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 72

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 72

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

who came to Georgia with his family, but returned to South Carolina; William R .; Sarah H., who first married James H. Killingsworth and then James B. McCord, who now lives near Bluffton, Clay county; Amanda M., married Ebenezer Fain, lives in Spring Creek, Clay county; Ursula married Moses Fain; Martha Ann married John Killingsworth, now deceased; Henry Ulmer, who lives in Clay county; Caroline, deceased; Irene, who married E. S. Jones, deceased; Emily died in childhood; John W., who lives in the old home place. William Robert Harrison was partly reared in South Carolina, where he attended the common schools. With his family he came through to Georgia, and he remembers very well the trip, which took over three weeks. He remained on the home place until enlisting in the Cotton Hill company with Capt. J. E. Pruden, a merchant of Cot- ton Hill. The company did service at Savannah, Ga., as state troops for six months, when it was reorganized in the regular service. Mr. Harrison then be- came a member of Company F, Thirty-second Georgia regiment of volunteers, under command of Col. George P. Harrison, doing service along the coast of Georgia and Florida, and around Charlotte, S. C., and was in the Ocean pond fight. After leaving Charleston, S. C., they went to North Carolina and there joined Johnston's army and participated in the battles of Averasboro and Benton- ville, N. C., fighting Sherman. After the close of the war he returned to the home place and took hold of the plow again. . In 1869 he married and settled where he now lives. The place had no improvements at that time, but Mr. Harrison had energy, and soon was the possessor of a grand farm well under cultivation. He opened a store on his place in 1878 and in 1880 moved his stock to Bluffton, where he continued the business until 1885, when he returned to his farm. He married Miss Victoria J. Tinsley, daughter of Judge Philip Tinsley. She was born and raised in Clay county. To this union five children were born: Wesley H .; Eula, educated at the Bluffton high school and Andrew Female college; Henry, Claude and Wallace. Mr. Harrison is a democrat in politics and was elected tax col- lector in 1889, is now holding the office for the third term, and is a candidate for the fourth term. The family enjoy a pleasant home about one mile north of Bluffton.

JOHN W. HARRISON, a prominent planter and miller of Bluffton, Clay county, was born in July, 1855. He came with his parents to Clay county when a young lad and received his education in the near-by country schools. When eighteen years of age he commenced doing business for his mother. In Novem- ber, 1876, he married Miss Molly E. Jones, a native of Calhoun county, Ga., and daughter of B. J. Jones, a planter. Mrs. Harrison was reared and educated in Calhoun county. To this union were born seven children: Henry B .; John Calvin; Nettie Estelle; William Elijah; Luther Lloyd; Coy Winneford; Carrie Lizzie. Mr. Harrison is justice of the peace of the Fifth district, Clay county, and in politics is a stanch democrat. His home is on the old family place, and is what is so familiarly known as the "Harrison's Mills," two and one-half miles from Bluffton. Mr. Harrison is extensively engaged in farming and is one of the progressive planters of the state. He is a Mason in high standing. Possessing literary tastes, he takes an active part in the education of his children, who show a just appreciation of the opportunities given them by their studious habits.

JOSHUA J. HAYES, a prominent planter of Bluffton, Clay Co., Ga., was born in Muscogee county, Ga., April 21, 1849, and was the son of Jonathan and Nancy (Wilson) Hayes. Jonathan Hayes was a native of South Carolina and lived there until he reached manhood when, with his brother Joshua, he came

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to Georgia, locating in Jasper county. There he met and wedded Nancy Wilson, the daughter of an esteemed citizen and old resident of the state. He soon after- ward removed to Talbot county, later to Muscogee county, and in 1864 to Fort Gaines, Clay Co., where he died in 1871 at the advanced age of seventy-four years. He was a man honored and revered by the people of his county, who knew hini as a model citizen, kind father, and conscientious Christian. He took an active and prominent part in church affairs, and was an officer in the Baptist church. He served in the Indian war of 1835-36, and was a strong advocate of secession, furnishing six sons to the Confederate army, five of whom gave up their life during the conflict. Mrs. Hayes died in 1880, aged seventy-four years, and was an active member of the same church as the husband. To this happy union were born thirteen children, four of whom are living: John, the eldest son, was killed during the war near Atlanta; Mary, who married John Hughs, deceased; Emily, married to E. Grant, of Talbot county, deceased; Nancy, married to Neal Grant, of Talbot county, deceased; George, died in the service during the war; Frances, married to Felix Davis, living in Texas; Mildred died in childhood; Henry J., living in Early county; James, who died from exposure in the army; William, died in a Federal prison; Mattie R., married to W. D. Crawford, living in Clay county, and Joshua J., the subject of this sketch. He was the thirteenth child and was reared in Muscogee county, where he attended the common schools until fifteen years of age. He continued his studies in Clay county after his parents moved there in 1864, and commenced his vocation as tiller of the soil in 1869, which he has since continued without any interruption. He was interested in milling from 1880 to 1890, and that year he added ginning to his other interests, both of which pursuits he continued until 1894. He moved to Bluffton, where he now lives, in 1880, and has seen it grow into a thrifty and enterprising city. The energy and progressive ideas exhibited in the development of the place are to be found in all of Mr. Hayes' business ventures. Mr. Hayes was first married to Mrs. Blocker, the widow of Dr. John E. Blocker, a practicing physician of Bluffton. Mrs. Blocker was a Miss Beckham of a prominent family of Calhoun county, Ga., just before the war. She died in 1885, and Mr. Hayes was married in 1890 to Miss Drucilla Reid, a native of Alabama, and to this union were born two children, one, Ella Ilene, alone surviving. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes belong to the Methodist church. In politics he is a democrat, taking an active part, but always refusing office. Their home is a beautiful place in Bluffton, where the hospitality characteristic of the true southern home is freely and cheerily dispensed.

JAMES C. NEVES, miller and planter, Fort Gaines, Clay Co., Ga., was born July 8, 1852, on Kalomokee Creek, and is of an old Virginia family which settled in Georgia toward the close of the last century. In 1787 William Neves, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Virginia and settled in what became Jones county-now known as Putnam county. He was one of the earliest settlers in that part of the state. With him came his wife, who with three children shared in the hardships of the long overland trip. He followed farming till in 1822, when he moved to what is now Clay county, settling on the Chatta- hoochee river below where Fort Gaines is now located. Here he engaged in farm- ing and built a gin, one of the first erected in that section of the state, and con- tinued to reside there until he retired from active work. He died suddenly while on a visit in Alabama in 1852, at the age of ninety-four years, and is buried near Columbia. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, taking a prominent part in all church affairs. He served seven years in the revolutionary war under Gen. Washington and was in the last war with Great Britain in 1812, and also

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in the Indian wars in that section of the state. He was a brave and honored man. One of his chief delights was hunting. Socially he was popular. In politics always a consistent democrat, he was a leader in his community for years. His wife was a Miss Ballard, a native of Virginia. She was a devoted wife and loving mother. She died in 1850, aged eighty-four years. To this union were born three sons and four daughters: Mary, married William Hardin, both de- ceased; William, died at Fort Gaines; Elizabeth, married Capt. Jones, deceased; John Alsey, Charlotte and Daniel. John Neves, the second son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born Oct. 31, 1802, in what is now Putnam county, Ga., and came to what is now Clay county at the age of twenty, where he married his wife, Miss Garnett Smith, a native of Georgia, in 1827. She died in 1836, leaving three children: Amanda, Sarah and Simeon, all deceased but Amanda, who is now the wife of William Harris, of Florida. For his second wife Mr. Neves married Miss Julia Smith in 1837. She was born in 1820 in Georgia and was the daughter of David Smith, a distinguished Virginian, who settled at an early date in Jones county, and later removed to Early (now Clay) county, where he died at the age of seventy-two. She was educated in the common schools of Early county, and died in 1874, aged fifty-four years. She was an active member of the Primitive Baptist church. Her husband died in 1891 and is buried at the home place of Mr. Bryant, his son-in-law. During the Indian wars he served on guard duty at Fort Gaines. He was a member of the Baptist church and a democrat in politics. To his second union were born six children: John, who died in 1862 at Savannah, Ga., in the Confederate service; Frances, who died in early youth; Theodosia, married Cyrus Naramore, now living in Early county; J. C., the sub- ject of this sketch; Alice, wife of T. J. Bryant; Emma, died at the age of sixteen. Mr. Neves was a man who had few enemies, and during the Indian wars the braves used to visit his plantation almost daily. Thrown in contact with them, he became friendly to them, and this friendship was of great benefit to the early settlers. He was active in religious affairs and a deacon in the church for over sixty years of his life. Mr. James C. Neves, the subject of this sketch, was edu- cated in the common schools. The war interrupted his educational advancement, and in 1873 he began farming, continuing in this occupation ever since, at which he has been very successful. In 1890 he purchased the Freeman mill property, and is now engaged in milling and ginning in connection with his farming. Mr. Neves married Miss Versia P. Grimsley, Jan. 22, 1882, and to this union were born three sons and one daughter: Bennie May, John Richard, Joseph Groves and James Ennis. Mr. and Mrs. Neves are located seven miles southeast of Fort Gaines, and one mile east of the Chattahoochee river, where their beautiful home is situated.

MARK M. SHIVERS, physician and planter, Clay county, is a native of Han- cock county, where he was born in 1821. He is the son of Barnaby and Rachel (Cowan) Shivers, natives respectively of Warren county and Sparta, Han- cock Co. Barnaby Shivers was a planter and lived to be about seventy-five years old. He was a deacon and a prominent member of the Baptist church at Mt. Zion, Hancock Co., near where he lived. He was a whig, and at one time was elected justice of the inferior court. His father and the paternal grandparent of Dr. Shivers was Jonas Shivers, a native of Virginia. He moved his family to Georgia, and settled at what is now known as Mayfield, on the Ogeechee river, in Warren county. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the county, and for years followed planting and milling. He was quite a prominent citizen in his day and built the beautiful home of Mayfield. He took no active interest in politics, though voting

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CLAY COUNTY SKETCHES.

the whig ticket, and gave his whole time to his extensive milling and farm interests. He died well up in years. He was the father of five sons, all of whom are dead. The father of Dr. M. M. Shivers was the oldest. The mother of Dr. Shivers was born three miles north of Sparta and was the daughter of Capt. George Cowan, who was an officer in the revolutionary war, and was of Scotch ancestry. Mary, his wife, was a Miss Porter, and came to America with her family from Scotland, first locating near Salisbury, N. C. Later the family moved to Georgia, where she died Aug. 31, 1855, aged ninety-two years. She and her husband were faithful members of the Presbyterian church. The mother of Dr. Shivers was a Baptist, relinquishing her connection with the Presbyterians to gain the religious faith of her husband. She was a noble Christian woman, who was idolized by her chil- dren. Mr. and Mrs. Barnaby Shivers were blessed by the birth of twelve children, of whom Dr. Shivers was the youngest. He is now the lone surviving child.

Dr. Mark M. Shivers was educated at Mt. Zion under the direction of the cele- brated Dr. C. B. Beman, and his nephew, C. P. B. Martin, who was succeeded later by Ex-Gov. Northen. He commenced the study of medicine in Columbus, Ga., under Dr. R. T. Sankey, a leading physician of that city, and then took lectures at the university of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. He began his professional career at Waverly Hall, Harris Co .; then, in January, 1862, he moved to Pumpkintown, Randolph Co., where he continued his practice until the fall of 1858. While there his practice was very large, and he accumulated considerable property. He came to the present place of Cotton Hill for the main purpose of educating his children at a big school kept by Norman F. Coolidge, one of the leading educators in southern Georgia at that time. His school attained considerable fame, and was continued until some years after the war. The doctor resumed his practice here, and had a large territory to cover in responding to the demand for his service. His happy domestic life was begun when he wedded Harriet Rebecca Harwell, Dec. 31, 1843. She was the daughter of Samuel B. Harwell, of Alabama, and was born in Troup county, Ga., but reared in Chambers county, Ala., to which place her parents had removed. They afterward returned to Georgia and settled in Stewart county. This union has resulted in the birth of five sons and one daughter; the latter is Mary Oriska, wife of Dr. D. F. Gunn. The sons are: George Oscar, of Covington, Ky., and in business in Cincinnati; Olinthur Clay, and Locke Olin, near the home place; Grigsby Orville, living in Arizona; Lucius Omar, of Albany, Ga. Dr. Shivers and wife have adopted the children of his son, O. C. Shivers. They are Ethel, Clyde, and William Mark Shivers. The Baptist faith is that of the Shivers, and the doctor, wife and four children belong to the church. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. Cotton Hill enjoys the dis- tinction of being one of the healthiest places in southwestern Georgia, and here the doctor and family live in a pleasant home. While he has a farm and is engaged in merchandising, the doctor gives his whole time to his profession, which always has been uppermost in his business life. He is a broad-minded man, sympathetic and gentle in disposition-such traits of character as place a man of his profession in the front rank. An uncle of Dr. Shivers-William-and Ex-Gov. Schley are credited with building the first cotton factory in Georgia, near Mayfield, on the Hancock side of the river. While Dr. Shivers lives at Cotton Hill, he gets his mail at Morris station.

P H. THOMPSON, physician and surgeon, Bluffton, Clay Co., Ga., was born at · Ft. Gaines, in what is now Clay county, Ga., in 1851. He was the son of Robert Thompson, who was born in North Carolina, and came to Georgia with his parents, who settled near Ft. Gaines, where he married, followed the vocation of farming, I-32

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and reared a family. The father of Dr. Thompson served as a soldier in the Indian wars of 1835 and 1836, and after peace was secured, returned to Fort Gaines and engaged in the construction of buildings until the time of his death in 1855. His wife died in 1863, aged forty years. Both were exemplary Christians and members of the Methodist church. To this union were born four children, two of whom are living: Dr. P. H., the subject of this sketch, and O. F. Dr. Thompson was reared in southwestern Georgia, received his primary education in the common schools, and in 1872 commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Webb Willis, at Milford, Baker Co. He then attended lectures at Mobile, Ala., and subsequently was graduated from the medical department of the university of Louisiana. He commenced the practice of his profession in Taylor county, Ga., afterward moved to Neshoba county, Miss., and finally permanently located at Bluffton, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice. In addition to this he profitably manages a fine 500-acre plantation. Dr. Thompson is a member of the State Medical society and of the American Medical association, and was a delegate to the ninth medical congress. He is considered one of the best physicians and surgeons in southwestern Georgia. He is very prominent in masonic affairs, and belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and council of this fraternity. Dr. Thompson was married to Miss Willie Tinsley, born Feb. 15, 1858, daughter of Mr. Philip Tinsley, by whom he has had four children: Regina M., Patti H., Hugh and Bessie Olivia. He is a democrat in politics, and in connection with his practice conducts a drug store in Bluffton.

PHILIP TINSLEY, lawyer, and prominent citizen of Bluffton, Clay Co., as well as one of its early settlers, was born in the third district of Lee county, Ga., in 1828, and was the son of Philip Tinsley, a native' of Columbia county, Ga., who was born in 1780. He was the son of James Tinsley, a native of Virginia. The great-grandfather of Philip Tinsley, the subject of this sketch, and the head of this family in America, came from England about the year 1700, when a young man, and settled in Virginia. While on his way to this country in a sailing vessel the crew were attacked by pirates and were about to be overpowered, when young Tinsley and others jumped overboard and swam ashore, landing on the shores bordering Virginia and North Carolina. For a day and a night they were in the water, experiencing narrow escapes from death, and much suffering. This brave man was married in Virginia and had a large family of sons and daughters. James Tinsley was the eldest of these children and was reared near the family home and served in the revolutionary war. He moved to Richmond, Va., between 1765 and 1770, where he located on a farm, which he continued to occupy up to the time of his death. He was twice married. His second wife was a Miss Crawford, a cousin of William H. Crawford, governor of Georgia. By the first marriage he had five sons and two daughters, and by the second two daughters and a son, all of whom are now deceased. The father of the subject of this sketch was by the first marriage and was born in Columbia county, where he was reared, receiving an excellent education for the advantages then offered. When a young man he went to Morgan county, Ga., where he married Miss M. A. Tarpley. They moved to Lee county in 1827, and located among the Indians; later he migrated to Randolph county, settling at Fort Gaines, now in Clay county, where he continued to reside until his death. He served in the war of 1812, was at Mobile while the famous battle of New Orleans was fought, and during the Indian wars was one of the officers in command of the fort at Fort Gaines, guarding the women and children while the Indians were passing through the country. He was a very successful farmer, and left a large estate. He died in 1850, a member of the Methodist church. He

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CLINCH COUNTY SKETCHES.

was a man of hearty and strong constitution, possessing great energy and an iron will. He was an uncompromising democrat. His wife died in 1875, in her eighty- fourth year. To this union were born six children. Two sons and one daughter are now living, as follows: Thomas, living at Blakely, Early county; Ameta, married James Jackson, now living in Alabama; and Philip, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Tinsley was the youngest child, and when eight years old moved with his parents from Lee to Randolph county, where he was educated. When grown he commenced farming for himself and first settled on a farm near Ft. Gaines. In 1854 he moved to a farm near Cuthbert, Randolph Co., where he lived until 1866, when he moved back to Clay county. While living near Ft. Gaines he was twice married. The first wife was Miss Emily Jackson, daughter of John Jackson, a prominent planter of Randolph county, by whom he had two daughters: E. V., married to F. Belcher, and living in Alabama, and V. J., married to W. R. Harrison. His second wife was Miss Mary A. Singleton, of Randolph (now Clay) county, daughter of William N. Singleton, a prosperous planter. To this union one daugh- ter was born, W. M., the wife of Dr. P. H. Thompson, of Bluffton. Mr. and Mrs. Tinsley are consistent members of the Methodist church. In politics he is a demo- crat, having voted the ticket for forty-five years, and taking a prominent part in the councils of his party. During the latter part of the war he entered the Georgia militia, and was elected captain of Company C, Tenth Georgia regiment. He participated in all the campaigns and battles from Atlanta to Savannah, being wounded at the former place, and at Griswoldville he had ten of his men killed in a place not more than fifteen feet square. The company was in all the battles around Atlanta for about forty days, and in the fighting of July 22 and 28, 1864, when the troops lost 6,000 men. After the surrender Mr. Tinsley returned to his farming interests. He now lives in Bluffton, but has a plantation on Spring creek, Clay Co., a region noted for its fine farms.

CLINCH COUNTY.

WILEY BOOTH, merchant, Dupont, Clinch Co., Ga., son of William Booth, was born in Marion county, Ga., Nov. 1, 1846. His father was a well-to-do, prosperous farmer, and bestowed upon him such education as the country schools afforded. Soon after the war between the states began he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Georgia regiment, and was slightly wounded in an engagement on Johnson's island, S. C. At the end of twelve months his mother had him dis- charged on a writ of habeas corpus, on account of his being under age. He then worked in the government oil cloth works, at Columbus, Ga., and joined the provost guard in that city. As soon as he arrived at conscript age, in 1863, he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Georgia battalion (Maj. Bonard), Olustee, Fla., and remained with the command until the close of the war. After his return from the army he engaged for several years in farming and saw-milling in Washington county, Fla. He then came to Clinch county and accepted a position as section foreman for the Savannah, Florida & Western railway, in which he continued for eight years. He then embarked in a general merchandise business at Dupont, which he has conducted with unusual success, and continuously increasing patron- age. He is among the most progressive and substantial of Clinch county's citizens.

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Mr. Booth married Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver (widow), of Early county, Ga., by whom he has had six children -- four sons and two daughters-all of whom are living. He is a member of the masonic fraternity.

ROWAN B. JOHNSON, planter, Dupont, Clinch Co., Ga., was born in Lowndes county, Nov. 29, 1830. Three years afterward his father moved to Ware, now Clinch county. He was raised on the plantation, and has devoted himself to agriculture all his life. His education was limited to such as could be obtained at the common schools of the county. When only sixteen years of age he was elected captain of the militia -- District 1280-at a time when it was regarded as a local distinction; and in 1850 was elected a justice of the peace. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Second Georgia battalion, and was made first lieutenant. In 1863 he joined the Sixth Georgia regiment, Western division, was commissioned captain of Company I, and served through the war. Returning from the war he resumed farming, and was soon afterward elected a justice of the inferior court, and served a term of four years. In 1892 he was again chosen to represent Clinch county in the general assembly and as a democrat defeated his populist opponent by an over- whelming majority-more than doubled him. In 1884 he was nominated to repre- sent Clinch county in the general assembly and defeated his opponent by a large majority. Two years later he was again a candidate, and was defeated by a small majority; but in 1869 he was elected to fill the unexpired term of Hon. James P. Mattox (deceased), showing that the people appreciate his ability and services, and have confidence in him as a faithful custodian of their interests. While in the general assembly he was a member of the committees on agriculture, counties and county matters, military affairs and penitentiary. These frequent political suc- cesses testify to the strong hold he has on the confidence and esteem of his fellow- citizens. Mr. Johnson has been married three times. His first wife was Miss Aleph, daughter of John Tomlinson, who died in 1862. For his second wife he married Miss Amanda, daughter of Jason Floyd, who died in February, 1870. He next married Mrs. Emeline (nee Dame), widow of William H. Clifton, and daugh- ter of George Dame. He is a master Mason, and a prominent member of the Primitive Baptist church.

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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 72

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