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 92

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 92

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S. H. FORTSON. One of the families conspicuous in the history of Elbert county is that of the Fortsons. For three-quarters of a century they have been distinguished figures in business, political and social affairs, not only in Elbert county, but throughout the state. The Georgia branch of the family de- scend from Thomas Fortson, an Englishman who came to America about 1779 and settled in Virginia. He was a man of education, culture and refinement, and a fortunate farmer. His son John married Miss Easton, a daughter of a Virginia planter, and about 1800 they moved to Georgia and settled in Elbert county. Here was born Easton Fortson, who became one of the foremost men in this section of the state. He was a learned man, took an interest in the advancement of his county and was a moving spirit in all laudable enterprises. He served as sheriff of Elbert county and in other official positions. Brave and fearless, he was of great service to the early residents in the Indian war. Starting in life as a poor boy, he was worth about $50,000 at the time of his death. He married Susan, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gaiterd) Ham. Mr. Ham was a Vir- ginian and a settler of Elbert county. Stephen H. Fortson, a prosperous farmer living in the southern part of Elbert county, is a son of Easton Fortson, and was born in Elbert county in 1836. He spent his boyhood days on the farm and obtained his education in the public schools. In 1858 he married Mary, daughter of William B. and Mildred (Rucker) White. Mr. White was an eminent lawyer and farmer of Elbert county, representing that county in the state senate, and was a very wealthy man. Mrs. White was born in 1840 and died in 1882. She was an excellent woman and sincere Christian. By this union were born Buena V., Richard H., May E. and Zollicoffer Fortson. In 1882 Mr. Fortson married

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for his second wife Ellen, daughter of Whitman and Ann (Badell) Hill. She was born in 1847 in South Carolina, of which state her parents were natives. Mr. and Mrs. Fortson have one child, Stephen T. In 1862 Mr. Fortson enlisted in the war in the Thirty-eighth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Thornton. He was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Slaughter Mountain and around Richmond. He was there placed in the cavalry and fought at Travilion station, McDowell's farm, Nancy's shop, Stone station, Blackwater swamp and in the Richmond campaign. Mr. and Mrs. Fortson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Fortson has served his county as a member of the board of commissioners and education. At the close of the war he found himself with about $1,000. Upon this small capital he has succeeded in building a substantial competence. He owns 1,500 acres of good land about eight miles from Fishdam, Oglethorpe Co. He is a citizen enjoying the confidence of his neighbors and all whom his business and social relations bring him in contact with.

HENRY KOLLOCK GAIRDNER, merchant, cotton buyer and guano manu- facturer, Elberton, Elbert Co., was born in Augusta, Ga., in 1842. He was the son of James Penman and Mary (Mckinney) Gairdner. He is of English ancestry on his father's side and of Scotch-Irish descent from his mother's an- cestors. His father, James Penman Gairdner, was an eminent man and won distinction as a lieutenant in the English army during the peninsula war. His grandfather, James Gardner, was a native of England, moved to America after the revolutionary war and settled in Charleston, S. C. He was a merchant and was a member of the firm of James & Edwin Gairdner. Later he moved to Co- lumbia county, Ga., where he spent the balance of his life on the farm. He was a man of brilliant mind and captivating disposition, successful in his business career, and accumulated much wealth. His son, James Penman, was born in Charleston, S. C., in 1805. He was sent to England to stay with an aunt when a boy and received his education at Eaton and Harrow, where he attended school with the famous Lord Byron. After he was graduated the spirit of adventure and love of a soldier-life caused him to enter the English army. He served as a lieutenant in the English army through all the war between England and France under Napoleon, and was also under Wellington at Waterloo, and for his gallant services in various engagements, in which he received seven wounds, was given a dozen medals from Queen Victoria. After peace was declared he retired from the English army, returned to his home and father in America. A few years later he married and then located in Jefferson county, Ga., where he lived for twenty years, following farming with much success. He then moved to Augusta, where he lived the balance of his life, dying in 1862, respected and honored by all. The mother of Henry Kollock Gairdner was Mary, daughter of Thomas and Ann (McKinney) Gairdner, and at a ripe old age is living with a part of her children in Augusta. Thomas Gairdner was a native of Savannah, where he was a merchant for a number of years, and retiring from business with much wealth, he moved to Augusta, where he passed his remaining days. Henry Kollock Gairdner was born on the farm and there and in Augusta he spent his boyhood days, and was educated at the Richmond county academy. He came from fighting blood, and so when the war broke out between the states, in May, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth Georgia regiment volunteers, under Capt. Platt. He was in several important engagements, and being taken very sick at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., he returned home, but served in the fighting against Sherman until the close of the war. On March 6, 1879, he was married to Miss Lavonia Jones, daughter of John H. Jones, Elbert county, Ga., and

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they have one child, James Pennian. Mrs. Gairdner was born in Elberton in 1855. The family are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Gairdner be- longs to the masonic fraternity. In 1865 he started in business at Elberton and continued in the same until 1876, when a partnership was formed with Mr. Mc- Alpin Arnold. This firm has been remarkably successful and transacts an enor- mous business, their trade even extending into adjoining towns.

REV. J. H. GROGAN. The Grogan family, conspicuous in the history of Elbert county, descend from Henry Grogan, a native of Ireland, who settled in Vir- ginia, migrated thence to South Carolina, and then to Georgia. He had a son, Henry, who married Elsie, daughter of a North Carolina planter. Their son William (father of J. H. Grogan) was born in South Carolina, and when young moved to Georgia, settling in Forsyth county, but later moved to Pickens county, where he died. He was a large farmer, a strict member of the Baptist church and a leading politician of his day. He was justice of the peace for years and a man who was a valuable citizen to his community. He was married to Hettie Rydings, a daughter of John and Sarah (Blackwell) Rydings. Mr. Rydings was a native of North Carolina, where he lived and died. He was a farmer and served with dis- tinction in the revolutionary war. Rev. J. H. Grogan, son of William M. and Hettie Grogan, was born in Spartanburg district, South Carolina, in 1828. His early life was spent on the farm and his education picked up from the old log cabin schoolhouse, and by free use of the pine knot and tallow candle. When eighteen years old he left his state, and traveling on foot to Lumpkin county, Ga., accepted a position in a store where he remained for several years. In 1856 he was wedded to Fannie E. McLaughlin, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hall) Mclaughlin. Mr. Mclaughlin was a native of Oglethorpe county, Ga., and was an extensive planter, dying at the old age of eighty-seven years on the same place on which he was born. Mr. Grogan and wife have eight living children: George C., Sarah P., William M., Lela J., Bessie H., J. O. A., John H., and Emma B. The mother was born in Oglethorpe county in 1835. The family are honored members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Grogan is a faithful member of the Masonic order. Rev. Grogan was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 1851, and traveled for over twenty-two years, preaching from the pulpit of nearly every church of his denomination in the state. In 1873, after nearly a third of a century of itineracy, he settled down in Elbert county and began farming and milling. He has been remarkably successful, and owns about 1,500 acres of choice lands, besides valuable milling property. He is a fine gentleman, respected and loved by all who have the favor of his acquaintance. He is president of the Elberton academy, and takes much interest in the work of this educational institution. Mr. Grogan resides near Middleton, Elbert Co.

J. B. JONES, SR., farmer, Flatwoods, Elbert Co., was born in 1836, and is the son of James and Sarah (Dye) Jones. James Jones was a successful farmer and served in the state troops in the late war when he was quite aged. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Brow and Jane (Wyley) Dye, an early settler of Elbert county, and an extensive planter and large slave holder. Mrs. James Jones' grandfather was a soldier in the revolutionary army, and attained the rank of colonel. The grandfather of the subject of this memoir was Solomon Jones, a native of North Carolina who moved to Georgia in 1805 and settled in Elbert county. He was a farmer, and a brave soldier in the second war with Great Britain, and died in Elbert county. J. B. Jones, Sr., was raised on the farm and educated in the public schools. In 1862 he enlisted in the late war and served

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in various companies, going into the regular service in 1863 in Company H, Capt. Clark Mattox commanding. He was at the battle of Macon and was discharged from the service at Graniteville, S. C. He was married in 1859 to Elizabeth T., daughter of Nicholas and Eliza (Munelee) Burton. Mr. Burton was an old resident of Elbert county and died in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been blessed by the birth of the following children: James N., Thompson S., Jeptha B., Elizabeth, Annie, Sarah, Tallulah, A. B., and W. H. Mrs. Jones was born in Elbert county in 1843, and she and her husband are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Mason in high standing, and in politics is an unflinching democrat. He was sheriff of Elbert county for two years, and in 1882 was elected to the general assembly, where he served with distinction on the committees on manufacture, agriculture, and deaf and dumb asylums. Soon after the war Mr. Jones started in business with J. H. Grogan, on a joint capital of $1,500. In about five years' time he bought Grogan out and conducted the business alone till 1883. He is now engaged in farming, being the owner of 1,500 acres of good land near Flatwoods.

MAJ. J. H. JONES. The latter part of the eighteenth century saw many old Virginian families migrate to the lands beyond the Blue Ridge and Georgia was largely benefited, not only by the number, but the character of the new set- tlers. Among these families was that of John Jones, a robust Virginian, who had served in the ranks of the patriot army with distinction during the revolu- tionary war. He was of Welsh descent and a native of Virginia. The original family settled where the city of Baltimore now stands and the creek running through the city called Jorus Falls was named for this family. He had married Ann Shakleford, the daughter of an old Virginia family, and in 1791 brought his wife and family to Elbert county, Ga., where he began the life of a farmer. There were but few inhabitants of the county at that time, but nothing daunted the pioneer, who cleared away the forests and tilled the soil with the energy characteristic of his people. He was one of the founders of Elberton and helped lay the place off. Thomas Jones was a son of this man and was born before the family left Virginia, in Albemarle county. He helped his father in the first years of their life in Georgia and worked as a clerk in the firm of Weston & Chipman of Edinburg. In 1810 he entered business as a merchant on his own account, and continued the same until he died in 1840. At one time he was sheriff of Elbert county. He married Eliza M. Darracotte, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Wingfield) Darracotte. Mr. Darracotte was a native of Virginia and an early settler of Wilkes county, Ga. He was a merchant and died in Abbeville county, S. C. Maj. John H. Jones is a son of this union of old Virginia stock, and is a leading citizen and merchant of Elbert county. He was born in Elberton in 1816, on the lot where he now lives, and is now in his eightieth year. His edu- cation was better than that which fell to the lot of the average young man of that period and young Jones was graduated from the university of Georgia at Athens in 1838. He returned to his home and entered into a mercantile business which he has since continued. He served in the late war as a member of the state militia. In 1843 he married Lavonia Hammond, daughter of Alfred and Louisa (Hudson) Hammond. Mr. Hammond was born in South Carolina and first settled in Franklin county, Ga., afterward moving to Elbert county, where he · died. He was a merchant and a very successful business man. Mrs. Jones was born in 1827. By the marriage of Maj. Jones to Miss Hammond, seven children are now living: Thomas; Louisa, who married Robert Heard; Ida, married to Capt. J. J. Burch; Lavonia, married to H. K. Gairdner; Mary C., wife of T. J.

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Blackwell; Willie O., married Mollie Gairdner, Columbus, Ga., and Norah. The families all belong to the Methodist church. Maj. Jones is an honored officer in the masonic fraternity and was made a member in 1841. He has served his county as judge of the inferior court, but never sought political honors, preferring to devote himself to his business. Notwithstanding he lost 114 slaves by the war, he has managed his large plantation as his business interests dictated, with gratifying success. Maj. Jones is beloved and honored by all who know him, especially so with the women and children. A long business career has shown him to be a man of probity, a sincere friend and a practical citizen with broad views. Far-sighted, quick in discernment and sound in business judgment, Maj. Jones has for years been often consulted on every conceivable enterprise by friends and acquaintances.

DR. N. G. LONG, state senator and prominent physician of Elberton, Elbert Co., was born in Madison county, Ga., in 1854. The Georgia branch of the family of this name descend from Samuel Long, who was a native of Penn- sylvania and of Scotch-Irish parentage. He left Pennsylvania when young and settled in Virginia, where he married and reared a family. One of his sons, Thomas, married Sarah McCurty, a daughter of an old Georgia planter. In 1830 the father and son, with their families, moved to Georgia and settled in Elbert county, but soon afterward moved to Madison county, where the aged father died in the fall of that year. Thomas Long, who had served his country in the war of 1812, was a man of much force of character, and being well-educated for the times, he exerted much influence in the county within a few years after locating there. James, his son, and father of Dr. N. G. Long, was born on the old estate in Madison county in 1826, and there lived all his life, dying in 1889. He served in the late war with credit to himself and country. He married Frances, a daughter of Nathaniel and Lucinda (Jerrel) Gholston. Mr. Gholston was a native of Madison county, a leading farmer and was of English descent. He served in the war of 1812 and died in Madison county. Dr. N. G. Long was raised on the farm, receiving his schooling in the local institutions, and in 1875 began to read medicine under Dr. J. D. Long. He then attended the Augusta Medical college and completed his course at the Louisville, Ky., Medical college. He commenced the practice of medicine in Elbert county in 1876 and has been eminently successful from the start. In 1880 he married Emma Heard, the beautiful daughter of George E. and Mattie (Har- per) Heard. His wife was born in 1863, and her father, a native of Elbert county, and a farmer by vocation, served with distinction in the late war between the states. He is now dead. Dr. Long and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he belongs to the masonic fraternity, having taken both chapter and blue lodge degrees. In .1891 Dr. Long was chosen mayor of El- berton, serving one term. He has been a member of the town council for years. In 1894 he was elected to the state senate. Through his first experience as a legislator he made a state reputation, serving on the most important committees: Banks, finance, railroad, corporations, lunatic asylum, deaf and dumb and others. Dr. Long enjoys a fine practice in Elberton, and so high is his reputation in his profession that his services are in demand from surrounding towns. He has ever enjoyed the full confidence of his patients, while his standing as an exem- plary citizen has always been of the highest. His practice has been general in character and attended with a high degree of pecuniary success.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

JOHN W. M'CALLA, farmer, Heardmont, Elbert Co., Ga., descends from revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather, a native of Ireland, having been a brave soldier in the ranks of the patriots. His grandfather was John McCalla, born in South Carolina, and a farmer and slave-holder of that state. He was married to Susan Tenant and to them was born one child, George R. McCalla, the father of Mr. J. W. McCalla. George R. McCalla was born and lived all his life in South Carolina, and, like his father, was a large planter and slave holder. He was a man of great intellectual accomplishments, a thorough student and a classical scholar. He enjoyed the advantage of instruction under the direc- tion of eminent private tutors, and was graduated from the university of Georgia, Athens, taking the second honor. He was a classmate of Hon. T. R. Cobb. He was married to Mary Allen, the beautiful daughter of a neighbor planter, Singleton W. Allen. The latter descended from the old Virginia family of that name, and was born in Elbert county, Ga. He was an active politician and one of Elbert county's foremost citizens. He represented the county in the legislature in both the house and the state senate, and refused further honors in order to give attention to his farm. He died in 1852. Mr. George R. McCalla died in 1885, at an advanced age. He was opposed to the late war, and did all in his power to prevent it, but when the die was cast, and nothing but the clash of arms could follow, he accepted the inevitable and supported the south. Mr. J. W. McCalla was born in the Abbeville district, S. C., in 1850, and was graduated from the university of Georgia. In 1870 he married Francesca Du Pree, daughter of Lewis and Mary (Adams) Du Pree. The latter was a leading business manr of Athens, and was a man prominently identified with the political and commercial affairs of the state. Mrs. McCalla was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., in 1850. She died about a year after her marriage, and in 1873 Mr. McCalla was wedded to Mary Allen, daughter of Banaster and Anna (Averby) Allen. Mr. Allen was a native of Virginia and afterward moved to Georgia, tlience to South Carolina, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. McCalla have had born to them three children who are now living: Earl, Annie, and Olivia. The mother was born in South Carolina in 1850. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. McCalla is a member of the masonic fraternity. He has always been a farmer, and now owns a magnificent estate of about 6,000 acres. Upon this are extensive improvements and much live stock, all constituting one of the finest farms in Georgia. Mr. McCalla is one of the wealthiest planters in southwest Georgia, and his entire possessions are the result of his own individual efforts.

CLARK MATTOX, farmer, Elberton, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., in 1838. He is the grandson of David and Sarah (Hale) Mattox, natives of Virginia, who moved to Georgia about 1800, and settled in Elbert county, where he lived and died. David Mattox was one of the hardy pioneers whose industry and bravery broke down all barriers and rescued Elbert county from the wilderness and peopled her confines with the blood of old Virginia. He was a poor man when he began life in Georgia, and for years his life was a struggle. His indomitable will, however, overcame all hardships and won suc- cess, and he died a well-to-do man. He was a brave soldier in the war of 1812. A son, Henry P., was born in Elbert county. He married Sophia Munnelee of Elbert county, and moved to Oglethorpe county, where he lived for several years, returning to Elbert county, where he died. He was a farmer and served in the war between the states. He was a member of the state legislature in 1874-5, and was a successful business man. His wife was a daughter of James F. and Jane (Nash) Munnelee, and was born in Elbert county in 1840. Mr. Munnelee

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was a native of Virginia, and moved to Georgia at an early day, where he died. Mr. Clark Mattox, son of David, was reared on a farm, and was given the best education afforded by the local educational institutions. In 1861 he enlisted in the war, Company I, Fifteenth Georgia regiment, under Capt. McIntosh. His company was afterward reorganized and he served under Capt. Joseph Smith. He was an active participant in many important battles. He was at Malvern hill, Garnet farm, Manassas, Atlanta, and then with the army to Savannah, as captain of Company C, state troops. He was slightly wounded in the first battle of Garnet farm. In 1858 Mr. Mattox married Frances J. Brawner, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Upshaw) Brawner. Mr. Brawner was born in Elbert county and was a leading farmer and large slave owner. To this union were born children, five of whom are living: Joseph H., William C., Mrs. Lizzie Hull- guis, Annie, and Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Mattox are members of the Baptist church and he is a Mason. He was justice of the peace for twenty-five years and is now. a member of the county school board. After the war Mr. Mattox returned to his farm, which he has since managed prosperously. He owns about 1,600 acres of land and a mill and gin, and is regarded as one of the leading farmers of Elbert county

D. P. OGLESBY, farmer, Elberton, was born in Elbert county in 1838, and is the son of William and Pelina (Wiley) Oglesby. His grandfather, Thomas Oglesby, was born in Virginia and came to Elbert county, where he located on a farm and passed his life. His son William was born in Virginia and preceded his father to Elbert county one year, he having attained his majority and set out for himself. He married first Mary (Christian) Oglesby, and after her death married Pelina, daughter of George and Mildred (David) Wiley. Mr. George Wiley was a native of Georgia, a successful farmer, and died in Gwinnett county. Mr. D. P. Oglesby has spent a large part of his life on the farm. He received a good education for his day, and in 1862 enlisted in the late war, joining Company G, Ninth Georgia battalion, as a private under Capt. Eberhart. This battalion was subsequently consolidated with the Third Georgia battalion, and made the Thirty-seventh Georgia regiment. He served gallantly and was in several important battles. At Murfreesboro he received a severe wound in the shoulder and was sent home. In three months he was back on duty. By this time his comrades had elevated him to the rank of first lieutenant of his com- pany. After this he was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Decatur and Franklin, Tenn. At the latter place he received a severe wound in the leg, and at Chickamauga was injured in the face. His Franklin wound disabled him for months after the surrender. Mr. Oglesby was married in 1860 to Margaret Deadwyler, daughter of Asa and Margaret (Eberhart) Deadwyler. Mr. Dead- wyler was a native of Elbert county and afterward moved to Madison county, where he died. Mr. Oglesby and wife have had born to them seven children, six of whom are living, viz: Mary T., who married Dr. B. A. Henry; Cornelia A., married to H. J. Brewer; Gussie F., married to Col. W. F. Jones; Addie, Lena, and John J. Mrs. Oglesby was born in Madison county in 1840. They are both members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Oglesby is a Mason. Like so many others in Elbert county, Mr. Oglesby had little left after the war and had to start anew. The trials of the farmers for the first few years after the conflict were many, but he overcame all and again accumulated a good competency. He owns a fine farm of 1,200 acres and considerable property in Elberton, and beside, he owns a store in Oglesby, a town on the G. C. & N. R. R. named after his family. He is a citizen honored and respected by all.

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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 92

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