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 130

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 130

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

Mil, Tendevet

879

TERRELL COUNTY SKETCHES.

S. B. Hawkins, of Americus, Sumter Co., Ga., where she was born and educated. Two sons-Cooper and David B .- have blessed this union. Mrs. Hill is a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian church.

JAMES J. HILL, merchant, Bronwood, is the son of E. G. Hill and Anna V. Paris. Mr. Hill was born Dec. 25, 1855, and was educated in the common schools of Terrell county. When twenty-one years of age he accepted a position with a mercantile firm in Americus, Ga., and was there employed two years. At the end of that time his experience and knowledge of the business led him to join hands with a partner, and the firm of Hill & Simpson was established. This partnership was continued to 1887, when it was dissolved, and Mr. Hill took in as his partner his brother, G. O. Hill. This firm conducts a large general merchandise and supply store in Bronwood. Judge E. G. Hill, father of the above boys, is living in Bronwood a retired life. He is one of Terrell county's leading citizens and best men. Mr. James J. Hill was married in 1886 to Willie Dozier, a daughter of L. P. Dozier of Quitman county. To this union have been born three children, the living being Ethel and Albert P. Mr. Hill was postmaster from 1878 to 1889, under a republican administration, though he is a strong democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hill is a wide-awake business man who believes in keeping in the swim, and takes great interest in the progress and recent development of manufacturing possibilities of Georgia.

W. C. KENDRICK, physician, Dawson, Terrell Co., Ga., son of James C. and Mary (Butler) Kendrick-natives, respectively, of Georgia and Virginia- was born in Morgan county, Ga., in 1831. His paternal great-great-grandfather came from England to America before the revolutionary war, and settled in Vir- ginia, where his great-grandfather, Burwell Kendrick, was born, entered the patriot army and served as a captain through the revolutionary war. He was a large planter, and two of his sons-Burwell, Jr., and Jones-came to Georgia when young men and settled in Wilkes county as planters. His grandfather, Burwell Kendrick, raised a large family of children, of which Mr. Kendrick's father, James C., was the youngest, and was born in 1801. When he was sixteen years old he volunteered and served under Gen. Jackson in the Florida war. On his return from the war he married, at the early age of eighteen, Miss Mary Butler, who was only sixteen years of age. To them eleven children were born, of whom only two -Burwell J., Waco, Texas, and the subject of this sketch-are now living. Soon after his marriage he entered the ministry as a Baptist, but later in life became a Universalist preacher, and died in that faith in Dawson, in 1884, aged eighty-three years. Politically he was an old-line whig. His wife died in Terrell county in 1877, aged seventy-three years. Dr. Kendrick was the sixth born of his parents' children, and was principally raised and educated in Meriwether county, to which his parents moved when he was quite young. After living there fourteen years, they moved to Sumter county, where they also lived fourteen years, when they moved to Webster county, where they lived fourteen years. In 1853, while the family was living in Sumter county, Dr. Kendrick commenced the study of medi- cine under Dr. William J. Reese, of Buena Vista, Marion Co., Ga., subsequently attended lectures at the university of New York, graduating in 1856, and locating that same year in Talbotton, Ga. He remained there until the spring of 1858, when he went to Fort Smith, Ark. When the war between the states began he returned to Georgia and enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Georgia regiment. A few months later he was appointed surgeon, in which capacity he served until the surrender, under Gen. Bragg and his successors. After the war he returned to

880

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Webster county, and resuming the practice of medicine, remained there until 1880, when he moved to and settled in Dawson, where he has since resided and built up a large and remunerative practice, and soon became a potent social and political factor. In 1876 and again in 1878 he was elected to represent Webster county in the general assembly. In 1888 he was elected to represent Terrell county in the same body, and again, after an interval of a term, in 1892. In one respect Dr. Kendrick has been quite unfortunate-he has suffered three times by fire-and each time lost nearly everything he had. But by force of character and his recognized ability in his profession, he has surmounted all difficulties, and keeps well to the front. He has served six years as jury commissioner, also on the board of education, and as one of the trustees of the college. Dr. Kendrick was first married to a Mrs. Kendrick, by whom he had one son-Herschell-who died when twenty-one years old. His second wife was Miss Emma C. Foster, of Georgia birth, daughter of Newett Foster, by whom he has had five children: James B., Nita, Mary, Belle, and Lester. He is a stanch democrat, and a royal arch Mason, has been W. M. of the lodge in Dawson, and on the finance committee ten years. He is a member of the Baptist church, of which he has been a deacon nearly twenty years. and Mrs. Kendrick is a valued member of the Methodist church.

JOHN T. LAMAR, physician and planter, Dawson, Terrell Co., son of Nathan and Sarah (Brooks) Lamar, was born in Irwin county, Ga., March 10, 1832. The Lamar family descended from three brothers who came from France early in the history of the colonies, one of whom settled in Georgia, one in Maryland, and one in a northern state. His grandfather, James Lamar, was descended from the one who settled in Georgia, married Miss Alsanah Howard, Jan. 20, 1790, moved to Alabama, among its earliest settlers, and became one of its most prominent citizens. He was a successful planter and prospered, and lived in Alabama many years. Bereaved of his wife he returned to Georgia and settled in Columbia county, where he died at an advanced age, a consistent member of the Baptist church. They had the following children: Osborn, who died young; Elizabeth, married a Mr. Bar- nett, who became quite prominent in Georgia, and died in Greene county, Ga., aged ninety-six; Nathan; Alsanah, married a Mr. Hatter, settled in Columbia county and died Sept. 22, 1871. John H., died in Alabama when a young man. Dr. Lamar's father, Nathan, was born in Alabama, Oct. 13, 1796, was educated in the common schools and grew to manhood in Columbia county ; and lived there after- ward some years. Thence he moved to Irwin county among its earliest settlers- and settled in the woods .. He continued his residence there until about the time the Cherokee Indians were removed, when he moved his family and lived in Crawford and Houston counties until his death, which occurred in 1847. His wife died in Terrell county at the home of the subject of this sketch in 1889-a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist church. Five children were born to them: John T., the subject of this sketch; Henry G., born in 1837, planter. Dooly county: Frances, deceased, married first to a Mr. Shria, who died soon after the war, when she married T. Swearingen, and died in Dooly county in 1878; Elizabeth, died unmarried during the late war; Alsanah, Mrs. Gilmore, Dooly county. Dr. Lamar was principally raised and educated in Houston and Crawford counties in the "old-field" schools- and what education he received was obtained before he was twelve years old. In 1848 his mother removed with her family to the Seventh district, Dooly county, where he worked on the farm until January, 1852, when he went to Americus, Ga., and worked as a mechanic a few months. In May that year he went to Starkville, Lee county, and worked at his trade until 1855. During all these years he employed his nights and all his leisure time in study and improving his education. Early in 1855 he began the study of medicine with Drs. C. P. Sutton and James

W. W. LEE.

TERRELL COUNTY SKETCHES.

A. Tilman, Starksville, and in the winter of 1855-56 attended a course of lectures at the university of New York. About May 1, 1856, he commenced the practice in Lee county, and in January, 1857, located in Dawson, then a small town, and succeeded in building up a fine practice. In 1858 he attended lectures at the Atlanta Medical college, and after his graduation continued his practice in Terrell and adjoining counties. In April, 1862, he enlisted in a cavalry company, of which Rev. Tom Jordan was captain. This company became a part of what was known as the Second Regiment, Georgia cavalry, Col. William J. Lawton, which was stationed at Atlanta a while, then transferred to Chattanooga, where, with a Ten- nessee and the Eighth Texas regiments it became a part of what was known as the Forrest brigade of cavalry, and was assigned to the western army. He served with this command until the surrender, a portion of the time as assistant surgeon. In May, 1865, he returned to his family, then living at Botsford, Sumter Co., Ga .- having gone there in the summer of 1861-and resumed the practice of his pro- fession. With no money and no property, and a growing family of small children, the doctor alludes to this as the darkest period of his life. In 1870 he moved back to Terrell county, where he successfully pursued his profession until his health failed. He owns several farms ranging from 50 to 350 acres each, in the northern part of the county. Dr. Lamar is a member of the distinguished family bearing that name so prominent in the states of Georgia, Mississippi and Texas, and in the national congress and judiciary ; and, in his own right, stands high in his profession. Dr. Lamar was married Aug. 13, 1856, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Silas Mercer, a niece of Rev. Jesse Mercer, the eminent and erudite Baptist divine, and founder of Mercer university. She died July 3, 1858, leaving one son-James N., who died when three years old. Mrs. Lamar was an exemplary member of the Baptist church. In 1860 Dr. Lamar married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Hon. John Lawhon, of Terrell county, who had several times represented the county in the general assembly. Seven children have blessed this union: John N., Terrell county; Henry F., died when sixteen years of age; Leonidas Perry; Theophilus Lawhon; Lucius, a graduate of Atlanta Medical college before he was twenty-one, and two years later, of Tulane Medical college, New Orleans, La .; Lavansia; and Lizzie who is highly accomplished. Dr. Lamar is a democrat, was a member of the I. O. O. F. until his lodge forfeited its charter, is a Master Mason, has been a Worshipful Master, and is a member of the Grand Lodge. Himself and family are prominent and useful members of the Methodist church.

W. W. LEE, Dover, Terrell Co. (postoffice, Dawson), Ga., merchant and farmer, was born in what is now Terrell county, Nov. 24, 1836, where he was raised and educated. He is the youngest son of Noah P. and Mary Ann (Woolbright) Lee, and brother of Dr. J. T. Lee, whose sketch is given above. For a year after reaching maturity he sold merchandise and then engaged in the leather and shoe business near Dover for a short time. Disposing of this business he bought a tannery in Dawson and carried it on until 1869. Buying a farm near Dover he farmed two years, and then removed to Dawson where for four years he engaged in the warehouse and commission business, and then returned to his farm where he has since remained with the exception of four years merchandising in Dover. Mr. Lee did not enter the Confederate service as he was exempt on account of being engaged in the tannery, and having a contract with the Central railway to supply 600 hands with shoes. He, however, volunteered before Gen. Sherman reached Atlanta, and was with a command in his front, but was taken sick with the measles and returned home before the surrender of the city. Mr. Lee married a Mrs. Fulton of Dooly (formerly of Terrell) county, by whom he has had nine children: James P., now living in Texas, Lula S., Mrs. W. S. Thornton, merchant, Dover; Charles S., II-56

882

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Dover, married in May, 1895; Mary Willa, married in December, 1894, to Rev. L. J. Ballard, of South Georgia Methodist Conference; Thomas R .; Gussie A .; Thomas, deceased; Ida, and Willie. Mr. Lee is a stanch democrat, and himself and family are members of the Methodist church. He is progressive and prosperous as a farmer and merchant, and himself and family stand high socially and financially.

JOHN T. LEE, physician and farmer, Dover, Terrell Co. (postoffice, Dawson),

Ga., son of Noah P. and Mary Ann (Woobbright) Lee, was born in Lee county, Ga., Aug. 29, 1835. His paternal grandfather, Solomon P. Lee, was a native of Virginia, where he lived until after his marriage. He married a Miss McGlochlin and moved to North Carolina; after remaining there a few years they migrated to Georgia and settled in Wilkes county, where he lived many years and then removed to Henry county, where he died during the late war, aged ninety-six years. (The day before he died he walked three miles.) He was a volunteer soldier during the war of 1812-14. His wife, who was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, died some years before he did. Of six children born to them, Dr. Lee's father was the second born and the eldest son, and was born in Wilkes county in 1803. He was reared on the farm and received a lim- ited education in the common schools of the county, and after marrying a Miss Woobbright, a lady of Scotch-Irish descent, he removed, August, 1835, to Lee county, Ga., and farmed near Starkville, leaving his family near Chickasawhatchie, where his wife died about 1840. He afterward married a Miss Hayes and settled for a time above Dover, later at a place two and a half miles from Dover, where he died in 1885, aged eighty-two years. He held the office of justice of the peace many years, was a true-blue democrat, and served as a soldier during the Cherokee Indian trouble. He was a member of the Methodist church, of which he was a steward. His last wife died in 1887. By his first marriage he had four sons: Daniel S., died in Dougherty county, Ga., in 1878; James F., enlisted in the first company from Terrell county that entered the Confederate service, and died in the winter of 1861-62, at White Sulphur Springs, Va .; J. T., the subject of this sketch, and W. W., merchant-farmer, Dover, Terrell Co., Ga. Dr. Lee attained to manhood in Terrell county and was educated in the common schools of the county. When of age he commenced the study of medicine under Drs. Janes & Graves, Dover, and after a year's study attended a course of lectures at the university of Nashville, Tenn. While there he suffered with bronchial affection and came home. Subsequently he went to Savannah and attended Oglethorpe Medical college, graduating in 1860. Returning to Dover he formed a partnership with Dr. Janes, his old preceptor, and engaged in the practice until March, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-first Georgia regiment. In the fall of that year he was detailed as steward of the field hospitals, in which capacity he served until the battle at Knoxville, and when Gen. Longstreet fell back Drs. Lee, Cotton and Pickett were left in charge of the field hospitals. While in the discharge of this duty he was taken prisoner and sent to Fort Delaware, where he was impris- oned until March, 1865. During his service he had two narrow escapes-a shot on one occasion passing through the coat just over the shoulder, and on another occasion a shot passed through his hat. Returning home he farmed a few years and then resumed the practice of his profession. He has also been engaged in merchandising in Dawson and in Gordon county, Ga., and in saw-milling in Coffee county, Ga. In 1882 he returned to Dover, where he has since successfully prac- ticed his profession. Dr. Lee was married to Miss Mims, who was a native of Gordon county, Ga., by whom he had nine children: Mary F., Mrs. A. J. Wall;

W. E. LUNDAY.

883

TERRELL COUNTY SKETCHES.

Minnie, Mrs. D. A. Bowen; Rosa, Mrs. G. C. Patterson; John Tilden, William C., Richard H., Della E., Roger Early and Dessie. Dr. Lee was a strong democrat and always voted that ticket, but for a few years past he has acted with the people's party. He is a master Mason. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Methodist church.

W. E. LUNDAY, physician and planter, Chickasawhatchie, Terrell Co., Ga., son of Robert and Mary F. (Courvoisie) Lunday, was born in Screven coun- ty, Ga., in 1832. His father was born in Mecklenburg county, Va., in 1798, where he was raised and educated and conducted a plantation. He migrated to Georgia and settled in Screven county about forty-seven miles above Savannah and en- gaged in planting. Later he went to Springfield, Effingham Co., Ga., whence he moved, about 1840, to Albany, Ga., where he lived until he died, in 1860, in the sixty-second year of his age. He was an old-line whig, was a member of the Baptist church, of which he was a deacon at the time of his death. His wife was born in Chatham county, Ga., daughter of John Francis William and Mary Courvoisie, of France, and he married her soon after coming to Georgia. She was a Catholic, well educated and highly accomplished, having been educated at the Ursuline convent in Canada. Seven children were born to them: Francis, who died in Albany, Ga .; W. E., the subject of this sketch; Robert, in the Indian Territory; Rebecca, widow of Spicer De Graffenreid, Albany, Ga .; Mary Joseph- ine, widow of James Hill, Macon, Ga .; Catharine Stanley, Macon; Jane Eliza- beth, Mrs. Thomas Frierson, Butler, Taylor Co., Ga. Dr. Lunday attained his majority in Albany, where he was educated and prepared for entering the university of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in medicine in 1855. On his return from college he located in Newton, Baker Co., Ga., where he practiced his profession seven years. He then engaged in planting on a plantation adjoin- ing that of Gen. Colquitt, whence he moved to his present location in Terrell county, where he has since practiced his profession and engaged in planting. He enlisted as a private in the Sixth Georgia regiment, which was assigned to Gen. Alfred H. Colquitt's command. A few months afterward he was detailed as surgeon of the Twelfth Georgia regiment. Just after the battle of Big Bethel in Virginia he was honorably discharged at Yorktown. Subsequently he joined and was surgeon of the Tenth Georgia regiment, state troops. Dr. Lunday owned fifty slaves during the war, for which, in 1864, Judge R. S. Lyons offered him $400 each. Dr. Lunday was married in 1856 to Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Collier, of Butts county, Ga., by whom he had two children: Dollie, de- ceased wife of William Vincent, Arkansas, and Lula, wife of David Maghee, Floyd, Dooly Co., Ga. Mrs. Lunday, who was a member of the Baptist church, died Jan. 2, 1860, aged twenty-two years. For his second wife Dr. Lunday married Miss Mary Isabella, daughter of Rev. Churchwell Anderson Crowell, formerly of South Carolina, where she was born. Mr. Crowell, who was a minister of the Methodist church for fifty years, moved from South Carolina to Cass (now Bartow) county, whence, about the time Gen. Sherman entered Georgia, he moved to Terrell county and settled on the Chickasawhatchie, where Dr. Lunday married his daughter. Nine children have blessed this union: Annie, Mrs. J. D. Geise, Sasser, Terrell Co .; Willie, lives in Texas; Blanche, Mrs. Emmett Aicardi, Texas; Crowell, Terrell county; Mary Hill, Frank, Belle, Christine and Oliver, all home. Mrs. Lunday is an exemplary member of the Methodist church. Before the unpleasantness was precipitated the doctor was an old-line whig, but since the surrender he has voted with the democracy. There are few cozier or pleasanter homes in Georgia than this, no happier domestic circle. It is situated near breast- works constructed during the Florida war.

884

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

DUNCAN P. M'LAIN, a prominent planter of Herod, Terrell Co., Ga., was born

in Bladen county, N. C., in 1823, and was the son of James McLain, who was born in the same county in 1795. His father (grandfather of the subject of this sketch) was Peter McLain, a Scotchman from the Isle of Skye; came to America when a single man, about the time of the revolutionary war, in which he served as a soldier. He married a Miss Wethersby of North Carolina, and settled in Bladen county, where he engaged in farming. He was a strict Methodist and a man high- ly respected by all who knew him. He died about 1823. To this union three sons were born: James, the father of the subject of this sketch; Hugh, who died in Americus, Ga., about 1870, and John, who died in Clarke county, Ala. The mother of these children came to Georgia about 1829, and settled in Houston county. She died in Botsford, Sumter Co., Feb. II, 1874. James McLain died in Dooly county some years before the death of his mother.

Duncan P. McLain grew to manhood in Sumter and Houston counties. He married Miss I. J. McDonald, who was the daughter of John B. McDonald, a native of Bladen county, N. C. Mr. McDonald's father was also a native of the Isle of Ski, and came to America about the time the original McLain did. John B. McDonald moved to Crawford county about 1829, where Mrs. Duncan P. Mc- Lain was born in 1836. She was the eldest child and was reared in Sumter county. Mr. and Mrs. McLain moved to Henry county, Ala., soon after their marriage, where they engaged in farming, continuing until the breaking out of the war, when the husband enlisted in the army and served till the close of the war. He was made a prisoner at Nashville, Tenn., and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was kept until the surrender of Lee. He then returned to his family, which had moved to Sumter county, Ga., where they lived until 1875, when he settled at what is known as Herod postoffice, Terrell Co., where he is extensively engaged in farming. He is a member of the Methodist church, of which he is a steward, and superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics Mr. McLain is a democrat, but his attention has been more given to business with the most successful results. He is a thoroughly self-made man and his large estate he has acquired entirely through his own efforts. By this marriage Mr. McLain had several chil- dren. Kennet McLain, the oldest son, went as a missionary to China, but owing to bad health had to return to America and was preaching in Atlanta when he sickened and died. Rev. McLain was a most promising young man, of a brilliant mind and possessing a fine education. His loss was deeply felt by many friends and the cause of religion. James J. McLain now lives in Herod; W. A. is a mer- chant at Dawson, Ga., and was married to Miss Fannie Barrow, of Madison, Ga., a daughter of Prof. S. Barrow. They have one child, William Kennet. George T., the fourth son, now deceased, was a partner with W. A. in the business at Dawson; D. F. is a merchant at Dawson; Anna Bell, the youngest child and only daughter, lives at home. The mother of these children, a consistent and highly respected member of the Methodist church, died in 1884. Mr. McLain married for his second wife Miss Lucy Rogers, daughter of David Rogers, of Sumter county, born June 26, 1854. They live in a beautiful country residence near Herod.

JAMES J. M'LAIN, merchant-planter, Herod, Terrell Co., Ga., son of Duncan P. and Isabella J. McLain, was born in Henry county, Ala., Nov. 24, 1856. His father soon after his marriage, moved to Alabama, and purchased land in Henry county, where he lived until the war between the states began. He then enlisted in an Alabama regiment, which was subsequently consolidated with the Twenty-fifth Alabama regiment. During the war the family moved back to

D. P. MCLAIN.

885

TERRELL COUNTY SKETCHES.

Georgia and settled in Sumter county. After some years his father removed to Terrell county, which has since been his home. Mr. McLain's boyhood and youth were spent in Henry county, Ala., and in Sumter and Terrell counties, Ga., where he was principally educated in the common schools of the county. His services being needed on the farm he attended school but little after settling in Terrell county. On attaining his majority Mr. McLain married and settled on a farm near the home place-where he still lives, and has prospered. He is now, in addition to his large farming interests, engaged in merchandising, as a member of the firm of Haas, Harris, Brim & McLain, who carry a large stock of general merchandise, and transact a large and profitable business. In 1892 Mr. McLain was appointed postmaster at Herod. Mr. McLain was married Nov. 9, 1879, to Miss Cannie Hood, daughter of John Hood, formerly of north Georgia. Her father died during the civil war, and she was a child when her family moved to Terrell county, where she was educated in the country schools, and at Dawson, and grew to womanhood. Their union has been blessed with seven children: Alma, Maude E., Ruby K., Mary Isabella, Bessie L., George K., James P. He is a working democrat, one of the leading men of the county, and a prominent member of the Methodist church. Mrs. McLain is a member of the Baptist church. They have a delightful home, and the family. is popular in the social circles of the community.

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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 130

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