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 110

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 110

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W S. ARRINGTON, planter, of Randolph county, is a native of Georgia, and was born in Baldwin county in 1844. His grandfather was Frederick Ar- rington, of English ancestors, who lived and died in North Carolina. His demise was at an early age, and he left a widow and two children: Hardy and Laronia. Hardy Arrington, when sixteen years old, moved to Washington county, Ga., where he married Mary Smith, a native of that county. Soon afterward they changed to Baldwin county, then to Lee county, where they resided two years, thence to Randolph, and there they settled in the fourth district, where a year later (1845) Mr. Arrington died, in his thirty-third year. The widow was married again to Solomon Owens, who is yet living. By the first marriage she was the mother of James Arrington, who went west before the war and died in service; Lorinia, wife of Hardy Hay, living in Texas; Georgiana, wife of Thomas Newton, now deceased; Laronia, who died single, and Mr. W. S. Arrington, the subject of this sketch. By her marriage with Mr. Owens were born: Jessie Owens, and

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RANDOLPH COUNTY SKETCHES.

Mary, wife of Richard Stewart, living, and John, deceased. Mrs. Owens remained at the old homestead until her death in 1887, aged seventy years. She was a devoted wife, a kind mother and a sincere Christian. The subject of this sketch was but a small boy when his parents came to Randolph county, and there he grew to his majority. He farmed the two years immediately preceding the war, and when the tocsin of the civil strife was sounded he left the furrow to enlist with the army of the south. March 12, 1862, he joined the famed Company H, Fifty-first Georgia volunteers, under Capt. Balls, and served until wounded in the Shenadoah Valley campaign, at Cedar creek, September, 1864. His company was in Longstreet's corps, Lee's army of North Virginia, and was in the thickest of the fighting, at the second battle of Manassas, at South Mountain, Md., Sharps- burg, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and Gettysburg. Then he was back to Funkstown, Md., Cold Harbor and Petersburg. The corps went to Knoxville, Tenn., then back to Lee's army. At the battle of Cedar Creek, when Mr. J. T. Bailey, member of Company H, and from Randolph county, was wounded while carrying the colors, it was Mr. Arrington who took them from his hands. A few minutes later he, in turn, was shot through the side and forced to give up the flag to a comrade. He was taken prisoner on the field of battle and sent to a hospital in Baltimore, and upon his recovery was released and sent home, in March, 1865. Mr. Arrington was married to Martha Lee, a native of Sumter county, and daughter of Jefferson Lee. The father died in Sumter county, leaving three daughters and one son. The latter was Thomas Lee, who was killed during the war. The daughters were: Caroline, wife of John Belch- er, now living in Florida; Martha and Sylvania, now deceased, who was mar- ried to a Mr. Raegen. Mrs. Jefferson Lee died about 1879. Mrs. Arrington, as a girl, attended the schools of Sumter county and at Americus, and when her mother moved to Randolph county entered the schools of that county and fin- ished her education. Mr. and Mrs. Arrington have had born to them two chil- dren: Alice, wife of A. E. Mazell, and Ionaci. The latter attended school at La Grange and spent three years at Eufaula, Ala., under the instruction of Miss Sim- mons. She is accomplished in the science of music and is now in the Shellman high school. The family are members of the Baptist church. After the war Mr. Arrington devoted himself to farming. He was interested in a merchandise business at Shellman for about eight years, the same being looked after by his son-in-law, Mr. Mazell. Mr. Arrington owns several fine farms in Randolph county and has 1,000 acres of land under cultivation. He is familiarly known to his friends as "General," a title given him in the army by his companions, who believed that his bravery was of a caliber commensurate with the appellation.

J.T. BAILEY, planter, Springvale, Randolph Co., Ga., was born in the county in which he now resides, in 1839. His father was Zachariah Bailey, a native of Virginia, born near Lynchburg, in 1793. He came to Georgia when grown and settled in Morgan county, where he married Berthia Grier. She was born in 1804 and was the daughter of James Grier. (His father was born in Ireland.) They re- sided in Morgan county until about 1831, when they moved to Randolph county, and lived for a time near Cuthbert, where he engaged in farming. He then moved to the place where his son, the subject of this sketch, now lives. There he purchased a tract of woodland and built a log house, where he lived a year, removing to a site on the opposite side, where he built a home, in which he died in 1845. He was a soldier in the Indian war of 1835-36, and was an active poli- tician, being a whig. He served as sheriff and held other positions in his county. The wife, who was an excellent woman and a grand helpmate to her husband,

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

died in 1864. She was a Christian lady and a strict member of the Methodist church. To this union were born six children: Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, who lives in Clayton, Ala .; Mrs. Mary Key, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Harris; J. T., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mildred Sharp, of Dawson, Ga., and Zacharias, of Robinson county, Texas. Mr. J. T. Bailey was brought up on the farm where he now lives, and at the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first Georgia regiment, volunteers, army of Virginia. He was in Longstreet's corps of Lee's army, and was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Knoxville, in 1863, and in 1864 was in the battles of the Wilderness and in all the engagements of his corps from Spottsylvania on to Petersburg and to Cedar Creek. At the last place he had his left arm shattered with a minie ball, and upon his recovery was discharged from the service. He returned home, where he has since been engaged in farming. He went out as a private, and was promoted to ensign (color-bearer), with the rank of first lieutenant. Mr. Bailey was married, in 1872, to Mary Jenkins, of Quitman county, a daughter of Leroy Jenkins, a native of Georgia and an early settler of Randolph county.

Mrs. Bailey was born and raised in Randolph county.

They have

seven children, all at home: Mary, J. T., Annie, Charles, Sarah, Lillie, and Maud. Mrs. Bailey is an active member of the Methodist church. Mr. Bailey is a Democrat in politics, and takes quite an interest in county affairs. Mr. Bailey and family reside in a pleasant home about eight miles from Cuthbert. He is a practical and substantial farmer and is well informed on all practical subjects. He is an industrious and thrifty man and a good manager, and is very highly esteemed by all who know him, for his uprightness and purity of character.

DR. W. W. BINION, planter and physician, Benevolence, was born in Webster county in 1860, and is the son of Rev. M. B. L. and S. T. (Lasseter) Binion, natives of Hancock and Webster counties respectively. Rev. Binion was born in 1836, in Terrell county, and his wife died in August, 1881, aged thirty-five years. Rev. Binion entered the ministry of the Missionary Baptist church in early life, and has occupied the pulpits in southwestern Georgia for nearly forty years. He is a graduate of the Mercer university and a man of fine scholarly attainments. He is still actively engaged in the ministry, and his charge includes the churches of Benevolence, Bronwood, New Bethel, and Chickasawa. Rev. Binion has served the Bronwood church for over twenty years. He is a popular minister and man, and one of the ablest preachers in the state. He lives on a big farm near Parrott. To Rev. Binion and wife were born ten children: Dr. W. W., B. L., of Hancock county; Minnie L., Hancock county; Mrs. Anna May Gonn, of Cuthbert; Mrs. Nettie J. Keese, of Benevolence; S., of Terrell county; Robert B., of Hancock county, and three deceased. Rev. Binion was married, the second time, to Miss Susan Massie, of Marshallville, Ga. Dr. Binion was brought up on the farm and educated in the schools of Webster county. In 1882 he commenced reading medicine under Dr. A. K. Patterson, of Weston, Webster county. He attended lectures at Atlanta, from which place he was graduated in 1885, and began practice in the neighborhood in which he now lives. He has been remarkably successful from a professional as well as a financial standpoint, and enjoys a reputa- tion ranking him in the front of the medical profession. In addition to a large practice, he has farming interests, all of which is the result of his ten years' labor in Benevolence. The doctor was married in January, 1886, to Ida L. Harris, of Marion county, daughter of a prominent planter, now deceased. Mrs. Binion was educated in the high schools of Marion county and at Weston. She died in 1890, aged twenty-two years, leaving one child, Clay. She was a member of the

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Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Binion belongs to the Baptist church, and in politics is a democrat.

WILLIAM C. BYNUM. One of the most popular men connected with poli- tics in Randolph county is William C. Bynum, sheriff. He is what is known as a born politician, that is, he has the happy faculty of always making and never losing friends. He is now serving his fourth term as occupant of one of the best offices in the county's gift, with a favorable outlook for a still further hold on it. William C. Bynum was born and reared in Randolph county and is the son of Reuben and Emma (Collins) Bynum. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age of twenty entered into business for himself at Shellman. He was first elected sheriff of Randolph county in 1889, and three times since then have the people voted him the man for the place. Outside of his official duties he has large farming interests and conducts a big livery stable in Shellman. Mr. Bynum was married to Fanny Kleckley, a daughter of Joseph Kleckley of Macon county, Feb. 25, 1876. They have one child-J. Carlton. Mr. Bynum is a Mason and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a splendidly equipped busi- ness man and a citizen who is a credit to the county.

DEAN. The Dean family hold an honored place in Georgia's history, and in peace or war the name is always to be found. Thomas Dean was a native of Virginia and settled in North Carolina near Raleigh, where he raised a family. He was with the colonies in the struggle for independence, and served them by speech and sword. About 1820, when well up in years, he followed a brother, John, who were previously settled in Talbot county, Ga., and moving to this state located in Jasper county. He had the following children: Wiley, Henry, John, William, Jane, who married Warren Ambers; Nancy, married to William Alex- ander; Candis, wife of James Alexander; Mrs. Sarah Williamson; Mrs. Elizabeth Kendrick. All these had families and settled in Georgia but William, who migrated to Texas. Henry, the second son, born near Raleigh, N. C., in 1802, came with his parents to this state. When about reaching manhood he left home and took up life in Harris county. Here he married Melinda Richardson, a native of Jasper county, Ga., and a daughter of Robert Richardson, an old settler and farmer of that county. He served in the Indian wars, and for years was an influen- tial citizen and big farmer of Harris county. He began life without capital or help, and through his own industry and habits accumulated much property. At the breaking out of the war he owned 100 slaves. He died in 1886, leaving a large estate in Harris county. Before the war he was an active whig, and afterward a democrat. Mrs. Henry Dean died, aged forty-five years. To them were born ten children, five of whom are living, as follows: T. E., living near Shellman; Mrs. Valonia Hewell, of Chattahoochee county; Robert P., of Talbotton, Talbot Co .; Mrs. Lizzie Miller, of Harris county; and O. Z. Dean. Mr. O. Z. Dean, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest child, and born in Harris county in 1850, where he attended the public schools. In 1868 his father purchased a large tract of land around Shellman and the son was sent there to look after it. In 1872 he came to Randolph county to live permanently, and took up his home on a fine tract of 600 acres. This land is almost entirely level, well cultivated and equal to any in this section of the state. Mr. Dean married Tallulah C. Phelps of Randolph county, but a native of Calhoun county. She is the daughter of Z. E. Phelps, a native of the Carolinas. They have six children: Birdie, wife of J. A. Martin, a merchant of Shellman; Estelle, Henry, Phelps, Pearl, and O. Z., all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dean are conscientious members of the Baptist church

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and he is a democrat. They live in a fine home in Shellman and he is one of the prominent citizens of the town.

GEORGE W. DOZIER, mayor of Coleman, and a leading farmer of Randolph county, was born in Sumter county in 1838, and descends from a family well known throughout the state of Georgia. James and Nancy (Moore) Dozier were among the early settlers of Sumter county, coming from North Carolina, of which state they were natives. They located northwest of Americus and lived there until their death. James Dozier was a soldier in the war of 1812, and the wars with the Indians in Florida and Georgia in 1835-36. He was a well-to-do farmer, a democrat in politics, and a warm personal friend of Andrew Jackson. He died in the sixties, at the age of seventy-seven, his wife having died a few years before him. They were respected members of the Primitive Baptist church. To them were born the following named children, all of whom lived to maturity: Edmond, died at the age of sixty years, in Georgia; Nancy, wife of James M. N. Lowe, died aged sixty-one years, at the home of Mr. Geo. W. Dozier; L. R., who settled in Clay county late in life, and there died; and John B. John. B., the third child, was born and attained his majority in Sumter county. His wife was Jane Ogletree, a native of Georgia. They had two children, who, upon the parents' death in 1847, went to live with an uncle, L. R. Dozier. The children were James L. and George W., the last-named the subject of this sketch. In 1853 they moved to Clay county, and both attended school there. James L., the elder, finally located in Dougherty county, while G. W. lived in both Clay and Dougherty until 1870, when he settled on the Bramlett place in Randolph county, where he resided until 1889, when he moved to Coleman, in order to educate his children. Mr. Dozier married Mary Jane Jones, the daughter of Willis Jones of Lee county. She was born in Louisiana on Bayou Bartholomew, and was but a child when her parents moved to Lee county. She was educated at Dover, Terrell county. To Mr. and Mrs. Dozier have been born seven children, as follows: James F., a graduate of the Agricultural college at Cuthbert; William Mercer, George W., Jr., Mary Eveline, Mabel Clarence, Raburn R., and Willis C., deceased. Mr. Dozier has taken pleasure in giving his children the benefit of good schools and possesses justifiable pride in their educational accomplishments. Mr. Dozier was a brave soldier in the ranks of the gray, and no private who entered either army has a better record. He enlisted in 1861 in Company H, Fifty-first Georgia vol- unteers, and served until the surrender. He was in the second battle of Manassas, at Chancellorsville and connecting engagements, and the great battle of Gettys- burg, at Frenchtown, Knoxville, Tenn., the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Har- bor, and Petersburg. On April 6, 1865, he was taken prisoner at Farmville, Va., and was held until July 26 at Point Lookout, Md. Mr. Dozier for two years was color-bearer of his regiment, with the rank of first lieutenant, and his war history is replete with narrow escapes and thrilling experiences. Since the war he has devoted himself to farming, and for awhile was engaged in merchandising at Coleman. He owns a fine farm ten miles south of Cuthbert, besides good res- idence and store property in Coleman. He is a democrat and a Mason, high in the honors of that fraternity. The family are all members of the Missionary Baptist church, and are highly esteemed by all who enjoy their acquaintance.

DR. W. S. DUDLEY, county school commissioner and retired physician of Cuthbert, Ga., was born in St. Matthew's parish, S. C., and is a great-grandson of John Adam Treuitlen, the first elected governor of Georgia, and a hero in the great struggle for independence. John Adam Treuitlen was first appointed

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RANDOLPH COUNTY SKETCHES.

governor and afterward elected by the people, serving until Jan. 8, 1778. He was a man of great personal courage and splendid executive ability. He and a brother, Capt. Frederick Treuitlen, came to America together in the early settlement of the colony. Their father started with them, but died and was buried at sea. The Treuitlens came from England to Georgia and located at a point on the river above Savannah, in the neighborhood of a place known as Sister's ferry. Unable to find a church of his denomination Mr. Treuitlen, soon after coming here, united with the German Lutheran church at Ebenezer. His death was most deplorable, he being assassinated by the British and their sympathizers, and his body drawn and quartered, in the presence of his family. This tragic event followed a systematic persecution he had been subjected to, on account of his loyalty to the cause of the patriots. Capt. Frederick Treuitlen and wife are buried at St. Simon's island, and have many descendants. Gov. Treuitlen had several children, John, Christian, and a daughter, Mary. The latter married Edward Dudley, who was a native of England, and a man of wealth and scholarly accomplishments. He was assassinated in St. Matthew's parish, S. C., just after the revolutionary war, during the period of lawlessness which- then prevailed. The wife lived to an old age and died in St. Matthew's. They had born to them the following children: William John, who died without issue; Guilford, who married Miss Gilliland, of Savannah; Mary, wife of A. Amaker; Dorothea; and Edward. The last mentioned died at the early age of twenty-three years, leaving two sons: Walter Stafford and Rinaldo Pearce. The mother of these children was Elizabeth Kennedy, of Scotch-Irish descent. She was born in Effingham county, Ga., and there reared and educated. She was married the second time to John G. Morel, by whom she had a large family of children, eight of whom lived to be grown. She died in 1857, at a ripe old age. Walter Stafford Dudley, at ten years of age, was sent to live with his guardian, Adam Amaker, in South Carolina, while his mother returned to her parents in Georgia. He attended the public schools, then went to a literary school at Cokesbury, S. C., and next to Citadel academy, the military school of South Carolina. This thorough training of-mind and body well prepared him for the active and useful life he has since followed. He studied medicine and was graduated from the Charleston Medical college in 1854. He began his professional practice in Orangeburgh, S. C., and continued it for five years, when ill health obliged him to remove to his plantation in the country. During the civil war he raised several companies for service, and a number of times went to Charleston to enter the service. After the war he engaged in teaching, and in 1867 he moved to Cuthbert. In 1880 he accepted the presidency of the Middle Georgia Agricultural and Military college at Mil- ledgeville, which position he occupied until 1884, when he went to Jackson, Miss., where he taught for a short time in a female college. He lived in Tennessee and Florida for a while, and then returned to Cuthbert, where he holds the position of county school commissioner, and is engaged in the insurance business. Dr. Dudley was married to Miss Elliott, a native of South Carolina, by whom he had three daughters: Mrs. Mary Bailey, of Florida; Mrs. Annie Taylor, of South Carolina; and Mrs. Emma Thomas, of Tampa, Fla. His first wife died in 1868. Dr. Dudley's second wife was Sarah Miller, of Charleston, S. C. He was the third time wedded to Miss Mary Willson, of Tallahassee, Fla., and to them have been born two children: David, and Catharine Trueitlen. The family are com- municants of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Dudley is one of the most widely known educators in the state, and his superior mental acquirements have given him a position in the front rank of his profession.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

H. B. ELDER, planter, of Randolph county, is a son of William N. and Cath- arine (Jackson) Elder, and was born Feb. 9, 1822. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother was from South Carolina, and both lived to a good old age. Mr. Elder was brought up on the farm and picked up his education in odd hours he found a chance to spend in the old log school house. When the war broke out he was conducting a tannery in Monroe county, and the Confed- erate government needing tanners as well as soldiers, he was exempted from service. He ran the tannery and a general merchandise store during the whole of the war, and for years afterward. He has for a number of years operated a large stone quarry on his farm, and the material there produced is in great demand all over the state. Mr. Elder was married to Susan Reading, a daughter of P. D. Reading, and they have had born to them eight children, of whom only three are living: W. C., Emma K., and Herbert P. Mr. Elder is a conscientious member of the Methodist church and a stanch democrat in politics. He owns a fine farm, to which he gives his attention, and where he lives in happy retirement from an active, busy life, amidst his family and grandchildren.

WILLIAM D. HAMMOCK. For many years identified with the Baptist church as a minister of the gospel and its teachings, Rev. William D. Ham- mock, is one of the prominent citizens of Randolph county. His father, William Hammock, was from Twiggs county, Ga., and was the son of Paschal Hammock, who descended from one of two brothers, who came from Ireland and settled in Georgia, probably in Savannah. Paschal followed farming and lived to be eighty- four years old, dying in Coleman in 1865, having come to Randolph county just before the war. He was twice married, William Hammock being by the first marriage, and there being two other sons and two daughters. By the second marriage there were three daughters and one son. Paschal Hammock was quite well educated, and at one time was wealthy. He was a democrat in politics and a devoted member of the Baptist church. William Hammock, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the spring of 1814, and was married to Barbara Woolley, a native of South Carolina, born Aug. 3, 1814. They were wedded in 1833, and in 1835 settled in Randolph county, near what is now known as Cotton hill. In 1836 he had to leave his family to go into the war against the Indians, and as a precaution against danger, they were sent to Twiggs county. In 1837 he returned near Coleman, and purchased a farm, where he continued to live until his death, in 1863. This was caused by exposure, while he was visiting his sons who were in the army and stationed at Cumberland gap. He was a self-made man, whose motto was: "Do right, and attend to your own business." He accumu- lated considerable property, and left a large estate at his death. He was a democrat, but paid little attention to politics, his farming interests and domestic duties occu- pying his time. He was a genius in some things, and while never learned as a carpenter, he was able to build with his own hands a big part of the old farm-place house, which is now occupied by Rev. Mr. Hammock. His wife died Feb. 2, 1894. Familiarly known to the present generation as "Aunt Hammock," her demise was the cause of much genuine regret. She was a devout member of the church, and the mother of nine children: Mrs. C. E. Garrett, Bluffton, Ga .; James Paschal, who died in 1862 at Knoxville, Tenn .; Zilpha E., the wife of S. E. Davis, a Primitive Baptist minister, of Early county, Ga .; William D., the subject of this sketch; John G., of Worth county, Ga .; Mrs. Anna Singleton, of Bluffton, Ga .; Daniel W., of the firm of Hammock & Rish, Coleman, Ga .; Mrs. Riley F. Moore, of Randolph county; Joseph J .; James, who died at Knoxville, in the war, and left a wife and one child-Lula. The latter died at an early age, and the mother now lives in Montezuma, Ga. The father belonged to Company G, Fifty-

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fifth Georgia regiment. Rev. William D. Hammock was born on the old home place, within a mile of where he now lives, April 13, 1842. He was educated in the local schools, and in April, 1862, responded to the call of the south for troops to repel invaders, and enlisted in Company G, which was later assigned to the Fifty-fifth Georgia regiment. They did service in Tennessee and Kentucky till the capture of the company at Cumberland gap. Rev. Hammock was in Knox- ville, Tenn., sick, when his company was captured. He afterward returned to a place near Chickamauga, and after the battle was sent by Gen. Bragg to report to Col. A. W. Pierson, at Atlanta. In February, 1864, he went to Andersonville, and was connected with Capt. Wirtz, of the prison, till April 7, 1865. After the war he stayed at home with his mother, and on Nov. 10, 1870, he married Victoria J. Lanier, a native of Early county, and a daughter of John Lanier, planter, of Early county. Her father died when she was a babe, and her mother and children moved to a place adjoining Mrs. Hammock's, where she grew to womanhood. She died Feb. 4, 1887, a good Christian mother and a helpful, loving wife. The issue of this union was one child, Eva, now the wife of W. H. Tenkins, of Cole- man. She has one son-William. In August, 1888, Rev. Hammock was mar- ried again, to Julia Jenkins, daughter of John H. Jenkins, of Clay county. Mr. Jenkins now lives in Coleman. Mrs. Hammock was born and reared in the house in which she was married, and was educated in the schools of Fort Gaines. They have one child, Willie D. Mr. and Mrs. Hammock belong to the Baptist church, of which Mr. Hammock is an elder. He was ordained June, 1886, to preach the gospel, and has since been actively engaged in the pulpit most of his time. His charge is at present the Mount Zion, Gilliard and Mount Vernon churches of Clay county, and the Friendship church of Randolph county. He has been a member of the Baptist church since he was sixteen years old. Rev. Hammond is a Mason, high in the degrees of the fraternity. He owns a fine farm two miles from Coleman, which he cultivates, and where he lives. In 1865 Mr. Hammock was summoned to Washington, D. C., in connection with the noted case of Capt. Wirtz, the officer in command of Andersonville prison during the war.

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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 110

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