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 91

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 91

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ECHOLS COUNTY.

I FRANK HALL, physician and surgeon, Statenville, Echols Co., Ga., was born in Montgomery county, Ga., May 4, 1838. He was educated at Ran- dolph high school, and then studied medicine under Dr. Paul F. Eve, Nashville, Tenn., and graduated from the college there in. 1860. Soon afterward he entered the Confederate service and was appointed assistant surgeon of Bartow hospital, Savannah, Ga. After a year's service there he enlisted in the Fourth Georgia cavalry and was elected a first lieutenant. He saw much active service and was wounded in an engagement in Burke county, Ga., while with his command he was operating on the flank of the Union forces when marching through Georgia. At the close of the war he located in Tattnall county and engaged in the practice of his profession, did a very large practice, and was remarkably successful. In 1872 he removed to Statenville, Echols Co., Ga., where his acknowledged skill, sympathetic attention, and conscientious discharge of his professional duties have secured for him an extensive and lucrative practice. No medical practitioner in what is known as the wire grass country of Georgia stands higher with the people and the profession than Dr. Hall, and no one is more justly entitled to the confidence and good will accorded him. He has acquired a comfortable fortune, and his land holdings in Echols county amount to 8,000 acres. In 1876- 77 he was president of the board of county commissioners, and in 1880 he was elected to represent the county in the general assembly. In that body he was

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placed on the committees on penitentiary, sanitary and hygiene, and the state of the republic, on all of which he rendered effective and valuable service. Dr. Hall was married in 1860 to Miss Lurana, daughter of Solomon Mobley of Appling county, who died in 1886, leaving ten children, of whom seven are living, and five of whom are located as follows: John F., born in November, 1863, educated at Bradwell institute, Liberty county, Ga., read medicine under his father, graduated at the Atlanta Medical college, and is located at Lake Park, Ga., where he enjoys a good practice; Mary R., married D. S. Parton, mill-man, farmer and merchant, Seward, Montgomery Co., Ga .; Flora C., married H. J. Gibbs, sawmill man and farmer, Montgomery county; Eliza B., married Robert J. Parton, planter, Tattnall county; Georgia, married Dr. George T. Gray, Tatt- nall county. Dr. Hall married for his second wife Miss Mary C., daughter of W. W. Connor, by whom he has had one child. He is a member of the masonic fraternity.

EARLY COUNTY.

BRINKLEY CHANCEY. retired merchant, Blakely, Early Co., Ga., son of Solomon Chancey, was born in Jones county, Ga., May 29, 1820. His father was a farmer and died in 1861. Mr. Chancey was educated in the common schools of the county and was reared on the farm, but later in life engaged in merchan- dising. During the war he was a member and sergeant of Company C, Twen- ty-ninth battalion, Georgia artillery. He moved to Blakely in 1861, where he conducted a general merchandise store until 1886, when he retired. He was tax collector of Early county in 1862-63-64, and assessor two years. He was elected to represent the county in the general assembly in 1872 and has served in this capacity four terms, the last ending in 1886. He was also a member of the constitutional convention in 1877. Being honored by election to such responsible positions shows an appreciation of his capacity and integrity. Mr. Chancey was married Jan. 12, 1851, to Miss Narcissus, daughter of R. W. Shef- field, who once represented Early county in the general assembly. They have had five children : B. E., born in 1853; Quitman, born in 1855; James B., born in 1857, county ordinary: John C., born in 1859, marshal of Blakeley, and Hattie D., widow of John W. Deal. Mr. Chancey is an uncompromising democrat and a master Mason.

JAMES BUCHANAN CHANCEY, ordinary of Early county, Blakely, Ga., son of Brinkley and Narcissus (Sheffield) Chancey, was born in Early county, July 24, 1857. Mr. Chancey's father was not only a successful merchant in Blakely, but filled many important offices in the county, and represented it a number of years in the general assembly. Mr. Chancey received a fair common- school education, and when he reached manhood engaged in farming, which he still continues. He has held the office of justice of the peace six years. In 1893 he was elected ordinary of the county, an office which he still holds. Mr. Chan- cey was married in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth Minter, of Early county, by whom he has had three children: Alpheus Baker, born in February. 1878; Lawton Eu- gene, born in 1886, and Hattie May.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

THOMAS F. JONES, merchant, Blakely, Early Co., Ga., son of Thomas F. and Elizabeth (Scott) Jones, was born in Covington, Newton Co., Ga., Aug. 26, 1845. His father was a prominent lawyer, and at one time represented his senatorial district in the general assembly. He died in 1874, leaving nine children, one of whom, Maj. John F. Jones, was a distinguished officer in the Confederate army, and for a number of years was in the office of the secretary of state of Georgia. Thomas F. Jones was educated at the Georgia military academy, then at Marietta, Cobb Co., Ga. Toward the close of the war the cadets went into the state service for home defense. After the surrender he went into the mercantile business in Conyers, Rockdale Co., continuing it four years, and then removed to Blakely, where he has lived as a merchant ever since. In 1874 he was elected colonel of the Pataula battalion of state troops, and held the office four years. That same year he was elected county school commissioner, and has been continued in it until now -twenty years. Maj. Jones is not only an efficient officer, but he takes great interest in all movements and legislation promotive of educational advancement. Maj. Jones was united in marriage in Early county, in 1874, with Miss Fannie C., daughter of Dr. William M. Standifer. Four children have been born to them. Frank Standifer, born January, 1876, now a student at the university of Georgia, at Athens; Ethel, born in 1878; Emory Scott, born in 1883; and Murray Thomas, born in 1889. Maj. Jones does a large business, has been successful and is pros- perous; unambitious as to politics.

JOSEPH P. LANE, planter, Early Co., Ga., son of Joseph W. Lane, was born in Early county, Sept. 21, 1849. His father was a prosperous farmer, and died in 1864. As was the case with most boys and girls during Mr. Lane's youthful period, his education, even common school, was limited. His life labor has been confined to farming, on a good-sized plantation, eight miles from Blakely. His fellow-citizens, recognizing his fitness and capability, have frequently called him into their service. In 1878 he was elected receiver of tax returns, and was con- tinued in the office six years. He has also served as county commissioner one term. He is at present county representative in the general assembly-having been elected in 1890, and re-elected in 1892-and was assigned to the following com- mittees: General agriculture, enrollment, penitentiary, wild lands and asylum. Mr. Lane. was happily married in 1873 to Miss Georgia, daughter of Roland and Isabella Russom, of North Georgia, who has borne him four children: Robert W., born Oct. 1, 1874; Mary Ida, born February, 1876; Susie B., born Nov. 6, 1880, and Joseph R., born Jan. 15, 1882. Mr. Lane is a stanch and leading democrat, and one of the most influential in Early county.

RICHARD HOLMES POWELL, lawyer, Blakely, Early Co., Ga., son of Rev. Hiram Powell, one of the pioneer Baptist ministers in the middle portion of Georgia, was born Oct. 21, 1841, in Talbot county, Ga. The latter part of 1843 his father moved to Crawford county, and in 1859 to Early county, where he died in 1861. Mr. Powell's education was limited to the common county schools, as the impending "war," and his consequent subsequent experience interfered with his laudable ambition in this direction. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Georgia regiment, and enjoyed the honor of being the first man in the county to volunteer. He was made sergeant of his company. He was wounded a num- ber of times during his service, and, finally, at Petersburg, lost his right leg. Until then, 1864, he never missed a day. After the war he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1866, before Judge John T. Clark. He located in Blakely, which has continued to be his residence, and where he has built a large and

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profitable business. The next week after his admission to the bar he was unanimously elected solicitor of the county court. Mr. Powell was married Dec. 3, 1872, to Miss Kittie, daughter of Col. Joel Perry, one of the most prominent citizens in the county. To them have been born five children: Arthur G., born Sept. 2, 1873, educated at Mercer university, Macon, Ga., with a law course at the university of Virginia, and now associated with his father in the practice of his profession; Richard H., Jr., born March 3, 1875, graduated at Mercer university with first honor, and is now principal of Tennille, Ga., high school; Wade Hamp- ton, born Dec. 19, 1877; Hiram Perry, born March 1,' 1880, and Katie Lee, born Sept. II, 1884. Col. Powell has an excellent standing with his profession, and with the people as a lawyer, and is held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens. A brilliant future seems to be in store for the son, associated with him.

WILLIAM M. STANDIFER, physician and surgeon, Blakely, Early Co., Ga., was born in Jasper county, Ga., June 12, 1816. After receiving a country school education, he studied medicine under Dr. Ridley, at La Grange, Ga. He then attended the lectures at Charleston (S. C.) Medical college, graduating in 1838. He located in Blakely, Ga., in 1840, where he has spent his professional life. He afterward attended lectures at the medical college of Georgia, at Augusta, where he graduated in 1844. In 1870 he was stricken with paralysis, from which he recovered sufficiently to resume his practice. In 1882 he experi- enced a second attack, and decided to retire. He still, however, enjoys fine health and a clear and active mind. Dr. Standifer was married in 1846 to Miss Mary Grist Bryan, of Early county, by whom he has had three children: Florence, born in 1848, widow of Ashley A. Hightower; Frances, born in 1850, wife of Maj. Thomas F. Jones, and William Bryan, born Nov. 22, 1855. Dr. Standifer attained to and has sustained an excellent reputation in his profession, and established a large practice. He is a master Mason and a member of Magnolia lodge No. 86.

WILLIAM BRYAN STANDIFER, physician and surgeon, Blakely, Early Co., Ga., son of Dr. Wm. M. and Mary Grist (Bryan) Standifer, was born in Blakely Nov. 22, 1855. He received as good an education as the troublous times and the locality could afford, and then attended the medical college of Georgia, Augusta, whence he graduated in 1876. He immediately located at Blakely, where he has continued, excepting one year, when he was quarantine officer at Apalachicola, Fla. He succeeded to his father's fine practice, whose excellent reputation he sustains. He enjoys an increasing and handsomely remunerative patronage. He is resident surgeon of the Central railway of Georgia. In November, 1885, Dr. Standifer was married to Miss Jennie Rebecca, sister of Maj. Thomas F. Jones. This union has been blessed with three children: Jack Guy, born April 14, 1888; Rebecca, born July 26, 1890, and Bessie, born Aug. 24, 1893. Dr. Standifer is a master Mason, and a member of Magnolia lodge, No. 86, of which he has been worshipful master three times.

JOHN M'GRUDER WADE, merchant, Blakely, Early Co., Ga., son of Wm. H. Wade, was born in Screven county, Ga., Nov. 4, 1823. His father was a farmer, and for a number of years was a justice of the peace. In 1841 he removed with his family to Early county, where he died in 1856. Mr. Wade received only the meager educational advantages afforded by the county common schools of the day. When grown to manhood he began life for himself on the farm. Before the war, himself and his brother, Reuben, embarked in a general merchandise I-40

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store in Blakely, and after the war, resumed the business, which has been attended with remarkable success. During the war Mr. Wade was a member and sergeant of Company G, Thirteenth Georgia regiment. When his brother died he con- tinued the business and assumed control of the estate, and became guardian of his children. Mr. Wade was tax receiver of the county in 1864. He is a master Mason, and was never married.

REUBEN WILKINSON WADE, brother of John M., was born in Screven county, Ga., Sept. 23, 1828. During the late war he was captain of a cavalry company. After the war his fellow-citizens called him into public service, and he served the county as jury commissioner, as school commissioner, and as county treasurer, faithfully discharging the duties of each and all. He was married Nov. 19, 1869, to Miss Petrona Fidelia Robinson, who was born in Blakely Nov. 9, 1848 -- by whom he had three children: John William, born in Blakely Jan. 7, 1872. He graduated from Mercer university, Macon, Ga., and is now cashier of the bank at Blakely. Thomas Wilkinson, born in Blakely Aug. 5, 1873, was educated at Mercer university, also, and is studying law at the university of Virginia; Adelaide Pearl was born in Blakely Aug. 7, 1875. Reuben W. Wade died in Blakely May 8, 1887, after an active, enterprising and useful life, leaving a large estate. The firm is still continued as J. M. & R. W. Wade, under the sagacious management of the surviving senior brother. The Wades own large farming interests in Early county. The deceased brother, Reuben, was a royal arch Mason.

ELBERT COUNTY.

GEORGE L. ALMOND. The Almond family were among the early settlers of Elbert county, and have for nearly a century been prominently identified with its history and business interests. John Almond, the head of the Georgia branch of the family by this name, was a native of Virginia, and of English- French descent. He settled in Elbert county when a young man, and taking up farming as a vocation, married Ann Settle, the daughter of another old settler of the county. During the war of 1812 he left the farm in the hands of his wife and served his country throughout the struggle. His son, James Almond, the father of the subject of this sketch, followed the pursuit of his father, on the farm, and was an honest, upright citizen, popular with every one. He was an ardent and strict member of the Baptist church, and lived to the ripe old age of seventy-eight years, dying at his home at the old homestead. He married Amanda M. Fortsom, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Gaines) Fortsom. Mr. Fortsom was a wealthy planter of Elbert county, who had come from Virginia in the early part of the century. He too served in the war of 1812, thus giving Mr. George L. Almond, the subject of this sketch, two immediate ancestors, who served in the second war of this country against England. George L. Almond, the ordinary of Elbert county, was born in the county he so efficiently serves, in 1851. He was brought up as a farmer boy usually found it in those days, with plenty of work and meager opportunities for learning. Yet George improved every chance, and by the time he reached manhood possessed a well-stored mind. In 1876 he married Mattie Chandler, daughter of Asa and Laura H. (Sullivan) Chandler. Mr. Asa Chandler was a native of Franklin county, Ga., and was a very prominent minister

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ELBERT COUNTY SKETCHES.

of the Baptist church. He died in Elberton, Ga., in 1874, respected and honored by the entire community. Mrs. Almond was born in 1855. To Mr. Almond and his wife one child, Vaunie, has been born, to whom they are giving the best oppor- tunities for a finished education. The family are members of the Baptist church, of which he is a deacon and Sunday school superintendent. He was made a deacon when only eighteen years of age, and when twenty-five was made superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a master Mason, and takes great interest in the fraternity. That the people of Elbert county regard Mr. Almond most favorably and are well satisfied with his official life, is shown by the continuous election to the office of ordinary since 1881. He is an open-hearted, honest, Christian gentleman, whose career in life, witnessed by hundreds of people who knew him from birth, has been very successful. Mr. Almond has a pleasant home in Elberton, which is always open to his friends.

M'ALPIN ARNOLD. Like many of the early residents of Elbert county, Ga., the Arnold family, from which Mr. McAlpin Arnold, a leading merchant and banker of Elberton descends, came from North Carolina. About 1815, Davis Arnold, a native of North Carolina, with his wife (Elizabeth Wilhite) and family left the "Old North" and located in Elbert county, Ga. He was a farmer and one of the leading early settlers of the county. Joseph, one of his sons, brought up on the farm, and learning the carpenter's trade, early prepared himself for a busy life. He added to the original acreage of the Arnold homestead and became a large slave owner. He served in the late war and died in February, 1895, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. Joseph Arnold married Sarah K. Thornton, a daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Payne) Thornton, natives of Virginia. Benja- min Thornton was a preacher who filled pulpits of the Baptist church in Hart, Elbert and Oglethorpe counties, for over forty years, dying in Hart county, in 1876. Mr. McAlpin Arnold, son of Joseph and Sarah K. (Thornton) Arnold, was born on a farm in Elbert county, in 1847. His education was obtained from the country schools, and at the age of seventeen he enlisted in the war, serving in the militia and state troops, and was in the fight at Coosahatchie, S. C. In 1875, he married Annie Carter, daughter of James M. Carter, who was born in Hart county. His father was born in Virginia, and belonged to the family of Carters in that state. Mr. Carter is a well-to-do farmer, now living in Hart county. Was in the general assembly in 1860, and was a brave soldier in the war between the states. Mrs. Arnold's mother, Mary Louise Clark, was a direct descendant of the Alston family, originally from Virginia, but whose descendants are now scattered over most of the southern states. They are a family of revolutionary distinction and many incidents of startling interest are connected with this family, both in the remote as well as in the recent history of our country. By this union were born the following living children: Sarah Louise, Julius Y., Edna, and Carter. Mrs. Arnold was born in 1849. The early part of Mr. Arnold's life was spent on the farm, but in 1874 he engaged in the mercantile business with Thomas M. Swift. In 1876 this partnership was dissolved and he joined H. K. Gairdner in the business which has since been continued. Mr. Arnold is president of the bank of Elberton, and is a representative business man of Elbert county. He is noted for his sound, practical judgment, prudence, sagacity and diligence. Connected with these qualities are traits of justice, integrity and absolute fidelity to every obli- gation.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

J B. BELL, physician, Elberton, was born in Elbert county, Ga., in 1829. His- __ paternal grandfather was James Bell, a North Carolinian, who served in the revolutionary war, married Miss Olivia Moseley, moved to Georgia about 1790, and settled in Elbert county. He was a thrifty and well-to-do farmer, and died in 1809. David, a son, born in Elbert county, niarried Elizabeth Suelings. He was a successful farmer and slave-holder, and was justice of the peace for many years. His wife was the daughter of John and Nancy (Butler) Suelings. Mr. Suelings was a native of Virginia, moved to Georgia about 1801 and settled in Elbert county, where he lived until his death in 1856. He was of English descent, a prosperous farmer, an honest, upright man, and a brave soldier in the war of 1812, being in the great battle of New Orleans. Dr. J. B. Bell spent his early days on the farm and attended school in the log houses, where he obtained the foundation of his educa- tion and learning. In 1849 he began the study of medicine under Dr. David C. Keller. In 1850 he entered the Philadelphia medical college and was graduated in. 1851. In 1852 he attended a course at the medical college of Georgia, Augusta. In 1855 he married Mary F .- born in 1840-daughter of William G. and Millie T. (Wyche) Bullaid. Mr. Bullaid was born in Elbert county, was a farmer and served. in the war. He was a son of Tapley and Annie (Bell) Bullaid, natives of Elbert county. To Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Bell have been born the following living children: Oscar F., George D., Bessie M., Fannie L., and Sontag. In 1861, Dr. Bell enlisted in the war, joining Company C (Capt. L. H. O. Martin), Fifteenth Georgia regiment. He was assigned to hospital duty and served as a physician through the war. He returned home and resumed the practice of his profession, which is now a very large one. Dr. Bell owns a fine farm near Elberton, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an honored citizen.

A.J. CLEVELAND. The Cleveland family has been associated with the history" of Elbert county for over a century. John and Martha (Kidd) Cleveland, natives of this state, first settled in Elbert county and were interested in farming. Their son Jacob married Permelia Rucker, a daughter of Willis Rucker, an carly settler of Wilkes county, but who had moved to Elbert county, where he died. Jacob Cleveland was a well-to-do farmer and slaveholder. Mr. A. J. Cleve- land, his son, and the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead in 1834. He received the usual education afforded by the local schools, and in 1863 enlisted in the late war, joining Company C, First Georgia regulars, under Capt. R. H. Atkinson. He served in the battles of Ocean Pond, John's Island, Savannah, Averasboro and Smithfield. In 1860 he married Millie E. Bailey, daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah (Gaines) Bailey. Mr. Bailey was born and lived all his life in Elbert county and was a prosperous mechanic. The mother was. born in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland have two living children: Paul A. and Julian M. They are both members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Cleveland is a royal arch Mason. Mr. Cleveland, who is now retired from business with a competency, began life after the war without a dollar. He borrowed $1,600 and went into the mercantile business, which he continued with the best pecuniary results until 1878. He is the owner of 2,400 acres of land and has a pretty home near Elberton. All was made by industry, perseverance and a sterling integrity which always made his word as good as his bond.

DR. M. P. DEADWYLER. One of the oldest practicing physicians in the state of Georgia and the senior member of the medical profession in Elbert county, Ga., is Dr. M. D. Deadwyler, who was born in the county in 1824 and was the son of Martin and Sarah Rebecca (Wilhite) Deadwyler. His paternal

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grandfather, Martin Deadwyler, was a native of Germany, who emigrated to this country about the middle of the last century and settled in North Carolina. His son Joseph, Dr. Deadwyler's grandfather, migrated to Georgia and settled on a farm which he took up on Dover's Creek, Elbert county. He married Miss Alice Duncan, a native of Georgia, and raised his family on that farm. Dr. Dead- wyler's father was born and reared on this homestead. He became a large slave- owner and planter and attained to great prominence financially and politically, and was a leading spirit in public affairs, especially those of the county. He was sheriff of the county many years and a member of the state senate, wielding a wide and sturdy influence. Later in life he moved to Madison county, Ga., where he died. Dr. Deadwyler's mother was a daughter of Philip Wilhite, who was of French lineage, and born in North Carolina. He came to Georgia and settled on a farm in Elbert county, on which he died. Dr. Deadwyler re- ceived a good education, attending first the near-by country schools, and then the academy at Elberton. He then began the study of medicine under Drs. C. W. and H. R. J. Long, and was graduated from the Medical college, Augusta, Ga., in 1851. He located at Danielsville, Madison Co., where he practiced eight years, and then moved to Elberton, where he has since lived, and successfully followed his profession. He has a large practice and extensive and profitable farming interests, owns much valuable town property in Elberton, and is one of the solidest and most substantial of Elbert county's citizens. Dr. Deadwyler was married in 1852 to Miss A. E .- born in Madison county in 1834-a daughter of Jacob Eberhart. He is a royal arch Mason, and is very prominent in the masonic fraternity, and himself and wife are members of the Baptist church, and he is prominent in the order of Masons and has taken the chapter degrees. He has a large practice, in addition to which he has large farming interests and valuable town property, and is therefore possessed of abundance of means.

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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 91

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