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 58

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 58

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THOMAS J. BULLARD, merchant and farmer, Palmetto, Campbell Co., Ga., is a son of Thomas and Susan A. Bullard. His father was a native of Chatham county, N. C., where he was born in 1819. About the time he became of age he came to Georgia, where he married and settled in Campbell county, where he spent the remainder of his days. He became a prominent and leading citizen, serving the county at intervals as sheriff and clerk of the court. He also served a term in the state senate, about 1858. He died on the old home- stead at Campbellton, Ga., in 1876. He was twice married, first to Miss Anna Beard, who died in 1844, the mother of three children: William, a planter of Putnam county; Sally A., Mrs. McWright, of Campbell county, and J. M., also a planter of Putnam county. Mr. Bullard subsequently married Miss Susan A. Miller, a daughter of John Miller, of Jones county, who bore him two children: Thomas J., the subject of this sketch, and Tallulah F., widow of Dr. Henly, of Douglas county. The mother of these children was a woman of many endearing qualities. a consistent Baptist, and passed to her reward in 1880, at the age of sixty years. Mr. Bullard was born April 4, 1848. He was too young to enter the army during the first years of the war, but later did his duty as a soldier in the Confederate reserves. Returning from the war, he found everything in a chaotic condition, with stock and implements all gone. But with characteristic energy and patience he took up the tangled ends and soon was rewarded by seeing order come out of chaos, and his labors bringing a good financial return. After nine years of plantation life he went into the mercantile business at Palmetto, where he has since been most successful. He is a man of fine public spirit, having served as mayor and as a

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member of the county board of roads and revenues. His marriage was solemnized Jan. 3, 1867, when Miss Maggie C. Holleman became his wife. She is a lady of superior culture and refinement, and as an earnest and devoted Christian lady has done much to add to her husband's success. She is a daughter of Richard and Mary Holleman, the former deceased in 1862, the latter still living with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Bullard have five children, of whom Emma F. is the eldest, she being the wife of F. R. Smith, a merchant; Thomas P., M. D., at home; D. B., a student; Mary S., at home, and James F., also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bullard are members of the Methodist church, and have for many years been most active workers in the Sunday school.

JOHN L. CAMP, sheriff, Fairburn, Campbell Co., Ga., was born in Murray county, Ga., Aug. 2, 1838. At the age of four years he removed with his parents to Campbell county, where he has since resided. He is the son of Langley B. and Christian (McClure) Camp, both born in Spartanburg district, South Carolina, the former in 1805 and the latter in 1814. They were married July 22, 1830, and reared the following children: Mary J .; Sarah J. and Caroline F. are deceased; Georgiana, wife of John F. Beavers, ordinary, Campbell Co .; Josephus, enlisted in the Twenty-first Georgia regiment, and was killed at Chancellorsville; Elizabeth (deceased); William A., also in the Twenty-first Georgia regiment, and killed at Chancellorsville; Margaret, wife of John J. Whitely, of Texas. The mother of the family died June 3, 1880, the father having passed away some years prior. John L. Camp passed his boyhood days on the farm. During the war he was a member of Gen. Morrison's company of cavalry, and was taken prisoner in Virginia by Sheridan. Returning from the war he farmed until 1874, when he was elected sheriff, in which office he served till 1882. After an interval of six years he was again elected to that office, and has been several times re-elected in the face of a determined opposition by the people's party. In the administration of his office Sheriff Camp is utterly fearless, and has taught law-breakers that Camp- bell county is not the place for them. His public service has been supplemented by a term in the legislature, having been in that body during the sessions of 1883-84. On Dec. 25, 1859, he married Miss Elizabeth McClure, daughter of Charles and Jane (McMillan) McClure of Spartanburg, S. C. Mr. and Mrs. Camp became theparents of these children Charles L., a planter in Campbell county; Josephus M., in Texas; Georgia May, wife of T. E. Morris; William R., physician, Fair- burn; John W., planter, Campbell county; Jennie June, a young lady at home; and David H., a lad of fourteen years. The mother of this family died Sept. 17, - 1881, and Mr. Camp was again married May 8, 1892, to Mrs. Sarah Zellers. This lady is a daughter of J. M. T. and Eliza (Gibson) Petty, old and respected residents of Campbell county for long years, both now deceased. To this second marriage has been born one child, Elizabeth R. Mr. and Mrs. Camp are influ- ential members of the Baptist church, of which organization he has been clerk for the past seventeen years. He is also a Mason.

MOSES R. FOSTER, planter, Maud, Campbell Co., Ga. On the Atlanta road, fifteen miles from that city, and ten from Fairburn, Campbell county, lives the above-named gentleman. His home is one of the most beautiful in the county. Being a mechanical genius, and having developed a love for the beauti- ful, which, by the way, is an index to the refinement shown by himself and family, he has succeeded in surrounding his home with all the conveniences and comforts of modern civilized life. The beauty and coziness of his home are such as to at once attract the passing stranger. As shown by his surroundings, Mr.

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Foster is a man of progress and of the highest standing in his community. The following is an outline of his family history: Moses R. Foster, the subject of this sketch, son of Moses and Margaret Foster, was born in Campbell county, near where he now lives, on May 8, 1843. The Foster family comes from Spartan- burg district, South Carolina, from which the parents and grandparents of Mr. Foster migrated to Georgia in 1829, settling in the northeastern part of Campbell county. The grandparents died here, as also the father, who was killed by a falling tree Dec. 23, 1863. He had gone to the woods to cut down a tree, bitt having defective sight, got in the way of it as it fell. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, a thrifty man, and lived in great plenty. Later, some of the children moved to Arkansas, and the mother went to live with them, where she died in 1888. There were born thirteen children, all living to maturity but one, Elizabeth, deceased in infancy: Thomas E., died at his home in Atlanta in 1848; Polly Missouri, married Robert McWilliams, of Campbell county, and died Sept. 10, 1893; Ephraim W., Queen City, Tex .; Eliza J., widow of Pierce Childs, Bright Star, Ark .; John O., member of Company E, Thirty-fifth Georgia regiment, died of disease in 1862; Abner J., Bright Star, Ark .; Eleanor E., widow of Madison J. Childs, Bright Star, Ark .; Mildred N., married John W. Smith, and died in 1893 in Texas; Moses R., the subject of this sketch; Polona, wife of Thomas J. Hurt, Bevans, Tex .; Amanda A., wife of Edward Greer, Texarkana, Tex .; Martha N., wife of Mr. Clark, Jefferson, Tex. Moses R. Foster has spent his life in Campbell county. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-fifth Georgia regiment. On the way to Virginia he was taken sick with measles, and this being followed by a more severe illness he was discharged and sent home. After several months spent at home, and on the complete recovery of his health, he joined Lee's battalion at Atlanta, which did police duty about that section, and served there till it was disbanded. He then joined Hood's army as one of a band of scouts whose business it was to gather information concerning the enemy's movements. After Sherman passed he accompanied Hood on his march to Tennessee, but was again taken sick at Blue Pond, Ala., and was not able when he recovered to join the army again on account of the country being infested with Union sympathizers. He soon relinquished the idea and made his way homeward. A few months later he again joined the army as sergeant in Glenn's battery in Atlanta, and did good service till 1865. Oct. 5, 1872, Miss Mary L., daughter of Samuel T. Venable, became the wife of Mr. Foster. She was born in Newton county June 12, 1850. Only one child blessed this union, Lula C., born in 1873. She married James Oliver, and at present resides with her parents. She is the mother of one child, Mary C., a bright, beautiful daughter of two years. The family are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Foster is a democrat and a member of the county executive committee of his party. In 1892 he was one of the delegates from Campbell county to the senatorial conven- tion at Newnan for the thirty-fifth senatorial district.

HON. M. P. HARVEY, merchant, Fairburn, Campbell Co., Ga., was born in Campbell county April 14, 1852, the son of Rev. Spencer and Miranda (Stephens) Harvey. Rev. Spencer Harvey was a native of North Carolina, where he was born in 1811. He came to Georgia about 1830, in the earlier part of his career being a teacher. Later lie entered the ministry of the Baptist church, which he continued to serve for a long period of years with zeal and effectiveness. He now resides with a daughter, Mrs. W. F. Lester, at Fairburn. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey were the parents of the following children: Thomas, deceased in youth; Georgia, now Mrs. Braswell, a prominent teacher; Charles A., deceased in 1874, I-26

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a successful merchant of Fairburn; William S., Fairburn; Martha, Mrs. William A. McCurry, Fairburn; Letitia, deceased wife of Moses Westbrook, also deceased; Emma, deceased wife of John F. Goodman; Lola, wife of W. F. Lester, Fairburn; and M. P., the gentleman named above. Mr. Harvey was educated at Fayetteville, and at the age of eighteen began his business career by clerking for Landrum & Bro., of Atlanta. Continuing there for a year and a half, he came to Fairburn, where he was engaged for four years in the store of his brother Charles. In 1875 he began business on his own account in Fairburn, starting with a capital of but $500. By careful management and attention to the wants of his customers he gradually built up a fine trade, and is now one of the leading merchants of his town. Mr. Harvey's successful conduct of his private affairs has directed the attention of the public to him, and has brought him many positions of trust. He served the Southern Express company for a number of years, and has also been on the town council. In 1886 he became the candidate of his party for the legislature, and being elected, served in the two following sessions. While a member of that body he did good service on the committees of banking, blind asylum, and education. Mr. Harvey was most happily married in 1881 in Fair- burn to Miss Janie, daughter of John F. Beavers. Five children have come to add life and light to their home, as follows: Chester, Harry, Corinne, Henry G., and Mathias P., Jr. Mr. Harvey has been a prominent member of the masonic fraternity for years; of the Knights of Honor; the Golden Chain; and he and his wife are leading members of the Baptist church.

I ATHAM. This is another of the old Virginia families which has been trans- planted from the Old Dominion. It is of English extraction, and settled in Floyd county, Va., where Henry Latham reared a family of three sons. Thomas A., one of these sons, was born in 1799, and was first apprenticed to the hatter's trade. Evincing some literary ability he was given an education and, studying law, began the practice of his profession in his home county. In 1829 he came to Georgia, where he settled at Campbellton, the county-seat of Campbell county. Here he passed his life as a lawyer and planter. He soon commanded a good practice and until his death was regarded as one of the most profound lawyers in the state. He was an advocate of great power and as a counsellor was looked upon as absolutely safe. He was a man of great public spirit and as a democrat repre- sented his county in the legislature several terms. In 1831 his marriage with Caroline M. Smith was solcmnized. She was also a Virginian. Their family con- sisted of Henry T., who died a cadet at West Point military school; Virginia A., married Owen H. Cochran, and died in 1883; Ella C., deceased wife of W. J. Garrett; William L., Harris county; Thomas W., Atlanta; Mary A. (Mrs. Dr. J. T. Davenport), Fairburn; Joseph L., Campbellton, and George, Fairburn. The father of these children died in 1862 and the mother in 1875. Joseph L. Latham is a prominent merchant and planter and lives at Campbellton, Campbell county, in the old Latham house, where he was born June 23, 1850. Like all boys of his age, the war interfercd with his education. His father dying when he was but twelve years old and the rigors of war being on the country, he was compelled to buckle down to physical labor earlier than would have otherwise happened. He conducted the affairs of the plantation till 1874, when he went into the mer- cantile business at Campbellton, and which he has continued with success to the present time. He is also interested in farming, he and his brother owning the old home plantation of 1,200 acres. He was married April 29, 1880, to Miss Eliza R., daughter of M. H. Collins, and is the father of seven children: Henry T., Molcy B., Joseph L., Jr., Clare C., George, Smith and Mary Ellen. Mr. Latham takes an active interest in the politics of his state and county and is a tower of strength

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in his party. In 1892 the democratic leaders felt that they must pick the very strongest man in the county to head their ticket for the legislature, as the people's party had developed unexpected strength in Campbell county. The choice fell on Mr. Latham, and so successfully was the campaign conducted a majority of 294 votes resulted in his favor, larger than had been witnessed since the war. He served his constituents faithfully during the following sessions and did important work as a member of the committees on education, penitentiary and corpora- tions. Again in 1894 he became the standard-bearer and again defeated his op- ponent. He served in the session of last winter and was a member of the following committees: Education, penitentiary, agriculture. Mr. Latham is a Mason, being treasurer of Campbellton lodge No. 76. As a citizen he is popular, and as a gentleman has a large number of friends.

REV. L. P. NEESE, the revered pastor of the Methodist church at Fairburn, Campbell Co., Ga., was born in Franklin county, Ga., July 26, 1838. Jacob Neese, his father, born in North Carolina in 1811, came to Georgia while still a young man, where he married and settled on a plantation in Franklin county. After a residence there of some years he removed to Cobb county, where he died in 1860. He was an earnest and devoted Christian, a member of the Methodist church, in which he was an exhorter. His wife, Minerva, was a daughter of John

and Elizabeth Sewell, both of Georgia birth and English descent. To them were born eleven children: Rev. Levi P .; Andrew P., a physician in Texas; Jane E .; Mrs. Wm. Freenian, Franklin county; James P., died in Savannah during the war; John W., also died in the army; William P., planter, Milton county, Ga .; Jacob P., merchant, Forsyth county; Mary (Mrs. F. Adair), Forsyth county; D. F., merchant and farmer, Polk county, Ga .; Joseph P., planter, and Martha, who is the wife of Mr. Lewis, near Dalton, Ga. The eldest of this family, Rev. Levi P. Neese, spent his boyhood on the farm, where he received an excellent moral training and his primary education. He was subsequently given the advantages of the Emanuel county high school, where he finished his literary education. In 1858 he entered on his chosen life-work, the ministry of the Methodist church, joining the north Georgia conference, of which body he has since been a member. Of this ministry it is only proper to say that it has been attended, under the blessing of the Lord, with much success, bringing into the fold a large number of erring ones and helping to a stronger and brighter faith many already within the pale of the church. In the pulpit Rev. Neese is earnest and convincing, and is much beloved among his people for his social qualities. His married life dates from 1868, when he was happily wedded to Miss Sue McLeod. Mrs. Neese has been a helpmeet, indeed, and takes a great interest in her husband's work. She is a daughter of Duncan and Amanda (Smith) McLeod. The former, born May 27, 1810, in Georgia, died in the same state Nov. 6, 1889; the latter was born Aug. 6, 1826, and is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Neese. The children born to Rev. and Mrs. Neese are as follows: The first child died at birth; James, born May 27, 1872, is a graduate of Oxford college, practicing law; Pearl E., born Aug. 12, 1874, died Nov. 4, 1882; Marvin, born Feb. 17, 1877; Ruby H., born Aug. 5, 1879, died Aug. 5, 1881; Rebie M. J., born Dec. 13, 1881; Mamie E. H., born July 27, 1884, and Lutie P., born Dec. 5, 1886.

JOSEPH J. NIXON, planter, Palmetto, Campbell Co., Ga., is the son of Francis and Anna (Ray) Nixon, and was born in Meriwether county, Ga., Oct. 12, 1839. The grandfather of this gentleman, Joseph Nixon, was a native of Ireland, and came to Georgia a young man in the latter part of the last century, settling in Ogle-

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thorpe county, where he married. He subsequently moved to Walton county, thence to Coweta, where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1830. The father of Mr. Nixon was reared in Coweta county, but was married in Meriwether county, where he lived until 1853, when he settled in the southern part of Campbell county, near where his son now lives. In 1872 he moved to Heard county, where he died in 1881. In disposition he was a quiet, retired man, a member of the Baptist church, a planter by occupation. He was twice married. Of the six chil- dren born to the first marriage, five are living: Joseph J., the subject of this sketch; Martha J., widow of M. M. Smith, Campbell county; Rebecca, wife of J. M. Win- dom, Carroll county; George, Cass county, Tex .; Wiley, Coweta county, and Thomas, who was a private in Company C, Nineteenth Georgia regiment, was killed at second Manassas. The mother died in 1852 and the father subsequently married Miss Ann Grantham of Meriwether county, who bore him eight children. Joseph J. Nixon was reared in the neighborhood where he now lives. At the opening of the war he was just of age and ready to serve his country. He enlisted as a private in Company C, Nineteenth Georgia regiment, and served in the army of Virginia. He was engaged in the battles of Seven Pines, seven days' fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Kingston and Bentonville, N. C., the last battle of the war. In the latter fight he was slightly wounded, having gone through the entire war up to that time without a scratch. He was paroled at Salisbury, N. C., after which he settled down to the peaceful pursuit of farming. With nothing to invest except his own strength and perseverance, he rented land near the old homestead till 1873, when he bought 200 acres of the present loca- tion, to which have been added about 400 acres more. This plantation is three miles from Palmetto, and was nearly all covered with a dense growth of oak, pine and hickory. Mr. Nixon has cleared this land nearly all himself, and now has about 300 acres under cultivation. He married Miss Louisa M., daughter of John B. and Temperance Smith, Sept. 3, 1869, and has become the father of ten children, seven of whom are living: Moses, planter, Campbell county; Osey, John B., Arena, Thomas J., William and Millie at home. Mr. Nixon enjoys the repu- tation of being an excellent farmer and is a man whom the people revere for his many noble qualities of head and heart. As a democrat he does his duty quietly at the polls, not having any taste for the excitement of political life. He and his family are members of the Baptist church.

JAMES N. ROBINSON, planter, Goodes, Campbell Co., Ga., is one of nature's noblemen, the son of Robert R. and Susan (Byrane) Robinson. He was born Nov. 12, 1834, in Coweta county, from whence he removed with his parents in 1849 to the neighborhood where he now resides. In 1856 he left home and worked as an overseer till the war broke out. Being near Columbus, Ga., he enlisted in a company which was raised there-Company B, Twentieth Georgia regiment. He went out as second corporal, and by faithful service was advanced to first sergeant, in which position he served the major portion of the four years of the war. In order to indicate the amount of service done by Sergt. Robinson, it is only necessary to state to the student of history that he followed Longstreet. It is hardly necessary to recount here in full the story of bloody fights and weary marches participated in by soldiers under this famous general. The list of battles engaged in personally by Mr. Robinson is as follows: Seven days' fight around Richmond, second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Suffolk siege, Gettys- burg, Chickamauga, Knoxville, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, and in the trenches about Richmond. He was wounded by a minie ball in the thigh while gallantly bearing the colors at Malvern Hill, in which battle his company

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lost heavily. At Sharpsburg his regiment was highly complimented for their gallant defense of Burnside's bridge. At the battle of Gettysburg he was in the brigade which successfully charged Little Round Top on the second day. On the day the lines were broken and Richmond was evacuated Sergt. Robinson was in charge of his company at the point where the break occurred, and had the honor of being personally complimented by Gen. Longstreet in ordering him to deploy his company for the coming charge. But the race was run; and, evacuating the city, Lee's immortal band, after having exhibited' a valor which will go down in history as the most wonderful of all time, laid down their arms at Appomattox, where Sergt. Robinson had the mournful honor of surrendering his company. Mr. Robinson had been home on a furlough during the preceding holiday week, and before returning to the army was married to Miss Martha C., daughter of David Murray, of Lincoln county, Ga., the event occurring on Jan. 10, 1865. Return- ing home to his bride, Mr. Robinson has since been content in the peaceful avocation of agriculture, in which he is regarded as a master. His plantation contains 350 acres, and is one of the most productive in the county. There were four children born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson: Robert A., Jack- sonville, Fla .; John P., at home; Nannie J., Mrs. James A. Reeves, Campbell county, and William H., who died in infancy. Mr. Robinson is a stanch democrat and has served his party in many conventions, though he has never cared for office. For eight years prior to 1893 he served on the board of county commis- sioners. As a citizen of Campbell county, "Jim" Robinson is looked upon by all as perfectly sound. The history of the Robinson family may be stated briefly as follows: Henry, grandfather of J. N. Robinson, was a native of Bellomeno, Ireland, made famous as the birthplace of the father of President Andrew Jackson, and Gen. Packenham, of New Orleans fame. As a lad he emigrated to Mecklenburg, North Carolina, where he married and reared his family. Robert Robinson was born in 1813, and accompanied the family, in 1831, to Coweta county, Ga., where he married in 1834. Three children were born to them: J. N., Frances E., Mrs. Jesse Carooll, Battle, Texas, and Hannah P., widow of James Hogan, Hogan, Coweta Co. After the mother's death, in 1838, the father again married, the second wife being Miss Elizabeth Attawary. She died in 1857, leaving one son, William T., Campbell county. The father resides near the home of his son, James N., still hale and hearty at eighty-three years of age.

A BNER B. SMITH, planter, Fairburn, Campbell Co., Ga. Four miles southeast of Fairburn, on one of the best plantations in the county, lives Abner B. Smith, one of the most respected and influential planters in the county of Campbell. He is a man of undoubted integrity and occupies a respected place in the social life of his community. He comes from one of the pioneer families, being the son of John B. and Temperance (Bailey) Smith, and was born in Campbell county, Dec. 4, 1842. The grandfather, Abner Smith, was a native of Ireland, having emigrated to South Carolina before the revolutionary war. There he was twice married, both wives dying there. He was a soldier in the revolutionary war, during which he was wounded on Sullivan's island. Late in life he, with his children, removed to Coweta county, Ga., settling in the northern portion, on land obtained from the government, le being a pensioned soldier. However, he died within two weeks of his arrival in the county. The children grew to maturity, were married and were widely scattered. Soon after the Bailey family came to Georgia from South Caro- lina. One of the daughters, Temperance, became the wife of John B. Smith. Eleven children were born to them, five of whom are living: Melvina, widow of Hubbard McWaters, Camp county, Texas; Abner B., the subject of this sketch;

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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 58

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