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 76

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 76

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institution. Hon. H. W. Hill, in speaking of the legislative career of Mr. Atkin- son, gives the following summary of matters specially worthy of attention: I. He was the author of the bill which took the appointment of the commissioner of agriculture from the governor and provided that he be elected by the people; thus enabling the farmers of the state-the class of our people most interested in it -to select the occupant for this important office. II. The bill which limits the pay of inspectors of oils to $1,500 per annum each, and requires them to pay the excess of fees into the state treasury. This saves the state annually from $10,000 to $12,000. III. The bill to place telegraph and express companies under the control of the railroad commission. IV. The substitute for the senate bill under which the claim of the Western & Atlantic railroad lessees against the state for $750,000 betterments was finally settled by the state's reimbursing the lessees the $99,999 paid to the state of Tennessee for taxes and paying nothing for better- ments. V. The bill creating the Georgia Normal and Industrial college for girls at Milledgeville, whereby poor and dependent Georgia girls acquire such an education as will make them self-sustaining and independent. For all time to come this will stand as an imperishable monument to his name, and the men and women of Georgia will rise up and call him blessed. The training of teachers in the normal department of this school has already proven of inesti- mable value in supplying competent teachers for the common schools. He is now president of the board of trustees of this institution. In 1890, Mr. Atkin- son was made the president of the state democratic convention and also chairman of the democratic state executive committee for the ensuing two years. He was re-elected to this office in 1892, and the magnificent victory of the democratic party in the fall of that year-at which time, in its divided condition, it was in great peril from the combination of third-partyism and republicanism which assailed it-was due mainly to his personal and untiring effort. Notwithstanding Gov. Atkinson's brilliant success as a lawyer and advocate and his greater political honors, his heart continually turns to the peaceful joys of rural home life. He has always retained his agricultural interests, and whenever he has been able to find the time in his exceedingly busy life, he has turned to his farms for a few days of happiness. The campaign of 1894 was one of the warmest political fights that has ever occurred on the stump in Georgia. Mr. Atkinson's opponent was Gen. Clement A. Evans, a gallant ex-Confederate soldier and one of the purest men in the state. It was due to the brilliant dash and eloquence of Mr. Atkin- son and his rare gifts as a political leader that he carried the day against the seemingly overwhelming odds that might have dismayed an ordinary man. Mr. Atkinson announced his candidacy late, at a time when Gen. Evans seemed almost to be the unanimous choice of the people of the state. Before the end of the contest Gen. Evans retired from the race, leaving the field to his young antagonist, who was nominated by the democratic party for governor without opposition. The inauguration of Gov. Atkinson drew to the state capitol one of the largest crowds that has ever assembled in that building. The presence of the pupils of the Georgia Normal and Industrial college added to the pictur- esque impressiveness of the occasion. Few men at the age of forty have mounted to such high official position, and with equal confidence it may be asserted that few men have worn their honors more deservingly. His popularity in the state, though very great before, has grown steadily and rapidly since his inauguration as governor. If the spirit of a bold and resolute ambition has dominated the energies of Gov. Atkinson he has never antagonized the interests of his state or his party, and he has always been ready to sacrifice his own personal ends to promote the good of the commonwealth.

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WILLIAM S. BARNETT represents another of Georgia's pioneer families, and is the grandson of a revolutionary soldier whose name he bears. That William Barnett was a Virginian and gave five years of faithful service to his country in that heroic struggle. At the end of this strife as he and a friend were on their way home, being in need of food and without any means of obtaining it, having no money, when they could no longer endure their hunger they chanced to see a calf, which they seized and killed, and almost before it had ceased kicking they had skinned a portion of it and were beginning to make a meal of it. Shortly after the revolution Mr. Barnett brought his wife, Mary Hewey, to Georgia, and here in Greene county in 1784 his son John was born and grew to manhood. He served in the war of 1812 and received a land warrant, and in 1827 he left his boyhood's home in Greene county and moved his family to Heard county to settle upon the land conveyed to him by this warrant. The journey was long and toilsome, being made in a two-wheel ox-cart, much of the way through an un- broken forest where they were obliged to cut their own way through the woods. Arriving at their destination they stretched a tent, in which they lived until their little cabin home could be erected, a small and humble abode with its dirt floor, but none the less the abiding place of domestic tranquillity. John Barnett's wife, Elizabeth Butrill, was the daughter of William and Martha Butrill, natives of Virginia, who moved first to North Carolina and after a short time to Georgia and made for themselves a home in the wilderness. William S. Barnett, the son of John and Elizabeth Barnett, was born in Heard county in 1832, and was reared in their humble home, bravely enduring the many privations and making the best of the few privileges that fell to his lot. In 1851 he married Miss Penelope More- land, daughter of Isaac T. and Penelope (Ousley) Moreland; the father, a native of Virginia, born in 1784, came to Georgia at a very early day, where, in Jones county, in 1834, his daughter Penelope was born. Mr. and Mrs. Barnett are faith- ful members of the Methodist church. Their only child, Ida, is the wife of Lee W. Bohannan. Late in the war, in 1864, Mr. Barnett joined the regiment known as Joe Brown's state troops, often referred to as "Joe Brown's pets." After the war he returned to his home in Coweta county, and has since remained upon the old farm. He began life in moderate circumstances, but has been greatly prospered, has been able to surround himself with an ample supply of the good things of life and to win the esteem of all who know him. He is a Mason, and one of the leading men of the county.

W. B. BERRY, a capitalist of Newnan, is a man of eminence in Coweta county, and a son of the distinguished Andrew J. Berry, one of the pioneers of this section, for many years a leader in its affairs, and a man who well deserves more than a passing mention in this connection. He was left an orphan at the early age of five years, and was placed in an orphan asylum at Charleston, S. C. Here he remained six years, when a good man, Maj. Carruth, took him to rear. With hin the boy remained until he reached manhood, and then, at twenty years of age, took a position as clerk in a store at Greenville, S. C. Later he was for some time clerk in the Mansion hotel at Greenville; but in 1827 he determined to try a pioneer life in Georgia, and came to Coweta county. He selected a spot about two miles east of Newnan, the county seat, and there in 1828 he built the first house in Newnan, which house still stands to mark this noted fact. For many years Mr. Berry was an honored and prosperous merchant in this place, acquiring consider- able wealth and a widely-extended influence. Politically he was a whig, and in Clay's time was very active, representing his county in the legislature in 1843 and 1845. For eight years he was justice of the inferior courts and at three different

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times was mayor of Newnan. He was a very ardent and devoted member of the masonic order, and organized the first lodge in Newnan. He was the father of four sons, of whom but one is now living, W. B. Berry, the subject of this sketch. The second son, Thomas J., a graduate of West Point, in 1857, entered the Confederate service in 1861, being commissioned lieutenant by Gov. Brown. In 1862, he was made lieutenant-colonel, and was engaged in many hard battles, and received eight wounds, but survived until 1865. W. B. Berry, who is a native of this county, passed his boyhood in Newnan, where he received an excellent education, and early engaged in the business of life. From 1850 to 1854 he had charge of the stage route between Che-haw and Atlanta, Peters, Beeman and Ellsworth, proprietors, which was discontinued upon the advent of the railroad, when Mr. Berry was made passenger conductor, which position he held for six years. Upon the death of his father, Judge Berry, the young man took his place as one of the leading business men of Newnan, showing himself a worthy son of such a father. In 1871, he founded the First National bank of Newnan, of which he was made president, with L. J. Hill as cashier, and was afterward president of the Gate City National bank .. He carried the burdens of this onerous position from 1871 to 1893, when he with- drew, feeling that he had fairly earned a rest. Although at leisure from the cares of business he has by no means laid aside his interest in the affairs of his native city. As in the past, so now all laudable enterprises find in him ready sympathy, and willing aid and encouragement. He has always been liberal in his contributions to churches and schools, and no man stands higher in the estimation of his fellows than W. B. Berry. He has been a member of the masonic order since 1865, and is also an Odd Fellow. His wife, to whom he was married in 1861, was Miss Hibernia Dougherty, a native of Newnan, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have four children.

WILLIAM M. BLANTON, one of the pioneers of Coweta county, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., May 13, 1818. His father, Rev. Benjamin Blanton, was born and reared in North Carolina. He was a minister of the M. E. church, preaching in Charleston, S. C .. in 1796, coming thence soon after to Georgia, where he located on a farm, combining farming and merchandising. His wife, Susannah, was born in Dublin, Ireland, her father, John Davis, a Welshman by birth, and an officer in the British army. Mrs. Blanton died February 19, 1844, and her husband Sep. 5 of the next year. The son, William, spent his early years on the farm, obtaining as much of an education as the opportunities of those days afforded. In May, 1836, he enlisted with Capt. Hills for the Creek war, under the command of Col. Porter; two years later he joined the company of Capt. Cook and served through the Cherokee war. He draws a pension for his service in these wars. After his return from the latter war he attended school for three years in Athens, Ga. Shortly after he served as justice of the peace for two years. During the late war he served in what is familiarly known as "Joe Brown's pets." In 1873 and 1874 he represented Spalding county in the state legislature. Although he started in life with but little pecuniary means, by persevering effort he has acquired a competency and, moreover, has given his children a good education, and a fair start in life. He has had eleven children, five of whom are now living: William P., L. P., Anna, Julia and Mary. His wife was Miss Julia Thompson, whom he married Nov. 10, 1840. She was born in Greene county, Ga., April 9, 1821, and is the daughter of Thomas and Lucy Hester Thompson, North Carolin- ians, who were among the early settlers of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Blanton are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and they and their family have the respect and good will of all who know them.

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COWETA COUNTY SKETCHES.

WILLIAM A. BRANNON, the foremost business man of Moreland is the grandson of John and Nancy (Parker) Brannon, North Carolinians, who were among the early settlers of Georgia and he is the son of Franklin M. T., and Hannah L. (Westwood) Brannon, the former was born in Newton county, Ga., in 1827, and served in the late war as an enrolling officer; in consequence of the active part he took during hostilities there was a strong feeling against him on the part of the Federalists; on account of this his property was burned after the sur- render. He was keeping hotel in Hamilton, Harris county, when some Yankees came in for dinner, after eating which they set fire to the house and destroyed it. In 1875 he was admitted a member of the North Georgia conference, M. E. church south, served the Master faithfully until 1887, when, while on the Fairburn circuit, he was summoned to lay down the cross and ascend to receive his crown. Mrs. Brannon was born in McMynn, Tenn., July 30, 1831, and was the daughter of John and Mary Ann (Elway) Westwood, natives of England, who came to America in 1817, and lived in Boston until 1833; they then came to Georgia, living for a time in Carroll county, later in Heard county, and finally settling in Harris county. Mr. Westwood was a minister of the North Georgia conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which church his wife was also a devoted member. Mr. Westwood was also ardently attached to the masonic fraternity, of which he was long a member. William A. Bannon was the fourth in a large family of children : John W., born Aug. 31, 1851; Mary Ann Elway, born Jan. 1, 1854; Nancy E., born May 12, 1855; William A., born Nov. 24, 1857; Catharine Magee, born Jan. 30, 1860; Louise Arvilla, born Dec. 7, 1861; Alvin N., born April 12, 1865; Robert F, born Sept. 7, 1866; James C., born Jan. 3, 1869; Paul E., born July 25, 1873. William A. Brannon was reared in Harris county, the place of his birth, and attended school in Hogansville in 1872 and at Grantville in 1873-74-75. In 1876 he came to Moreland and engaged in business with J. R. Cotton, he to take the stock of goods and have half of the profits from their sale. Although he had nothing absolutely at the beginning of this venture, in two years he had more than doubled the amount invested by Cotton. He then removed to Grantville and engaged in general trade for about three years, and then formed a new partnership with his friend Cotton. This lasted about two years, when he spent a few months traveling and prospecting in Texas, after which he once more went into business in More- land, this time with G. E. Camp. After three years they divided the stock, Mr. Brannon continuing the business on his own account, until quite recently, his business now amounting to about $100,000. Early in 1895 he sold a half interest to J. R. Cotton, and the firm now is W. A. Brannon & Co. Thus has one who began life under many discouragements, by steady application to business gained a position of wealth and influence. His integrity and uprightness of character are well known throughout the county, as well as his generous public spirit, which brings him at once to the support of every laudable undertaking for the common welfare. He has been a member of the city council as alderman, is a stockholder in the Moreland Manufacturing company, of which he is one of the board of direct- ors; he has just finished a large two-story brick business block, which is a material improvement to Moreland. He is also one of the largest fruit growers in this part of Georgia. Mr. Brannon was married in January, 1885, his wife being Mrs. Mary King, whose parents, William and Lizzie (Camp) Reynolds, were natives of this state. Mr. Reynolds, who served through the late war, was for many years in the hotel business, and built the Virginia house in Newnan. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. and Mrs. Brannon are also devoted members of the same church. Mrs. Brannon was born and reared in Coweta county; her birth occurred in 1864. Five children have blessed these

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parents of whom four are living: Gordon R., Ona May, Frank W., and William A., Jr.

D.H. BROWN, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of Sharpsburg, Ga., was born in Coweta county in 1847. His father, James Brown, was born in Newberry district, S. C., in 1812, and in 1832 came to Georgia, settling in Coweta county, where he cleared up a farm, suffering all the hardships known to pioneer life. Mrs. Lavina (Haines) Brown, the wife of James Brown and mother of Dr. D. H., was a daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Haines) Hanes. Dr. D. H. Brown was reared on a farm and received a good common-school education. In 1869 he began the study of medicine, and in 1870 read medicine under Dr. Calhoun, of Newnan, Ga., entering the medical college at Nashville, Tenn., in 1870. In 1872 he practiced medicine at Sharpsburg, entering in the same year the Jefferson medical college at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1873. He then returned to Sharpsburg and again practiced his chosen profession. In 1879 he was married to Miss Ella, daughter of Dr. Robert W. and Calista (Glass) North, to whom have been born five children, three of whom are living: Ralph, Rex, and D. H. Mrs. Brown was born and reared in Coweta county, and both she and her husband are members of the Baptist church. Dr. Brown is one of Coweta county's best citizens, and is well respected by all who know him.

A B. CALHOUN, M. D., son of Ezekiel and Frances (Hamilton) Calhoun, and one of the oldest physicians in the state of Georgia, was born in the settlement known as Calhoun settlement, in Abbeville district, S. C., March 17, 1809. His mother was a relative of Gov. Hamilton, of South Carolina. Dr. Calhoun's father was born in South Carolina, but died when the doctor was about eight or nine years of age. From that time on the latter had a hard time to get along, and it is amusing to him now to talk over the times when he was a small boy, and how he had to go barefooted nearly all winter, picking his way to school around the icicles in the woods. At the age of fifteen his mother sent him to Charleston, where he attended school two years, when he accepted a position as clerk in a drug store, remaining there two years. His mother then had him return to Abbeville, where he again entered school. In about two years he began the study of medicine at Cambridge with his brother, who was a practicing physician at that place. In 1829 he entered the medical college at Charleston ,graduating in 1831, and came to Decatur, Ga., where he began the practice of his chosen profession, remaining there eighteen months. In the latter part of 1832 he located in Newnan, where he has since remained. When in Decatur his practice extended over a vast terri- tory, and many is the time he has ridden through the woods when there was but one small cabin within miles of the present site of Atlanta, and one small store at "White Hall," near the city limits. He spent the greater portion of 1837 in the hospitals of Paris, and the other portion in London hospitals. He was in London just before the coronation of Queen Victoria. The doctor attributes his great success in the practice of medicine to the knowledge that he gained while abroad. He returned to Newnan, remaining until the war, when he, in company with Dr. Pelzer and Dr. Howard, composed the surgeon conscript board. They occupied this position until the fall of 1864, when Dr. Calhoun refugeed his stock and negroes farther south, and was absent one year, but after the surrender in 1865 he returned. Dr. Calhoun never had any political aspirations, but in 1838 his friends persisted in sending him to the legislature, where he served one term. In 1861 he was made a delegate to the secession convention of Georgia, and he now has the pen with. which he signed the ordinance of secession. In his earlier days he was a member

DR. A. B. CALHOUN.

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of the masonic fraternity. Dr. Calhoun was married to Miss Susan S. Wellborn, a daughter of Abner and Martha (Ronder) Wellborn, both natives of North Carolina, where the Wellborn family was very prominent. To this union six children were born, of whom two sons and two daughters are living: Dr. Abner W., oculist in Atlanta; Andrew E., recorder in Atlanta; Anna E. (Mrs. Dr. W. R. Caldwell, formerly of Charleston, now deceased), and Susan C. (Mrs. John M. Hill). Mrs. Calhoun was born in Richmond county, Ga., and died in 1860. She was a member of the Baptist church, while the doctor is a member of the Presbyterian. Dr. Calhoun stands very high as a citizen in Newnan, and is proud of the distinction of being a second cousin of Hon. John C. Calhoun. The doctor has a large amount of property, and since he gave up his practice, about twelve years ago, he has given his attention to cultivating his lands, being now one of the largest planters in this county.

DR. G. E. CAMP, one of the chief citizens of Moreland, is a member of a family well known among the early settlers of the state. His father. Rev. Hiram Camp, was a minister of the M. E. church, as were also all his brothers, and was a son of Abner and Elizabeth (Ragsdale) Camp, the former a Virginian, the latter born in North Carolina, who, about 1800, settled in Walton county, Ga., and cleared up a farm in the midst of the wilderness. Abner Camp's father, John Camp, also a native of Virginia, was a soldier in the war of the revolution. Rev. Hiram Camp was born in Walton county in 1806, and his wife, Penina Reynolds, was also a native of that county, to which her parents, John and Sallie (Cupp) Reynolds, came at an early day, and for many years kept a country inn. Dr. Camp was born in 1849, and spent his early years upon the farm, receiving such education as was obtainable in the country schools, and afterward completed his course at Newnan, Ga. At the age of twenty he began the study of medicine, and in 1884 he entered the medical college at Atlanta, Ga., from which he received the degree of M. D. in 1886. Dr. Camp began his practice in the town of Moreland, meeting with success, but after six years devoted himself wholly to mercantile affairs. He opened the first store in Moreland, where at that time was nothing but a little railroad station, and has continued in this business fourteen years, building up a large trade, the town also growing and developing very rapidly, so that at the present time there is scarcely a town in the state of its size which is its equal in the amount of business carried on. Dr. Camp is also an enthusiast on the subject of fruit growing, in which he himself has had great success, as well as having aroused an interest in the subject on the part of others. He has on his farm fifteen acres of fine grapes, forty acres in peaches, five in plums and two in strawberries. His industry in the development of the resources of these rich lands is appreciated by the community, where he has the hearty respect and good will of all. In 1870 Dr. Camp married Miss Mattie Couch, daughter of James M. and Martha (Davis) Couch; she was born in Spalding county in 1852; she is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The union of Dr. and Mrs. Camp has been blessed with three children: George A., Edward H., and Myrtice.

EDMOND N. CAMP, a leading fruit grower of this region, is a grandson of Abner and Mary (Reynolds) Camp, the former a soldier in the war of 1812, who about 1825 brought his family from North Carolina to Coweta county, Ga., among them his three-year-old son, Abner, Jr. The latter was reared on the farm, and in time married Miss Nancy Holland, whose parents, Abraham and Nancy (Underwood) Holland were of South Carolinian birth, her father also having served in the war of 1812. Edmond N., the son of Abner and Nancy, was born in this

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county in 1851, and received such education as was to be obtained in the country schools. In 1872 he married Miss Orlean Rollins, who was born in Heard county in 1851, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Houston) Rollins. They have ten children: James, Andrew, Fred, Wayman, Hugh, Pauline, Lee, Frank, Victoria and Ralph. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. When on reaching manhood Mr. Camp started in life for himself he worked for some years as a mechanic at the carpenter's trade, at wagon making, etc. But he seemed to have a natural fondness for horticulture, and in 1886 he devoted himself wholly to this, with an enthusiasm which could not fail of success. He is recognized throughout this region as the largest and most successful fruit grower in the state. He now has fifty acres of fine grapes and thirty of peaches, several devoted to pears and strawberries, has five acres of quinces and a number in apples. He may well regard with pride his achievements.

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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 76

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