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 141
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THOMAS D. FERGUSON, farmer, Thomaston, Upson Co., Ga., son of Grief H. and Elizabeth (Hunt) Ferguson, was born in Baldwin county, Ga., in 1828. His father was born in Virginia, of Irish descent; came to Georgia and settled in Baldwin county in 1820, where he remained until 1829, when he removed to Talbot county and settled for life. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and served in the Indian war of 1836. His mother was a daughter of Curtis Hunt, whose family was among the early settlers of the county. Mr. Fer- guson's boyhood and young manhood were spent on the homestead, and he received only the education common to youths at that time. He has been over- seer and farmer all his life, and a hard-working, industrious man. In 1862 he enlisted in the state militia for home protection and defense, and served through- out the war. Mr. Ferguson was married in 1851 to Miss Martha A. Thompson- born in Baldwin county in 1830-daughter of John and Mary (Harp) Thompson Mr. Thompson came to Georgia from Virginia in 1820, in company with Mr. Ferguson's father, on horseback-both settling in Baldwin county. Eight chil- dren, the offspring of this union, are living, namely: John H., W. G. H., Mary, Martha, Francis, Virginia, Alfred A., A. S. In 1873 Mrs. Ferguson, who was a Missionary Baptist, died. In 1874 Mr. Ferguson was married to Mrs. Sarah E. Johnson (nee Thompson, a sister of his deceased wife), born in Heard county, 1832. Mrs. Ferguson is an active member of the Methodist church. Mr. Fer- guson is a master Mason, and is much esteemed as a thorough-going farmer and upright citizen.
JAMES F. LEWIS, merchant, Thomaston, Upson Co., Ga., was born in Upson county, in 1840, and was the youngest of the four children of James F. Lewis and Nancy McCoy. His father, born in Maryland, of Maryland ancestry, was left
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an orphan when quite young. In 1818 he came to Georgia, and made his home in Upson county. He was married in 1830 to Miss Nancy McCoy. Four chil- dren were born to them: John F., Abner McCoy, Dora and James F. He was a farmer and served in the Indian war of 1836. On his mother's side his grand- father, Abner McCoy, came from North Carolina and was one of the first settlers in the country; but his grandmother, Miss Matilda Lowe, was of Georgia stock. Mr. Lewis was reared on a farm, was educated at the high school in Thomaston, chose medicine as his profession, but at the end of one year's reading his study was interrupted, and his career as a physician cut short by the outbreak of the civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B (Capt. Harris), Second Georgia regi- ment, was subsequently elected to a lieutenancy and served three years in this position. During the war he participated in many of the hardest fought battles: Second Manassas, Seven Pines, seven days' fight around Richmond, Fredericks- burg, Chancellorsville, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Wilderness, Petersburg and Richmond. He was wounded at Sharps- burg and Seven Pines; was captured at Richmond and sent to Fort Delaware, where he was imprisoned eight months. Mr. Lewis returned from the war pen- niless, but went to work at once and soon erected a merchant mill at Delray, Ga .. where he resided a number of years, conducting a successful mercantile and milling business. He subsequently moved to Thomaston, where he has since remained and where he has built up a profitable business, and established an enviable reputation in the mercantile world for unimpeachable integrity. Mr. Lewis was married in 1872 to Miss Florence, daughter of Thomas R. and Caro- line (Brown) Harris of Stewart county. Mr. Harris was a native of Oglethorpe and his wife a native of Clark county. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had four chil- dren: John H., James L., Thomas A., and Florence Courtney. Mr. Lewis has an untarnished reputation for morality and has been an active member of the Methodist church for a number of years.
J H. MARCHMAN, merchant, The Rock, Upson Co., Ga., son of C. P. and S. G. (Hightower) Marchman, was born near La Grange, Troup Co., Ga., in 1839. His grandparents, William R. and Mary A. (Woodward) Marchman, were natives of North Carolina, whence they migrated to Georgia and settled first in Jasper county, and then, in 1827, removed to Troup county, where they died. Mr. Marchman's father was born in Jasper county in 1814, was a farmer, and went to Thoup county with the family-among the first of the county's settlers, where they made their home in its recently rescued virgin forests. His grand- parents on his mother's side were Presley and Patsey (Powell) Hightower, natives of Virginia, whnce they came to Monroe county, Ga., and afterward removed to Troup county. Mr. Marchman received the ordinary common school education boys were then favored with while working on the farm. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, First Arkansas regiment, and served under Gen. Cle- burn. He was in the battles of Manassas, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Murfrees- boro, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and the last battle fought by Johnston's army. He was wounded at Murfreesboro, and also at Atlanta. After the war he returned to his farm in Troup county, where he remained two years; then removed to Upson county and farmed three years. He next bought an interest in Mr. Stephens' store at The Rock, and has continued in the busi- ness since, which is conducted at this time under the firm name of J. H. March- man & Bro. He enjoys an excellent reputation as a business man, and a public- spirited citizen, and in 1894 was elected on the democratic ticket to represent Upson county in the general assembly. Mr. Marchman was married in 1867 to Miss Savilita I. Stephens-born in Upson county, and a daughter of William and
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Ann Stephens. She died, leaving no issue, in 1874. In 1880 Mr. Marchman was married to Miss Mary Stephens-born in Upson county-daughter of Jesse and Elvira (Powell) Stephens. Her father was a native Georgian and a farmer. He served in the Indian war. Mr. and Mrs. Marchman have four living children: Cornelia, Nettie R., Dovie I., and Carrie. Mr. and Mrs. Marchman are promi- nent members of the Methodist church, and he is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity.
ROBERT M. M'FARLIN, farmer, Yatesville, Upson Co., Ga., son of Thomas J. and Mary (Gibson) McFarlin, was born in Upson county in 1837. His grandparents on his father's side were William and Lavinia (Wagner) McFarlin, natives of North Carolina, who migrated from there to Georgia, and settled in Wilkinson county, where they lived a number of years, and then removed to Upson county-among its earliest and wealthiest settlers. Mr. McFarlin's father was born in Wilkinson county, went from there to Jones, and moved thence to and settled in Upson county. He was a soldier in the Indian war, and continued his residence in Upson county until he died, in 1884. His grandparents on his mother's side, James and Mary (Martin) Gibson, were natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to Upson county about the time it was organized, and where he lived until he died. Mr. McFarlin was reared on a farm, and received a very limited education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Capt. Thomas Sherman, Thirteenth Georgia regiment. Of the many hard-fought battles in which he bore a soldier's part may be mentioned: Cotton Mountain, Seven Pines, second Manassas, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg. At one time he fought for eighteen days in succession. In the battle of Sharpsburg he was wounded twice. After the battle of Fredericksburg he returned home, but soon returned and re-entered the army as a lieutenant in a cavalry company. After the war he resumed his farming operations, to which he has devoted his time and attention, resulting in ease and competency after a life of hard work and exposure. No one stands higher in the scale of industry and integrity. Mr. McFarlin was married in 1864 to Miss Mattie Lyon, born in Upson county, 1847, daughter of James P. and Elizabeth (Cherry) Lyon. Mr. Lyon was a native of Monroe county and a Baptist preacher. Of the children born to them four are living: Lizzie, Francis, Mattie and Sallie. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, and died in 1875. That same year Mr. McFarlin married Miss Etta V., born in Upson count, 1856, daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth Nelson, natives of Upson county. The following-named children blessed this union: Emma, Willie F., Robert Carlton, Lola, Thomas J. and James F. Mrs. McFarlin was a member of the Baptist church and died in 1891.
T. J. NELSON, farmer, Upson county, Ga., son of Thomas and Millie A. (Trice) Nelson, was born in Upson county in 1834. His grandparents on his father's side were Thomas and Jane Nelson. His grandfather was a farmer, born in North Carolina, of English descent. Early in this century he removed to Georgia from North Carolina. His father was born in Talbot county, Ga., in 1810, and moved to Upson county in 1831. He was a soldier in the Indian war. His grandparents on his mother's side were William B. and Jane (Tamplin) Trice, and were reared in Baldwin county, Ga .; but early in life removed to Upson, where they lived until they died. Mr. Nelson was left an orphan when quite young, was reared on a farm and received an ordinary school education. On arriving at manhood he engaged in farming. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Capt. J. F. Lewis, Thirty-second Georgia regiment, and remained in the army
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until the close of the war. He was engaged in sixteen hard-fought battles and many skirmishes, among them: Honey Hill, Fort Sumter, Fort Wagner, Rivers' Bridge, etc. He was wounded at Lake City, Fla. He was promoted to be orderly sergeant, and to a lieutenancy. An interesting incident of his war experience was that a quite large shell struck a tree above his head, and he caught a fragment as it fell. On his return from the war he found himself almost ruined; his plantation improvements and stock all gone, nothing left but his naked land, about 400 acres. But he went to work, and as the result of patient, well-directed labor and good management, he has now a well-ordered 1,200-acre plantation and a fine mill property, and is as prosperous as any of his brother farmers. He is very highly esteemed, is at present clerk of Trinity church, and is a director of the Farmers' and Merchants' bank, Thomaston, Ga. In 1867 Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Frances Holloway, born in Upson county in 1840, daughter of Gibson and Martha (Param) Holloway, old Upson county settlers. She was a member of the Methodist church, and died in 1864, leaving two children: Emma and T. P., now living. In 1865 he married Miss Minta Param, born in Meri- wether county in 1842, daughter of Stith A. and Catherine Param, early settlers in Meriwether county. She also was a Methodist, and died in 1871, leaving one child, Pierpont. That same year he married Willie Param, born in 1843, a sister of his last wife. Five children, now living, blessed this union: May C., Clifford F., Effie, James and Alva J. She died in 1888, and in 1889 Mr. Nelson married Miss Nannie Chipley, born in Bibb county, Ga., in 1860, daughter of James S. and Nancy (Hunt) Chipley, early settlers in Laurens county. He was born in 1816; a railroader. The children, living, the fruit of this union, are: Mozelle, Edna R. and Esther. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are Primitive Baptists, and take an active interest in the welfare and advancement of the church.
C A. NORRIS, farmer, Thomaston, Upson Co., Ga., son of William and ·Narcissa (Respess) Norris, was born in Meriwether county, Ga., in 1830. His grandparents on his father's side, William and Nancy Norris, were natives of South Carolina, and removed to and settled in Meriwether county early in the history of the county. His parents were also natives of South Carolina, and came to Georgia and settled in Meriwether county about the same time his grand- parents did. He was tax collector of the county two years. His grandparents Respess on his mother's side were farmers, and were among the early settlers of Jasper county, Ga. Mr. Norris was reared on the farm and received only a limited education; such as could be had at the "old-field" log school house of that day. Before the war he was an overseer, and was getting along finely. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Capt. Strickland, later, Capt. Trammell, First Georgia regiment, and was in many hotly-contested battles, notably London, Ky., Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta, etc. He lost all he had by the war; but, coming out of its battles undismayed though battered, he began again the battle of life and is in comparatively easy circumstances, well-to-do, prosperous and happy, and is tax collector of Upson county. Mr. Norris was married in 1859 to Miss Laura A. Snelson, born in Meriwether county in 1840, daughter of John and Polly (Reeves) Snelson, early settlers in the county. To them were born ten children, now living: Sallie, Hattie, Will, Gertrude, Estelle, Robert, Aubra, Mattie, Maud and Earnest. Mrs. Norris died in 1882. The next year, 1883, Mr. Norris married Mrs. Mary (Snelson) Redney, born in Meriwether county in 1828, daughter of John and Polly (Reeves) Snelson. She died, a member of the Primitive Baptist church, in 1891. Mr. Norris is a member of the same church, and also a Knight of Honor.
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WILLIAM STEPHENS, farmer, Upson county, Ga., son of James and Mary (Arthur) Stephens, was born in Jasper county, Ga., in 1810. His grandfather, George Stephens, was a native of England, came to the United States when young, settled in Hancock county, Ga., and married Miss Elizabeth Dannell, and after- ward moved to Jasper county, where he died. Mr. Stephens' father, James Stephens, was born in Hancock county, and with his father was one of the early settlers in Jasper county. His mother's parents-Arthur-were natives of South Carolina, whence they came in early life to Hancock county, Ga. Mr. Stephens was reared a farmer and attended schools taught in the log houses of those times. He remained in Jasper county and worked on the farm until 1825, when the family removed to Upson county, bought a farm and settled. Afterward he began working for himself and purchased a farm of his own. In 1834 he married Miss Georgia A. Powell, born in Jasper county in 1818, daughter of George and Nancy (Downey) Powell. Of the children born to them only one, Francis M., is living. Mrs. Stephens was a devoted member of the Methodist church. In 1869 Mr. Stephens went into the general merchandise business at The Rock, which he continued until 1881, when he sold out and has since confined himself to superin- tending his family interests.
F. B. THOMPSON, liveryman and trader, Thomaston, Upson Co., Ga., son of Jennings and Virginia (Embry) Thompson, was born in Green county, Ky., in 1837. His grandparents, William and Judith (Pickett) Thompson, of Scottish descent, were natives of Virginia. He was a farmer, migrated in early life to Kentucky, and died there. Jennings Thompson, his son, was born in Kentucky, was a farmer and trader, and went to Cuba, where he died. Mr. Thompson's grandparents on his mother's side were William and Elizabeth (Brockman) Embry; he was a Virginian by birth; his wife was of Scottish lineage. He went to Kentucky in his young manhood, where he passed his life and died. Mr. Thompson was reared on a farnı, and what education he was favored with was obtained in an old-time log school house. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Capt. James M. Smith, in the Thirteenth Georgia regiment, and was in many hotly-contested battles, among them: Richmond, Malvern Hill, second Ma- nassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Petersburg, Gettysburg-where he was made a lieutenant-and Winchester. He remained in the service to the close of the war, and with Gen. Lee, surrendered at Appomattox. He was wounded at Winchester and at Monocacy. He lost heavily by the war, and began life, after it, loaded down with debt. By industry, enterprise and good management, he is now, financially, one of the strongest men in Upson county. He was sheriff of the county a number of years. In 1867 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Sallie Matthews, born in Upson county in 1847. Mr. Matthews was a native Georgian, and had represented the county in the general assembly. Of the children born to this union, the three living are: Nathan, Julia and Fryar. Mrs. Thompson, who was a member of the Methodist church, died in 1888. Mr. Thompson contracted a second marriage in 1892 with Mrs. Anna (Green) West, born in Upson county, and is a daughter of Charles and Martha A. (Barrett) Green. Mr. Green was a native of Concord, N. H., came to Georgia when a youth, and was manager of a cotton factory. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Thompson is a master Mason, and a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Knights of Honor. He is public- spirited, and himself and family are highly esteemed.
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F.G. C. WILLIAMS, farmer, Yatesville, Upson Co., Ga., son of Duke and Lany (Powell) Williams, was born in Upson county in 1827. His grand- parents on his father's side, Wilson and Patsy (Driver) Williams, were natives of North Carolina, farmers; came to Georgia early in this century and settled in Washington county. They soon afterward removed to Jones county, thence to Troup, and finally went to Chambers county, Ala., where he died. He was a volunteer soldier in the last war with Great Britain. Mr. Williams' father was born in North Carolina, in 1802-reared a farmer, went to Jones county, Ga., where he married, and thence to Upson county in 1825, where, one of the early settlers, he built his log hut in the woods then infested with wolves, and Indians on the opposite side of the river. He was a justice of the peace, and represented the county in the general assembly in 1841-42, and in 1851-52. He was first lieutenant of a volunteer company during the Indian war. His grandparents on his mother's side were Jesse and Patsey (Winnbush) farmers, who migrated from North Carolina to Georgia, and settled in Washington county, whence they removed to Pulaski county, and had to live in the fort as a protection against the Indians. From there they removed to Monroe county, where they died. Mr. Williams was reared on a farm, and graduated from one of the log school-houses of that day. He was yet farming when the war between the states began. He enlisted in 1863, in Company E (Capt. Jack White), Third Georgia battalion. He was in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. After the battle he was taken sick and was sent to the Gate City hospital, Atlanta, Ga. On recovering his health he returned to the state troops and remained with them until the war closed, when he returned to his farm, to which he has since given his undivided attention and enjoyed enviable prosperity. Mr. Williams was married in 1849 to Miss Mary Middlebrooks-born in Jones county in 1832-daughter of Madison and Malinda (Stroud) Middlebrooks. Mr. Middlebrooks was born and reared in Jones county, but early in life removed to Upson county. Benjamin Haygood, great-grandfather of Mrs. Williams, was a revolutionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have eight children living: Frances A., Mattie, Jesse W., Leila, Sarah, Josie, May and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are pious, consistent members of the Baptist church and highly esteemed.
ALLEN J. WILLIAMS, farmer, Yatesville, Upson Co., Ga., son of Duke and Lany (Powell) Williams, was born in Upson county, in 1834. (For outline of lives of parents and grandparents see sketch of life of E. G. C. Williams.) Mr. Williams was reared on a farm and received a very limited education in a county log school-house. In 1862 he enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. A. J. White, Thirty-seventh Georgia regiment, and was engaged in many battles, among them Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and Atlanta, where he was captured and sent to Camp Chase, where he was imprisoned eight months. He received a wound at the battle of Chickamauga. He represented the county in the general assembly in 1886-1888, and was on the committees on agriculture, manufactures, enrollment, and ways and means. In 1860 Mr. Williams was mar- ried to Miss Sallie Hartsfield-born in Jasper county, Ga., 1842 -- who died, leav- ing one child, Elizabeth, in 1863. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist church. In 1865 he married Miss Mary A. Persons-born in Monroe county, 1843-daughter of Lovett and Melinda (Lyons) Persons, Georgians by birth. Mr. Persons was a soldier in the Indian war of 1836. Two children now living are the offspring of this union: Allen and Alma. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Baptist church. Returning to his farm after the war, Mr. Williams went to work to retrieve his fortune, in which he has been very successful. He belongs to the masonic fraternity.
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WALKER COUNTY.
FRANCIS W. COPELAND. This well-known lawyer, a member of the Walker county bar, residing at La Fayette, was born in Walker county, Ga. In that county he was reared on the farm and received his preliminary education. In 1873, he entered the university of Georgia at Athens, and pursued a course of study in that institution during two years. He acquired an enviable reputation in his classes for diligence, and at an oratorical contest was awarded a medal by the Demosthenian society for his achievements in the oratorical art. At the close of his collegiate studies he returned to his home in Walker county, and after working on the farm for eight months he entered upon the study of law. He went into the office of Hon. J. C. Clements of La Fayette, and in August, 1876, he was admitted to practice in the superior court of Walker county. Here it is proper to mention that Mr. Copeland in his successful efforts to obtain, first, a literary education, and second, a scientific knowledge of the principles of juris- prudence, was sustained entirely by his own resources, obtained by his own labor and perseverance; and his success in his profession is an excellent example of what perseverance, diligence and business integrity may accomplish. He com- menced the practice of his profession at La Fayette, with little influence or means of his own. At first he had a hard struggle, but by hard work and constant appli- cation to study and the duties of his profession he soon won the confidence of the public and the courts of his circuit; business and retainers came to him in a measure commensurate with his zeal, and recognized legal ability. To-day he is justly considered one of the most successful lawyers on the Rome circuit. His practice is of a general character, but he has given much attention to the consid- eration of corporate law, and those branches of equity, jurisprudence, peculiarly applicable to that system. Before a jury Mr. Copeland is certainly, and justly esteemed a very able advocate, a cogent reasoner, and a brilliant and convincing speaker. In 1892, he formed a co-partnership with Earl Jackson of the La Fayette bar, and under the firm name of Copeland & Jackson. This firm ranks among the strongest in the Rome circuit, and represents some of the leading and important corporate and commercial interests in that section, among others, the C., R. & C. railroad, as local counsel and acts as general counsel for the Chicka- mauga & Durham Railroad company. This firm also represents the Georgia Ore company, and the Chickamauga Coal and Iron company. In the field of politics Mr. Copeland has never sought notoriety, wrapped in the active engagement of his professional life, he has given no attention to politics, with a view to obtain office. But for many years his services have been at the disposal of the political managers of his party, and he has ever been ready to take the stump in its behalf, and has never failed to do so in all the campaigns of recent years. He has also served two terms as mayor of La Fayette to the satisfaction of the people of that town. Mr. Copeland married in 1883, Miss Carrie Hunt, daughter of Ben- jamin F. Hunt, a soldier of the Confederacy, who served as major in the Con- federate army, but resigned his commission and entered the First Georgia cavalry as a private, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga. By his marriage Mr. Copeland has six children: John A., Benjamin F., Susan M., Hunt, Francis W. (deceased), and an infant, Lois R. The Copeland family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Alexander Copeland, the great-grandfather of the subject of this Memoir, was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America prior to the war of the
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revolution. He settled first in York, S. C., and on the commencement of hostili- ties he entered the colonial service under Gen. Morgan. He fought at the battle of the Cowpens, and at King's Mountain, and after the war settled in Spartan- burg, S. C. He married a Miss Gilmore, also of Irish descent, and of this mar- riage his son, Joseph Gilmore Copeland, grandfather of Francis W., settled in McMinn county, Tenn. He married Miss Sarah Chapman of Spartanburg, S. C., and reared ten children, of whom Alexander, the father of Francis W., was one. Alexander Copeland was born in McMinn county, Tenn., in August, 1824. He settled in Walker county, Ga., about 1845. He married Miss Melissa Sartin, born in Spartanburg, S. C., and daughter of John Sartin. They reared eight children: Mrs. Sally L. Wall; Mrs. Elsie A. Fuller; Mrs. Panelopy C. Perry ; Mrs. Fannie R. Little; James M., residing in Gordon county; Jefferson D., deceased in 1886; and William P., residing with his parents in Walker county. Alexander, the father of Francis W., served in the Confederate army during the late war and participated in the campaign of the western forces. He fought in the First Georgia state troops infantry, and took part in all the engagements between Dalton and the Chattahoochee river, when he was made a prisoner of war, sent north and he afterward effected his escape, and after a perilous journey reached his home, shortly previous to the surrender of Lee and Johnston. His brother, Joseph H., also fought on the Confederate side, and was killed at the battle of Jonesboro, in August, 1864. Mr. F. W. Copeland represents an element in the population of the south, rapidly acquiring influence in southern affairs, and dis- tinguished by its active progress in the management and control of social, indus- trial and commercial interests. He is an avowed advocate and champion of every movement designed to enhance the prosperity of north Georgia and its people, and to which by example and practice he has been and is a liberal contributor.
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