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. II, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1166

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. II > Part 100

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remuneration derived from this was not sufficient to pay his college dues, and he left it $100 in debt. Prof. M. G. Bates, now president of a college in Atlanta, Texas, was his classmate, and, also, his roommate during his term at college. Remembering his early struggles and limited opportunities for instruction, he conceived, during his last year at college, the idea of establishing an educational institute, at Jasper, for the benefit of the youths of Pickens county, and even before graduation, Jasper institute was in the course of construction. This well-known and popular school was established at his own instance, and first threw open its doors in 1879 to its patrons, as a select private school. Being an indefatigable worker, this institution flourished under his care and superintendence, until 1884, when, its reputation safe, and an everlasting source of pride to him, he sold it. It has since become a public school. His next venture was to commence, in 1884, the study of law under the supervision of Hon. George R. Brown, of Canton. His success in this undertaking is shown by the fact that he was admitted to the bar, after standing a very rigid examination, in September of that year. Subsequently he commenced the practice of law at Jasper, where he still resides and follows his profession. A man of strict integrity, he won for himself many warm and loyal friends, and justly earned the reputation of being an able lawyer. His practice extends throughout northern Georgia, and in the supreme court of the state. Mr. Henley is a prudent and safe counselor, and an honorable and conscientious gentleman, possessed of great tact and wisdom. He stands high in the estima- tion of the people of Pickens county. His present position of school commissioner, to which he was chosen in 1891, demonstrates that he was a successful educator. Since 1868 he has been a regular member of the Missionary Baptist church, and is active in promoting the cause of religion, and the moral standard of the community in which he resides. In 1879 he was married at Spring Place, Murray Co., Ga., to

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Katie, daughter of Henry C. Nethelon, deceased. Five children, all boys, were born to them-Weldon, John Ralph, James Bates, Clay, and Stanton, all of whom survive. The father of Mr. Henley was Jesse Clark Henley, formerly of the state of Tennessee. His mother was Jane Eveline, daughter of Mathew B. Hooper, of Banks county. She died in Murray county in 1881. Mr. Henley is a stanch democrat, active and prominent in councils of his party, and in recognition of his talents, he is frequently chosen representative of Pickens county at state conventions. Mr. Henley is a royal arch Mason, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since December, 1891, he has been worshipful master of Pickens Star lodge, No. 220.

HARDY RHYNE, a prominent business man of Jasper, Pickens Co., was born at Walesca, Cherokee Co., March 13, 1861. He received a common school educa- tion in Cherokee county, and in 1884 established the first newspaper published in Pickens county, "The Mountain Boys." In September, 1886, he was admitted to the bar at Canton, Cherokee Co. During the year 1887 he resided at Dallas, Tex. In February, 1888, he located permanently in Jasper, and is at present engaged in constructing and building, and in manufacturing building supplies. In January, 1889, Mr. Rhyne was elected mayor of Jasper, and was again elected to that office in 1891. In 1892 he was chosen a member of the board of education, and still continues to discharge the duties of that position. For three years he served as justice of the peace, during which term of service, he rendered efficient aid to the state, in enforcing the law against a band of outlaws engaged in committing the crime of arson, and kindred offenses in Pickens county. Mr. Rhyne is an active member of the Universalist church. He also belongs to the order of Odd Fellows, and he is one of the stockholders in the Columbus Building and Loan association. During the late war his father served as lieutenant in the Forty-third Georgia regiment. The father of Mr. Rhyne is James A. Rhyne, who was born in Haber- sham county, Ga., Nov. 27, 1834. His mother is Mary E., daughter of James Hardy, of Virginia. She was born in Lincoln county, N. C., Oct. 25, 1840. Her grandfather served in the New York volunteer service in the war of 1812, and died while in the service. The parents of Mr. Rhyne are still living, and reside at Jasper. He is the oldest of six living children: Dr. Lester A. Rhyne, a practicing physician at Atlanta; William Walter, a mechanic, residing at Jasper; Eugene, Cecil Guy, and Carl Hoyl, all of Jasper. Mr. Rhyne belongs to a family noted for longevity. He has seen eight of his grandmothers, representing the paternal and maternal branches of his family. Mr. Rhyne is one of the leading citizens of Jasper, active, energetic, and enterprising. His character for integrity and fair dealing in all of his business transactions stands high among his townsmen, and he has done much to promote the material welfare of Jasper and its people.

JOHN FREDERICK SIMMONS, of Jasper, Pickens Co., was born at Jasper Aug. 1, 1857, where he was reared and received his primary education. At the age of eighteen he entered the agricultural college, at Dahlonega, Ga., where he pursued a course of study. After leaving college he taught school in Pickens county for two terms. He next engaged in mercantile business in Ludville, which he conducted for three years; and for a time he represented mercantile houses in Georgia, as a traveling salesman. In 1887 he was chosen a member of the board of education of Pickens county, in which capacity he served for upwards of one year, when he resigned. In January, 1889, Mr. Simmons was elected clerk of the superior court, and county treasurer of Pickens county, as a democrat-the two offices, by a special act of the legislature having been united in one. After a warm and spirited contest he was chosen by a majority of 110 votes over E. J. Coffey,

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republican, in a county usually controlled by that party. For two years he con- tinued to discharge the duties of his office with skill and fidelity, and to the entire satisfaction of the public. In January, 1891, he was again elected to discharge the duties of his office with skill and fidelity, and to the entire satisfaction of the satisfaction of the public. In January, 1891, he was again elected by a majority of 800 votes, being the largest vote ever polled in Pickens county by any candidate, and the largest majority ever received by a candidate in that county, showing fully that his popularity as a factor in Pickens county politics is unsurpassed. At the end of his second term he was appointed to the office of United States commissioner for the northern district of Georgia, by Hon. W. T. Neuman, district judge, which office he still continues to hold, and the duties of which he discharges with marked ability, and universal satisfaction. He has many times represented his party as a delegate to state and congressional conventions, and is an ardent friend and sup- porter of Hon. F. C. Tate, representative in congress from the ninth district, who was the schoolmate and playmate of his boyhood. Since early youth, Mr. Sim- mons has been an active and conscientious member of the Methodist church, south. He is a man of temperate habits and domestic tastes, has never tasted intoxicating liquors, and has been for many years a zealous worker in the cause of temperance, and in endeavoring to promote the moral welfare of the community in which he resides. On Nov. 20, 1879, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage to Miss Ella Forrester, of Pickens county, daughter of Francis and Ann H. For- rester. Eight children have been born of this marriage-four boys and four girls- seven of whom survive. Mr. Simmons' father was W. H. Simmons, born in Pike county, Ga., in April, 1824, and who settled at Jasper in 1856. He was a well-known member of the Georgia bar, and served as ordinary of Pickens county for sixteen years. During the years 1878 and 1879, he represented the forty-first senatorial district in the general assembly. He was also school commissioner of Pickens county for several years. For many years he was a prominent member of the masonic fraternity, and for twenty-five years he was superintendent of the M. E. Sunday-school, at Jasper. He died at Jasper Jan. 31, 1891, at the age of sixty- seven. Pickens county has had but few officials whose public acts and private life merited and received stronger indorsement and commendation than the record of W. H. Simmons has received. The mother of Mr. Simmons is the daughter of Beverly Allen, of Forsyth county, where she was born May 26, 1820. She is still living in her old age at Jasper, a devoted member of the Methodist church, in which communion she has been a zealous worker during the chief portion of her life. She lives among her children at Jasper, who have grown up to honor and bless her. Mr. Simmons lives surrounded by his family, and in perfect harmony with his neighbors and numerous friends. By careful management and business tact, he has acquired a reasonable competence, and lives in the full enjoyment of the independence which that secures to him.

SAMUEL TATE, deceased, farmer and trader, formerly of Pickens county. Ga., was a son of John I. Tate, and was born in Franklin county, Ga., May 25, 1797. His father was born in county of Londonderry, Ireland, May 4, 1758, whence, when a child seven or eight years old, he came to this country with his parents, who settled first in Virginia, but afterward came to Georgia and settled in Franklin county. He moved to Cherokee county January, 1835, and was one of the first settlers of the county. Later, he moved to Gilmer county, Ga., and died in Ellijay Dec. 28, 1838. Samuel Tate grew to manhood on the farm in Franklin county, and then went to the gold fields, in what is now Lumpkin, Gilmer Co., and contiguous counties, but he made farming his leading pursuit. However, being in the line of travel between the west and the south Atlantic coast, and the

S. TATE.

STEPHEN C. TATE.

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PICKENS COUNTY SKETCHES.

country being sparsely settled, his home became a general stopping-place for stock drovers, prospectors, and travelers generally, and he naturally drifted into trading in stock and land. During the war of 1812, when a boy fifteen years of age, he drove a team; and during the late civil war he was captain of a company in the Twenty-third Georgia regiment. He served but a short time, however, as he was taken sick, resigned and came home. In 1857 he represented Pickens county in the general assembly. Mr. Tate was married March 26, 1822, to Miss Mary, daughter of Caleb and Julia Griffith, of Habersham county, in which she was born-March 20, 1804. Mr. Griffith, who was of English extraction, was born in Maryland, and came to Georgia when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Tate were the parents of seven children-four sons and three daughters-of whom three survive: Stephen C, and William, now living in Pickens county, and sketches of whom appear in these Memoirs, and Mrs. Jane S. Davis, born Aug. 13. 1830, living in Walker county, Ga. Mr. Tate died Sept. 20, 1866, and Mrs. Tate, who was a member of the Baptist church, died June 16, 1886.

STEPHEN C. TATE, an old and esteemed resident of Pickens county, and a well-known business man, was born in Lumpkin county, Ga., June 9, 1832, and moved with his parents to Cherokee county, in January, 1835. At the age of twenty he visited California, where for a brief period he was engaged in mining. After an absence of eighteen months he returned to his home in Pickens county, where he remained until 1855, when he moved to Cartersville, at which place he conducted a flourishing and prosperous mercantile business, and erected a mill on the Etowah river. During the war he entered the state troops of Georgia. In 1863 he was appointed agent at Etowah station, on the Western & Atlantic railroad, in which capacity he served for a short time. He next moved to Taylor county, Ga., where he refugeed during the remainder of the war; he then returned to his old homestead in Pickens county, and engaged in farming. Mr Tate is one of the owners of the plant of the Georgia Marble com- pany, located near the station of Tate, on the Marietta & North Georgia railroad. He is also a stockholder and director in that company, and a director in, and vice-president of the Kennesaw Marble company. These quarries were opened in 1884, and the capital invested in their development has yielded liberal profits to the stockholders. The product of the quarries near Tate is of three varieties-a dark- colored stone, known as Creole marble; the Etowah marble, which is of a pink shade, and the Cherokee, a white marble. The Kennesaw marble is a white marble of excellent quality. The companies have an active market for the product of these quarries throughout the United States. Mr. Tate was married in 1857 to Eliza D. Buffington, of Griffin, Ga. Nineteen children were born of this marriage, of whom ten survive. Mrs. Tate died in 1889. Mr. Tate is a royal arch Mason, and a charter member of the Canton lodge, Knights of Honor; and he has been post- master at Tate since 1883. He is a man of very high character, and among his numerous acquaintances and friends, he is respected and admired for his many fine qualities of both head and heart. In the various business transactions in which he is daily engaged, his word is considered equivalent to his bond.

MAJ. WILLIAM TATE, of Tate, in the county of Pickens, was born in Lumpkin county July 15, 1827. In 1835 he moved, with his parents, to Pickens county, where he now resides, then known as Cherokee county. On the organization of Pickens county, in March, 1854, he was elected the first clerk of the superior court of that county, in which capacity he served during eight consecutive years. In 1863 he entered the Confederate service, as captain of Company K, First Georgia

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state troops, and later was transferred to Stovall's brigade. In 1864 he was pro- moted to rank of major. He was present and engaged at the siege of Atlanta, and fought in the battle of Jonesborough. At the close of the war he returned to his home and engaged in farming. Maj. Tate is one of the leasers of the land on which is located the Georgia Marble company. The extent of this marble bed is about two miles in length by one-half in width. In 1854 Maj. Tate was married to Miss Mary Bird, daughter of Thomas Bird, of Gordon county, and formerly of Hall county. Six children survive as the fruit of this marriage. Hon. Farish Carter Tate, of Jasper, at present a member of congress from the ninth congressional district of Georgia, who was born in November, 1858. He served three successive terms in the house of representatives of the legislature of Georgia, and in the fall of 1892 he was elected to the fifty-third congress, as a democrat. Dr. William Bird Tate, born Jan. 25, 1859, is now a practicing physician at Tate. Dr. W. B. Tate is a graduate of the Augusta Medical college. Philip May Tate, born Aug. 31, 1865, is at present engaged in mercantile business at Tate. A daughter, Mary (Mrs. R. M. Holland, mayor of Marietta), was born June 3, 1868. Mattie (Mrs. Edward M. Cole, Noonan, Coweta Co.), was born June 22, 1871, and Stella, at present a student at the Wesleyan Female college, Macon, was born June 14, 1876. The father of Maj. Tate was Col. Samuel Tate, born in 1797, near Curahee mountain, Franklin county, Ga., where he was raised. He married Mary Griffith, daughter of Caleb Griffith, of Banks county. After his marriage he moved to Lumpkin county, and later to what is now Pickens county, where he located on the land now occupied by the Georgia Marble company, and engaged in farming during the remainder of his life. He was an active, upright and conscientious man, highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances. Before the war he served one term in the senate of Georgia, representing Pickens county. At the commencement of the war he organized a company, of which he was made captain. His company was assigned to the Forty-third Georgia, in Colquitt's brigade. Owing to old age and ill health, he was honorably discharged from the service at Yorktown, Va. Returning to his home, he died in 1866, surrounded by his family, and mourned by all who knew him. The mother of Maj. Tate, survived her husband, and died at the family homestead. His grandfather was a native of Ireland.

ALBERT LEE TURNER, of Jasper, Pickens Co., was born May 10, 1871, near Cumming, Forsyth Co., Ga. He received his early education at the common schools in Forsyth county. At the age of sixteen he removed with his parents to Jasper, where he attended the Kirby institute for a period of three years, during a portion of which time he was employed in the office of the "Pickens County Herald." In January, 1892, at the age of nineteen, Mr. Turner became editor and publisher of the paper and has successfully continued the publication of that journal. The "Herald" is a weekly newspaper and is the organ of the demo- cratic party in Pickens county. The active and aggressive policy which is a marked feature of this publication, has secured for it an extensive circulation in northern Georgia. Mr. Turner is one of the youngest members of the Georgia Weekly Press association, to which he has belonged for three years. In April, 1893, his services as an active and enthusiastic member of the democratic party received just recognition in his appointment to the office of postmaster at Jasper, the duties of which he continues to discharge conscientiously and successfully and to the satisfaction of the people of Jasper and the surrounding country. The father of Mr. Turner is James Madison Turner, and his mother is Sarah M. Turner, daughter of Beverly Allen, of Forsyth county. Both his father and mother are natives of Georgia and reside at Jasper. Mr. Turner is a young man of agree-

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able manners, and for whom there is every evidence of a bright and promising future in store. Few men of his age possess the confidence of the people of Pickens county to a greater extent than Mr. Turner. He is a nephew of the late W. H. Simmons, who was ordinary of Pickens for fourteen years.

PIERCE COUNTY.

ADMIRAL LA COUNT RAVENAL AVANT, physician, Patterson, Pierce Co., Ga., son of Dr. Don R. W. and Moselle (Donaldson) Avant, was born in Bullock county, Ga., Jan. 7, 1857. He is of French ancestry, his grandfather having come from France to this country about the beginning of this century. His father was a physician of considerable prominence and influence. Dr. Avant was educated at the common schools of the county and grew to manhood on the "home place." His father having died when he was thirteen years old, he re- mained with his mother until he was nineteen years of age, when he engaged in saw-milling, which he continued until 1881, when he moved to Patterson and engaged in a general merchandise business, which he continued until 1889. That year he began the study of medicine, and in 1890-91 attended lectures in Baltimore, Md. He completed his medical studies at the Atlanta Medical col- lege, from which he was graduated in March, 1893. He located soon afterward in Patterson, and has established a good practice, which is steadily increasing, as well as an enviable reputation for skill in his profession. He is the leading physician in the county, with exceptionally brilliant prospects for the future. He is a member of the Georgia Medical association and for many years was post- master and express agent, and was the first mayor of Patterson, refusing re- election. Dr. Avant was married Jan. 6, 1881, to Miss America, daughter of Rev. John and Eliza (Aspenwall) Donaldson, the fifth born of thirteen children. Mr. Donaldson was the first sheriff of Pierce county, and was also the first sena- tor elected from the county to the general assembly after its organization as a county in 1857. Two daughters, aged respectively nine and eleven years, have been born to them: Maud M. and Carrie Irene. He is a devoted member of the Primitive Baptist church, of which he is an ordained minister, and has served as pastor of several churches in the Allapaha River association.

JESSE CONE BREWER, D. D. S., Blackshear, Pierce Co., Ga., second son of Jesse and Georgia (Cone) Brewer, was born in Hinesville, Liberty Co., Ga., Feb. 17, 1859. His paternal grandfather was a native of South Carolina, who migrated to Georgia and settled in Liberty county. His father was reared on the farm and followed farming all his life. He served the county as clerk of the superior court many years, filled the office of tax collector and in 1882 was elected to represent the county in the general assembly. He enlisted in the Confederate service and served as a lieutenant during the entire war. Dr. Brewer was edu- cated in Hinesville and graduated from the Bradwell institute there in July, 1879. He then attended the Baltimore Dental college, from which he graduated in March, 1883, and soon afterward located in his native place. Early in 1885 he removed to Blackshear, which has since been his home. He has enjoyed an ex- cellent and extensive practice, ranks among the foremost in his profession for learning and skill, and has been remarkably successful financially, particularly by judicious investments in real estate. Besides his own elegant residence and office

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he owns a half-score or more tenement houses in Blackshear, and an interest in a large and valuable tract of land in Liberty county. He has been a member of the city council a number of years, and is at present mayor pro tem. Dr. Brewer was married May 31, 1883, to Miss Ida, daughter of Henry J. and Louisa (English) Blitch, of Ellabell, Bryan Co., Ga., who was a farmer and served as a private through the late civil war. This union has been blessed with four chil- dren-one daughter and three sons: Jennie, Lawton, Jesse and Remer. The doctor is a prominent member of the Georgia Dental society, a stanch and ardent democrat, though not a politician; a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee.

EDWARD B. CHAMBERS, telegraph operator, Patterson, Pierce Co., Ga., was born in Florida, Oct. 3, 1867, and was the youngest son of C. C. and Mary E. (Thomas) Chambers. At an early age he located in Patterson, where he at- tended the common schools and secured an education. He was married June 25, 1891, to Miss A. Boggs. Two children have been born to bless this union. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are consistent and exemplary members of the Methodist church, in whose affairs and advancement they take an active part. Mr. Cham- bers is connected with the Savannah, Florida & Western R. R., and is one of the leading citizens of Patterson. In politics he is a strong democrat. He is one of the progressive young men of the south, and has a bright future before him. The family home is a nice residence in Patterson, and in addition Mr. Chambers owns valuable property in Florida.

HENRY HYERS, merchant, Patterson, Pierce Co., Ga., son of Joseph and Hester (Howard) Hyers, was born in Ware (now Pierce) county, March 19, 1850. His father was a well-to-do farmer, for many years a justice of the inferior court and also served as a private soldier in the civil war. Mr. Hyers remained on the home farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when he went on a farm and commenced farming on his own account. He continued.this until about 1885, when he moved to Patterson and engaged in general merchandising, in which he has continued with success and prosperity. He is now preparing to enlarge and extend his business by receiving as a partner Mr. A. P. Brantley, a bright and enterprising business man of varied experience-merchandising, cotton and cotton-seed manipulating, grist-milling, rice-cleaning, etc., etc. Both members of the proposed firm are popular, clear-headed, far-sighted and enter- prising, and have the confidence of the people. Mr. Hyers has been a justice of the peace, a member of the board of education for a number of years, and has represented Pierce county in the general assembly. Mr. Hyers was married in 1873 to Miss Nancy, daughter of Isaac and Nellie (Touchstone) Carter. He is a democrat and a member of the masonic fraternity.

HENRY AUGUSTINE M'DONOUGH, merchant, Patterson, Pierce Co., Ga., son of John and Mary (Brown) McDonough, was born in Augusta, Ga., Aug. 6, 1847. His father was born in Ireland, but when he was three months old his parents emigrated to this country and settled in Philadelphia. After receiving his education he entered a machine shop, where he remained until he became a skilled machinist. Some years later he came south and settled in Augusta, and embarked in the saw-milling business. In the early fifties he made several visits to Atlanta, and later in life went to Florida for his health, where he died in 1884. He was a man of fine business judgment and capacity, enter- prising, and possessed marked mechanical ingenuity. He built the Bijou theater

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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. II, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1166