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 52

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 52

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).

WILLIAM WESTLEY OLLIFF, deceased, a farmer and trader of Excelsior, was born on a farm Nov. 30, 1848, in Bulloch county, and was the son of John and Lucy Olliff. He died March 13, 1893. John Olliff was an old resi- dent of the county, a merchant and extensive farmer, and was treasurer of the county for a number of years. He died in 1887, about sixty years of age, leaving his wife, who still survives him. They had born to them seventeen children, of whom fourteen grew to maturity. They were William W., Sarah, Hattie, Louisa, John M., James F., Eliza, Rebecca, America, Henry I., Matthew T., Benjamin H., Jinsie A. and Julia. William W. Olliff was a hard worker and of industrious habits from the time he was a boy. He always displayed a character marked for its energy, truthfulness and frugality. He only had about one year's schooling, but he made every hour count, and learned more in these stray opportunities at the common schools than many a scholar could in going through college. He got a lift from his father when he started in life to farm for himself, but it was a small one, no more than enough to buy him a little stock to put on his rented farm. He was a worker, a saver and a good manager and soon he was firmly established on his feet. Then everything he turned to made him money, and within twenty years' time he had made the sum of $200,000, and was the richest man in Bulloch county at the time of his death. He owned over 30,000 acres of land. He married in 1868 Miss America A. Kennedy, a daughter of Jimperson Kennedy, of Bulloch county. By this marriage nine children were born, who are now living as follows: John W., Maxie P., James L., Jimps B., Janie, Lucy, Allie, Gordon and Annie May. There are three children dead. Mr. William Olliff was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and the surviving widow is a member of the same church. She lives at the old homestead in Bulloch county. Mr. W. W. Olliff was too young to serve in the war, but was out with the militia the closing year of the life of the Confederacy. Upon his death his large estate was divided among the heirs. William Olliff was in some respects a remarkable man. Beginning just at the time the south was in the depth of despair, and Geor- gia was under the heel of the victorious northern armies,. he pushed himself for- ward, and when the wave of prosperity came after the financial depression of 1873, he was already on the road to large wealth. He was a shrewd business man, but always fair and liberal. He had a rare judgment and a quick discernment that seemed an intuition. He appeared a generation ahead of the time in the dashing way in which he made investments and entered into business enterprise. There were risks to take, of course, but Mr. Olliff seemed always to have measured and conducted everything, and so he went along successfully until he became very wealthy. He has two sons now in the mercantile business-Messrs. J. W. and J. L. Olliff.

362

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

BENJAMIN PARISH, farmer, Metter, was born March 28, 1847, in Bulloch county, and is the son of Hezekiah and Mary Parish. His father was a pros- perous farmer and his mother a woman of strong religious views. There were born to those good people nine children, of whom Benjamin was the sixth. He attended school until fifteen years old, when he left to enlist in the Confederate army. On account of his age he was rejected, but a year later was able to enroll himself, and became a member of Capt. Bess' company. He served throughout the war and was in several engagements. When he threw aside the gun to take hold of the plow it was to work for his father on the old farm. Three years after this he determined to go it alone, and so engaged in the mercantile business. After a few years he bought a plantation near Metter and returned to his first love-the farm. He has continued at this vocation since, with gratifying results. His lands are in a high state of cultivation, and he grows cotton as a money crop. His industry and good management have been productive of large pecuniary benefits. Mr. Parish is possessed of much property, and is one of the substan- tial farmers of Bulloch county. In addition to his farming interests, Mr. Parish does a private brokerage business, loaning money, discounting, etc. About twenty vears ago he took a life companion in Miss Dora Dekle, daughter of Littleton Dekle, of Emanuel county. They have six children: Walter, Leah, Maxie, Les- ter, Cora and Benjamin. The children are all at home and attending school. Mr. Parish is a great advocate of higher education and proposes to give all his children a thorough collegiate education.

FRANKLIN PIERCE REGISTER, merchant and manufacturer, Statesboro, was born Jan. 29, 1853, in Balden county, N. C., and is the son of William and Nancy Ann Register. His father was a big farmer and both parents belonged to the Missionary Baptist church. There were born to William and Nancy Register twelve children-six sons and six daughters, as follows: Owen; Miles Corton; William James ; Lucy Ann; Daniel B .; Hannah Jane; George W .; Frank- lin Pierce; Mary Elizabeth; Narcissus; Laura L .; and Sarah Ellen. Of these nine are living. Four of the sons were in the Confederate army and two served throughout the war. Franklin Pierce Register was the eighth child and the youngest son. He attended the common schools, but this opportunity of educa- tion was lost by the war and the following years in farm improving, when the lad's services were of great use. When twenty-two years old he was an employe on a turpentine farm, and moved to Georgia in 1887 to engage in the manufacture of naval stores for himself. He was seven years in Effingham county, and then moved to Bulloch county, where he is now located. He runs fourteen crops, and manufactures 700 barrels of spirits and 3,000 barrels of resin per annum. In doing this he employs sixty-five hands. He also carries on a general merchandise store. He was married first, Dec. 21, 1884, to Miss Amanda H. Mallory, daughter of Augustus H. and Sophronia Mallory of Effingham county. To them were born two children: Frankie Inez and William Augustus (deceased). The wife died July 27, 1892, and Mr. Register was married the second time to Miss Janie Joseph Evans of Cumberland county, N. C., a daughter of James Evans. Their marriage occurred Feb. 21, 1894. Mr. Franklin Register is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. His first wife belonged to the Lutheran church and his second wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Register began life working for wages, but now is worth over $15,000. This all has been earned by no market fluctuations, or the buying or selling of stocks, but by the sweat of the brow, and perseverance and close application to business. He is a citizen, well liked and his business success is gratifying to many friends he commands all over the county.

363

BULLOCH COUNTY SKETCHES.

Of a strict business integrity, and excellent judgment, Mr. Register ranks high among the commercial representatives of Bulloch county. He has a comfortable home near Statesboro.

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS SMITH, a large manufacturer of naval stores at Nellwood, is a native of North Carolina, and was born Dec. 16, 1854, in Cumberland county. He was the son of John Henry and Eugenia Smith, the father being one of the biggest producers of turpentine in the "tar heel" state. William was the eldest of four children. He attended the schools of Cumberland county until he was seventeen years old, when he commenced farming for him- self. In 1879 he moved to Camden county, Ga., to engage in the manufacture of naval stores. After a prosperous business of four years he moved to Worth county, where he operated for two years and then went to Effingham county. From there he went to Liberty county, and to Bulloch county in 1892. His busi- ness has developed rapidly since his advent in this county, and he now manufac- tures 1,200 barrels of spirits and 3,500 barrels of resin per annum. He employs 100 hands and operates thirty-four crops. Mr. Smith gives the work his personal attention, and possessing all the qualifications of a thorough business man, his great success is easily understood. He was married to Miss Mittie Wornell, daughter of J. S. Wornell, a prominent planter of Liberty county, April 5, 1894. They have one child, W. A. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Methodist church. They reside in a handsome home near the works. When Mr. Smith came to Georgia he had a capital of $12, but any amount of pluck. By his energy and industry he has amassed much property and is regarded as a wealthy man.

BENJAMIN E. TURNER, real estate dealer, Statesboro, was born Aug. 22, 1849, in Bulloch county, and is the son of Isaac and Loveday Turner. The father was a prosperous farmer, and both parents were zealous members of the Primitive Baptist church, the father being a deacon in the church for years. They reared eleven children, of whom Benjamin was the tenth child born. He attended the schools of Bulloch and Emanuel counties and when twenty-three years old commenced farming for himself and has been engaged in that vocation all his life. He was first married on Feb. 22, 1885, to Miss Georgia R. Rogers, daughter of Thomas L. Rogers, of Marion county. She died fourteen months after her marriage, and Mr. Turner was wedded the second time on Jan. 22, 1888, to Miss Maggie C. Hall, daughter of Capt. W. N. Hall of Bulloch county. They have three children: Henry Grady, Georgia Rebecca, Mattie Luro. Benjamin Turner is a steward and trustee in the Statesboro Methodist church. He was for thirteen years postmaster of that town, and has served on the town council. He moved there in 1880 and has been an active spirit in building up the town. He donated a part of the fund raised for building the new $18,000 court house, and was on the building committee which had charge of its construction. Mr. Turner is in the real estate business, but most of his time is taken up in directing the working of his fine farm. He is at this time perhaps the largest planter in Bulloch county. He has been very active in the cause of temperance and is an untiring worker in the Sunday school field. He was co-editor and one of the publishers of a music book entitled, The Olive Leaf. This publication was issued May 22, 1874, and became very popular. Mr. Turner traveled for several years in pushing its sale, which finally ran up into the tens of thousands, bringing big financial returns to the authors. Mrs. Turner is an amiable and talented woman, and a consistent member of the Methodist church. There is perhaps no one who has contributed more to the growth and prosperity of Statesboro, or who takes more interest in the town's development and improvement than Mr. Turner, who enjoys the respect and esteem of everyone.

364

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

JOHN GARRETT WILLIAMS, farmer, Jimps, was born in Bulloch county and is the son of William W. Williams, a farmer, honored citizen and brave soldier. The father was one of the first in the county to respond to the call of the Confederacy and enlisted in the army in the early part of the war. He was captain in the Forty-seventh Georgia regiment, and was killed in the battle of James Island, S. C., in June, 1862, in his first regular engagement. The mother, Roxa Annie Williams, was left with eight children, of whom John was the eldest, but with the aid of that noble boy she was able to take hold of the farm and successfully rear the little ones. Hardly sixteen years of age he took the place of the father, and grandly did he discharge the responsibilities placed upon him. He was too busy to get such an education as he desired, but by snatching a few months of schooling at the country seats of learning, and reading after the day's work was done, he was able to acquire much learning and profitable information. He has been engaged in farming all his life, and now in addition to that pursuit operates a big saw mill. He was elected treasurer of the county in 1878, and re-elected suc- cessively till 1886. His administration of the office and handling of the people's money were first class, and he retired from the office with the good wishes of everybody, irrespective of party. Mr. Williams was married Jan. 2, 1873, to Miss Macy Ann Kennedy, daughter of Edmund Kennedy of Bulloch county. There were born to them two children, one of whom, William Wiley, is living. The wife died Aug. 30, 1875, and Mr. Williams was married the second time on Feb. 15, 1877, to Miss Sarah E. Lee, daughter of William Lee. The result of this mar- riage is four living children: Oscar, Lonnie, Charlie and Sallie. Sarah E. Wil- liams died Nov. 13, 1885, and the husband was the last time wedded to Miss Florence E. Bird, daughter of W. J. Bird of Bulloch county. This event occurred Aug. 12, 1889. They have two children, Charlotte and Rupert. Mr. Williams by hard work and good management has accumulated a fine property. He owns several good farms and his home is a substantial dwelling near Jimps. He is one of the best farmers in Bulloch county, and is a man of strict integrity, whose word is as good as his bond. He has always been a democrat in politics and has done valuable work for his party in Bulloch county. Mr. Williams had four broth- ers and three sisters, all living except the youngest. They were as follows: America, married Z. T. De Gooch of Bulloch county; Sarah E., married to A. J. Bird of Bulloch county; James J., married Mary Lee; Georgia Ann, married to Dr. D. E. Gay of Emanuel county; Rodolphus; A. T .; and William Wiley, who married Laura Dekle of Emanuel county and lives at Excelsior.

BURKE COUNTY.

S H. BUXTON. One of the oldest native residents of Burke county is S. H. Buxton. It was in 1813 when he first saw the light of day, and more than four-score years have now passed over his head as a citizen of the county and state. His father was William Buxton, and his mother Rebecca Heath. William Buxton was born in 1791 and was a large farmer, living all his life and dying in Burke county. His wife was a daughter of Jordan and Christiana (Wimberly) Heath. The father was a native of South Carolina and came to Georgia at an early day. He was a revolutionary soldier and was wounded at Charleston.

365

BURKE COUNTY SKETCHES.

Samuel Buxton, grandfather of Mr. S. H. Buxton, was a Virginian and came to Georgia just after the revolutionary war, when he married Nancy Plummer. Mr. S. H. Buxton attended the old log cabin schools, and received instruction from private tutors, and for several years after reaching manhood taught school. In 1841 he married Elizabeth Godbee, daughter of James and Martha (Mulkey) Godbee. Mr. Godbee was a native of Burke county and a highly esteemed citizen. To this union three children were born, now living: Lenora, Samuel D., and Green C. The mother was born in Burke county in 1817 and died in 1858. She was an honored Christian lady, belonging to the Methodist church. In 1862 Mr. Buxton married Josephine Dixon, a daughter of . Robert J. and Rosanna (Hurst) Dixon. Mr. Dixon was an old resident of Burke county and a well known citizen. By the second marriage Mr. Buxton has eight children living: William R., Glover B., Charles W., Joseph J., Preston B., Edna, Thomas P., and Judith P. B. The mother was born in Burke county in 1842. Husband

and wife are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Buxton has always been a farmer, and had the accumulation of the first half century of his life swept away by the war. But with "never-say-die" pluck he jumped into active life again and has builded up his fortune. In 1869 he engaged in the mercantile business with his brother and the same was continued until 1895. He owns about 1,600 acres of land near Girard, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county.

N EEDHAM A. BUXTON, merchant and farmer, Girard, Ga., was born in Burke county in 1835, and is the son of William and Mary (Wimberly) Buxton, 1 and the grandson of Samuel Buxton. His mother was a daughter of Needham Wimberly, a successful farmer and native of Burke county, but a man who did not own any slaves, though operating a large estate. Receiving a good common- school education, the subject of this sketch studied assiduously and fitted himself for teaching, a vocation he followed for ten years. In 1864 he enlisted in the state militia and was engaged in the battles of Atlanta and Griswoldville. In 1875 he married Anna E. Oliver, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mims) Oliver. Mr. Oliver now lives in Screven county and is a leading citizen there. This union was blessed by the birth of two children now living: William O. and Julian A. The mother was born in Screven county in 1848, and died in 1878. She was a member of the Methodist church south, as is her husband now. He belongs to the masonic order and in 1889 represented Burke county in the legislature, serving with credit to himself on the following committees: Banks, manufacturing, luna- tic asylum and agriculture. Upon his return from the war Mr. Buxton began teaching school, but in a few years he engaged in a mercantile business and farming. For twenty-five years he was in partnership with his brother, Samuel H. Buxton. He is at present in business for himself. Mr. Buxton is a man of strict integrity, and his word is as good as his bond. His business career has been as honorable as it has been fortunate.

E. H. CALLAWAY. In 1784 John Callaway, of North Carolina, moved to Georgia, and selecting a farm in Wilkes county, began his new life amidst the rugged surroundings of the sparsely settled country. He was from old Virginia stock, whose blood is found in the pioneers of every old state. His youngest son, Enoch, was born soon after the father came to Georgia, in 1792. He was a self- educated man and distinguished as a Baptist minister, preaching in the churches of Wilkes county. He was a large land-owner and a thrifty farmer, and married Martha Reeves, who came from South Carolina. Their youngest son is Rev. Brantley M. Callaway, D. D., a Baptist minister, who is still living and is now preaching in Wilkes county to some of the same churches where he commenced

366

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

his ministerial career. He early decided upon the ministry as his profession and was given a good education. He went through the junior class at Mercer uni- versity, and after teaching school at Gainesville for a year, entered the pulpit and has since preached the gospel of the Baptist faith. He is also a large farmer and a trustee of Mercer university for the past fifteen years. He married Lucy B., daughter of Robert and Mary (Glenn) Howard, Robert Howard being a farmer of Oglethorpe county. Mr. E. H. Callaway, judge of the superior court of the Augusta circuit, was born in Wilkes county in 1862, and is the son of Rev. Brantley M. and Lucy B. Callaway. He attended the country schools in his youth and was graduated from the state university in 1881. He taught school in Waynesboro, Wilkes Co., and in Washington from 1881 to 1884. He entered the law office of W. M. and M. P. Reese in January, 1885, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of the same year. He then moved to Waynesboro, Burke Co., and began the practice of his profession. In 1888 he was married to Mary E. Jones, daughter of Maj. George and Kate (Calhoun) Jones. Maj. Jones was born in Twiggs county and moved to Houston when a boy, from thence to Macon, where he was educated. In 1861 he enlisted in the civil war from Alabama, where he had taken up his residence in 1858. He attended the inauguration of President Davis in the carriage containing the president, Hon. Alex. Stephens and Dr. Manly, and is now the only surviving one of the four. He was in the regular service for twelve months, when he was taken to the war department and made adjutant of the department. He entered the army as lieutenant of Company F, Twelfth Alabama regiment. After the war closed he returned to Alabama and lived there until 1870. His wife, Kate Calhoun, was a native of South Carolina and a niece of John C. Calhoun. Maj. Jones was a son of John Jones, a prominent farmer of Burke county, and his mother, Sarah Wimberly, was a daughter of Ezekiah Wimberly, who was a native of Twiggs county, Ga. Mr. Wimberly was a colonel in the war of 1812 and his father was a North Carolina revolutionary soldier. To Mr. and Mrs. Judge Callaway were born two children, both of whom are living: Catherine and Brantley. The mother was born in Alabama. Mrs. Callaway is a Presbyterian and the husband a member of the Baptist church and a Mason. He was an elector on the presidential ticket in 1888, and was elected mayor of Waynesboro in 1890, but resigned to accept election to the state senate. He served one term, and though a youthful legislator, was placed on the following important committees: Special judiciary, general judiciary, joint committee on railroad and penitentiary. In 1894 he was elected judge of the superior court of the Augusta circuit. Judge Callaway is the youngest circuit judge in the state, and his brilliant career at the bar promises to be more distinguished on the bench.

W. J. HERRINGTON. The Herrington family furnishes many a promi-

nent figure in the state's history, and many good citizens to Burke county. About 1790 Richard Herrington, a native of North Carolina, moved to Georgia and took up a farm in Screven county. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, of thrifty and industrious habits, and became very wealthy. He was a son of Martin, who received the bulk of his estate on the father's death, and with the same wise management increased the wealth to $500,000. He was born in Screven county, but moved to Burke county, where he died. He married Nancy Miller, and a son, Archibald M., was born to them. He too was a large slave-owner and extensive planter of Burke county. He was married to Martha, daughter of Seaborn and Eliza Ann (Lane) Johnston, natives of Emanuel county, and the father was a wealthy planter. To Archibald Herrington and wife were born, among other children, W. J. Herrington, a farmer living near Hillis. He was

367

BURKE COUNTY SKETCHES.

just sixteen years old in 1861, when he left the farm and country school to enlist in the war. He joined Company D, Fifth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Joseph Showmate, and later Frank Godbee. He fought in a number of sharp engage- ments and severe battles. He was in the front of Sherman's army on the road to Savannah, at Rivers bridge, Ablesboro and Bentonville, and remained in the army until the close of the war. In 1869, after he had taken up the farmer life again, he married Emily Lovett, daughter of J. C. and Amelia (Oliver) Lovett. The father was a native of Screven county and was a government agent during the late war, now being a resident of Burke county. Mrs. Herrington was born in Screven county in 1845, and died in 1875, leaving one child, a son, Archibald. In 1876 Mr. Herrington married Jennie Lovett, a sister of his first wife. She was born in 1861. They have two children living-Hattie and Atticus. They are both members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Herrington belongs to the Masonic order. In 1890 Mr. Herrington was elected to the legislature and served one term, being placed on the railroad, general agriculture, special judiciary and banking committees. Like thousands of others, Mr. Herrington found himself obliged to begin life's struggle over again after the war, but he has succeeded in recovering himself and owns 1,800 acres of good land near Hillis, besides other property and stock.

C W. HURST, sheriff of Burke county, was born in the county he now so efficiently serves in 1851. He descended from a North Carolina family, rep- resented by John Hurst, a native of that state, who when a young man married Elizabeth Blitch and came to Georgia. He located in Burke county and was a prosperous farmer. His son, George W., married Margaret, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Bell) Couttan. He was a son of Peter J. Couttan and came to America with his parents direct from Amsterdam, where he was born. His father lived to the age of ninety-five years and was very wealthy. They settled in Burke county, where Charles married his wife and became a well-to-do farmer and tavern-keeper. George W. Hurst was a successful farmer and now resides in Burke county, a sincere member of the Baptist church and a highly respected gentleman. Mr. C. W. Hurst spent his boyhood days on the farm and was educated in the local schools. In 1875 he married Martha S., daughter of William and Jane (Darling- ton) Chandler. He was born in Burke county, was a well-to-do farmer, a soldier in the late war, and is now living in Waynesboro. To the union have been born four living children: Lessie, Roger W., Sallie J. and Margaret. Husband and wife are members of the Baptist denomination and he is a member of the masonic order. Mr. Hurst was elected sheriff in 1889 and has held the office ever since, his administration of the office proving highly satisfactory to the people. Mr. Hurst commenced life as a farmer, but later moved to Waynesboro and began clerking for Broadis & Crocker, and later for S. A. Grey & Son. In 1883 he established a livery business and in 1892 opened a general merchandise store. He is a man of excellent business discernment and in his various enterprises has always been successful.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 52

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