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 63

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 63

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G.A. M'DANIEL, farmer and miller, Victory, Carroll Co., Ga., son of John and Sarah I. (Terry) McDaniel, was born in Elbert county, Ga., in 1820. His grandparents, Henry and Mary (Rucker) McDaniel, were natives of Virginia, whence they migrated to South Carolina. They afterward came to Georgia, but in a few years returned to South Carolina, where they died. Mr. McDaniel's father was born in Virginia in 1781, came to Georgia in 1810, and settled in Elbert

G. A. McDANIEL.

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county, where he remained until 1822, when he moved to Henry (now De Kalb) county. The only property he had was a horse, that ran away, and he had to make his crop with a grubbing hoe. He walked to South Carolina to get another horse. He lived in a tent until he could build a log cabin (dirt floor), had to go twenty miles to mill, and lived principally on corn pone and wild game. His mother was the daughter of Henry and Mary (Baldwin) Terry, native South Carolinians. Her father was a Methodist Episcopal minister and devoted his life to church work. Mr. McDaniel was reared in De Kalb county, and educated at schools taught in the old-time dirt-floor log house. About 1847 he went to Atlanta, but staid there but a short time. He then went to Spalding county, where he remained until 1854, when he removed to Bowdon, where he farmed until the war began, then he engaged in merchandising, and continued it for twenty years. He then moved to the farm where he now lives, on which he had years before built a mill. Beginning without anything, he now owns 2,000 acres of excellent land, including one of the best improved farms in the county and a mill site, and is one of the richest men in Carroll. Mr. McDaniel was married Dec. 25, 1850, in Spalding county, to Miss Martha J. Lavender-born in Henry county-daughter of James and Malinda (Ansley) Lavender, native Georgians. This union has been blessed with ten children: Sarah A., Mary M., deceased; Eliza A., Ella J., John L., Martha J., Ida B., T. Henry, Lula B. and Emma B. Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel are members of the Methodist Protestant church and he is regarded as one of Carroll's very best and worthiest citizens.

JOHN C. M'GARITY, farmer, Victory, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Jones and Mary (Embry) McGarity, was born near Atlanta in 1848. His paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland and came to America before the revolutionary war and was a soldier in the army. His grandfather, Abner McGarity, was a native of South Carolina and came to Georgia in an ox cart and settled in the woods in Elbert county in 1795 and cleared a farm. Here Mr. McGarity's father was born and reared on a farm. Starting out in life for him- self, he came to De Kalb county, where he lived until 1848, when he removed to Carroll county, settled in the woods, and cleared a farm, where Mr. McGarity now lives. Mr. McGarity's mother was a daughter of John Embry, and his mother was a distant relative of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. McGarity was reared on the farm and was educated at the common county school. When the war began he was too young to enter the army, but he served a short time before the war closed. He supplemented his farm work by teaching school, and taught from 1871 to 1892. In the meantime he was elected justice of the peace, and served eight years. In 1892 he was elected to represent the county in the general assembly. Mr. McGarity was married in 1875 to Miss Martha J. Darden -born and reared in Coweta county-daughter of Elzie and Susan (Upshaw) Darden. Her father was a soldier in the Confederate army. This union has been blessed with six children: Pearl, Ruth, David, John, Joseph and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. McGarity are members of the Baptist church. Mr. McGarity is an acknowledged leader in Carroll county and no citizen commands more respect.

WILEY NIXON, farmer, Mandeville, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Joe and Martha (Ward) Nixon, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., Sept. 15, 1816. His father was born in what is now Wilkes county, Ga., about 1775. (This territory was acquired from the Indians in 1773 and Wilkes county was laid out in 1777.) He was bound out when a boy and learned the car- penter's trade; when older engaged in farming also, and was a soldier in the war I-28

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of 1812. He moved to Coweta county in 1830, settled in the woods and lived in a dirt floor log cabin. Mr. Nixon's maternal grandparents, Sam and Eda (Hud- son) Ward, were among the early settlers of that part of Georgia. Mr. Nixon grew to manhood on the farm and attended school at the historic log school- house. The first house he lived in the boards were fastened on with wooden pins. He came to Coweta county with his father and lived in that county until 1874, when he moved and settled on a partly-cleared farm in Carroll county, afterward clearing what he wanted. He began life very poor, has worked hard on the farm all his life, and although not rich he has a competency and is rich in the possession of sincere friends, and the consciousness of a well-spent life. He owns 600 acres of good land, a farm well-improved and a good home in which to spend his declining years. Mr. Nixon was married to Miss Elizabeth Fullenlove (born in Coweta county), daughter of Lud and Alsa (Freeman) Fullenlove. To them nine children have been born: Weldin I., J. Page, Fannie, Rebecca, Meda, Ludwell, Nanna, William and Ada. Mr. Nixon has been a member of the masonic fraternity more than forty years, and is regarded as one of the most substantial, and is among the most respected of the county's citizens.

WILLIAM T. OGLETREE, farmer, Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Absalom and Matilda (Stewart) Ogletree, was born in Monroe county, Ga., in 1834. His paternal grandparents were William and Martha (Bird) Ogletree. His grandfather was born in Virginia in 1764, and came to Georgia and settled in Wilkes county about 1784, and was married in 1785. When he came to the county it was a wooded wilderness, and he suffered all the trials, hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He was the Daniel Boone of Wilkes county. Mr. Ogletree's father was born in Wilkes county in 1811, where he was reared on a farm, but at the age of twenty he entered the ministry and continued in it through life. His mother was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., and was the daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Russell) Stewart, early settlers of the county. Her father was a farmer and lived to a good old age. Mr. Ogletree's mother, eighty years old, is still living. Mr. Ogletree was reared on the farm in Ogle- thorpe county and received a good common-school education in Monroe county, Ga. After receiving his education he taught school awhile. In 1861 he en- listed in Company F. (Capt. D. J. Bailey, afterward Capt. Andrews, Capt. Bailey having been elected colonel), Thirtieth Georgia regiment, which was assigned to Gen. Mercer's command. He participated in some of the most hotly-contested battles of the conflict. Among them: Jackson, Miss., and Chickamauga, where his brigade opened the fight; Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New Hope church and in nearly every engagement from Resaca to Atlanta. He was wounded at Peachtree creek, Atlanta, which compelled him to retire for two months. On his recovery he hastened to rejoin his command, with which he remained until Dec. 16, 1864, when he was captured at Nashville and sent to Johnson's island and held until the close of the war. On his release he came to Spalding county, Ga., where he remained until 1881, when he removed to Car- roll county and settled where he now lives. He had to begin anew after the war, and in the battle of life has been as courageous and true as he was on the tented field, and has done well. Mr. Ogletree was married in 1859 to Miss Cordelia Colbert (born in Spalding county), daughter of Albert G. Colbert, descendant from the early emigrants from Ireland to this country. One child only, Wilbur S., has blessed this union. Mr. Ogletree is a member of the Christian church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. While living in Spalding county before the war he served as a justice of the peace. Mr. Ogletree is one

W. H MALONE.

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of Carroll's most substantial, as well as one of its most highly esteemed citizens, to whom his neighbors are attached because of his kindly nature.

H ENRY G. PARKER, farmer, Mandeville, Carroll Co., Ga., son of John and Margaret (Byrum) Parker, was born in Pike county, Ga., in 1841. His paternal grandfather, Enoch Parker, came from North Carolina to Georgia in 1795, and settled in the woods in Lincoln county, where his father was born in 1800. His maternal grandfather, Beverly Byrum, was a native of North Carolina, came from there to Georgia in an ox-cart early in this century, and cleared himself a farm and a home in the virgin forest. Mr. Parker was reared in Pike county, worked on the farm, and went to school only four days. In 1862, he enlisted in Company H (Capt. Redman), Forty-fourth Georgia regiment, and remained in the service until May, 1863. He was in two hard fought battles-Gainesville and Sharpsburg, in which last his company had twenty-six killed. He lost his right leg, and being thereby disabled for further service, came home. He went to Coweta county and lived there and farmed until 1875, when he removed to Carroll county and bought a nice 300-acre farm, which he has paid for and so improved as to make him a comfortable home. He came out of the war a very poor and a disabled man, yet has secured a good home by his own industry and economy, and reared a not small family of children. Mr. Parker was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah Cannon-born in Pike county-daughter of George and Mary (Elliott) Cannon, who were among the early settlers of Pike county. This union has been blessed with eight children: Jennie, Mary, Henry S., George, Lizzie, Ella, Harriet and Leila. Mrs. Parker is a member of the Protestant Methodist church, and Mr. Parker is worthily, held in esteem by the community in which he lives.

WILLIAM H. MALONE, merchant, Villa Rica, Carroll Co., Ga., son of J. D. and Mary (Hale) Malone, was born in Atlanta, Ga., in 1858. His paternal grandparents were Jones and Lucy (Dumas) Malone, his grandmother Dumas being a Huguenot refugee. Mr. Malone's father was born in Union district, S. C., in 1811. He was educated at the Presbyterian college at Marysville, Tenn., and came to Georgia and settled in Atlanta in 1852. He engaged in merchandizing and continued in business until Gen. Sherman entered the city in 1864. He was then sent a prisoner to Cambridge City, Ind., where he remained until after the surrender, when he came back to a farm he had in Cobb county, Ga. Soon after that he re-entered business in Atlanta, but in 1869 he had the misfortune to be burned out, and returned to his farm. Subsequently he went to Villa Rica, where he died in 1887. He was a local preacher in the Methodist church, an active worker and a liberal contributor to all movements having in view the advancement of the church and the progress and upbuilding of the city. It was a genuine pleasure to him to be helpful to others, especially the poor, and many are the deeds, agree- ments and wills on record in Fulton county written by him. A true man and a sincere Christian, he lived beloved and died regretted.

On his mother's side Mr. W. H. Malone traces his ancestry far back and through prominent family lines. The great-great-grandfather, George Hale, came from England to America with Lord Baltimore. George, a descendant of his, was a soldier during the revolutionary war, and married a Miss Nancy Grant, who was a Scotch refugee. Alexander Hale, their son and Mrs. Malone's grand- father, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1768, and some time not long afterward his parents migrated direct to territory since erected into the state of Tennessee, and settled in what is now Blount county. John B. Hale, Mrs. Malone's father, son of Alexander and Sarah (Billingslea) Hale, was born in Washington county.

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Tenn., and married Miss Jane McClung, daughter of William and Euphemia (Cunningham) McClung. The families of her parents were early settlers, and prominent in Savannah, Ga., in social and commercial circles. Early in the his- tory of Tennessee her parents moved to that state, and the house they lived in is still standing. Hon. J. C. Hale, Mrs. Malone's brother, is an ex-state senator of Tennessee, and now holds a very important position under the government at Washington. Mr. Malone was reared in Atlanta, where he received a good education, and afterward took an eclectic course at the university of Georgia. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, and taught as many as six different schools in different places. A part of the time he taught in Forsyth county, where he read law and was admitted to the bar and practiced four years. He taught school in Villa Rica three years. When his father died, 1887, he abandoned all other pursuits and assumed control of his estate, in the management of which he has been pre-eminently successful, and has become the leading merchant and citi- zen of that part of the county. He took great interest in the establishment of a high grade school in Villa Rica and was instrumental in the accomplishment of the object. He was elected president of the board of directors, and occupies that position to-day. Every movement inaugurated for advancing the interests of Villa Rica has had his support and substantial aid, and he contributes liberally to all

church and moral enterprises. In 1894 he reluctantly consented to become a can- didate for the general assembly, and received 975 out of about 1,200 votes, although for competitors he had two of the best citizens of the county. As he lives in an extreme corner of the county the result is a very significant compliment. Mr. Malone was married in 1884 to Miss Mary A. Knox, born and reared in Forsyth county, Ga., daughter of Dr. J. R. and Martha (McAfee) Knox. Her parents on both sides are among the best known and most influential families in Cherokee county, Ga. To this happy union three children have been born: Robert K., William H., and Ralph G. Mr. and Mrs. Malone are active and prominent members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Malone is a member of the masonic fraternity. In view of his age and what he has already attained to in general popularity, in his standing in the commercial world and in the political field, it is safe to predict for him wealth, influence and political honors-prosperity and usefulness.

F F. PRITCHETT, merchant, Villa Rica, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Robert and Anna Eliza (Alexander) Pritchett, was born in Virginia in 1849. His grand- father, Joshua Pritchett, was of French descent, born in Virginia, and of con- siderable local influence. His father was a native of Virginia and a manufacturer of tobacco, a business which he followed with success and profit until 1856, when he came to Georgia and settled on a farm, where he remained until he died. His maternal grandparents, Frank and Nancy (Bell) Alexander, were natives of New- ton, S. C., whence they went to Mobile. There he engaged in business, and was also agent for the bay boats many years. Subsequently he was appointed to a position in the custom house which he held until he was seventy-five years old, when he retired and located on the bay, finishing his days there. He lived in Mobile and on the bay about fifty years, and bought his land from the French. Mr. Pritchett was reared mostly in Georgia, and received but a limited education. He was too young to enter the army during the war, but he served in what was known as the home guard. He went into business in Villa Rica and soon, by assiduous attention and energy, established a large and profitable trade. In 1882 he built one of the largest and best business houses in the little city, and in 1888 formed a partnership with W. H. and G. B. Malone, and has established the best paying business of any person or firm in that part of the state. Mr. Pritchett is a

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thoroughbred, thorough-going business man of the strictest integrity, possessing the unusual confidence of the people; while Mr. Malone is a young man of irre- proachable character and remarkable business and financial ability. Mr. Pritchett was married in 1881 to Miss Lucy J. Malone, born and reared in Carroll county, daughter of Jerry D. and Mary (Hale) Malone, by whom he has had four children: Karl, Robert H., Florence, and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Pritchett are active mem- bers of the Presbyterian church.

HENRY W. REID, farmer, Mandeville, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Robert and Lucinda (Chandler) Reid, was born in Carroll county in 1841. His paternal grandfather, Henry Reid, was a native of South Carolina, and migrated to Georgia about 1820. His father was born in South Carolina in 1806, and came with his parents to Georgia. They settled in Gwinnett county, and he remained with them until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to Franklin county, Ga. Sub- sequently he removed to Carroll county, settled in the woods and made his log cabin home where the subject of this sketch now lives. He was a soldier in the Florida Indian war. Mr. Reid's maternal grandparents, Wyatt and Mary B. (Liner) Chandler, were natives of North Carolina. Mr. Chandler was a soldier in the war of 1812, removed to Georgia and settled in the woods in Carroll county early in its his- tory, his nearest neighbors being seven miles away. Mr. Reid was reared on the farm where he now lives, and was educated at the common schools of the county. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H (Capt. Parrish), Fifty-sixth Georgia regiment, but he remained only a short time-as his father was taken seriously sick, and he, being the only child, came home and remained with him until his recovery-send- ing a substitute to take his place in the army. In 1863 he enlisted in a state battalion, in which he served six months, and then re-entered the regular service, enlisting in Company E, Capt. Shuford, First Georgia cavalry, and served until the surrender. He joined the army at Resaca, under Gen. Johnston, and saw much very hard service between there and Atlanta. On one occasion a comrade near him was shot through the head and some of the blood and brains flew on him, leaving stains which remained until the clothing was worn out. A wife and two children and an old cavalry horse were the sum total of his possessions at the close of the war. But with a light heart and a strong will he went to work to regain lost ground, and now he has a well-improved farm of 500 acres and a comforable home. Mr. Reid was married Dec. 20, 1860, to Miss Nancy C .--- born in Meriwether county, Ga .- daughter of James G. and Sisley (Hammock) Davenport. Mr. and Mrs. Reid have had thirteen children born to them, of whom James R., Charles J., Henry M., Martha F., Sallie A., John T., Nancy I., George W., Amanda, Elijah, and Irene J. are living, and Lucinda and William R. are dead. Husband and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist church, and no citizens of the county are more highly esteemed than they.

ALBERT C. ROBINSON, merchant and farmer, Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of John W. and Mary M. (Burrow) Robinson, was born in 1856. His grandfather, John Robinson, was a native of Virginia, whence he removed to North Carolina, and subsequently to Georgia and settled in the woods in Carroll county, near where the subject of this sketch now lives. Mr. Robinson's father was born in North Carolina in 1827 and came with his parents to Georgia when a small boy. His mother was a daughter of William and Eliza (Bradbury) Bur- row, who were among the earliest settlers in that part of the state. His father enlisted in 1861 and remained in the service until the surrender. Mr. Robinson was reared on the farm and in consequence of the war, which was at its fiercest

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when he was of school age, his education was limited. But he was endowed with pluck and perseverance, and enterprise and energy, and was also possessed of a thorough-going disposition, which have told wonderfully on his prosperity. He first began business at Shiloh, but last year he removed his business to his farm near that place. When he was married he was not worth a dollar; now he has a fine, large farm, and is doing a large and increasing mercantile business. Mr. Robinson was married in 1879 to Miss Mary M. Arthur, daughter of Kabus and Ann (Barnes) Arthur, who were among the earliest settlers of Marion county, Ga. Mr. Arthur lost his life during the late war. Seven children have blessed this union: Emory C., William M., Zella V., Luther L., Verdie E., Lizzie M. and Minnie Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are members of the M. E. church. He is one of the rising young men of Carroll county with a bright future.

MARTIN ROOP, deceased, one of the earliest settlers, and when living, a very prominent citizen of Carroll county, was the son of John and Phoebe (Pilcher) Roop, native South Carolinians, and was born in South Carolina in 1810. He attended and received his education at the old field school. In 1845 he migrated from South Carolina to Georgia (nine days on the road by wagon) and settled in Jackson county. At the end of a year he bought a piece of cleared land, on which he lived four years, and then removed to Coweta county, and cleared a part of the tract for a farm. When he made this change his wife rode nearly all the way on horseback. After remaining here four years he removed to Carroll county and settled where the flourishing town of Roopville, named in honor of his son, John K. Roop, now stands. There was not a stick amiss. To many it will sound odd to relate that when Mr. Roop settled in Carroll county, his family made use of the now unknown (and almost forgotten) pewter dishes, and that Mrs. Roop carded, spun and wove the cotton and wool into cloth, and then made the clothing for the family. During the war all the time that could be spared from household duties she employed in providing socks and clothing for the soldiers. Mr. Roop himself was exempt by law from going into the army. Mr. Roop was married in 1839 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Lucy (Bradford) King, South Carolinians, by whom he had ten children: John K., William W., Robert H., Benjamin J., Thomas M., Henry O., James G., Sarah Elizabeth, Savannah and George W. Mr. Roop was made a master Mason dur- ing the war and himself and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist church. The family have been, and is yet, one of prominence and influence, and enjoy the confidence and esteem of the people.

JOHN K. ROOP, leading merchant, Roopville, Carroll Co., Ga., was born in Union district, South Carolina, Oct. 20, 1839. He was reared on a farm, and what schooling he had was obtained at the common country schools of that period. When grown he taught school some himself. In 1861, when the civil war reached the fighting point, he enlisted for six months in Company D (Capt. J. R. Thomason), First Georgia regiment, and at the end of that time he enlisted in a cavalry company in Phillips' Legion, and remained in the service until the surrender. While in the service he did a great deal of scouting, not- withstanding which he participated in many of the hardest-fought battles of the war, among them: Sharpsburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Culpeper court- house, Mine Run, etc. He was also a considerable time with Gen. Wade Hamp- ton. As was the case with many thousands he came out of the war without anything but its sad experience, and entered upon the work of reconstruction in Carroll county. In 1880 he opened a store, building the first house on the spot;

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established a mill in 1874 and has succeeded in securing a large and profitable trade. Population increased, and a post-office being wanted one was estab- lished in 1881 and named "Roopville," for the founder of the embryo town. He served as justice of the peace at Roopville for eight years, and when the board of county commissioners was organized in 1886 he was elected a member and continued in office six years, until 1892. He has been solicited to become a candidate for the general assembly, but has always refused, as he craved no political honors. Mr. Roop was married in 1872 to Miss Eliza Moore (born in Henry county), daughter of W. H. and Sarah (Barnes) Moore, natives of Georgia. Her grandfather, Joshua Moore, was an early settler in Henry county. Mr. and Mrs. Roop have had born to them five children: Nora L., wife of Dr. B. J. Veal; Henry A., Charles C., Bessie and Fannie. Mr. Roop was a prominent member of the Farmers' alliance and president of the Carroll county organization. He is a master Mason, and has been worshipful master of his lodge many years. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Beginning with nothing at the close of the war, he has become the leading merchant in his part of the county; has acquired some two thousand acres of fine land, and is recognized as one of the most influential citizens of Carroll county.

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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 63

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