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 65

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 65

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Mary A. McPherson, born and reared in Carroll county, daughter of Elijah and Sarah McPherson, early settlers of Carroll county, coming in 1829. To them five children were born: Amanda, Charles N., Henry, Dora and Daniel. Mrs. Till- man, who was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, died in 1885. Oct. 20, 1885, Mr. Tillman contracted a second marriage with Miss Nancy J. Adams, born in Carroll county, daughter of Robert and Martha A. (Jones) Adams, early set- tlers of Coweta county. This marriage has been blessed with three children: Samuel, Robert W. and John. Mr. and Mrs. Tillman are members of the Primi- tive Baptist church, and their unostentatious worth commands the general respect and esteem of all who know them.

THOMAS TOLBERT, farmer and retired stock-trader, Villa Rica, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Roland A. and Elizabeth (Tolbert) Tolbert, was born in Villa Rica in 1836. His paternal great-grandparents, Thomas and Judia (Reeves) Tolbert, were natives of Ireland, came to America in the last half of the last century and settled in North Carolina. He cleared and cultivated a farm, and also engaged in gold-digging. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church. Mr. Tolbert's father was born in North Carolina, July 3, 1799, and is now alive and in good health at the home of the subject of this sketch. His educational advantages were meager, as he had to work hard and long and late on the farm. He came to Georgia and settled in Madison county in 1827; but in 1832 came to Villa Rica to work the gold mines. He continued this until 1853, when he engaged in

When farming and followed it until 1872, when he went to live with his son. he came to Carroll the country and the mines were rough, whisky was freely drank and free fights of the fists and skull, rough-and-tumble sort, were common. Mr. Tolbert was usually "at home" for all comers, though he sought no conflict. He was a member of the military force which escorted the Indians to their new homes, and draws a pension now for that service. He was the eldest of eight children, and is the only one now living. He is a devout and exemplary member of the Methodist church. Mr. Tolbert's maternal grandparents were Josiah and Bersheba (Cran- ford) Tolbert. He was born in North Carolina, and she was of English parentage; was born in 1795 and died in March 25, 1872. She was a strict member of the Methodist church from childhood, and was the mother of six children, who all grew to maturity, and two of whom are now living-a daughter and the subject of this sketch. J. Thomas Tolbert was reared on the farm, and work was such an imperative necessity that he attended school but little. In 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Georgia battalion artillery, Maj. Austin Leyden, with which he served until July, 1863, when he was transferred to Company E, First Georgia cavalry. On one occasion he and five others were out on a scout and suddenly came upon a company of guerrillas, who chased them five miles, shooting at them all the time; but they finally escaped. He was in many hard fights, but never wounded. At the siege of Knoxville-1864-he was captured by the same men, an interesting coincidence, who chased him when scouting. He was held until after the surrender-sometimes, he alleges, on starvation rations. After his release he went to Cincinnati, where he remained about seventeen months, and then returned to his old home in Carroll county. Mr. Tolbert was married Dec. 19, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth W., daughter of Valentine Mc. and Elizabeth (Rice) Hodgson, of English descent. Six children have blessed their marriage-Thomas W., Elizabeth H., wife of Lyman Stutts; Minnie R., and Elba, living, and Abby Estelle and Montra May, deceased. After marriage Mr. Tolbert went to farming, supplementing it with trading in stock, prospering beyond his most sanguine

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CARROLL COUNTY SKETCHES.

expectations He is now one of the most substantial and ranks among the best citizens in Carroll county. Mr. Tolbert's success illustrates the great possibilities of life in Georgia when pluck and perseverance are coupled with energy and fair business judgment. Financially and socially himself and family occupy first-class positions. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

HENRY M. WILLIAMS, physician and surgeon, Bowdon, Carroll Co., Ga., son of John B. and Mary (Strother) Williams, was born in Meriwether county, Ga., Aug. 5, 1834. His great-grandfather was a native of Ireland and came to America about the middle of the last century and settled in Virginia. His grandparents, Samuel and Susan Williams, were born in Virginia, migrated thence to South Carolina, and from there they removed, in 1805, to Georgia and settled in Jones county-moving, as was the fashion and the necessity in those days, in ox-carts. Dr. Williams' father was born in 1800 in Edgefield district, S. C., and came with the family to Georgia in 1805. When growing up he only received six months' schooling, but learned a great deal at home by studying by the light of a pine-knot firelight at night. His lifetime pursuit was that of a farmer, and from choice and necessity he was his own blacksmith, wood-worker, and shoemaker. He rcmoved to and settled in Meri- wether county in 1825, where he made himself a good farm and a comfortable home. He was a Primitive Baptist in religion, and in forty years' preaching gained an enviable local reputation. It was his custom on preaching day to carry his shoes with him to the field, where he would work until the last minute, then take his shoes in his hand and go bare-footed until he crossed the last branch, when he would wash his feet, put on his shoes, and go to the church and preach. Returning, he would remove his shoes and walk home bare-footed. Dr. Williams' maternal grandfather, John Strother, was a native Georgian. Dr. Williams was reared and attended school at Rocky Mount, in Meriwether county. The school was of the "regulation" order of architecture of the period-log house, dirt floor, split-log seats, stick and mud chimney, and square apertures cut through the sides for windows. In 1858 he began the study of medicine, Dr. M. H. Westbrook being his preceptor, and in 1859 he entered the medical college at Nashville, Tenn., attended one course, and commenced the practice. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F (Capt. I. Curtis), Nineteenth Georgia regiment (Col. W. W. Boyd), Colquitt's brigade. He was in many battles, notably Seven Pines and the seven days' fight around Richmond. At the last-named fight he was wounded on the first day and was off duty for ninety days, but immediately on his recovery he returned to his command and participated in the battles at Bunker Hill and Chancellorsville and was afterward with Gen. Colquitt in Florida in the battle of Olustee, where he was again wounded, this time in the left leg, and disabled for active service. He, however, entered the state militia, with which he remained until the surrender. After that he went to Alabama, where he remained a year, and then came to Bowdon and located and established himself in his profession- under a license. In 1874 he attended a course of lectures at the Georgia Medical college, Augusta, and in 1875 he was graduated from Atlanta Medical college. He has continued in the practice at Bowdon, where he has established a fine reputation and secured a large and remuncrative practice. He is the leading physician and the highest medical authority in that locality. Dr. Williams was happily married in 1869 to Miss Cora Hight-born and reared in Carroll county- daughter of William B. and Mary (Tolbert) Hight. Mr. Hight was a pioneer, a farmer, and a leading merchant. This union has been blessed with eight children : Anna, Nora, Paul, Ernest, Ida, Jonnie, Willie and Manzie. Dr. 1

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Williams is a royal arch Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Baptist church. Anna, Nora and Ernest are members of the Baptist church.

JASPER J. WILLIAMSON, a wealthy and prominent citizen of Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Robert and Matilda (Goggens) Williamson, was born in South Carolina in 1838. His grandfather, John Williamson, was born in South Carolina in 1791 and was a soldier in the war of 1812-14. His maternal grandfather, James Goggens, was also a South Carolinian. His father came from South Carolina to Georgia in 1850, bringing all he had in a four-horse wagon and a one-horse cart, laid his claim and settled in Coweta county. In 1854 he removed to Carroll county and settled four miles west of Carrollton. Mr. Williamson was twelve years old when his father came to Georgia, and received such an education as could be imparted by a plain teacher in a dirt- floor log cabin, with openings cut in the logs to let the light in and furnished with puncheon seats. He walked three miles to school and attended only in the intervals between working the crops. After his graduation he taught school himself a while. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K (Capt. J. D). Calhoun), Eighteenth Alabama regiment (Col. Bullock), and was assigned to Gen. Gladden's command. He was in several hard-fought battles, among them Shiloh and Chicka- mauga, where he was wounded. He was captured at Marietta, Ga., and sent to Camp Douglas, Ill., and held a prisoner until after the surrender. After the war he returned to Alabama, where he lived and farmed for three years, when he moved to Carroll county and conducted his plantation until 1886; then he removed to Carrollton to enjoy his ample income and the social advantages of town life. He has a fine plantation and two large brick business houses in Carrollton. In 1866 Mr. Williamson was married to Miss Julia A., daughter of Louis' and Nancy (Brown) Walker, by whom he has had one child-Nancy E. Mrs. Williamson is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Williamson is a master Mason.

JOHN H. WORD, merchant, Bowdon, Carroll Co., Ga., son of John Bryson and Amelia (Sparks) Word, was born in Carroll county in 1836. His great-grand- father, Charles Word, was a revolutionary soldier and was killed in the battle of King's Mountain. His grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Bryson) Word were North Carolinians, and he was a soldier in the revolutionary army. His father was born in Surry county, N. C., Jan. 1, 1796, and his mother in Franklin county, Ga., June 15, 1803. He came to Georgia when a young man and settled in Franklin as a school-teacher and taught there for many years, many of the scholars coming as many as seven miles to school. Himself and wife were mar- ried July 22, 1819. In 1836 he removed to Carroll county, where he soon rose to considerable prominence and was elected a justice of the inferior court, and for many years was a justice of the peace. On one occasion he married a couple and a short time afterward they called on him to "un-marry" them. For many years he was a deacon of the Baptist church. Mr. Word's mother was a daughter of Elijah and Amelia Sparks, early settlers in the country near Atlanta. Mr. Word was reared on the farm, which he made his home until he married. He received a good common-school education and taught school a short time. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B (Capt. Charles A. McDaniel), Cobb's legion, and partici- pated in many hard-fought battles-among them Dam No. I, Yorktown, seven days' fight around Richmond, concluding with Malvern Hill, etc. He went to Maryland, but was too late for the Second Manassas. He was at the battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14, 1862, where he lost his

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CATOOSA COUNTY SKETCHES.

left leg and was taken prisoner. Only four of his company escaped death or wounds. A month elapsed before his leg was amputated; after it was done he took the smallpox, was struck by lightning, and then he had to submit to a second amputation. In 1863 he was elected clerk of the superior court and served two years, and was made a notary public and filled the office six years at Bowdon. In the meantime he began a general merchandise business at Bowdon, and although he had but very small capital he has been eminently successful. He made his first start in business before the war closed, but some Federal troops passed that way, took everything he had and broke hint up. In 1884 he was elected to represent the county in the general assembly and served one term. In 1893 he was elected county commissioner of Carroll county and took an active and prominent part in building the new court house. In 1866 Mr. Word was married to Miss Virginia, daughter of William and Ann (Stringer) Colquitt, South Carolinian born. Mr. Colquitt was a soldier in the Confederate army during the war, and a part of the time was a guard at the Andersonville prison. When he was married he and his wife began housekeeping with only a frying-pan and two old chairs, but they are better, and more comfortably, if not luxuriously, "fixed" now. Himself and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. He is a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises.

CATOOSA COUNTY.

J. W. ANDERSON, physician, Ringgold, was born in Catoosa county, March 12, 1863. His father is John R. Anderson, a native of Virginia, born Dec. 13, 1823, who settled at Crawfordville, Ga., in his youth with his parents and became a citizen of Catoosa county in 1848. In 1857 he married Hattie Samas, of Cal- houn, formerly of Monroe county, a lady highly connected. Her grand-uncle was Hon. William H. Crawford. Her uncle was Hon. N. C. Barnett, for many years secretary of state, and one of the leading citizens of Georgia. By their marriage they had two children, J. W. and Carmetia, the wife of Dr. Thomas Hackett, of Catoosa county. Dr. Anderson was reared in Catoosa county and was educated at the Masonic Literary institute in Ringgold. For several years he was in the service of the Western Atlantic Railway company as conductor. He resolved to prepare himself for the medical profession, and began the study of medicine at Ringgold with Dr. T. Hackett. Later he entered the college of physicians and surgeons at Baltimore, Md., and prosecuted his studies at this institution during 1883-84, completing his course at the Southern Medical college in Atlanta, where he was graduated in March, 1885. In 1889 he commenced the practice of his profession at Ringgold, where he has attained excellent success and enjoys a large general practice in Catoosa county and in the state of Ten- nessee. In his professional calling he has acquired the confidence of his patients and the public generally by reason of his skill as a physician, and his standing as a gentleman and a citizen. His standard of professional ethics is high, and he is popular among his professional brethren. On December 23, 1890, he was married to Miss Annie L. Jones, daughter of Capt. R. J. Jones, of Catoosa county, and at present clerk of the superior court. The mother of Dr. Anderson died in Catoosa county in 1886. His father is still living in this county. Dr. Anderson is a member of the masonic fraternity, Quitman lodge No. 106, at Ringgold. I-29

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

WILLIAM JEROME BAZEMORE, M. D. Dr. Bazemore is an esteemed citizen of Ringgold and one of the leading physicians of Catoosa county. He is a native of Crawford county, Ga., where he was born June 30, 1844. His father was Washington Bazemore, a native of Alabama, who served in the Florida Indian war in 1836-37. Washington married Eliza Wright, born in Crawford county, Ga., daughter of Robert Wright, a native of Ireland and an early settler in Crawford county. By this marriage they have six children: Dr. G. M. Baze- more, now an eminent physician of Cleveland, Tenn., and surgeon for the South- ern Railway company at that place; R. M., of Dalton, who served in the Sixth Georgia regiment during the late war, and lost a leg at Gettysburg; Missouri E., who married Dr. R. A. Wilson, of Aphison, Tenn .; William J .; Susan, de- ceased, and Nannie J. Turrentine, of Richland, Fla. The father of Dr. Bazemore died in 1855 and his mother in 1853. He was at an early age deprived of the care and council of his parents, and practically thrown upon his own resources. But he soon developed courage and energy in the battle of life. He attended the schools of Crawford county until the commencement of the war, and in July, 1861, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Twenty-second Georgia state troops, commanded by Col. Barklew, his brigadier-commander being Wil- liam H. Harrison. For one year he saw service at Savannah and on the eastern coast, where he was engaged in erecting and perfecting coast defenses. His term of service having expired, he went to Virginia, where he visited Richmond during the seven days' fight, his object being to re-enlist in the Sixth Georgia. However he changed his mind and returned to Georgia, bringing with him to Macon Col. T. J. Simmons, who is now one of the judges of the supreme court of the state, and who had been severely wounded in the campaign around Richmond. On his return to Georgia he joined the Ocmulgee rangers, under Col. Charles T. Goode, and was ordered to Chattanooga, where he participated in the Tennessee campaign under Gen. Peghrum. He fought at Chickamauga and at Missionary Ridge in 1863, and in the campaign of 1864 he saw active service and constant fighting under Johnston from Dalton to Atlanta, being engaged at Resaca, New Hope church, Kennesaw mountain, Peachtree creek and in the siege of Atlanta. He was special escort for W. H. T. Walker when killed at Decatur. He fought at Jonesboro and at Fairburn. He accompanied Wheeler's cavalry through east Tennessee to the Salt Works in Virginia and was engaged in the battle of Aiken, S. C., and Bentonville, N. C. He was mustered out of service with the surrender of Johnston's army at Smithville, after under- going four years of hard and perilous service in defense of the Confederacy. He proved himself a gallant soldier, was only absent thirty days from his command, and suffered the most painful hardships without a murmur. He returned to Crawford county without means or property, but with courage undaunted, and the experience of four years' trial in that kind of service, which is well adapted to test the patience and endurance of man. His education was still unfinished and his means inadequate to effect his advancement. For two years he superintended a cotton plantation for W. H. Ross, and in 1868 he moved to Fort Valley, Ga., and then completed his literary education. He was anxious to enter one of the learned professions, and in 1869 entered the Jefferson medical college at Philadel- phia, where he engaged in the study of medicine and surgery during 1869-70, and in 1871-72 he continued his studies in the medical department of the university of Louisville, Ky., where he graduated in the latter year with high honor and received a diploma for one of the best essays delivered. He settled in Catoosa county and entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he continued for five years. He moved to Chattanooga in search of a larger field for his profes-

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CATOOSA COUNTY SKETCHES.

sional labors, and forming an alliance with his brother, Dr. G. M. Bazemore, he acquired a very large and lucrative practice. Owing to ill health in his family he was compelled to return from Chattanooga to Ringgold, where he has resided since 1891, still engaged in the duties of his profession. He is recognized as an able, talented and experienced physician and surgeon. In 1873 Dr. Bazemore married Miss Amelia Gray, of Grayville, Ga., daughter of R. T. Gray, and a niece of Hon. John T. Gray. They had six children, five of whom survive: Mal- comb G., Fannie E., Charles Washington, Jerome and Ruth E. Royden J. is the deceased child.

WILLIAM E. MANN. This well-known member of the Catoosa county bar is a resident of Ringgold. He was born in Gordon county in 1862. His father is Dr. Joel J. Mann, a prominent physician of Floyd county, and his paternal grandfather is Edmund S. Mann, a native of Georgia, now living at an advanced age in Gordon county. Dr. Mann married Miss Sally Hunter and had eight children: Anna, wife of Preston B. Smith; William E .; Rev. A. J. Mann, a min- ister of the Presbyterian church, now living at Everett Springs, in Floyd county; Joel J., Jr .; Lula, deceased wife of Monroe Parrot; Robert Lee, at present en- gaged in teaching in Whitfield county; Alice and Della. The mother of Mr. Mann is still living. His father, Dr. Mann, entered the Confederate service and served through the war. William E. was reared in Gordon and Floyd counties, his parents settling in the latter county in 1870. He attended the common schools and the high school at Subligna. In 1880 he entered the North Georgia agricul- tural college at Dahlonega, where he pursued a classical course of study during two years, and was graduated in 1882 with the degree of bachelor of arts. He had already formed a strong inclination for the legal profession and began the study of law in the office of Dabney & Fouche at Rome, Ga. In 1883, at the fall term of the superior court of Floyd county, he was admitted to the bar by Hon. Joel Brannon, presiding judge. Immediately thereafter he settled in Ring- gold and entered upon the active duties of his profession. He soon found him- self riding on the wave of success and popularity. He received retainers in important railroad litigation pending in his county and rapidly acquired a repu- tation for success in the management of corporate cases and a knowledge of the principles of this important branch of jurisprudence. Commensurate with his growing reputation as an advocate and counselor, his practice increased in the Cherokee circuit, and he now ranks among the leading lawyers of that circuit, so long distinguished for its legal talent. His practice, which has been of a general character, together with his studious habits, has familiarized his mind with the various branches of jurisprudence and he is alike at his ease as an advocate before a jury, or in discussing the technical niceties and distinctions of the rules of equity jurisprudence in a court of chancery. Mr. Mann has never taken an active interest in political affairs, but during his life he has ever clung to the teachings of Jefferson, and the cardinal doctrines of the democratic party. He served two terms as mayor of Ringgold to the satisfaction of its inhabitants and has always taken an active interest in the progress of his town. He is in every sense a man of affairs, active and energetic, in whom the public have implicit confidence, and for whom the future has much in store. On Sept. 27, 1892, he married Miss Irene Gordon, of Ringgold, daughter of Judge Thomas M. Gordon. Mr. Mann is an active member of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the masonic fraternity at Ringgold-Quitman lodge No. 106. On June 24, 1895, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Mann, whose name is William Gordon Mann.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

CHARLTON COUNTY.

JOHN J. UPCHURCH, lumberman, Race Pond, Charlton Co., Ga., was born in Nassau county, Fla., March 18, 1861. He was the son of N. S. and Sarah A. (Parker) Upchurch, and of a family that early settled in that state. He attend- ed the common schools and completed his education by private instruction. Be- fore reaching manhood he was embarked in business, at the same time displaying a liking for the excitement of politics. After a warm contest he was elected one of the representatives of Nassau county in the Florida legislature in 1887 and 1888, enjoying the distinction of being the first democrat to represent that constituency in the lower branch of the state legislature. In 1889 Mr. Up- church moved to Race Pond, Ga., and engaged in business. He also entered into the councils of his party and took a prominent part in shaping its cam- paigns. In 1894 he was elected to the Georgia senate from the fourth senatorial district, and served on several important committees of that body. Mr. Upchurch was married April 7, 1890, to Miss Susan Hawkins, a daughter of Dr. T. D. Hawkins, an eminent physician of King's Ferry, Fla. She was born March 28, 1867. Three boys-George, Frank and John-have blessed this union. Mr. Upchurch is a partner in the sawmill firm of Dyal & Upchurch and enjoys a high standing in a business as well as a social way.

CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY.

WILLIAM H. BAGLEY, sheriff, Cusseta, Chattahoochee Co., Ga., son of Samuel M. and Mary A. (Goody) Bagley, was born in Chattahoochee coun- ty, March 24, 1862. His father was a prominent planter and quite influential and popular politically, was a soldier in the Confederate army during the late "unpleasantness," and for some years was sheriff of the county. When Mr. Bag- ley was eight years old his father went to Louisiana, where he remained eighteen months, and then returned to Chattahoochee county, which has since been his home. When in Louisiana he attended school about six months, and had only limited schooling afterward. At the age of nineteen years he went on a farm by himself and commenced farming. He has been quite successful and is already one of the popular citizens of the county. After having acceptably served four years as bailiff he was in 1892 elected sheriff, an office he bids fair to be elected to for many succeeding terms. Mr. Bagley was married Dec. 2, 1881, to Miss Princess E., daughter of George Willis, formerly a prosperous farmer, who was killed while serving in the army during the late war. To them five children have been born: Henry Amber, Bertie Lee, Mary Agnes, Flossie and Willis Frank. Mr. Bagley's public service has but just begun.

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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 65

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