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 69

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 69

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Louisa, daughter of John Harris, of Lumpkin county, and a niece of Gen. Harri- son W. Riley, who represented the county in both branches of the general assem- bly for many years, and who, in his day, exercised a potential influence in the gold region. Early in life Mr. Huff's father went to California, where he remained a number of years engaged in mining, an industry to which he has devoted nearly all his life. For eighteen years he has been superintendent of the Hand and Barlow Mining company at Dahlonega, and is recognized as a man of superior business judgment and capacity; and is highly esteemed as a citizen. During the late "unpleasantness" he served as a lieutenant on Gov. Brown's staff, and for many years was a justice of the inferior court of the county. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, John Harris, was born in Tennessee, and came to what is now Lumpkin county about 1830. He was a soldier during the war with Mexico, and died at New Orleans while on his way home. Of the chil- dren born to Mr. Huff's parents the following survive: Henry Harrison, Alfred Holt, William Stanley, the subject of this sketch; James Burnsides, Martha Elizabeth, Frank Augustus, Susan Lamentina and Mary Josephine. Those de- ceased are Alphonso, Florence, Francis, Howard and John Calhoun. Mr. Huff was reared in Dahlonega, and received his primary and preparatory education at the excellent schools in the town. In 1888 he entered the North Georgia Agri- cultural college, where he completed his literary studies and graduated in 1890. He immediately began the study of law under the able preceptorship of Hon. William P. Price, one of the most eminent lawyers in the circuit, widely-known and highly esteemed, professionally and as a citizen, by everybody. Having passed an exceptionally rigid examination on all branches of the profession with great credit he was admitted to the bar at the October term, 1891, of the superior court of Lumpkin county, Judge C. J. Wellborn, presiding. Entering upon the practice at once in his native place, he has already laid the foundation for a large and influential and remunerative clientage in the northeastern circuit. Few young men in his profession have started under more favorable auspices, and in so short a time achieved such success. His studiousness and his industry, his superior natural endowments and professional attainments, for one so young, give promise of distinction at the bar and in the political arena. Mr. Huff was married April 5, 1893, to Miss India M., daughter of Joseph A. and Louisa Garner, of Hall county, Ga., who has borne him one child, John Garner, born Dec. 29, 1893. He is a master Mason and secretary of the local lodge, and a member of the Methodist church. His wife is an exemplary member of the Baptist church.

ARCHIBALD G. WIMPY, ex-merchant, Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., Ga., son of Archibald and Elizabeth (Henly) Wimpy, was born in Pendleton district, S. C., in 1814. His paternal grandfather, William Wimpy, was a native of Ire- land, whence he emigrated to this country before the revolutionary war, and settled in South Carolina. There, about 1762, Mr. Wimpy's father was born, reared a farmer and married. In 1824 he moved with his family to Georgia, and settled in Franklin county, where three years later his wife died, and in 1838 he died in Hall county. To them nine children were born: Nancy, who married Joseph A. Cooper; Susan, who married John Brownlow; Eliza, who married Willis Prince; Isaac M .; Obed; Larkin C .; Annie, who married James F. Foster; Archibald G., the subject of this sketch, and Thomas H. The maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Wimpy was a native of Germany, and a physician, who, emigrating to America, settled first in Pennsylvania, and later moved to South Carolina. Himself and three sons were soldiers in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. Mr. Wimpy was about ten years of age when his parents

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LUMPKIN COUNTY SKETCHES.

moved to Franklin county, Ga., where he grew to manhood on the farm and received such education as the schools of the locality and period afforded. After teach- ing school three years he went to Dahlonega, where in 1837 he engaged in a general merchandise business, continued it fifty-two years and accumulated a quite valuable estate. In 1839 he was appointed postmaster, and held the office until 1849, when he resigned. Many public offices have been tendered him, but he has invariably and persistently declined, having no ambition beyond success in his business, and being useful as a private citizen. During the civil war he served with efficiency in the home guard within the boundaries of the state. There is now no actual resident of the town who can claim to be an older inhabitant than he, and his mind is well-stored with incidents and reminiscences of frontier life and the busy mining times of that part of Georgia. He is yet in good health and active for his age, and as buoyant in spirit as when younger. During his life he has come in contact with mining speculators, and with men eminent in scientific and political circles, remembers much about them, and entertains friends pleasantly by recalling occurrences of half a century ago. Mr. Wimpy was mar- ried in February, 1841, to Miss Nancy W. Whelchel, daughter of Francis Whelchel, of Hall county. Himself and wife have been active and exemplary members of the Methodist church for nearly half a century, and among the fore- most and most useful in all church work. Mr. Wimpy has been superintendent of the Sunday school for forty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Wimpy have no children · of their own, but have reared ten children of relatives and friends.

WILLIAM JASPER WORLEY, ex-editor and farmer, Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co., Ga., son of James H. and Millie (Donelson) Worley, was born in Dahlonega, May 29, 1837. His paternal grandfather, William Worley, of English extraction, was a native of Rockingham county, Va., married a Miss Eaton, and migrated to Georgia and died in Cherokee county, where, also, two of his brothers, Thomas and Pleasant, died. Capt. Worley's father was born in Spartan- burg, S. C., Sept. 10, 1807, where he received his education and grew to manhood, and in 1828 came to Georgia and settled in what is now Lumpkin county near where Dahlonega stands. He was the first justice of the peace in Dahlonega, was sheriff of Lumpkin county two terms and clerk of the superior court of the county fourteen years. He served a year as first lieutenant of his company in the Seminole war. His maternal grandfather, William Donelson, was of Scotch descent. Capt. Worley's parents raised six children: Martin V .; William Jasper, the subject of this sketch; Columbus W .; Timothy H .; Roxanna E., and James H. He died April 1, 1869, and his wife, born in Pickens district, S. C., Oct. 14, 1812, died Aug. 29, 1880. Capt. Worley grew to manhood in Dahlonega, where he received an academical education, and then engaged in farming, which he followed until the occurrence of the war between the states, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, First Georgia regiment state line. A month later he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and soon afterward commissioned as a captain of the company and served through the war. His regiment was assigned to Stovall's brigade, Stewart's division, Johnston's corps, and was first ordered to Savannah. Afterward it was ordered to Chickamauga, and participated in the battles at Dalton, Resaca, Cass Station, New Hope Church and Kennesaw Mountain, and that of July 22, 1864, and the defense of Atlanta during the siege. His regiment then proceeded to Savannah, via Jonesboro, and during a part of the time on the way he commanded the left wing of the regiment. From Savannah his command was ordered to Augusta, where he was granted a thirty days' fur- lough to visit his sick wife, during which Gens. Lee and Johnston surrendered.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

After four years' arduous, faithful service, to which he had given the prime of his manhood, he returned to the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. During his service he had many thrilling experiences. On one occasion when the regiment was waiting in reserve in front of the enemy's trenches, expecting every moment to be ordered into battle, he was sitting on a log when a shell struck the ground in the rear, and passing under the log and coming out in front, upheaved the log and earth and threw him several yards away burying him under a huge mass of earth. He was soon extricated by the soldiers, and about the time he regained his feet Maj. Brown (brother of the late lamented ex-governor) rushed up and asked: "Captain, are you hurt?" "No, I think not," he replied. "Thank the Lord; sit down on this log," said the major. "No thank you," the captain replied, "I prefer standing; I was sitting on that log when that ugly shell came along hunting for me." In the great battle near Atlanta, July 22, 1864, while his com- mand was advancing on the enemy's works, two color-bearers were shot down in succession causing the soldiers to falter, perceiving which Capt. Worley, following the intrepid example of his illustrious namesake, William Jasper, of revolutionary fame, grasped the flag, and, followed by his command, triumphantly planted it on the earthworks of the enemy. One night after a day of hard skirmish fighting, when the company was marching through rain and mud, a voice called out, "Close up, Company D." Col. Galt riding by at the time asked, "Who is in com- mand of Company D?" "Capt. Worley," one of the soldiers replied. "That can't be," said the colonel, "I had Capt. Worley buried this afternoon in the rear of my quarters." "There is something wrong about that," said the captain, advancing, "I am glad to say I am still on duty." The colonel rode up to the captain and threw his arms around him, and the two officers wept like children. After the war Capt. Worley inoved to Cherokee county, but two years later returned to Dahlonega, and in 1868 was elected clerk of the superior court, and being successively re-elected, held the office eight years. In 1878 he became senior editor of the Dahlonega "Signal" newspaper, continuing for some years, and during this period read law under the preceptorship of Hon. Wier Boyd, of Dahlonega. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar in Lumpkin superior court, Judge J. B. Estes presiding. Later, he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office eight ycars, when he was appointed notary public and ex-officio justice of the peace. In 1888 he prospected extensively for gold and other mineral products, and became largely interested in mining properties. In 1889 he purchased the Buford (Gwinnett county) "Gazette," and placing his son, Claude H., then only in his fourteenth year in charge of its local department, conducted it as a mining and agricultural journal. This enterprise was suddenly and sadly terminated by the death of his son by a railway accident Aug. 7, 1891, he having been his main reliance in conducting the paper. This event preyed upon Capt. Worley's mind to such an extent that he sold his interest in the paper and returned to Dahlonega. He is a citizen of high character and excellent standing, as may be inferred by his fellow-citizens electing him continuously to office; and as one would say he deserved to be, when it is stated that he never drank intoxicating liquors and never played cards. Capt. Worley was married at Blairsville, Union Co., Ga., in 1859, to Miss Georgia Victoria, daughter of Thomas Goodram, by whom he has had seven children: Thomas Jefferson, died Aug. 24, 1862; Mildred Caroline, wife of E. S. Copeland, Nelson, Pickens county, Ga .; James Edward, Atlanta, was manager of the Anniston Lime & Coal Co., of Atlanta; (sometime since he left that company and is now bookkeeper for the Blue Ridge Marble company, at Nelson); William F., timekeeper for the Blue Ridge Marble company, at Nelson, Ga .; Lee Anna, teacher, Dahlonega;

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MADISON COUNTY SKETCHES.

Claude Howard, deceased, and Victoria Maude, at home. He is a charter member of the North Georgia Agricultural college, and for seventeen years has been secretary of the board of trustees. He is a royal arch Mason and past high priest, and has been an exemplary member of the Methodist church nearly half a century, his parents being among the members who organized the church in Dahlonega.

MADISON COUNTY.

R. H. BULLOCK, farmer, Danielsville, Madison Co., Ga., was born in Ogle- thorpe county in 1810, and is now one of the oldest residents of this county. This branch of the family descended from an Englishman and one of the early settlers of Virginia. Nathaniel Bullock, the grandfather of the subject of this memoir, was born in North Carolina, and marrying Mary Hawkins, moved to Georgia during the time of the revolutionary war. A son, Hawkins Bullock, entered in the patriot ranks at the age of sixteen years under Capt. Twitty and in Gen. Greene's command. He was born in North Carolina, and after the war of independence located in Wilkes county, Ga., and subsequently moved to Madison county, where he died. He married Frances R. Gordon, a daughter of Capt. Alexander Gordon. Mr. Gordon was a revolutionary soldier and attained the rank of captain, moved to Wilkes county soon after the war, and later to Oglethorpe county where he died. Mr. R. H. Bullock was a farmer from youth, and in 1836 was married to Mary H. Griffith, daughter of James Griffith, a native and life-long resident of Madison county. They have three children : Sarah F., James H. and Wyatt H. The mother of the children was born in Madison county in 1817 and died in 1849. In 1865 he married Lucinda Thomp- son, daughter of Nathaniel Gholston, an early settler of Madison county and a native of North Carolina. To this union have been born the following living children: Susan, Georgia A., Mary L., Lula S., Richard H., Bonnie G. and Nathaniel. The mother was born in Madison county in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Bullock are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bullock has been active in politics during his long life, and has been frequently asked to hold official posi- tions. He was elected clerk of the inferior court, then a member of the court and then served as ordinary for twenty years. He was a member of the legislature when the capital was at Milledgeville for four terms, and for four years repre- sented his district in the state senate at Atlanta. Mr. Bullock is familiarly known as Major, this title being bestowed on him in youth, when he was major in the state militia and fighting Mr. King George's men. He owns a fine farm near Danielsville and a big mill on the South Broad river, and is more than com- fortably fixed in this world's goods. Though way up in years Mr. Bullock still enjoys good health and possesses a powerful intellect, which is still as active as ever.

JAMES F. COLBERT, farmer, Danielsville, was born in Madison county in 1839. About the beginning of this century Philip Colbert, a son of a Virginia planter, with his wife, Sarah Garr, came to Georgia and located on a farm in Oglethorpe county. His son, S. W. Colbert, was born there, and on reaching manhood, moved to Madison county about 1838. Here he wedded Margaret, a

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

daughter of James and Jane (Thompson) Nutt. Mr. Nutt was born in South Carolina, and was a hatter by trade. Finding no employment in that line, he turned to farming for a vocation, and moved to Georgia and settled on a tract of land in Madison county. Mr. S. W. Colbert represented Madison county in the legislature for several terms, and is a well-known figure in the history of the county for the first twenty-five years of its existence. He died on his farm. Mr. James F. Colbert was a farmer boy, but was given an excellent education, con- sidering the educational advantages then afforded, and in 1861, responding to the bugle call for volunteers, joined Company E, Thirty-ninth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Ghaston. In 1864 he married M. L. Arnold, daughter of Hugh and Nancy (Fambrough) Arnold. The father was a native of Madison county, but late in life moved to Coweta county, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Colbert have three children: Earl A., India and Ouida. The mother of the children was born in Coweta county in 1856. She is an active member of the Congregational church. Mr. Colbert has been fortunate in his business and farming, and owns about 6,000 acres of valuable land, much of which is in cultivation; and, also, has a large amount of personal property. He is highly respected for his integrity and honest, industrious, upright character.

GEORGE C. DANIEL, ordinary of Madison county, was born in the same county in 1839, and was the son of James and Elizabeth B. (Jones) Daniel. Mr. James Daniel was a native of the same county, and a big farmer and political leader, representing Madison county in the legislature. He served as a captain in the war with the Creek Indians, and died in Macon in 1859. Mr. George C. Daniel's grandparents were Allen and Mary (Allen) Daniel, the father being born in Virginia, and was captain of the Eighth Virginia infantry in the revolutionary war. He was also general of the state militia, and after the war came to Georgia, where he became a leading citizen. He donated the site of the county public buildings of Madison county, and was one of the organizers of the courts. He represented it in the legislature, and at one time was sheriff of Elbert county. The mother of Mr. George C. Daniel was a daughter of James and Elizabeth Jones. Mr. Jones was a native of Franklin county, Ga., and died in Chattooga county. Mr. George C. Daniel spent his early days on the farm, and his education was picked up from reading and study after the day's labor was finished. In 1861 he enlisted in the late war, in Company K, Third Georgia regiment, under Capt. E. C. Billups, subsequently being commanded by David B. Langston, later by L. D. Mitchell. He fought in the battles of South mills, Malvern hill, second Manassas, Bristow's station, Sharpsburg, and, in the latter engagement, was wounded and sent to the hospital. He was sent home for three months and then returned to his command. He was then detached for hospital duty. In 1859 Mr. Daniel began to read medicine under Dr. Long, and then took a course of lectures at Philadelphia, and was graduated during his service in the hospital. After receiving his diploma he was commissioned assistant surgeon in the Confederate navy, being assigned to his duty on the ironclad "Chicora," and remained there until Charleston was evacuated. He marched from Charleston to Raleigh, thence to Drury Bluff, where he did his last service. In 1865 he married Louisa E. Watson, daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Jones) Watson. Mr. Watson was a native of South Carolina and moved to Jefferson, Jackson Co., Ga., where he died. They have had born to them several children, of whom three are living: Clara, James D., Charles Y. The mother of the children was born in Jackson county, Ga., in 1844. Husband and wife are earnest workers in the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Daniel is a Mason. In 1865, Mr. Daniel began the practice of medicine in Madison county and continued until 1873, when he was elected ordinary, and

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re-elected every term since. After returning from the war Mr. Daniel was obliged to begin life over again, but with untiring energy he has succeeded in getting together considerable property, and is a prosperous citizen.

DR. J. G. EBERHART. The Eberhart family occupies a prominent position in the history of Georgia, and one of its leading representatives in Madison county is J. G. Eberhart, a physician of high standing and great professional skill. Dr. Eberhart's father was George Eberhart, a man distinguished in political and busi- ness annals of Madison county. He was born and reared in the county, and was an extensive farmer and large slave owner. . He served in the late war, and was a justice of the inferior court, and was justice of the peace for a great many years. He was actively identified with the Baptist church, and died in 1887, lamented by a large circle of friends. George Eberhart married Sarah A. Griffith, daughter of James and Sarah (Leiper) Griffith. Dr. Eberhart's paternal grandparents were George and Katie Eberhart. George Eberhart was a North Carolinian, and settled on the land long before Madison county was organized. He died in 1848. In 1861 Dr. Eberhart enlisted for the war in Company E, Capt. Martin, Fifteenth Georgia regiment. He was in active service, and in the carnage at the battles of Murfreesboro and Black Grove. After the battle of Chickamauga, Dr. Eberhart was appointed hospital steward of the Fourth battalion, sharpshooters; and, after the battle of Missionary ridge, he was appointed acting assistant surgeon; and about the close of the war he was appointed by the division surgeon to receive and distribute the medicines to the different regiments in the brigade. He had chosen medicine as his profession early in life, and, after getting a primary training in the public schools, began studying for the profession, in 1857, under Dr. Willis Willingham. He attended one course of lectures at the medical college of Georgia, Augusta, and then went to a Philadelphia medical college, from which he secured his diploma in 1854. In 1856 he married Mildred M., daughter of David and Elizabeth (Snelling) Bell. The father was a native of Elbert county and resided there all his life. Mrs. Dr. Eberhart was born in 1837. Dr. Eberhart ranks among the leading physicians of his part of the state, and his professional skill and devotion to his avocation have brought him a large practice. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and is a much-respected citizen of Madison county.

I B. EBERHARDT, farmer, is a native of Madison county, was born in 1841, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wynn) Eberhardt. Jacob Eberhardt was born in what is now Madison county, in 1797, and was a distinguished man of his day. He was a prosperous farmer, and was state senator from Oglethorpe county and Madison county about 1850. He died on his farm in 1862. He was a son of George and Margaret (Patten) Eberhardt. George Eberhardt was a son of Jacob Eberhardt, who came to America from Germany in 1745 and settled in Georgia, where he died. Jacob Eberhardt, the second, married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Wynn, old residents of Madison county. Mr. J. B. Eberhardt was given a good education, and in 1862 joined Company E, Thirty- seventh Georgia regiment, under Capt. Gholston, who was killed at Jonesborough. Mr. Eberhardt was then made captain, and led his company in the battles of Missionary ridge, where he was distinguished for his bravery. He was wounded at Jonesborough. In 1864, while in service, he married Lusetta Goolsby, daughter of T. B. and Martha Goolsby. The Goolsbys were from Oglethorpe county, and Mrs. Eberhardt was born in 1844. Mr. J. B. Eberhardt and wife have seven living children : L. H., Dr. Pope Clifford, Lizzie, Mattie, Robert T., Alexander H. Mr. and Mrs. Eberhardt are members of the Baptist church, and he is a royal arch Mason. Mr. Eberhardt is a self-made man, starting in life as a poor boy, and

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working with such industry and perseverance as to acquire a good farm of 500 acres, besides other valuable property.

JOHN R. GUNNELLS, farmer, was born in Oglethorpe county in 1837, and was the son of W. M. and Lydia N. (Thomas) Gunnells. W. M. Gunnells was a native of this county and was the son of John Gunnells, an early settler and a veteran of the war of 1812. W. M. Gunnells was a prosperous farmer and moved to Madison county in 1843. He was married to a daughter of Stephen and Margaret (Thomas) Thomas. The father was a native of Virginia and moved to Georgia, where he died. Mr. John R. Gunnells was brought up on the farm and his educational opportunities were limited to a few weeks of schooling in the winter and what his mind stored from reading the books of the scant libraries in the neighborhood. In 1862 he enlisted in the war, Company C, Seventh cavalry, under Capt. Burk, later Capt. Flint. He fought in many battles and was in the engagements at Petersburg, Burgess Mill, Gatlet's farm, Fort McCray, Benton- ville, Columbia, Charleston, Orangeburg, C. H., Galesburg, Raleigh. In 1859 he married Mary E. Nelms, daughter of John and Fannie (Denney) Nelms. He was a native of Elbert county and engaged in farming and milling. Mrs. Gun- nells was born in Elbert county in 1840, and died in 1864, leaving one child, James M. In 1866 Mr. Gunnells was married to Julia A., daughter of Harman and Amelia (Williams) Tollet. Mr. Tollet was a native of North Carolina, but moved to Georgia about the time of the birth of Mrs. Gunnells in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Gunnells are members of the Baptist church and he has long belonged to the I. O. O. F. Mr. Gunnells owns a fine farm and an excellent mill and gin. He is one of the substantial citizens of the county and lives in a nice home near Neese.

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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 69

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