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 122

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 122

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

was elected judge of the county court, and is now holding that position. He has been a very successful business man and owns about 4,000 acres of land and much valuable stock. Judge Kittles had two brothers, both of whom are now dead, who served in the late war, Robert C. and Peter R., the latter being a captain.

G. L. MILLS, physician, Haides, was born in Screven county in 1850, and is the son of Henry F. and Candacy (Lovett) Mills. The father was born in Screven county, was a large farmer, a brave soldier, a conscientious and influential member of the Methodist church, dying in 1881. He was a son of William R. and Lucy (Paris) Mills. William R. Mills was born, lived and died in Burke county, and was a large farmer. The mother of Mr. G. L. Mills was the daughter of Thomas F. and Nancy (William) Lovett. Thomas Lovett was of Dutch descent and born in Burke county, but afterward moved to Screven county, where he died. In 1868 Mr. Mills entered the Georgia Medical college, Augusta, and was graduated in 1870. In 1880 he married Josephine Roberts, daughter of Robert and Jane Mills Roberts. The parents were natives and residents of Screven county. Robert Roberts was the son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Warren) Roberts. Mrs. G. L. Mills was born in Screven county in 1849. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Dr. Mills is a master Mason. In 1870, after he graduated, he located in Screven county and began the practice of medicine, which he continued until a year ago, when he gave it up so as to give all his time to his extensive farming interests. He owns a fine farm of 1,600 acres near Haides.

NICHOLAS ODAM, farmer, Mobley Pond, was born in Screven county in 1827, and is the son of Bryant and Barbara (Strigler) Odam. The father was born in North Carolina and moved to Georgia at an early day. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and a well-to-do farmer. He died in Screvcn county at the age of one hundred and six. He married Barbara, daughter of Nicholas and Sarah (Bryant) Strigler. Nicholas Strigler was born and lived in Screven county, and his father was one of its earliest settlers. Nicholas served in the patriot army in the revolutionary war. Nicholas Odam was reared a farmer boy and got his education from a few weeks' schooling in the old field schools, and reading by the pine knot or tallow dip. Hc married Caroline Freeman, daughter of Gart Frecman, a well-to-do farmer of Screven county, and the union has been blessed with five children, now living: Georgia, William, Caroline, Virgil and Joseph. The mother was born in Screven county in 1827, and died in 1890. In 1892 Mr. Odam was married to Laura Littlefield, daughter of Samuel H. Little- field. The latter was born in Massachusetts and moved to Georgia in 1842, where he engaged in farming and the mercantile business and accumulated considerable money. In 1845 he married Miss Martha C. Lovett, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Lovett. Mr. Littlefield and wife lived together forty years, and to them were born nine living children: Thomas, Laura, Susan, Annie, Charlie, Velera, Samuel, Julia and Louise. He died Jan. 24, 1883, and his wife, Martha, born in 1821, is still living. Mr. Littlefield served in the Confederate army. Mrs. Odam was born in Georgia in March, 1847. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and much respected for their Christian characters. In 1862 Mr. Odam enlisted in the civil war, joining Com- pany F, Fifth Georgia regiment, under Capt. McCall, and engaged in the battles of Ocean Pond and Noon Day church. At the battle of Griswoldville he was wounded. Mr. Odam started in life as a poor boy and began work on the farm, and now owns about 3,000 acres of land.

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SCREVEN COUNTY SKETCHES.

JESSE T. WADE, farmer, was born in Whitfield county in 1851, and is the son of Peyton L. and Elizabeth E. (Robert) Wade. `The father was born in Greene county and reared on the farm, studied for the ministry and began preaching about 1822. He was a member of the conference for two years and was located at Waynesboro, and later lived in Screven county, where he began farming and his later life was devoted to this vocation. He was a whig in politics and died leaving a large estate. His father was a native of Wales, and moving to America when a young man, died here. The mother of Mr. Wade was Elizabeth, daugh- ter of William H. Robert. He was born in South Carolina and was an eminent citizen of that state, dying well possessed of this world's goods and highly respected by all who knew him. Mr. Wade's great maternal grandfather, Samuel Maner, served in the revolutionary army as captain and was a very wealthy planter. He owned property both in South Carolina and Georgia. Mr. Wade was reared on the farm in both Whitfield and Screven counties. He graduated at the Virginia Military institute in 1871. In 1887 he married Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Seaborn and Jane (Bostwick) Jones. Mr. Jones was born in Screven county and was a distinguished lawyer of the state and a large land owner and an officer of the Confederate army. He was the son of A. S. Jones, who was a native of Georgia and a son of Seaborn Jones, who was a leading lawyer in Georgia for a number of years and a member of congress. Mrs. Wade was born in Screven county in 1865. She and her husband are both members of religious denomina- Mr. Wade was county

tions, she being an Episcopalian and he a Methodist.

surveyor at one time, and has been a life-long farmer. Mr. Wade comes from a family which sent four sons to the war. He himself was too young to enlist, but four of his brothers went in the Confederate army. They were Dr. R. M. Wade, now a physician in Athens; Peyton L. Wade, who died in Richmond during the war, belonged to the First Georgia regiment, and was promoted for bravery to be first lieutenant; Edward C., of the Savannah Guards, who was wounded and captured at Sailor's Creek and carried to Camp Douglas, where he died; and Ulysses P. Wade, who is now a prominent lawyer of Screven county.

GEORGE W. WATERS, farmer, Sylvania, was born in Screven county in 1837, and is the son of Michael and Mary (Bolton) Waters. Michael Waters was a native of and life-long resident of Screven county. He was of German descent, and his father was a native of Germany and died in this country. His mother was a daughter of Reuben Bolton, a native of Screven county. Mr. Waters received a limited education, having only the opportunities of the meager school advantages. In 1861 he enlisted in the war in Company A, Fifty-fourth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Roberts. In 1857 he was married to Rachel Ziegler, daughter of Solomon Ziegler. The father was a respected citizen and prosperous farmer, and a son of a revolutionary soldier who, while home on a furlough, and attending church, was fired on by tories and only escaped death by a chance. Mr. and Mrs. Waters have eight living children: Israel, Solomon, Mary, Holman, Charity, Reuben, Alonzo and Laura. The mother was born in Screven county in 1838. She is a member of the M. E. church. Mr. Waters is one of the most progressive of Screven county's farmers and has a large estate of 5,000 acres, a big part of which is in cultivation.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

SPALDING COUNTY.

JAMES STODDARD BOYNTON, lawyer and ex-judge, Griffin, Ga., son of Elijah S. and Elizabeth (Moffet) Boynton, was born in Henry county, Ga., in 1833. His father was of English descent, tracing his lineage back to the Boyn- ton knighted by William the Conqueror, was born in Vermont, came to Georgia when a young man, and settled in Henry county. His mother was of a South Carolina family of French extraction, and his parents, though not rich, were in moderately good circumstances. Judge Boynton grew up on the farm, and received only such education as could be obtained at the "old field" schools of the day, a few months each year after laying-by time. The hot blood of his youth was set on fire by reading of the heroic deeds of our chivalrous citizen- soldiery during the Mexican war, and he was inspired by an ambition to secure an appointment to West Point and enter the army. Accordingly, in 1849, he entered upon a preparatory course of study, but in November of that year his father died, leaving him a patrimony of only 100 acres of land and one negro. Still intent on his cherished object, he chose for his guardian a gentleman able and willing to assist him. But in 1851 this friend and guardian died, by which all hope was destroyed. Still bent on a military career, with the consent of his newly-chosen guardian, he sold his land with the view of attending the Georgia Military institute at Marietta. On application and inquiry there he found the money he had barely enough to support him two years, while he could not graduate in less than three years. This was a crushing blow to his ambition, and he abandoned his object. His thirst for knowledge and the higher and nobler aspirations of his nature never deserted him. Going to Cave Spring, near Rome, he entered Hearne's school, and remained there until his exchequer was exhausted, when he was compelled to lay aside his books and seek employment. Returning to McDonough, he accepted a proposition made by Col. L. T. Doyal, then one of the most distin- guished lawyers in that circuit, and read law under him. His ambition and indus- try, and the wide scope and strong grasp of his mind were such that in the unparalleled short time of seven weeks he mastered the principles of law, and at the October term of the court (1852, Judge James H. Stark presiding) he was ad- mitted to the bar. Nov. 15 following he opened an office in Monticello, Jasper Co., Ga., only nineteen years old, a stranger among strangers, and imperfectly educated. Yet he succeeded. In 1858 he went to Jackson, Butts Co., Ga., and entered into partnership with Col. James R. Lyons and rose rapidly in his pro- fession and in the good opinion of the people. In 1860 he was elected ordinary over a strong and popular member of the dominant party, administering the office with unusual acceptability. Although opposed to secession, and by virtue of his office exempt from military service, in response to his patriotic impulses he enlisted as a private in the Thirtieth Georgia regiment and served as such seven months. On the reorganization of the regiment in 1862 he was elected major, and in De- cember following was made lieutenant-colonel. His regiment served at Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington, Pocotaligo and Jacksonville, and then, in May, 1863, was ordered to Jackson, Miss., and went through the arduous campaign in that state. During this campaign Col. Boynton won a high reputation for courage and ability, and in general orders, issued by Gen. Walker, was specially mentioned for gallantry. His regiment was always where the battle raged hottest and fiercest, and there Col. Boynton would be found, coolly and courageously leading and encouraging his men. In one engagement he lost forty-five per cent of his com-

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SPALDING COUNTY SKETCHES.

mand in one hour and a half. Col. Manghum having been permanently disabled by wounds and retired, he was commissioned as colonel of the regiment, and shared the fortunes of the western army, participating in the battles of Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, the continuous fights thence to Atlanta, and the battles around that city. Never did the Thirtieth Georgia go into action so long as he commanded it except under his intrepid leadership. While forty yards in front of his command, leading it in a charge at the battle near Decatur, Ga., July 22, 1864, he was stricken down and detained from his command until January, 1865, when, a mere skeleton and just off crutches, he rejoined it, but was unable to continue in active service. He suffered seriously from his wound many years after the war. In 1863 Col. Boynton removed his family to Griffin where, after the war, he resumed his law practice. In 1866 he was elected county judge and held the office until the court was abolished. From 1869 to 1872 he was mayor of Griffin, and then, for the next eight years he devoted himself to his profession, quickly gaining a large and valuable clientage. In 1880 he was elected to repre- sent the Twenty-sixth senatorial district in the general assembly, and was unani- inously chosen president of the senate. This is believed to be the only instance where a member serving his first term has had so distinguished an honor conferred on him; and during a session of five months no appeal from a decision of his was sustained. In 1882 he was again elected to the senate, and again, unopposed, elected its president. On the death of Gov. Stephens he was sworn in as gover- nor by Chief Justice James Jackson, March 5, 1883, and served until the election of Gov. McDaniel. In November, 1886, he was appointed by Gov. McDaniel judge of the Flint circuit to fill a vacancy, and was afterward elected to fill the unexpired and the succeeding full term-in each instance without opposition. In 1890 he was again elected for four years-this time over Hon. J. S. Pope. April 8, 1893, he resigned the judgeship and has since becn actively engaged in the general practice of his profession, and as division counsel of the Central railroad of Georgia, embracing nine counties. Judge Boynton was married Dec. 2, 1852, to Miss Fannie Loyall, by whom he had two sons. This estimable lady, by her cheerful and cheering devotion during his early struggles for recognition and distinction, proved to be a never-failing incentive and support to him. By her death in 1877 Judge Boynton sustained an irreparable loss. But sympa- thizing wifely companionship was a necessity, and on April 30, 1883, while gov- ernor, he was married to Miss Susan T. Harris, daughter of James W. Harris, of Walton county, Ga. She is a lady of attractive manners and many accomplish- ments, and Judge Boynton was indeed fortunate in this marriage-realizing that ideal happiness which comes only with congenial companionship. Judge Boyn- ton is an exemplary and influential member of the Missionary Baptist church. From whatever standpoint viewed, a true and noble manhood is developed in the character of Judge Boynton. The sixteen-year-old boy, ambitious of military glory and fame, though thwarted then, ten years later proved on many a bloody battlefield, by his intrepidity, coolness and courage seldom equaled, that it was no transitory boyish impulse, but the grander inspiration, that begot and fired the ambition. The nineteen-year-old, friendless and moneyless attorney has proved by his after successes at the bar, in the halls of legislation, on the bench, and in the gubernatorial chair, that a strong and true self-reliant manhood was the deep and broad foundation on which James Stoddard Boynton builded.

REV. W. H. PATTERSON, pastor of the Baptist church, Griffin, Spalding Co., Ga., son of George M. and Frances H. (Wade) Patterson, was born in Han- cock county in 1836. His parents, born, raised and married in Screven county,

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Ga., descended from old settlers and moved in early life to Hancock county. Here Dr. Patterson was raised, educated and prepared for college. He then entered Mercer university, from which he was graduated in 1858, receiving the degree of A. B. and A. M. After his graduation he went to Eufaula, Ala., where he engaged in teaching. He was president of Union Female college eight years, superintendent of the public schools twelve years, and was also superintendent of the Baptist Sunday school for many years previous to his entering the ministry. Dr. Patterson was converted when sixteen years of age, at Sparta, Ga., under the preaching of Rev. (afterward bishop) George F. Pierce, of the Methodist church, and connected himself with the Baptist church, since which time he has devoted himself to its service and Christian work generally. After his ordination he was chosen president of the Eufaula Baptist association fourteen years in succession. In 1889 he accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Baptist church at Dawson, the duties of which he faithfully discharged. When he took charge of the church . it was holding its services in a dilapidated frame building, and the membership was only a little over 100. Now the membership is 230, and a new church edifice, built of brick and stone, costing $15,000 (paid for), one of the finest church build- ings in southwest Georgia, has been built, having been completed and dedicated March 8, 1891. In 1892 the degree of D. D. was conferred on him by the uni- versity of Alabama. Dr. Patterson has always taken an active and a prominent interest in all Christian work, while remaining intensely loyal to his denomina- tion. He is laborious in his local church work and progressive on all lines, secular or religious-a Christian worker and warrior, and a useful citizen. In 1894 he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Griffin, Ga., where he is now located. Dr. Patterson married Miss L. C. Williams, of White Plains, Greene Co., Ga., where she was born. She received her early education in local schools, but graduated from the Georgia Female college, Madison, Ga. They have two children: F. M., living near Eufaula, Ala., and William R., at the Marion Military institute, Marion, Ga. Dr. Patterson is a member of the A. O. U. W., K. of H., the I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand chaplain of Alabama, and a master Mason.

STEWART COUNTY.

DR. B. W. ALLEN. Of the many bright medical lights in Stewart county, there is no one enjoying a higher reputation for professional skill and knowledge than Dr. B. W. Allen of Omaha. He is practically a young man, but is old in his practice and experience. He is a native of Louisiana, having been born in Morehouse Parish, May 1, 1864. His father, J. N. Allen, was a physician and was born in Heard county, Ga. When he was about grown he moved to Louis- iana, where he died in 1867, aged about thirty-four years. His wife, who survived him, is now living in Stewart, her native county. She was a Miss Josephine M. Prather. Dr. B. W. Allen is their only living child. The father was a physician well known to the profession of Louisiana, and a most promising and useful career was cut off by his sudden death. He was a graduate from the New Orleans-now Tulane-university. Dr. B. W. Allen attended the public schools in Stewart county and finished his course at the agricultural school at Cuthbert, Ga. He immediately began the study of medicine, and in 1884 was graduated

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STEWART COUNTY SKETCHES.

from the Atlanta Medical college. He began the practice of his profession in Russell county, Ala., and remained there until 1894, when he returned to Stew- art county and has since practiced at Omaha. He was united in marriage to Miss Mattie L. Brewer, of Opelika, Ala., April 7, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Allen belong to the Baptist church, and the doctor is a member of the fraternal orders of the Masons and Knights of Pythias. He enjoys an extensive practice, both in Stewart county, Ga., and in Russell county, Ala.

JOHN W. BARGE, one of the leading planters of Stewart county, is a native of that county, being born Oct. II, 1849, within one mile of where he now lives. He was the son of B. F. Barge, one of the early settlers of Stewart county (see sketch of J. W. Barge, Webster county). He was educated in the log cabin schools near his home and brought up on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he commenced business for himself, and operated a mill owned by his father. In October, 1873, he married Fannie H. York, a native of Webster county, and a daughter of Rev. P. L. York, a farmer and minister of the Primitive Baptist church, now residing in Terrell county, Ga., near Dawson. - Mrs. Barge was reared by her grandfather, Mr. Daniel, of Webster county. After his marriage Mr. Barge settled on the place where he now lives, and engaged in farming. He is one of the progressive farmers of the county and has 1,000 acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation. He owns the old home place, having purchased the interests of the other heirs. By his marriage he has five children: Nancy Lizzie, attending the La Grange Female college; Emma Rebecca; Benjamin F .; John L., and Joe Hill. Mrs. Barge is an active member of the Methodist church, and takes great interest in charitable work. Mr. Barge is a democrat and wields much influence in the councils of his party in directing county and state affairs. The Barge family live in a beautiful home about four miles west of Weston. Mr. Barge is a very successful business man and one whose probity and integrity are unquestioned.

DR. G. B. BATTLE. About the beginning of this century three English boys and brothers, left their old home to carve out their fortunes in the United States. One adopted North Carolina for his home, the second journeyed through to Alabama, while the third began his distinguished career in Georgia. The latter was Thomas Battle, the head of a family eminent in church and medical his- tory of the empire state of the south. He had received the benefits of a good educational training under efficient tutors in the old country, and with a taste for learning he for years devoted himself to unceasing study in his new home. He prepared himself for the ministry and was ordained as a preacher in the Metho- dist Episcopal church. He was one of the half dozen divines whose life history is the story of the struggles of this great aggressive church in the early days of the state. Rev. Mr. Battle selected Monroe county for his home and there his family grew up. There were many years granted to him for his Christian labors and he lived nearly to the present decade, dying in 1885, at the age of ninety- eight years. Dr. T. W. Battle was his son, born in Monroe county in 1815. He received his primary education from his father, and it was finished at the university of Georgia (then Franklin college), Athens. He had early selected medicine as his profession, and was graduated from the Medical University of Pennsylvania. He began practice in Monroe county, and from the first his professional career was one of remarkable success. About 1845 he was mar- ried to Ann C., daughter of Green B. Ball, of Stewart county. He was at that time living in Lumpkin, where he remained until 1882, when he removed to Columbus and continued in the practice of his profession the remainder of his

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

life. Outside of his profession, in which his reputation for skill and learning ranked him among the first physicians in the state, he was known to be a man of fine business ability. He personally directed large farming interests, and was an active director in the Eagle and Phoenix Manufacturing company of Columbus, Ga. He was a most interesting man; kind and charitable, genial, yet dignified, he had the esteem of all and the friendship of many. He died in 1888, at the good old age of seventy-three years. His widow still survives and lives in Columbus. They were members of the church in which Rev. Mr. Battle was such a distinguished light, and the husband was an eminent Mason. To their union were born eight children, of whom all are living. They are: Mollie, wife of James E. Cargill, of Columbus; Dr. G. B., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Laura Winters, of Chattanooga; Thomas W., Jr., of Columbus; Charlton E., of Columbus, member of the state legislature from that county; Alice F., of Columbus; Mrs. Beulah, wife of Charles E. Morton, Columbus; Annie L., wife of Randolph Mott, of Columbus. Dr. G. B. Battle, farmer and physician, Omaha, Stewart Co., was born May 28, 1852, and was the eldest son of Dr. T. W. Battle. He acquired his education from Emory college, Ox- ford, Ga., and was graduated in medicine from the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, in 1875. For twenty years he practiced his vocation at Lumpkin with marked success, and in 1895 he moved to his plantation near Omaha. He was married in 1879 to Minnie O. Fitzgerald, daughter of James Fitzgerald, of Stewart county. They have had born to them eight children, of whom four are now living: Alice F., Greene B., Minnie O., and James Fitzgerald. Dr. Battle is a master Mason and an Odd Fellow. He has large farming invest- ments and an extensive professional practice.

T.F. CARTER. One of the chief business men of Richland, Stewart Co., Ga., and the mayor of this charming town, is Mr. T. F. Carter, the representative of an old and prominent Georgia family. He was born in 1856, in Florence, Stewart Co., and is the son of William Carter and Mary Buckhalter-natives, respectively, of Butts and Wilkinson counties. William Carter was the son of James Carter, a native Georgian, born near Indian Springs, Butts Co., Ga., and a minister of the Baptist church. Mary Buckhalter was the daughter of Icalia and Epsie (Beall) Buckhalter of Wilkinson county, Ga. William Carter was born in 1813, and died in 1869. During his lifetime he was engaged in mercantile business in Lumpkin and Florence. He represented Stewart county in the general assembly, being a member at the time the war was concluded. He was a distinguished Mason, and conscientious member of the Baptist church, in whose affairs he took much interest. His wife was a Methodist, and equally ardent and prominent in that denomination. She is still living, and resides in Richland. This union was blessed with twelve children, of whom six are living: W. J., merchant, Florence; S. A., Columbus, president of the Columbus Grocery con- pany; T. F., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. A. J., wife of L. C. Willifield, of Richland; J. H., merchant, Omaha, Stewart Co .; E. J., connected with the Columbus Grocery company. Mr. Carter was educated in the public schools and remained in Florence until about 1884, when he moved to Lumpkin, and three years afterward to Richland, where until 1889 he was engaged in the ware- house and fertilizer business; since that time he has been merchandising. He was married in January, 1889, to Miss M. L. Bedingfield, of Florence. They have one child, Miss Charlie May. Mr. Carter has been a member of and pres- ident of the board of education, and in December, 1893, was elected mayor of Richland, and re-elected in 1894. He is a partner in the warehouse firm of

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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 122

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