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 90

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 90

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children which blessed this union are still living: William S., Napoleon B., Mrs. Mary E. Burton, John T., Priscilla, Robert Lee, and Frank. He is a master Mason and an exemplary member of the Methodist church.

JOHN T. DUNCAN, farmer, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of William and Martha E. (Mosley) Duncan, was born in Cobb (now Douglas) county in 1858. In consequence of the unsettled condition of the country during his boy- hood and youth, his education was limited. When twenty years old he engaged as a clerk in his brother's store at Powder Springs, Cobb Co., his wages being $4 and board per month. Here he learned the lesson of rigid economy, which lias contributed so largely to the success he has achieved. During his first year's service his personal expenses amounted to only $32. In 1883 he came to Doug- lasville with a few hundred dollars of hard-earned money, and in company with his brother, Napoleon B., embarked in a general merchandising business. He has been eminently successful, established a large, permanent and profitable busi- ness, and a reputation for integrity and financial reliability in the commercial world. He ranks among the foremost of the merchants of Douglasville, and numbers his friends by his acquaintances. He is a member of the city council and a trustee of Douglasville college. His interesting family occupy one of the most delightful homes in the city. Mr. Duncan was married in March, 1888, to Miss Lucerioh, daughter of John G. and Lucerioh (Varner) Clonts, by whom he has had four children: Thomas J., deceased; John H., deceased; Willie C. and Edith. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., a master Mason, and an active, working and influential member of the Methodist church.

JOHN M. EDGE, lawyer, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of John and Sarah (Miller) Edge, was born in Baldwin Co., Ga., in August, 1819. His paternal grandfather, Nehemiah Edge, of English lineage, was a native of Mary- land and a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. Subsequently he migrated to Georgia and settled in Wilkes county. Mr. Edge's father was born in Wilkes county in 1784, was raised on the farm, and received such education as was common to the period and locality. He served in the Creek Indian war during and immediately following the last war with Great Britain. About 1820 he moved to what is now Newton county, where he served as a justice of the peace for a number of years. In 1836 he moved to Benton county, Ala., but in a short time moved back to Georgia and settled at Cave Spring, Floyd Co. He was killed one Sunday morning in 1844 while on his way to church by the sudden falling upon him of the limb of a tree. His mother was born in what is now Baldwin county, Ga., in 1780, and was the daughter of a North Carolina revolu- tionary soldier. She was married in 1810 and died in 1840. Mr. Edge was reared on the farm, attended the common near-by schools when growing up, and finished his education at Cave Spring, then a branch of Mercer university. He then studied law under the preceptorship of Judge A. R. Wright, Rome, Ga., where he was admitted to the bar in April, 1845. The ensuing August he located in Marietta, Cobb Co., Ga., where he established a good professional reputation and secured a good and influential clientage. In 1855 he moved to Campbell county, where he engaged in farming. He had prospered at his profession and was prospering as a farmer when the desolating "war between the states" was inaugurated, and at its close he found his life-time accumulations swept away. His age and ill health prevented him from taking an active part in the field, but he did efficient provost duty. In 1865 he was elected to represent Campbell county in the general assem- bly. In 1870 he moved to the then new county of Douglas and re-entered upon

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the practice of his profession. Notwithstanding his advanced age he retains his old-time fire, vigor and energy; has re-established a remunerative law practice and has the patronage and support of a large and influential clientage. In ante- bellum times he was an ardent "old-line whig" and an active stump speaker. So vigorous and well-equipped was he that Hon. L. J. Gartrell, who long represented the district in congress, was reported to have remarked that "Edge was one of the toughest customers he ever encountered on the stump." He is one of the oldest and best-known citizens of Douglas county and one of the oldest lawyers in that part of the state, and no person commands greater respect. Mr. Edge was married Nov. 19, 1846, to Clara, daughter of Martin and (Butt) Kolb, of Campbell county, a union blessed with six children: Mrs. Mary Adderhold, John V., J. K., J. B., Mrs. Octavia Bennett and Mrs. L. M. Dixon. Mrs. Edge died in 1886. He is a long-time master Mason and a prominent and useful member of the Baptist church.

W.A. JAMES, lawyer, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of Stephen and Martha (Shipleigh) James, was born in Campbell (ncw Douglas) county, May 7, 1847. His paternal grandparents, Stephen and Mary (Mills) James, were natives of North Carolina, whence they moved in 1825 to Walton county, Ga. They made the journey in ox-carts, in which they lived until cabins could be built. Clearing a piece of land, he engaged in farming. A few years later he moved to Cobb, and subsequently to Campbell county. Mr. James' father was born in Newbern, N. C., in 1821, and when a child came to Georgia with his parents. He became a large farmer and also a very prominent citizen of Campbell county. He was a justice of the peace for thirty years consecutively, and is credited with having married not less than 200 couples. He died in 1871. His mother was born about 1820 and was married in 1840. She is still living. Mr. James received his primary education in the common schools of liis native county and finished it in the city schools of St. Louis. In 1864, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Confederate service and served as aide de camp and courier to Gen. Wheeler. He was afterward transferred to the Third Alabama cavalry, in which he served until the surrender near Salem, N. C., by Gen. J. E. Johnston. He made his escape, however, and made his way home. Mr. James enjoys the distinction of having been one of the youngest soldiers in the regular Confederate service. He began life for himself as a clerk in a drug store in St. Louis, Mo. Afterward he studied law under the late Judge Dennis F. Hammond, of Atlanta, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. In 1873 he settled where Douglasville now stands, and the following year, in company with his brother James and others began the erection of the first house built in the town. In 1876 he moved to his mother's plantation near Lithia Springs, where he remained until 1881, when he returned to Douglasville and resumed the practice of law, in which he has been very successful, representing a large and valuable clientage. In 1885-86 he was mayor of the city, and again during the years 1892-93-94, and is chairman of the board of trustees of Douglasville college, which demonstrates his efficiency and public spirit, and the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. Mr. James was married Jan. 15, 1879, to Miss Mary M., daughter of William P. and Mary (McLarty) Strickland. To them five children have been born: Clifford M., Ruby L., Nettie P., William P. and James. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and an active, influential member of the Methodist church.

JOSEPH S. JAMES, United States district attorney of the northern district of Georgia, was born in Campbell (now Douglas) county, Ga., March 20, 1849. He received a common school education, attending the log-cabin school located

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near his home. At an early age his mind possessed of much firmness, breadth and power for solving difficult problems, he decided to become a lawyer, and studied with this end in view. In 1869 he married Margaret Elizabeth E., daugh- ter of the late Dr. E. W. Maxwell, a native of Douglas county. At this time, being very poor and without a thorough education, he was disqualified for the battle of life, but gathering all his strength and ability, he applied himself to the study of law, reading and being admitted to the bar without instructions from a lawyer or attending any law school, at times poring over his books the entire night. When admitted to the bar he stood a most creditable examination and immediately forged his way to the front of the profession in his section and has maintained that positon ever since. He was admitted in Douglasville in 1875, and to the supreme court two years later. When twenty-one years of age he was elected justice of the peace in Douglas county, but resigned after two years' service. He was chosen the first mayor of Douglasville in 1876, holding the office for one term, and by his executive ability obtained the regard and congratu- lations of the community. In 1880 he was elected to represent Douglas county in Georgia's general assembly and re-elected after the expiration of the first term. In 1886 he was elected to the state senate from the thirty-sixth senatorial district, and served two years. In 1892 he was chosen a presidential elector-at- large from the state of Georgia, and in ninety days made 102 speeches in the state, covering almost every nook and corner, his consecutive appointments some- times being from 100 to 300 miles apart, and frequently meeting in joint debate the opponents of his party. He was appointed United States district attorney by President Cleveland on April 3, 1893. As the legal representative of the government, the sole responsibility devolved upon him of grappling with and suppressing the gigantic organization in North Georgia known as "White Caps." In his herculean task he was ably assisted by Messrs. Rucker, Bell and Camp of his office and by the internal revenue collector and marshals. Lawyers who rank among the best in the state were employed for the defendants and the nature of the cases being wholly new to the practice, it required the greatest skill and in- genuity to draft bills of indictment that would stand the test of the law's tech- nicalities. To this effort Mr. James devoted himself, spending one whole night in his office to perfect the bill upon which the worst of the organization were put on trial. They were convicted and his bill was sustained by the supreme court of the United States, to which the case was carried. Col. James has three daughters: Margaret Odessa, Eunice Lettitia and Lois Cleveland. He is a men- ber of the Odd Fellows and affiliates with the Methodist church south. Mr. James is the son of Stephen James, who, with his three sons, fought valiantly in the fate civil war. Those in the ranks were: George W., who gave up his life at Front Royal, Va .; John M., a member of the Twenty-first Georgia regi- ment, first lieutenant of Company A, who lost his right leg at Chancellorsville, and William A. James. Their bravery is denied by none.

W. H. POOLE, physician and surgeon, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of T. J. and Sarah (Brown) Poole, was born in South Carolina in 1833. His grandfather, Benjamin Poole, of English lineage, was born in South Carolina in 1780, served as a soldier in the last war with Great Britain in 1812, in the Seminole war of 1836, and died in 1850. Dr. Poole's father was born in South Carolina in 1810, was raised a farmer in that state, whence he migrated to Geor- gia, making the trip in ox-carts. and settled in Carroll county. He farmed in that county until 1850, when he moved to Cass (now Bartow) county, where he engaged in mining. From there he went to Iron Mountain, Ala., and thence

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to the famous Shelby mines, in the same state. He pursued his mining operations there until about 1870, when he returned to his old home in Georgia. There he conducted a farm until 1874, when he was killed by his horse running away. Dr. Poole's mother, daughter of William Brown, who distinguished himself in the war of 1812, and in the Indian war of 1836, was born in South Carolina in 1812. She was married in 1832 and is still living. Dr. Poole was raised on the farm and received his primary education at the near-by country schools, and when eighteen years old was sent to Hiwassee college. After being there three and a half years he had to leave on account of failing health, and did not graduate. A short time after that he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. M. F. La Dell, an eminent physician of Cedartown, Ga., under whose instruction he remained two years. He then entered the Savannah Medical col- lege-well known at the time as the "Old Arnold School" -. where he remained two years, serving one year as interne in the Marine hospital. He graduated in 1860 with the first honors of his class. His graduating thesis-subject, "Modus Operandi of Medicines"-was published in the medical journals of the day and attracted the attention of the profession. During the war he was an examining surgeon for the Confederate army. Soon after the surrender he located near the present site of Douglasville. His natural ability and acquired attainments, his large experience, though yet young in the profession, and an already recog- nized superior physician, secured for him an extensive and profitable practice. He has been exceptionally successful in his practice, and has a well-earned, wide reputation, few, if any, physicians outranking him. He is an extensive planter and owns and operates several of the best farms in the county and two grist mills. Dr. Poole was married Oct. 3, 1861, to Miss Annie Marcella, daughter of Reuben and Flora (Price) Vansant, of an old South Carolina family. Eight children have blessed this union: Italia D., Mrs. Baxley, Carrie A., William T., Reuben H., Thomas J., Sallie, May and De Witt. Dr. Poole is a prominent member of the masonic fraternity and of the Lutheran church.

WILLIAM T. ROBERTS, lawyer, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of Mellville C. and Susan E. (Skeen) Roberts, was born in Campbell county, Ga., Dec. 26, 1858. His paternal great-grandfather, Josephus Roberts, was North Carolina born, of English parentage. His grandparents were Grant and Frances (Pass) Roberts-the grandfather born in Buncombe county, N. C., Nov. 14, 1804. He was a large farmer, a prominent and influential citizen, and accumulated a very large fortune. In 1815 he migrated to Georgia and settled in Clarke county, subsequently moving to Campbell county, where he died March 16, 1888. Mr. Roberts' father was born in Campbell county, Sept. 28, 1834. was reared a farmer, and received such education as the best county schools could give. Soon after the war between the states began he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-sixth Georgia regiment, and served in all Gen. Lee's campaigns in defense of Rich- mond until July 3, 1863, when he was killed at Gettysburg. His mother, daughter of Purnell H. and Adaline (Steed) Skeen, an old North Carolina family, was born in Coweta county, Ga., Feb. 12, 1836, and was educated at the La Grange Female college, at La Grange, Ga., from which she was graduated in 1854. She was married Feb. 25, 1858, and became the mother of three children: William T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah E. Terrell, deceased, and John M. Mr. Roberts was raised on the farm and received his education at the near-by country schools. He began life for himself as a clerk in the store of his uncle in Whitesburg, Ga. After clerking a few years he studied law and in 1881 was admitted to the bar in Carrollton, at the October term of Carroll county

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superior court, and in April, 1882, he located in Douglasville. He at once secured a good practice, which has increased in volume and value as the years rolled by. In 1884 he was elected mayor of Douglasville, and the following year was elected solicitor of the county court. In 1890 he was elected to represent Doug- las county in the general assembly. In October, 1894, he was elected solicitor- general of the Tallapoosa circuit. Possessing fine talents and great energy, and being a close student, he has bright prospects before him.

J L. SELMAN, physician and surgeon, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of James K. and Elizabeth (Hert) Selman, was born in Campbell (now Douglas) county in 1855. His paternal grandfather was a South Carolinian, a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war, and was scalped by the Indians-living many years afterward. Dr. Selman's father was born in South Carolina in 1812. He was raised on the farm and received a common school education; was raised a farmer, and continued to be one all his life. In 1848 he migrated to Georgia-com- ing in wagons-purchased land, continued farming and accumulated property. He died in 1866 from the effects of exposure and harassing reverses occasioned by the war. His mother, daughter of Wiley Hert, was born in South Carolina in 1812, and died in 1880. Dr. Selman was raised on the farm and educated at the country schools-his vacations being spent at the plow handles. In 1875 he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. W. H. Poole, two years later entering Atlanta medical college, from which he was graduated in 1879 with marked distinction. He located in Douglasville, and soon established a good reputation and built up a large practice. He then established a drug store, the business of which has grown to large proportions. Dr. Selman was married in 1879 to Miss Nannie, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Selman) Abercrombie, and to them five children have been born: Bessie, Paul, Dewitt G., James and Joe M. He is an ardent member of the I. O. O. F., a master Mason, and an earnest working member of the Baptist church.

ALEXANDER G. WEDDINGTON, farmer and county treasurer, Douglas- ville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of Alexander Green and Hannah (Polk) Wedding- ton, was born in Campbell (now Douglas) county, in 1839. His paternal grand- parents, William and Polly (Gilliam) Weddington, of Scotch-Irish parentage, were natives of North Carolina. He was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolu- tionary war, serving with distinction, and died in 1836. Mr. Weddington's father was born in the "Old North state" in 1806, where he was raised on the farm and given a good country school education. In 1825, after having married, he migrated to Georgia and settled in the woods in what is now Campbell county. He made the trip in the old-time wooden-wheel ox-cart, held together by wooden pins, and hickory withes. The greater part of the journey a roadway had to be cut through the forests; at night they kept a fire burning to frighten off wild ani- mals, and slept in tents, and under and in the carts. When they reached their new home in the woods filled with Indians and wild beasts, the family slept as they had on the road, and lived in tents until log cabins could be built, after which a farm was cleared in the virgin forest. He engaged in farming and gold-mining, amassed quite a fortune, and died Oct. 7, 1890. His mother was a daughter of Charles and Nellie Polk-her father being a cousin of President James K. Polk-was born Sept. 1, 1812, and died Aug. 27, 1874. She was well educated for the times, and shared with her husband all the privations and hardships incident to frontier life. Of the children born to them these survive: Mrs. Pollie A. Hawkins, Mrs. Jane E. White, Mrs. Hannah A. Stewart, Mrs. Campie V. McBrayer, Mrs. Catharine L.

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Roach, Charles W., Atlanta, and Alexander G., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Weddington was raised on the farm, received as good an education as could be obtained at the time and locality, and on reaching maturity engaged in farming. In 1861, he enlisted in Company C-of which he was commissioned third lieuten- ant-Thirtieth Georgia regiment. In a very short time he was promoted to first lieutenant. The first service of his command was on the river and harbor defenses near Savannah; he was then sent to Vicksburg and participated in the battle of Jackson, after which his command was with the army defending Atlanta. He was in nearly every battle of importance between Nashville and Jonesboro. Just before the battle of Chickamauga he was stricken with fever which necessitated a furlough. At the end of three months he returned to the army and continued in the field until the surrender. He returned to his home to find it a scene of desola- tion-slaves freed and gone, stock killed or stolen, fences gone and houses rifled and almost ruined. Finding an old blind horse roaming at large near his home he "conscripted" it, and with it worked his first crop. Later he moved to Paulding county, where he successfully farmed six years and then came back and purchased the old homestead from his father. Adopting the progressive methods of farming, and using improved implements he thoroughly cultivated his land with the best of results, added to his possessions and improved and enlarged his buildings. In addition to his farming he established a ginnery and engaged in milling. In 1884, in order to give his children better educational advantages, he moved to Douglas- ville. For three years after this he was associated with A. W. McClarty in a gen- eral merchandise business, in which he cleared money. In 1892 he was elected county treasurer, and now holds the office by re-election. Among his old com- rades he is known by the familiar name of "Sandy," and those who once stood side by side with him on the battlefield stand firmly by him now, as they all love him like a brother-and stand ready to bestow upon him any office he may ask for. Of untiring energy and excellent business judgment, he has made a success of everything he has undertaken, and is well fixed for life, happy in his domestic relations, and has a warm place in the affections of his fellow-citizens. Devotion to duty has been his motto, and his devotion has ben rewarded. Obtaining ten days' leave of absence after the battle of Jackson, he hastened home, and Aug. 11, 1863, was married to Miss Luvinia, daughter of Thomas J. and Mary A. (Taylor). Blanchard-formerly of Columbia county, Ga .- a union blessed with the follow- ing children: Mrs. Rhoda E. Tanner; Mrs. Ella V. Burson, Mrs. Frances E. Griffith, and James L. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a master Mason; and a life-long exemplary member of the Methodist church.

T. R. WHITLEY, physician and surgeon, Douglasville, Douglas Co., Ga., son of E. R. and M. M. (Rice) Whitley, was born in what is now Douglas county in 1855. His father, son of Jackson Whitley, was born in North Carolina in 1820. In 1840 he visited Greene county, Ga., as a traveling clock trader, and being favorably impressed with the country, established himself as a slave dealer, in which business he made much money. When the war between the states began he made up the second company which went from Campbell (now Doug- las) county, of which he was elected captain. In 1863 he was discharged ou account of bad health, but immediately re-enlisted in the state service. He was captured at Campbellton, Ga., and was sent to Johnson's Island, where he was detained eighteen months, during which time he employed his time and amused himself by making gutta percha rings for sale. After the surrender he returned to his home and engaged in farming and trading in land. He was soon afterward elected sheriff of the county, and held the office almost continuously until his

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death in 1878. His wife, daughter of Thomas and Leah (Bromer) Rice, was born in South Carolina in 1832, and when a mere child came to Georgia with her parents. She was married in 1847 and is still living. Dr. Whitley was raised on the farm and educated mostly at Chapel Hill. After leaving school he read medicine and when nineteen years of age he entered the medical college at Louisville, Ky., and attended lectures one term, and subsequently attended the Atlanta Medical college three terms, from which he graduated in 1876. He im- mediately located at Douglasville, and while he has engaged in the general practice of his profession, he has paid particular attention to surgery. He has been very successful, established an excellent reputation, and a richly paying medical patronage. He has always interested himself in educational matters and was the moving spirit in the establishment of the Douglasville college, an institu- tion second to none in the smaller cities of the state, and has been a member of the board of trustees since its inception. Dr. Whitley has been since his majority one of the leaders of political thought and action of his section and has been honored many times by the community in which he lives with positions of honor and trust, and is at present state senator from the thirty-sixth sena- torial district, which is composed of the counties of Coweta, Meriwether, Camp- bell and Douglas. He is a member of some of the most important committees of the senate and recognized as a strong and influential factor in that body. Dr. Whitley was married in 1876 to Miss Mary F., daughter of Henry C. and Ray- mouth (Rice) Holcombe, who has borne him the following children: Helen Edna, Hattie R., Mary F., Grady and Raymouth. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and himself and wife are prominent members of the Baptist church.

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Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 90

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