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 123

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 123

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STEWART COUNTY SKETCHES.

Carter & Dixon, and is associated with Mr. Williford in the fruit-growing business. Mr. Carter and wife are regular attendants at the Methodist church. He is a Mason, and at present worshipful master of the lodge at Richland. Politically he is a democrat, though he takes no decided interest in politics.

J. H. CARTER, merchant and farmer, Omaha, Stewart Co., Ga., was born Jan. 17, 1862, and is a son of William Carter, whose biographical sketch is found elsewhere in these Memoirs. He was given the educational advantages afforded by the public schools, and early displayed a predilection for a mercantile life. In 1887 he was married to Miss Hightower, of Lumpkin, Ga., daughter of Mr. John Hightower. They have three children: Hattie, Joseph Henry, and Annie. Mr. Carter and wife are Methodists; and he is a master Mason, and a leading member of the Knights of Pythias. He has been mayor of Omaha for two years, and for two years was secretary and treasurer of the Omaha Improvement company. He is at the head of a thriving mercantile business in Omaha, and owns a large warehouse. He is a public-spirited citizen, and a push- ing, energetic business man.

DR. ZIMRI SMITH COFFIN, merchant and planter of Stewart county, is a native of North Carolina, Guilford county, and was born May 20, 1833. He is a descendant of an old and honorable family of the name who came to this country in the early colonial days and settled on the island of Nantucket. His mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Osborn, was a native of Guilford county, N. C., where she lived all her life. She died in 1883 on the old homestead at the age of sixty-eight years. She was the daughter of R. H. Osborn, a native of North Carolina, who married a Miss Lamar, a sister of the father of Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar. R. H. Osborn raised a large family of children. Rachel Osborn married Abner Coffin, a native of the same county, born and reared where he lived and died. His father's name was Joseph Coffin, who came from the island of Nantucket, and it was Abner's grandfather who came to this country from England in 1642, and was a relative of Admiral Coffin of the British navy. All of the Coffins in the United States spring from this English family, who came here from England during the old colonial days. The record of this family has been kept with special care by the members, and reunions at which many of the representatives have appeared have kept up an interest in the private history of the family, which is worthy of emulation. It is estimated that there are now in the United States 100,000 descendants of the original couple who landed on the island of Nantucket. The Coffin family of Nantucket have a college known as the Coffin school, for the education of the Coffin children throughout the United States who are not able to educate themselves. The grandfather of Dr. Coffin, Joseph Coffin, settled before the war on the banks of Deep river, where he lived and died at the age of eighty-four, in 1841. He was a farmer and the place where his home was located is still owned by the Coffins. Joseph had two sons and a daughter, the latter dying at an early age. Peter Coffin, brother of Abner, moved to Indiana, where he died. Abner purchased the home place and there brought up his family. He died in 1877, aged seventy-two years, a member of the Methodist church, and a highly respected man. By his marriage with Miss Osborn nine children were born, viz .: Joseph, died aged sixteen; Peter, died aged fifteen; Winright, died aged six years; Melinda, who married Alpheus Woodburn, and settled in Guilford county, N. C., where she died at Greensboro,, aged forty-five; Dr. Z. S. Coffin, the subject of this sketch; Cyrus C., of Mont- gomery county; Mrs. Lucinda B. Myrick, who lives near Ennis, Tex .; Mrs. M. R. Oats, of Jamestown, N. C., and S. F. Francesca, who died in 1887. Dr. Z. S. Coffin

II-53

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was a studious scholar in the private schools of his county, and there fitted himself for his professional life. He attended a course of lectures on dental surgery at the Pennsylvania college in Philadelphia, and was graduated in 1857. He located in Newborn, N. C., and followed his profession with good success until the commencement of the civil war. During his residence in Newburn he devoted much of his leisure time to the completion of his education. To aid him in this he employed a private tutor, under whose instruction he made great progress in the studies of the languages, ancient and modern. At the beginning of the war he was appointed an agent of the ordnance department for the state of North Carolina, with the rank of captain, which position he held until the close of hostilities. In that position he handled millions of dollars' worth of property and cash, and that his accounts with the government always balanced to the cent demonstrates the strict integrity of his character. During a raid through the state the men employed in the ordnance department were formed into a regiment with Dr. Coffin acting as brevet-major. These special troops were in several skirmishes. After the war he traded in stock, cotton and tobacco in North Carolina, and cleared $10,000 the first year. With this he came to Georgia,

where he engaged in the timber business. He was successful for awhile, but later his entire property was swept away by the failure of others who had his finances in their power. Thus reduced to penury, he resumed the practice of his profession in Stewart county, and so successful was he that in a few years he purchased a body of land on the Chattahoochee river, once owned by Gen. Toombs. Here he now resides, surrounded by all the comforts of a beautiful southern home, with every convenience and luxury possible to a home life. In connection with his great farming interests he carried on a merchandise business, which he established in 1880, and which led to a postoffice known as Coffinton. Dr. Coffin has a set of steam mills-ginning, grist, saw and syrup mills. Dr. Coffin is a stanch democrat and was elected to represent the county in the legisla- ture in 1880-81. The doctor was a quiet, unaffected member, not disposed to waste words on all measures, but when called out by circumstances is an easy and fluent speaker and cogent reasoner. The doctor was married July 29, 1869, to Victoria A. Clements of Richland. She was born and raised in Stewart county, and was the daughter of Nelson Clements and Nancy Winn, natives of Georgia. Mrs. Clements died when the daughter was a child, and Mr. Clements survived her twelve years. He was a very wealthy man, having accumulated about $200,000 in twenty-five years on the plantation. The war reduced his wealth to about $40,000. Victoria lived with her father until his death, when Thomas W., her older brother became her guardian. She was educated in the schools at Lumpkin and the Masonic Female college. She was the youngest child of a large family, all of whom lived to be grown but two. The children were: Jasper, who died in the war; James from exposure in the war; William M., a soldier, died in 1893; Thomas W., an ex-Confederate, died in 1892; Mrs. Lizzie Thornton, died in Randolph county; Mrs. Eliza Dixon, died in Webster county; Mrs. Josephine Kimbro, died in Stewart county in 1867. Dr. Coffin and wife have the following children: Linda Belle, Nelson Clements, Edward Chester, Leroy, Zimri Lamar, Victoria Pearl, William Carter. The doctor and his wife take special pains in the education of their children. They live in a fine home at Coffinton and own all its surroundings.

SWIFT CRUMBLEY. One of the solid and enterprising business men of Lumpkin is Swift Crumbley. He was born Nov. 11, 1830, in Henry county, Ga. He was the son of Anthony Crumbley and Zeptha (Grooms) Crumbley, natives of Washington county, Ga. The parents moved to Stewart county in

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STEWART COUNTY SKETCHES.

1831 and located near the farm on which the son now lives. Anthony Crumbley took part in the Indian war of 1835-36, and was an influential and prosperous citizen. They had six children: Alexander; Swift, the subject of this sketch, and James J., now living, and W. R., Adaline Pierce, and Anthony Lee, deceased. They were members of the Baptist denomination and both lived exemplary Christian lives. The husband died Nov. 4, 1869, aged about seventy-seven years, and the wife lived until April 29, 1884, aged about eighty-four years. Mr. Swift Crumbley was brought up on the home place and in 1853 was married to Amelia A., daughter of Shedrick and Susan Pinkston of Stewart county. Soon after his marriage he settled on the farm where he now resides. When the civil war commenced he was among the first volunteers to respond to the call, and enlisted in the Third Georgia cavalry, serving with that regiment throughout the entire war. In 1882 he opened a general merchandise store, which he has since con- tinued and in addition he is engaged in extensive farming. Mr. Crumbley and wife have had born to them four children: James D., Susan Florence, Henry and Charles, the latter two being deceased. The family worship in the Baptist church, with which denomination Mr. Crumbley's ancestors have long been identified. He is a Mason and in politics a democrat. Mr. Crumbley enjoys a high reputation for the honorable methods he has always followed in business, and in social circles his family are esteemed for the kind graces of character and their culture and refinement.

JUDGE W. W. FITZGERALD, merchant and farmer, Omaha, was born in December, 1836, within three miles of his present home. He was the son of James Fitzgerald and Nancy (Hilliard) Fitzgerald, natives of Stewart county, Ga. James Fitzgerald's father was a native of Ireland and came to Georgia before the revolutionary war. James was one of three children and was born in Burke county; when a child went with his parents to Dooly county, and when a young man settled in Stewart county, where he lived the balance of his life, engaged in farming. He was married to Nancy Hilliard in 1831 and settled near the Chattahoochee river. He was a life-long member of the Baptist church and died in 1880, aged about seventy-three years. His wife still survives him. To their union were born twelve children, of whom ten are still living: Mrs. M. A., wife of J. D. Alexander of Stewart county; Mrs. S. J., wife of Joseph C. Collins, deceased, of Mitchell county; Judge W. W., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. M. C., widow of Charles Collins of Mitchell county; Mrs. Laura A., wife of Marion Collins of Mitchell county; D. B. and J. H., living in Stewart county ; Mrs. Thomas Salter of Stewart county; Mrs. Dr. Battle; Mrs. Sallie, wife of Leroy J. Simpson of Eufaula, Ala. Judge W. W. Fitzgerald attended the schools in Stewart county, studied law and was admitted to practice just before the war. He enlisted with Company K, Second Georgia regiment, in 1861, and served until 1862, when he was discharged on account of ill-health. He was justice of the inferior court for four years previous to the war, and served in the Georgia legislature in the years of 1873-74, and again in 1878-79. In 1889-90 he represented his district in the senate and was re-elected, serving in 1892-93. After the war ended Mr. Fitz- gerald devoted his time entirely to farming and merchandising, in which he is still engaged, and in which he has been very successful. He was married in May, 1865, to Josephine Bedingford of Stewart county, but at that time living in Alabama. They have had six children born to them, five of whom are living: J. B .; Minnie, wife of C. D. Burnell; W. E .; Flora, and Mary Josephine. Judge Fitzgerald and wife are active members of the Baptist church, and he is a royal arch Mason. He is a firm democrat and prominent in the party, having served on the county committees and always taking a great interest in its success and welfare.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

ARTHUR T. FORT, ordinary, Lumpkin, Stewart Co., Ga., son of Tomlinson T. Fort, was born in Stewart county, Jan. 8, 1845. The family came from Vir- ginia, and has become one of no inconsiderable note and influence in Georgia. Mr. Fort's father was a native of the state and was a large planter. He served in the Creek Indian war under Capt. J. U. Horn and after the war resumed farming. He was elected sheriff of Stewart county, but resigned before his term expired, and died when only thirty-six years of age. Mr. Fort was raised on the farm and was educated at the common schools of the county. When seventeen years old he enlisted under Capt. Harrison, Company E, Thirty-first Georgia regiment, and served twelve months. He afterward enlisted in Gen. Wheeler's command and served during the war. Returning home he engaged in farming. In 1890 he was elected ordinary of the county to fill the unexpired term of W. F. Clark, resigned, an office which he now occupies. Mr. Fort was married to Miss Sallie, the accom- plished daughter of Col. Samuel Sibbey, long connected with Savannah journalism. They have had four children: Samuel Sibbey, Tomlinson, Laura and Arthur God- frey. Mr. Fort is a stanch democrat.

WILLIAM H. GRIFFIS, farmer, Lumpkin, Stewart Co., Ga., son of Henry and Rebecca (Carrington) Griffis, both of whom are deceased, was born in Stewart county, Dec. 24, 1841. He was reared on the farm, and received a fairly good education at the near-by country schools. On reaching manhood he com- menced farming for himself, but had only been engaged in it a year when he enlisted in the Seventeenth Georgia regiment, under Capt. D. B. Harrell. He saw much and arduous service, and participated in the battles of Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Cold Harbor, Gettysburg and Petersburg. After the surrender he returned to Lumpkin, reaching home May 26, 1865. He went to work on his farm, which he has successfully cultivated since. In 1883 he added merchandising in Lumpkin to his farming, and continued it until 1886, when he was elected marshal of the city, an office which he has filled with great efficiency and acceptably to the people. He has a fine 300-acre plantation under excellent cultivation, and an elegant and cozy residence in Lumpkin, and is popular and highly respected. Mr. Griffis was married March 9, 1868, to Miss A. K., daughter of John L. De11- skin, a union which has been blessed with five children: Emory J., Lamar D., Samuel E., Lloyd T., and William H., Jr. Mrs. Griffis, an exemplary member of the Methodist church, died May 7, 1894. He is an ardent democrat and a member of the Methodist church.

JUDGE D. B. HARRELL. The Harrell family came from North Carolina. Jesse Harrell, the head of the family, was a prosperous farmer in that state and a man of great strength of character, and fine business ability. A son, Solomon, born in North Carolina in 1796, came to Georgia in 1800 with his parents, who located in Washington county. Here he was educated and grew to manhood, and in the war of 1812 served faithfully throughout that conflict. In 1839 he moved to Stewart county, and engaged in farming. He took no more part in politics than to vote, but was elected a justice of the inferior court, both in Washington and Stewart counties. He was married to Nancy Turner, and they had five children born to them, two of whom are now living: Judge D. B. Harrell, and Solomon Harrell, of Webster county. Husband and wife were faith- ful members of the Baptist church. He died in 1858, aged sixty-two years, and the wife died in 1845. Judge D. B. Harrell was a small boy when his father located in Stewart county. He was educated at Lumpkin academy, under the direction of Prof. Baker, of South Carolina, who was a classmate of Daniel Webster. Im- pressed with the conviction that the profession of law was that for which his talents

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were specially fitted, he was, after thorough study, admitted to practice. After a few years of work he was elected solicitor-general of the Pataula judicial circuit, serving from 1855 to 1859, when he was elected judge of the superior court of the circuit. He also represented Webster county three years in the general assembly. He was captain of Company A, Seventeenth Georgia regiment, during the war, but was forced to retire on account of ill health. Judge Harrell was a member of Gov. Brown's staff during the time of the conflict. Most of his life has been spent on the farm, in which he takes great interest. In 1890 the bank of Richland was established, with a capital of $50,000, and Judge Harrell was made president. Judge Harrell is a strong democrat, and a high Mason. He lives in a fine resi- dence on his farm near Richland, and is very highly respected by all who have the honor of his acquaintance.

BENJAMIN F. HAWES, clerk superior court, Lumpkin, Stewart Co., Ga., son of William and Jane (Gay) Hawes, was born in Stewart county April 29, 1842. Both parents are now dead. His father was a very extensive planter; also, a prominent and prosperous merchant, and did a large business in Lumpkin. Mr. Hawes was reared on the plantation, and educated in the common schools of the county. He enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first Georgia regiment, as a private, was afterwards made second lieutenant, and retained the rank during the remainder of his service. After the surrender he returned to Lumpkin and clerked in his father's store until 1870, when he was elected clerk of the superior court, and has been continuously re-elected since. This prolonged incumbency is highly com- plimentary to him, and is the best possible evidence of his superior ability and effi- ciency, as well as of his great personal popularity. Mr. Hawes was married to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Mr. Jared Irwin, on Dec. 17, 1874. She died June 16, 1888, leaving three children: Benjamin F., Jr., Lilly, and Mary Lou. He afterward married Miss Annie Irwin, Dec. 14, 1889, a sister of his first wife, who has borne him four children, two of whom are now living: Jared Irwin and Eunice. Mr. Hawes is a strong, active democrat, and a member of the Methodist church. Mrs. Hawes is a consistent member of the Baptist church.

JAMES RUFUS JAMES, merchant and postmaster at Omaha, Stewart Co., Ga., son of James and Elizabeth (Harold) James, was born in Twiggs county, Ga., Nov. 24, 1841. His father was born in Warren county, Ga., where he owned large planting interests, was quite a prominent citizen, and died April 10, 1860. Mr. James was the youngest of eleven children, was reared on the farm and received a fairly good education. When eighteen years of age he went to Forsyth, Monroe Co., where he engaged as clerk with W. B. Pye, wholesale and retail grocery and furniture business, with whom he remained until the beginning of the war between the states, when he enlisted in Company K, Capt. Pinkard, First Georgia regiment, and remained in the service until the surrender. He was in many of the most obstinately contested battles, and was wounded three times-once at Sharpsburg, wounded also at Gettysburg-and received a serious wound at Peters- burg, in which last engagement he was with Company I, Sixty-first Georgia regi- ment. He was in Jackson hospital at the time of the surrender, after which he was sent to Johnson's island, and after being detained there as a prisoner thirty days, was released. After his release he came to Houston county, Ga., but soon thereafter went to Macon, Ga., where he served on the police force. About 1869 he went to Dooly county, Ga., where he remained until 1890, when he came to Omaha, built a store-house and roomy hotel and now keeps a hotel, and does a large general merchandising business, which increases every year. He was a

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justice of the peace two years, and then resigned. He was appointed postmaster in July, 1891, and still holds the position. He is a prompt and reliable business man, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the community. Mr. James has been married three times. His first marriage was to Miss Mary Stripling, of Houston, Feb. 16, 1866, who died Aug. 28, 1876, leaving two children. He was then married Jan. 4, 1877, to Susan Annie (Green) Hightower, of Dodd county, who died May 29, 1886, leaving five children. For his third companion he mar- ried Miss Ella Udora, daughter of Benjamin Hayslip, a large planter of Lees- burg, Lee Co., Ga., by whom he has had five children. The children living are: John F., Willie J., Edgar P., Nannie P., Reuby E. He is a democrat, and both he and Mrs. James are members of the church.

COL. J. H. LOWE, Richland, is one of Stewart county's most prominent citi- zens. He was born in 1833 and is the son of James P. Lowe and Amelia G. (Brown) Lowe, natives of Jones county, Ga. His grandfather was John Lowe, a native of North Carolina, and an early resident of Georgia. James P. Lowe was born in 1800 and grew to manhood on his father's estate in Jones county. In 1830 he married Amelia, daughter of Hollinger Brown, for many years a resident of Jones county, but who in 1841 moved to Stewart county. Mr. Hollinger Brown was a prosperous farmer and lived until 1860. To himself and wife were born seven children, of whom only one is living-Louisa, wife of Thomas J. Brown, deceased. By the marriage of Mr. James P. Lowe six children were born, of whom Col. J. H. Lowe is the only one surviving. The father died in 1858, and the mother in 1888. Both were conscientious members of the Primitive Baptist church. The parents of Col. Lowe moved to Stewart county when he was ten years old. He obtained his education in the county schools and by study after the work of the farm was finished and the tallow dip was brought into requisition. In 1855 he was married to Lucy Haynes, daughter of James M. Haynes, of Stew- art county. After his marriage he continued to reside in Stewart county till the breaking out of the war. Col. Lowe's record as a soldier is a brilliant one, and rarely found surpassed by individuals of either armies. He left home with Com- pany G, Thirty-first Georgia regiment, as captain, and in about six months was promoted to the rank of major by election. In October, 1862, he was made lieutenant-colonel by appointment, in which rank he served until the fight at Spottsylvania Court House, in 1864, when he was promoted to colonel, serving in that capacity till the close of the war. Col. Lowe was wounded in a skirmish fight in Virginia, and again in line of battle at Winchester. When hostilities were concluded Col. Lowe returned to his farm. In 1884 he moved his family to Buena Vista. He engaged in mercantile business there for about three years, still retain- ing his interests in farming. His store was destroyed by fire and he retired from business. He is now engaged at Richland in the warehouse and cotton brokerage business. He is a democrat and has frequently been called upon to fill official positions of honor and trust. He was a resident of Chattahoochee county for a year or two, and during that time was justice of the inferior court. For about ten years he was school commissioner of Stewart county. He also served two years as a member of the legislature from Stewart county, being elected in 1872. Col. Lowe and wife have been blessed by the birth of nine children: O. E., married and living in Americus; Mattie, wife of J. F. Rushin, of Marion county; W. H., deceased; Minnie; Sarah; Floyd; James Gordon, at home; W. A., at Buena Vista; Thomas H., at Alexander City, Ala. Mrs. Lowe belongs to the Baptist church, and Col. Lowe is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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STEWART COUNTY SKETCHES.

F W. M'LENDON. The Mclendon family comprises on the male side several prominent farmers of Stewart county, while its connections embrace others, and even extends out over the state. Wilton Mclendon was a son of John Mc- Lendon, of Alabama, where he was born in 1823. He was reared and married there, his wife being Amanda Elizabeth Wall, daughter of a large planter. He died in 1865, and his widow still survives, and is now living with her son in Stew- art county. They had four children, three of whom are still living: William J., E. W., the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Sarah Lee, wife of J. B. Lee, of Pike county, Ga. The sons are extensive famers near Omaha, Stewart county, and their estates lie on the Chattahoochee river. W. J. Mclendon was born Dec. 10, 1854, and was reared at the home place. He was married Feb. 14, 1884, to Miss Mary O. McMillan, of Alabama. They have been blessed with four children: Mary, John, Mack and William. E. W. Mclendon was married Feb. 4, 1893, to Leila Moye, of Russell county, Ala. They have one child, a babe. The fam- ilies of the McLendons all belong to the Baptist church. The old home near Florence, Stewart Co., is nearly sixty years old, and was originally owned by Mathew Averett, great-grandfather of W. J. and E. W. MeLendon. The Mc- Lendons are prosperous farmers, entirely devoted to their vocation, and they con- duct their estates on a progressive line, with the most gratifying results.

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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 123

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