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 73

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 73

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MERIWETHER COUNTY.

W H. ALBRIGHT, one of the most successful business men of the county of Meriwether, was born in Sumpter, Ga., in 1840, the son of Oswald and Sarah A. (Wheless) Albright. His father was born Feb. 29, 1819, in Franklin county, Ga., of which county his parents, Jacob and Mary (Dixon) Albright, who were natives of North Carolina, were among the earliest settlers. He, Oswald Albright, in 1836, ran away from home to serve in the Indian war. His wife was the daughter of Abb and Polly (Tindall) Wheless, natives of Virginia, who made Georgia their home at an early date. Although born in Georgia, young Albright

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MERIWETHER COUNTY SKETCHES.

(W. H.) passed his boyhood and youth on a farm in Russell county, Ala., and returned to this state in 1858. He received such education as the country schools could afford, supplemented by one term at college, and also taught seven terms. Then, as did many of his comrades, he laid aside his high hopes, and responded to the call of duty, enlisting in 1861, in a company under Capt. Dubose, attached to the Fifth North Carolina battalion. But on account of his disabilities, the young man was discharged in 1862, and returned home the next year broken in health and without a cent wherewith to make a start in life. He, however, possessed superior qualifications, which fitted him for a business career, and he embarked in the mercantile trade, in which his success has been marvelous. By industry, integrity and persistent application to business he has amassed a fortune, and is one of the most honored citizens of this county. His wife was Miss Sarah Humphries, born in Meriwether county in 1844, the daughter of Charles F. and Elizabeth (Sewell) Humphries, the former born in South Carolina in 1814, and an early settler of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Albright have been blessed with seven children, four of whom are living: William A., John O., Thomas D., and James C. The parents are both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Albright is also a prominent Mason. He traces with pride the genealogy of his family to the day of the pilgrim fathers, when, in 1620, the first Albright landed in America. This man, named Jacob, was the father of four sons, and through them rose the families of that name throughout America. Two counties of North Carolina-Guilford and Alamance-were named for members of the Albright family, who were noteworthy and popular.

VIRGIL BIGGERS, a successful farmer, is a native of Columbus, Ga., where he was born in 1850. His grandfather, Joseph Biggers, a revolutionary soldier, brought his wife, Mary (Countryman) Biggers, and son, F. M. Biggers, from South Carolina, their native state, to settle in Columbus, Ga. The son developed excellent business talent, and carried on an extensive trade .in Columbus for a number of years. His wife, Miss Louisa Gaston, was a daughter of Judge Alex- ander and Louisa (Blair) Gaston, of South Carolina, who in 1802 came to Georgia, where for many years Judge Gaston held a prominent position in political affairs, as well as in those pertaining to the church, in which he was very active. Virgil, the son of F. M. and Louisa Biggers, having been reared upon the farm, where he had but limited educational advantages, developed a fondness, as well as an aptitude for agricultural pursuits, to which he has devoted himself, and with very great success. He has a large and fine farm of 700 acres, in an excellent state of cultivation, and is a man generally liked and respected. In 1876 Mr. Biggers married Miss Alice McClinan, a native of the county, born in 1860; she is the daughter of Freeman and Anna (Hammock) McClinan, the former a native of this county, and long a leading and influential citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Biggers have four children: Pierce, Marion, Clarence and Willis. The parents are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Biggers belongs, also, to the masonic fraternity.

JOHN G. BROWN, who carries on an extensive farm in Meriwether county, of which he is a native, was born in 1835, and is the son of William and Mary (Owen) Brown. The former, a native of Jones county, was born in 1810, and settled in Meriwether county in 1832. His parents, John and Millie (Miller) Brown, were early settlers of Baldwin county, to which Mr. Brown, whose father, Moses Brown, was a revolutionary soldier, came from South Carolina. William Brown's wife was the daughter of George Owen, a Virginian who settled in Meriwether county in 1830. John G. Brown passed his early years on the

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farm, securing such education as was attainable in the old log school house. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, of the Thirteenth Georgia militia, under Capt. Henry Baker. He served throughout the war, was in the battle of Atlanta, from July 19 to July 22, 1864, and other fights. He returned with empty pockets to make a new start in life. By prudence and economy, as well as diligence, his means rapidly increased, and he has added from time to time to his farm, and is now the owner of a vast plantation in a fine state of cultivation; he also runs a saw-mill and is a man of wealth and influence. He is an honored member of the order of masonry. In 1859 Mr. Brown married Miss Sarah Riggins, born in Upson county in 1838, daughter of Joshua H. and Winnie (Alford) Riggins. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been blessed with twelve children: Mary A. E., John G., Lou D., Charity E., Julius C., James T., Julia A., Jacob V., Jesse E. (deceased), Joshua W. (deceased), Anna M. and Esley C.

CYPRIAN BULLOCH, JR., a wealthy farmer and active man of business of Meriwether county, in which he was born in 1848, is the son of Cyprian and Lucinda (Grey) Bulloch, North Carolinians, who were among the first settlers of Burke county, Ga. Mr. Bulloch was born in 1802 and died in 1892; his parents were Stephen and Mary (Bussey) Bulloch, of North Carolina, the father a soldier in the war of the revolution. The mother of Cyprian Bulloch, Jr., was a daughter of Samuel Grey, a South Carolinian who served in the war of 1812, and having drawn some land in Georgia, came and settled upon it, at a time when the country was very sparsely settled. The young Cyprian passed his early years on the farm with but a limited education. He developed a talent for agriculture, and in 1876 made his first investment in land, to which he had added at intervals since until he now has an immense plantation of some 1,200 acres of fine land. Besides his farming interests Mr. Bulloch is engaged in various mercantile en- terprises in connection with the firm known as Bulloch, Bussey & Co. In 1872 Mr. Bulloch married Miss Julia Parkman, who was born in this county in 1853, and is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Glanten) Parkman, South Carolinians, who moved to Georgia in 1846; Mr. Parkman served in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Bulloch have been blessed with seven children: Henry, Mattie, Julia, Minnie, Andrew, Ira G. and Samuel T. The parents are both members of the Baptist church; Mr. Bulloch is also a member of the masonic fraternity.

N. C. CAMPBELL, M. D., is a man distinguished among the citizens of Meri- wether county, not only as a successful physician, but as a man of influence in political and general affairs. His grandfather, John Campbell, a Virginian, served in the war of the revolution and in 1800 moved to Georgia. His son, Catlett, born in Virginia in 1797, having spent his early years in Morgan county, Ga., settled on a farm in Meriwether county just after it was formed, and was one of the most prosperous planters in that county during his day. Mr. Camp- bell died in 1862; he had married Miss Susan Harris, whose parents, John and Agnes Harris, were also Virginians who early made Georgia their home. Mr. Harris had also been a soldier in the war of the revolution. The son of Catlett and Susan (Harris) Campbell, N. C. Campbell, was born in Meriwether county in 1838, and after receiving an elementary education in the country schools near his home he completed his general course of study at Collinsworth institute. He then took up the study of medicine, reading at first under the tutelage of Dr. F. O. Danially; this was followed by a course in medicine at the university of New York, from which he graduated in 1860. He also enjoyed the advantages of hospital practice at Bellevue hospital, which was very helpful to him. In

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MERIWETHER COUNTY SKETCHES.

1861 the young physician went into the army, enlisting in Company B, Second Georgia regiment, under Capt. William Harris. He passed through many bat- tles: Mason's and Munson's hills, Yorktown, Seven Pines, serving throughout the war, to return at its close to establish himself in practice. In this Dr. Camp- bell has been very successful, having a large and lucrative practice, and is widely known and respected. He represented his county in the legislature of 1890 and 1891. He is a well-known member of the order of Masons. In 1863 Dr. Campbell married Miss Mary E. Howard, born in Talbot county in 1842, a daughter of John and Martha (Birch) Howard, the former a son of Nicholas and Judith (Campbell) Howard, Virginians who settled in Columbus when their son John was quite young. The mother of Mrs. Campbell was born in Danville, Va., in 1818. She was the daughter of John Neville Birch and Ann (Dilworth) Birch, Virginians who moved to Georgia in 1820. Dr. N. C. Campbell and Mary (Howard) Campbell are the parents of three children: Eloise, Susie Howard and Mary Eugenia. The parents are efficient members of the Methodist Episcopal church south.

GEORGE CALDWELL, a progressive farmer of Meriwether county, is one of the pioneers of the county, and of Irish ancestry, his grandparents, James and Mary Caldwell, and also his grandfather, McAlace, being natives of Ireland. James Caldwell was a soldier of the revolutionary war. These all settled in South Carolina, in which state their children, Robert and Jeanette (McAlace) Cald- well, were born, and also the son of the latter pair, George Caldwell, born in 1816. The lad's home was on the farm, his school privileges being limited to attend- ance in the old log school house of his district. On reaching manhood in 1837, his parents moved to Georgia, and he accompanied them. He made his home on a farm, and by his prudence, industry and economy has developed it into one of the valuable properties of the county, and has won a high standing in the community. His wife was Miss Eliza Connally, a daughter of Abner and Lucy (Bagley) Connally, old pioneers of the state; she was reared on a farm in Elbert county. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell were married in 1837 and have six children: Missouri, Bethuel, Mary, William, John W. and Rebecca. Mr. Caldwell is a Lutheran, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

W. J. CLARK is another of the respected citizens of Meriwether county who devotes himself to the cultivation of the soil. His grandfather, Thomas Clark, was born in England, and coming to the United States, settled in South Carolina, where he married. In 1824 he migrated to Georgia and settled first in what is now Meriwether county, whence not long afterward he moved to Coweta county, where he lived three years. He then moved to what is now Cherokee county, but after staying there a year he moved back to Meriwether county, where he made his permanent home. Henry G. Clark, Mr. Clark's father, was born in South Carolina in 1818, and was only six years old when his father moved to Georgia, and grew to manhood in Meriwether county. He married Miss Nancy J., daughter of George A. and Rebecca Ray, who were early settlers of Meriwether county. It was in this county, in 1848, that their son, W. J. Clark, was born and passed his early years upon the farm, with the limited school privileges of those days. His chief interest has always centered in agriculture, and to that he has devoted himself, and with great success, as is evident from the fact that though he started out in life with nothing, he has already acquired a competence, has a pleasant home and a fine farm of 500 acres near Oakland. His wife, whom he married in 1872, was Miss Lucy A. Estes, who

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was born in this county in 1845, and is the daughter of John W. and Lucy Estes, natives of South Carolina, but among Georgia's early settlers. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clark seven children have been born: Mattie J., Josie S., Mary L., Lizzie Etta, James W., Henry J. and Lewis C. Mr. and Mrs. Clark and daughters are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Clark is a Mason and also a member of the Farmers' alliance.

W. B. CLARK, one of the active and successful business men of Meriwether county, is a native of this county, born in 1858; his parents, Henry G. and Nancy J. (Ray) Clark, were among the first settlers of this county, the father being a native of Virginia and a son of Samuel and Susan (Drake) Clark. Samuel Clark was of Irish nativity, and having emigrated to this country in his early years, served in the war of 1812, and later came to Georgia. His son Henry's wife, Nancy, was a daughter of George R. and Nancy Ray, who were also early settlers of this county. W. B. Clark spent his early years, until he reached the age of twenty-one, upon the farm, making the most of such education as he could obtain in the country schools of his neighborhood. He then came to Rocky Mount and engaged as clerk with J. H. Salmon (a Scotchman who came to this country in 1878). After five years young Clark bought out his employer's busi- ness, which he continued to carry on with great success, and has acquired a con- siderable fortune by his own industry and economy. In 1890 he married Ann Bras- well, a native of Meriwether county, born in 1873, and the daughter of Hugh and Fannie (Roe) Braswell, old settlers of the state, the father a soldier in the late war.

R. S. COLE is a grandson of Robert and Elizabeth (Fambrel) Cole, Virginians, who were among the early settlers of Newton county, Ga., and later moved to Coweta county, where, in Newnan, Mr. Cole died. Their son, Jesse, who had accompanied his parents from Virginia to Newton county, married Miss Elizabeth Crawford, a daughter of William T. and Elizabeth (Shanklin) Crawford, natives of South Carolina, who were among the early settlers of Henry county, Ga. One son, Taylor Crawford, served in the Mexican war under Gen. Taylor. R. S. Cole, the son of Jesse and Elizabeth Cole, was born in 1820, in Newton county, and reared on the farm in Henry county, coming to Meriwether county in 1842. His educational opportunities had been very limited, and he began life for hin- self with but very little to start with; but by determined effort and persistent industry he has acquired wealth and influence. His large farm consists of 1,500

acres of land, in splendid condition. He has a beautiful home, and he and his family enjoy the respect of all who know them. His wife, whom he married in 184I, was Miss Nancy Ward, born in Meriwether county in 1819. She is a daughter of Obadiah and Susan (Fambrel) Ward, the former a native and constant resident of Meriwether county. Mr. Cole belongs to the masonic fraternity, and he and Mrs. Cole are both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are the parents of six children: William T., Franklin, Elisa, John, Jesse, and Sallie.

MONROE DAVIDSON, one of the well-to-do farmers of Meriwether county, is a native of Putnam county, born in 1832. His grandfather, William Davidson, a Virginia soldier of the revolutionary war, came to this state not long after that war, and his son Oliver, the father of Monroe, was born in Warren county. He served in the Indian war of 1836, and his wife was Miss Harriet A. Davenport, a daughter of John and Nancy (Davis) Davenport, Virginians, who settled first in Greene county, Ga, and afterward in Harris county. Young Mon-

W. B. CLARK.

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MERIWETHER COUNTY SKETCHES.

roe passed his early years on a farm in Harris county, with the common privileges of the country school. In 1862 he enlisted, joining Company H of the Thirty- first Georgia regiment, under Capt. Murphey, and was in many battles, among them those of Griswoldville and of Cold Harbor, in the latter of which he was badly wounded and unable to serve any further. He returned home, and after recovering from his wound devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm, in which he has been well prospered. At the time of the war Mr. Davidson sold his negroes, receiving in payment Confederate money. He has that money yet. In 1859 Mr. Davidson married Miss Regina Park, the daughter of Dr. Andrew and Alethia (Burren) Park, the former a native of South Carolina, who came to this state in 1828. The daughter, Mrs. Davidson, was born in Meriwether county in 1838. To Mr. Davidson and his wife three children have been born: Alethia A., Anna M., and Regina P. The parents are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN T. DIXON, M. D., a physician of note in Meriwether county, and a man of fine business ability, is a native of the county, born in 1837, the son of John L. and Elizabeth (Gorley) Dixon. The former was a native of Hancock county, but an early settler of Meriwether county, where he died in January, 1892. His parents were Harry and Ann (Hines) Dixon, Virginians, who early settled in Georgia. Mr. Dixon served in the war of 1812. The father of Dr. Dixon's mother was also an early settler of the state. Dr. Dixon himself passed his early years on the farm, obtaining his early training in the old log school house of his district; then he attended the Greeneville school, and finally the Colinsworth institute. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E of the Twenty-eighth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Moore. In the battle of Seven Pines Mr. Dixon was badly wounded and returned home to recruit. During the twelve months he was away from the army he took a course of medical study in the Virginia Medical college, at Richmond, and then went into the hospital service for the remainder of the war. He then entered the medical college in Atlanta, from which he graduated in 1866. Having received his degree, Dr. Dixon returned to Meri- wether county, and established himself in the practice of his profession at Woodbury, in which he has had great success, his practice being widely extended and very lucrative, and he is highly esteemed throughout the community. Dr. Dixon was married in 1865, his wife being Miss Celeste E. Hussey, a daughter of Hiram and Sarah (Edwards) Hussey, of Meriwether county, where Mrs. Dixon was born, in 1844. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and died in 1891, leaving her husband with seven children: Sallie, Mary I., Emmett E., John L., Harry, Joel T., and Nellie. In 1892 Mr. Dixon married Mrs. H. H. Hinton, who was born in Meriwether county in 1838, and is the daughter of Brown Fuller. Dr. and Mrs. Dixon are both faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

D. C. DUNLAP, a prosperous farmer and active business man of this county, is a native of Lincoln county, Tenn., born in 1823. His parents were James and Sarah (Massey) Dunlap, the former born in South Carolina in 1790, and served in the Indian war; the latter a daughter of James Massey, a native of Ireland, who was an early settler in Giles county, Tenn. James Dunlap's parents were David and Polly Dunlap, who early moved from South Carolina to Ala- bama, being among the very first settlers of Tuscaloosa, in that state. Mr. Dunlap had been one of the soldiers of the revolution. Young Dunlap spent his boyhood in the place of his birth, the farm in Lincoln county, Tenn., with very

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restricted educational privileges. In 1843 he went to Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he spent three years. In 1850 he came to Georgia and built a large mill at White Sulphur Springs, in the southern part of Meriwether county, and in 1854 he moved to his present home, near Rocky Mount. Here, in 1875, he built a large public gin and machine shops, his being the first steam gin erected in this county. In 1877 it was destroyed by fire, two men, a white and a negro, being the incen- diaries; the latter died in prison. By this fire Mr. Dunlap lost $6,200; but, never- theless, this loss did not discourage him, and he has been quite prosperous in later years. His unbounded energy and steady industry have been the foundation of his success, and he has always been highly respected wherever known. He served with honor to himself in the late war, enlisting in 1862 in the Twenty-sixth Georgia battalion, under Capt. Robert Heard, taking part in the battles of Resaca and Missionary ridge, and others, and doing his part until the declaration of peace. The marriage of Mr. Dunlap took place in 1852, his wife being Miss Francina Brittain, born in Clark county, Ga., Sept. 18, 1832, a daughter of William and Mary (Harris) Brittain, the former also a native of Clark county, born in 1804. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap, of whom the eldest, Sarah, E., wife of Barney Almon, died in 1882. The others are: Mary E., Louisa, James D., John H., and Robert R. The parents are faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Dunlap is a member of the order of Masons. He was also for some years justice of the peace, from 1866 through 1868.

J D. DUNN, a prosperous farmer, and a man of remarkable mechanical talent and skill, is a native of Meriwether county, in which he was born in 1828; his parents, William and Beddy (Johnston) Dunn, having settled in this county the preceding year. Here his father, who was born in Jones county, Ga., in 1800, built what is known as the Greeneville road. He was the son of Alexander and Beddy (O'Neal) Dunn, the former a native of Maryland and a soldier of the revolutionary war, who, after residing in Jones county for a considerable time, removed to Chambers county, Ala., where he passed the closing years of his life. The wife of William Dunn was the daughter of David Johnston, an early settler of Jasper county, Ga. The son, J. D. Dunn, was reared upon the farm, with the few advantages for education of that early 'period. In 1850 he moved into Woodbury, Meriwether Co., where he, having learned the trade of carriage and buggy making, engaged in that business. In 1861 he enlisted in the militia under Capt. Frank Strozier, and was elected adjutant. After the war Mr. Dunn returned to his business in Woodbury, and has a large establishment and thriving trade- carriage building. He is also a skillful house carpenter, and has done some marvelously fine work in that line. The Robert E. Lee institute at Thomaston, Upson Co., now a college of considerable note, is a monument of his mechanical skill. Mr. Dunn is a man of varied talents; he has been justice of the peace for eighteen years, winning the esteem of all with whom he has been concerned; has been a member of the democratic executive committee for the past two years, and withal has found time to oversee the affairs of his large and beautiful farm in the vicinity of Woodbury, and prove himself a practical farmer. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the masonic fraternity. In 1848 Mr. Dunn married Miss Catherine F. Findley, daughter of Riley and Catherine (Oliver) Findley, who were early settlers of this county, in which Mrs. Dunn was born Dec. 14, 1831. Mr. Dunn and his wife are both active members of the Missionary Baptist church; they were blessed with two children: John D. and Kittie P. On Jan. 5, 1891, Mr. Dunn was bereft of his wife by death.

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MERIWETHER COUNTY SKETCHES.

WILLIAM R. EDGE, a prosperous citizen of this county, has passed through many vicissitudes in the years of his life. He is the son of Joseph and Mar- garet (Flint) Edge, the former born in Wilkes county in 1803, and died in Meri- wether county in 1886; his father, Nehemiah Edge, a South Carolinian, was one of the earliest settlers of Wilkes county. Here in 1826 William R. was born and here he passed his boyhood, obtaining such education as he was able to do in his country home. Later he began working for himself at the rate of seven dollars per month, at which rate he worked for three years; then he was overseer for a time, after which he went into the milling business. He fell a victim to the "gold fever," and spent some time in California in search of that much-sought mineral. He served also through the war, enlisting in 1862 in Company B, First Georgia cavalry, under Capt. J. W. Trammell; he was in the battle at Philadel- phia and was in all the engagements during the memorable "march to the sea," being in those forces before Sherman all the way. Since the war he has been engaged in several different kinds of business, but has been especially successful in farming, as his large and beautiful and well-kept plantation on the Flint river bears witness. Mr. Edge married in 1855 his wife, Miss Catherine Boyd, being the daughter of Milton and Jane (Douglass) Boyd, of South Carolina, who came to Georgia in 1830. One daughter, Emma C., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edge; she is now the wife of W. P. Lovelace. Mrs. Edge died in 1875 and in 1877 Mr. Edge married Mrs. Amanda (Miller) Knowles, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Lovelace) Miller, of Wilkes county. Mrs. Edge is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; her husband is a member of the masonic fraternity.

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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 73

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