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 64

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 64

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GEORGE W. ROOP, merchant, Roopville, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Martin and Elizabeth Roop, was born on a farm where Roopville now stands, Sept. 25, 1858. He was educated at the common country schools, and after completing his education, he in 1880 engaged in a general merchandise business in Carroll- ton with profitable results. Two years later he went "down the river," where he remained two years, still prospering and then returned to his, old home, Roop- ville, where he is in business to-day. He started on $200 given him by his father, which he has used with such superior judgment as to place him on the high road to fortune. He has now a large store-house and stock, a large and profitable trade and a fine home, his store and dwelling, the result of his own supervision and contributed labor. He stands high as a business man of capacity and in- tegrity, and takes a great interest in all movements promotive of the advancement of his community, to which he gives liberal financial encouragement. Mr. Roop was married in 1880 to Miss Eliza Almon (born in Heard county, Ga.), daughter of Zachariah and Antoinette (Babb) Almon, by whom he has four children: Major C., Quanah Parker, William and Addie. Mr. and Mrs. Roop are members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Roop is a master Mason.

MOSES R. RUSSELL, superintendent of county schools, Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Harris and Leah (Steed) Russell, was born in Coweta county, Ga., in 1835. His grandparents, Gabriel and Patsey (Bell) Russell, planters, were born and lived and died in North Carolina. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died at the age of sixty-six years. His wife lived to be ninety-two years of age. Mr. Russell's parents were born in North Carolina, migrated to Georgia in a wagon in 1833, and settled in the woods in Coweta county; occupied a dirt floor log cabin which a brother who had come to Georgia built for them a year or two before. Mr. Russell's mother was the daughter of Sarah (Harris) Steed, born in North Carolina, whose ancestors were among the pioneers of that state. Mr. Russell was reared on the plantation and was educated in a dirt floor log cabin school-house, with its big fire-place and dirt and stick chimney, and its square holes cut through the logs to let the light in. He rather gleefully relates the following incident of his boyhood days: When fourteen years old a brother was married. Until then he had worn only the "regulation" copperas-colored

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clothes, but his mother, wishing him to make as impressive an appearance as possible on so important an occasion, bought some blue cottonade goods costing about seventy-five cents, and made him a suit which excited the admiration of the girls and the envy of his boy schoolmates. When eighteen years of age he left home and went to Alabama, where he remained for twelve years, then returned to Georgia and settled in Carroll county on the farm where he now lives. He taught school several years and then merchandised at Lineville, Ala., about two years, after which he engaged in farming. In i862 he enlisted in Company D, Capt. Hester, Seventeenth Alabama regiment, Col. Johnson, and was stationed at Mobile about eighteen months. Becoming disabled by sickness he returned home and sent a substitute. But in 1864 he enlisted in Company B, De Armand's battalion, with which he remained and helped to fire the last cannon of the war at Silver run, Talladega county, Ala., eight days after Gen. Lee's surrender, which killed thirteen Yankees. The Yankees afterward captured the gun and brought it to Georgia, and within a quarter of a mile of where Mr. Russell now lives they loaded it, then piled rails on it, which they set fire to, and when the cannon ex- ploded it shot over the house in which he lives. He has been superintendent of county schools ten years, a member of the board of education seventeen years, of which he was president five years, and has been county commissioner eleven years; he has been on the executive committee of the State Agricultural society thirteen years, and one of the managers of the state fairs six years. In 1857 Mr. Russell was married to Miss Fannie Bell (born in Coweta county), daughter of Sylvanus and Betsey (Stripe) Bell. Her parents were descendants of some of the first Scotch emigrants to North Carolina. Six children were the offspring of this union: Elizabeth, George B., Josephine, Robert L., Marvin E. and Katie. This wife, who was a devout member of the Methodist church, died April 23, 1873. Mr. Russell celebrated his second marriage, with Miss Elizabeth L. Brown, Oct. 7, 1873. Her parents, Franklin and Agnes (Stripe) Brown, were natives of North Carolina, but she was born in Coweta county. By this marriage he had seven children born to him: James H., Lula, Annie, Buena Vista, Frank, Hugh B. and Grover C. Mr. Russell is a member of the I. O. O. F. and in Masonry a royal and select master. Himself and wife are active and influential members of the Methodist church. The many important and responsible county and state agriculture offices Mr. Russell holds show in what estimation his fellow-citizens hold him, while in local social standing himself and family rank among the highest.

F. FRANK SIKES, farmer, Villa Rica, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Darling and Sarah (Cochran) Sikes, was born in Baker county, Ga., in 1853. His parents were born in North Carolina, and migrated by wagon and on horseback to Georgia and settled in the woods in Baker county in 1851. There he had cleared a farm and had just got well settled when the "unpleasantness" was precipitated. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Kendricks' company, Fifty-first Georgia regiment, and was in the service nearly four years, and most of the time was "one of Stonewall Jackson's men," and was in the battle and under the command of that distinguished officer when he was killed. Mr. Sikes was a sharpshooter, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. He was always a farmer, and was a con- sistent member of the Baptist church. His mother was a daughter of Eli and Mary (Griffin) Cochran, also Carolinians, who came to Georgia and settled in Baker county about the time Mr. Sikes' family came. They, also, were members of the Baptist church. Mr. Sikes was reared in Baker county, received but little education, came to Carroll county when only sixteen years of age, and settled

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where he now lives. He had nothing but good health, pluck and self-reliance to start with, but was a live, wide-awake farmer, worked hard, and lived and managed closely, and now has a large enough farm, well improved, a two-story dwelling, and a good substantial barn and out-buildings. Mr. Sikes was married in 1875 to Miss Virginia Green-born and reared in Carroll county-daughter of Alexander and Eliza (Chappel) Green, by whom he has had three children: Walter C., Anna B., and Lois G. Mr. and Mrs. Sikes are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist church, and enjoy in the highest degree the respect and esteem of their friends and neighbors.

ABNER A. SIMONTON, miller and cotton gin operator, Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Albert and Mary (Reed) Simonton, was born in Alabama in 1849. His paternal grandparents, Abner and Nancy (Bailey) Simonton, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and came to America before the revolutionary war. They first settled in Virginia, then moved to North Carolina, and finally, in 1805, came to Georgia in ox carts, and settled in the woods in Greene county- encountering and suffering all the dangers incident to pioneer life. His maternal grandparents, James and Rebecca (Duke) Reed, were also early settlers. Mr. Reed was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Simonton's father was born in Greene county in 1809, and died in 1859. Mr. Simonton was partly educated in the "old field" log school house, common in that day, with its dirt floor, slab seats, great fireplace in a chimney built of sticks and stiff mud, and square holes cut through the sides to let in the light. He began life after the war without a dollar, but full of energy and enterprise, and went to work to make a living and a com- petency. In 1873 he had the courage to go heavily in debt for an outfit for a corn mill, cotton gin and saw mill. To the corn mill machinery were added mills for making flour. His energy and determination were exemplified by his working in his mills, sawing lumber, grinding and ginning, oftentimes far into the night. His financially independent circumstances to-day amply attest his success. Besides his beautiful home in the outskirts of Carrollton, surrounded by a fine tract of land, he has a large plantation on the river, with fine water power, where his mills are located. More than sixty years ago this power was utilized. In Sep- tember, 1830, corn mill machinery was put in operation here, and ground corn for the Indians; and in 1848 machinery for grinding wheat was added. With the ravages of war these went down, but the energy and progressive spirit of Mr. Simonton have replaced them-the machinery improved and increased. In 1887 he had the misfortune to have his dwelling, tenement houses and out-houses -all except his mills, miller's house and smithy-destroyed by a cyclone, but they have all been restored, and he now rejoices in being in better condition than ever before, and proudly contemplates and enjoys the reward of his enter- prise and labor. Mr. Simonton was married in 1878 to Miss Margaret Johnston, born in Catoosa county, Ga., i11 1850, daughter of William H. and Susan (Adams) Johnston, who came to Georgia from North Carolina. Five children have blessed this union: Cora M., Susan R., Albert A., Margaret E., and William J. Mr. Johnston, Mrs. Simonton's father, came to Catoosa county in October, 1846, as a pioneer Presbyterian minister, having consecrated himself to the Master's cause. Mr. Simonton is a master Mason and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

B. A. SHARP, cotton broker and guano dealer. Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Andrew and Martha (Elliott) Sharp, was born in Alabama in 1840. His father, son of John Sharp, was born in the emerald isle, and came to the

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United States in 1818. He stopped in South Carolina a short time, and then, when about fifteen years of age, came to Georgia in an old-fashioned block-wheel cart, in which he afterward made many trips to South Carolina and back. He came as a teacher and followed that calling for many years. Mr. Sharp's mother, born in South Carolina, was a daughter of John Elliott, a soldier in the war of 1812, came from South Carolina to Georgia about 1835, lived in that state a few years, and then moved to Alabama, where her parents passed their lives. Mr. Sharp was reared on a farm in Alabama, and was educated in the historic log cabin school house. Thus equipped, he "opened school" himself, and was making a satisfactory record when the civil war broke out and he enlisted in 1861 in Company K (Capt. E. B. Smith), Thirteenth Alabama regiment (Maj. Marks, Col. B. D. Fry), which was assigned to the command of Gen. Raines. Among other engagements, he participated in the following important battles: Williams- burg, Seven Pines, and Richmond, and others in northern Virginia, was at Appomattox at the surrender, and walked all the way from there to Washington, Ga. He now began life in earnest, without a dollar, farming on shares. He was industrious, saving, successful, and now has a choice 365-acre farm in the county, and an interest in forty acres close to-partly inside-the corporate limits of Carrollton. He is engaged also in buying cotton and selling guano. He served four years satisfactorily as county commissioner. Mr. Sharp was married in Alabama in 1866 to Aphra A., daughter of Asa W. and Eliza Roundtree. To them four children have been born: Emmett A., Belle, Leila, and Bertram. Mr. Sharp is a member of the Farmers' alliance, a Knight of Honor, a member of the I. O. O. F., and a Royal Arch Mason. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist church. No citizen is more esteemed than he for business capacity and integrity, and no family enjoys a more enviable social position than his.

EDWIN R. SHARPE, editor and proprietor of the "Free Press," Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of William O. and Susannah (Harrell) Sharpe, was born in Chambers county, Ala., in 1841. His great-grandfather on his father's side, Rev. Thomas Reese, was a noted Presbyterian clergyman, and one of the signers of the Mecklenburg declaration. His paternal grandparents, Elam and Elizabeth (Miller) Sharpe, were natives of North Carolina, but moved to Pendleton, S. C., at an early age, where they lived and died. His father was born in South Carolina in 1819, and lived, in boyhood, in the same town with the great South Carolina statesman, Calhoun. When about seventeen years of age he left his South Car- olina home and went to West Point, Ga., in Troup county, where he engaged as a clerk in a store, and later went into business with Dr. J. A. Cherry, in which he remained several years. After his marriage, his wife's father having given him a fine tract, 600 acres, of land in "Miller's Bend," he engaged in farming. He was an enthusiastic and active politician, but would never accept an office. His great-grandfather on his mother's side, Miller, was born in Wales, was exiled on account of some publication in London, and came to South Carolina and published the first newspaper issued in the state, the "Pen- dleton Messenger." Mr. Sharpe's maternal grandparents were Samuel and Susannah (Heath) Harrell, he being a native North Carolinian. Mr. Sharpe was reared in Chambers county, Ala., and received his early education in the common schools of the day. He then went to a college in Tennessee, to prepare for entering the state university of Virginia, but in about a year the war began, and he quit college and joined the state troops. Soon after he enlisted in the Fourth Georgia regiment, Gen. Dole's brigade, and served through the war,

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a long time as sergeant. He was in many hotly contested, fiercely fought battles, and was severely wounded in the battle of the Wilderness on the skirmish line at Charlestown, W. Va., each time in the leg, the last time receiving three separate wounds, and was temporarily disabled for active service. After the war he went to West Point, Ga., where he taught school three years, when he and Judge Longley began the publication of the West Point "Shield," and continued it until 1871. Mr. Sharpe then came to Carrollton, where he established the "Carroll County Times," and published it until 1882, when he sold it. He then went to Texas, but soon returned, and in 1883 established the "Free Press," which he has continued to publish with financial success. In addition to the paper he has profitably con- ducted a farming interest. In 1888 he was elected to represent his senatorial district in the general assembly, and in 1890 he was elected to represent the county in the same body. That he served his constituency faithfully and well is evidenced by his election in 1894 to represent his senatorial district again. In 1868 Mr. Sharpe was married to Miss Annie E., daughter of H. H. and Eliza Greene, an old Georgia family of Greene county, said to be related to Gen. Nathaniel Greene. To them eight children have been born: Edwin, Annie, Robert L., Hamilton H., Lucy E., William O., Elam H., and Marcus L. He is a master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder since he was twenty-six years of age. He is progressive, "a. man of affairs," and deservedly popular and influential.

WILLIAM M. SPENCE, farmer, Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Hiram and Angeline (Cheney) Spence, was born in Morgan county, Ga., in 1845. His paternal grandparents, George and Mary (Knight) Spence, were born in Maryland, came to Georgia in ox-carts in 1798 and settled in the woods in what is now Morgan county. He was a delegate to the secession convention, served many years as a justice of the peace and lived to be a very old man. Mr. Spence's parents were born in Morgan county, his father in 1821, and removed to Carroll county in 1847, settling in the woods and clearing for a farm the place where Mr. Spence now lives. He was a justice of the peace many years. Dur- ing the war he served in the state militia and participated in the defense of Atlanta. Both parents were members of the Primitive Baptist church and were much esteemed by their neighbors. The parents of his mother, Thomas and Lucy Cheney, were born in Maryland and came to Georgia in 1798. They ranked among the best people in every respect. Mr. Spence was reared on the farm where he now lives, and taught by his mother, he learned his A B C's out of the old family bible. Then he attended school in a log cabin in the woods, with dirt floor, seats made of slabs and the chimney of sticks and mud, with square holes cut through the sides for windows. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Second Georgia regiment, known as state line troops, and after the Confed- erate army entered Georgia, served under Gens. Johnston and Hood. After the war he resumed farming, at which he has prospered and placed himself in com- fortable circumstances. Mr. Spence was married in 1868 to Miss Delphia McPhearson (born in Carroll county), daughter of Elijah and Sarah McPhear- son, who migrated from Tennessee to Georgia and were among the early settlers of the county. To him nine children have been born: Leon, Ella, Ida, Cora, William, Newton, Albert, Mary and Ivey. Mr. Spence is regarded as one of the county's most substantial and reliable citizens, and is highly respected by all who know hint. Mrs. Spence is a member of the Primitive Baptist church.

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HENRY H. STRICKLAND, farmer, Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of John M. and Sarah (Knight) Strickland, was born in Coweta county in 1842. His father was born in Butts county, Ga., in 1811, and his mother was a daughter of John Knight. Mr. Strickland was reared on the farm and received a good common-school education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B (Capt., after- ward Col. Ector) Thirteenth Georgia regiment, and was first in Gen. Lawton's brigade, then in Gen. J. B. Gordon's and lastly in Gen. Clement A. Evans'. He was with Gen. Evans when the following incident occurred: Gen. Evans received an order from Gen. Lee to assault and capture a certain position, but afterward, believing it too hazardous, Gen. Lee countermanded the order. Whenl Gen. Evans received the first order he made the assault and received the counter order in the captured position. Mr. Strickland was in the battles at Cotton hill, Martinsburg, Winchester, Cedar run, the seven days' fight, Spottsylvania court house, Sharpsburg and second Manassas, and in innumerable skirmishes in the valley, at one thirty days of almost continuous fighting. He was wounded three times-at Sharpsburg, Cedar run and second Manassas-one wound disabling him for nearly three months, but he escaped capture. After the war he attended Bowdon college two years and a half, afterward taught school three years and then engaged in farming, at which he has prospered, owns a fine landed estate, including a farm and property in Bowdon. Mr. Strickland was married in 187[ to Miss Mary E. Camp, born in Coweta county, daughter of G. W. and Mary A. (Colbert) Camp, and to them ten children have been born: Maud, George, Henry, John, Sallie, Lillian, Colbert, Lee, Warner and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. Strickland and all of their children save Sallie, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church south, and Mr. Strickland is a Master Mason. He has honestly obtained the high estimation in which he is held.

JAMES R. THOMASON, physician and surgeon, Mabry, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Bartlett and Mary (Thomason) Thomason, was born in Newton county, Ga., in 1826. His great-grandfather, William Thomason, was born in Ireland and came to America before the revolutionary war and was a soldier in the patriot army. His grandfather, William Thomason, was born in Virginia, whence he migrated to South Carolina. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. His parents were born in Abbeville district, South Carolina, and came to Georgia and settled in the woods of what is now Walton county, in 1816. They came in a borrowed ox-cart, and when they reached their destination their "goods and chattels" were disposed under a large tree and their friend took his departure. He and his wife then cleared an "opening" and began to farm, their principal food being corn and wild game. After enjoying this luxurious life a few years they moved into what is now Newton county, where his father bought his first land and cleared a farm. In addition to farming he practiced as a botanic doctor in the neighborhood for a number of years. He also "exercised" as a Methodist exhorter, and on many occasions in his early life he went to his "ap- pointments" on foot and barefooted, and barefooted stood and delivered his message. When he was married it was in a home-spun and wove home-made suit of white cotton cloth; it knew no dye pot. Dr. Thomason's grandfather on his mother's side, John Thomason, was a native of South Carolina and settled in what is now Newton county, early in the century. Dr. Thomason was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the primitive, oft described dirt floor log school-house, with its puncheon seats and mud and stick chimney. In 1844 he determined to be a doctor and began to study, he at the time being a clerk in a store where a doctor had an office, who gave him the privilege of using

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his books. In 1848 he went to his brother's in Coweta county, who became his preceptor! In 1849-50 he attended the medical college of Georgia at Augusta, and in 1850 located in Carroll county, remaining there three years; then removed to where he now lives. In 1860 he attended the Atlanta Medical college, and graduating just as the war begun, tendered his services to the Confederate army, which were rejected. He next made up a company and went to the army, but was sent home, not participating in a single battle. He managed, however, to serve awhile at one time during the war as captain of a militia company. After the war he resumed his practice, which he has continued since. In 1870 he was elected to represent his county in the general assembly and was re-elected in 1872, serving two terms. Dr. Thomason was married May 2, 1852, to Miss Maria L., born in Hancock county, Ga., in 1832, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Harris) Colbert, who moved to Coweta county in 1838. Her father was a Methodist preacher, born in Georgia in 1796, and was a son of John

and Elizabeth Colbert. Mrs. Thomason's mother, born in South Carolina in 1806, was a daughter of Thomas and Martha Harris. To Dr. and Mrs. Thomason six children have been born: James H., Francis G., Walter C., Ben- jamin B., John M. and Joseph R. Dr. Thomason is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has been a Master Mason since 1850. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist church, and he has been an ordained preacher since 1854. He is a popular and useful citizen and is very much liked by the community in which he lives.

D. N. TILLMAN, farmer, Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Asa and Marinda (Sparks) Tillman, was born in Fayette county, Ga., in 1835. His father was born in South Carolina, and while yet a youth ran away from home. He went into the army during the war of 1812 as a substitute for a man named Felix Simonton and served through the war. In after life he drew a pension for this service. Mr. Tillman's maternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth (Small) Sparks, were natives of Ireland, who came to Georgia early in this century and were among the pioneer settlers of Newton county. Mr. Tillman was reared on a farm in Carroll county and went to school in all his life only six days. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F (Capt. Curtis), Nineteenth Georgia regiment, which was first assigned to Gen. Hampton's command, afterward to that of Gen. J. J. Archer and finally to Gen. Colquitt's brigade, in which he remained until the surrender. He participated in quite a number of battles, some of them the most important fought during the war. He was at Seven Pines, May 30 and June I, 1862, and in the seven days' fight around Richmond, commencing June 26, 1862, and was wounded in the right breast by a ball near Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862. He was at Antietanı, Sept. 17, 1862; at Mecklenburg, Dec. 13, 1862, where he was wounded in the left hand; Chancellorsville, May 1, 1863; Kings- ton, N. C .; siege of Charleston, Morris Island; Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1864, where he was wounded across right arm; Bentonville, N. C., and the siege of Petersburg, June 18, 1864, where he was wounded in the right leg by a piece of shell. He was in every battle in which his command was engaged except when temporarily disabled by wounds. He rendered good and faithful service in the ranks throughout the war. The war being over he returned to Carroll county and engaged in farming, and although he had to start on nothing but good health, a strong will and a determined spirit, he has a good, well-improved farm and comfortable home. Except serving eight years as justice of the peace, he has devoted all his time and energies to his farm, which he manages on the progressive principles of the day. Mr. Tillman was married in 1865 to Miss

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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 64

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