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 68

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 68

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JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE VARNADOE, merchant, Valdosta, Lowndes Co., Ga., son of Samuel McWhir and Caroline Bradwell (Law) Var- nadoe, was born in McIntosh county, Ga., June 24, 1842. His grandfather came from South Carolina to Georgia when a young man, penniless, and settled in Liberty county. When he died in 1864 he owned 100 slaves and several planta- tions. He was president of the agricultural society of the county; and, although meagerly educated himself, was noted for the interest he took in education and elevation of others around him. He was a prominent member, and one of the deacons of the Midway Congregational church in Liberty county. Mr. Varna- doe's father graduated from the university of Georgia, with the second honor of his class. Early in life he twice represented Liberty county in the general assem- bly; and in 1856 was the nominee of the American party for congress, and was defeated by James L. Seward of Thomas county. In 1866 he founded the Valdosta institute, which he conducted with exceptional success until his death, in 1870. The school is still in existence; and hundreds of his pupils now on the stage of action revere his name and memory, and refer with pride to his work and worth. He was a man of strong religious convictions and great activity; among the foremost in promoting intellectual and moral advancement, and was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church. He left three sons and two daughters. His wife's father, Rev. Samuel Spry Law, was the son of a wealthy planter, and was born in what is now Liberty county, Ga., in 1774. When forty years of age he

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was converted, was received into the Baptist church, ordained a minister, and afterward devoted his time and talents gratuitously to the service of the church. fudge Law, the eminent jurist of Savannah, is a member of the same family. Mr. Varnadoe enlisted as a private in 1861 in the Liberty Independent troop, of which six months afterward he was elected corporal. Subsequently the com- pany became a part of the Fifth Georgia cavalry, soon after which he was made sergeant, and held the position until the surrender. Preceding the last year of the war the command was on duty chiefly in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. It was then ordered to join Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army above Kennesaw mountain, when it was assigned to Kelley's division, Wheeler's corps, and remained with the western army to the close of the war. He was in the battle at Newnan, Ga., during Gen. McCook's raid, and also participated in the battle at Noonday church, and in scores of skirmishes. He took the oath of allegiance at Macon, Ga. He then went to Decatur county, Ga., where he taught school six months, and then returned to Liberty county and engaged in farming. Two years' experience disgusted him with that on account of the disorganized con- dition of labor, and he went to Brooks county, Ga., and resumed teaching. He taught there a year and then, the latter part of 1867, come to Valdosta, and assisted his father in Valdosta institute, remaining something over a year. He then engaged as a clerk with W. H. Briggs, and was also express agent four years. During this time he filled the office of mayor of Valdosta. When his father died, 1870, the management offered him a large salary as an inducement for him to take charge of the institute. In 1881 he commenced merchandising for himself; but after six months became connected with J. W. Harrell & Son, continuing the partnership until 1887, when he sold out to his partners and went into business by himself. Mr. Varnadoe is now one of the largest and most prosperous and influential merchants in Valdosta-none stands higher commer- cially or financially. He is president of the board of trade, and in addition to having been mayor, as stated above, has been alderman a dozen years. He is also a member of the board of education. He was once nominated by his party, but declined the nomination, to represent Lowndes county in the general assembly. He was the first captain of the Valdosta videttes, now a part of the Fourth Georgia regiment, of which he is the accomplished and popular colonel. Col. Varnadoe was married May 9, 1864, to Miss Harriet Louisa, daughter of Bar- tholomew A. and Mary Emeline (Mallard) Busby, formerly a wealthy South Carolina planter owning one hundred slaves and a large landed property. They have three living children: David Comfort, assisting in the store, married and has one child; Sarah Louisa, wife of John Gordon Crawford; and Hallie Lois, now in school. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and an exemplary and influential member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder.

JOHN THOMAS WHEELER, merchant, Lake Park, Lowndes Co., Ga., youngest son of Artemus and Mary (Taylor) Wheeler, was born in Leon county, Fla., Aug. 28, 1858. Mr. Wheeler's father was a planter, and at one time owned a large number of slaves. He served as a private in the Confederate army during the late war; was wounded at Gettysburg; was for a short time in a hospital, and was captured once. His maternal grandfather, Dr. Wesley B. Taylor, was a quite prominent physician in Florida until a short time before his death, which occurred in Thomas county, Ga. Mr. Wheeler was reared on the farm, and was educated in the common schools of the county. He followed farming until 1892, when he opened a general merchandise store in Lake Park, Lowndes Co., and has now a well stocked store, and is doing a large business.

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Mr. Wheeler was married Feb. 26, 1886, to Miss Nealy Ruskin, daughter of Lee Ruskin, a farmer of much prominence and influence in the community in which he lives. Mr. Wheeler is ranked as one of the stanchest of democrats. His marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children.

LUMPKIN COUNTY.

MARION G. BOYD, lawyer, Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., Ga., son of Wier and Sarah J. (Sitton) Boyd, was born in Lumpkin (now Dawson) county, Jan. 9, 1850. His father was born in Gwinnett county, Ga., Sept. 14, 1821. He grew up on the farm, and received such common school education as was afforded by the locality and period. When only sixteen years of age he went as a soldier to the Florida war. In 1850 he moved to Dahlonega, which was ever afterward his home. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. He entered with energy and enthusiasm into the practice of his profession, and soon gained a clientage and a reputation not surpassed in his own and adjoining circuits. He was a man of great ability and rare tact; a hard student and worker, and whatever he undertook to do he did with all his might. He was broad-minded, of liberal views, progres- sive, and aggressive, and of great force of character. His influence was wide and great, and invariably and unswervingly exercised in behalf of law and order, moral- ity and Christianity. When the war between the states was begun he enlisted in and was commissioned colonel of the Fifty-second Georgia regiment, and served throughout the Tennessee and Kentucky campaigns. With his command he was a gallant participant in the battles of Tazewell, Frankfort, Lexington and Cumber- land Gap, and in numerous skirmishes. His health breaking down he was com- pelled to retire from the service and return home. He represented Lumpkin county two terms, and the Thirty-second senatorial district two terms in the general assembly. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1865, and, also of that of 1877, meeting the responsibilities, and discharging the duties of these public trusts with the same independence and fidelity manifested in all others. Few men have lived in Lumpkin county who so completely gained and lastingly retained the entire confidence of the people. Col. Boyd was married Feb. 14, 1842, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of Joseph Sitton, of what is now White county, Ga., who bore him seven children: Augustus F., who, as captain of a company at the age of eighteen, was killed at the head of his command at the battle of Baker's Creek; Fannie, deceased wife of Judge A. Rudolph, Hall county; Marion G., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. B. P. Gaillard, Dahlonega, Ga .; Mrs. Emma Witt, Atlanta; Mrs. Ida Stanton, Atlanta, and J. W., professor at Young Harris institute, McTyeire, Towns Co., Ga. He was an active and prominent and exemplary member of the Methodist church, was many times a delegate to the annual conference, and a delegate to the general conference at Nashville. He died suddenly at Dahlonega, Nov. 8, 1893, truly lamented by a large circle of admiring friends. His widow is still living, and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Mr. Boyd's father moved to Dahlonega soon after his birth, where he received his primary and preparatory education, and after- ward entered Emory college at Oxford, Ga., from which he graduated in 1869. He read law under his father, and, after an unusually creditable examination,

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was admitted to the bar at the August term, 1870, of the superior court of Lumpkin county, Judge David B. Harrell, presiding. He at once located in Dahlonega, where he has lived ever since, and has established a large practice in the northeastern and Blue ridge circuits, and in the supreme court of Georgia. A well-read and sound lawyer and safe counselor, he has secured a well-paying and influential clientage, and no member goes before the court with more care- fully prepared cases, or one who conducts them with more vigor and skill. He has been remarkably successful in both civil and criminal cases, and been connected with some of the most important litigation in northeast Georgia. In 1877, when only twenty-seven years of age, he was elected to represent the Thirty-second senatorial district in the general assembly, and was the youngest member of that body. He was placed on the committees on judiciary, penitentiary, education and local and special bills, and the special committee on judicial circuits. He declined further public service until 1894, when, in compliance with the pressing solicita- tion of friends he consented to become a candidate to represent the senatorial district in the general assembly, and was elected by a large majority. Mr. Boyd is a royal arch Mason; a prominent and influential member of the Methodist church, and is a delegate from his quarterly conference to the North Georgia annual conference.

WILLIAM R. CRISSON, ex-miner, Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., Ga., son of Elijah and Nettie C. (Brown) Crisson, was born on the Tugalo river, Habersham county, in 1818. His father, of German extraction, was born in North Carolina, and died early in the 20's in Texas. His maternal grandfather was Joseph Brown, was of Scotch-German descent, and was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolution. Soon after his birth his parents moved to what is now Lumpkin county, and settled near where Dahlonega now stands. In 1829, when he was in his twelfth year, about the time gold was discovered, the family moved to the site now occupied by the city, which has since been his home. The settlement was originally known as "Head Quarters." But when the county was laid out in 1832, a contest for the county seat occurred between "Head Quarters" and "Knucklesville," which resulted in favor of the first-named, and the town was laid out, and in January, 1833, it was organized. A patient and inter- ested inquiry into the true etymology of the Indian term by Mr. Crisson convinced him that it means "yellow money," or gold. His mother being left a widow he began work in the mines at an early age, and that has been the principal pursuit of his life. For two years, however, he worked on the first railway built in Georgia, and taught school two years in North Carolina. He returned to Dahlonega and remained, mining until 1852, he left for the gold fields of California, going by way of Nicaragua and landing in San Francisco about the first of the following April. After three years' experience in California mining, he came back to his old home, where he has been content to live since. He was in the service of the state during the war, and actively participated in the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, in the great battle of July 22, 1864, at Atlanta, and in many skirmishes and other engagements in defense of Atlanta during the siege of that city. After the war he re-engaged in mining, and in addition has conducted a farm. He is a real pioneer, lived in the country when the Indians indulged in their "green corn" and "war" dances, and held their councils around campfires; lived through the rough period and sometimes bloody encounters of the miners, and that of development and the establishment of schools and colleges and other institutions consequent upon advancing civilization. He has a vivid recollection of a bloody fight between the miners, which gave the name of "Battle Branch"

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to a stream in the county, in which several were shot, one dead and many wounded. He also often met the distinguished South Carolina statesman, John C. Calhoun when visiting his extensive mining properties, and enjoyed his acquaintance many years. His reminiscences of pioneer and miner life are interesting and attractive. He is looked upon as one of the landmarks, and enjoys the respect and esteem, almost veneration, of the people. Mr. Crisson was married in 1843 to Miss Arrenia Yarbrough, daughter of Wilson Yarbrough, of Lumpkin county, formerly of North Carolina, and one of the first discoverers of gold in that state. To them three children were born: Mack W .; Nettie Jemima, wife of Andrew J. Maguess; Ebenezer E., Dahlonega. In early life Mr. Crisson was an uncompromising Henry Clay whig, but since the unpleasantness he has acted with the democratic party. For half a century he has been a member of the Baptist church, and for thirty years a deacon of it.

FRANK WAYLAND HALL, miner and merchant. Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., Ga., son of Lyman Caleb and Marinda (Curch) Hall, was born in Jericho, Vt., April 18, 1845. His paternal grandfather, Asher Hall, was born in Vermont, June 25, 1783, and was a well-to-do farmer. He married Miss Hopa Lyman, born Jan. 30, 1791, Oct. 18, 1815, by whom he had ten children: William Harrison, Asher Smith, Mary Ann, Lyman Caleb, George (who died young), Martha Maria, George, second, Laura, Harmon, and Albert Warren. Mr. Hall's father was born in Jericho, Vt., Feb. 21, 1818, and married Marinda Curch Dec. 18, 1840, also born in Jericho, Vt., Jan. 16, 1818, daughter of William and Sallie (Ford) Curch, who bore him one child, Frank Wayland, the subject of this sketch. He died in Jericho, Vt., July 30, 1883, but she is still living, and makes her home with her son in Dahlonega. The father of his grandmother -- Hopa (Lyman) Hall-Noah Lyman, was born in Jericho, Vt., Jan. 10, 1758, and married Hopa Bunn, born March 13, 1765. To them eight children were born: Stephen, Caleb, Hopa, Noah J., Harry, Elisha, Eli, and Chloe. His maternal great-grandparents were Abraham and Sarah (Ingalls) Ford. He was born in Connecticut May 16, 1764, and she was born Dec. 18, 1766. They were married Jan. 22, 1788, and to them the following children were born: Alvin, Warren, Milton, Sallie, Allethiah, Harry, Chloe, Sophia, and Amanda. His maternal grandfather, William Curch, was born at Chelsea, Vt., Oct. 31, 1791, and was married to Sallie Ford-born in Pomfret, Conn., Jan. II, 1796, and died March 31, 1885- March 1, 1815, and to them two children were born, who now reside in Randolph, Vt .; Melvin, and Marinda, Mr. Hall's mother. Her paternal grandfather, Asa Curch, was born at Mansfield, Conn., May 16, 1766. His wife, Juliette, was born at Win- chester, N. H., May 26, 1762. They were married Oct. 22, 1789; she died June 30, 1845, and he died Sept. 1I, 1847. Mr. Hall grew to manhood and was educated in his native town. In 1868 he came to Dahlonega as a millwright, and as the repre- sentative of a Boston, Mass., company to superintend the erection of gold mills and machinery. After completing his work he returned north, but soon afterward was invited to assume the management of the mills. He came to Dahlonega, and from that time until now he has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of Georgia, especially, that part of it where his home is. His best judgment and unflagging energies have been directed to the encouragement of capitalists and investors to come to this section and aid in developing its wonderfully varied and valuable-practically inexhaustible-natural resources, in regard to which his information is extensive, and his enthusiasm intensive and irrespressible. Trained to habits of industry and thrift, and possessing a self-reliant spirit, he was quick to adapt himself to his new surroundings, and, while zealously and faithfully discharg- ing his obligations to those who had entrusted their interests to him, was equally quick to avail himself of some of the many opportunities offered to make

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profitable investments in his own behalf. His strict business methods and integrity of character have enabled him to conduct the large interests of those he represents very profitably, and, consequently, satisfactorily to them; while they have won for him the very highest financial and social positions. He holds titles to vast tracts of wild lands and mining properties in North Georgia, and conducts the leading general merchandise store in that portion of the state-known as "The Frank W. Hall Merchandise company," the first establishment of the kind organized and operated under a charter. Fortune has indeed smiled upon his untiring energy, his daring enterprise, and that unflagging persistence which knows no such word as fail-and crowned his efforts with phenomenal success. In-1888, in compliance with the earnest solicitation of appreciative friends, he became a can- didate to represent the county in the general assembly, and was elected by a large majority. He at once became prominent and influential for progressive and good legislation, doing efficient service for his immediate constituency and for the general interests of the state. He was made chairman of the committee on mines and mining, and placed on the committees on education, appropriation, enrolled bills, and auditing; and served as chairman of the subcommittee in charge of the bill for establishing the state geological survey-in formulating which his services were invaluable. He had control in the house of the bill providing for the sale of the Okefenokee swamp lands, which brought into the state treasury more than $100,000. In 1888 he was elected mayor of the city and served one term. As might be expected, Mr. Hall takes a deep interest in all educational movements, par- ticularly such as promise the elevation and advancement of North Georgia. For many years he has been a member of the board of trustees of the North Georgia Agricultural college, at Dahlonega, is now its treasurer, and is enthusiastically devoted to its interests and welfare. Mr. Hall was married in 1867 to Miss Eleanor Agnes, daughter of Jonas and Eunice Wheeler, Essex, N. Y. They have no children. He is a member of Webster lodge, F. A. & A. M., Winooski, Vt., and Mount Zion royal arch chapter, No. 16, Atlanta, Ga.

NICHOLAS F. HOWARD, physician and surgeon, Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., Ga., son of John and Sallie (Fain) Howard, was born in Buncombe county, N. C., Nov. 24, 1821. His paternal grandfather, Philip Howard, was born in Baltimore, Md., where he grew to manhood, and subsequently migrated to North Carolina and settled in Surry county. Dr. Howard's father was born in Surry county, N. C., in 1781. He married Miss Sallie, daughter of Ebenezer Fain, of Buncombe county, by whom he had nine children: Mary M., widow of George McClure, North Carolina; William B., deceased; Samuel P. C., California; Nich- olas F., the subject of this sketch; Lafayette and Pulaski, both in North Carolina; John H., Missouri; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Robert Roane, Illinois; Susan R., Macon county, N. C., widow of Hannibal Norton, who died while a prisoner during the war, at Johnson's island. His father died in Macon county, N. C., in 1857, and his mother in 1878, aged eighty-two years. Dr. Howard's parents moved the year after his birth from Buncombe to Macon county, N. C., where he was raised to maturity, and received an education as good as was obtainable in the then pioneer condition of the country. He, however, availed himself of every opportunity to add to his education, and increase his stock of knowledge. In 1848 he moved to Clarkesville, Habersham Co., Ga., and began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. William J. Rusk, an eminent physician, and the following year attended lectures at the medical college of Georgia, Augusta, from which he graduated in the spring of 1851. Without loss of time he located in Dahlonega, which for more than forty years has principally been his home-there having been two intervals of interruption, one, a trip to California, and the other

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during the war. He received encouraging patronage at once, and success was assured. In 1852 he went to California, and, while engaged in mining, practiced his profession. On his trip he was the only physician among the passengers, and was placed in charge of the sick. Late in the spring of 1854 he returned home and resumed his practice, and continued it until 1862, when he was appointed surgeon of the Fifty-second Georgia regiment, and served to the end of the conflict, for many months prior to which he was transferred to hospital service at Madison, and at Augusta, Ga., where he was at the time of the sur- render. He saw much active and very arduous service; was at Vicksburg during the siege, at the battle of Champion hill, was on duty as field surgeon at Cumber- land gap and Missionary ridge, and in the Kentucky and Tennessee campaigns. In 1865 he was elected to represent Lumpkin county in the general assembly, and faithfully and fearlessly performed his duty-a difficult task in the then troubled and uncertain condition of political affairs. He was placed on several important committees, and worked zealously and earnestly for such legislation as he believed would restore prosperity to the state. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster at Dahlonega, and held the office during President Cleveland's administration, con- ducting its affairs with his usual business-like promptitude and accuracy. In 1892 he was complimented by the citizens of Dahlonega bv election to the may- oralty. While doing a general practice, he has given particular attention to, and been very successful in, the treatment of affections of the lungs and types of fever peculiar to the section. His practice has extended over Lumpkin and adjoining counties, and he enjoys an enviable reputation with those who know him best. Few citizens so fully and so universally have bestowed upon them the esteem, and so unreservedly enjoy the confidence of his fellow-citizens-all deserved. He speaks of his army service as having been of inestimable value to him in his after-practice. He has been the active and zealous promoter and worker in behalf of every movement calculated to improve public and private morals. Hence, he is a stanch and uncompromising temperance advocate and exemplar, and does all in his power to advance the temperance cause and Christian work. He was one of the original incorporators of the North Georgia Agricultural college, and is vice-president of the board of trustees. Dr. Howard was happily married June 12, 1854, to Miss Almeda A., daughter of Alexander and Milley (Dickin) Awtry, by whom he has had two children: John Alexander and Florence. John Alexander was educated at the North Georgia Agricultural college and served eight years as assistant postmaster at Dahlonega, during the admin- istration of Presidents Cleveland and Harrison, and is at present in the employ of the government. Dr. Howard's wife died in 1884. The doctor was made a master Mason in 1850, was worshipful master of the lodge for many years, and was present in the Grand lodge when it was decided to build the Masonic Temple in Macon. For more than fifty years he has been an exemplary, working and faithful member of the Methodist church, south, of which he is an ordained local minister. In him Dahlonega has a citizen of rare usefulness.

WILLIAM STANLEY HUFF, lawyer, Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., Ga., son of John and Louisa (Harris) Huff, was born in Dahlonega, Jan. 13, 1869. His paternal grandfather, Henry Huff, was born in Anderson district, S. C., early in this century, and married Miss Martha Rives, of Virginia, who bore him seven children: William, in Pentz, Cal .; John, Dahlonega; Thomas, who died in 1849 while on the way to California; Andrew Jackson, who went to China after the late war; Eliza, Mrs. Davis, Lumpkin county; Susan, Mrs. Satterfield, Ball Ground, Cherokee Co., Ga .; Elijah M., Tennessee. Mr. Huff's father was born in Hall county, Ga., March 22, 1832, and was married Dec. 29, 1854, to Miss

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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 68

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