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 78

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 78

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M. H. COUCH, one of the leading business men of Senoia, was born in Coweta county in 1837. His parents were Matthew and Jane (Ensley) Couch, both natives of South Carolina, making the long journey in a one-horse wagon. They brought with them their two children and settled in the dense woods that then covered this section, their nearest neighbor being ten miles away. Mr. Couch pur- chased fifty acres of land on two years' time, and the man of whom he bought it, a Mr. Shoats, is said to have remarked that "he never expected to get his pay for the land." He was agreeably surprised, therefore, at the expiration of the time to re- ceive from his debtor the full amount of $300. It must be evident to the reader that this payment could only have been made by the most heroic effort and self- sacrifice on the part of Mr. Couch. He worked hard through the day clearing up the wood-land for his farm, then worked a part of the night splitting rails in the woods of a neighbor by which he could earn something toward the payment of his debt, and to furnish bread for his family. Wild game was plenty, which helped to

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supply them with food. A man of this stamp could not fail to succeed, and so by the same pluck and industry with which he had paid for his farm Mr. Couch con- quered fortune and is now one of the men of wealth and standing in Coweta county, where he has reared a family of eleven children. Three of these, Berry, Andrew and John, were killed in the late war, and another son, Madison, lost his life from illness caused by exposure while serving in the war. Mr. Couch was an uncom- promising democrat, but would never apply for any position. He was the son of Enoch Couch, of German origin. Mrs. Couch is the daughter of James and Eliza- beth Ensley, of Irish descent, and her father was a soldier of the Mexican war, serving through the entire war. The son, M. H. Couch, spent his early years upon the farm, with few opportunities of school attendance, and these only amid the unfavorable surroundings of the little log school-house, with its shabby and com- fortless interior. But the lad was studiously inclined, and by his own persevering effort learned more out of school than in. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the Second Georgia battalion under Maj. Tom Hardeman, his captain being L. T. Doyle. In 1862 he was elected sergeant and in this position served to the end of the war. He was in the battle of Norfolk, both battles of Manassas, and through the Maryland campaigns, and accompanied his battalion through all the stirring scenes in which it was engaged. After the war he returned to Senoia and entered into the mercantile business, in which he was very successful, having at the present time the largest store in Senoia. On March 2, 1872, he married Miss Henrietta Cock, daughter of Judge Benj. F. and Margaret Cock, a sketch of whom has been given. She was born in Lee county in 1845 and like himself is a member of the Baptist church. They have four children: Pearl, Madge, Mabelle, and Frank D. Mr. Couch is a Mason of the royal arch degree, and thrice illustrious of the council and king in the chapter. He is one of the leading democrats of the county, but would never consent to be a candidate for any office. As a citizen Mr. Couch holds a prominent place in the community, where he is warmly liked and sincerely re- spected by all who know him.

J. J. FARMER, one of the early settlers of this region, was born in Oglethorpe county May 19, 1825, his parents, John and Elizabeth (Hubbard) Farmer, being Virginians. His grandfather, John Farmer of Virginia, was a soldier in the war of the revolution. About 1805 he moved to Greenville district, S. C., and in 1817 he removed thence to Oglethorpe county, Ga., then a wilderness. Here he cleared up a farm and spent the remainder of his life, his son John succeeding hin in charge of the homestead, where he also finished out his life. He was a deacon in the Baptist church, and his wife was the daughter of Thomas Hubbard, a soldier of the revolution, and also a Baptist. In this home in Oglethorpe county young Mr. Farmer spent his boyhood, with restricted privileges of obtaining an education, the old log school house being defective not only in comforts but in many respects more essential, the teachers often receiving quite rude treatment at the hands of the pupils. Mr. Farmer being desirous of further opportunities, when he reached the age of twenty-one, raised cotton with which he paid for his tuition and clothing. He himself wielded the rod of the pedagogue for three years. In 1855 he moved to Coweta county, and in 1861 enlisted in Company H, Fourth regiment of Georgia cavalry, the company commanded by Capt. J. H. Graham. Mr. Farmer served through the entire war, but was captured in August, 1862, and held until the fol- lowing February.' He was in many hard battles and skirmishes: Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Newhope church, Resaca, and the siege of Atlanta. His last fight was at Raleigh, N. C., and at the close of the war he was at Danville, S. C. He was orderly sergeant throughout the war. Mr. Farmer now

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began life anew, and amid the hardships consequent to the devastations of war, but with the determination of his character, has been able to win in the struggle. He is now the owner of a fine farm of over 200 acres, about forty acres being de- voted to the culture of grapes, of which he makes a specialty. He is a member of the masonic fraternity and of the Baptist church, of which he has been deacon for ten years. He is thoroughly respected wherever he is known. Mr. Farmer was married in 1861 to Miss Elizabeth Arnall, whose parents, John G. and Nancy (Gibbs) Arnall, were natives of Putnam county, Ga. Mrs. Farmer was born in Morgan county, Ga., in 1835. She was a member of the Baptist church. To this union seven children were given: Thomas G., Luther M., Millard C., J. J., R. A., Alice, and Lizzie D. In 1878, Oct. 29, Mrs. Farmer died, and in 1880 Mr. Farmer married Mrs. Mary L. Farmer, daughter of William Brown, of Clarke county, Ga. Mrs. Farmer was born in Coweta county in 1843. She is also a Baptist. To thein three children have been born: Beatrice M., Grace Lee, and Harvey Hill.

H L. FREEMAN, a well known citizen of Senoia, was born in Coweta county in 1851. His father, Henry Freeman, was born in South Carolina in 1795, and came with his parents to Georgia about 1820. They settled in the woods of Oglethorpe county and began the clearing and cultivation of a farm, to which occupation Mr. Freeman through life devoted himself. He was a stanch democrat, but would never consent to run for any office. His wife was Miss Nancy Moody, daughter of John Moody, one of the early settlers of the state. Their son, H. L. Freeman, spent his boyhood on the farm, but owing to the early loss of his father, who died in 1858, and the breaking out of the war, he was denied many educational advantages, as he was early thrown upon his own resources. He had a 'common school education, being able to attend school for a short time after the war. In spite of his lack of many opportunities he has won the regard of the people among whom he dwells, who have honored him by selecting him to fill various important positions. In 1887 he was elected to fill the vacancy on the board of county commissioners, caused by the resignation of W. W. Sasser. The following year he was elected for the full term of four years, received a re-election in 1892, being the present member from the first dis- trict, where he is very popular. In January, 1874, Mr. Freeman married Miss E. J. Hardy, daughter of R. W. and Lucy (Bailey) Hardy, who was born and reared in Coweta county, the family being among the early settlers of the state. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, of whom five are now living: Emmett, Nancy L., Rebecca G., Henry, and Robert W. The mother is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JONES C. FULLER, a retired merchant and one of the prominent citizens of this part of Georgia, was born in 1838, his parents being South Carolinians. His father, Alsey Fuller, a soldier in the Indian war, was the son of Isham and Sarah Fuller, of Laurens district, S. C., and his mother, Emily R. Fuller, was the daughter of Joseph Quinn. His parents settled in Meriwether county, Ga., in 1836, and here, upon this backwoods farm amid many privations, the young man grew up. In July, 1861, he joined the army, enlisting in Company B of the Sec- ond Georgia regiment known as the Jackson Blues, his captain being William R. Harris, who was slain at Gettysburg. Mr. Fuller passed through some very severe experiences during the war, engaging in many of the most important bat- tles, and being wounded several times. He fought at Garnett's farm, and at Mal- vern hill, where he was shot in the left ankle, from which wound he was laid aside for about a year; he rejoined his company at the Potomac river near Staunton, Va.,

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and later, in the battle of Gettysburg, was shot through the right cheek; at Chicka- mauga he was shot through the hips, and was sent to the hospital at Atlanta; after seven months he was once more able to rejoin his company, then at Rich- mond, Va., and in the battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, was captured and held prisoner ten months at Point Lookout, Md., being released but a short time before the war closed. He was postmaster for his regiment from the time of his enlistment until he received his first wound, but during his long absence there- after another was appointed to the place. Mr. Fuller returned home to Meriwether county at the close of the war, walking about 150 miles. He had but little with which to establish himself in the business, but by persistent application has been very successful. He married in December, 1865, and immediately after settled in Atlanta, where for twenty-five years he was one of the leading merchants, having built up a thriving business, which was very lucrative. About four years ago he returned to Coweta county and founded the town of St. Charles, where he now resides. Mrs. Fuller was Miss Margaret R. Evans, daughter of Pleman P. and Eleanor (Douglass) Evans, the father of Welsh and the mother of Irish origin. On the voyage to America from Wales one of the children died and was buried at sea. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller has been blessed with five children, only two of whom are living: Nettie, wife of I. B. Eubanks, and Clara E. Mr. Fuller and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is also a member of the masonic fraternity, which he joined in 1865. Mr. Fuller is one of the live men of his section, active and progressive, and he and his family are deservedly valued as members of the community.

JOEL W. T. GIBSON, a son of Jacobus and Sarah (Freeman) Gibson, is a leading cotton merchant at Newnan, Coweta Co., Ga., and was here born Feb. 20, 1843. His father was a son of James H. Gibson, a pioneer settler of Georgia, was born in 1805 and endured all the privations attendant upon a pioneer life. He first settled about six miles from Newnan, to which place he removed in an old-fashioned ox- cart. He lived to be sixty-nine years of age and was a devoted and earnest worker and member of the Baptist church. . Joel Gibson was reared on the farm and at- tended the country school. The first school-house in their neighborhood that had glass windows and a brick chimney was built in 1855. In 1859 he attended school at Newnan and afterward attended school at Cave Spring and came back to New- nan, where he remained until May 7, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, under Capt. John B. Wilcoxon. He remained with the company until after the battle of Seven Pines, when he was transferred to the Macon light artillery, with which he remained until the close of the war. He was at the Appomattox surrender and was in all the battles in which his company was engaged. After the war he re- turned to Newnan, farmed the first year, taught school the next and has been connected with business in a general way since. In 1867 he married Louisa Faver, daughter of Chas. Sanders and Carolina (Davis) Faver, who were of French descent, to which union eight children have been born: Joel G., John S., Ada, Mary, Brenda, Sarah, Hattie and Carry. Mrs. Gibson was born and reared in Wilkes county, Ga., and both she and her husband are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Gib- son began life after the war without anything, but is now a man well able to enjoy the remainder of his life. He has always been a democrat, but would never allow his name to be used for office. He and his family are universally respected by all who know them.

CAPT. J. GRAHAM, one of the leading business men of Senoia, is the grandson of William Graham, of Irish nativity, who was brought to America when a child of two years of age, and reared in North Carolina. He served in the war of 1812,

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and in 1825 settled in Harris county, Ga. His son David was born in North Caro- lina and married Miss Pheriba L. Collins, whose parents, James and Priscilla (Baker) Collins, came to Georgia early in the century and cleared up a farm among the forest wilds. J. Graham was the son of David and Pheriba L. Graham and was born in Harris county, Ga., in 1842. His early years were passed on the quiet farm with only the school privileges found in the backwoods; moreover, the outbreak of the war interrupted even these few opportunities for gaining an education. He enlisted in 1861, entering Company G, of the Thirty-first Georgia regiment, com- manded by Capt. Gus Reading and under Gen. Evans. On June 27, 1862, he fought in the battle of Seven Pines, having had nothing to eat except a little hard- tack for five days. He took part in the battles of Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Winchester and Millroy, and all through the Wilderness, and at Win- chester, on Sept. 19, he was wounded in the nose by a minie ball. On the twenty-second of the same month he was captured, but held only twelve days. He then went home for a short time, but soon organized a cavalry company, with which he went back to the seat of war as captain and remained until peace was declared. In 1864 he was color-bearer and was noted through all these years of conflict for his ardor and daring; always in the front, always inciting his men to follow where he so gallantly led. After the war he returned to Georgia and en- gaged in farming in Marion county, afterward removing to Coweta county. His sturdy devotion to principle has everywhere won for him the respect of all who knew him. He has been a constant and stanch advocate of prohibition, and was elected mayor of Senoia on this ticket, winning the close contest by fourteen votes, and during the two years he held the office entirely excluding whisky from the town. The grand success of prohibition in Coweta county is due more, perhaps, to Capt. Graham than to any other. He is one of Senoia's best citizens, and liked by all who know him. He is a member of the masonic order. He is a faithful member of the Baptist church, as is also his wife, who was Miss Martha Simms, a native of Sumter county, and daughter of Hartwell Simms. Capt. and Mrs. Graham are the parents of seven children: Ada, Lee, Berta, Delia, Ruby, Windsor and Marion.

HOSEA GRAY is the grandson of William and Sarah Gray, the grandfather an Englishman by birth, having served as captain during the war of the revolution. The parents of Hosea, Abraham and Jane (Wilson) Gray, were natives of South Carolina, in which state he too was born Aug. 31, 1817. His mother was of Irish parentage. In 1832, when Hosea was but a lad, his father moved his family from South Carolina to Fayette county, Ga., making the journey with a four-horse team. At Barnesville they struck an Indian trail which led them to their place of settle- inent. After a year in Fayette county they moved to Coweta county, which has since been their home. Here they cleared up a farm, experiencing the many hardships incident to pioneer life. For some time their main dependence for food was wild game, and they ground their own corn in a hand-mill. Later a mill was started on Lime creek, to which they carried their corn to be ground. In those days it was customary for each man to assist his neighbor in rolling his logs in the early spring, previous to putting in his crops, and one season Hosea Gray assisted in this work for eighteen days. His school advantages were only such as the lim- ited accommodations of those days afforded. In 1843 he married Frances, the daughter of Henry Freeman, a native of Georgia, and a member of the M. E. church. To them were born four children, none of whom are living, and in October, 1851, the mother died. In 1856 Mr. Gray married Miss Susan E. Kempson, whose parents, Peter and Mary (Long) Kempson, in 1840 came from

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their native state, South Carolina, to Georgia, and settled in Meriwether county. Mrs. Gray was born in 1830, in Newberry, S. C., and she and her husband are members of the Lutheran church. They have nine children now living: Rosina, Oscar, Leonidas, Mollie, Latimer, Hattie, Rebecca, Ida and Kate. Mr. Gray is a Mason of the royal arch degree. While he did not enlist in the late war he nevertheless rendered considerable service to the Confederacy during that struggle. He is a man widely known and everywhere respected for his uprightness of char- acter.

CALEB J. HARRIS is the son of Tyre Harris, who was born in Virginia in 1800, and was brought by his parents, natives of Virginia, to Georgia the same year. His father, William Harris, cleared up four acres of wood land the first year, and when he was doing his first plowing, which was done with raw-hide traces, his horse died, and he had to tend his little patch of ground as well as he could with no tools but a mallet. He was a member of the Hickory Baptist church. His son Tyre, who was reared in this wilderness home, had but few educational privileges, but made the best of every opportunity. By his own industry and thrift he acquired his wealth, and although he began life with nothing he owned at one time 1,200 acres of land and about forty negroes. At his death his property was valued at some $40,000. He and his wife were members of the Missionary Baptist church, in which he was a leader and a liberal supporter. He also did all in his power to advance educational institutions, appreciating as he did their need. His wife, Miss Lucy Johnson, was born in Virginia. Their son, Caleb J. Harris, was born in Clarke county, Ga., in 1830. He passed his boyhood on the farm, with such limited privileges of schooling as those days afforded. Mr. Harris married in 1885, his wife being Miss Almeta Talbert, born in Coweta county, Ga., July 31, 1836. Her parents, John and Mary (Russell) Talbert, came from South Carolina to Georgia in 1835, her father's parents being of Irish nativity, who by chance came as children to America in the same vessel and were afterward married. Mrs. Harris died in March, 1877, leaving her husband with six children: William, Mary L., Julia, Myrtie, Jimmie and Robert Lee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris were members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Harris has also been a inember of the masonic fraternity; he is one of Coweta county's best citizens and is universally respected.

JOEL J. HERNDON, one of the early settlers of this section, is the grandson of a Virginian who came more than a century ago to Elbert county, Ga. Here he founded a home, and here in 1793 his son Edward was born. The latter was a soldier in the war of 1812, in lieu of payment for which he drew a piece of land in Meriwether county, Ga. He married Miss Nancy Brown, like himself born and reared in Elbert county, where, Oct. 19, 1829, their son, Joel J., was also born. In 1834 Mr. Herndon went out to his newly-acquired property in Meriwether and built a log cabin, preparatory to removing his family thither, which move was accomplished the next year, and upon the farm which he there cleared and culti- vated he reared his family of ten children. Here Joel grew up, attending school in the old log school-house. On May 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Fifty- third Georgia regiment, under Capt. Robert Taylor, Col. Doyle being in com- mand of the regiment which was a part of the force commanded by Gen. Hall ). Simms. Mr. Herndon was in many of the hardest fought and most important battles of the war, among them Malvern Hill, Gettysburg, the battles of the Wilder- ness and thence to Petersburg, an almost continuous conflict. He was slightly wounded at Gettysburg, but was in every battle in which his regiment was engaged in 1864, and was at the general surrender at Appomattox. At the close of the war

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he made his way home on foot and returned to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, to which he has since devoted himself. The war left him-as it did many others- almost destitute, and with the necessity of making a new start in life. He had his land, an old wagon and two small mules, but also a debt of $1,000, for which he offered his land in payment. But he had the courage and resolution which over- came all difficulties, and so he went to work with a will, paid his debts and con- tinued to add to his substance until to-day he is reckoned one of the most successful men and best esteemed citizens of his county. His wife, Elizabeth Kempson, to whom he was married Dec. 9, 1852, is the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Long) Kempson, both natives of South Carolina, who came to Georgia about 1840 and settled in Meriwether county. Mrs. Herndon was born in Edgefield, S. C .; she is a member of the Lutheran church, her husband being a Baptist. Of the nine children which have blessed their marriage four are now living: Amanda F., wife of James Moody; Laura, Ella and William.

GEORGE P. HODNETT, a leading citizen of this county, where he is particularly prominent in business circles, is a member of an old pioneer family of Georgia, his grandfather, who died in 1863, and who had served in both the revolutionary and Indian wars, having settled in Troup county early in the century. His wife was Carlisle (Findley) Hodnett, and their son was George Hodnett, born in Troup county in 1826, and who died in the late war, in which he served in Company K of the Thirteenth Georgia regiment. He had married Mary Moore, a daughter of William and Catherine (Chambers) Moore, the former a soldier in the war of 1812. The younger George, the son of George and Mary (Moore) Hodnett, was born in Troup county in 1851, and here, on the farm, spent his first score of years, enjoy- ing such restricted facilities for education as could then and there be obtained. In 1871 he removed to Coweta county, and began life for himself. For some time he worked for William Taylor at $12 per month, after which he began farming on his own account. That he was successful in this work is evident from the fact that he now owns a fine farm of some 600 acres; moreover, he did not let his excellent busi- ness talent go to waste, but set up in the mercantile business in Haralson, in which enterprise he has also been very successful, owning a large general store and carrying on a thriving business. He is a member of the masonic fraternity and a man held in high esteem by all who know him. In 1874 Mr. Hodnett married Miss Ophelia Rawls, a native of Coweta county, born in 1853. She is the daughter of Jesse and Martha (Bellas) Rawls, the former a native of South Carolina, who came to Georgia in 1839, and was a soldier in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Hodnett are both members of the Lutheran church. Their marriage has been blessed with seven children: Alonzo, Jessie, Clifford, Fay, Clarence, Albert and Robbie.

BENJAMIN HUTCHINSON, one of the pioneers of this section of Georgia, comes of revolutionary stock, both of his grandfathers having been soldiers in that long contest His paternal grandfather came to Georgia at a very early date, and here, in 1787, in Jones county, his son John was born. This son married Ferriba Hollon, also a Georgian by birth, whose father, John Hollon, had fought in the revolution. Benjamin Hutchinson, the son of John and Ferriba Hutchinson, was born in Pike county, Ga., Dec. 12, 1832. In his home on the farm in the midst of the wilderness the boy had no opportunities of obtaining an education, never attended school a day in his life, nor had even the privilege of learning to read or write. On reaching manhood he began farming, which has always been his vocation. He had little money to start with, but by diligence and economy

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has been successful in accumulating a large property. Early in 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-fifth Georgia regiment. The company was commanded at that time by Capt. Dr. Baker, whose death occurring shortly afterward the place was filled by Capt. O'Rea. . Col. Persons conimanded the regiment, which was among the forces under Gen. Frazier. After Mr. Hutchinson had been out sixteen months he was captured at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and for twenty-two months kept in prison at Chicago, Ill. After his release and return to Georgia Mr. Hutchinson had to make a new beginning, but patience and perseverance enabled him to succeed. He now owns 455 acres, one of the best improved farms in Coweta county, and is deservedly respected by all who know him. In 1859 he married Miss Camilla Ann Kelly, who was raised in Coweta county, her parents, John Wilbon and Mary (Fields) Kelly, being among the early settlers of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchin- son are worthy and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living: J. Wilbon, Mrs. R. L. Hardy, Leroy, Arthur, Mrs. H. J. Hodnett, Andrew, Otto, James and Ector.

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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 78

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