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 109

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 109

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JE. HARRIS, state senator of the Twelfth district, Oak Grove, Quitman county, was born in Stewart county in 1839, and is the son of Thomas R. Harris and Caroline Brown. Thomas R. Harris was born in Virginia, moved with his parents when a boy to Oglethorpe county, Ga., and lived there until his marriage in Clarke county, about 1833, when he moved to Stewart county. He had two brothers, James, who settled in Walton county, Ga., where he died, and Lewis, who moved to Texas. Thomas R. continued to reside in Stewart county, engaged in farming, until his death in 1872, at the age of sixty-two. He was no politician, though he always voted the whig ticket. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church and was a quiet, unassuming Christian gentleman, respected by all. His wife survived him, dying Oct. 31, 1892, aged seventy-five years. She too was a devoted member of the church. They had four children: Mrs. Lucy McKemie of West Point, Ga .; J. E., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Florence Lewis of Thomaston, Upson Co., Ga., and Lewis of Texas. Mr. J. E. Harris was reared principally in Stewart county and attended the public schools there until he went to Mercer university. He was in the senior class when the war broke out, and with fellow-students enlisted at once, joining Company E, Thirty-first regiment, Georgia volunteers, Capt. L. R. Redding, commanding. His first service was at Savannah, where his company was attached to the Thirty-first regiment under Col. Phillips, Lieut .- Col. Crowder, Maj. Clem Evans. The first engagement of any note was the seven days' fight at Richmond. The next was the

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battle at Cedar Mountain, soon followed by Sharpsburg, then Fredericksburg. He was then detailed to the quartermaster's department, serving until the close of the war. He then returned home to Stewart county, and in 1865 married Miss Mary Roxanna Turner, born in Troup county. She was a daughter of Rev. Joseph T. Turner, a Methodist minister, and was educated at the Masonic Female college at Lumpkin. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born six children: Everard L., is a graduate of Atlanta Medical college and is a practicing physician in Clay county; Neta Olivia; Thomas Richard; Joseph Aubry; Carrie Cottie and Willie, all at home. Mr. Harris is a stanch democrat, and one of the manipulators of state politics. He has been a member of the board of education for six years, and also county commissioner for several years. He was county surveyor a number of terms, and in 1890 was elected to the general assembly, and in 1894 was chosen state senator from the Twelfth senatorial district. Mr. Harris is a member of the Baptist church, but his family are adherents of the Methodist faith. About a year after his marriage Mr. Harris moved from Stewart to Quitman county, where he has since been engaged in farmning.

JASPER N. HILL, planter, Hatcher's station, Quitman Co., was born in Warren county, Ga., Sept. 9, 1823. He was the son of William C. Hill and Mary Dykes Hill, the father being a native of Richmond, Va .; of Irisli descent, and the mother a native of Georgia. William C. Hill was born in 1781, and lived in Virginia until about grown to manhood, working in the capacity of clerk in Richmond. From there he came to Warren county, Ga. He married and settled in that county, where he continued to reside until February, 1832, when he moved to Randolph county, now Quitman county, and took up his abode about 400 yards from the present home of the subject of this sketch. He owned quite a large tract of land, possessing seven lots in Quitman county and seven lots near Cuth- bert. He built himself a house in the woods, and so sparse was the settlement of the country at that time that there was only one house between his place and Lumpkin. There were then a number of Creek Indians in the country, but this hardy pioneer faltered not but fearlessly set to work clearing ground and opening up a way for other settlers. He established a mill within five miles of where Cuthbert is now situated. He farmed, milled, operated a saw and grist mill and did blacksmithing. In the Indian war of 1836 he took a prominent part, and was in Roanoke on the Sunday the Indians burned it. William C. Hill and wife were strict Primitive Baptists, and he a whig in politics. The father died January, 1845, and the mother October, 1836. At the death of the mother there were thirteen children living. They were: Asaph A., at one time judge of Stewart county; Willoughby D., who was a merchant in Roanoke; Phoebe Ann, wife of William Brooks of Warren county; William C .; Mary C., wife of John Mainord of Cuthbert, Ga .; Allen W., a prominent man of Stewart county at one time, dying near Galveston, Tex., in 1862; Eliza Webb, wife of John Mangham of Talbot county, Ala .; Albert Madison; Jasper N., the subject of this sketch; Saralı C., wife of Ahas Grady; George T. B .; Julia, wife of Elihu Calloway; Hulda, wife of James Redding. All these children lived to be over twenty-one, but the only one surviving is Mr. Jasper N. Hill, the subject of this sketch. He was only nine years old when his father settled in the wilds of Randolph county, now Quitman, and he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest settler in this section of the state, having lived here for sixty-three years. Though at an advanced age, Mr. Hill has a keen memory, and his recollections of his boyhood days and the early history of the country in which he has lived nearly three-quarters of a century, is fresh and fervid. During the troublesome times of 1836, when he was a lad of thirteen years, took place the most thrilling experience of his younger

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QUITMAN COUNTY SKETCHES.

days. It was a rapid ride with his family to escape the clutches of the murderous Creek Indians. Word reached the family of the approach of the savages while at dinner. They left the table, home and everything, and mounting horses hurried away to Houston county. They remained in Houston county until July 4, when they returned home. He lived with his parents until their death, and has since continued to reside upon the original home place. He was married May 25, 1854, to Miss Eliza N. Pittman, daughter of Jesse Pittman, who was born within three miles of where she now lives. During the late war Mr. Hill served in the Home Guards, being present when Atlanta was taken. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are the parents of eleven children, all living except one, who died in childhood. They are: William A., married and living near Georgetown, and present school commissioner of the county; Fannie, wife of J. J. Castillow; Jessie L., teaching school at Union; James P., living with parents; Jasper N. and Robert L., living at Providence, La .; Mattie E., wife of Walter Crumbley; Alexander S., Providence, La .; Charles C., teaching in Calhoun county; Julia May, at home. Mrs. Hill and most of the family are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Hill has devoted his life and time to duties on the farm, and is one of the largest farmers of the county. He lives nine miles east of Georgetown, in a handsome residence he built on the plan of convenience, just after the war.

JAMES FRANKLIN HOGAN, planter, Sanford, Quitman Co., was born in Wilkinson county, Ga., in 1835. He was one of a family of eight children, and left an orphan in childhood. He was cared for by his grandmother until twelve years old, when she died. Thrown on his own resources at an early age, he had little time even to accept the few chances of education offered, but with an iron will and untiring industry he was later able to educate himself and prepare for the success he has achieved in life. In 1856 he married Miss Martha Ann Ridley, daughter of Everett Ridley. Mr. Ridley, who was one of triplets, was one of the earliest settlers of Wilkinson county and was the son of Robert Ridley, who came to Georgia from Virginia. The latter lived to be quite an old man. In 1859 Mr. Hogan moved to Dale county, Ala., settling near Barnes Cross Roads, where he engaged in farming until the war broke out. Dec. 12, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. A. H. Johnson's company, First Alabama cavalry, Company F, with which he served fifteen months, when he was transferred to Robinson's battery, Light artillery, which afterward became the famous Wiggins' battery. He re- mained in this command the rest of the war, and at the time of his discharge he belonged to Diberal's division. At Greenville, N. C., this division was chosen as Jefferson Davis' guard and they followed the old leader to Wilkes county, Ga., where they were disbanded May 15, 1865. There were few men on either side in the late war who saw more active service and hard fighting than Mr. Hogan. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, at the siege of Knox- ville, in which he fired the first cannon, at Atlanta, July 22, 1864, and at the siege of Savannah near the end of the war. After the war Mr. Hogan took his family to Quitman county and purchased 600 acres of land, partially improved, where he now lives. He has resided there since and has added to his original purchase until he now owns about 1,900 acres, a large portion of which is under a high state of cultivation. His present residence, one of the finest in this section of the state, was completed in 1894. The home of Mr. Hogan has been blessed by the birth of ten children, six of whom are living: Everett C., married and residing near by; Letitia E., wife of J. T. Tye, living on an adjoining farm, and R. G., William G., A. C. and Margaret M., living at home. Those deceased are: John F., died in 1883, single; Joel D., died in 1894, leaving a family; Walter. W., died

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

in 1887, aged nineteen, and Martha A., died in 1894, aged seventeen years. Mr. Hogan has always shown a deep interest in the cause of education, being for a number of years a member of the board of education, and has taken much pains in the education of his children. He and his entire family are members of the Liberty Baptist church, of which Mr. Hogan is a deacon. He is the founder of the church near Sanford and has been its main support. He is also superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He is a strong democrat, though he takes no very active part in politics. At present he is a member of the board of commissioners of roads and revenues. Mr. Hogan's estate lies near the old locality known as Bumbleton. This place was the old court ground originally in Stewart county, where justice court was held, and received its name from the fact that the people would assemble there and drink whisky sweetened with molasses, which caused the bumblebees to swarm around. The whisky was purchased of Clem Climons, who established a grocery at this place. He was succeeded by Louis Lee, who established Bladen Creek postoffice, now extinct.

JOHN R. ELLIS, postmaster and justice of the peace, Oak Grove, Quitman Co., Ga., was born in 1847 in Randolph county, in that part which is now Quit- man county. He was educated in the common schools and in 1864 enlisted in the army, joining Company E, Georgia reserves, Osborne's battalion of cavalry. He was in active service in the skirmishes around Atlanta, Jonesboro and Gris- woldville. After the war he returned to the home place and picked up his school books again. In 1868 he was married to Miss Mollie Lewis, a native of Stewart county. They have no children, but have adopted a son, Joseph Hillman. Mr. Ellis is a democrat and has served as tax receiver for four years, county com- missioner four years, and is at present clerk of the common pleas court. When Oak Grove postoffice was established he was made postmaster, and there has since been no change. He has been justice of the peace fourteen years and was also commissioned a United States commissioner. Oak Grove, near where the Ellis family live, was established as a postoffice in 1886, and derived its name from the fact that there were many big oak trees around. It is in the North Carolina district, so named on account of several families from that state who located here early in 1830. In Oak Grove is located the Union Methodist church, built in 1867-68, the congregation having been organized in 1838, and the first church erected in 1850. The Ellis family has always been closely identified with this church since its organization, and father, child, and grandchild have wor- shiped under its roof. Mr. J. E. Ellis has been a steward of the church for many years.

THOMAS J. ELLIS, farmer and miller, Oak Grove, Quitman Co., Ga., was born in Houston county, Ga., in 1834. He is of English descent, his great- grandfather being James Ellis, a sea captain, who was shipwrecked on the North Carolina coast about the middle of the last century. Out of a large crew on the vessel only Capt. Ellis and a mate were saved, and they only by swimming three miles, landing near Wilmington, N. C. He did not return to England, but adopted this country for his home, and marrying a Miss Elwell, of North Caro- lina, reared a family of four children. Of these Evan, the youngest, was married to Miss Locke, a native of North Carolina, and to them were born four children, George W., the third child, being the father of Thomas J. and J. R., whose sketches here appear. George W. grew to manhood in North Carolina, when he came to Georgia about 1827, a single man, and located in Houston county, where he married Miss Mary McLain in 1828. In 1834 he moved to Randolph county,

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RABUN COUNTY SKETCHES.

originally Lee, now Quitman county, and located between the Odchodkee and Pataula creeks, in what is now the North Carolina district. He lived there till his death, May 4, 1875, aged sixty-seven years. His wife survived him, dying in 1882, aged seventy-five years. She was one of the original members of the Union Methodist church, located near the home of her sons. To Mr. Ellis and his wife were born six children: Thomas J., now living near the old homestead; J. R., of Oak Grove, and Martha are the living children, and Elizabeth, Evan and Lucy M. are the deceased. Thomas J. Ellis came to Quitman county with his parents at the age of two years and has lived there since. In 1859 he married Rebecca Gay of Quitman county. At the outbreak of the civil war he joined the Thirty-second Georgia infantry, Capt. Pruden commanding, and saw active serv- ice throughout the entire war. He was detailed by the secretary of war of the Confederacy as military conductor, serving in that capacity for a long time. He was discharged April 10, 1865, and returning home, has since engaged in farming and milling. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellis were born the following children: James, George, Thomas, Florence, Claudie, Robert, Glenn and Alva. The mother died in 1879 and Mr. Ellis was again married-his second wife being Ada Lewis, of Randolph county. They have one child, Flossie Lee. Mr. Ellis was tax collector of Quitman county four years, treasurer two years, and at present is one of the county commissioners. He is prominent as a democrat in both local and state politics.

RABUN COUNTY.

FRANKLIN A. BLECKLEY, ordinary, Clayton, Rabun Co., Ga., son of James and Catharine E. (Lootze) Bleckley, was born in Lincoln county, N. C., in 1824. His paternal grandfather, James Bleckley, was a native of Virginia, whence he migrated to and settled in North Carolina. Here, in Lincoln county, Judge Bleckley's father was born in 1803, and reared on the farm. He married Miss Catharine E. Lootze of Burke county, N. C., and, in 1826, moved to Georgia and settled in Rabun county, near Clayton. Eight children were born to them: Franklin A., the subject of this sketch; Logan E., the distinguished ex-chief justice of the supreme court of Georgia, Atlanta; John M., Rabun county; Sylvester, Anderson, S. C .; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Bell, Walhalla, S. C .; Henrietta, deceased; Mrs. Emily Wall, Clayton : James T., deceased. The father died on the old homestead near Clayton, in 1870, and the mother died in 1874. Judge Bleckley's father settled near Clayton when he was about two years old. He was raised on the farm and educated at the academy in Clayton. Mentally alert he was quick to avail himself of every advantage and every opportunity presented to add to his fund of knowledge, which, however, in a frontier country were neither many nor frequent. His principal life-occupation has been farming- any departure from it has been temporary and incidental. His superior intelli- gence and rare intellectual endowments and moral attributes attracted the attention of his fellow-citizens at an early period of his life, and they exacted service of him to such an extent as he would consent to. Soon after attaining his majority he was elected a justice of the peace, and was successively re-elected for many years. In 1861, and again in 1863, at a called session, he was elected to represent Rabun county in the general assembly; and his wise and conservative

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influence was felt in committee and on the floor. In 1893, although advanced in age, and no seeker of office, he was called by the people of Rabun county to the very important office of ordinary, defeating his opponent-a very popular and influential citizen-by a very large majority, a result testifying in the strongest possible manner to the estimation in which he is held. His own birth almost contemporaneous with that of the county, he grew with its growth, and watching its development, became an influential factor in promoting that development; and possessing characteristics that win and keep confidence and esteem, it is no wonder he has been and is yet a potential power in the county. In honoring such a man Rabun county honors itself. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Georgia regiment of cavalry, in which he served, as lieutenant com- manding, during the war. With his command he participated in the defense of Atlanta, and after its surrender was in front of the Union forces while "marching through Georgia" until he reached Savannah. From there he went, under Johnston, to Columbia, S. C., where he was when Johnston surrendered. After the war he returned home and resumed his farm-work, success in which has met all his wants and gratified his highest ambition. Judge Bleckley was happily married March 16, 1848, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Col. Edward Coffee, one of the most distinguished and influential citizens of northeast Georgia, one of the earliest settlers of Rabun county, and during his life represented it many years in both branches of the general assembly. Of the children born to them seven survive: Henrietta C., wife of Russell E. Cannon, Rabun county; Mary E., wife of H. K. Cannon, Rabun county; James E. married Miss Savannah Cannon, Rabun county; Leila M., with "the old folks at home;" Ara V., unmar- ried; John N., and Benjamin B., both of Anderson, S. C.

REV. ALFRED FOSTER, minister, Dillard, Rabun Co., Ga., son of John and Clarenda (McClure) Foster, was born in Macon county, N. C., Sept. 8, 1873. His grandfather, Samuel Foster, was one of the earliest settlers in Rabun county, where he lived the life of a well-to-do farmer, and died at an advanced age. Mr. Foster's father was born in Rabun county in 1827, where he grew to man's estate, and has seen the region develop from an almost uninhabited wild to what it is to-day. He married his wife in what is now Towns county, and to them seven children were born: Julius; Andrew P .; Martha, wife of A. L. McClure, all living in Macon county, N. C .; Margaret, wife of J. M. Dillard, Grady, Tenn .; Alfred, the subject of this sketch; John, deceased, 1883, leaving a wife and one child, Mary; and Doctor, who also died in 1883. He served in the western (Confederate) army during the late unpleasantness and is now a prominent and popular citizen of Macon county, N. C. Mr. Foster received his primary education at the common schools in the county of his birth, afterward attended Rabun Gap institute, Rabun county, and Franklin high school, and completed his education at the university of North Carolina in 1893. Immediately after his graduation he began the study of theology, which he is now prosecuting earnestly and industriously. June 6, 1891, he was licensed to preach by the western North Carolina Methodist church, and is now discharging the duties of preacher and pastor acceptably and successfully. Pious, studious, self-sacrificing, consecrated and devoted to the work of the Master, he has before him a life of high honor and great usefulness. Rev. Foster was married Oct. 10, 1894, to Miss Fannie, daughter of R. V. and Mary E. Cobb of Gainesville, Ga., and granddaughter of Rev. Alexander Acker of Greenville, S. C., a lady of excellent qualities and an unusual amount of mental force. She received her early training at the Gaines- ville college and classical finish at the female seminary in the same city. She taught school six years in the public schools of Hall county, and is by nature

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RANDOLPH COUNTY SKETCHES.

adapted and destined to be a great and useful worker in all movements promotive of the well-being of children. Her father was first lieutenant in Company D, Twenty-seventh Georgia regiment, during the civil war.

ISAAC NEWTON FOSTER, educator, Burton, Rabun Co., Ga., son of Walton and Rebecca (Bowen) Foster, was born in Towns county, Ga., July 18, 1867. His great-grandfather on his father's side, of Irish-Welsh extraction, William Foster, was a native of North Carolina, and a gentleman of learning and culture. He married Miss Barbara Garner, also of North Carolina, beneath whose soil both rest. His grandfather, Isaac Foster, was born in North Carolina in 1809, was reared a farmer, and continued to be one all his life. He married Miss Lucinda Davis, of Buncombe county, N. C., and migrated to Georgia and settled in what is now Towns county in 1830. During his lifetime he served many years as a justice of the inferior court. He was a well-known and useful citizen, and himself and wife both died in Towns county in 1887. Mr. Foster's father was born in Towns county, where (at Visage) he now lives. He married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Joseph Bowen, also of Towns county, by whom he has had four chil- dren: Lucinda, wife of J. C. Swanson; India, wife of A. H. Hampton, Twine, Clay Co., N. C .; Isaac N., the subject of this sketch, and James F., teacher, Rabun county. Mr. Foster's maternal grandfather, Joseph Bowen, was a native of North Carolina, where he was reared and married Miss Mary Keener, and died when Mr. Foster's mother was a five-year-old child. His widow died at Burton in 1883, aged eighty-four years. Mr. Foster attended the common schools of the county when he was growing up, and afterward went to the Hiwassee high school, where in addition to a thorough English classical education, he took a course in the higher mathematics and in Latin and Greek. He next taught school in Towns and Habersham counties until 1889, when he was made principal of Tallulah academy in Rabun county. He has taught here ever since, growing in the public esteem and in reputation, with an increasing patronage every year. Studi- ous and hard-working, and enthusiastically devoted to his vocation, he promises to achieve a brilliant success and attain to honorable distinction in his profession. Of fine natural mental endowments, of superior scholarly attainments-age and opportunities considered-ambitious, affable, and of prepossessing address, he will undoubtedly prove useful as a teacher, and leave his impress on the com- munity and section. Mr. Foster was married Dec. 20, 1891, to Miss Edna, born Feb. 1, 1877, daughter of Martin Filley, of Rabun county.

RANDOLPH COUNTY.

ANDREWS. Among the able and skilled physicians of Cuthbert, Randolph Co., Dr. T. H. Andrews holds an honored and enviable position. He was born in 1846, in Gadsden county, Fla., and is the son of Frederick and Eliza (Odom) Andrews. Frederick Andrews was a native of and grew up in Pulaski county, Ga., and there married his wife. Soon after their marriage they moved to Lee county, where they remained about one year, thence to Randolph county, which was their home for several years. There he served as tax collector of the county, and for awhile taught school and engaged in a mercantile business in

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Cuthbert. In 1844 he moved his family to Florida, where he died in 1846. He was one of the foremost men of his day, and possessed an excellent education for his time; the result of a quick grasping mind, and wide reading and study. His schooling was meager, but he gained great learning through close application to books. He was a devotee to music and possessed remarkable skill in, and knowledge of this art. Of literary tastes, he was a frequent contributor to the early newspapers and periodicals of the state. He was a captain in the Indian war of 1835-36, and was a democrat of potent influence. After her husband's death Mrs. Andrews returned to Randolph county, Ga., where she resided until her demise at the age of seventy-four years. She was a woman of great intel- lectuality, and a happy disposition that accorded with her husband's character, and their domestic life was a beautiful example of love and devotion. Her father was James Odom, of Pulaski county, Ga. The Odoms were early settlers of Pulaski county, and her grandfather, James Odom, was a revolutionary soldier, who lived to the age of one hundred and ten years. The family was wealthy and eminent in political and social standing. Six of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews lived to maturity, and of these five are now living: James F., of Early county; D. C., of Randolph county; W. P., of Early county; Mrs. Susan Morgan, of Early county, and Dr. T. H., the subject of this sketch. Warren Andrews, another son, was a member of the Fifty-fourth Georgia regiment, and as a brigade drummer was captured at the battle of the Wilderness and died of smallpox at Rock Island soon after. Dr. T. H. Andrews began the study of medicine in 1869 in the office of Dr. Rodgers, of Columbus, Ga. He attended lectures and was graduated from the university of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, March 12, 1875. His first year of practice was in Decatur county, then he moved to Randolph county, where he has since followed his profession. He located in the winter of 1876-77 on the farm he now owns. He possessed no more than his profession, but with a brave will and great energy he has succeeded so well in life that he can now look out over an estate of 2,500 acres of land, 400 of which is in a high state of cultivation, a large residence and fine out-buildings. Dr. Andrews was married April 27, 1876, to Addie B. Jordan, of Putnam county, a daughter of Wiley B. Jordan of that county. They have had ten children born to them, as follows: Eliza, Sallie B., Susan, Hull, Patti Lee, Birdie Lee, Percifer, Ida, Agnew and a babe. Dr. and Mrs. Andrews are members of the Missionary Baptist church. As a physician and planter he occupied a leading place among citizens of Randolph county, and professionally and socially his standing is first-class.

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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 109

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