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 56

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 56

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ALFRED CUTHBERT MILLEN, merchant, Flovilla, Butts Co., Ga., was born in Jasper county, Ga., Feb. 14, 1850. At the age of twenty-four, having acquired but an academic education, he went to Smith's Mills, Jasper county, and entered the mercantile business as a clerk for W. B. Dozier. He remained in this position for one year, when he became a member of the firm, the business being removed to Flovilla, where it was sucessfully carried on until 1890. In that year he went into business for himself, the success of his former venture still attending him. Elected to the office of alderman of Flovilla in 1883, he is still serving in that capacity, being treasurer of the board. He was married in January, 1883, to Miss Roxie, daughter of Charles and Lou (Watkins) Thornton, and they are the parents of the following children: Bessie, deceased; Myrtle and Olive. Mr. Millen is the son of George D. and May (Sauls) Millen. The family are of German descent and were formerly from New Jersey. Coming to Georgia they settled in Chatham county, where the father followed the profession of law, and also taught success- fully in several different counties. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and also did service in the Indian war of 1836. He was a most successful planter and owned one of the largest plantations in the state. His death occurred in 1861, and that of his wife in 1884. Mr. Millen and his wife are members of the Methodist church of which he is a steward, and he is also a master Mason. He is one of the self-made men of Georgia. He began life without a dollar of his own, but the school of adversity, in which his early life was invigorated, proved an ex- perience which in after years enabled him to overcome discouraging obstacles, and wring success from that which to many a man of less firm purpose would have proved defeat. All of his business transactions are dictated by a shrewd common sense and a correct judgment that seems to be inborn and intuitive, and he impresses those with whom he comes in contact as a man of more than ordinary intelligence and sagacity.

FLI EZEKIEL POUND, mayor of Jackson, Butts Co., Ga., was born in Putnam county, Ga., May 9, 1839. After receiving a common school education at home, he entered Emory college, Oxford, Ga., and taking the three years' course, was graduated in 1858. He taught school until the war, at Stanfordville, Putnam Co., Ga., and Macon. He enlisted in the Ninth Georgia regiment, commanded by Rev. P. H. Mell, chancellor of the university of Georgia, but was subsequently transferred to the second brigade of Georgia militia, which participated at the battle of Griswoldville, November, 1864. He passed the remaining days of the war in Savannah. Again taking up the ferule, he served several years as principal of the school at the famous health resort of Indian Springs, Butts Co. He then entered upon mercantile life, which he followed with success until 1860, when he removed to Jackson, where he now resides. While a resident of Indian Springs he served frequently on the board of aldermen, and several terms as mayor; and he has been for many years the efficient county school commissioner of Butts county. He is now serving his second term as mayor of Jackson. In October, 1859, Mr. Pound was married to Miss Sallie Leverett, daughter of William Leverett, of Machen, whose sketch will be found under the head of Jasper county. To this union were born the following children: Florence V., deceased; Augusta E., wife of J. T. Harris, Olivia, Ga .; Osceola A., Grand Rapids, Mich .; Lamar, traveling

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agent for R. G. Dun; Elia E., teacher at Harmony Grove, Ga .; Myrtle and Eloise-young ladies at home. Mrs. Pound is a lady of refinement and education, and a graduate of the female college at Covington. The parents of Mr. Pound were John B. and Amelia (Gay) Pound. The former was born in 1799, and was one of the most successful planters in the county. The latter was a native of Jones county, Ga., and died in I&I. They were among the most prominent families of Putnam county. Mr. Ehi E. Pound is a Baptist in religious belief and has held the office of clerk in his local organization for several years. He is a very enthusiastic member of the masonic fraternity, and an untiring worker. He established the lodge at Indian Springs and was its worshipful master for twenty- five years. He is high priest of the chapter of royal arch Masons at Jackson; thrice illustrious master of the council of royal select masters, and is grand master of the second veil of grand royal arch chapter of Georgia. Col. Pound takes a lively interest in politics; is chairman of the democratic executive committee for the sixth congressional district, and was an alternate elector on the Cleveland ticket in 1884. The foregoing is a sketch of one of the most prominent citizens of Butts county, and is evidence that in church, masonry, education and politics, Mr. Pound is regarded as one of the highest ability and of the purest character.

YOUNG ALEXANDER WRIGHT is the name of the young man who, at the age of cighteen, was made head schoolmaster of the Jackson, Butts Co., Ga., schools, a position he filled in a satisfactory manner for five consecutive years. While teaching Mr. Wright found tinie and inclination to take up Blackstone, and in 1878 was admitted to the bar. He has since built a lucrative practice. He has served in various public offices and occupies a warm place in the hearts of the people of Jackson and of Butts county. Elected to the office of mayor of Jackson in 1877, and held it for eight years in succession. While representing his county in the lower house of the state legislature, to which office he was elected in 1885, he introduced thirteen bills, nine of which became laws without change, a record unequaled by but few legislators in the history of the state. Mr. Wright is a native of Stewart county, Ga., and was born Jan. 28, 1855, being one of a large family of children, some of whom are: William A., a resident of Kentucky, is the inventor of the terracing machine which has revolutionized the system of planting in the south; Texas, wife of E. M. Mccutcheon; Claudia A., Mrs. W. N. Chambliss; Amelia, wife of L. C. Chambliss; Jacob; Annie G., Mrs. James A. Gates; Ada, Mrs. H. Mclendon; Minnie and Birdie, at home. The father of these children, Young Frederick Wright, was born in Meriwether county in 1829, his parents having been early settlers from North Carolina. In 1861 he enlisted in the Con- federate service, but was subsequently detailed to take charge of the salt works at Saltville village, Va. He is now one of the successful planters of Meriwether county. Mrs. Wright is a native of Randolph county, Ga., and was born in 1838. Her parents came from South Carolina, and are living in Stewart county, Ga. In December, 1882, Young Alexander Wright was married to Miss Ida W. Ellis, a native of Butts county, daughter of Dr. James F. and Elizabeth J. (Amos) Ellis. Mr. Wright belongs to several important secret societies, in which he is an active worker. He is a past master of his Masonic lodge, and is now king of the chapter. He is a Knight of Pythias of Empire lodge, Atlanta, and is great. sachem in his lodge of Noble Red Men. At the state convocation of this order in 1893 he was elected great representative of the state. He is also past dictator in the Knights of Honor. Coming to Jackson in January of 1876, Mr. Wright has by his own

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efforts won his way to the top and is one of the most promising lawyers in the state. He is the senior member of the law firm of Wright & Beck.

CALHOUN COUNTY.

JEDEMIAH JOHN BECK, lawyer, Morgan, Calhoun Co., Ga., was born in La Fayette, Chambers Co., Ala., Feb. 19, 1841. His father, Rev. J. J. Beck, was a Baptist minister, and died two years after the son was born. His mother removed first to Troup county, Ga., and then to Stewart county, Ga., where the subject of this sketch was reared, and received a common school education. While yet a youth of fifteen he commenced teaching, and was a private tutor in South Carolina. At this time, and before the war, he began reading law. When the war began he enlisted in the Twenty-third South Carolina regiment, of which he was made ordnance sergeant, and, subsequently, was made brigade ordnance sergeant. At the close of the war he located in Morgan, taught school and read law, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1866, Judge John T. Clark presiding, since which time he has continued in the practice and secured an excellent clientage. He has also held the office of ordinary of the county, been judge of the county court, and served as school commissioner of the county. In 1884 he was elected to represent Calhoun county in the general assembly. Mr. Beck has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Sarah C., daughter of Rev. S. Parker, a leading Baptist minister of Randolph county, Ga. This lady died in 1871. His second marriage- was to Mrs. Jennie Powell, a widow, of Terrell county, Ga. By his first marriage. he had four children: Floy, who married John N. Rogers, teacher, Burke county, Ga .; Walter, aged 13; Jeddie, 10, and Clio, 5. Mr. Beck is a Royal Arch Mason, was worshipful master of Concord lodge, now defunct, and has presided as high. priest of his chapter.

CAPT. P. E. BOYD, one of the largest and most successful merchants in Cal- houn county, is the son of John and Eliza (Lofton) Boyd, both natives of South Carolina and now deceased. Capt. Boyd was born March 9, 1840, on one of his father's farms in South Carolina. When he was two years old his father moved to Columbia county, Ga., where he remained until he was fourteen years of age .. He then went to Webster county and worked on a farm for several years. He- started in the mercantile business at Leary in 1873, having been in the same busi- ness four years previously in a country store. In connection with his merchandise business Capt. Boyd works some 200 people and runs 100 plows on his plantations. He owns 10,000 acres of land, a large part of which is under cultivation, and raises 800 bales of cotton and 15,000 bushels of corn annually. Capt. Boyd has several stores in Leary, and is one of the largest merchants and planters in Calhoun county. He carries a stock of goods valued at $20,000 in his main store, and works nearly a dozen men there. He is a Mason, having taken the chapter degrees, and is unmarried. Few men have a more creditable war history than Capt. Boyd.

JEFFERSON LAMAR BOYNTON, lawyer and planter, Dickey, Calhoun Co., Ga., son of Willard Boynton, was born in Lumpkin, Stewart Co., Ga., April 4, 1846. His great grandfather, Needham Bryan, was an officer in the revolution --

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ary war. His father was a large planter, a citizen of prominence and influence, who represented Stewart county many times in the general assembly, and died in 1865. Mr. Boynton is a cousin to Gen. Clement A. Evans, the distinguished Confederate general and Methodist preacher. The Boyntons are of English origin, and the branch of the family of which the subject of this sketch is a member -numbering 3,000 or more-has representative reunions annually. Ex-Gov. James S. Boynton, Griffin, Ga., and Gens. H. V. and W. S. Boynton, distinguished Federal commanders, are members of the family. Before the war Mr. Boynton had enjoyed some academic advantages, but his studies were interrupted by the civil war. At the age of fifteen he volunteered and entered the Confederate army, and was in the command of Gen. Joseph Wheeler. He was captured three times: First, at New Haven, Ky., and was carried to Louisville, and after three months' imprisonment he was exchanged. Second, he was captured at the battle of Bradyville, Tenn., and was again sent to Louisville. It was an interesting coin- cidence that he occupied the same quarters and bunk as before. During his first imprisonment he made a pencil memorandum on the wall, of his regiment, com- pany, etc., and when he returned he found that some Federal had written under it: "A d-d rebel." On being exchanged he rejoined his command. Third, he was captured near Marietta, Ga., and carried to Gen. McPherson's headquarters. He escaped the same night and made his way back to the Confederate lines. After the war he settled in Calhoun county and engaged in farming. In the meantime he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1882, and has since continued to prac- tice, not neglecting, however, his farming interest. He has been judge of the county court, and is now serving his third term as representative in the general assembly, is chairman of the committee on finance, and, in addition, is a member of the committee on judiciary and rules. Mr. Boynton was married in 1867 to Miss Ger- trude, daughter of R. R. Davis, a planter of South Carolina. But one child has blessed this union: Eula, born in 1869, who is the wife of William E. Harvin, planter, Calhoun county. Mr. Boynton sustains a fine reputation in his profession, i's establishing a fine practice, is popular and held in high esteem by his fellow- citizens, who seem willing to gratify any political ambition he may have at heart. He is regarded as one of the most conservative and one of the ablest members of the present general assembly.

THOMAS J. DUNN, lawyer and planter, Morgan, Calhoun Co., Ga., was born in Twiggs county, Feb. 11, 1821. His father, Jacob Dunn, was a large planter, and died in 1857. The family is of English ancestry-this branch coming from Virginia to Georgia. His mother belongs to the family of Baldwin, dis- tinguished in Georgia history. Mr. Dunn had the advantage of a good English education, and started in life as a teacher, but at the end of a year abandoned teaching. He studied law under Judge Isaac Bower, father of Judge B. B. Bower, now judge of the Albany circuit, and was admitted to the bar Dec. 16, 1844, Judge Lott Warren presiding. (Mr. Dunn was born the same year that Hon. Richard H. Clark was, and admitted to the bar at the same time. Mr. Clark is now judge of the Atlanta circuit.) Mr. Dunn was examined by Phil. Sligh, G. W. B. Toombs (afterward governor), David Cadoo, George Dudley, and Solicitor-General Rease, all distinguished men. Reporting the examination to the court, Gov. Toombs said: "Mr. Dunn comes forward with the most brilliant prospects of any young man I have known in the state of Georgia." He located in Cuthbert, Randolph Co., Ga., where he remained eighteen years, and then removed to Newton, Baker Co., Ga. After a six months' residence in Newton he returned to Cuthbert, where he resided and practiced twelve years, when he removed to Morgan, in 1874, which he

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has since made his home. At the end of forty years of practice he retired in 1884. In 1872 he was elected to represent Calhoun county in the general assembly. Mr. Dunn was married in 1871 to Catharine N., daughter of William G. Pierce, a pioneer citizen of Calhoun county, ex-clerk of the superior court, and ex-repre- sentative to the general assembly. This union has been blessed with three children : Thomas J., Jr., born Nov. 16, 1872; Cora Emma, born in 1873, married to George W. Colley, planter, Morgan; and Frank, born Jan. 9, 1874. Mr. Dunn is now living in the enjoyment of the fine estate he has created, and the respect of his fellow-citizens. He is a master Mason.

J. H. FUTCH, of Leary, Calhoun Co., manager of the branch business of Capt. P. E. Boyd, is the son of Stephen R. and Mary Jackson Futch, natives of Georgia, and was born Sept. 14, 1866, in Calhoun county. His parents are still living. Mr. Futch obtained his education in the common schools and at the age of sixteen engaged as clerk for P. E. Boyd, general merchandise store, Leary, and continued in that capacity for six years. At the expiration of that time he was employed at farming for four years, with great success. He then re-entered the employ of P. E. Boyd, as manager of a branch house, which business he has managed for three years. Mr. Futch was united in marriage to Miss Willie Taylor, one of the esteemed daughters of Col. Tom Taylor, a leading planter of Calhoun county. To this union have been born three children-Stephen R., Rufus M. and Mary W. Mr. and Mrs. Futch were married Feb. 5, 1888. Mrs. Futch is a member of the First Baptist church.

JOHN B. GEORGE, physician and surgeon, Leary, Calhoun Co., Ga., son of James George, was born in Baker county, Ga., Aug. 12, 1862. His father was a prosperous farmer and a prominent citizen; represented the county one term in the general assembly and died Jan. 16, 1882, leaving five children, of whoni John B. was the second. Dr. George received a good common school education, attended one course of lectures at the Georgia eclectic college, at Atlanta, in 1883, and the second course at the university of Florida, at Tallahassee, where he graduated. He located at Leary, where he has gained an excellent practice, which is growing. He is the resident surgeon of the Southwestern railway; is a member of the National medical association and of the National railroad surgeons' association. He has been chairman of the democratic executive committee of the county four years, and was a member of the convention which nominated Gov. Northen. In addition to his practice Dr. George has extensive farming interests. Dr. George was married Oct. 26, 1886, to Miss Estelle, daughter of John Colley, of Calhoun county. They have one child, Lila, born Sept. 19, 1887. The doctor is a royal arch Mason, a member of the Albany, Ga., chapter, and is worshipful master of the local master Masons' lodge. He is a member of the Baptist church.

T. R. HAMMOND is one of Leary's progressive business men, and he is the youngest merchant of the place. He was born in Baker county, May 5, 1869, and is the son of T. W. and Fannie C. (Poindexter) Hammond, both of whom are still living. He was educated in the common schools of the county, was engaged in the employ of Capt. Boyd for a while, and then farmed for himself. He finally opened a nice general store in Leary and is doing a fine business. He was married to Neva Brooking, a daughter of F. R. Brooking, and lives in a pretty home in Leary. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church south, and Mr. Hammond is a strong democrat in politics. He

Fromos Me Sesnord

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CALHOUN COUNTY SKETCHES.

has a nice farm of 250 acres near Leary, and carries a stock of about $4,000 in his store. Mr. Hammond though young enjoys a fine reputation for business ability.

WILLIAM J. HORSLEY, agent of the Central railway, Arlington, Calhoun Co., Ga., was born in Upson county, Ga., Oct. 27, 1848. His father, James B. Horsley, was a highly-esteemed well-to-do farmer, who died in 1884. He received a good common school education, began life as a member of Company B, Fifth Georgia battalion, and served in the war. After the war he taught school in Ran- dolph and Calhoun counties, Ga., and carried on farming. Since 1877, he has been connected with the Central railway, and is now its agent at Arlington, on what is known as the Blakely extension. Mr. Horsley has been married twice, first to Miss Laura M., daughter of Judge Colley, of Calhoun county, in 1870. She died in 1877, leaving one child, Ida, born Dec. 26, 1876. He afterward mar- ried Miss Mattie Taylor, of Upson county. Mr. Horsley is a capable and reliable business man and is popular with the people and confided in by the railway authorities. He is a master Mason.

THOMAS K. LEONARD, physician and surgeon, Arlington, Calhoun Co., Ga., was born in Brunswick county, N. C., Sept. 22, 1820. His father, Jacob W. Leonard, was a colonel in the war of 1812, and was colonel-commanding at Fort Johnston during that war. He represented Brunswick district in the North Caro- lina senate for a number of years, and died in 1824. After receiving the best education to be had when he was a youth, Dr. Leonard entered the medical department of the state university of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1845. He lo- cated in Leon county, Fla., and soon secured a remunerative practice. Before the war he represented Leon county in the Florida legislature. He had been lieutenant-colonel of the First Florida cavalry (under command of Col. George T. Ward) for several years. Col. Ward fell at Richmond. Continuing the practice after the war in Leon county, Dr. Leonard relinquished it in 1867, joined the Florida conference of the Methodist Episcopal church south, and entered the itinerant ministry. He traveled five years in Florida and was then transferred to Trinity conference, Texas. After being there one year he was transferred to the South Georgia conference, with which he has remained ever since. Few men in southern Methodism have given more freely of their wealth to the church than has Dr. Leonard, he having spent a snug fortune for the extension of Christ's kingdom upon earth. He is now upon the superannuated list, and has found a sweet refuge after his years of spiritual battles in a comfortable home in Arlington. With the aid of his invalid's rolling chair he is enabled to go to and from his drug store, and still does a considerable amount of office practice. He is assisted by his daughter, who is a practical pharmacist. Dr. Leonard was married in Kingston, N. C., in 1858, to Miss Mary A. Perryman, by whom he has had one daughter, Florence I., who is with her parents. Dr. Leonard is a royal arch Mason; in 1867 he was elected grand king of the grand royal arch chapter of Florida. A fervent, faithful and devoted Christian, he is patiently awaiting the final summons-"Come up higher."

I ORENZO D. MONROE, lawyer, Morgan, Calhoun Co., Ga., was born in Muscogee (now Chattahoochee) county, Ga., Sept. 30, 1837. His father (same name) was sheriff of the county at one time. He moved with his family to Calhoun county in 1855 and died in 1886, leaving eight children. Mr. Monroe had the advantage of a fairly good education, principally under the preceptorship of James Hoof, an eminent educator. When the family removed to Calhoun county he

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

returned to Muscogee to attend school and to read law. In 1858 he was ad- mitted to the bar, Judge Kiddo presiding. Returning to Calhoun county, he located in Morgan, where his home has been ever since. He was a member of Company D, Forty-sixth Georgia regiment, of which he was a lieutenant, but was transferred to Colquitt's (the Forty-seventh Georgia) regiment when it was organized. In May, 1862, in a skirmish at Jackson, he was seriously wounded- his right leg was broken-and he was made a prisoner. He was paroled in a few days and never saw any more service on account of his wound. On his return home he was elected justice of the inferior court and was continued in the office until the day of reconstruction. Since the war he has practiced law and attended to his farming interests. He is now judge of the county court. Judge Monroe was married March 3, 1870, to Miss Sallie, daughter of Simon Wootten, of Ran- dolph county, and a sister of Col. B. Wootten, of Albany, Dougherty Co., Ga. To this union were born two children: James J., born June 5, 1872, farming with his father, and Simon Lorenzo, born Feb. 22, 1874. His wife died in 1880 and he never married again. Judge Monroe is living a quiet, home life, enjoying the esteem of his fellow-countrymen.

CHARLES A. ROBERTS, M. D., Morgan, Calhoun Co., Ga., was born in Dawson, Terrell Co., Ga., Feb. 12, 1870. His father, Joseph W. Roberts, is a very prominent and influential citizen of Terrell county, having represented the county during the war in the general assembly, and being now ordinary of the county, an office he has held for six years. Dr. Roberts was educated at Dawson college, after which he entered the Louisville (Ky.) medical college in 1890, from which he graduated in 1892. He located in Morgan, where he is enjoying a lucrative practice. In October, 1892, he was married to Miss Hattie L., daughter of Dr. W. D. Cheney, of Morgan. To them one child has been born: Lucille, born Sept. 13, 1893. Dr. Roberts has been very successful, has a growing practice, and has a bright future before him.

WINSLOW D. CHENEY, physician and surgeon, Morgan, Calhoun Co., Ga., son of Dr. F. W. Cheney, an eminent physician, was born in Greene county, Ga., June 8, 1838. After receiving his preparatory education Dr. Cheney entered Mercer university, then at Penfield, Ga., and later attended the state university at Athens. He afterward entered Jefferson medical college at Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1860. He located at Adairsville, but the war coming on, he went to the army and did hospital service in Tennessee and Georgia. After the war he located in Morgan, where he built up a lucrative practice, and continued until 1889. He also has large farming interests which he still conducts. In 1860 he was married to Miss Cornelia, daughter of Thomas Dyson, planter, Thomasville, Ga. Dr. Cheney has five children living: Charles N., merchant, Shellman, Ran- dolph Co., Ga .; Thomas E., farmer, Calhoun county; Hattie, wife of a promising young physician; Dr. C. A. Roberts, Morgan, Ga .; Clifford W. and Frank. Dr. Cheney was very successful as a practitioner, was popular, and accumulated a fine property. He is a non-affiliating master Mason.

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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 56

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