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 74

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 74

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LEWIS EDWARDS, a well-known and esteemed farmer of Meriwether county, is of Virginian ancestry, his grandfather, Henry Edwards, being a native of Virginia and a soldier, a sharpshooter, during the revolutionary war. Soon after the war he migrated with his family to Georgia and settled in Clarke county. His wife was Mary Woodson, an orphaned English girl who, on account of the harsh laws and cruelly severe penalties of those days, was obliged to leave the country for the simple act of plucking a bunch of grapes. Their son, Lewis H. Edwards, was born in 1812 and died in 1884. He married Mildred Lane, a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Lane, also natives of Virginia, and old residents of Georgia. In 1837 Mr. Edwards moved to Meriwether county, where in 1848 his son Lewis was born, and reared upon the homestead farm. His early privileges of education were limited to those of the common country school, and these were much im- paired by the onset of the war. With the return of peace he too returned to his Georgia home, and in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture soon forgot the toils and dangers of war. He has made a success of his calling, owning now a beau- tiful and well cultivated farm of 260 acres and enjoying the respect of the entire community. His fellow citizens have thrown on him the responsibilities of the position of justice of the peace. In 1872 Mr. Edwards married Miss Mary Estes, a daughter of John W. and Martha (Fuller) Estes, the former a native of South Carolina, who came to Georgia many years ago, where, in Meriwether county, he is a prominent farmer. Mrs. Edwards was born in this county in 1844, and she is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards has been blessed with three children: John L., Lucy and Marietta.

W F. FLORENCE, one of the prosperous agriculturists of this county, is of Virginia stock, both his grandfathers, who had served with bravery in the revolutionary war, having settled in Georgia the early part of this century. His father, William Florence, was born in Washington county, Aug. 11, 1805, and his

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mother, Millie A. (Arnett) Florence, was born in Virginia, Jan. 2, 1808. In 1838 their son, W. F. Florence, was born in Wilkes county, and the next year the family moved to Meriwether county, which became their permanent home. Mr. Florence is now occupying the house his father built for his family the years pre- ceding the removal. In those days educational opportunities were very limited, but young Florence made the best of such as fell to his lot. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, enlisting in Company B, Second Georgia regiment, under Capt. W. T. Harris. He took part in a number of the most important engagements of the war, Manassas, seven days before Richmond, Fredericksburg, Harper's Ferry, Hagerstown and Gettysburg. He buried Col. Harris, who was killed at Gettys- burg; he himself was wounded at the battle of Seven Pines and was carried bleed- ing off the field; at Shepherdstown he received a wound in the arm-in fact was wounded at four different times during the war; in the battle of Chickamauga his arm was badly shattered, but he heroically held out to the end of the war in 1865, and returned home to begin life for himself, and with no money. By energy and industry Mr. Florence soon began to win his way and accumulate money, buying his first land in 1867, to which he had been able to add since, so that he now owns a large and productive farm and is comfortably established, possessing also the true respect of all who know him; has been for some time bailiff of his district. Oct. 30, 1873, he married Miss Mary J. Russell, whose parents, John and Mary A. (Cappleman) Russell, natives of South Carolina, were among the early settlers of the state. Mrs. Florence was born in this county in December, 1846. She is a worthy member of the Baptist church, while her hus- band is a Presbyterian. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Florence have five children: Lottie, Hugh, Lena, James and Dosia.

DAVID FREEMAN is another of the tillers of the soil of Meriwether county, who by industry and uprightness have attained prosperity. He is a grand- son of James and Rebecca (Rymes) Freeman, the former a native of Tennessee, but who passed the greater part of his life in the city of Rome, Ga. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His son, J. C., was born in Clinton, Jones Co., Ga., in 1819, and married Miss Amanda Neal, a daughter of James and Mary (Rucker) Neal, the former a native of Warren county, Ga., and a soldier of the revolution. Mr. Freeman moved to Meriwether county in 1848; he served during the late war in the state militia, and has represented his district, Griffin district, in congress. His son, David Freeman, was born in Zebulon, Pike Co., in 1847; he has passed not only his early years, but those of manhood also, on the farm in Meriwether county, still residing in the old homestead, and within sight of one of the first houses built in the county, which is a part of his property. The Flint river, on whose borders his plantation lies, is here somewhat shallow, which gives the place its name, "Flat Shoals." In the old Flat Shoals college young Freeman obtained a part of his education, which he completed in Griffin. He has been more fortunate than many in the respect of excellent educational opportunities. As a farmer and a man of business he has been prospered and is well respected by all.

W. F. GAY is one of those citizens of Meriwether county who may point with pride to patriotic ancestry, two of his great-grandfathers having served with valor in the revolutionary struggle. Some time after the war the son of one of these men, Benjamin Gay, brought his wife, Mrs. Ann (Gay) Gay, from their native state, North Carolina, to settle in Georgia. Their son, Columbus Gay, married Miss Martha Sasser, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Beverly) Sasser. The

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father of the former served through the revolution under Gen. Washington, and to the day of his death bore on his head the scars of several wounds received in that war. This family was also of North Carolina nativity, but William Sasser came to Georgia early in the century and settled in Monroe county. The move being made in mid-winter, with the ground frozen, and the settlement in the woods, much suffering and privation was entailed upon the settlers while, with the aid of kind neighbors, they constructed a home. Mr. Sasser served in the war of 1812, and in 1829 transferred his family to Meriwether county and again created a home in the wilderness. In these days of comfort, with the countless conveniences of modern life, it is hard to realize what our predecessors of one or two generations had to endure. Around this lonely home towered the primeval forest, in whose shadows lurked the timid deer and the ravenous wolf. Many a night were the slumbers of the pioneer family broken, and their hearts filled with fear, by the hideous and terrifying howls of the wolves. Many a morning saw their stock of sheep, pigs or calves diminished as the result of these marauding visits. Neighbors were distant and privileges few. For years they rode fifteen miles for the purpose of attending church. Mr. Sasser, desiring to increase the educational facilities for his own and his neighbor's children, gave two acres of land for the purpose of erecting an academy. The son of Columbus and Martha (Sasser) Gay, W. F. Gay, was born here in 1850. He passed his early years on the farm, but received a good education, and has developed a very fine business talent, as well as cultivating his farm with great success. For twelve years he has resided at Gay, carrying on a thriving mercantile trade. The respect in which lie is held by his fellow-citizens is evinced by the responsibilities they have laid upon him. He has been county bailiff, justice of the peace, and for the last six years county commissioner. His wife was Miss Anna Culpepper, daughter of Charles and Jane (English) Culpepper, old settlers of Coweta county, and natives of South Carolina. Mr. Culpepper was a soldier in the late war. Mrs. Gay was born in Coweta county in 1849, and is a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Gay were married in 1869, and their union has been blessed with eleven children: John, Emma, Lula, Mattie, Henry, Leila, Joe, Dallie, Ben, Bessie and Iva.

COL. HENRY P. HARRIS, one of Georgia's illustrious sons, is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, descended from one of the seven brothers who came to America early in the history of the colonies, and who were the progenitors of this family in this country. His grandfather, Absalom Harris, was born in Virginia, and in 1795 removed with his family to Georgia, settling in Hancock county. His son, Henry, born in Virginia in 1781, married Miss Mary Sasnett, daughter of Richard Sasnett, an early settler of Georgia from North Carolina, and a lineal descendant of Gov. Borden, the colonial governor of North Carolina. Henry R., the son of Henry and Mary (Sasnett) Harris, was born in Hancock county in 1828, and in 1830 his father removed with his family to Meriwether county and settled on a plantation near Greenville. Here young Harris grew to manhood, receiving his primary education in the school at Greenville. One of his first teachers was Hon. Lyman Trumbull, later member of congress, and now at the head of the bar in Chicago. Later Mr. Harris completed a successful course at Emory college, and is one of the most accomplished among the graduates of that noble institution, where he fitted himself for the distinguished positions he has since been called upon to fill. In 1872 he was elected to represent his district in congress, in which office he was continued for six years, the last two of which he was a member of the ways and means committee. In 1884 he was elected for another term, and was appointed by John G. Carlisle to the same important

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committee-ways and means. At the close of this term of office he was appointed third assistant postmaster-general, under President Cleveland, and discharged the duties of this office with honor and fidelity. Since his return from Washing- ton Col. Harris has lived in comparative retirement upon his plantation, engaged in his private affairs, and in thoughtful consideration and earnest effort for the interests of the Wesleyan Female college and La Grange Female college-he being a member of the board of trustees of each of these institutions. The po- sitions of responsibility and influence to which Mr. Harris has been called are indicative of the respect in which he is held, and he is equally well liked by all who know him. Early in life, in 1847, Mr. Harris married Miss Eliza Gresham, whose parents, Albert Y. and (Wells) Gresham, natives of Virginia, were early settlers of Clarke county, Ga., where Mrs. Harris was born in 1830. Mrs. Harris, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, died in 1880, leaving her husband with six children: Mary, Henry R., Ella, Fannie, Lena, and Albert Y. In 1886 Col. Harris married Miss Kate Moses, whose parents, S. Preston and Lizzie (Tucker) Moses, natives of South Carolina, were for a long period residents of Washington, D. C., where Mr. Moses died in 1883, and where his widow still resides. Mrs. Harris was born in 1854, in Olympia, Wash., where her father was collector of customs. Col. and Mrs. Harris are both active workers of the Methodist Episcopal church south, of which they are worthy members. Col. Harris is also an honored member of the masonic fra- ternity.

HIRAM WARNER HILL is a native of this county, in which his father, Alex- ander Franklin Hill, a successful planter, was for many years a resident. The family are among the pioneers of the state, to which Mr. Hill's grandparents came from North Carolina, in the latter part of the last century. Wiley Hill settled in Wilkes county, and there in 1800 their son, Bur well P., was born; he married Martha Pope Johnson, and their son, Alexander Franklin Hill, was born in the same county in 1831; he died in 1888. His wife was Miss Mary J. Warner, a daughter of Hiram and Sarah (Abercrobie) Warner, the former eminent, not only among the citizens of his own state, but of his country, occupying as he did, the elevated and responsible office of chief justice of Georgia. He was born in the state of Massachusetts in 1802, his parents being Obadiah and Jane Warner, natives of that state, the former a son of Joshua Warner, the latter a daughter of Capt. Coffin of Martha's Vineyard. From this patriotic and honor- able ancestry was descended Judge Warner, who in his early manhood, in 1821, made a home in Georgia, where his death occurred in 1881. His grandson and namesake, Hiram Warner Hill, was born in 1858 of this brave and honorable race. During his boyhood, passed on the farm, he attended the schools of Green- ville, Ga., and afterward Emory college, later taking a law course at Harvard university, from which he received his degree in 1881, and returned home to begin the practice of his profession. In this he has been very successful and is. highly esteemed; he has for eight successive years (since 1886) been elected to represent his county in the state legislature, which responsibility he has borne with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituency. During four years of this time he was chairman of the general judiciary committee of the house. In 1884 Mr. Hill married Miss Lena Harris, a daughter of Henry R. and Eliza A. (Gresham) Harris. Hr. Harris, a native of Hancock county, has been a very influential man in his state, for which he served during the late war as colonel. He was for six years a member of congress, and three years third assistant post- master-general of the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are both active and faith- ful members of the Methodist Episcopal church south, and Mr. Hill is an honored

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member of the masonic fraternity. They have been blessed with six children: H. W., Jr .; Eliza; A. F .; Lena; Mary, and Henry R. Lena died in 1893, and Henry in 1895.

A. J. HINTON, one of the well-known and esteemed citizens of Meriwether county, of which he is a native, was born in August, 1841. His grandfather, John Hinton, a soldier of the revolution, shortly after that war came with his wife, Huldah, from North Carolina, their native state, to Georgia. Here in Wilkes county, where they had settled, their son Jesse was born in 1802, and spent his early years, marrying Miss Clara Wells, a daughter of William and Sallie Wells, natives of the same county. Mr. Hinton was an industrious and energetic man, and a prosperous farmer, and his son A. J. has inherited those valuable qualities. His early years were passed upon the farm, his first steps in the pathway to knowledge being made by the way of the old log school house of his district, after which he attended Griffin college. Before he had attained his majority the war broke out, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Fifty-fifth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Milton P. Tucker. During the time that he was connected with this regiment he was not in any battle, but, his term of enlistment having expired, he returned home, and then re-enlisted, going out as captain of Company B, Ninth Georgia regiment. In this company he was in many battles, among them Atlanta and the fall of Savannah. Capt. Hinton shared in the poverty of his men, and the southern forces in general, and returned penniless from the war, and for several years engaged in farming. In 1873 he was elected clerk of the court, and, therefore, moved into Greeneville; he served two terms as clerk, and in 1877 was elected ordinary, to which office he has been re-elected every term since, which fact has well attested his faithfulness and efficiency in the duties of his office. Capt. Hinton married in 1859 Miss Sudie Findley, the daughter of Emanuel and Eliza- beth (McLaughlin) Findley, the former a native of Jasper county, who came to this county in 1833. Mrs. Hinton was born in this county in 1843 and died in 1875, leaving to her husband two children, Laurena and Jesse L. In 1887 he married Miss Palma Walker, born in Upson county in 1855. Her parents, Hudson and Frances (Dardin) Walker, some years ago moved from Georgia to Texas, and later Mr. Walker returning to make a visit to his daughter, was taken with the yellow fever in New Orleans and died. Mr. and Mrs. Hinton are faithful and consistent Christians, the former a niember of the Missionary Baptist church, the latter belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hinton is also an honored member of the masonic order.

W S. HOWELL, an attorney of distinguished ability of Meriwether county, belongs to one of the pioneer families of the state, to which his great- grandfather with five brothers came from North Carolina in the last century. Four of the brothers drifted on with the tide of emigration, but one other remained in Georgia. He was Mckinney Howell, one of the earliest settlers of Greene county. His wife was Mary Johnson, and their son, Matthew C. Howell, was born in Greene county in 1812. He married Sarah Simonton, and they also made their home in Greene county, as did their son, Samuel A. Howell. The latter married Georgia Ely, a daughter of John W. and Virginia (Baugh) Ely, also residents of Greene county. Mr. Ely was born in North Carolina in 1799. His father, Michael Ely, came to Greene county, Ga., in 1814, where for many years he kept a public inn. The son served in the war of 1836, fought under Gen. Scott, and died in 1885. W. S. Howell, the son of Samuel A. and Georgia (Ely) Howell, was born in Greene county, Jan. 1I, 1859, and being reared upon the farm,

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obtained his first training in the country school; he added to this a course at Dawson institute, White Plains, and finally graduated from Mercer university, Macon, Ga., in 1882. He went to Greeneville and taught for four years, beginning the study of law, to which he devoted himself under the wise supervision of Maj. J. W. Parks, and in 1889 was admitted to the bar. The young attorney has continued in the practice of his profession ever since with ever increasing success. He also carries on a thriving farin, and is a man of high standing among his fellow-citizens. In 1885 Mr. Howell married Miss Hattie Kilpatrick, born in White Plains in 1862, daughter of J. H. and Cornelia (Hall) Kilpatrick; the father was a minister, and president of the Baptist convention of 1894. One child, Cornelia H., was given to Mr. and Mrs. Howell; the latter died in 1886. In 1889 Mr. Howell married Miss Annie Davidson, daughter of Monroe and Reginia (Park) Davidson; the father served in the late war under Gen. Evans. Mrs. Howell was born in Meriwether county in 1866; she is a graduate of Mary Sharp college, Winchester, Tenn. She and Mr. Howell are both members of the Missionary Baptist church. Two children have blessed this union: Samuel M. and William S.

JOHN R. JONES, one of the oldest and a very highly esteemed citizen of Meriwether county, Ga., son of John and Catharine (Dunn) Jones, was born in Columbia county, Ga., in 1800. His grandfather was a native of Virginia and his father was born in that state, where he came to Georgia and settled in Columbia county late in the last century, where he ended his days. His maternal grand- father, Richard Dunn, was a native of Virginia, was a soldier during the revolu- tionary war, was a farmer and came to Georgia, becoming one of the early settlers of Columbia county. Mr. Jones was given such an education as was afforded by the schools of the locality of the time, and was raised a farmer, a vocation he has followed all his life, realizing a fortune. No citizen in Meriwether county is held in higher esteem by its citizens, in fact is revered by them so estimable is his character. Mr. Jones was married in 1828 to Miss Elizabeth, born in Jasper county, Ga., April 5, 1811, daughter of James and Ondia Davis. He was a native of Virginia, came to Georgia when a young man, married and raised a family, was a captain in the Indian war, and died in Harris county. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, four survive: Charles G., Catharine, William C. and Harriet. Mrs. Jones was an exemplary member of the Missionary Baptist church, and died Dec. 28, 1882. Mr. Jones has been a remarkably industrious man; has always been a generous giver to the poor and to religious organizations, and is now living with his children. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and of the Missionary Baptist church.

JOHN O. JONES, an enterprising farmer of Meriwether county, is one of those who may look back with pride upon a brave and patriotic ancestry; both of his grandfathers having served in the revolution. His grandparents, John and Agnes (Ready) Jones, were Virginians who settled in this state early in the century, where, in Morgan county, their son, A. J. Jones, was born. They after- ward removed to Mississippi, and there, in 1852, Mr. Jones died, full of years and honors. The wife of A. J. Jones was Miss Mary Dark, whose parents were early settlers of Meriwether county, in which county her son, John O. Jones, was born in 1841, and reared upon the farm, receiving only the limited education common in those days in the country schools. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Capt. Howard, Eighth Georgia regiment, and was in the first battle of Manassas, and afterward in many others. As was the common lot of most of the Georgian

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troops, Mr. Jones returned from the war with empty pockets, and to a region made desolate by the passage of hostile' armies, to begin life anew. But with the natural courage and resolution of his character he at once set to work at the first thing which presented itself-hauling lumber from Senoia to Atlanta, and with the money thus earned laid the foundation of his present fortune-purchasing land and developing his fine and valuable farm. In 1865 Mr. Jones married Miss Lizzie Glass, a native of Meriwether county, born in 1843; she is the daughter of James B. and Mary (Clower) Glass, the former a native of Jasper county, who came to this county in his boyhood, where he died in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are both members of the Missionary Baptist church. They have five . children: James A., John H., William R., R. A. and Alma M., and the family is well known and esteemed in the community.

D M. LASSETTER belongs to the pioneer stock of this section, his parents, · Hardy and Elizabeth (Keith) Lassetter being both natives of the state, the former born in 1780, in the wilderness where at that early date his privileges were but few, his hardships many. Mrs. Lassetter's father, David Keith, was also a pioneer of the state and a soldier of the war of 1812. D. M. Lassetter was born in Monroe county, Oct. 27, 1830, and in 1836 came with his parents to Meriwether county. His schooling was limited to that obtainable in the little log school- house of those early days. In 1862 Mr. Lassetter enlisted in Company B of the Thirteenth Georgia regiment, under Capt. McCalley, and was wounded June 27, 1862, in the seven days' fight at Cold Harbor; he was sent home to recover and there took the smallpox, which left him blind for a time, and, indeed, he only regained the sight of one eye; as soon as he could see somewhat he went back to the army, but was rejected for active service, and given post duty, at which he served until the surrender. Upon the return of Mr. Lassetter from the war he undertook farming in Coweta county, having nothing to start with, but was unsuccessful; his natural abilities seemed more to fit him for a business career, and in 1866 he engaged in the mercantile business at Luthersville with Nat Teagle; in 1878 he purchased Mr. Teagle's interest, since which time he has carried on the business alone, constantly increasing his trade, which has become very large and lucrative. Mr. Lassetter is a member of the masonic order and a man of desirable position in the community where he is widely known and respected. In 1870 Mr. Lassetter married Miss Sallie F. Norris, daughter of William P. and Narcissa (Respass) Norris, early settlers of Meriwether county. Her death occurred a few years after; she was a member of the Primitive Baptist church. In 1881 Mr. Lassetter married Miss Carrie Nall, born in this county in 1852, a daughter of J. W. and Martha (Worthan) Nall, and a member of the Missionary church.

H. B. LEVERETT is a citizen of wealth and influence of this county, of which he is a native, born in 1845. He is the grandson of a revolutionary soldier, Robert Leverett, whose wife was Sidney Bailey, and who moved from Maryland, his native state, to South Carolina, where his son, Manuel, was born. In 1825 he moved to Wilkes county, Ga., and later to Alabama, which he made his final home. Manuel Leverett, who served in the late war, married Miss Cynthia Lanier. whose father, Jas. Lanier, a native of Maryland, was also a revolutionary soldier, and with his wife, Mary Lanier, settled in Jasper county, Ga. H. B. Leverett passed his boyhood on the farm with the limited educational advantages of those days, and while yet a youth, in March, 1862, enlisted for the war. He entered company K of the Thirty-fourth Alabama regiment under Capt. Crowder and fought in many battles: Munfordville, Ky .; Danville, Ky .; Murfreesboro; Tul- II-33

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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 74

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