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 115

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 115

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AUGUST DORR, deceased. The late August Dorr, of Augusta, Ga., was one of the few men who have a clear title, according to our human estimate, of being called blameless. In every relation of life he was a model. If he had faults, as all of us have, they were eclipsed by his conspicuous virtues. He never wronged anyone, nor did he ever speak unkindly of anyone. He devoutly fol- lowed the precepts of his church, and supernatural grace shone in all of his actions. He carried his genuine piety into his business, his duties as a citizen, and his domestic relations. A blessing fell upon his whole existence. His worldly affairs prospered, and his home was such a one as every Christian husband and father would desire as a supreme benediction. August Dorr, grandson of Revier- forster P. Victor Eisen, resident of Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, and grandson of Postmaster John, and a son of Postmaster Adam Dorr, was born in the village of Dieburg, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, July 9, 1831. From the age of six to fourteen he attended the local schools, and was then apprenticed to learn the tailoring trade, his mother paying his employer 150 guilders (about $60) for the training he received. At the age of seventeen he had so far mastered the tailoring trade as to become his own man. He passed through the revolution of 1848, was conscripted in 1850, and, according to the state law, was given the privilege of emigrating. His mother purchased for him a ticket to New York. A man- uscript in the possession of the writer, written some time before the death of Mr. Dorr, describes his journey to America in detail. This manuscript says: "I left home in June. After stopping some time in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Co- blentz, Colon, and Rotterdam, I crossed the North sea and landed at Hull, Eng-

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land. I then crossed England, boarded a ship at Liverpool and, after a long and tiresome voyage, arrived at the beautiful harbor of New York, on the morning of Aug. 12, 1850." Arriving at New York, Mr. Dorr secured work at his trade. A year later he came to Augusta, where he remained two months, and then returned to New York. Having been much impressed, however, by the thrift and enterprise of the city of Augusta, he returned there in September, 1852, and secured employment at the tailoring establishment of John Bridges, who in later years was made manager of the Jackson street store of Mr. Dorr. When the war between the states began he saw active service as a private in the Georgia reserves, and was very frequently detached as escort with prisoners of war. It is said of him that he never shirked a duty and was a most gallant soldier. After the close of hostilities Mr. Dorr in 1867 established the business in which he was engaged at the time of his death. He was enterprising, and from an humble beginning built up the best known clothing and haberdashery establishment in the southeastern section of the southern states. He associated with him, from time to time, his three sons, Frank, Victor J., and Lawrence, and they were practically brought up to the business. In 1857 August Dorr was happily married to Miss Catherine Magill, of Augusta; a union which was blessed by the birth of nine children, of whom three sons died in infancy. Those living are: Frank X., Victor J., and Lawrence, who have succeeded to the business of their father; Mrs. Edward Horne, of Macon, Ga .; and Misses Catherine and Madge Dorr, · of Augusta. Mr. Dorr was a member of the Roman Catholic church. He departed this life at his home in the city of Augusta, on July 25, 1893, the funeral ceremonies being conducted by Bishop Becker, of Savannah, Ga.

JOSHUA J. DOUGHTY, a prominent cotton merchant of Augusta, was born in Belair, Richmond Co., Ga., July 21, 1841. He was reared in the county of his birth and educated at Richmond academy, leaving that seat of learning in September, 1861, to enlist for six months in the Oglethorpe infantry, which com- pany was assigned to the Forty-eighth Georgia regiment. At the end of his term of enlistment he returned home and joined an infantry company, raised in Augusta by Capt. S. H. Crump, and attached to the Twelfth Georgia battalion, of which he was chosen first lieutenant. The virtual command of this company was in the hands of Lieut. Doughty for a great part of the time, and he commanded the battalion at the battle of Monocacy, July 12, 1864. Lieut. Doughty was also actively engaged in the battles of Cheat mountain, Fort Clift, siege of Savannah, battery Wagner, Fort Sumter, second Cold Harbor, the raid on Washington, Harper's ferry, Jackson's raid to the Ohio river, and Monocacy. While in com- mand of the Twelfth Georgia battalion at the battle of Monocacy he was twice wounded by shot, once in the mouth and once in the shoulder, and from that date went out of the service. So severe were his wounds, he was conveyed to the home of J. W. Burch, about eight miles from the city of Washington, D. C., where he remained about thirty days, and was then confined in the old Capitol prison for about three months, thence being carried to Fort Delaware prison, where he was regularly exchanged about three months later and returned to his home. Joshua J. Doughty engaged in the cotton business in Augusta in 1867, and has given his attention to that business exclusively ever since. In 1878 he was married to Miss Alwin L. Allen, who died, leaving as the fruit of that union a son and two daughters. His second marriage was to Miss Terreece L. Ander- son, a granddaughter of W. J. Owens, of Augusta, Ga., but she died without issue. Mr. Doughty's present wife was Mary Rosine Nixon, a daughter of J. W. Nixon, of the United States navy.

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DR. WILLIAM H. DOUGHTY, JR., professor of anatomy and clinical sur-

gery of the medical department of the university of Georgia, was born in Augusta, Ga., in 1856. He was reared and received his academical education in his native city, and graduated from the literary department of the university of Georgia with the degree of A. B., in the class of 1875. Immediately after his gradu- ation he began the study of medicine at the State Medical college at Augusta, receiving his diploma in that department of the university of Georgia in 1878. He then went to New York city and attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, also attending various private lecture courses, after which he ventured to Augusta and at once entered actively upon the practice of his profession. In 1881 Dr. Doughty was made clinical assistant in the medical department of the university of Georgia; in 1886, demonstrator of anatomy and lecturer on diseases of the nervous system; in 1887, professor of obstetrics, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Joseph A. Eve; in 1888, professor of materia medica and therapeutics; in 1893-4, general and surgical pathology; and at the close of the session of 1894 he was placed in the chair he now holds. Dr. Doughty is an honored member of the Georgia State Medical association and of the Augusta Academy of Medicine. He has a very large clientele, embracing the positions of surgeon in charge of the Freedman's hospital of Augusta; surgeon to the Ogle- thorpe light infantry; local surgeon to the Central railroad of Georgia, the Port Royal & Augusta railroad, the Port Royal & Western Carolina railroad, and the Augusta Electric Street Railroad company; also medical examiner at Augusta for the New York Life, the Equitable, the Manhattan, Mutual Benefit of New Jersey, the Kentucky Mutual, the Hartford Life and Annuity, and the Chicago Guarantee Fund, life insurance companies. Dr. Doughty rendered much valu- able public service as chairman of the building committee of the Augusta city hospital, completed in 1894. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episco- pal church south, is worshipful master of Webb lodge No. 166, F. and A. M., and is a Knight Templar. He was married in 1883 to Miss Eleanor, daughter of the late Roger Gamble, of Augusta, Ga., and this union has been blessed by the birth of a lovely daughter.

WILLIAM M. DUNBAR, postmaster of Augusta, Ga., was born in Barnwell district, S. C., April 6, 1846. His ancestors on both sides were soldiers in the armies of the colonies during the war of the revolution, and ancestors of both his paternal and maternal antecedents were colonial captains. Allen R. Dunbar, father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was a native of South Carolina. He had five sons and a son-in-law in the Confederate armies during the war between the states. William M. Dunbar was reared and educated in the common schools of his native district. In January, 1863, he went to Augusta, Ga., to attend school, and the following May he enlisted as a private in Company A of Maj. George T. Jackson's battalion, and served until November, 1864, when he lost his right arm at the battle of Griswoldville, Ga., and returned from the service. After his recovery Mr. Dunbar attended school at Athens, Ga., six months, and then commenced to clerk in Augusta, for Winchester Graham, stock and bond brokerage, remaining two years. In November, 1866, he was married to Miss Rebecca C., daughter of the late Thomas Hopkins, of Augusta, Ga., and went to his old home in Barnwell district, S. C., and planted two years. Returning to Augusta, Mr. Dunbar became engaged as purser of a steamboat running be- tween Augusta and Savannah, retaining that position two years. He then worked a year for R. H. May & Co., of Augusta, and in 1872 he was elected treasurer of Richmond county, Ga., in which capacity he served ten years, when he resigned.

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In 1874 Mr. Dunbar engaged in the grain and commission business in Augusta, and retains an interest in that business at the present time. From 1885 to 1889 Mr. Dunbar served as city recorder of Augusta, and then resigned. In April, 1893, he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of Augusta, which po- sition he now holds. Mr. Dunbar is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the St. John's M. E. Church south, of which he is a steward and trustee. Of his inarriage to Miss Rebecca Hopkins, aforementioned, there have been born eight children, four of whom are now living, three boys and one girl.

WILLIAM F. EVE, judge of the city court of Augusta, Ga., was born in that city, March 8, 1851. His father was Joseph A., one of the founders of the medical department of the university of Georgia. William F. Eve received his earlier education in the city of Augusta. In 1869 he became a student at the university of Virginia, where he was engaged for two years in the study of literature and one year in the study of law. Returning to Augusta, he was admitted to the bar in 1872, and engaged actively in the practice of his profession. In 1875 he was made solicitor of the Richmond county court, and on Oct. 15, 1878, was appointed judge of the same court. On the abolition of the Richmond county court, in 1881, and the creation of the city court of Augusta, he was appointed judge of the latter court, which office he has held continuously ever since. Since 1878 Judge Eve has been ex-officio commissioner of roads and revenues for the county of Richmond, a most responsible position, which he has creditably filled. Under his administration the roads of Richmond county have become famous as splendid highways. Judge Eve is also identified with several extensive business enterprises of Augusta, being vice-president of the Augusta Real Estate and Improvement company, and a member of the board of directors of the Mutual Real Estate and Building association, of the Augusta and Summerville Land company, and the West Side Development company. He is also a director of the Young Men's Library association, and chairman of the board of trustees of St. John's Methodist Episcopal church south, and chairman of the Campground as- sociation. Since 1889 Judge Eve was president of the Richmond County Agricul- tural society, holding that office until 1894. The Richmond county court house was enlarged and beautified under the administration of Judge Eve. This building ranks among the most impressive public edifices of Georgia. Judge Eve was happily married, on May 16, 1876, to Ida Evans, eldest daughter of Gen. Clement A. Evans, of Georgia. Their marriage has been blessed by the birth of several children, four of whom are now living, viz .: Allie Walton, Sarah Garland, William Frederick, and Ida Evans.

WILLIAM H. FLEMING, a rising lawyer of Augusta, Ga., was born in that city Oct. 18, 1856, and is a son of Porter and Catherine B. (Moragne) Flem- ing. Porter Fleming was born in Lincoln county, Ga., Aug. 29, 1808, was a son of Robert Fleming, a native of Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish extraction. Porter Fleming settled in Augusta in 1830, where he was engaged in merchandising and dealing in cotton until his death, in 1891. His wife, Mrs. Catherine B. Flem- ing, is a native of Abbeville county, S. C., and is of French Huguenot origin. William H. Fleming is the third of a family of eight children born to his parents, viz .: John M., Frank E., William H., Catherine L., Minnie C., Lamar L., I. Moragne, and Porter, Jr. He has a fine education, having first attended the Summerville academy, on Sand Hill, and next the Richmond academy, at Augusta. He then went to Athens, where he attended the university of Georgia, from which institution he was graduated in 1875. While in the junior class of this institution

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he took the medal for the best essay-competition being open to all students -- and was elected anniversarian of the Phi Kappa society. In 1875 he also delivered the commencement address, and after graduating remained at the university one year as tutor. He was one among others that the great Alexander H. Stephens assisted financially to an education, but the funds advanced have long since been returned by Mr. Fleming, with interest. In January, 1877, Mr. Fleming was elected superintendent of public schools at Augusta, which position he held three and one-half years, when he resigned and prosecuted the study of law under John T. Shewmake. In November, 1880, he was admitted to the bar, entered upon practice, and at once became a leader of his profession. In 1883 he delivered the address at the centennial celebration of Richmond academy, and in 1885 he made the oration at Augusta on the Confederate memorial day, which was specially noticed and eulogized by many leading papers for its sound views and patriotic sentiments. He was also president of the Hayne Literary society two years, resigning in 1886. He was for many years one of the trustees of the Young Men's Library association, and is now president of the board of trustees of the medical college of Georgia, Augusta. He is also president of the Thomson- Houston Electric Light company, of Augusta. He was elected to the general assembly in 1888-89, and has been successively re-elected ever since. In 1892-93 he was made chairman of finance committee of the house of representatives, and is the author of some of the most important laws in the Georgia code. In 1888-89 he framed and had passed a law regulating the recovering of transfers and liens on property. In 1890-91 he introduced and secured the passage of a bill to provide for the more speedy determination of criminal trials. This was a very important measure. In 1892-93 he was the author of the act passed ordering the codifying of the laws of Georgia; also an act to systematize the finances of the public schools of Georgia, and to provide for the prompt payment of teachers. In that same year he was elected first vice-president of the Georgia Bar association, and at the annual meeting of that body read a paper entitled "How Should the Judiciary Be Chosen, and Why?" In 1894 he was chosen president of the Georgia Bar association. In 1894 Mr. Fleming was re-elected to the Georgia legislature, and upon the assembling of that body was chosen speaker, without opposition, and proved to be one of the ablest parliamentarians and one of the most equitable presiding officers who ever wielded the gavel over that body. Mr. Fleming is a gentleman of exceeding modesty, never failing to recognize as his equal every man who honestly labors to perform his entire duty. He is an enthusiastic Mason, a member of Webb lodge, No. 166, chapter No. 2, R. A. M., and Georgia com- mandery, No. I, K. T., and is also a Knight of Pythias and a member of the college fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

FRANK E. FLEMING, a prominent banker of Augusta, Ga., was born in that city, Jan. 12, 1854. He was reared and received his education at Richmond academy. In 1870 Mr. Fleming began to clerk for his father, Porter Fleming, cotton factor, and remained with him until 1877, when he retired to act as runner for the Georgia Railroad bank. When he left there he had reached the position of teller, which he held from 1881 to 1886. Mr. Fleming then formed the banking firm of Fleming, Thomas & Co., which now continues. The subject of this sketch is a director in the Langley Manufacturing company, and was president in 1890 of the Augusta and Summerville Railroad company, a horse-car line. Mr. Fleming then changed it from a horse-car to an electric line, and the road was then sold. He is still a director in the company. Mr. Fleming was married, in 1891, to Miss Lila Twiggs.

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RICHMOND COUNTY SKETCHES.

WILLIAM H. FOSTER, M. D., one of the leading physicians of eastern Georgia, was born in Augusta, Ga., March 3, 1841, and is the third of eight children now in life born to John and Jane E. M. (Zim) Foster. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Henry Zim, who was a private soldier under "Light Horse Harry" Lee in the war of the revolution. He was severely wounded in the attack made by Lee on old Fort Augusta, which was then held by the British under Gen. Brown. He also saw service in the armies of the colonies at the battles of Kings Mountain, Monmouth, the Cowpens, and was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. He lived a long and useful life and died at the ripe age of ninety-four years. William H. Foster received his edu- cation at the Richmond county academy, and at the Mount Zion high school, in Hancock county, Ga., which was then presided over by Gov. William J. Northen. He then read medicine under Dr. Richard D. Moore, of Athens, afterward attending lectures in Atlanta. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, known as the Oglethorpe infantry, First Georgia volunteers. At the end of his term of enlist- ment he returned to Augusta and raised a battalion, which was subsequently transferred to the Sixty-third Georgia regiment, at Savannah, where it remained until just before the retreat of Johnston from Dalton. The doctor took part also in all the battles from Dalton to Atlanta, and in the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. He then went with Gen. Hood to Nashville. Dr. Foster was an active participant in the battles of Cheat Mountain Ford, Green Brier River, McDowell's, Kernstown, Winchester, Strasburg, Hanging Rock, Romney, Rich Mountain, Rock Facc, Resaca, Dalton, Altoona, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Fair Grounds near Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville, and Bentonville. At the close of the war he returned to Augusta and resumed his medical studies, graduating with honors, in March, 1867, from the medical college of Georgia, department of university of Georgia. He entered actively upon the practice of his profession at Lexington, Oglethorpe Co., Ga., where he remained nine years, and in 1877 returned to Augusta. He has served one term as a member of the city council of Augusta; was chairman of the board of health con- mittee and ex-officio president of the board of health. In 1878 he was made city physician, and retains that position at this time. On Sept. 25, 1859, he was married to Miss Margaret V., daughter of Dr. Cosmo P. Richardson, of Savan- nah, and this union was blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom five are now in life, viz .: Maggie C., John H., Eva HI., Henry C., and Eugenia. In 1888 he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who was a consistent member of the Episcopal church. His second marriage was to Mrs. Stella R. (Robinson) Oliver, daughter of Dr. Francis J. Robinson, of Lexington, Ga., and they have one child, a daughter. Dr. Foster is a consistent member of the Christian church, also of the benevolent order Royal Arcanum and order of the Golden Rule.

JAMES L. FLEMING, vice-president of the Augusta orphan asylum, was born in Lincoln county, Ga., Aug. 12, 1843. Left an orphan at the tender age of seven years, he was carried to the home of his uncle, Porter Fleming, in Augusta, Ga., and given the very best educational advantages. He first attended the old Richmond academy, then the school of the Rev. John W. Reed, in Oglethorpe county, leaving that school in September, 1860, to become a cadet at the Finley institute, Lenoir, N. C. In April, 1861, he ran away from school and enlisted as a private in Company G, First North Carolina regiment, which company was known as the Burke rifles. He served in that command until the spring of 1862, when having been made a sergeant, he joined the Oglethorpe artillery at 'Augusta, Ga., and served as a private in that command throughout Bragg's Kentucky campaign and the return, and was then transferred for duty in the

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defense of Savannah, the Oglethorpe artillery and George A. Gordon's battalion being merged into the Sixty-third Georgia regiment. Having been promoted to sergeant and then to ensign Mr. Fleming was detached from his regiment by order of the secretary of war and assigned to duty in the signal corps, serving in that department until after the evacuation of Savannah. He was then assigned to Gen. W. J. Hardee's headquarters at Charleston, S. C., and later to Fort Sumter, serving there until the evacuation, when he went with Johnston's army and was at the surrender at Greensboro, N. C. Mr. Fleming was an active participant in the battles of Big Bethel, Dams Nos. I and 2, Harrod's Mill, Williamsburg, Rich- mond, Ky., Perryville, the siege of Savannah, siege of Fort Sumter, Averasboro and Bentonville. Throughout the bloody battles above mentioned he was never seriously wounded, receiving two slight scratches at the battle of Big Bethel, Va. After the close of hostilities Mr. Fleming walked from North Carolina to Augusta, having only a dollar and a quarter in his pocket, and began life anew as a farm hand, working for his board and clothing. In 1866 he secured a situation as clerk in Atlanta, Ga., and eight months later engaged as traveling salesman for the dry goods establishment of Samuel Bevan & Co., of Baltimore, which position he filled most acceptably for two years. Removing to Abbeville district, S. C., he was engaged for one season in agricultural affairs. Mr. Fleming then returned to Augusta and formed a co-partnership with his brother in the drug business, which was continued for eight years. At the same time, however, he and W. E. McCoy engaged in the manufacture of tobacco, which was abandoned one year later. In 1880 he entered the grocery business in Augusta, and carried it on for seven years, establishing the large furniture business he now operates in 1888. Since 1875, in addition to other extensive interests, he has devoted no inconsiderable part of his time to farming and planting. Mr. Fleming is vice- president of the Confederate Survivors' association of Richmond county, is a Knight Templar Mason, and the honored assistant superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Presbyterian church, of Augusta. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the masonic fraternity of Augusta. He has never embraced the matrimonial state. As the efficient vice-president of the Augusta Orphan asylum, Mr. Fleming is possibly best known to the public. In that great charity, made famous by the devotion to its interests of such names as William Royal Sibley, James C. C. Black, and hosts of others equally prominent, he has always evinced a most careful pride. His tenderness to the unfortunate little orphans has completely won their most ardent affection and his visits are hailed by the children with genuine delight. Here he dispenses a liberality as generous and open-hearted as it is beautiful, relying on the promise of the Master, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me."

FRANK L. FULLER, of the wholesale grocery firm of Fuller & Summerall,

Augusta, Ga., was born in Columbia county, Ga., April 14, 1851. He was reared and educated in the county of his birth, and at twenty-one years of age he began to clerk for the firm of Stables & Read, Augusta, wholesale grocers, remaining in the employ of that house for six months, at the end of which time he entered the employ of Young & Hack, wholesale grocers, and remained with that firm ten years. He was then made a member of the firm, its name being changed to Young, Hack & Co. Six months later the name of Fuller, Hatcher & Co. was adopted and as such the business was continued for six years, when the present firm of Fuller & Summerall was formed. The present firm, from its inception in July, 1892, has been a leader in the trade, and is annually extending the scope of its operations. Mr. Fuller is a member of the Phoenix factory and of the Grocers' Manufacturing company, of Augusta. He was happily married in

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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 115

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