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 154

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 154

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DAVID W. MITCHELL is one of the prosperous planters of Whitfield county, and tax collector. He was born in Franklin county, Ga., Jan. 6, 1835, and was the son of James Mitchell, also born in that county, a prominent character in his day, who settled in what is now Whitfield county prior to 1837, and was

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engaged in the service of the United States in the removal of the Cherokees from Georgia. James Mitchell married Lucy, daughter of C. W. Bond, of Murray county, and David W. is the issue of their marriage. He was reared on a farm and married Miss Mary Bromlow, daughter of William Bromlow, one of the pioneer settlers of Whitfield county. The issue of their marriage was nine chil- dren: Charles H., Nancy, George J., Augusta, William, Samuel, John, Lucy and Molly, now deceased. Mrs. Mitchell died in Whitfield county, Oct. 1, 1887. At the commencement of the war Mr. Mitchell resolved to support the cause of the south, and joined his fortunes to the Confederacy. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fourth Georgia cavalry, commanded by Col. Avery, but soon retired from the cavalry service and enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Georgia infantry, commanded by Col. McConnell, and saw active service in this state until his capture in 1864. He was confined a prisoner of war at Louisville until May 18, 1865. He returned home and engaged in farming in Whitfield county and soon retrieved the dam- age his interests had sustained by the havoc of war, in which he freely participated when the honor of his state demanded his presence on the field of battle. Mr. Mitchell has manifested but little inclination to engage in active politics. But in 1893 he became the candidate of his party for the office of tax collector, and was elected, and entered upon the discharge of his duties. The people of Whit- field county expressed their approval of his official conduct and their appreciation of his services by re-electing him to this office by an increased majority in 1895. His official services have been rendered in an efficient manner and in a measure to amply justify the indorsement he has recently received at the hands of the voters of Whitfield county. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Mitchell was a native of Virginia, who settled in Franklin county, Ga., early in this century. He served in the war of 1812 under Jackson and fought at the battle of New Orleans. He lived to a ripe old age and died in Franklin county in 1849. The father of Mr. Mitchell died in Grand Junction, Tenn., in 1879. His mother still survives at that place at an advanced age.

CAPT. AGRIPPA P. ROBERTS, one of the oldest of Whitfield's esteemed citizens, is a native of Rutherford county, N. C., and was born on March I, 1830. He was a son of Noah Roberts and Harriet Chandler, who married in South Carolina. His mother was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Timothy Chandler. Noah Roberts was born in Rutherford county in 1805, and died in Tippah county, Miss., Feb. 7, 1894. Early in life he settled in Rowan county, N. C., where he soon attained prominence, and was elected sheriff, serving creditably in that capacity for many years. In 1847 he moved with his family to St. Louis, and for one year was there engaged in mercantile business. In 1848 he came to Murray county, Ga., and later settled at Dalton, where for several years he conducted a hotel business. He finally migrated to Tippah county, Miss., where he lived during the remainder of his life, an esteemed and respected citizen. At the commencement of the war he rendered such aid as lay in his power to the Confederate cause, and was one of its zealous supporters in that state. Capt. Roberts grew to manhood in North Carolina, where he received a liberal educa- tion at Valley Cruces and at Salisbury. On completing his studies he engaged in merchandising at St. Louis, and in 1848 moved to Spring Place, Murray Co., Ga., where he engaged in merchandising until his marriage in 1852 to Miss Josephene Berry, a daughter of Eli P. Berry of that county. He settled at Dalton after his marriage, and was soon after clerk of the inferior court, which office he filled for six consecutive years. In 1858 he retired from office and engaged in farming until the war called him from his home. At the commencement of

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hostilities he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-sixth Georgia infantry, commanded by that distinguished Georgian, Col. Jesse A. Glenn, who still resides at Dalton, the nestor of the Whitfield bar. He was commissioned captain of his company, and served in this capacity during the greater portion of the war. He served through the campaign of 1862 in Tennessee and Kentucky, was engaged at Cumberland Gap, Big Hill, Richmond, and later at Murfreesboro. His com- mand having been ordered to the support of Vicksburg, he fought at the battle of Baker's Creek, and throughout the siege of Vicksburg. On the surrender of that city, in July, 1863, he was paroled and returned to his home. On being exchanged in the autumn of that year he joined his regiment after the battle of Chickamauga and fought at Missionary Ridge. He entered winter quarters at Dalton, and in the spring of 1864 he engaged in the celebrated retreat of Johnston to Atlanta. He was engaged at Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, and in all the battles and skirmishes fought on the approach to Atlanta. During the trying siege of that city he gave his best service to its defense. After Atlanta was taken he was detailed in the commissary department, where he remained until the surrender of the Confederate armies in the spring of 1865. He returned to his home, engaged in planting and in 1867 was elected sheriff of Whitfield county, an office which he filled with great credit during the following ten years. He is one of the best known citizens of north Georgia, of sterling character, and scrupulous honor. By his marriage Capt. Roberts reared seven children: Sarah; Cicero, who died in New Orleans, July 31, 1894; Mary, wife of W. H. Kirk of Dalton; William, now of Anniston, Ala .; Lucy, stenographer for the Cherokee Manufactur- ing company at Dalton; Josephene of New Orleans; and Lizzie of Dalton. The paternal grandfather of Capt. Roberts was Martin Roberts, a soldier of the war of the revolution. He was born in Rockingham county, Va., and served under Gen. Washington. He was an able supporter of the colonial cause, and furnished supplies in great quantities to the continental army. He settled in Rutherford county, N. C., where he died in 1838. Capt. Roberts aided in the establishment of the United Confederate Veterans at Dalton, and since its organization has been the commander of Joseph E. Johnston camp No. 34.

ADDISON HILL SHAVER, proprietor and publisher of the "Dalton Argus," was born at Hampton, York Co., Va. His family, which is a numerous one, are all Virginians. His father, Rev. David Shaver, D. D., for twenty-eight years was the editor of the "Christian Index," Atlanta, and is at present on the editorial staff of that paper, was born in Virginia about 1815, and resided in that state until 1867, when, with his family, he settled in Atlanta, and there assumed the editorial charge of the "Index." The life of Dr. Shaver has been devoted to religious work as pastor of different Baptist churches in Virginia, and in conducting religious newspapers in that state and in Georgia. Dr. Shaver married at Lynchburg, Va., the daughter of Samuel Nowlin. Of this marriage, one daughter, Kate, the wife of Wallace P. Reed, of the "Atlanta Constitution" staff; David, engaged in the job printing and book trade in Augusta, and Addison H. Shaver, survive. The wife of Dr. Shaver died at Augusta in 1893. Mr. Shaver was educated at Mercer university, Macon, Ga. In 1876 he became proprietor of a weekly newspaper, since which time he has been connected with the newspaper business continuously. He arose rapidly in the journalistic profession, and in various capacities has been connected with the leading newspapers in Georgia and Tennessee, among others, the "Atlanta Journal," "Atlanta Constitution," "Newberry Observer," "Albany Advertiser," and the "Chattanooga News," of which last paper he was managing editor, retiring therefrom in 1892 to become editor and proprietor of the "Dalton Argus," one of the leading weekly newspapers in north Georgia-the official

A. H. SHAVER.

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organ of Dalton and Whitfield county. For several years he has been a cor- respondent of the leading metropolitan journals, his work being of such a character as to bring him into special prominence as a writer and all-round newspaper man, while his early experience in connection with and management of the country press has made him a master of the mechanical part of the business. Through his efficient business management and editorial ability, the "Argus" has taken its place among the leading and most reliable weeklies published in Georgia. His latent ability is boundless, and liis versatile and forcible pen irre- proachable. He disapproves of all manner of affectation, or rhetorical bombast. His idea of responsibility and duty in an editor is that he should be honest, fearless and out-spoken; that he should stand upon his own merits, and give his associates their deserts; he should write naturally and avoid oratorical display; he should be free from egotism, be able to see and recognize the merits of his contemporaries and associates; use brains, have charity, common sense and good humor. Possessing these various characteristics and accomplishments, Mr. Shaver's success in the newspaper world is no marvel, but is the result of the practical application of these rules of propriety, industry, and common sense which lead to success. Since settling in Dalton he has strongly supported every movement intended to promote the prosperity of his town, county and section. In 1890 he married Miss Lula McCord, a daughter of Hon. J. R. McCord of Rockdale county. He is identified with ex-Gov. Northen in the immigration movement.

ANTHONY JOHNSON SHOWALTER, publisher and printer, Dalton, was born in Rockingham county, Va., May 1, 1858. From the paternal branch of his family he inherited a fine taste for music. This taste he early cultivated and developed to a degree of perfection that enabled him to take his place as the leading composer, instructor and musical author in the southern states. His name is familiar in musical circles throughout the United States, both as an author and an accomplished professor and teacher of the art of music. Since 1880 he has been constantly engaged in establishing normal schools in every southern state-utiliz- ing those institutions for the purpose of imparting instruction in the art of teach- ing music. Those schools have been conducted by Mr. Showalter upon an exten- sive scale, have been more largely attended, and more successful than any kindred institutions in the south. This work has occupied the greater part of his time since he became a resident of this state, and its beneficent results have greatly enhanced his professional reputation, and constitute an enduring monument to his labors. He has composed more extensively, perhaps, and is the author of more music books than any music writer of his age. The house of which he is the head conducts a large printing plant at Dalton and publishes a music journal known as "The Music Teacher," of which periodical he is the editor-in-chief. This journal is now in the eleventh year of its existence and has a circulation in the United States of more than 5,000 copies. His publishing house at Dalton is a very extensive and flourishing establishment, and under his immediate superin- tendence has not only attained a high standard of excellence in the character and quality of its work, but has grown to be the best equipped and most complete of its kind in the southern states. Among the most successful publications are the following: Good Tidings Combined, National Singer, Work and Worship, Glad Evangel, Class Choir and Congregation, Showalter's Theory of Music, Perennial Songs, The Singer's Ideal, Glorious Praise, Revival Choir, and Song-land Mes- senger. Some of these have reached a circulation of over 100,000 copies. Mr. Showalter is an elder in the Presbyterian church at Dalton and a most liberal

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contributor to its support. He is a royal arch Mason, a member of the Dalton lodge 105 and of Western chapter 80 and is organist and chorister of his lodge and chapter. He settled in Dalton in 1884. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Callie Walser, of Texas. They have six children: Tennie, Karl Redan, Essie, Jennie Louise, Mary Lena and Maggie May. The father of Prof. Showalter is John A. Showalter, a native of Virginia, where he resides and is engaged in agricultural pursuits. At intervals during many years he has taught school and given musical instruction in the Shenandoah valley. He married Susan Miller and reared seven children: Mary E., wife of John Manking, of Rockingham, Mo .; Anthony J .; Lydia, wife of B. F. Senger, residing near Charlottesville, Va .; Ben- jamin F., of Rockingham county, Va .; J. Henry, professor of music, residing in Ohio; Jacob M., of Rockingham, Va., and Hettie, wife of Newton Smith, also of that county. The paternal grandfather of Prof. Showalter was Anthony Show- alter, born in Rockingham, Va., in 1800, and died there in 1873. Mr. Jackson Showalter, of Georgetown, Ky., the champion chess player of the United States, and Judge Showalter, of Chicago, are cousins of the distinguished musician. Prof. Showalter has spent the past summer in Europe hearing the music and studying the methods of the teachers and choir leaders in England, France, Ger- many, etc., and being still young in years, will doubtless live to reflect still greater credit upon his adopted state.

GEN. BRYAN M. THOMAS. Dalton, the county seat of Whitfield county, prominent in the military annals of this state, and noted for its seminaries of learning and the culture of its inhabitants, has not unfrequently been the home of men eminent in the various professions and walks of life. Gen. Thomas has for years been a familiar figure in educational circles and his ripe scholarship and intuitive mind have enhanced his reputation as an instructor of youth. His family and kindred have played an important part in the history of Georgia and the Federal Union. He was born near Milledgeville in 1836, the son of Hon. John S. Thomas, also a native of Georgia, born near Augusta about 1775. John S. Thomas was reared among the hardy pioneer inhabitants and the surviving veterans of the revolution. In many respects he was a man of remarkable char- acter, and early in life became prominent in public affairs and business circles. For many years he held the position of cashier in the old Central bank at Milledge- ville, where his business tact, excellent judgment and practical acquaintance with commercial questions made his services invaluable. During his long career he was a stanch friend and supporter of Gen. Andrew Jackson, whom he knew inti- mately, and under whom he served in the war of 1812 as a lieutenant of artillery, his commanding officer being the celebrated Gen. Coffee. He fought later under Jackson in the Creek war and was engaged in the battle of the Horse Shoe, and at Calibee, Ala. About 1834 he served in the lower house of the general assem- bly, the associates of jurists and lawmakers whose reputations have long since become national, and whose public records have largely contributed to the history of our common country. He was the intimate friend of William H. and George W. Crawford, whose unlimited confidence he possessed during the lives of those distinguished statesmen. In the autumn of 1860 he was elected to the secession convention, and sat as a delegate in that body during its deliberations at Milledge- ville in the winter of 1861, taking an active part in the proceedings. At the commencement of hostilities between the states he proceeded to Richmond and tendered his services to the secretary of war, asking for authority to proceed to Indian territory and raise a regiment of Cherokees, whose friendship he had always possessed, and still retained, to be used in the Confederate service. He

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was then in his eighty-seventh year, and his advanced age proved a bar to the acceptance of his services. He married Miss Mary B. Neal, daughter of Simpson Neal, of Savannah, by whom he had five children, two sons and three daughters: John G., now of Milledgeville, a graduate of Yale college, who studied law under Judge Pettigru, of Charleston, and practiced his profession until the commence- ment of the war; he is now engaged in planting; Henry, who served in the Con- federate army throughout the war and died in 1892 at Milledgeville; Bryan M .; Mary N., now living at Milledgeville, and Eliza N., now deceased, who married Hon. Arthur Wright, a prominent banker of Thomas county, Ga. John S. Thomas died at Milledgeville in 1880 at the advanced age of one hundred and five years. Gen. Thomas was educated at Oglethorpe university and the United States Military academy at West Point. In 1854, being his junior year at the university, he received an appointment to a cadetship at West Point. He passed a creditable examination, being the first appointee from his district who had succeeded in that trying ordeal in many years. He entered diligently upon his studies, which he pursued during a course of four years, and in 1858 was grad- uated in a class nearly every member of which was destined to take a conspicuous part in the calamitous conflict which soon followed. During a part of the period of his cadetship Col. Robert E. Lee was superintendent of the academy, and thus early in life he was favored with the acquaintance of that distinguished man, whose memory he holds in profound veneration. Soon after graduating he was assigned to Company A, Fifth United States infantry, with the rank of second lieutenant. Later, during the Navajo campaign in 1860-61, he commanded the company, and saw his first military service in the field in the campaign against the Indians in New Mexico and Utah territory. In the spring of 1861, his native state having withdrawn from the Union and joined the Confederacy, he resolved, as a southern man, to follow in the wake of his people and defend the honor and dignity of Georgia. He forwarded his resignation to the war department in April of that year and returned to Milledgeville. From there he proceeded to Montgomery, Ala., then the seat of the new government. His services were readily accepted, and he was assigned to duty as drillmaster, with authority to muster in troops. Later he served on the staff of Gen. J. M. Withers for two years with the rank of major. He was engaged in the battles of Fort Pillow, Shiloh and Corinth. He served through the Tennessee and Kentucky campaign of 1862 and was present at the battle of Mumfordsville, where he aided in the capture of 6,600 Federals. He also fought at the battles of Perryville, Murfrees- boro and Chickamauga. After the fight at Chickamauga he was commissioned a brigadier-general, and was ordered to the Gulf coast, where he commanded the troops during the remainder of the war. On April 9, 1865, in an engagement having for its object on his part the protection of the eastern defenses to Mobile, he was taken prisoner and confined a prisoner of war at Dauphin island until the latter part of June, when he was released and returned to his home. He engaged in planting in southwest Georgia, but his education and long military ser- vice illy fitted him for the pursuit, which he soon abandoned, and settled in Whit- field county in 1881, and was appointed by Gen. Longstreet United States deputy marshal for the northern district of Georgia. He served creditably in that capacity three years. He next established a private school, which he conducted several years, and in 1891 he was appointed superintendent of public schools at Dalton, which position he still continues to occupy, and in which he gives universal satis- faction. Gen. Thomas is a man of scholarly tastes and dignified bearing, with affable and agreeable manners, whose mind is well stored with a rich and varied

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fund of knowledge. His associations with and recollections of the distinguished characters of the present and past generation enliven his conversation with pleas- ing anecdotes and interest and instruct the listener. In the autumn of 1864 he married Miss Mary Withers, daughter of Gen. J. M. Withers. Gen. Withers was an old and intimate personal friend of President Jackson, a graduate of the United States Military academy at West Point and colonel of the Ninth regiment, United States infantry, during the Mexican war. He possessed the friendship of Gen. Grant, whom he befriended in the Mexican war, and during that president's administration he was tendered the collectorship of the port of Mobile, which he declined. By this marriage Gen. and Mrs. Thomas have four children: Eloise W., wife of J. D. Erwin, of Atlanta; Hattie Huger, John S. and Scylla. The paternal grandfather of Gen. Thomas was James Thomas, a native of Virginia, who settled at Augusta, Ga., in the last century, and served in the patriot army in the war of the revolution. He was presented with a sword by Gen. Nathaniel Greene for gallant conduct and meritorious service. He died near Milledgeville about 1844 at an advanced age.

WILLIAM EARL WOOD, M. D. Among the members of the medical profession at Dalton whose learning and skill have formed the basis of professional success is Dr. William E. Wood. He is by birth and education a Georgian; and comes from an old and respected line of ancestors whose labors and industry have contributed to the social and industrial development of this state since the early years of this century. Dr. Wood was born in Banks county on July 8, 1864. His father was James O. Wood, born in Jackson county, Ga. He married Louisa Thomas, daughter of Joel Thomas of Elbert county, a soldier of the war of 1812, in which he fought under Gen. Jackson, and was present and engaged in the battle of New Orleans. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Wood was Joshua Wood, a native of South Carolina, who settled in Jackson county early in the century. James O. Wood entered the Confederate service at the commencement of the war, enlisting in Marlow's command, and fought during the war in the army of north Virginia. At the close of the contest he returned to Banks county and engaged in agriculture and merchandising, in an effort to restore his fortune which, together with his home, had been ruined by the war. By his marriage with Louisa Thomas he has five children: Thomas N., deceased; James M., a farmer in Banks county; William E .; Arthur W., also of Banks county; and Belle, wife of John W. Dowdy of Jackson county. Dr. Wood was educated at Harmony Grove high school, where he completed his literary studies. He early desired to enter the medical profession, and with that object in view he commenced the study of medicine under the guidance of Dr. L. G. Hardeman of Harmony Grove. In the autumn of 1877 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, and at this celebrated institution he diligently pursued his studies during the years 1887-88-89. Later he attended the medical department of the university of Georgia, Augusta, and was graduated therefrom 1890. Being well equipped for the practice of his profession he settled at Monroe, Ga., where he remained three years and enjoyed a successful practice. In 1893 he settled in Dalton, where he continues in the practice of medicine and surgery, and ranks high in his profession. Dr. Wood makes a specialty of the diseases of women and children; and justiy enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people of Dalton. He is an ardent student and a painstaking worker in the profession to which he has devoted his life, and for which nature and his superior medical education have so eminently fitted him. Few physicians of his years have been

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or are so thoroughly equipped for the important responsibilities attached to the practice of medicine and surgery. In November, 1892, Dr. Wood was married to Miss Iranora, daughter of Nathaniel Frantz of Clear Spring, Md., and to them one child has been born-Iranora. Dr. Wood is a master Mason, a member of the Georgia Medical association, and of the American Medical asso- ciation.

WILCOX COUNTY.

JOHN C. AUSLEY, planter and turpentine farmer, Pitts, Wilcox Co., Ga., is the son of Merritt Ausley, deceased, and was born in Robinson county, N. C., Dec. 2, 1848. His opportunities for a good education were very limited, but having been endowed with more than the ordinary amount of good hard sense and a natural bent for business, he has by right use of his talents, won his way to success. From the close of the civil war until he left his native state he was engaged in the manufacture of naval stores. He came to Georgia in 1887 and located in Wilcox county. One of the most enterprising citizens of the county, he runs three turpentine stills, and is also extensively engaged in farming. He belongs to the masonic fraternity. He was joined in marriage in 1875 to Miss Mary McCaskill of South Carolina. Three sons and one daughter constitute their flock: Thomas Allen, seventeen years of age, and a graduate of a business college at Atlanta; Charles Merritt, fifteen years; Nannie Gertrude, thirteen years of age, and Calvin K. C., ten years of age. Mr. Ausley is one of the solid men of his county and deserves the success which his energy and business ability have brought him.

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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 154

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