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 151

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 151

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and Cora, wife of Curtis Whaley, Parrott, Terrell Co., Ga. Mr. Dixon is a very strong democrat, and takes great interest in politics though no office-seeker; and Mrs. Dixon is a prominent member of the Missionary Baptist church.

ROBERT T. DIXON, farmer, Webster county (P. O., Richland, Stewart Co.), Ga., son of R. M. and E. C. (Clemmons) Dixon, was born in Webster county in 1856. He was raised on the old homestead and was educated at the common schools of the county. He began life with very little, but by hard and continuous work on his farm, economy and a judicious investment of his incomes, he has accumulated a quite large estate. His home is between two and three miles from Richland, where he owns a large and valuable tract of land under excellent culti- vation. He attends strictly and assiduously to his farming interests, on which he principally relies, and looks carefully after his other investments, and is one of the rising men of the county. Mr. Dixon was married in 1878 to Miss M. Nicholson, daughter of N. N. Nicholson, a well-to-do farmer of Chattahoochee county. She died soon afterward childless, and subsequently he married Katie Snelling, daughter of John Snelling, who was one of the earliest settlers of Stewart county. His father, Richard Snelling, was the first settler at Richland, as well as one of the first of Stewart county. Of the family of John Snelling three only are living: Katie (Mrs. Dixon), Warren, and Mrs. Fannie Williams, of Richland. Mrs. Dixon was educated at Weston and is the mother of three children: Elma, William Car- ver and Henry M. He is a stanch democrat and a master Mason, and Mrs. Dixon is a devoted member of the Baptist church.

WILLIAM G. IVEY, farmer, Weston, Webster Co., Ga., son of E. and Arenia (Bridges) Ivey, was born in what is now Terrell county, Ga., in 1840. His grandfather, Madison Ivey, was born in North Carolina, but lived and died in this state. Mr. Ivey's father was one of four children, and was born in North Carolina. He left that state and came to Georgia before he reached manhood and settled in Stewart county. He engaged first as an overseer, which he fol- lowed a number of years, and then he bought a small tract of land to which he gradually added as he made money. Mr. Ivey grew to manhood on his father's farm and attended the near-by country schools. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E (Capt. L. R. Reddings), Thirty-first Georgia regiment, and for a brief period was stationed at Savannah. He was next ordered to the front, and his command became a part of Stonewall Jackson's "foot cavalry." He participated in the seven days' fight around Richmond, in which he received a bullet wound which compelled him to return home, where he remained eleven months. On his re- covery he returned to his command, and was with the forces near and around Richmond and Petersburg until the end of the war. Returning home, he turned his attention exclusively to farming, at which he made money. He owns a very excellent small farm about eight miles from Weston which he rents and himself cultivates a fine forty-acre farm in the vicinity of Weston which he prizes and enjoys as a model home. He is also proprietor of the hotel in Weston. His suc- cess demonstrates his practical good judgment and management. Mr. Ivey mar- ried Mary, daughter of James Harris, of South Carolina, who has borne him eight children: Harris S., Walter E., Leila E., Lizzie E., Rena A., William L., Agnes R. and Bertie. He is a strong democrat and himself and wife are members of the Baptist church.

A K. PATTERSON, physician and farmer, Weston, Webster Co., Ga., son of D. G. and Barbara (McNair) Patterson, was born in North Carolina, Jan. 29, 1845. His father was born in North Carolina in 1818, where he was reared

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and educated. He married Miss Barbara McNair, who was a native of Scotland, and not long afterward (1850) he migrated to Georgia and settled in Columbus, Ga. From there he moved to Talbot county, Ga., and thence to Sumter county, where he remained until 1878 or 1879, when he went to Atlanta, where he remained until he died, June 11, 1883, aged sixty-five years. During the war he served in the capacity of a civil engineer, but most of his life was spent in farming. He was an ardent friend and promoter of education and was particular to give his children the best possible advantages in this direction. Before the war he was an old-line whig. His widow died in December, 1893, aged seventy-three years, and both of them were strict members of the Presbyterian church. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom seven lived to be grown: A. K., the sub- ject of this sketch; Mary J., wife of B. F. Carter, North Carolina; Sallie M., wife of W. K. Turksbury; A. M., died in New York; D. E. is in Texas; W. C. is in Weston, Ga., and G. C. in Terrell county, Ga. Dr. Patterson was reared prin- cipally in Georgia and was educated at the common schools of the counties in which his father lived. During the war he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninth Georgia battalion, and served with it until the close of the war, acting as sergeant. After the war he studied medicine and then attended lectures at the Atlanta Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1869. He imme- diately located in Bullock county, Ala., but after practicing there two years came to Webster county, which has since been his home, and where he has established a large and profitable practice. He is public-spirited and progressive and takes a lively interest in every movement calculated to promote the material interests of the community, as well as its educational and religious advancement. He takes a decided interest in politics-not for selfish ends, but to secure incorrupti- ble and capable men to fill the offices. In the summer of 1894 he received a severe stroke of paralysis, from which he has partially recovered. Dr. Patterson was married June 30, 1872, to Miss Ann Eliza, daughter of Frederick and Frances Bell, of Webster county, who has borne him six children, all living, and at home: Clarence Hugh, Mamie L., A. K., Jr., Barbara Anna, Daniel G. and Casper Wistar. He is a stanch democrat and an ardent member of the masonic fraternity.

FERDINAND C. SAUNDERS, planter, Weston, Webster Co., Ga., son of James M. and Sarah (Sell) Saunders, was born in Warren county, Ga., in October, 1820. His maternal grandfather, Sell, was born in England, and was a ship-carpenter. He migrated to this county about the beginning of the revolu- tionary war and assisted in building a dock for the British government at Sa- vannah after they captured the city. Subsequently he revolted and joined the revolutionary army. He died and was buried near Wrightsboro, in Columbia (now McDuffie) county. Mr. Saunders' father was a native of New Jersey, and came with his father to Georgia when the Mississippi river was the western bound- ary of the state. He was married in Warren county in 1816 to Miss Sarah Sell, and lived in that county twenty-two years, when he moved to Stewart (now Web- ster) county, and settled within one-half mile of where the subject of this sketch now lives, where he engaged in farming until he died, aged seventy-four years. Eight children were the fruit of this union: Ferdinand C., the subject of this sketch; Lucius, died of rheumatism during the war; Napoleon, died of pneumonia dur- ing the war; Septimus, killed at Kennesaw mountain; Mark, Webster county; Zephaniah, deceased; Emeline, deceased wife of a Mr. Howell; Palmyra, wife of a Mr. Holt, of Texas. Mr. Saunders when sixteen years of age moved with the family to Stewart (now Webster) county, and was educated in the country schools of Warren and Stewart counties, and when he attained to manhood

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engaged in planting. In May, 1863, he enlisted in the Fourth Georgia regiment, Fourth brigade, Georgia militia, and continued in the service until the surrender, during which service he received two wounds, one at Atlanta, and another at Doctortown, Wayne Co., Ga. Returning from the war he resumed farming, to which he has almost exclusively devoted his time and attention. He is solid, substantial and entirely reliable, and a model citizen. He has never sought nor held any public office excepting one, that of notary public, being fully content with the labors and pleasures and profits of good farming, and the quietude of domestic life. Mr. Saunders was married in 1843 to Miss Carom, of Randolph county, who died early in 1846 without issue. Toward the close of the same year he contracted a second marriage with a daughter of William and Tarissa (Gilbert) Brooks, natives of North Carolina, who migrated thence to Georgia and settled in what is now Stewart county. Five of the nine children born to them are now living: Sallie, wife of Robert McCollum, Dawson, Terrell Co., Ga .; Elliott Rufus, at home; Georgia, wife of Wright Tracy, Sumter county; John, Anderson county, Tex .; Napoleon, Hunt county, Tex. Before the war Mr. Saunders was an old- line whig, but since the war he has acted with the democratic party. He is a Universalist in his religious belief, while Mrs. Saunders is a strict member of the Baptist church.

W . J. SIMS, merchant-planter, Weston, Webster Co., Ga., son of H. H. and Jane (Moore) Sims, was born in Sumter county, Ga., in 1835. His paternal grandfather was George Sims, who early in life migrated to South Carolina, and settled in Lancaster district. Mr. Sims' father grew to manhood on the farm and was educated in that district. He married Miss Mary Croxton, who bore him one child-Malsey-and died. For his second wife he married the mother of the subject of this sketch, and about 1830 or 1831 moved to Georgia and settled in Sumter county. He subsequently moved to Marion county, where he followed farming and died at the age of sixty. His wife died in 1847, before his death. He was a soldier in the Creek Indian war, and later in life took great interest in politics, giving a strong support to the democratic party. He was a member of the masonic fraternity and himself and wife were members of the Baptist church. Seven children were the fruit of his second marriage: Sarah, wife of Uriah Boyett, Sumter county; W. J., the subject of this sketch; John, Sumter county; Martha, wife of James Graham; Senoia, Coweta county, Ga .; Zacharias, Weston; Marion, Americus, Ga .; James, deceased; and George, deceased. Mr. Sims attained to inanhood on the farm, soon after which he went to Alabama. When the war between the states began he returned to Georgia, and in 1861 enlisted in a com- mand organized by Col. A. S. Cutts, known as Sumter's Flying artillery, C. S. A. With this command he participated in the seven days' fight around Richmond, second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and Spottsylvania court house, besides numerous other less important engagements. The command suffered most in the battles at Dranesville, Va. Although he was in some of the most sanguinary and hotly-contested battles of the war he was so fortunate as to escape unhurt. The command served until April 9, 1865, when it disbanded and nearly all of his company walked home-he walking nearly all the way. He arrived at home May 2, and at once engaged in farming, which he has since followed with most satisfactory results. His farm is one of the largest and best in the vicinity of Weston. He is a fine farmer, and takes great interest superintend- ing and improving it, and adding to its conveniences and comforts. He takes no further interest in politics than to support the best men for public office. For the past twelve years he has been interested in a general merchandise store in Weston, and has secured a good and annually increasing trade. Mr. Sims was married in

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1866 to Miss Melissa McGarrah of Sumter county, daughter of James McGarrah, a native of one of the Carolinas. Mrs. Sims, a devout and exemplary member of the Baptist church, died June 4, 1895, leaving five children: Oscar, near Weston; George W., merchant, Weston; Emily, wife of James E. Dennard, Webster county; Florence and Lizzie, these two last at home.

WILLIAM H. SPANN, planter, Weston, Webster Co., Ga., son of William F. and Lucy (Spears) Spann, was born in Webster county, Jan. 30, 1859. His paternal grandparents, Henry William and Sophia (Clark) Spann, were natives of Jefferson county, Ga., whence, about 1837, they moved to Lee (now Webster) county, and settled within four miles of where the subject of this sketch now lives. Politically he was a stanch old-line whig, and died during the late war, aged about fifty years. His widow survived him many years-was seventy- five years old when she died-a long-standing exemplary member of the Mission- ary Baptist church. They were the parents of the following children: William F., Webster county; George G., Texas; James, near Eufaula, Ala .; P. H., Preston, Ga .; Carrie, wife of J. R. Stapleton, merchant, Preston; Mary, wife of J. H. Smith, Terrell county; Laura, wife of Tyra Timmerman, Terrell county; Susan, deceased wife of G. W. Cole; J. G., deceased; Sophia, deceased wife of T. J. Stapleton; Mrs. J. N. Bowen, deceased; and two who died in childhood. Mr. Spann's father was born in Jefferson county, and was about ten years old when his father moved to Lee (now Webster) county, where he was raised on the plantation and educated at the near by country schools. About the beginning of the war between the states he moved to Alabama, and soon afterward enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Alabama regiment, and continued in the service until the surrender. In 1869 he returned to Webster county, where he is still living, engaged in farming. While he is an ardent partisan, he takes little interest in practical politics further than to exercise the right of suffrage. Mrs. Spann is an active member of the Missionary Baptist church. Ten children have blessed this union: Sophia, wife of D. M. Nicholson, at home; William H., the subject of this sketch; Naomi Josephine, at home; Mary Eliza, wife of J. B. Clark; Susan Idella, wife of H. S. Fletcher; J. G., near Preston; G. L., at home; Nancy Ella, at home; Sarah, deceased; and an infant, which died unnamed. Mr. Spann was reared in Webster county, and received a very good education at the common schools of the county. In 1881 he began farming on his own account, and in 1886 moved to and settled where he now lives. He now owns 1,000 acres of good land, the result of his own labor and good management, and is one of the largest, as well as one of the best farmers in the county; has a great number of head of live stock, a gin of large capacity, and a saw-mill. He is very active in politics, but has never sought an office and would not accept one if tendered him. Mr. Spann was married in 1881 to Miss Theodosia, daughter of Archibald Nicholson of Webster county, who has borne him two children: Lizzie May and Ernest Linwood. Mr. Spann is an uncompromising democrat.

JAMES R. STAPLETON, merchant-farmer, Preston, Webster Co., Ga., was born in Stewart (now Webster) county, June 27, 1848. His paternal grand- father, Thomas Stapleton, moved from Jefferson to Randolph county, Ga., about 1833, and was killed by the Indians in 1836, during the Creek Indian war. Mr. Stapleton's father was born in Jefferson county, Ga., March 24, 1815. He was reared and educated in that county, and was about eighteen years of age when his father moved to Randolph county, and lived with him until he married. He was a soldier in the Creek Indian war, and at its close devoted himself to farming as a life-pursuit. Some years afterward he moved to what afterward became

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Webster county, of which he was the second treasurer, an office which he held until removed by the Bulloch administration. He was married in 1842 to Miss Martha Peel, born in Jefferson, then of Stewart county, and to them eight children were born, of whom five are living: Thomas J., farmer, Bronwood; George, merchant, Americus; James R., the subject of this sketch; Nancy Eliza- beth, deceased; Henry C., deceased; Lawson, traveling salesman; Francis Bartow, deceased; and Sarah E., wife of W. H. Clark, Preston. They are living near Preston now. He is a master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Stapleton attained to manhood in Webster county, in which and Troup county he was educated. In 1864 he enlisted in the state militia, in which he served until the surrender. He then returned home and engaged with his father in farming. In 1872 he commenced teaching, which he followed two years, and then commenced merchandising in connection with farming. His farming interests are extensive and his firm, Stapleton, Nicholson & Co., does the largest business in Preston, of which he is general manager and secretary and treasurer; and he holds very considerable property in Preston. For eight years consecutively he was school commissioner. While a stanch democrat, very popular and a very active partisan, he seeks no office. Mr. Stapleton was married in 1878 to Mrs. Carrie Bush, widow of James M. Bush. Of five children which blessed this union, three are living: Annie Laurie, Carrie Sue and Jennie Florence. He is a master Mason.

T.J. THARP. Oftentimes extraordinary individual characteristics and intellect- uality are found in the walks of life where they are not looked for. But they are none the less deserving conspicuous position in Memoirs such as are presented in these volumes; and, besides, they afford examples worthy of emulation. Such characteristics and example are presented in the following sketch of a member of the Tharp family. T. J. Tharp, county ordinary, Preston, Webster Co., Ga., son of David and Elizabeth Ann (Jefferson) Tharp, was born in Louisiana, Oct. 24, 1850. His paternal grandfather, C. A. Tharp, was born in 1790, and raised at a place known as "Stone creek" settlement in what is now Twiggs county, twelve miles southwest of Macon, Ga. His character and life were remarkable; he was a typical self-made man. Farming was his life-occupation; he devoted himself to it, and lived in Twiggs county until he died. When twenty-seven years of age he was ordained a minister of the Missionary Baptist church, and continued in active service until about two years before he died-a period of nearly fifty years. During this period he served four churches, for which he would never receive a cent of compensation; one of his congregations, however, presented him with a copy of Commentaries on the Bible. During his ministry he was moderator of Ebenezer Baptist association twenty-one years. He was an ardent secessionist, and when Capt. Folsom presented the flag to the first company that went from Twiggs county he made a very eloquent and soul-stirring address. He offered his sons the choice of going to school or going to work-and he saw that no time was lost in carrying out their choice. He was a large and successful planter, owned 1,600 acres of land, and freed fifty slaves. Yet this man received but two weeks' schooling, lived all his life in Twiggs county, exercised a wide influence, and was a student to the day of his death. He gave a good education to all his children that lived to be old enough to receive it. He died in 1867, aged seventy-seven years, and his widow died in 1870, aged about seventy years. They were the parents of sixteen children (two of whom were ministers), four of whom are living: Simeon, Baptist minister, Twiggs county; Martha, wife of T. H. Jones, Twiggs county; Emma, wife of E. A. Nash, Twiggs county, and II-65

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a daughter, wife of Seaborn Passmore, Texas. Mr. Tharp's father, David, was born in 1816 in Twiggs county, where he was reared and educated. When twen- ty-two years of age he went to Louisiana on a visit to relatives, and while there met and married Miss Elizabeth Ann Jefferson. He remained there, engaged in planting until he died in 1857, aged forty-one years. To this union three children were born, of which two survive: T. J., the subject of this sketch, and Elizabeth Ann, wife of James Torbert, Sumter county. His widow died in 1858, aged about thirty-five years. Mr. Tharp came to Georgia with his sister in 1860 to live with an uncle who had no children. He was educated and grew to man- hood in Twiggs county. In 1883 he went to Cuthbert, Ga., where he engaged in the sewing machine business. From there he went to Alabama, where he lived two years, and then returned to Georgia and located in Sumter county in 1885. He remained there one year and then moved to Webster county and engaged in merchandising. In 1892 he was elected ordinary for four years, and is discharging its duties with the promptitude and faithfulness characteristic of the family. Mr. Tharp was married in 1883 to Miss M. C. Cobb, a native of Ala- bama, by whom he has had five children, of whom four are living: Minnie C., V. T., C. T. and David C. Mr. Tharp is a prominent and influential citizen.

JAMES P. WALKER, farmer, Weston, Webster Co., Ga., son of N. F. and Susan M. (Palmer) Walker, was born in Upson county, Ga., in 1836. His paternal grandfather was James Walker, a native of North Carolina, of Welsh descent. He was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war, and commanded a brigade at the battle of Cowpens, S. C. Soon after the war he married Charity Smith, a native of South Carolina, came to Georgia and settled in Washington county, whence he moved to Putnam, and afterward to Upson county, Ga., where he died in 1848, aged ninety-six years, and was buried at Hootensville with military honors. He followed farming all his life, was highly respected, honored, and himself and wife were exemplary members of the Primitive Bap- tist church. They reared eight children: William W., accidentally killed himself in a deer hunt; N. F., father of the subject of this sketch; Benjamin, deceased; Allen Mc., deceased; Mary, deceased wife of Elisha Perryman; Lucretia, deceased wife of Martin Stampes; Sarah, deceased wife of Daniel Grant, and Amanda, de- ceased wife of Enoch Womble. Mr. Walker's father was born in Washington and reared principally in Putnam county. In 1823 he went with his parents to what is now Upson county. He was a pupil of the Hon. William H. Seward, after- ward United States secretary of state under President Lincoln, who taught school in Georgia. He married in Upson county; his wife, however, was born in Han- cock county, Ga., and was reared by Dr. David Kendall, her mother dying when she was quite young. She died a devoted member of the Methodist church, in Upson county, in January, 1859. He moved to Crawford county in 1874, where he subsequently died, aged ninety-three years. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain, was very charitably disposed and highly esteemed and popular. Politically he was an "old-line whig" and voted in 1860 for Bell and Everett. Eight children blessed their union, four living: James P., the subject of this sketch; B. F., in Crawford county; D. K., in Upson county; M. B., Craw- ford county. Those dead are: W. A., who was a practicing attorney at the time of his death; N. M., and one that died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Walker was reared in Upson county, where he received his primary education. His pre- paratory education he received at Collingsworth, Talbot Co., then under the principalship of Mr. McQueen, an accomplished educator, and then he entered Emory college, Oxford, Ga., from which he was graduated in 1858. Returning

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he read medicine and then attended a course of lectures at the Medical college of Georgia, Augusta, and afterward attended lectures at and was graduated front Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia. Subsequently he read law and was admitted to the bar. He enlisted as a member of the Upson guards, which was attached to the Fifth Georgia regiment, and went to Pensacola, Fla. Soon after he was assigned to the quartermaster's department and was the ranking and commanding officer of Upson county just before the conscript act was passed. During his service-ranking as a lieutenant-he participated in the seven days' fight around Richmond, Gaines' Mill and Second Manassas, where he was wound- ed by the concussion of a shell, which incapacitated him for field service. He returned home and was assigned to duty in the quartermaster's department, where he remained until the war closed. After the surrender hie settled in Webster county, which has since been his home, and where he has made farming his life occupation. He has been very prosperous and is a leading and very influential citizen-his literary culture and attainments not being surpassed in the county. In 1882-83 and again in 1890-91 he represented the Twelfth senatorial district in the general assembly and served on some of the most important committees. Besides some minor county offices he has held the chairmanship of the board of education for twelve years and is serving as a trustee of the lunatic asylum under appointment by Gov. W. J. Northen. Mr. Walker was married in 1859 to Mary E., daughter of Rev. J. G. M. Ball, at the time clerk of the Superior court of Webster county. To them twelve children have been born: W. F., physician, Columbus, Ga .; Sallie P., at home; Chattie L., Laura Augusta and Milton A. are still living. An interesting member of his family is Miss Blanche Harwood, a niece. Mr. Walker is a democrat and Knight Templar Mason and has been a member of the finance committee of the grand lodge of Georgia a number of years. Mrs. Walker and family are prominent and active members of the Methodist church.

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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 151

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