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 128

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 128

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ter of James and Elizabeth (Lucas) Dugger. He was a native of Virginia, a farmer, and migrated to Georgia and settled in Crawford county early in the century. Of the children born to them three are living: William T., Sarah E., married to Hugh Neisler, and Fannie T., married to William Neisler. Mrs. Montfort, who was an exemplary member of the Methodist church, died early in 1878. Mr. Montfort contracted a second marriage in 1878 with Miss Sarah A. Cates-born in Crawford county in 1836-daughter of Turner and Harriet (Walker) Cates. He was a native of North Carolina, moved to Georgia, and was among the early settlers of Crawford county.

HUGH NEISLER, farmer, Butler, Taylor Co., Ga., son of Hugh M. and Caro- line (Howard) Neisler, was born in Lee county, Ala., in 1841. His great- grandfather, John Neisler, was born near Van Weil, kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany. He migrated to America between 1730-40, and settled in Charleston, S. C., where he opened a shop and worked at his trade, shoemaking. As he prospered he invested his surplus earnings in negroes, and after some years went to Orangeburg district, S. C., where he ultimately became a large slave-owner and an extensive planter. His grandfather, Hugh Neisler (son of the above), was born in Cabarrus county, N. C. Having thoroughly prepared himself for the practice of medicine he migrated to Georgia and located at Athens, Clarke Co., where he married Miss Rachel, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Chiawing) Mitchell, established a fine practice, acquired a handsome competency, and reared and liberally educated his children-all of whom were born there. When Dr. Neisler settled in Athens there were Indians all around the town, and the few houses composing what was to become the leading classical city in the south, were clustered around the college buildings; the country around was sparsely populated and but small areas were under cultivation. There were then no arti- ficial obstructions in the Oconee, and in their season shad were abundant, which the Indians caught and sold to the citizens at ten cents apiece. Mr. Neisler's father was born in Athens, March 4, 1804, was well educated, and graduated with honor from the university of Georgia. He then attended the medical lectures in Philadelphia, and graduated from one of the celebrated colleges at that city. As a science he held medicine in the highest appreciation, but he disliked the practice, and in a few years he retired from it and engaged in teaching. He taught in Columbus and at Summerville, Ala., with great success. He was a fine classical scholar, and could read many modern languages with ease. He also gave much attention to botany, and conducted an extensive correspondence with distinguished botanists in this country and Europe. He had a small farm and a delightful home about five miles from Butler, where he had a splendid orchard and vineyard, in attending which he took great delight. He lived to be seventy- nine years of age, and for thirty years before his death he had fully identified himself with, and taken the greatest interest in everything promising to promote the welfare of Taylor county. William Mitchell, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a son of William and Sarah (Letcher) Mitchell, and clandes- tinely married Miss Elizabeth Chiawing when but eighteen years of age. Coming to Georgia he settled in Clarke county and engaged in the practice of law, and died at the house of his father, four miles north of Athens, July 27, 1808. He left a son, William Letcher Mitchell (grand-uncle of Mr. Neisler), who attained to considerable distinction as a scholar and lawyer. He was born in Henry county, Va., in 1805, graduated from the university of Virginia in 1825 with the first honor, read law with Capt. John Semple-one of the most talented lawyers in the state- at Louisville, Ky., and was licensed to practice by Judges Perkle and Monroe. He returned to Georgia and taught in the academy of Hillsboro, Ga., in 1828-29,

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and in 1830 was appointed tutor of mathematics in the university of Georgia, a position which he held four years. He then returned to the practice of his chosen profession, in which he continued with success and distinction until he died. Mr. Neisler's maternal grandparents were John and Priscilla (Cheever) Howard. He was a native of England, but an eminent merchant of Salem, Mass., where he lived until he died in 1856. Mr. Neisler was reared on the farm, but received a good common school education; studied Latin and some of the higher branches of education. He enlisted in 1862 in Company E, Capt. W. S. Wallace, Forty-fifth Georgia regiment, participated in quite a number of important, as well as sanguinary battles, and experienced much hard service and many hard- ships. He was engaged in the following among other battles: Cedar Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Jeri- cho Ford, Turkey Ridge, Petersburg, etc. At Cedar Run he was wounded and sent to the hospital at Lynchburg, where he remained two months, and then returned to his command. He was taken prisoner near Petersburg and sent to Point Lookout, Md., where he remained three months. With considerable zest Mr. Neisler relates the following interesting incident: After the surrender, on or about June 1, 1865, Maj. Brady, in command of the post at Point Lookout, not satisfied with the hundreds of United States flags festooned and floating every- where, while hundreds of prisoners were being paroled, conceived the idea of testing the loyalty of the ex-Confederates to the flag. So he proceeded to plant a lofty pole as a flag-staff in front of his office. The prisoners surrounding the office awaiting their parole papers, knowing the object, moodily and sadly watched the workers. In silence, and in some instances with bitterness, they looked on as the pole was raised, the flag hauled up and thrown to the breeze from its top. In silence they listened to Maj. Brady as he spoke eulogistically in praise of the stars and stripes and the Union they represent. Sorrowfully some of the utterances fell upon their ears, and with stern resolve and closed lips they resented his words and resisted his appeal. When he concluded and requested three cheers for the flag there was no applause-not a single response-the assemblage was as silent as the grave. The silence was absolutely painful- they disdained to display loyalty, however true, under apparent arbitrary military dictation. After the war he returned to his home, soon made money but lost it; made another start, and has since been as successful as he wished. In 1892, against his inclination and protest, he was nominated by the democrats to repre- sent Taylor county in the general assembly, they asserting that he was the only man in the county who could defeat the populists. He was elected, and when the general assembly met and the name of Neisler was announced from Taylor, an unexpected whoop from the gallery startled the audience-Editor Wynne of the Fort Valley "Leader" couldn't repress his joy. In that body he was placed on the committees on the deaf and dumb asylum, general agriculture, and excuses of members. Mr. Neisler was married in 1873 to Miss Sarah Early Montfort, born in Taylor county in 1852, daughter of Joel E. and Mary E. (Dugger) Montfort. Of the children which have blessed this union four are living: Martha M., Hugh Mitchell, Willie E. and Sarah Letcher. Mr. Neisler is a royal arch Mason, and himself and wife are eminently exemplary and useful members of the Methodist church. He enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence and unaffected esteem of his fellow countrymen, and, socially, no family ranks higher than his.

JAMES J. RUFFIN, farmer, Reynolds, Taylor Co., Ga., son of James and Margaret (Veal) Ruffin, was born in Bertie county, N. C., in 1814. His grandfather was a native of North Carolina, and was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. Mr. Ruffin's father was born in North Carolina

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and migrated thence to Georgia and settled in Jones county in 1814 for life. He was a carpenter by trade and was also a large slave owner. He was much respected. Mr. Ruffin's grandparents on his mother's side, Thomas and Margaret Veal, were natives of North Carolina, and spent their lives there. He was a soldier during the revolutionary war. Mr. Ruffin was reared on the farm, and received a fairly good education for the times at the old familiar log school house. In 1836 he enlisted in Capt. Russell's company, Col. Hardeman's regiment, for the Seminole war, and served three months. In 1864 he enlisted in the state militia under Capt. Beal and was principally assigned to post duty. After the war, without capital, he began merchandising in Butler, and succeeded beyond his most sanguine anticipations. Mr. Ruffin has been twice married. In 1837 he was married to Miss Sarah Everett, born in Hancock county in 1816, daughter of Drury and Elizabeth (Smith) Everett. He was born in Washington county, Ga., and when a young man moved to Taylor county, where he farmed all his life. Of the children which blessed this union four are living: Henry J., Margaret, Sarah and George T. Mrs. Ruffin, who was a member of the Methodist church, died in 1888. In 1889 Mr. Ruffin was married to Mrs. Carrie Lucas, born in Georgia in 1839, daughter of Thomas and Martha E. (Wright) Shines. He was born in North Carolina, moved early in life to Georgia and settled in Taylor county, where he lived and farmed until he died. Mrs. Ruffin is a member of the Methodist church, and Mr. Ruffin and his family are much respected in their community.

THOMAS L. WATERS, farmer, Butler, Taylor Co., Ga., son of Williford and Mary (Akin) Waters, was born in Abbeville district, S. C., in 1839. His grandfather on his father's side was Willis Waters. He was a native of Ireland, emigrated to America before the revolutionary war and settled in South Caro- lina, and was a soldier in the patriot army during the conflict. Mr. Waters' father was born in South Carolina, was a farmer, came to Georgia in 1847 and settled in Cobb county. His grandparent on his mother's side was Akin. He was born in South Carolina and was of Scotch descent. Reared on the farm and indifferently educated, he had just started in life when the war began. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G, Capt. Griffin, Sixth Georgia regiment. He was a participant in some of the most obstinately fought and most sanguinary battles of the war: Seven Pines, seven days' fight around Richmond, Manassas, Boons- boro, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Second Cold Harbor, siege of Petersburg, Charleston, Ocean Pond, etc. On one occasion when on picket duty, he was taken prisoner, but escaped. With little cash ($1.25), but incalculable vigor and vim for capital, backed by courage and perseverance, he began anew life's battle. He embarked in a general merchandising business, made money and bought a farm. He has retired from mercantile life, and is now enjoying farm life and the good will and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Waters was married in 1866 to Miss Fannie Mcclendon, born in Talbot county, Ga., in 1844, daughter of Willis and Lucinda (Matthews) Mcclendon. He was born in Virginia, and when three years old came to Georgia with his father, who settled first in Washington county and afterward moved to Taylor county, where he died. No children were born to this marriage, and Mrs. Waters, an exemplary member of the Methodist church, died in 1868. In 1870 Mr. Waters married Miss Emma H. Mclendon, born in Macon county, Ga., in 1851, daughter of Willis and Henrietta (Edwards) McLendon. Of the children which blessed this union four are living: Fannie, Emma L., Thomas E. and Roy S. Mr. Waters is a master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Baptist church.

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TELFAIR COUNTY.

REV. CHARLES D. ADAMS, McRae, Telfair Co., Ga., son of Dr. Samuel Adams, once an eminent physician of Thomasville, Thomas Co., Ga. (who died in 1888), was born in Thomasville, Ga., Jan. 30, 1855. He enjoys the dis- tinction of belonging to a family which has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church from its earliest history, some of whose members have not only sustained high and honorable relations to Methodism, but to the political history and official life of the nation. Mr. Adams himself has a natural fondness and aptitude for geology and agriculture. He was educated in the very excellent schools of Thomas county, particularly Fletcher institute. July 20, 1874, he was licensed to preach, was admitted to the South Georgia conference at its annual session the latter part of that year, and in 1878 was ordained elder by Bishop Holland N. McTyeire. He has been an itinerant ever since, and has been sta- tioned at various important places, lastly at McRae, where, in addition to pas- toral and other duties, he is acting as agent for the south Georgia college. Mr. Adams married Claudia B., daughter of Hardy Hodges, a prosperous farmer near Mill Ray, Bulloch Co., Ga., who has borne him seven children: Mary, fourteen years old; Lila, twelve years old; Samuel, ten years old; Wesley, eight years old; Belle, six years old; William, four years old, and Augusta, two years old. Mr. Adams is a master Mason, and was once a member of the Knights of Damon.

REV. JAMES DANELLY ANTHONY, McRae, Telfair Co., Ga., presiding elder, Eastman district, south Georgia conference, M. E. church south, son of Rev. Whitfield and Lucinda (Miller) Anthony, was born in Abbeville district, S. C., Oct. 12, 1825. His father was a farmer and an itinerant Methodist preacher. His mother was a granddaughter of Thomas Miller, a native of Ireland, and her father held various offices of trust and responsibility in South Carolina. When Mr. Anthony was ten years old his parents moved to Georgia, where they died- his father at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Mr. Anthony was educated in the common schools and academies, principally at Vann's Valley academy, . Floyd county, Ga. He was licensed to preach Oct. 26, 1846, and the following December was admitted to the old Georgia conference. He was ordained dea- con by Bishop James O. Andrew, and ordained elder by Bishop Hubbard H. Kavanaugh. From the time he entered conference until now he has been actively engaged in the ministry, and during this eventful period he has traveled in the service of the Master nearly all over Georgia, from the Tennessee to the Florida line. With the exception of two years, when he was agent for the sustentation fund of south Georgia conference, he has been continued a presiding elder from the time he was first appointed. Mr. Anthony has traveled so long and so extensively in that portion of the state that people call him "bishop of the wire grass." His present district is one of the largest in the state. Mr. Anthony has been married three times. His first wife was Miss Emily, daughter of William and Elizabeth Baugh, of Gwinnett county, Ga., to whom he was married Nov. 23, 1847. Mr. Baugh was a well-to-do planter, and a prominent and zealous Methodist. By this marriage he had several children, all living and married: Tin- nie, born in 1849; Mrs. H. A. Renfroe, merchant, Bridgeport, Ala .; William, born in 1851, planter, Johnson county, Ga., married Miss Isabella Sample, Cum-

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ming, Forsyth Co., Ga .; James F., born in 1853, graduate of the university of Georgia, journalist on the staff of the "Western Advocate," Asheville, N. C., married Miss Louisa Smith, of Tennessee; Bascom, born July, 1859, graduate of Jasper institute and Spring Hill institute, and now station preacher at Valdosta, south Georgia conference, married Miss Bessie Mccullough, Mt. Vernon, Mont- gomery Co., Ga .; Lillie, born in 1860, first married Rev. O. W. Samples, north Alabama conference, who died, and is now the wife of Daniel McEachin, hotel- keeper, Ailey, Montgomery Co., Ga. His first wife died in 1865, and Mr. Anthony in 1866 married her niece, Miss Elizabeth J. Alexander, daughter of Thomas W. Alexander, a merchant, by whom he had six children: Mark, born in 1869, grad- uated at Atlanta Medical college and is located at Sycamore, Irwin Co., Ga .; Mamie, wife of Dr. L. W. Johnson, Baxley, Appling Co., Ga., who has represented the county in the general assembly; Marvin and Belle (twins), born in 1875; Mattie, born in 1878; Harry, born in 1880. His second wife died in 1888. His third wife was Mrs. Anna (Biggers) Wiggins, widow of Rev. L. G. Wiggins. Mr. Anthony is an advanced Mason, a member of a council of Royal and Select Masters and a member of the I. O. O. F. In addition to his religious and denomi- national labor, Mr. Anthony is an ardent and active worker in the temperance and educational fields, in which causes his powerful influence is extensively and influentially felt.

MAJ. GEORGE SMITH DAVIS, agent for the Standard Oil company, McRae, Telfair Co., Ga., was born in Somerton, Belmont Co., Ohio, Dec. 10, 1837. On his father's side he is of Welsh and on his mother's side he is of German descent, the Ball family being of the same lineage as that of Mary Washington. Although indebted to the common or public schools of Ohio for a good education in the rudiments, Maj. Davis' general literary and business proficiency is the result of subsequent study, observation and experience. In early manhood he taught common school and music about four years, and then engaged as clerk in a dry goods store at Malta, Ohio, one year. When hostilities began in 1861 and President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops, he was the first man in his county to volunteer. He served three months with the Seventeenth Ohio regiment, and then went home and raised a company for three years' service-Company D, Ninety-seventh Ohio regiment-of which he was elected captain, and with which he remained during the war. Early in 1864 he was commissioned major. He. was in the army of the Cumberland and participated in all the battles fought by it. When Chattanooga was taken he was the first Federal to enter the town, and was made provost marshal. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., he received four wounds, one of which took effect in the center of his forehead, causing the entire loss of the left and partial loss of the right eye. Sixteen days later, while still bandaged, he went into battle at Nashville, where he was wounded in the back of the head. On the termination of the war he was brevetted lieutenant- colonel for personal gallantry. In 1870 he embarked in mercantile business at Athens, Ohio, but abandoned it to accept a position with the Standard Oil com- pany, which he retained three years. He was a member of the firm of Chess, Carley company, southern branch of the Standard Oil company. After conduct- ing that business two years, he organized a company to construct a railway from Mobile, Ala., to Helena, Ark., which, after building fifty miles, failed. Re- engaging with the Standard Oil company, he has continued with them until the present time. He is a turpentine buyer for the state of Georgia. Maj. Davis came to Georgia in 1877, and in 1888 married Miss Beachum, of Appling county. The major is a master Mason and a member of the Baptist church.

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TELFAIR COUNTY SKETCHES.

EDWIN J. DORMINY, physician and druggist, McRae, Telfair Co., Ga., son of Willis Dorminy, was born in Irwin county, Ga., Feb. 8, 1867. His father is a well-to-do farmer, and has represented Irwin county in the general assembly. He received a good practical education at the county schools and then entered the medical department of the university of Maryland, Baltimore, in 1888, and was graduated in 1890. He then located in Irwin county, where he remained four years, then removed and settled in McRae. He has built up a good prac- tice, and in connection with that established a flourishing drug store. Besides these he is interested in a general merchandise store in Irwin county which is doing an extensive business. Dr. Dorminy is very enterprising and with the energy and financial capacity he manifests will be sure to win success. Mr. Dorminy was married in 1893 to Miss Alice Campbell, of Telfair county. He is a master Mason.

D.A. GRAHAM, farmer, Towns, Telfair Co., Ga., was born in Gadsden Co., Fla., Nov. 8, 1830. His father was a farmer and moved from Florida to Georgia about 1860 and settled in Telfair county, where he died in 1867. Mr. Graham received a good common school education, and when he arrived at man- hood began farming. During the war he was a member of Company B, Seventh regiment, Georgia militia. After the war he settled in Telfair county and resumed farming, which he has followed successfully since. He has served as justice of the peace to the satisfaction of the people many years, and in 1875-76 represented Telfair county in the general assembly. He has been on the board of county commissioners several years and rendered valuable service. He is a member in good standing of Lumber City lodge, F. & A. M., and has served as master of his lodge several years. Mr. Graham's life and character recommend him wherever he is known. He was married in 1851 to Miss Jemima, daughter of Archibald Campbell, of Telfair county. Mr. and Mrs. Graham had five children: John C., born in 1851, died 1868; Dr. Daniel W., born in 1853, died in 1882; Alex. B., born 1855; Andrew J., born 1858, deceased; Mary A., born 1860, was married to Jacob M. Clement, 1879, and was left a widow in 1883. She is now the wife of C. H. Smith, of Towns.

PROF. WILLIAM ALLEN HUCKABEE, president South Georgia college, McRae, Telfair Co., Ga., was born in Fannin county, Ga., July 2, 1857. His father, Patten M. Huckabee, was a Methodist minister, and died in 1864. His scholastic opportunities were so meager that, at the age of seventeen he could not read. Later he attended Nacoochee valley (White county, Ga.) high school, where he was prepared for college, and, going afoot sixty miles, entered Emory college, Oxford, Newton Co., Ga., in 1880, and graduated as an A. B. in 1884. Im- mediately after graduating he entered the ministry, and was admitted into the South Georgia conference, M. E. church, south; and was stationed at Columbus, Ga., two years. He was next on Brooks county circuit two years, and the year follow- ing was in Mitchell county. The next two years he was in Montgomery county; and, while on this work, delivered a series of lectures on education in that section, and projected the South Georgia college under the auspices of the South Georgia conference, M. E. church, south. After it was established he was made its president-a position he has filled with consummate ability, and has continuously held since. The institution is established on a firm basis, and is in a flourishing condition. The faculty consists of eight instructors of excellent reputation and adaptedness to their vocation. There are 233 students, from four states, enrolled. It ranks with the best schools in the state, is eligibly situated, with an extensive territory whence to draw support, and has before it a promising future of prosperity

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and usefulness. Prof. Huckabee was married to Miss Hassie Townsend, of Mitchell county, Aug. 17, 1887, by whom he has had five children: Thaddeus T., born July 10, 1888; Henry Guy, born Nov. 20, 1889; Bessie Lee, born Nov. 24, 1891; Leo Bennett, born Jan. 23, 1893; Atlas Haygood, born Oct. 30, 1894. The professor is a master Mason, and a member of the college fraternity of Phi Delta Theta.

JOHN D. M'LEOD, merchant and real-estate dealer, Lumber City, Telfair Co., Ga., son of Alexander T. McLeod, was born in Montgomery county, Ga., June 7, 1846. His father was a farmer, but was clerk of the superior court twenty years, and represented the county in the general assembly two terms. He died in 1876, leaving eight living children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth born. Mr. McLeod's education, like that of most youths growing up at the time, was limited, but it was the best to be obtained at the county schools at that time. When the war began he was too young to enter the service, but toward the close of hostilities he was in the "detached" service. On reaching manhood he entered the commercial world in Darien, Ga., and remained in business there until his father died, when he returned to take charge of his estate, finally settling in Lumber City, in 1878, where he is engaged in a general merchandise and real estate business. He represented the county in 1880-81, and the fifteenth senatorial district in 1886-87 in the general assembly, was chairman of the committee on corporations. Mr. McLeod was married to Miss Annie C., daughter of Matthew Sharp, of Montgomery county, Ga., Oct. 25, 1882, who has borne him three boys: Robert Burns, John D., Jr., and Alexander T. Mr. McLeod is a Knight Templar Mason, has filled various offices in master Masons' lodge, and is a member of St. Omar commandery, Knights Templar, Macon, Ga.

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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 128

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