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 89

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 89

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DOUGHERTY COUNTY.

S. B. BROWN, banker and merchant, Albany, Dougherty Co., Ga., is the son of B. Brown, native of Prussia, and was born in Atlanta in 1855. His father was a leading clothing dealer of Atlanta for many years. The subject of this memoir attended school in Atlanta, but struck out for himself at an early age. In 1866 he located in Albany, and three years later began work as a clerk for thirty dollars a month. In 1871 he was a clerk in the post-office for a year.

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DOUGHERTY COUNTY SKETCHES.

He then worked for D. Greenfield, general merchandise, and from 1877 to 1887 was his partner. He then bought out the business and increased the stock and has otherwise developed the trade until it is not excelled for the line in Albany. Mr. Brown was married in 1877 to Miss Ernestina Plonsky, and they have had born to them five children: Paul J., Ed. D., Lee Roy, Marie E. and Etta R. Mr. Brown is a Mason and a member of the A. O. U. W., Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, Legion of Honor and I. O. B. B. His sons Paul and Edward are students at Yale college. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Hebrew, church. In politics he is a democrat, though liberal in his views. Mr. Brown is an excellent example of what push and grit can do in this country. He com- menced life as a mere clerk, but by perseverance he finds himself now at the

head of one of the best general merchandise business establishments in his sec- tion of the state. He is president of the Exchange bank and of the Albany Sav- ings and Trust bank, and owns a large tract of farm land, much of which he is cultivating. He is one of the best business men in the state, and his keen mind is ever looking for opportunities for investment and improvement as will promote the prosperity of Albany. The Exchange bank commenced business about April 17, 1895, has a cash paid-up capital of $50,000, and is doing a large deposit business. Mr. Brown has frequently been solicited to accept office, but has always declined, finding his business affairs too pressing.

N. J. CRUGER, manufacturer, Albany, is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Robert) Cruger, and was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Aug 18, 1855. He- attended Suwanee university of the south, and in his younger days followed. clerking. In 1886 he engaged in the brick business. Not having any ready cash, he borrowed $1,000 from a bank and gave his paper. In two years' time he had made $5,000, and demonstrated the possibilities of the business. In 1889 he formed a partnership with W. W. Pace, and the firm manufacture five million bricks annually, and together with their lumber business, their annual sales amount to $75,000. Mr. Cruger was united in matrimony to Anna Bell Alex- andra, daughter of Dr. P. W. Alexandra of Albany. To this union has been born one child, Nicholas Wight, named after Col. Wight of Albany.

F G. EDWARDS, sheriff, Albany, Dougherty Co., Ga., is a son of F. G. and Eliza A. (Cade) Edwards, natives of Georgia, and was born March 17, 1849. His father died in 1856 and his mother survived until 1876. He was sent to the university of Tennessee for his education, and at twenty years of age opened a store in Albany and commenced business for himself. In 1875 he was made deputy sheriff, a position which he filled until 1878, when he was elected sheriff, and he has since been continued in the office. He is a straightforward, honest official, accommodating and painstaking, and his administration of the office is eminently satisfactory. Mr. Edwards is a stockholder and manager in the Al- bany Brick Manufacturing company, with a capacity of ten million bricks per annum, and a cash business of $45,000 yearly. They employ 125 men and have a large plant. Mr. Edwards, besides other interests, owns a fine farm of 1,250 acres, situated about a mile from Albany. As a public official and citizen Mr. Edwards has no peer.

WILLIAM M. GODWIN, deputy sheriff, Albany, is a son of F. G. and Melvina M. (Hill) Godwin, both natives of Georgia. The father died in 1857, when the lad was only fourteen years old. He went to school until the war broke out, when he enlisted with the Georgia state militia. In a short time I-39

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-at eighteen-he was made captain of the company, and was with it all through the war. When hostilities were ended he returned to Albany and began plant- ing on his farm of some 700 acres, which is located near Albany. In 1889, he with his son, opened a fine livery and feed-stable, with some twenty head of horses and a number of vehicles for hire. In 1888 Mr. Godwin was made deputy sheriff under Mr. Edwards and has held the position ever since. He was mar- ried to Miss Mayo, of Albany, daughter of J. J. Mayo, and they have had born to them six children: William C., Frank W., Jennie H., Salix and Felix G. Mrs. Godwin takes an active interest in the doings of the Baptist church. Mr. Godwin is a democrat and a public-spirited citizen.

CAPT. JOHN TEMPLE HESTER has been prominently identified with the history of Dougherty county for the last thirty years. He was one of six children born to Simeon and Sarah D. (Graves) Hester, and first saw the light of day Dec. 14, 1839, in Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga. He was educated at the Washington academy under R. M. Wright, as principal, and at the age of seven- teen was made assistant principal. He continued in that capacity until twenty years of age, when he went to South Carolina to teach school. Returning to Georgia he came to Albany, where he was when the storm of war arose. He enlisted in the Fourth Georgia regiment and served two years in that command, when on order of Gen. Lee, he was placed in command of a company from Wilkes county. He remained with the Sixty-first Georgia regiment, colonel (afterward general) Clement A. Evans, until the surrender. Immediately after the war he opened a general merchandise store in Albany and has built up an extensive busi-

less. He retired from merchandising on being elected tax collector, a position to which he has been re-elected for a number of terms. He was a member of the general assembly one term in 1880-1881, and served his county with credit. Capt. Hester was first united in marriage to Miss Tate Collins of Albany, who died in 1876. Three years afterward he married Miss Lillie Hutcherson of Louis- ville, Ky., by whom he has had five children: Daisy, Eugene G .. John H., Mar- guerite and Cora D. Mr. and Mrs. Hester are members of the Protestant Epis- copal church. He is a democrat, eminent in county and state councils and his popularity is demonstrated by his repeated election as tax collector of his county.

HENRY ANDREW KARVER, retired planter, Albany, was born in 1826, and comes from one of the oldest families of Brunswick, Ga. His father was H. H. Karver and his mother, Anna Rutherford Wienberry, both of Scotch parentage, the mother coming from Virginia. Henry Karver was born in Baker county, Ga., but at the age of fifteen years located in Albany, and was employed on a plantation eighteen miles from the city. Here he started for himself and soon owned a fine plantation of 7.500 acres in a high state of cultivation, and a large number of slaves. After the war he gave up active management and leads a quiet life with his family at Albany. He was married on March 6, 1850, to Elizabeth G. Solomon, and this union has been blessed with eight children, four boys and four girls. Mr. and Mrs. Karver are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and he is a strong democrat.

J. W. KEMP, real estate owner, Albany, is a son of W. W. and Phoebe (Rodgers) Kemp, and was born in Warren county in 1836. He attended the common schools when he could, but the fact that he worked on a plantation when only nine years old shows that his opportunities were abridged. For five years he pegged away on a small salary and plenty of work; but when fourteen years old he started

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DOUGHERTY COUNTY SKETCHES.

in business for himself and established a livery stable. He was conducting this business when the war broke out, and he was elected marshal of Albany. He resigned, however, and enlisted with the Albany guards. He served four years, and was captured May 12, 1864, at the battle of Horseshoe. He returned to Albany, and in 1866 was elected sheriff of Dougherty county, and subsequently re-elected three times. During President Cleveland's first administration Mr. Kemp was appointed a deputy United States marshal, and at the same time was made special policeman. He was united in marriage on Nov. 26, 1868, to Nellie, a daughter of Dr. J. Tomlinson, of Lee county. They have had born to them three children -- Jared H., twenty years of age and a graduate of Emory college; William L., twenty years of age; and Burdine, a young lady of eighteen. Mrs. Kemp and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Kemp is a strong democrat. He has a fine farm of 400 acres near Albany, and owns considerable property in that city.

JACOB LORCH, one of Albany's most prominent merchants, is a self-made He is a son of Leopold Lorch and Katharine (Lampert) Lorch, and was born in Germany. He came to America when he was nineteen years old, and for a while was employed in a store in Philadelphia, but later located in Albany, and first worked for D. Mayer & Bros. as clerk for about six months. When the war broke out he was among the first to enlist, and joining the Fifty-first Georgia regiment, served through the late war, seeing plenty of hard fighting and active service. After the war he settled in Alabama, but soon returned to his first love- Albany, Ga. Here he was the full and only partner of the firm, "Morris Mayer," composed of Jacob Lorch and Morris Mayer, for a period of over twenty years, and after their dissolution on Feb. 1. 1894, interested himself with his nephews, Mayer and Crine. He was always found faithful and honest in his capacity as a merchant and cotton buyer-everybody wishing him the success he deserved. As a statistician on cotton he is said to have no equal in the south. Mr. Lorch, in connection with his nephews, Mayer and Crine, has one of the largest stores and finest stocks of merchandise in Albany. The store occupies three stories and a basement; they carry a stock of an average value of $30,000, and their annual sales amount to $65,000. Mr. Lorch is a member of the masonic fraternity, council degree, Knights of Pythias, I. O. of Heptosoph, and B'nai Brith. He is unmarried and is one of the most popular citizens, enjoying the esteem and friend- ship of everybody.

W. W. PACE, of Albany, Dougherty Co., Ga., is a son of Davis and Julia Wil- kinson Pace of Georgia, and was born April 26, 1860. His father was a very large planter, and at one time owned some 300 slaves. His father died some years ago, but his mother is still living. Mr. Pace attended the common schools in his early days, and at the age of nineteen years took a business course and was gradu- ated from the Atlanta commercial college. Accepting a position with H. H. Tift, of Tifton, as clerk and bookkeeper, he remained with him in that capacity for seven years. He then engaged in the mercantile business for himself for a few years. Later on he sold his entire stock, and removed to Albany, and formed a partnership with N. J. Cruger as the Flint River Brick & Lumber company, and has continued with it ever since. It is one of the largest building material furnishers in Georgia. Mr. Pace has charge of the office business of the company. Mr. Pace was married to Mary Davis, the sister of Buford Davis, member of the well-known firm of Hardeman, Davis & Turner, of Macon, Ga. Mr. and Mrs. Pace have two children, W. W. Pace, Jr., and Jesse McDonald Pace. Mrs. Pace is a member

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of the Episcopal church. Mr. Pace is a man with all the qualifications promising a most successful business career.

R N. WESTBROOK, chief of the police and planter, Albany, is a son of Richard N. and Josephine Westbrook, natives of Pulaski county, N. C., and was born in Houston county, near Andersonville, June 3, 1846. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, and his education obtained in the common schools. On June 12, 1861, when only fifteen years old, he joined a Confederate company under command of John C. McMillan. It was Company C, Twelfth Georgia, and was made up at Marshallville, Macon Co., and after organization left immediately for Richmond, Va. After two years' fighting he was discharged, and at once organized a company in Dooly county, and was made second lieutenant. With this company he served until August, 1866, when he returned to Albany and went into the mer- chandise business with A. C. Westbrook. In 1879 he was elecetd marshal and chief of police of Albany; the latter position he is still holding, being his sixteenth year. This is the longest that any officer has held the office, which is a tribute to Mr .. Westbrook's efficient administration and popularity. Mr. Westbrook has two large farms, and a great deal of real estate in Albany, and by long and faithful service has secured a competence of the world's goods. He was married to Miss Lizzie' Cruger, a daughter of Col. N. Cruger, of South Carolina, and later of Savannah, April 6, 1875. To this union have been born three children: Allatia C., Cruger and William P. Mrs. Westbrook is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Westbrook is a leader in local politics and a faithful adherent to the cause of democracy.

COL. EDWIN LEIGH WIGHT, wholesale grocer, Albany, Dougherty Co., Ga., is a gentleman extensively and favorably known throughout Georgia, espe- cially in military circles, where he has labored faithfully and successfully for a creditable and efficient state militia. Samuel B. Wight, the colonel's father, was a merchant and leading citizen of Atlanta for years prior to and succeeding the late war. He was the first mayor of the west end, then a suburb of Atlanta, and during the war served as quartermaster of Howell Cobb's regiment, with the rank of cap- tain. He died in 1888. Col. Wight was born in Decatur county, Ga., Oct. 4, 1846, and was educated at the state university, and while a student enlisted in the Sixteenth Georgia battalion of cavalry, Col. Samuel J. Winn, now of Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Co., Ga., commanding. After the war he, in company with his father. went into the wholesale dry goods business in Atlanta. After two years' experience he concluded to try the general merchandise business in a smaller town, and located at Newton, Baker Co., where he continued successfully until 1873. From 1873 to 1881 he was with the cotton firm of Welch & Bacon, Albany. For the six years following he conducted a cotton warehouse of his own. In 1887 he asso- ciated himself with Mr. Morris Weslasky under the firm name of Wight & Wes- lasky. This firm is one of the most prominent wholesale grocery houses in Southern Georgia, and does a yearly business of some half a million dollars. Col. Wight is a popular citizen of Albany, in the progress of which thriving city he has always displayed an active interest, having frequently served the city as a councilman, served a term as mayor in 1881, and is at this time (1895) occupying that honorable position. He was for fifteen years foreman of a volunteer fire company, in which position he did valuable service for the city. Col. Wight is an honored member of a number of the best fraternal organizations-a Knight Templar in Masonry, air Odd Fellow, and a Knight of Pythias, in which latter organization he was for years captain of the uniformed rank. As indicated in the opening sentence of this

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sketch, Col. Wight has given much attention to the state militia. His record in this line is as follows: He was elected second lieutenant of the Albany guards . Jan. 31, 1876, and captain of the same, March 27, 1877. Feb. 1, 1883, he was appointed aide-de-camp to Gov. Stephens, was made captain of Jackson light artillery April 12, 1884, and again became captain of the Albany guards Feb. I, 1888. Two years later, March 19, 1890, he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Seventh Georgia battalion, and on Sept. 15, 1891, was elected colonel of the Fourth Georgia regiment, which he held until 1893, when he was placed on the retired list at his own request. Col. Wight has held a commission under every governor since the war except Gov. Bulloch. The marriage of Col. Wight and Miss Mary M. Billingsly was solemnized Nov. 24, 1874, at Albany-she being a daughter of Col. Francis A. Billingsly, a leading citizen of the place. His only son, Edwin L., Jr., is a student at the Atlanta Technological school, and Ruby, his only daughter, is at the Lucy Cobb institute, Athens, Ga.

DOUGLAS COUNTY.

ROBERT N. ANDERSON, farmer, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of Thomas and Annie (White) Anderson, was born in South Carolina in 1831. His paternal grandfather, David A. Anderson, was a native of Scotland, emigrated to this country before the revolutionary war, and settled in Louisa county, Va. He was a soldier in the patriot army during the war, and was captured by the British. He migrated to South Carolina in 1790, where he died about 1820. Mr. Ander- son's father was born in South Carolina in 1790, served in the army during the last war with Great Britain, served many years as sheriff of Marion district, and was a volunteer soldier in the Seminole war. He moved to Georgia and settled in Newton county, in 1836; making the trip in ox-carts and camping by the roadside at night. He lived in tents until he could build a cabin, and then cleared a farm on which he lived until 1849. That year he moved to Cobb county, Ga., and lived there until his death, which occurred in 1872. Mr. Anderson was reared on the farm and educated at the historic dirt floor log schoolhouse with holes sawed through the logs on the sides to let in the light. In June, 1863, he enlisted in Com- pany F-of which he was made orderly sergeant-First Georgia regiment, and participated in the battles at Resaca, Calhoun, New Hope, Kennesaw mountain, Peachtree creek, Franklin and Murfreesboro. He was wounded July 26, 1863, and was captured at Salisbury, N. C., but made his escape at Statesville, rejoined his command and remained with it until the surrender. One hundred and forty bullet holes through a blanket he carried through the war evidence the danger to which he was exposed, and his many narrow escapes from death. At the close of the war he returned to his home to find it despoiled amid a scene of desolation, and his family refugeed to Newton county. Resuming his farm work he con- tinued it in Cobb county until 1890, when he moved to Douglasville so that his children might have the benefit of the college there. He is a good and thrifty farmer, and by good management has placed himself in comfortable circumstances, and has the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Anderson was mar- ried in 1855 to Miss Pellonia, daughter of Thomas and Marina (Chandler) Butner -an old Virginia family of Scotch descent. Seven children have blessed this

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

union: Charles C., Mrs. Eugenia Morse, Mrs. Susan Dorsett, Eunice W., Marina E., Annie, Addie L., and Frank B .- all living. He is a master Mason, and an influential member of the Primitive Baptist church.

CALEB P. BOWEN, farmer, and postmaster, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of Thomas J. and Nancy (Yarbrough) Bowen, was born in Jackson county, Ga., in 1827. His paternal grandfather, of Welsh descent, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1762, and migrated to South Carolina, where he died in 1848. Mr. Bowen's father was born in South Carolina in 1788, was raised on the farm and educated at the country schools. His family moved to Georgia and settled in Jackson county when he was a small boy. About the time he grew to manhood he taught school for some time. During the war with Great Britain he commanded a battalion of American troops, holding the rank of major. He afterward was drillmaster of the state militia, and twice represented his county in the general assembly. As a farmer he was eminently successful and died about 1860. Mr. Bowen was reared on the farm and attended the common country schools. When nearing manhood he joined a company of volunteers for the Mexican war, but peace was proclaimed before the company was called into service. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Georgia regiment, of which he was made first lieutenant, and soon afterward promoted to the captaincy. Among the battles in which with his command he participated, were: Vicksburg, Jackson, Missionary ridge, Chickamauga, Resaca, etc. He was captured Dec. 16, 1864, and sent to Johnson's island, where he was detained as a prisoner until after the surrender. He was twice wounded during the war; and while himself suffering from wounds, spent five days on the Chickamauga battlefield burying the dead. Capt. Bowen moved to what is now Douglas county before its organization; and in 1870, when it was organized, he was elected the first treasurer of the county. In 1876 he was elected to represent the county in the general assembly. In 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Douglasville, and is still holding that office. Mr. Bowen has been a successful farmer and general business man, and is very popular and very much respected by his fellow-citizens. Capt. Bowen was married April 8, 1848, to Miss Thirze A., daughter of Hiram and Charity (Blackwell) Boen, by whom he had two children: Helen, Mrs. Magourik (deceased), and Margaret, Mrs. Bomar. His wife died May 9, 1862, and in September, 1867, he contracted a second marriage with Miss Melissa, daughter of James S. and Adaline (Perryman) Morse, and to them have been born three children: Cora, Mrs. Hunter; Annie, Mrs. Wright, now deceased; and Hugh B.

HENRY T. COOPER, farmer, banker and county ordinary, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of Benjamin and Katharine (Allison) Cooper, was born in what is now Douglas county, in 1850. His paternal grandfather, Henry Cooper, was an old settler in Georgia and a gallant soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. Mr. Cooper's father was born in what is now Putnam county, Ga., in 1799. He was reared on the farm, and was given a fairly good country school education. When forty years of age he bought a tract of land in then Campbell county, a part of which he cleared and farmed most suc- cessfully until his death in 1876. His mother, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Allison, was born in 1820, educated in the country schools, was married when eighteen, was the happy mother of three children and died in 1885. Mr. Cooper was reared on the farm, and received his early schooling at the country schools 11ear his home, and later attended the high school at Palmetto, Ga. Although the family had been what was considered wealthy before the war, the property was

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nearly all lost during the war, and the subject of this sketch became the main sup- port of the family. In 1879 hc was elected tax receiver, and held the office, by re-election, six years continuously. On account of his faithful discharge of the duties of this office his appreciative fellow-citizens elected him ordinary of the county, and, like a true patriot, he accepted the situation, and the people have continued him in it since. When the Douglasville bank was organized in 1892 he was elected, and still holds the position of cashier. He is recognized as a prompt, careful and conscientious business man, and being of the highest integrity, and perfectly reliable in every respect, he has the entire confidence of the community. Mr. Cooper was married in January, 1881, to Miss Emily, daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Glass) Dorsey, by whom he has had five children: Jewel, Sallie K., Gordon, Lamar, and Mary E. He is a charter member of the I. O. O. F., and an influential member of the Baptist church.

JOHN B. DUNCAN, farmer, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of William W. and Mary (Barnwell) Duncan, was born in Henry county, Ga., Nov. 5, 1826. His paternal grandfather was John Duncan, who was born in South Carolina, of Scotch parentage. Mr. Duncan's father was born in Greenville district, South Carolina, in July, 1800. When only ten years of age he was left an orphan, and although a mere boy, the duty and responsibility of caring for the family- the work of matured manhood-devolved upon him; but he met and discharged them with much self-reliance. Under the circumstances his education was neces- sarily very limited, and natural ability and force of character had to be relied on. In January, 1823, he was married to Miss Mary Barnwell, of Jackson county, Ga., and settled in Henry county, where he lived about eleven years, and then moved to Cobb county, Ga., and settled in the woods filled with wild beasts and roamed over by Indians. Here he cleared a small farm, and built a comfortable log cabin home. Later he built a mill, and conducted both with profit. He attained to considerable prominence and was elected a justice of the inferior court, to which he was re-elected for a number of terms, and died Jan. 23, 1847. His mother was born in Jackson county in 1806, and was the daughter of John and Mary Barnwell. Her father was born in Ireland of Irish parentage, settled in Orange district, North Carolina, and was a soldier in the revolutionary army during the war. She died March 8, 1850. Mr. Duncan was reared on the farm and received his education at the old-time dirt floor log schoolhouse. When his father died in 1847 he assumed control, managed the affairs of the farm, and provided for the family, and the education of his younger brothers and sisters. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Seventh Georgia regiment, and gallantly met all the hardships and dangers of soldier life-participating in most of the important battles of the war. In the battle of the Wilderness he was severely wounded in the temple, and was present at the memorable siege of Petersburg. When the war ended he returned to his home in Cobb county to find it almost a desolate waste. But with characteristic pluck and energy he set about the work of restoration, and recuperation. In a few years he not only placed it in good condition but so pros- pered as to add a valuable milling interest, increasing his worldly possessions and prosperity. In 1891 he moved to Douglasville where he is living in the enjoyment of the competency which his well-directed energy, enterprise, and labor have brought him, and the respect and esteem which his integrity of character and Christian life have won for him. Mr. Duncan was married Feb. 15, 1849, to Miss Louisa, daughter of William and Priscilla (Bankston) Matthews, who died six months afterward. Oct. 17, 1850, he contracted a second marriage with Miss Martha E., daughter of Samuel G. and Elizabeth (Bankston) Mosley. Seven

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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 89

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