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 67

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 67

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LINCOLN COUNTY SKETCHES.

this marriage are now living: Lillian M., Thomas H., Rem, and N. P. The mother of these died in 1884, and about two years afterward he married Miss Rebecca, born in Lincoln county in 1852, daughter of William and Catharine (Parks) Tatum. Mr. Tatum was a native of Lincoln county, a prominent farmer and citizen, who served the county as a justice of the inferior court and as its representative in the general assembly. This wife, an exemplary member of the Methodist church, died in 1887, leaving one child, Henry F., now living. In 1889 Mr. Remson contracted a third marriage with Miss M. J., born in Augusta, Ga., in 1852, daughter of John and Bersheba (Lockhart) Glendenning. He was a native and a prominent busi- ness man of Augusta. One of the children, Annie E., the fruit of this marriage, still survives. Mr. Remson is a member of the masonic fraternity, and his wife is a devoted member of the Baptist church.

G. S. SIMS, farmer, Leverett, Lincoln Co., Ga., son of William and Elizabeth (Frazier) Sims, was born in Lincoln county in 1836. His grandparents on his father's side were John and Rachel (Gullatt) Sims. He was of English descent and a native of South Carolina. When a young man, he came to Georgia and settled in Lincoln county. Mr. Sims' father was born in Lincoln county, was a large and prominent planter and land owner, and a leader of influence in county affairs. He was an active and working member of the Baptist church, and died in 1882. His mother was a daughter of John and Millie (Bond) Frazier. He was born in South Carolina and was an early settler in what is now Lincoln county. He was one of the first representatives of the county in the general assembly, and when he went to Milledgeville rode on horseback. Mr. Sims was reared on the farm and received but little schooling at the old-time "old-field" school. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Capt. Combs, Tenth Georgia regiment, with which he participated in the seven days' fight around Richmond, second Manassas, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. At this last-named battle he was wounded and sent to the hospital, where he remained until partially recovered, when he came home. After a week's stay at home, however, he rejoined his command, and was placed on detail duty until 1864, when he was discharged. He came home from the war poor and crip- pled, and went to work on the farm. He worked hard, and late, and long, and has been abundantly rewarded. He now owns 1,100 acres of good land, and is com- fortably enjoying the fruits of his well-directed labor and enterprise-no citizen is more respected. Mr. Sims was married in 1860 to Miss Catharine, born in Lincoln county in 1843, daughter of John W. and Maria (Gilchrist) Parks. He was a large farmer, served in the militia during the late civil war, and died in 1886. Of the children born to them nine are living: Lizzie, George L., William F., John A., L. W., Mildred M., Robert Lee, Lucy, and Albert Sidney Johnson. Mrs. Sims is an active and esteemed member of the Baptist church.

N. W. STEVENSON, farmer, Goshen, Lincoln Co., Ga., son of James and Jane (Seawright) Stevenson, was born in South Carolina in 1834. His paternal grandfather, George Stevenson, was a native of Virginia, migrated to South Caro- lina and settled in Anderson district, where he lived out his life as a farmer. Mr. Stevenson's father was born in Anderson district, S. C. He was a large farmer and a prominent and active member of the Baptist church. He died in his native state. His mother was a daughter of John Seawright, who was born in Virginia and moved to and settled in South Carolina. Mr. Stevenson grew to manhood on the farm, and received only such education as was obtainable at the time and locality. In 1861 he enlisted in Company G, Capt. Harnesburger, Fifteenth Georgia regi- ment, and participated in the seven days' fight around Richmond, Williamsport, and other prominent engagements of the army of northern Virginia. He had been

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

an overseer before the war, but the war destroyed that occupation; and after the war he went to the plow handles, and so efficiently as to be able to buy his first tract of land in 1870. Satisfied with the business and profits of good farming, he has devoted his time and attention assiduously to that occupation with pecuniary results entirely satisfactory to himself. He is now the possessor of 2,400 acres of land, has a good home and a well-equipped, productive farm. Unambitious of political prominence he has been content with the quiet and pleasurable pursuit of husbandry. Mr. Stevenson was married in 1871 to Miss Hattie, born in Lincoln county in 1846, daughter of Peyton and Elizabeth (Harvey) Norman. He was born in Lincoln county, and was a successful planter and large land owner. Late in life he moved to Habersham county, where he died. Of the children which blessed this union four are living: Jolin, Zula, Unus, and Clifford. Mr. Steven- son is a master Mason, and his wife is a working member of the Baptist church.

JOHN ZELLERS, farmer, Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., Ga., son of John and Mary (Hughley) Zellers, was born in Lincoln county, Ga., in 1840. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Zellers, was of German descent, born in Virginia, and was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. After independence was proclaimed he came to Georgia and settled in what is now Lincoln county, where he accumulated considerable property and attained some prominence. Mr. Zeller's father was born in Lincoln county, was a very successful planter, became rich and took a leading part and active interest in county matters. He was an ardent member, and for many years a deacon of the Baptist church. He died in 1855. His maternal grandparents, Hughley, were natives of Virginia, who, early in life migrated to Georgia. Mr. Zellers was raised on the farm and had the benefit of a fairly good education. He served in the militia a short time during the "unpleasantness." About everything he had except his land was swept away by the ravages of war, so after the surrender he started life almost anew. By dint of hard work, strict economy and good management, he is now the owner of 2,000 acres of good land, with a good farm and substantial improvements on it; and he has the respect and influence due to his business sagacity and moral worth. He served as a justice of the peace six years, also many years as clerk of the superior court, as county treasurer and as president of the board of education. Mr. Zellers was married in 1860 to Miss Mary E .- born in Wilkes county, Ga., in 1843-daughter of John and Margaret (Harnesburger) Florence. They were native Virginians, and came to Georgia and settled in Lincoln county early in life. He was a prosperous farmer and an influential citizen. Of the children who blessed this union, six survive: Peter, professor John Gibson institute; Mamie, Albert, Brantley C., Maggie and Aline. Mr. Zellers and his wife are active members of the Baptist church.

J. N. ZELLERS, merchant-farmer, Goshen, Lincoln Co., Ga., son of Jacob L. and Nancy (Florence) Zellers, was born in Lincoln county in 1835. His paternal grandparents-he of German extraction-Jacob and Barbara (Fudge) Zellers, were natives of Fauquier county, whence they migrated to Georgia in 1805, and settled in Lincoln county, where he acquired a quite large estate and raised his family. Mr. Zellers' fatlier was born in Lincoln county, was raised a farmer and continued as such as long as he lived. During the war between the states he served in the Confederate army. His mother was a daughter of Thomas Florence, a well-to-do farmer of Lincoln county, and a very active member of the Baptist church. Mr. Zellers was raised on the farm and received but a meager education at the nearby "old-field" schools. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Capt. J. O. Redwine, Thirtieth Georgia regiment, and remained in the service

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LOWNDES COUNTY SKETCHES.

until the surrender. Among others he participated in the following battles: Jackson, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the campaign to Atlanta and defense of the city, and then Jonesboro, Franklin, Murfreesboro and Nashville, and received his discharge at High Point, N. C. After the war he farmed, exclusively, until 1869, when in addition to farming, he started a general merchandise store at Goshen. His trade has steadily increased, and he has prospered in both his farm and mercantile interests. He has accumulated a quite large property, ranks high socially and financially, and is a solid and reliable citizen. He is an influential member of the county board of education. Mr. Zellers was married in 1876 to Miss Clara E .- born in Wilkes county in 1842-daughter of Edmond W. and Elizabeth (Tatum) Anderson. He was a son of Thomas Anderson, a native of Virginia, was a farmer, and for many years was a justice of the peace. Three of the children born to them are living: Lillie, Daisy and Pearl. Mr. Zellers is a master Mason, and his wife is an esteemed member of the Baptist church.

LOWNDES COUNTY.

CHARLES WILLIAM HICKS, the capable superintendent of the large milling interests of J. S. Betts & Co., at Ashburn, Worth Co., Ga., is a North Carolinian by birth, and was born in New Hanover county, Feb. 13, 1855. He was reared on a plantation, but early evinced a decided penchant for working with machinery. In order to give his spirit full play, he came to Augusta in 1877, and entered the Georgia railroad shops, where for two years he was engaged as a machinist. He then went to Savannah, where he worked in the machine shop of J. J. McDonald for seven years. In 1889 he superintended the building of a saw-mill plant for the Central Georgia Land & Lumber company. His connection with the present firm dates from 1890. Mr. Hicks is a man thoroughly equipped for his business, and is regarded as one of the most efficient mill-men in southern Georgia. Naturally thoughtful and studious, his mind runs somewhat in the inventive channel, though he confines his efforts to thoroughly practical subjects. His chief invention is a water circulating grate and filterer for steam boilers, the second device of the kind ever attempted. He has secured letters patent on it and will soon begin its manufacture. Its evident utility to all mill-men and users of steam boilers is assurance in advance of its successful introduction. Mr. Hicks married a South Carolina lady, Miss Annie W., a daughter of Dr. C. G. Stephens, a prominent physician. Two sons and one daughter have come to brighten their home. Mr. Hicks is a member of the Methodist church, in which he is a power for good. His qualities of head and heart are such as to make him a popular official about the mill, where he holds the confidence of the firm with whom he is engaged.

SANFORD THEODORE KINGSBERRY, lawyer, Valdosta, Lowndes Co., Ga., son of Sanford and Mary Ann (Grow) Kingsberry, was born in Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ga., Nov. 12, 1837. The American progenitor of this branch of the family, Henry Kingsberry, came to America in 1630 with Gov. Winthrop, settled first in Boston, Mass., where himself and wife united with the present First church, moved thence to Ipswich, Mass., where seven sons were born to them. Joseph (Ist), the youngest son, moved to Haverhill, Mass., where two sons, Nathaniel and Joseph, and several daughters were born to him. Joseph (2nd) was born June

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

22, 1682, was married Feb. 5, 1705, to Ruth Denison, moved to Norwich, Conn., in 1708, and died there Dec. 1, 1757. He was locally and familiarly known as "Deacon Joseph." They had twelve children, the fifth of which, Joseph (3rd), was born in 1714. When grown he went to Pomfret, then to Scotland, Conn., married, and raised six children, the youngest of whom, Sanford (Ist) was born in 1733, married Elizabeth Fitch, and moved to Windham, Conn., where six chil- dren were born to him. He afterward moved with his family to Claremont, N. H. About the time hostilities began between the colonies and Great Britain, King George III. granted 100,000 acres of land on the island of Cape Breton- just east of Nova Scotia-to 100 citizens of Claremont and vicinity. Mr. Kings- berry being one of the number, was appointed agent to go to the island and survey and divide the land. He laid out the city of Mira, at the head of navigation on Mira river-which the grant included-and then proceeded to survey and sub- divide the remainder. About the time he completed the survey, he and his com- panions were arrested and imprisoned, for the purpose of extorting from theni the oath of allegiance to the king of England. All his men took the oath, but he refusing, was kept in prison on bread and water several weeks. Failing to accom- plish their purpose, he was released, when he returned to Claremont. The revolution being in progress, he at once volunteered in the Continental army at Norwich, Conn., under Gen. Spencer, who appointed him his aid. He was the author of the muster roll adopted by congress, was appointed muster master for the Connecticut troops, and commissioned major, retaining the rank to the end of the war. He participated in the battles of Bennington, Vt., and Ticon- deroga, N. Y. After the war he resided in Claremont until his death in 1829, aged ninety-six years. His third son, Charles (Ist), born in 1773, moved to Derby, in the extreme northern part of Vermont, in 1790. His first deed bears date in 1797, and upon this tract was planted the first apple orchard in the township- and it is still yielding fruit. In 1820 he moved to Derby Center, living there till he died in 1843, aged seventy years. He was the first representative from his township to the general assembly, was re-elected three times consecutively and held the office of town treasurer from 1812 to 1833 inclusive. To do right was the governing principle of his life. To him nine children were born. Of these, his third child, Sanford (2nd), whose mother maiden name was Persis Stewart, was born June 24, 1805. He came to Georgia in 1822 and located in McDon- ough, Henry Co., where he remained about five years, and then went to Carroll- ton, Carroll Co., and engaged in merchandising. His friendliness of disposition and fair dealing secured the good will and confidence of the Cherokee Indians- who were then numerous there-and he was very successful and accumulated a large property. He was married Sept. 23, 1834, to Miss Mary Ann Grow, of Vermont, by whom he had ten children. He died Dec. 24, 1869, transmitting to his children, untarnished, that rich heritage-a good name-received from his father. Mr. Kingsberry remained with his parents until he attained his majority, with the exception of three years-1849-50-51-when he attended school at Derby, Vt. He completed his education at Carrollton Masonic institute, and in 1858 began reading law under Buchanan & Wright, Newnan, Ga., and was admitted to the bar at the March term of the superior court at Newnan in 1859. Locating at Quitman, Brooks Co., Ga., he remained there until April, 1861, when he en- listed and served as a private in the Piscola volunteers until after the seven days' fight around Richmond, in which he gallantly bore a part. In 1862, just after those battles, he was elected, without his knowledge, second lieutenant of a cavalry company organized at Carrollton, to which command he was transferred, and served in Eastern North Carolina and along Black Water river in southeast

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LOWNDES COUNTY SKETCHES.

Virginia until the advance of Grant on Petersburg, when his command, the Sev- enth Confederate cavalry (before independent), was made part of a brigade under command of Brig .- Gen. James Dearing, with which he served until October, 1864, when his regiment was reorganized into the Tenth Georgia cavalry, under Gen. P. M. B. Young. In 1864 he was commissioned captain of Company K of the Seventh Georgia regiment, continuing as such until the surrender, when his com- mand, under Gen. Wade Hampton, was disbanded at Greensboro, N. C. After the war he and his brothers-Joseph and Charles-met at the old homestead near Carrollton to find it almost totally destroyed, and their old father plowing in the field. These three brothers went to work, and living mainly on corn bread and sorghum syrup, made him a good crop; they then left, and each for himself commenced the battle of life anew. The two younger brothers chose a mercan- tile life and have won for themselves wealth and high commercial standing in Atlanta. Sanford returned to South Georgia, where he and his wife taught school during 1866, after which he resumed the practice of law at Quitman, to which he has since devoted his time and attention. During the reconstruction period he efficiently discharged the duties of secretary of the democratic county committee. In 1874 he became local attorney for the Atlantic & Gulf railway, retaining the position for that corporation and its successor until 1883, when he became assist- ant general counsel for the Savannah, Florida & Western and the Charleston & Savannah Railway companies, and moved his office to Savannah. In 1892, find- ing the labor of an exclusively corporation attorney excessive and uncongenial, he located in Valdosta, retaining his position as assistant general counsel for Georgia of the S., F. & W. Railway company, and resumed his general practice. Mr. Kingsberry ranks among the foremost in his profession and with his fellow- citizens, and enjoys a large and influential clientage. Mr. Kingsberry was mar- ried March 10, 1861, to Miss Jane Margaret Smith, daughter of Rev. John Brown Smith, formerly an eminent Presbyterian minister of North Carolina, and later in Talbot county, Ga., where he died in 1845. Mrs. Kingsberry is a lineal descend- ant of "Light Horse Harry" Lee, of revolutionary fame. Three children have blessed this union: James Sanford, now at Richmond, Ga .; Edwin Paschal, read- ing law under his father, and Helen Ann, at home. Mr. Kingsberry is a democrat, but no politician, a council Mason, and an exemplary and influential member of the Presbyterian church.

RICHARD AUGUSTIN PEEPLES, deceased, ex-judge of the county court, Lowndes county, Ga., was born in Hall county, Ga., in 1829. His father, Henry Peeples, was a farmer and merchant, who late in life removed to Lowndes county, where he died. Mr. Peeples was raised and educated in Hall county, and about the time he reached manhood he moved to Lowndes county. When his father died he assumed the management of his mercantile affairs. In 1860, when the county seat of Lowndes was changed from Troupville to Valdosta Mr. Peeples and several of his friends-W. H. Buggs, A. Converse, Moses Smith and Dr. William Ashley-selected lots and built their residences. The town was located on lands belonging to Capt. J. W. Patterson. Peeples served many years as ordinary of Berrien county, and during this period he read law and was admitted to the bar. He entered upon the practice and continued it until the county court was established, when he was appointed judge and held the office sixteen years. In 1869 he engaged in the insurance business, and in 1872 established a general insurancy agency, which he conducted with great success until he died-being ably assisted during the latter years by his son Richard, whom he had admitted to partnership. He was mayor of Valdosta several terms during his life. Mr.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Peeples was a prominent promotor of the Georgia Southern & Florida railway, and very active and efficient in securing subscriptions, donations and concessions in aid of its construction. Mr. Peeples was twice married-first to Miss Sarah J. Camp, of Jackson county, Ga., by whom he had four children, two sons, one of whom, Henry C., lives in Atlanta, and the other son and the daughters live in Valdosta. The mother of these children died July 3, 1863, and about a year afterward he married Miss Sarah Virginia Dent, of Savannah, who had refugeed to Valdosta, and whose father was largely interested in the shipping interests of that city. A brother of hers, Capt. James Dent, was in the Confederate service on board the cruiser "Alabama," and when she was sunk by the "Kearsage" he jumped overboard and escaped capture by swimming to the British vessel, "Greyhound." He died afterward from the exposure and its results. By this second marriage there were born to him two daughters and three sons, all of whom are living in Valdosta. He was a captain in the Confederate service, and was stationed at and near Savannah, continuing in the service until the surrender. He died July 19, 1891. Capt. Peeples was a master Mason and a prominent and influential member of the Baptist church, of which he was an ordained minister.

CHARLES BUNYAN PEEPLES, building material, Valdosta, Lowndes Co., Ga., son of Richard Augustin and Sarah V. (Dent) Peeples, was born in Mill- town, Berrien Co., Ga., Sept. 2, 1854. He was six years old when his father moved to Valdosta, where he received a good common school education. When he was seventeen years old he went to work at bricklaying and worked at that about two years and then engaged in the sewing machine business, which he fol- lowed for about six years. He next accepted the agency at Valdosta of the Savannah, Florida & Western railway and retained it four years, when he resigned and embarked in the building material and paint business, in which he has been successful and still continues. He has served the city two years as alderman and has been chairman of the county board of commissioners of roads and rev- enues. Mr. Peeples was married March 1I, 1890, to Miss Lila, daughter of Thomas M. and Maggie (Wisenbaker) Keller.

RICHARD A. PEEPLES, general insurance agency, Valdosta, Lowndes Co., Ga., son of Richard Augustin and Sarah Virginia (Dent) Peeples, was born in Valdosta, June 17, 1867. He was educated in the schools in Valdosta, and attended college in Dawson, Terrell Co., Ga., one year. After leaving school he clerked two years in a drug store, and when eighteen years of age his father made him his partner in the general insurance business he had established, under the firm name of R. A. Peeples & Son, and practically placed him in charge of the business. Under his energetic and judicious management it has been largely increased and made very prosperous. He is a member and has been captain of the Valdosta videttes, Company B, Fourth Georgia regiment militia. After hold- ing the captaincy for two years he returned to the ranks, but was recently elected adjutant of the regiment, with the rank of captain, an office he now holds. Capt. Peeples was married March 18, 1890, to Miss Maude Elise, daughter of Thomas C. and Eliza M. (Church) Jenkins. Her father was a large farmer and successful merchant in Madison county, Fla. Capt. and Mrs. Peeples have one child-Russell Alexander.

BENJAMIN RICHARD SAXON, physician and surgeon, Valdosta, Lowndes Co., Ga., son of Dr. Robert Harper and Laura Virginia (Johnson) Saxon, was born in Screven county, Ga., Feb. 20, 1849. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin

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LOWNDES COUNTY SKETCHES.

H. Saxon, was a native of South Carolina, a lawyer of distinction, and at one time secretary of state of South Carolina. The following pertaining to his life and serv- ices is an extract from old official documents: "Benjamin Harper Saxon was born in Laurens district, on May 10, 1772. He was admitted to the practice of law on May 26, 1794, and in the eighteenth year of the independence of the United States. He was made treasurer of the upper division of the state of South Carolina on Feb. 18, 1829, and the forty-third year of independence of the United States. He was made justice of the quorum for the district of Abbeville, April 16, 1831, in the fifty- fifth year of independence. He was elected secretary of state Feb. 18, 1835, in the fifty-ninth year of the independence of the United States. He was elected

surveyor-general Feb. 18, 1838, in the sixty-third year of the independence of the United States. He was notary public Feb. 1, 1840, in the seventy-fourth year of independence. He died July 28, 1856, in Screven county, Ga., aged eighty-four years, two months and eighteen days. Dr. Saxon's maternal grandfather, Capt. Richard Johnson, was born in Barnwell district, S. C., was a wealthy planter, and a prominent, influential citizen of a family originally Virginians. Dr. Saxon's father graduated from the South Carolina Medical college, at Charleston, in 1832, came to Georgia and located in Screven county, where he established a fine pro- fessional reputation and built up an extensive and remunerative practice. He died in 1852, when the subject of this sketch was only three years old, leaving him the last male representative of the family line. Dr. Saxon's early education was such as was afforded by the common schools of the county. After preparatory reading he attended the Georgia Medical college (medical depart- ment university of Georgia), Augusta, Ga., from which he graduated in 1876. He supplemented this by a post-graduate course in the New York polyclinic, from which he graduated in 1892. Dr. Saxon is a man of fine ability, skilled in his profession, and building up an excellent reputation and patronage. Dr. Saxon was married March 30, 1890, to Miss Zulinne, daughter of Dr. William Capers and Virginia (Humphreys) Bowie, of Screven county. Dr. and Mrs. Saxon have had one child-Richard Bowie-born to them, who made his advent March 13, 1892. Dr. Saxon is a royal arch Mason.

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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 67

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