few men now liv- ing in Macon, if any. To give anything like an extended account of the active business life of this gentleman would transcend the limits of this sketch. Suffice it to say that much of it has been of very great value to Macon and her citizens, and all of it has been clean and honest and of the highest degree of business in- tegrity. The following brief outline will serve to show its various changes: After two years with his brother the firm failed. The creditors took the stock and then sold to Henry L. on his bare note, running four years. He was successful in paying off the notes and at the end of the time sold out to advantage. He then tried farming, buying a plantation ten miles north of Macon. But less than a. year sufficed to show him that he was not cut out for a farmer, and selling his farm he returned to the city, entering the office as accountant of a large mercantile establishment. He remained in the office ten years and then, in company with others, bought out his employers. Two years passed and again he sold to advan- tage and again took charge of an office, where he remained until the war. During the war, while not engaged in active field work, he carried on a commission busi- ness. The first two years of the war he acted as paymaster for the local troops. In 1864 he enlisted under Gen. C. V. Anderson, and being elected major of his regiment, served for a period of six months. He was then put in charge of the state hospital books and thus missed the battle of Griswoldville, while the major who took his place was killed. When the war closed Mr. Jewett went to New York city, where he was successful in making arrangements to buy cotton for one of the largest concerns doing business in the south. Returning to Macon he formed a partnership with a Mr. Snyder and together they did a most successful business, until his partner's failing health caused the dissolving of the firm. In 1878, the following year, Mr. Jewett assisted in establishing the Capital National bank, and for the next fifteen years was the president of that flourishing institution .. Except his connection with the Georgia Southern railroad as treasurer, and which he assisted in organizing and building, Mr. Jewett has for several years been prac- tically out of business, enjoying the fruits of a successful business career. Such a life, and passed in a constantly growing city like Macon, necessarily carried with. it much gratuitous labor. Mr. Jewett has performed his share of this labor from time to time in an uncomplaining and satisfactory manner, the institutions of his. city, educational, religious and civil, being stronger and better because of his connection with them. While a member of the city council he introduced and had passed what is now called the "Jewett bill," which provided for refunding the outstanding debt of the city. The success of the measure stands a monument to Mr. Jewett's financial foresight. In educational circles he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest trustee of that justly celebrated school, the Wesleyan Female college, and he was one of the superintendents of construction of the Alexander" free school building, and of which he is at present one of the trustees. A member of the Methodist church since 1837, Mr. Jewett has always taken a lively interest in the advancement of that great religious institution, serving as trustee, class- leader, Sunday school superintendent, almost without intermission. The marriage of Mr. Jewett occurred March 2, 1841, to Martha, daughter of John Howard, a wealthy planter of Monroe county, Ga. This union has proved one of rare felicity.

For fifty-six years Mrs. Jewett has been a true and devoted wife and mother, and

still lives, blessing and blessed by her husband and children. She became the mother of eleven children, nearly all of whom, however, died in infancy. Those

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living are: John H., a planter of Bibb county; George P., merchant at Macon; and Mrs. Dr. Howard Williams.

J. MARSHALL JOHNSTON, banker, Macon, was born in Loudon county, Tenn., May 21, 1837, on a farm, and lived there until he was fourteen years of age. He then went to Rittenhouse academy in Kingston, Tenn., and then a year later went to Hiwassee college in Monroe county, Tenn. He also attended a private school in Loudon county for a year, but finally quit school to study civil engineering, and from first carrying the rod he rose rapidly, and before he was twenty-one years old he was an assistant engineer and had charge of a division of the Cleveland & Chattanooga railroad, then a branch of the Eastern Tennessee railroad, now the main stem of the Eastern Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia railroad. He continued engineering for three years, and then opened a store in Loudon, Tenn., with R. T. Wilson, the firm being Wilson & Johnston, and was continued until the war. They also, in 1859, established a store in Louisville, which con- tinued the same time. In the spring of 1861 he entered the Confederate service as assistant commissary of subsistence, with rank as captain, and served all through the war and surrendered in Mississippi. After the war closed Mr. Johnston went to New York and engaged in the commission and banking business, the firm being R. T. Wilson & Co., and the partnership is still known there. He remained in New York city until 1882, and then came to Macon, where he has since lived. In 1893 he was made president of the American National bank of Macon. He is one of the largest planters in the state and has large property interests in every section of Georgia. He is a director of the Southwestern railroad. He was married in 1871 to Martha, daughter of the late E. D. Huguonin, of Macon, and they have two children-Richard W. and Martha. Mr. Johnston is a democrat of the old school and a strong admirer of President Cleveland. Mr. Johnston's father was Eben- ezer Johnston, who was born in South Carolina. He migrated with his parents to Tennessee when a boy, and died there in 1867, aged sixty-seven years. His grand- father was Joseph Johnston, born in Ireland, and a courier in Gen. Washington's army during the revolution. Mr. Johnston affiliates with the Presbyterians. Mr. Johnston is considered one of the best business men in Macon. He is a man of the highest moral character and social standing, and his affable ways and pleasing disposition make him always an agreeable companion. He is very charitable and ever ready to help any cause which has for its end the material progress or improve- ment of the city's welfare. Mr. Johnston owns in Sumter county, Ga., 8,000 acres of land, the cultivation of which furnishes employment to 500 or 600 negroes. He is a just and kind employer and takes good care of his employees.

WILLIAM B. JOHNSTON was born in Putnam Co., Ga., Nov. 19, 1809, and died in Macon, Ga., Oct. 20, 1887. He was descended from English ancestry, the father moving to Georgia from Virginia. Upon reaching his majority he moved to New York city, where he lived some years, whence he came to Macon, Ga., in 1839, where he spent the remainder of his life. For many years he was actively engaged in business, but retired in 1848, and thenceforward gave his atten- tion to investments, for which he had accumulated ample means. In September. 1851, he married a daughter of Judge Edward Dorr Tracy, of Macon, leaving, upon his death, his widow and two daughters-Mrs. George W. Duncan and Mrs. W. H. Felton, Jr .- all living in Macon. He was prominent and active in the various enterprises gotten up for individual profit and the advancement of the interests of the city of Macon. He was one of the originators of the Macon cotton factory, a flourishing industry before the war, and was an incorporator and director in the

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City bank-for many years a leading financial factor in Macon. During the "war between the states" he was in control of the depository of the Confederacy, established at Macon. At one time there were $1,500,000 in gold under his protec- tion. This depository took the highest rank of any similar institution outside of Richmond, Va. The Macon depository counted in and took up $15,000,000 in seven days, during the funding of the first issue of Confederate notes. The trust was discharged ably, faithfully and patriotically. Immediately after the war, when the Central railroad was a physical and financial wreck, he was chosen president by the board of directors, as being eminently qualified from his financial ability and sagacity to place that valuable property on its feet, in which he fully succeeded. negotiating in New York a loan of $1,000,000 to rebuild the road from Macon to Savannah, which had been destroyed by the Federal army. Before this he had been a director, and after having accomplished the work assigned him he declined the presidency, but remained for years a leading and influential director in the road. He was well known in his immediate community and throughout the state for his financial ability, and Gov. Jenkins selected him as the agent for the state to negotiate a large amount of bonds, which was done successfully and advan- tageously. Mr. Johnston, with a few friends, was the originator of the first ice factory in the state of Georgia, which industry since that time has been greatly extended, and ice, formerly having been a luxury, has become one of the necessaries of life, and at a price within the reach of all. He was one of the original lessees of the state road, and a director at his death. He was also a pioneer and active worker for the establishment of gas and water works for his city. In addition to the duties of an active life, he took time to interest himself in art. He possessed superior judgment in architecture, and his wonderful taste in paintings and sculpture was evidenced by his selections during his long sojourn in Europe, of paintings and sculpture, by which his splendid residence in Macon was adorned and beautified.

He was genial in his disposition, and fond of the society of the young, and was always a welcome companion among men of much younger years than himself.

WILLIAM M'EWEN JOHNSTON, one of Macon's wealthiest and most pop- ular citizens, was born in Loudon county, Tenn., July 20, 1850, and lived there until he was twenty years old. In 1866 he went to Washington college at Lexington, Va., of which Gen. Lee was president, and remained there four years. After leaving college he entered the banking and commission house of R. T. Wil- son & Company in New York city, holding a clerical position until 1879, when he became a partner. He still holds his interest in this firm, but has retired front the active business life he led in New York from 1870 to 1891. In the latter year he began a three years' tour, in which he traveled all over the world. Returning he settled in Macon, Ga., where he has a beautiful home and intends to spend the remainder of his life. Mr. Johnston was married in Macon, Ga., in 1891 to Flewellyn, daughter of Anderson W. Reese of that city. While not an active poli- tician, Mr. Johnston is an ardent democrat and always has been. He affiliates with the Presbyterian church, and is director of the American National bank of Macon, Ga. He is a man of refined tastes, with the means to gratify them. He makes his home, his life and the lives of those about him beautiful by the exercise of his gifts and his wealth.

C HARLES CARROLL KIBBEE, late judge of the superior court, was born in Macon, Ga., Aug. 25, 1837, received his primary education there and in 1857 went to Princeton college, entering the junior class and graduating in 1858. Shortly afterward he went to Athens, Ga., and began the study of law under

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Hon. Thomas R. Cobb, being admitted to the bar at Watkinsville, in 1859. He began the active practice of his profession at Hawkinsville, Pulaski Co., Ga., and in 1861 enlisted in the Confederate service as orderly sergeant of Company G, Tenth Georgia infantry. A few months later he was made second lieutenant, and in the winter of that year was promoted to the rank of captain. In 1864, for gallantry on the field, he was again promoted, being made lieutenant-colonel, in which capacity he served until the war closed, with the exception of eight months in the year last mentioned, when he was acting adjutant-general on Gen. Goode Bryan's staff. Prior to this he acted as inspector-general of this brigade. Col. Kibbee was in the following battles, during his term of service in the field: Williamsburg, Va .; Savage station; Malvern hill; the two battles at Cold Harbor; Chancellorsville; Fredericksburg; South Mountain; Harper's Ferry; Sharpsburg; the Wilderness; Chattanooga, Tenn .; Lookout mountain; Knoxville, Tenn .; Get- tysburg; Petersburg; Cedar run and many minor engagements. He was wounded at Savage station and his promotion for gallantry was won on the fields of Chan- cellorsville and other famous battles. When Gen. Lee surrendered Col. Kibbee was at High Bridge, Va., and thought there was little for him to do but to return home, so he started for Macon on foot, reaching there in about three weeks. Desiring to resume the practice of law, he located at Hawkinsville, Ga., but on account of his not having taken the oath required by the laws of reconstruction was not allowed to practice, whereon he entered into business as a cotton factor, which he prose- cuted all the summer of 1865, and in the autumn was elected to the lower house of the state legislature which he served during the session of 1865-6. In the latter year he began again the practice of law, having taken the modified oath, and remained in Hawkinsville until 1889. In 1870, he was elected to the state senate from the Fourteenth district, which comprised the countics of Pulaski, Dooly, Wilcox and Dodge, serving six years in that legislative body. While there he was chairman of the committee on finance and member of the committees on general judiciary, banks, corporations, public affairs and other matters before the senate. As chairman of the finance committee he acted as chairman of the joint financial committee, in 1875, which conducted the audit and examination of the state treasury. In the year last mentioned he was appointed special commis- sioner by the governor of the state to adjust the accounts of the state and its northern financial agents. In 1884 he was elected to the bench of the superior court for the Oconee circuit, which then embraced the counties of Pulaski, Dooly, Wilcox, Twiggs, Irwin, Telfair, Montgomery, Laurens and Dodge, retaining that judicial position for four years. During the year after the expiration of his term he removed to Macon and has been a resident of that city ever since. In 1872, Judge Kibbee was elected a delegate to the Baltimore con- vention, but was unable to attend that meeting by reason of business engage- ments. He has many times been a delegate to state conventions. He is a member of Mt. Hope lodge, F. & A. M., of Hawkinsville, and of the St. Omar command- ery, Knights Templars, at Macon. He is also a member of the chapter at Hawkins- ville, in which, as in the blue lodge, he has held all the chairs. He was grand master in 1874-5 of the I. O. O. F. of Georgia and representative in 1876-7 to the grand lodge of the United States, which met at Philadelphia and Baltimore. In 1877, Judge Kibbee married Louie W., daughter of Clinton Taylor. She was born in Lafayette, Ind., though her father is a native of Louisiana, and has two daughters, Annie L. and Millie C. Judge Kibbee's father, John Morrison Kibbee, was born in Concord, N. H., and emigrated to Georgia in 1827, locating in Macon and engaging in mercantile business. He remained in Macon from 1827 to 1847, when he went to New York and embarked in another mercantile enterprise which,

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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 51

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