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 86

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 86

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greatly annoyed because of unjust discrimination and the negligence of the steam- boat company controlling the river navigation. He determined to teach the company a lesson-and he did. Investing $10,000 in a boat, he started a com- peting line, cut prices, and so reduced the company's profit that they were glad to buy him out at a high figure, and such was the impressiveness of the lesson that the freight-rates and service have been satisfactory from that day to this. Feb. 23, 1873, while living near Tallahassee, Mr. Dickenson was married to Julia A. Hail, who survives him. To them ten children have been born, four of whom only survive-E. T. C., merchant, Greenwood, Fla .; G. H., in charge of the old plantation; Lulu L., widow of Julian Fleming, deceased, formerly a lawyer of Augusta, Ga., who with her daughter, 'resides at the old home; and J. L., a merchant at Iron City, Decatur Co. Mr. Dickenson was a democrat, and a thoroughgoing Methodist of forty years' standing.

ISAIAH GRIFFIN, a thrifty planter, and a much-respected citizen, is the son of Len and Louisa (George) Griffin, and was born in Decatur county, Ga., Nov. 7, 1837. His grandfather, James Griffin, and his family, lived, early in the cen- tury, in Twiggs county, Ga. One morning, as he opened his door at daybreak, he was shot dead by some Indians, leaving a widow and five children, four boys- James, Len, William, and Mitchell, and a girl, Linnie-all of whom are dead. In 1825, Mr. Griffin's father, Len, visited Decatur county and bought some land, and in 1826 the entire family removed to Decatur county. Mr. Len Griffin grew to manhood in the county, and married Louisa George, by whom he had three children: Isaac; Martha J., Mrs. B. F. Hines, widow, near Bainbridge, and I. M., Jr., a planter in Decatur county. Losing his first wife, Mr. Griffin married a Miss Catharine Hines, by whom he had six children. Isaiah Griffin has been married four times. In 1861 he was married to Rachael Lasseter, by whom he had one child-L. E .- now in Florida. His second wife was Lucy Hunnewell, who bore him no children. For his third wife he married Mrs. Dr. Skinner, by whom he had two children: Hunnewell and Mattaner, both at home. After the death of this wife, Mr. Griffin married Mrs. L. S. Wright, who has had no children. After the war, Mr. Griffin was elected tax collector and served two terms. He is a democrat, a member of the Methodist church, and a master Mason.

W. W. HARRELL enjoys the unique distinction of being the oldest native-born citizen of Decatur county-having been born Oct. 17, 1822, at a point eleven miles southeast of Bainbridge, then a mere trading post known as Fort Hughes, so named in commemoration of the killing there, by the Indians, of a fifer named Hughes. The name of Harrell is indelibly written on every. page of the annals of Decatur county. . Energetic, enterprising, aggressive, the members of the family have so impressed their personality on the county that no history would be complete without honorable mention of the name. Business ability being the prominent characteristic of the family, solid facts, concisely and pointedly presented, will form the staple of this sketch. Jacob Harrell, grandfather of W. W. Harrell, came from North Carolina in the latter part of the last century and settled in Pulaski county,' Ga., but in 1821, with his wife, moved to Decatur county and settled eleven miles southeast of Bainbridge. The original plantation is now in the possession of W. W. Harrell. The parents of W. W. Harrell, John and Sarah (Brock) Harrell, had been married just before the removal to Decatur county. Five children were born to them: W. W., the eldest; Mary, widow of James Bird; John; Martha, widow of James Thomas, and Jacob, all now living in Decatur county. The father of this family was a shrewd and industrious planter, who, though poor in his youth, accumulated before middle age one of the finest

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properties in the county. At the close of the late war he released 250 negroes. He died in 1876, when seventy-five years and some months old; his wife died some years before. Mr. Harrell grew to manhood in a pioneer country, subject to all the disadvantages and hardships of the time and locality. Education was obtained almost on the "catch-as-catch-can" principle-that is, by attending school only two or three months in the year. He managed, however, to attain to such proficiency in knowledge of the "three R's," as, supplemented by his inborn shrewd- ness and business tact, has enabled him to successfully compete, in the struggle of life, with others whose early advantages were superior to his. Beginning as a planter near the old homestead, he, after an experience of eight years, bought the hotel property at Bainbridge, and served as "mine host" of the Decatur house for a number of years, operating in connection with it a livery business. Retiring from the hotel in 1859, he engaged in a number of enterprises-merchandising, running a stage line, keeping a livery stable, etc. In 1857 Mr. Harrell was elected sheriff of the county, serving in that capacity and as deputy until the war began, when he volunteered as a private in the First Georgia infantry, and served at Pensacola, Fla., and in West Virginia, until compelled to retire on a certificate of disability. His service, though brief, was none the less arduous and honorable. While absent he had been elected sheriff, in which office he served continuously until 1877, with the exception of a few months in 1872. A republican had been elected that year, but resigned, when Mr. Harrell was again elected. In 1877 he was elected to the house of representatives-rendering efficient and valuable service, and after- ward retiring to private life. Since the war he has bestowed much attention to planting and milling; and, although past three score and ten, is active and vigorous, and operates two mills and several plantations, aggregating 2,300 acres. Col. Harrell was married June 29, 1843, to Ann B. Bird. To them six children have been born: John D., merchant, Bainbridge; Martha Isabella; W. J., doctor; a little boy, not named (deceased); Charles L., merchant, in company with John D., and Clifford, Mrs. Dr. W. D. Wilson, Bainbridge. Mrs. Harrell died July 28, 1882. Col. Harrell ranks as one of the stanchest of democrats, is a thorough- going Methodist, and as a Mason has been exalted to the royal arch degree.

JOHN D. HARRELL, United States marshal, southern district of Georgia, eldest child of W. W. Harrel, was born April 9, 1844. The common school education he was receiving was cut short by the civil war. In February, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Troop A, Fifth Georgia cavalry ; soon after was made a corporal, and later was appointed second senior lieutenant, Company A, Twenty- ninth battalion, Georgia cavalry-his service being mostly guard duty on the Atlantic coast. He was on his way to Virginia at the time of the surrender, and was paroled at Augusta. Returning home he engaged as salesman until 1873, when, in company with his brother Charles, he embarked in a general mer- chandise business, in which he has continued. He is best known, however, by his civil service, to which his capabilities and superior qualifications were adapted. He has been sheriff of Decatur county; he then served a two years' term as clerk of the superior court, and after that a term of treasurer. For twenty-five years he has been a much valued and serviceable member of the city council-two years of the time as mayor. In 1884 he was elected to represent Decatur county in the general assembly, and served by re-election until 1889. While in that body he was chairman of the committee on railways and finances. He was appointed on the governor's staff, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, by Gov. H. D. McDaniel, and was reappointed by Govs. J. B. Gordon and W. J. Northen. He has been an active member of the democratic executive committee, second con- gressional district, and was appointed chief of special land service at Washington

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by Secretary of the Interior Department Hoke Smith; an honor which the demands of his business compelled him to decline. In 1894 he was appointed United States marshal for the southern district of Georgia by President Cleveland, and office whose duties he is discharging with his characteristic fidelity and efficiency. No commendatory remarks could add anything to such a well-rounded public career. Marshal Harrell was married in Burke county, Ga., Feb. 23, 1863, to Miss Annie E. Owens. Of their children, Annie R. is the widow of J. M. Terrell, who was a confidential traveling agent of the Western Union Telegraph company; Evelyn H. is the wife of R. A. McTyer, Bainbridge, and an infant, which died unnamed. He is a Knight of Pythias, a royal arch Mason, is grand senior deacon of the Grand lodge of master Masons, and is an active member of the Methodist church.

C.J. MUNNERLYN. If one should go to Decatur county on a mission of inquiry pertaining to its public affairs-past, present or future-he would at once be referred to Col. Munnerlyn, one of the best known characters of southwest. Georgia, who for ten years has been the popular and exceptionally efficient ordi- nary of the county, his tenure of which will probably only terminate by death or total disability. The Munnerlyns are of Welsh-Irish origin, and are of the old colonial stock which gave the Carolinas their strongly marked character for self-reliance and independent spirit. During the war for independence, Col. Munnerlyn's grandfather and six of his brothers were in some one or other of the patriot armies. His immediate branch of the family settled in Marion county, S. C. His parents, Chas. Munnerlyn and Hannah Shackleford, were married in Georgetown, S. C., and in 1833 removed to Gadsden county, Fla. In 1837 they came to Decatur county, Ga., where Col. Munnerlyn's father had been a successful planter, and had accumulated a large property at the time of his death in 1856. His mother died in 1865. Col. Munnerlyn was an only child, and was born in Georgetown, S. C., Feb. 14, 1822. He was educated at Emory college, Oxford, Ga., and studied law under Judge A. B. Longstreet, its president, and was admitted to the bar. His taste, however, ran in another direction, and he never regularly entered the practice. Col. Munnerlyn's entrance upon public life was as a delegate to the secession convention, in which he cast an affirmative vote. While the convention was still in session the war-cloud burst, and he left and volunteered as a private in the First Georgia Volunteers, and served at Pensacola and in West Virginia. Failing health compelled him to return. Soon after his return he was elected to represent the second congressional district, and in Feb- ruary, 1862, took his seat in the first permanent congress of the Confederate States. Seeking re-election he was defeated, as was the entire Georgia delegation, the prime cause of which was their votes in favor of the conscript act, a very unpopular measure. It is a matter of interest to state that every man then defeated entered the army. Col. Munnerlyn entered Scott's battalion of cavalry as a private, but was soon detailed by Gen. Anderson on special service. Reporting to Presi- dent Davis, whom he had known while in congress, he was given a major's commission and ordered to Florida, where he was to organize a regiment of reserves south of the then military line. It was the duty of these reserves to keep open the lines, and in every possible way to facilitate the collection and forwarding of supplies to the army in Virginia. This duty, faithfully performed, secured his promotion to a lieutenant-colonelcy, which he held at the surrender. In view of the uncertain status of affairs, Gen. Jones advised him to remain quiet and hold himself in readiness to facilitate the escape of any of the officers of the late Confederacy who might desire to leave the country. It thus became his privilege,

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in connection with Capt. J. G. Leslie, to aid in the escape of Judah P. Benjamin, the brilliant secretary of war. The war over, Col. Munnelyn devoted himself to farming until 1884, when he was elected ordinary of the county, to which he has since been continuously re-elected. Col. Munnerlyn was married in Charles- ton, S. C., Feb. 20, 1845, to Eugenia, daughter of James and Harriet Shackleford, a union which has been blessed with nine children: Mary (Mrs. I. B. English, Macon, Ga.); Harriet (widow of R. J. Binford), now living with her father; Eugenia, Mr. Dr. J. E. Ethridge, Macon, Ga .; Elma, Mrs. F. C. Ethridge, Macon, Ga .; Florrie, Mrs. J. B. Bethea, Bainbridge, Ga .; Charles, Donaldsonville, Ga .; and Pane, Birmingham, Ala. (both railway officials); and Calhoun, Decatur county. James, of Savannah, is deceased. Col. Munnerlyn is of course an old war horse of democracy. He is a member of the Methodist church and a royal arch Mason.

WILLIAM E. POWELL, a highly esteemed citizen and prosperous farmer living ten miles east of Bainbridge, Decatur Co., is a descendant of one of the very earliest of the pioneer families of southwest Georgia. His grandparents, William and Sarah (Turner) Powell, settled in Decatur county as early, possibly, as 1857, near where W. E. Powell now lives. The old frame cabin which made their rude but happy home is still standing in a well-preserved condition, almost reverenced by the family, and an object of interest and curiosity to all. The children of these worthy pioneers were: Kedar, Jane (who married a Trulock), Sarah (Mrs. Albert Cunningham), Margaret (Mrs. James McElven), Benj. F., William, and Louisa (Mrs. Dr. Bruce), all of whom are dead. William Powell, son of William and Sarah (Turner) Powell, was born in Decatur county Jan. I, 1830, and was married Nov. 22, 1853, to a daughter of William and Mary (Comp- ton) Donalson. To them the following children were born: William E .; G. D., Tampa, Fla .; Eugene (deceased); and Frederick M., Roseland, Fla. Mrs. Powell died July 20, 1884, and Mr. Powell married Mrs. Emma Knighton, by whom he had four children: Wight, Luellen, Jeff. Davis, and Ruth. Mr. Powell died May 29, 1892. He was a man of excellent traits of character, and a successful planter. He was a democrat and a consistent member of the Methodist church. William E. Powell, son of William Powell by his first wife, was born in Decatur county, Ga., Aug. 3, 1854, and grew to man's estate on the plantation he now cultivates. Dec. 30, 1879, he was married to Georgia E. Gainey, who also was a native of the county. She has borne him five children: Maude E., Mattie Lou, Ethel, Eola, and Marvin Eugene. Mr. Powell belongs to the democratic party, and is a member of the Methodist church.

C. H. THOMAS, one of Decatur county's leading citizens, is a prosperous merchant at Woodland, on the Chattahoochee branch of the Savannah, Florida & Western railway. He also operates, nearby, a saw-mill on an 1,800- acre tract of fine timber land. His grandfather, Hezekiah Thomas, came from Maryland and settled in South Carolina, where he married Mary Brooker. In 1829, with a small family he moved to Decatur county and settled in the Fowlton neighborhood, where he died after a long and useful life, in 1861, at the age of eighty-three. His wife died in 1873, at the age of eighty-six. Mr. Thomas' father was born in South Carolina, but grew to manhood in Georgia. He married in Baker county and settled in Fowlton, where at the age of sixty he died in 1871. His wife died when thirty-five years old, in 1864. They had six children: Melinda (deceased), C. H., J. M., J. C. (deceased), B. B., and E. M., all of whom reside in Decatur county. C. H. Thomas, the subject of this sketch, was born

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in Decatur county Aug. 16, 1847. When twenty-one he engaged in the mercantile business at Fowlton, which he continued with marked success there until 1892, when he removed to Woodland. Confiding his mercantile interests largely to the management of his brother, Mr. Thomas gives his attention to his milling business. Prior to the presidential campaign of 1892 Mr. Thomas had been an active and earnest democrat, but at that time with a large number of his fellow- citizens he became dissatisfied with the financial policy of the party, and became an equally ardent worker in the people's party ranks. In company with several others he became interested in "The Globe," published at Bainbridge, which voices the sentiments of the new party. He still owns a third interest in the enterprise. Jan. 18, 1882, Mr. Thomas married Beulah H., the accomplished daughter of Lucian Folsom, Centerville, Fla. The family of this lady is a branch of the noted New England Folsoms who came to this country from England in the seventeenth century and settled at Hingham, Mass. Mrs. Thomas has in her possession a genealogical tree showing the numerous branches of the family which she justly prizes very highly. The interesting fact may be stated here, with no breach of propriety, that the popular wife of our president, Mrs. Grover Cleveland, is a member of the same family. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Methodist church and a master Mason.

ANDREW J. TRULOCK, planter, is a member of one of the substantial early families of Decatur county. The family is of English origin, and first settled in Maryland. The grandfather of Mr. Trulock, Sutton Hines Trulock, came from Maryland to Darlington district, S. C., where he afterward married. With a small family he moved to Pulaski county, Ga., where he died. Sutton Hines Trulock, son of the above, was born in Darlington district, S. C., Oct. 23, 1800; and, with his brother, J. H., both single, came to Decatur county in 1826, and settled about twelve miles east of Bainbridge. Sept. 22, 1829, he married Jane Powell, born June 7, 1812, who was a member of a pioneer family. The offspring of this union were: Delia (Mrs. Dr. Elbert Peacock, Cairo, Ga.); Missouri B. (Mrs. John T. Harrell, deceased); Gordon B., merchant, Whigham, Ga .; Zim- merman, Whigham, Ga .; Mary L. (Mrs. J. W. Maxwell, Cairo, Ga.); Sallie D., single; and Andrew J. With the exception of twelve years' residence in Early county, the family have been continuously citizens of Decatur county. Mr. Trulock was a thrifty planter, a strong democratic partisan before and after the war, but never aspired to office. He died Nov. 3, 1878, and his widow died in 1882. Andrew J. Trulock, son of Sutton Hines and Jane (Powell) Trulock, was born in Early county, Ga., Oct. 13, 1846. When during the war a call was made for youths of sev- enteen and eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company I, Third Georgia reserves, and saw service at Coosawhatchie, S. C., and Columbus, Ga., and in the ditches at Macon. He was also engaged in guarding Federal prisoners at Andersonville for about six months. Since the war Mr. Trulock has given his attention exclus- ively to planting, and is one of the most advanced and successful planters in the county. Nov. 9, 1882, he was married to Sallie J., a daughter of Dr. Henry Martin, a native of the county, by whom he has had four children: Paul Hines, Alice Martin, James Andrew, and Charlie Martin. Mr. Trulock is a democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian church.

W W. WRIGHT is a prominent and prosperous warehouseman, Bainbridge, Ga., a citizen who has ever taken a lively interest and exerted an active influence in behalf of every movement promotive of the advancement of the "city of oaks." He is now, and has been since 1870, with a possible interval of

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a year or so, a member of the board of aldermen, and in 1885-6 was mayor. Mr. Wright is a son of John and Susan (Hoffman) Wright, of Henrico county, Va., for generations past the home of his ancestors. His parents had five chil- dren: Gustavus, farmer, Old Church, Va .; John Henry; Charles (deceased); W. W., Bainbridge; and George, Old Church, Va. His father was a merchant in early life and later a planter, and died March 17, 1878. His mother died June 30, 1882. W. W. Wright was born Jan. 29, 1844, in Hanover county, Va., and was reared on a farm. In 1863 he enlisted as a private in Company A, Twenty- fifth Virginia battalion. His service was mainly about the capital. At the battle of Sailor's creek, in April, 1865, he had the misfortune to be captured, and for three months was in the Federal prison at Newport News. Aug. 6, 1873, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Florence M. Maxwell, and to them have been born four children: Stella V., Florence (deceased), an infant (deceased), and William Wallace. Mr. Wright is a democrat, a Methodist, a Knight of Honor and a member of the Legion of Honor.

DE KALB COUNTY.

JOSEPH H. GREEN, physician and surgeon, Decatur, De Kalb Co., Ga., son of Dr. William and Rebecca F. (Sassnett) Green, was born in Sparta, Han- cock county, Jan. 9, 1859. Both parents were natives of Hancock county; his mother was a niece of Rev. W. J. Sassnett, D. D., at one time professor at Emory college and later president of Lagrange Female college. Dr. Green received a good common-school education and when eighteen years of age began the study of medicine under his father and later with Dr. R. C. Word. He then at- tended lectures at the Southern Medical college, Atlanta, from which he graduated in March, 1881. He immediately located in Decatur, and in connection with his practice clerked in a drug store, but the following fall he went to Louisiana and settled in Morehouse parish, where he remained until 1883; his father having died in April, 1882, he returned to Decatur, which has been his home ever since. His recognized ability and skill and consequent success have enabled him to secure a liberal share of the patronage of De Kalb county and vicinity. Few practitioners of his age stand better with the profession or have attained to higher local reputation. Dr. Green married Miss Mollie, daughter of Alexander Little of Richmond, Va., who has borne him three children: Mar- garet O., Rebecca F. and S. Ulrich. He is a member of the National Union and a Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He is a stanch democrat.

WASHINGTON J. HOUSTON, retired railway official and farmer, Decatur, De Kalb Co., Ga., son of Oswald and Anna Louise (Shaw) Houston, was born in Abbeville district, Oct. 10, 1831. His parents were of Scotch-Irish and Welsh descent and both were native South Carolinians. Early in life his father migrated from South Carolina to Tennessee, moved thence in 1845 to Savannah, whence in 1846 he moved to Atlanta and engaged in merchandising on Decatur street, on or near the site of Mr. John Silvey's eight-story building. He built up a large and profitable trade and was prominent in all movements looking to the growth and prosperity of Atlanta, and active in all church and Sunday-school I-38

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work. Soon after Atlanta was chartered as a city he was elected treasurer and was continued in the office a number of years. Mr. Houston began life as dray- man and clerk for Mr. Jonathan Norcross soon after coming to Atlanta. His unusual business aptitude-his proficiency and efficiency-were flatteringly evidenced by his having been elected while yet a youth the cashier of the first bank started, and he enjoys the honor of receiving the first deposit ever made in a bank in Atlanta. He left the bank in 1851 and entered the employ of the Georgia railway as assistant agent, since which his active business life has been with railways. He next went to the Western & Atlantic (state) railway under Supt. Wadley and James F. Cooper and remained with it until the second year of Gov. Brown's administration, when he accepted the position of general passenger and freight agent of the Atlanta & West Point railway. In 1876 he resigned and retired to private life on his farm in De Kalb county-finally, as he then thought. But when Supt. G. J. Foreacre assumed the management of the (then) Atlanta & Charlotte Air Line railway he called for Mr. Houston's services as assistant, with the official title of general passenger and ticket agent. While acting in this capacity he was the first to reduce passenger fare from five to three cents per mile, which created no inconsiderable stir in railway circles. When the line became part of the Richmond & Danville system he declined the offer of general passenger agent because it would necessitate his removal to Richmond, but by special request he remained with the system as assistant general passenger agent at this end of the line for a year, and then permanently retircd to his farm. Mr. Houston enjoys the distinguished honor of having suggested the organiza- tion of the railroad commission of Georgia, the bill for which was drafted at his request and pressed forward to adoption by Representative W. R. Rankin of Gordon county. Though urgently pressed by admiring friends and the press of the state to serve on the commission, he peremptorily declined. His action throughout was cordially endorsed by President Sibley of the Atlanta & Charlotte air line, his sanction being practically demonstrated by a large increase of salary. Appointed one of the commissioners to appraise the property of the Western & Atlantic railway before it was transferred to the present lessees, he rendered in- valuable assistance to the state's attorneys in defeat of the betterment claim made by the old lessees, as it was his especial duty to prepare the rebuttal accounts, which were sustained by the commission. In November, 1893, he re- ceived, unsolicited, the appointment of chairman of a commission to negotiate a treaty with the Yuma Indians of southern California and Arizona. A treaty was submitted which was pronounced to be the most satisfactory of any made under the present administration, was approved by the senate and became a law without alteration. More than one-half of the money appropriated for that special service was returned to the treasury. In 1894 he was elected by a hand- some majority to represent De Kalb county in the general assembly. Here, as in every other position to which he has been called, he proved to be one of the most faithful and hard-working of all members. Thoroughly posted, broad- minded, public-spirited and progressive, fully abreast with the advanced thought and methods of the times and always at the post of assigned duty, it is not possible to exaggerate the value and efficiency of his services to his immediate constituents and the state. He was placed on the most important standing and special committees, where he measured fully up to the highest standard of legislative thought, action and duty. He was a charter member of Atlanta Fire company- No. I, the first volunteer fire company organized in the city, and was secretary of it many years. As might be expected, Mr. Houston entertains the most liberal and advanced views in regard to public schools and advocates the most

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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 86

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