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 112

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 112

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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going to private schools for his youthful instruction, then at Boykin and Pine Grove academies, in preparing for a course at Wofford college, South Carolina. He would have graduated from the latter institution, but left his studies four months before the completion of the term, to accept a position as bookkeeper at Rockingham, N. C. He then began his business career by opening a merchandise store near the old home-place of his family. He conducted this two years, then taught school for three years, after which he again turned his attention to mercan- tile life and opened a store at the same place, which was named after him-New- tonville. He was the first postmaster of the village, and served eight years. In 1892 he moved to Marion county, S. C., to accept the position of principal of Peedee academy. The following winter he came to Georgia and settled near Cuthbert, on the old Mattox homestead. This he afterward sold, and now resides in Cuthbert, where he is engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Newton takes a prominent part in politics, and is a leader in the people's party. He was nominated on this ticket in 1894 for the general assembly, and with the energy, characteristic of the man, started in on a systematic campaign; but it was discovered that he could not legally hold the position to which he was nominated, as he had not been a resident of the state long enough. Mr. Newton accepted the situation gracefully, and, retiring from the ticket, gave his successor the same efforts he would have exerted for himself. Mr. Newton was married to Myrtle A. Newton, of the same county as his own. She was educated at Boykin academy. They have one child, Gertrude. The family belongs to the Methodist church. Mr. Newton is a master Mason, and a member of the Kappa Alpha society. Mrs. H. C. Newton is a daughter of Ira L. P. Newton, who was a son of the above-named Daniel Newton. She is the first born of a family of ten-five daughters and five sons. Her oldest brother, L. S. Newton, a bright and energetic youth, recently graduated from the Georgia- Alabama Business college, at Macon, Ga., and is now stenographer for H. H. New- ton, at Bennettsville, S. C. Cornelius Newton, uncle of H. C. Newton, was born Dec. 25, 1797, was too young for service in the war of 1812, but defended the flock of his father from the wolves and panthers, while his older brothers were defending their country from British invasion. He married Miss Dorcas Purnell, in 1818, reared a family of seven sons and seven daughters, the youngest of which, H. H. Newton, at the age of sixteen, joined his brothers in defense of the Confederacy, where he served three years. He was badly wounded at Haw's shop, near Coal Harbor, Va., May 28, 1864. He graduated from Wofford college July, 1869; was admitted to the bar at Bennettville, S. C., 1870. He was married to Miss Martha Johnson, May 28, 1872. Of that union, only one son was born-H. H. Newton, Jr .- who graduated from the same institution, June, 1895. Having lost his wife, he married Miss Mary Elizabeth McRae, of which union three daughters were born-Mary, Anna and Elizabeth. Anna died in 1887, and her mother in 1888. He then married Mrs. Kate McCall Monroe, to which union three daughters have been born-Katie M., Martha and Julia. He (H. H. Newton) has served as delegate to numerous conventions, both political and religious; was delegate to the straight-out convention that nominated Hampton in 1876, and was largely instru- mental in liberating his state from carpet-bag rule of that period; represented his county in the state legislature, 1880-82, declining to permit his friends to run him for same a second time; served as solicitor of the fourth circuit six years; served as a delegate to numerous annual conferences of the Methodist Epis- copal church, south, and twice made delegate to the general conference. He is correspondent for the "Commercial Law association," and has a large and lucrative practice in his section of his state. This branch of the Newton family are, with one or two exceptions, exclusively an agricultural people, and Methodist in religious belief.

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W. J. OLIVER. One of Shellman's principal business men, banker, merchant, miller, and one of the largest planters in Randolph county is W. J. Oliver. He was born three miles from where he now lives, on the old home place of his family, property of which he now owns. It was in 1854, and his father was James W. Oliver, a native of South Carolina. The latter, when a young man, came to Georgia, and was employed on farms in Laurens and Wilkinson counties. Here he met and wedded Susan Greene, who was the beautiful daughter of an old settler and well-to-do planter. In 1836, with his wife, he moved to Randolph county and purchased the tract of land which became the homestead, and on which he lived until his death. His family was brought to their new home in a one-horse wagon, and lived in camp under the big hickory trees till the husband could fell trees and build a home of logs. All was a wilderness about them, but the axe of the woodsman soon opened up a clearing, and then followed the cultivation of the land and its improvement. James Oliver was among the first settlers in this section of the country, and his first few years here were full of privation, hardships and dis- appointments. He came from old Virginia stock, however, and knew how to conquer, and with a will and energy bound to succeed he achieved that end. When he died in 1856, aged fifty-eight years, he left an estate of about 2,000 acres on the home place, with about 500 acres cleared, 100 slaves, and 1,200 acres of land in the southern part of the county, all the result of a life of industry, good habits and wise judgment. His farm was in a high state of cultivation, with fine improvements and a big mansion thereon, erected just before he died. Mr. Oliver was a leading man of his day. He was a lover of humanity, and born without even a knowledge of the trait of selfishness, he took as much pleasure in the happiness of others as that of himself. He was liberal to schools and charities, and was a public benefactor in helping many of these institutions. In politics he voted with the whigs, and while he always was an active member of his party, it was not for the purpose of seeking office, but to promote the interests of the country, which he believed could be best done through the medium of legislation pledged by his party. It was in the masonic fraternity that he shone-where love and truth, friendship and charity were taught. A lodge was held for a long time at his resi- dence, and for years he represented his lodge at the Grand lodge meetings. While he belonged to no church, he was a good man, whose example as a kind husband and father and patriotic citizen was worthy of the emulation of all. The wife con- tinued to reside at the old homestead till her death in 1890, at a very old age. They had three children-all sons-of whom Mr. William J. Oliver, the youngest, is the only one now living. George W., deceased, was tax collector of the county for a good many years. He served as a soldier during the late war, in which, at the battle of Chancellorsville, he lost his left leg. He was furloughed, and came home, and upon his recovery, he acted as an enlisting officer at Fort Gaines, Ga. He was a man of traits of character like his father, and was popular with every one. After the war he took charge of his father's estate, and managed it until Mr. W. J. Oliver became of age in 1876. George W. Oliver left a wife and two children-a son and daughter. The mother lives in Shellman, and the daughter is the wife of Robert Powell, of the same place. The son is a conductor on the Central railroad. The estate of the father was equally divided between the children and mother, excepting the 1,200 acres of land in southern Georgia, which was bequeathed to the children. After the death of the mother and brothers, Mr. W. J. Oliver purchased from the heirs their interests, and now owns the whole of the old home place. William J. Oliver was raised on the old farm place and educated in the public schools, and at what is known as Rehaboth institute, in North Shellman. In 1883 he moved to Shellman to run a ginnery, and in 1884, started a merchandise business. In 1890, he established the Shellman Banking

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company, of which he is president. He now operates a large ginnery, with grist and planing mill in connection with it, which was built in 1894 at Shellman, and is one of the finest in the state. Mr. Oliver was married in 1877 to Mary Lee Taylor. The mother died, leaving four children: James Thaddeus, Leila Cor- rine, Dixie Alma, and Ross Layton. In 1892 he was married to Esther Bell, a daughter of John Bell, a leading farmer of Randolph county. Mr. Oliver is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a democrat, and though always active in political affairs, he has never sought political preferment. Mr. Oliver is endowed with a strong will power, great tenacity of purpose, and his life has been one of devoted industry and earnest practical results. He is a progressive man, and a hustler, and his efforts have largely contributed to the welfare of the people of Shellman, who entertain the highest regard for him.

PHILIP PEARCE, prominent planter of Springvale, Randolph Co., was born in Stewart county in 1839, and is the son of Everett E. and Rebecca (Cooper) Pierce. His father, Everett E. Pierce, was born in South Carolina and when a young man came to Georgia, and married his wife in Randolph county, where he afterward settled, about 1844. He had served his country in the war of 1812, and against the Cherokees in 1835-36, and was one of the leading farmers of his day. He was a self-made man and a carpenter by trade, and is said to have built the first frame house in Columbus, Ga. He was a strong democrat in politics, and wielded a salutary influence in his county in his earlier years. His death occurred in 1875, aged seventy-five years. His wife, and mother of the subject of this sketch, survived her husband, dying in 1890, aged seventy-eight. She was the daughter of John Cooper, who came from South Carolina with early settlers, locating in Randolph county and building on the place Mr. Pearce now owns. He died there in 1837 well up in years, and leaving a large family of children, all of whom are now deceased. To the parents of Mr. Pearce were born two chil- dren, the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Sarah J. Shirley, now deceased. Mr. Philip Pearce was brought up on the old farm place in Randolph county, and was educated in the old log school house of the early day. He enlisted in the late war, joining Company E, Third Georgia regiment, Capt. Martin J. Crawford commanding. His regiment was in Bragg's army, and near Louisville, Ky., he was captured and taken to that city. About a month later, at Vicksburg, Miss., he was exchanged, and returning home he was remounted and joined his com- mand in Tennessee. At the time of the surrender he was with Gen. Young in South Carolina, near Columbia. He was detailed at Aiken, S. C., as a courier to take important dispatches from there to Columbia, a commission which he successfully accomplished. When peace was declared he came home, riding the horse he started out with in the fall of 1862. He then went to Alabama, where he lived about three years, when he returned to the home farm in Randolph county, where he has since engaged in farming. Mr. Pearce was married in 1860 to Leah E., daughter of Everett J. Pearce. Though of the same name the families were not related. Mrs Philip Pearce's parents were also old settlers of Randolph county, and they had a large family of children. She was the third child, and was reared and educated in Randolph county. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have been born nine children, as follows: Philip, residing in Stewart county; Lula, wife of J. G. Pinkston, of Lumpkin; Viola, wife of George Harris, of Texas; Florence, widow of B. W. Barfield; John T .; Jennie, married to Dr. Tims, of Texas; Edward, Scott, and Effie, at home. Mrs. Pearce is an active member of the Methodist church and well known for her kindness and charity. Mr. Pearce is a stanch democrat, and was sheriff of Randolph county from 1881 to 1885. He is still a prominent figure in the councils of the leaders of his party in county

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and state affairs. Mr. Pearce is widely known for his deeds of charity, and as the friend of the needy and struggling. Much interested in the cause of educa- tional development, his generous heart has frequently prompted him to help poor and unfortunate children to an education. He is one of the largest planters in his section of the county, and has a fine farm, well stocked and improved.

JOSEPH NEWTON STANFORD was born Oct. 27, 1848, in Randolph county,

Ga., and was the second son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Phillips) Stanford. He was reared in Cuthbert, and having determined when young in years upon the newspaper business for his avocation in life, he entered a printing office, where he learned all the details from the case to the editorial chair. He is the present owner and editor of the "Leader," which he founded April 16, 1891. His first work was done on the "Reporter," a journal owned by Mr. T. Bird, and his next was on the Cuthbert "Appeal." Mr. Stanford was employed there until 1881, when "The Enterprise" was established, and he took charge of that, contin- uing on it until the "Liberal Enterprise" was started. About this time ile established the "Leader," a weekly newspaper which has secured a good circu- lation and enjoys popularity and a liberal patronage. Mr. Stanford is one of the oldest newspaper men in Randolph county, and is well known throughout the state. He married Catharine Dunaway of Stewart county, by whom he has a family of ten children: Clara Elizabeth, James Benton, Gertrude, Annie, Daisy, John T., Shelley, Tisna, Lena, and Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Stanford are members of the Baptist church, and he is prominent in the Knights of Pythias fraternity. They enjoy a pleasant home in the outskirts of Cuthbert.

J W. STANFORD. From a family whose collateral branches extend into many states of the south, and whose name is not only historic but renowned and influential, was born Dr. James W. Stanford of Cuthbert. His immediate ancestry were noted, upon both maternal and paternal sides, among the pioneers of southwestern Georgia, for their intelligence, probity, and mental and physical vigor. This combination of character and constitution, and innate worth, man- ifest themselves in the career of members of the present generation. Thomas Stanford was born in what is now Morgan county, Ga., May 15, 1806, and was the son of Thomas and Keziah Stanford, early settlers of middle Georgia. The latter lived for many years there, and had born to them a large family of children. Later in life they removed to Newton county and settled near Yellow river about ten miles from Covington, where they resided until coming to Randolph county about 1828. They purchased a farm about seven miles from Cuthbert, where the senior Stanford died in August, 1839-well advanced in years. After his death his widow removed to Alabama, where her last days were spent. Mr. Stanford was very wealthy at one time, but always liberal in charity, and free with the use of his means to help friends in pecuniary distress, he suffered heavy losses while living in Newton county. He was a soldier in the Indian wars during the years 1835-36, and a man of unflinching integrity, patient and considerate in private as well as in business life; of a sunny nature and a heart filled in sympathy for his fellow-man. Thomas Stanford was a citizen not only honored but loved by those who knew him. His domestic life was a model in happiness, and to the family circle came ten children, five boys and five girls-all of whom lived to be men and women grown, but all now deceased. They were Mary, the eldest, who married and settled in Habersham county; Edward, settled in Newton county; William, settled in Henry county; Martha, married, lived in Alabama; Thomas, Jr .; Nancy, married George Hobbs and settled in Randolph county;

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Elizabeth, married a Mr. Elliott and moved to Alabama; David, settled in Texas; John, settled in Arkansas; Keziah. Thomas Stanford, Jr., father of J. W. Stan- ford, was but a boy when his parents moved from Morgan to Newton county, where he grew to manhood. On Dec. 24, 1835, he was married to Elizabeth Phillips, a native of Morgan county. She was born April 24, 1819, and was the daughter of James and Mary (Phillips) Phillips, natives of the Carolinas. A . coincident worthy of note in connection with this union of her parents is, that, though their families were entirely unknown to each other both started from their respective homes in North and South Carolina on the same day, and reached Morgan county, Ga., at the same time. Mrs. Stanford when a child moved with her parents to Newton county, where she was married. Her husband farmed until about two years before his death, when he moved to Cuthbert, where he was employed as a bookkeeper, and served as bailiff of the county. He was a man of fine business capacity, and was a high, noble-minded citizen. He died Feb. 3, 1859, leaving a wife and five children: Martha Ann, who married John R. Scott, of Stewart county, and is now living in Lockesburgh, Ark .; Mary S., single, and living with her mother; John Thaddeus, of Cuthbert; Joseph Newton, editor and proprietor of the "Leader" of Randolph county; and Dr. James W. Stanford. Mrs. Stanford, mother of the above children, is a devoted member of the Baptist church, having united with that denomination when a girl of fifteen years, and has been a member of the Cuthbert congregation for over half a century. Though beyond three-quarters of a century of years, Mrs. Stanford is hale and hearty, and remarkably well preserved. Dr. J. W. Stanford, the youngest child by the first marriage, was born Nov. 4, 1852, and received the benefit of the public schools in his youthful days. He was but a boy when he entered a printing office in Cuthbert to learn the trade, and continued there until 1873, when he accepted a position in a drug store and began the study of pharmacy, for which he had long had a predilection. In 1876 he commenced business for himself and now has a flourishing and extensive business and is one of the substantial citizens of Randolph county. His capital when he started in life was a superabundance of will and energy, supported by a fixed deter- mination, which brought its sequence-success. Nov. 12, 1876, he was united in marriage to Sarah Burr, the daughter of Augustus P. and Catharine (Beasley) Burr, of Cuthbert. An interesting family of eight children followed this union: James W., Jr., William B., Edgar, Harry, Leland, Emmett, Frank, and Grover. Dr. Stanford is one of the leading members of the Baptist church, a denomination with which he united when fourteen years old. He is superintendent of the Sunday-school, one of the trustees of Bethel Male college, and also of Mercer university. He is an enthusiast on the subject of education, and has always taken an active lead in the cause of intellectual improvement. He has doubtless provided means to more young men who were needy and struggling to acquire learning than any other man in southwest Georgia. He is a royal arch Mason and H. P. of the local chapter, a Knight of Honor, and a member of the American Legion of Honor. He lives with his family in a handsome home in Cuthbert.

JOHN THOMAS STEVENS, planter, Cuthbert, Randolph county, was born in 1845, in this county. He is a grandson of Stephen Stevens, a native of South Carolina, born near Charleston, who, with his family, consisting of wife, four sons and two daughters, migrated overland to Georgia in 1826, and settled in Houston county, being among the first settlers of that county. He was a farmer, a democrat in politics, and a sincere member of the Primitive Baptist church, in which faith he triumphantly died. His wife survived him a few years. They raised

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six children: James, who moved to Mississippi just previous to the war; Luke, located in Mississippi; Thomas, who settled in Stewart county, where he died; Julia A., who married a Mr. Edward Smith and settled in Alabama, where she is yet living; Erliffa, who died single, in Georgia, and Burrell. The last named was the youngest child of Stephen Stevens, and was born in South Carolina, Jan. 23, 1814. He grew to manhood in Houston county and received a very good education. He married Sarah Shivers, who was born July 30, 1818, in Houston county. She was the daughter of Jack Shivers, a native of South Carolina, and one of the early settlers of Houston county, who lived to an old age. For a while he resided in Terrell county, but later moved back to Houston county, where he died. He had four children: Eli, Allie, Sarah, and Sadie, all deceased. Burrell Stevens and wife moved to Randolph county and settled on the Chickasawatchee creek, now in Terrell county, where he lived about fourteen years. He then moved to a farm eight miles south of Cuthbert, which place he owned at the time of his death, Aug. 3, 1878, while living in Cuthbert. He was deputy sheriff at the time of his demise, and served as a soldier in Gov. Joe Brown's state militia the latter part of the late war. He was a democrat, a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and a very successful farmer. Sarah Stevens, his wife, died Feb. 21, 1864. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist church. They had nine children, as follows: Celia J., born Jan. 19, 1840, died Oct. 14, 1841; Stephen, born Feb. 13, 1842, died Oct. 31, 1842; John Thomas, born Aug. 15, 1843; Julia Amanda, born Aug. 24, 1845, and married Alvard Wall, of Randolph county; Erliffa Ann, born March 25, 1847, married to James McMichael, died in February, 1894; James M., born Dec. 23, 1843, now living in Lumpkin, Ga .; William W., born March II, 1851, living in Randolph county; Burrell A., born May 6, 1853, and Joseph L., born Sept. 15, 1857, living in Randolph county. Mr. Stevens was inarried, the second time, to Mrs. Sarah Britt, who died in 1893, in Terrell county. The subject of this sketch was the third child by his first marriage, and lived at home with his parents until 1862, when he enlisted for the war in Company HI, Fifty-first Georgia regiment, under command of Gen. Sims. He saw a great deal of fighting from the first to the last of the war, and participated in the following battles : Seven Pines, second Manassas, Fredericksburg, Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, Knoxville, the battle of the Wilderness, and all the fighting around Richmond. He then proceeded to Appomattox, and was there at the surrender. He was taken prisoner in the battle of Gettysburg and sent to Fort Delaware, where he was kept for thirty days and then exchanged. In the battle of the Wilderness he was shot through the foot, and at Chancellorsville a spent ball struck him under the right eye, severely injuring him. At the surrender Mr. Stevens was one of only three of Company H that was left of the company, the others having been killed, wounded or taken prisoner during the war. He re- turned to his home, walking over one hundred miles of the way, and commenced farming on the old place. In 1867 he was married to Miss Watson, born in February, 1842, in Stewart county. She was the daughter of Green Watson, a native of Georgia, who settled in Randolph county, where he died. He had a family of nine children, four of whom were sons. Mrs. Stevens was the fifth child, and the only one of the children now living. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have had born to them two children: Sarah Lenia, wife of Mr. Mack Kenney, who lives on the home place, and Mary May, born Oct. 11, 1870, and died Oct. 21, 1879. Mrs. McKinney has three children. Mrs. Stevens and her daughter are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Stevens is a stanch democrat in politics. They live on a fine farm about nine miles south of Cuthbert

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DANIEL R. STEWART. The Stewart family, prominent in the annals of Randolph county history, from the time the county was cut out of Lee, is of Scotch descent, as the name plainly evidences. Daniel Stewart, who came from Scotland with his family about the year 1800, and settled in Buncombe county, North Carolina, was the founder. He served in the war of 1812, in the ranks of the United States army, and soon after it was over moved with his family to Georgia and settled near Macon. He had four sons and two daughters. He was a good type of the hardy Scotchman, whose blood is well mingled in the veins of Georgia's early residents. He was a whig in politics and a stanch Presbyterian. He died in Marion county, Ga., to which place he had moved, aged eighty-eight years. John Stewart, his son, was a small boy when the family settled in Georgia. He lived near Macon with his parents until manhood, and then located in Marion county, where he married Miss Giles, a native of that county. He was a farmer there for a few years, whence he moved to Sumter county, where he resided until 1854, when he purchased a farm in Randolph county, near what is now Coleman Station. He was a man who enjoyed the respect and confidence of all whom his business and social relations brought him in contact with. He was a good liver and fond of his family. In early life he was a whig, but after the war a democrat, and while taking a prominent part in politics, never aspired to office. His wife died in the summer of 1867, while on a visit in Sumter county. She was born in 1826, and was a good, Christian woman, belonging to the Baptist church. John Stewart, after the death of his wife and the marriage of his children, went to live with his son, Daniel R. Stewart, where he died, in October, 1882, his death result- ing from injuries received by being thrown by a mule. To this union were born the following children: Mrs. Mary Colline, of Randolph county; William Henry Harrison, died during the late war, of typhoid-pneumonia, in Knoxville, Tenn., being a member of Company G, Fifty-fifth Georgia regiment; Daniel R., the subject of this sketch; John T., of Calhoun county; Noah, of Randolph county; Mrs. Margaret Johnston, and Mrs. Christian Johnston, of Sumter county; A. P., of Randolph county; Naomi, died in childhood. Mr. Daniel R. Stewart, the third child of John Stewart, was born in Marion county, and came with his parents to Randolph county at the age of twelve years. He attended the public schools of Randolph and Sumter counties, and was only sixteen years old when the call was made for volunteers for the war. Youth was no barrier to his enlistment, and he joined the First Georgia state troops, but upon his company being reorganized he became a member of the Fifty-fifth regiment, commanded by Col. C. B. Haskey. The regiment was captured at Cumberland gap in 1863, but, fortunately for Mr. Stewart, he was then confined to the hospital with a case of erysipelas. At the time of the surrender Mr. Stewart had charge of a wagon train at Augusta. After the war he returned to Randolph county, where he purchased a tract of land, which contained about sixty acres in cultivation. This little "garden spot" has been developed into a plantation of about 3,000 acres, which, with mills, gins and stores, represent the efforts of Mr. Stewart for the past thirty years. All this is the result of industry, economy, quick discernment and rare judgment. Mr. Stewart had no help but what his arms brought him, and he can justly feel proud when referred to as a self-made man. He is known as one of the most practical farmers of the county, and has about 1,000 acres under cultivation. In 1890 he commenced the business of general merchandising, his storeroom being located on the home place, and it has extended to very large proportions. Mr. Stewart was married to Nancy O. Pope, a native of Washington county, Ga., but principally reared in Randolph county. She is the daughter of Wiley M. Pope, who was a native of North Carolina, and was an early settler in Washington county. He was a well

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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 112

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