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 70

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 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PATRICK HUES MELL, D. D., LL. D., late chancellor of the university of Georgia, Athens, was the second of the children and the eldest son of Maj. Benjamin and Cynthia (Sumner) Mell, and was born in Walthourville, Liberty Co., Ga., July 10, 1814. His father was a very wealthy planter, sympathetic and generous to a fault. Unfortunately he endorsed ruinously heavy for a friend, who, failing to meet his obligation Maj. Mell had to pay the debt, thereby wreck- ing his fortune. Under this financial reversal his health gave way and within two years he died, followed two or three years later by his widow. Thus Dr. Mell at the early age of seventeen found himself burdened with the care of a ruined estate and of his brothers and sisters. Generously relinquishing his portion of the patrimony saved from the wreck he started to work out life's problem-obtain an education and regain if possible the property and social position lost by his father's misfortune. Fortunately previous thorough training and good schooling had laid a foundation deep and strong on which to build. This was largely due to his excellent mother, and a friend of the family writes that he was "a perfect reproduction of his mother in form, in features, in character and in mind," proving the old saying: "That men of mark are chiefly indebted to their mothers for their superiority." In the excellent English and classical school at Walthourville the opportunity was afforded of paying for his higher studies by teaching the pri- mary classes, of which he availed himself. He was soon offered a good position at an academy near Darrien, Ga., which was under the direction of Col. Bradwell, where, as a teacher he could pay his way as before. In a letter written to him by his mother just before she died and while he was at school, the longings of the mother's heart and her influence over her boy stood out glowingly and lovingly in the following passage: "Earnestly as I wish a son of mine to be a minister, yet I tremble at the idea of educating and devoting a son to the sacred profession without previously satisfactory evidence that his own soul was right with God. My heart burns to see you in every sense of the word a true Christian. Other studies are very commendable and right, but let those which tend directly to re-

481

CLARKE COUNTY SKETCHES.

ligious subjects have the first place in your thoughts and affections. Let these pages, my dear boy, be a testimony before God and keep them as a sign between you and me, that I am in earnest as to a subject where indifference would be sin." The devoted mother did not live to see the fruits of her work, but God answered her prayers by giving to the country a noble life, the influence of which was felt for more than fifty years through the length and breadth of this southern land. In 1832, a few years after the date of the letter quoted from, Dr. Mell was baptized at North Newport Baptist church in Liberty county. His struggles to obtain an education attracted the attention of a wealthy gentleman-Hon. George W. Walthour-who offered to pay the expenses of a collegiate course. His offer was accepted and in 1833 he entered Amherst college, Amherst, Mass. To reduce expenses he taught during vacations and six weeks into the new term, keeping up with the studies and standing an examination on resuming studies in college. Being high-spirited, with a keen sense of independence, he determined to call on his benefactor for as little money as possible. For reasons of a private nature he declined further assistance before his college term closed. Subsequent unjust treatment on the part of the faculty and individual professors determined him to leave the college. With only five dollars in his pocket he walked to Springfield, twenty niiles, found a vacancy in West Springfield and was installed as a teacher. This was in 1835. There he spent a year; then yielding to earnest solicitations he became associate principal of the high school in East Hartford, Conn., where he remained twelve months. About this time Col. McAllister of Savannah, a wealthy gentleman and formerly a friend of Maj. Mell, met him and offered to pay his way through Yale college, but he refused the proffered aid. Declining eligible offers he returned to Georgia in 1837 and engaged in teaching and preaching. In 1856 he was appointed to the presidency of Cherokee college, Ga .; principal of the Columbus, Ga., male high school; principal of the Baptist Female college, Talladega, Ala .; pastor of the Talladega Baptist church and professor of ancient languages in the university of Georgia. He declined all except the last; was elected and in January, 1857, entered upon the discharge of his duties. In accepting, however, he had stipulated that the duties of his chair should not disturb his relations with the churches at Antioch and Bairdstown, and that Sunday and Saturday of each week should be allowed him. This arrange- ment was maintained until he was elected chancellor of the university in 1878. In 1856 Dr. Mell was elected president of the Georgia Baptist convention, and except when kept at home by sicknesss was continuously re-elected until his death in 1888. In 1858 Freeman university of South Carolina conferred on him the degree of doctor of divinity. Dr. Church resigned the presidency of Franklin college (now university of Georgia) in 1859. This left vacant the chair of ethics and metaphysics, to which Dr. Mell was elected in 1860, holding it until it was abol- ished in 1872. He was a strong sympathizer with the south; so strong that when, in 1861, a company called the Mell riflemen was organized, he was tendered and accepted the captaincy and was duly commissioned by Gov. Brown. This com- pany was assigned to Cobb's legion, and he was preparing to leave when, July 6, 1861, his wife died, leaving a large family of children-some quite young. He reluctantly resigned, but had he gone his family would have been left helpless and destitute. He contracted a second marriage Dec. 24, 1861, with Miss Eliza E. Cooper of Screven county, Ga., by whom he had six children, of whom five are living. In 1863 the people of Athens resolved to organize for the defense of north Georgia, and Dr. Mell was waited on by a committee of citizens and in- vited to take command with rank of colonel. He accepted, and the chancellor and faculty and nearly all the students joined, and the command went into camp at

I-31

482

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Rome, afterward at Savannah, served through the war and at its close was mus- tered out. On Jan. 1, 1866, the exercises of the university were resumed. In 1868 permission was asked of Dr. Mell to present his name for the presidency of the university of Alabama. Having determined to devote his life to Georgia he refused. July 2, 1869, Howard college of Alabama, conferred on him the degree of LL. D. As a presiding officer and parliamentarian he was regarded as having no superior, and in all the gatherings of his denomination he was quickly given a front position. This statement is verified by the fact that he was clerk of the Georgia Baptist association six years, 1845-46-1851, and afterward its moderator thirty years; secretary of the Georgia Baptist convention ten years, 1845-46-1855, and then president of it twenty-six years, and for seventeen years, to the date of his death, was president of the southern Baptist convention. In response to a request by resolution Dr. Mell prepared a manual of parliamentary practice, which was adopted and published by the southern Baptist convention in 1868. During the entire time he presided over the several conventions he encountered but one or two reversals. The Georgia Baptists had for a hundred years met on a certain day, but such was their esteem for him as a brother, and appreciation of him as a presiding officer, that in 1885 the day was changed to meet his con- venience. Notwithstanding liis arduous and multiplying engagements he found time to write and publish much. Some of his most highly prized publications are: On Baptism, History of Georgia Baptists, Predestination, Calvinism, God's Providential Government, Philosophy of Prayer, Keep the Sabbath, The Lord's Supper, Coming to Christ, College Government-the Dormitory System, Uni- versity of Georgia-Defended, University of Georgia-Reply to Criticisms, The Fathers of Our Association (Georgia). Dec. 12, 1887, he preached his last ser- mon, and died Jan. 12, 1888, his last utterance being: "I commit my soul to God in Christ Jesus, glory be to God."

THOMAS SUMNER MELL, lawyer, Athens, Clarke Co., Ga., son of Patrick H. and Lurene (Howard) Mell, was born in Athens Feb .. 1, 1859. His father was chancellor of the university of Georgia (see sketch of Patrick Hues Mell in these memoirs). Mr. Mell was raised in Athens, where he enjoyed the very best educational advantages and graduated from the university of Georgia in 1878 with the degree of bachelor of arts, and in 1879 with the degree of master of arts and civil and mechanical engineer. He then engaged in the study of law and at the July term, 1880, of Oconee superior court was admitted to the bar. He stands high professionally, has a large practice and the confidence of the people and is very popu- lar. In 1893 he was city attorney for Athens and in 1894 was elected to represent the county in the general assembly, and was appointed chairman of the committee on enrollment and member of committees on finance, general judiciary and rules. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the I. O. O. F. and of the Baptist church.

SYLVANUS MORRIS, professor of law, university of Georgia, Athens, son of Charles and Mary (Minor) Morris, was born in Goochland county, Va., Oct. 8, 1855. His father was a native of Virginia. In 1869 he came to Athens to accept the professorship of belles-lettres in the university of Georgia. Mr. Morris has lived since infancy in Georgia and was raised and educated in Athens. He graduated from the university with the degree of master of arts in 1875, then taught school in Athens two years, in the meantime preparing for the legal pro- fession under the preceptorship of Ex-United States Senator Pope Barrow, now of Savannah, Ga. In 1877 he was admitted to the bar, entered into partnership

483

CLARKE COUNTY SKETCHES.

with Hon. Emory Speer, now judge of the United States district court, southern district of Georgia, and located at Jefferson, Ga. This partnership was dissolved in 1878, when Judge Speer was elected to Congress and Mr. Morris moved to Athens, which has since been his home. He was appointed by Gov. Colquitt solicitor of the city court of Athens and held the office ten years, performing faithful and highly appreciated service, and for three years was connected with the law department of the Richmond & Danville railway. Prof. Morris was married in January, 1890, to Miss Annie L., daughter of Robert Walker Lewis of Rich- mond, Va. Two children were born to them, but both died. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.

RUFUS LAFAYETTE MOSS, cotton commission merchant, Athens, Clarke Co., Ga., son of John D. and Martha (Strong) Moss, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., Jan. 13, 1825. His father was a native of Mecklenburg county, Va .; came to Georgia and settled in Oglethorpe county in 1806, removed to Athens in 1854, where he died in 1863, aged seventy-one years. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain, and, after retiring from military life, he devoted his time and enegies to farming, owning plantations in Georgia and Alabama. In 1824 he married Miss Martha Strong, daughter of Charles Strong, of Hanover county, Va. Mr. Strong enlisted in 1781 as soldier in the patriot army during the revo- lutionary war, was in the battle of Yorktown and present at the surrender of Corn- wallis. Mr. Moss spent his boyhood days on his father's plantation in Oglethorpe county, and was educated in the country schools of the time. He began business when seventeen years of age, engaging as clerk with a general merchandise firm in Athens, receiving for the first fifteen months a salary of $150 and boarding himself. The next year he received $200, and the succeeding year $250. In 1846 he formed a partnership with Maj. Blanton Hill, and embarked in a general merchandise business in Athens, with a stock of $7,500. Five years afterward the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Moss selling his interest, the firm having cleared in that time $22,500. In 1851-52 he had charge of the Athens Foundry and Machine works, of which he was one of the original stockholders. His next venture was in a general merchandise store in Athens, with a branch store in Lexington, Oglethorpe Co., Ga. This business he successfully conducted for four years. Later, in partnership with W. H. H. White, he went into the dry goods business in Athens, under the firm name of Moss & White. In 1860 Mr. Moss bought his partner's interest and continued the business until the beginning of the civil war. In 1862 he enlisted under the command of Gen. Howell Cobb, and was assigned to duty in Florida as assistant clerk in the commissary department. In November, 1864, he was transferred to Atlanta and placed in charge of the commissary department there, retaining the position until the surrender. For eighteen months after the surrender, his health having been greatly impaired, he was disabled by sickness from engaging in business. On his recovery, he was placed in charge of Princeton (cotton) factory, which position he held for two years. Following this he went into the shoe business, and, later, took charge of the Pioneer Paper mill, located four miles from Athens. Resigning this position at the end of two years, he went into the cotton commission business, which he has conducted successfully to the present time, his first partner being Maj. John J. Thomas. His present partner is his son, John D. Moss. The uprightness, integrity and purity of the life Mr. Moss has lived before the people of Athens and the business world, have given to his financial standing the strength which has enabled him to stand firm in the midst of panics and hard times. As city councilman, by personally endorsing the notes of the town, he raised its credit from fifty cents on the dollar, to par value.

484

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

He was director of the State bank, at Athens, for ten years, and has been for twenty years director of the First National Bank of Athens. Mr. Moss was married in Athens in 1848 to Miss Mary Anthony, daughter of Rev. Samuel Anthony, one of the most influential and revered Methodist preachers of his time. This lady died a month after her marriage, while on their bridal tour, at Rome, N. Y. In 1856 he contracted a second marriage, wedding Miss Elizabeth Luckie, daughter of the late Dickinson Luckie, of Covington, Ga., a union which has been blessed with eight children, of whom six survive. Of these, Rufus Lafayette, jr., is an energetic young business man, rendering efficient service in the interest of the Central Railroad of Georgia; John D. Moss is the junior member of the firm of R. L. Moss & Co., and Wm. L. is a student of the state university. His daughters. are, Mrs. Emmet J. Bondurant, Eliza B. and Sarah H. Moss. To say that Mr. Moss is a member of the Methodist church, and has been a steward therein for forty years, fails to give an idea of the beauty and benevolence of the straightforward, simple, Christian life of this venerable southern gentleman, the motto of whose life seems, to one who knows him, to be, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."

R PHINIZY. No two names in Georgia, particularly in Clarke county, are more widely and none anywhere more honorably known, than those of Billups and Phinizy-the first in legislative and political circles, the last as progressive business men and financiers, and both in the very best social circles. The best blood of both mingles in Billups Phinizy, banker, Athens, Clarke Co., Ga., who was born in Augusta, Ga., Feb. 27, 1861. When only two years old he was brought to Athens by his parents, where he was educated and grew to manhood. He took an engineering course at the university of Georgia, completing it and graduating in 1881. His first business venture was in the grocery business, which he carried on with profitable results for seven or eight years. He is now president of the Bank of the University and of the Athenaeum company. He is also a director of the Southern Mutual Insurance company, and of the Athens Manufacturing company; and, also, senior partner of the cotton firm of Phinizy & Griffin, positions which bear ample testimony that his fellow-citizens recognize in him the very highest business sagacity and qualifica- tions and financial ability. Mr. Phinizy was married in 1886 to Miss Nellie, daughter of Bolling A. Stovall, and to them four children have been born: Anna B., Bolling S., Mattie S., and Nellie. He is a prominent member of the Presby- terian church.

REUBEN NICKERSON, president Athens Hardware company, Athens, Clarke Co., was born in Bucksport, Maine, in 1829. The family is of English-Scotch extraction, Mr. Nickerson being the youngest of eight children, of whom two, beside himself, are now living: Sarissa B., widow of Capt. Rufus Cole, and Isaac H., now of Athens. After receiving his primary education, he was ap- prenticed to learn the machinist trade at Bangor, Maine. In 1851, on the com- pletion of his term, he went to Renssalaer institute, Troy, N. Y., where he perfected himself in drafting. He went thence to Schenectady, N. Y., where he obtained employment for a year in the locomotive works. He came to Athens in 1853 and engaged with the Athens Foundry and Machine works, of which, at the end of three months, he was placed in charge, and retained the position for thirty years. His administration of its affairs proved to be in the highest successful and profitable. When he assumed the management the company was heavily in debt; he not only paid off the indebtedness, but largely increased the capacity of the works and improved them, and made it dividend-paying stock. In 1866 he embarked in the

485

CLARKE COUNTY SKETCHES.

hardware business in Athens, with A. K. Childs, under the firm name of Childs & Nickerson, which later was changed to Childs, Nickerson & Co. This firm was succeeded in 1889 by the Athens Hardware company, of which Mr. Nickerson was made president. Its business has been large and profitable. He is also president of the Santee Mining Company of Georgia; a director of the Bank of the University, and in the Southern Mutual Insurance company. He has served two terms on the city council of Athens, and has also been a member of the county board of school commissioners. In 1859 he was largely instrumental in organizing the Athens fire department, and was the first captain of Athens Fire Company No. I. Mr. Nicker- son was married in Augusta in 1855 to Miss Maria E., daughter of the late John Cook, who was a native of New York-but he has had no children. He is a royal arch Mason, and an ardent working member of the Methodist church, of which he is a steward, and for thirty years has been a Sunday-school superintendent.

JOHN J. C. McMAHON, banker, Athens, Clarke Co., son of Allen and Rhoda (Stokely) McMahon, was born in Newport, Cocke Co., Tenn., Dec. 30, 1846. His paternal grandfather was a native of North Carolina; and his father was born in Tennessee. His father was clerk of the superior court of Cocke county fifteen years; and was then elected judge of the inferior court, and held the office until his death in 1856. He raised six children: Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Huff, Oglethorpe county, Ga .; Eveline, deceased, wife of Jasper Hopkins, Crawford, Ga .; Royal A. McMahon, Oglethorpe county; Mary Ann Louisa, wife of J. P. Wilson, Athens; John J. C., and Martha E., wife of Henry M. Witcher, Athens. Mr. McMahon's maternal great-grandfather-Stokely-was an Englishman, and came to this country before the revolutionary war, during which he served in the Con- tinental army. His mother, who died in 1882, was a daughter of Royal Stokely. Mr. McMahon was raised and educated in Cocke county, Tenn., where, in August, 1864, he enlisted as a private in the Fifth Tennessee cavalry, and served until the end of the war. He was in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville, N. C., and surrendered at Greensborough. After the war he came to Cobb county, Ga., hauled wood for the railroad about four months, and then returned to Tennessee. He made a crop there in 1866, then came back to Cobb county in February, 1867, and farmed a year. He went thence to Crawford, Oglethorpe Co., where, after clerking for his uncle five years, he opened a store and operated it six years. In 1878, under the firm name of Stokely & McMahon, his uncle and himself formed a partnership, and did business in Crawford. Retaining his interest in the store in Crawford, Mr. McMahon went to Augusta and engaged in the cotton busines; and, after remaining there four years, returned to Crawford and continued in business there until 1886, when he came to Athens and went into the clothing trade, in which he continued until 1895. In November, 1890, he was made president of the Exchange Bank of Athens, which responsible office he now holds. He is also a director in the Clarke County Building and Loan association. While living in Crawford he was postmaster two years, and was also elected a captain of militia. He is a man of superior business qualifications, energetic and enterprising, and has been unusually successful. Mr. McMahon was married in 1868 in Acworth, Cobb Co., to Miss Georgia, daughter of John M. Myers, and has five living children : Leila M., Robert I., Thomas C., James L., and Helen I. Mr. McMahon is an active and prominent member of the Baptist church.

JE. POPE, physician and surgeon, Athens, Clarke Co., Ga., son of Cadesman and Susan E. (Atkinson) Pope, was born in Pike county, Ga., June 18, 1848. His father was a native Georgian whose life-pursuit was planting. He was born

486

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

in 1789, was a soldier in the early Creek wars, and died in 1885 at the advanced age of ninety-six years. His mother was a native of the "Old Dominion." Dr. Pope lived in his native county until 1864, when he enlisted in the Georgia state troops, with which he served until the close of the war. During his short service he participated in the battle of Griswoldville, and in the battles around Savannah, where he was wounded in the neck. After the war he entered Emory college, Oxford, Ga., from which he was graduated in 1868, with the degree of arts bach- elor. Three years later his alma mater conferred on him the degree of arts master. After his graduation he studied medicine in the office of Dr. J. C. Pope, in Eufaula, Ala., and in 1869 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now medical department of Columbia college), New York, from which he was graduated in 1871. Returning to Georgia he located in Athens in 1872, where he has since resided, practicing his profession with pecuniary success and professional distinc- tion. Professionally and socially Dr. Pope enjoys an enviable position. Dr. Pope was married in 1873 in Washington, Ga., to Miss Mattie, daughter of the late Judge Nicholas L. Wylie, and to them children as follows have been born: Clara B., deceased; Edwin N., deceased; Wilbur B., Henry L., Miriam, Cadesman, and Walter. Dr. Pope is a devoted member of the Methodist church.

J H. RUCKER, cotton merchant, Athens, Clarke Co., Ga., son of Tinsley W. Rucker, was born in Elbert county, Ga., Nov. 2, 1846. When he was eight years old his parents moved to Athens, where he was educated and grew to man- hood. He was graduated from the university of Georgia in 1868 with the degree of A. B., in the same class with Henry W. Grady, W. W. Thomas, P. W. Meldrim, and others. After his graduation he went to Savannah and entered the employ of Garrard & Holcombe, large cotton merchants, with whom he remained until 1874. That year he returned to Athens, where he established himself as a cotton merchant, and has continued the business since. He is very public-spirited, and progressive or nothing, appreciating which his fellow-citizens of Athens have called him to their service for two terms in the city council and three terms as mayor. He was one of the members of the first school board of Athens, and a member and chairman of the committee which built the new water works. It is a misfortune that a citizen possessing such estimable and valuable social and public- spirited characteristics should have neglected to transmit them to coming gen- erations-Mr. Rucker is unmarried. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Protestant Episcopal church.

JOHN J. STRICKLAND, lawyer, Athens, Clarke Co., Ga., only child of Samuel G. and Catharine (Stapler) Strickland, was born in Madison county, Ga., Jan. 30, 1856. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Strickland, of Scotch lineage, was born in Virginia, whence early in life he migrated to Georgia. Mr. Strickland's father was born in Madison county and was a prominent farmer. He volunteered and served as a private soldier in the "war between the states," from 1861 to 1864, in the western army. His mother was also Georgia born. Mr. Strickland remained on the farm and attended the nearby schools until he was seventeen years of age -1873-when he entered Martin institute, Jefferson, Jackson Co., Ga., and stayed there teaching and studying until 1877, when he entered the university of Georgia, at Athens. He was graduated from this institution in 1879, receiving the degree of A. B. and B. L. (law course), and the same year-August term, Jackson county superior court-was admitted to the bar. Locating at Danielsville, county seat of Madison county, he entered upon a fine practice, and remained there' until 1888, when he came to Athens, where he has steadily gained in reputation and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 70

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