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 76

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 76

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J. B. REYNOLDS, one of the successful agriculturists of Meriwether county, is a native of South Carolina, born in Edgefield district in 1843. His father, Wiley Reynolds, was a son of Thomas and Nancy (Harris) Reynolds; and his mother, Dolly (Burton) Reynolds, was the daughter of Nathaniel and Susan (Aswell) Burton, all South Carolinians by birth. In 1846, when the boy, J. B. Reynolds, was but three years old, his parents came to Georgia and settled on a farm in Meriwether county, where he was reared, and received such school privileges as were afforded in the little log school house of the district. He enlisted in 1862, joining Company F of the Fifty-fifth regiment, under Capt. Henry Baker. Although he served faithfully to the end of the war he had the singular good fortune not only to escape being wounded or captured, but even to escape being in battle. Upon his return from the war Mr. Reynolds received

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from his father eight hundred acres of land, on which to make his home, and this, well improved, and added to, has been the foundation of the competence which he now possesses. In 1864 Mr. Reynolds married Miss Amanda Glisson, a na- tive of Crawford county, born in 1849. She is the daughter of Brinkley and Amy (Riglan) Glisson, natives of this state; her father served both in the Indian war of 1836, and in the Mexican war. Both Mr. Reynolds and his wife are mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist church. They have six children: Anna, Dida, Henry W., J. B., Lillie and Emmett.

JAMES H. ROBERTS, one of the most successful farmers of this region, is a native of Meriwether county, born in 1852, and the son of James and Sarah (Miller) Roberts. The father came with his parents from South Carolina, their native state, to settle in Georgia, in the early part of the century. His wife was a daughter of Haymond Miller, also a South Carolinian, who came to Georgia in 1806. Young James H. Roberts was reared on the farm in his native county, and made the most of his meager school privileges, which were still further diminished by the deprivations and desolations of the war. In 1875 he married Miss Maria O'Nell, a native of this county, born in 1852, the daughter of Atley and Angeline (Brown) O'Nell, old settlers of Meriwether county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and esteemed members of the community. Mr. Roberts belongs also to the masonic fraternity.

JAMES A. ROWE, a successful farmer and well-known and honored soldier of Meriwether county, is a grandson of William Rowe, a native of South Carolina, who was one of the pioneers of what is now Monroe county, where he settled in 1804. His son, James, born in South Carolina, married Miss Narcissa Lewis, daughter of a revolutionary soldier, a native of South Carolina. Their son, James A. Rowe, was born in Monroe county in 1824, and passed his early years on the farm in that county, coming to Meriwether county in 1836. His early advantages were confined to such as were obtainable in the old log school house in the country. His natural energy of character has enabled him to make his way in the world. In 1861 Mr. Rowe enlisted in the Meriwether revengers under Capt. Hall. In 1862 they reorganized and Mr. Rowe was made captain of Company E, Twenty-eighth Georgia regiment. Capt. Rowe took part in fifty- two battles, many of them being among the most important and fiercest engage- ments of the war; such as Seven Pines, seven days at Richmond, Wilderness, Ocean Pond, Fort Sumter, James Island, Fort Fisher, John's Island, battle of Winchester, and many more. It was not to be expected that he would go unscathed through so many direful encounters; he received eleven wounds during the war. After the declaration of peace he returned home to make a new start in life. He has devoted himself to farm work and has succeeded in making for himself and family a competence and a pleasant and comfortable home. He married in 1848, his wife, Miss Nancy A. Malcolm, being a native of Walton county, born March 23, 1832; her parents, Alexander and Mahala (Nelson) Malcolm, were early settlers of that county. Capt. and Mrs. Rowe have eight children living: Thomas B., Milton, Walter, Allen J., Alfred C., Virginia, Harriet and Mary.

ALLEN J. ROWE, a prosperous and respected citizen of Meriwether county, is a son of James and Narcissa (Lewis) Rowe, and a brother of Capt. James A. Rowe. His paternal grandparents were William and Mary Rowe, those on the mother's side were William and Mary Lewis, all natives of South Carolina and among the early settlers of Georgia. Young Allen was born in Monroe county

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in 1835 and early transferred to Meriwether county, where he passed his childhood and youth upon the farm, gaining such education as he could with his scant opportunities. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B of the First Georgia cavalry, under Capt. Strickland. He fought in many of the hardest battles of the war: Big Hill, Murfreesboro, Perrysville, Chickamauga, Philadelphia, and was in the. force that surrendered at Salisbury, N. C. After the surrender he returned to his home on the farm, to the careful and wise management of which he has ever since devoted himself. Mr. Rowe has worked with energy and planned with care, and has thus acquired wealth and enlarged and greatly increased the value of his broad and beautiful plantation, and is a man to whom all give the esteem he merits. He has a large and promising family. His wife was Miss Harriet Malcolm, daughter of Alexander and Mahala (Nelson) Malcolm, the former a native of Walton county, in which he died in 1859. Mrs. Rowe was born in Meriwether county in 1840, and is a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Mr. Rowe belongs to the masonic fraternity. They were married in 1855 and have been blessed with thirteen children: Alice, Ella, William, Lewis, Hattie, Sa- vannah, Alexander, James, Nannie, Stella, Mattie J., Henry C. and Jackson.

DR. J. W. TAYLOR, a successful physician and prominent citizen of Meri- wether county, was born in Lexington district, S. C., in 1833. In 1839 his parents, William and Rebecca (Corley) Taylor, left their native state, South Caro- lina, to settle in Georgia, dwelling for a year in Monroe county, and then moving to Coweta county. Here young J. W. passed his boyhood, obtaining as good an education as the common schools afforded. In 1854 he began the study of medi- cine with his brother, Dr. J. P. Taylor, of Haralson, and in 1858 he entered the Atlanta Medical college at Atlanta; the coming on of the war hindered the completion of his medical studies at that time. In 1861, on the organization of Company B, First Georgia cavalry, he was appointed first lieutenant, but they were not mustered in until March 4, 1862, and he had associated himself with a squad of young men who agreed to remain together throughout the war. That he might fulfill this pledge he repeatedly refused promotion; even his unanimous election as major of his regiment he would not accept. The medical and surgical knowledge he had gained he made of constant use, not only to his own company, but to any of his regiment who needed it. Many incidents are related illus- trating not only his skill but also his shrewdness. As, for instance, when on one occasion a soldier came to him with the pretense of being ill, the doctor, detecting the trick, compelled him to swallow a very large dose of castor oil, which cured him of ever again undertaking such a fraud. At another time, at Stegall's ferry, Ky., in the midst of a rain of shell, he dismounted from his horse and with the assistance of two ladies calmly amputated and dressed a soldier's arm, having for implements only a common bistoury and a carpenter's tenon-saw; and the soldier completely recovered. Dr. Taylor served throughout the war, taking part in many of the hardest battles, Murfreesboro, Loudon, Ky .; Big Hill, Ky., and the second battle of Murfreesboro being some of them. He had the honor of planting the flag at Franklin, Ky., was with Gen. Johnston in front of Sherman all the way to Atlanta, taking part also in that memorable conflict, and when Johnston was relieved by Hood he, at the head of his company, opened the way for Hood's charge on the Union army. He returned to Georgia at the close of the war and began practice at Luthersville. After a year or two he again went to Atlanta and completed his medical studies, receiving his degree in 1867. Among his classmates were several of the most prominent men of his profession: Dr. A. G. Thomas, G. G. Crawford, Haden, Houston and many others. In 1876 Dr.

J. W. TAYLOR.

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Taylor was elected to represent Meriwether county in the state legislature among inany noted men of that time: Gov. Northen, J. D. Stewart, A. D. Candler, H. H. Carlton, Judge H. G. Turner, Judge Allen Fort, A. L. Miller, Judge Pratt Adams, the youngest there, and others. Dr. Taylor was appointed by Gov. Northen as trustee for the school for the deaf at Cave Springs, Ga. He is one of the lead- ing men of the county, where he is liked and respected by all. He is especially well known throughout the state, and in fact all through the south by the mem- bers of the masonic order, among whom he holds very high rank. For nine years he has held the office of grand high priest, at the beginning of his term there being but twenty-four contributing chapters, while now there are between ninety and a hundred. He is past deputy grand master of the state, is chairman of the financial committee, and general grand king of the general grand lodge chap- ter of the United States, being now the ranking officer of the grand chapter living in the state. In 1854 Dr. Taylor was married to Miss Amelia Jane Wilson, daughter of James and Leah D. (Johnson) Wilson. She was born in 1836, and is of Scotch ancestry, her grandfather being one of the clergymen who, for con- science' sake, seceded from the Presbyterian church of Scotland at the time of the dissensions in that body. Mrs. Taylor died in October, 1892. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also Dr. Taylor. They had but one child, a son, John W., who is also a practicing physician in Luthersville.

HOPE TIGNER, a valued citizen and prosperous farmer of Meriwether county, of which he is a native, is of Scotch ancestry, his great-grandfather, William Tigner, with two brothers, having come from Scotland during the last century. They were the ancestors of the Tigner families in this country. William Tigner settled in Elbert county, where his son Hope was born, who married Miss Eliza Glenn, and many years ago settled in Meriwether county, and erected the first frame house built in the county. Their son, W. S., born in Monroe county, mar- ried Miss Mary J. Baldwin, a daughter of James and Mary (Scott) Baldwin, natives of Virginia, who settled in Hancock county in 1824, and later moved to Upson county. Mr. Baldwin, who commanded a regiment in the war of 1812, was the son of George and Rachel Baldwin, of Virginia, the former a soldier during the revolutionary war. Hope Tigner, the son of W. S. and Mary J. (Bald- win) Tigner, was born in 1852, and passed his early years upon the farm. He attended the school at White Sulphur Springs, and also enjoyed and profited by a year at Bowdon college. Mr. Tigner's chosen vocation is the tillage of the soil, and this he has pursued with the ardor and determination which compels success. His country home is a most delightful one, in the midst of his large and beautiful plantation. He has given considerable attention to horticulture, and has four and a half acres devoted to the culture of grapes, which are in fine condition. Mr. Tigner is a man of estimable character, and truly respected by all. In 1876 Mr. Tigner married Miss Carrie Pitts, whose parents, Lewis and Martha (Marshall) Pitts, Georgians by birth, afterward removed to Alabama. Mrs. Tigner was born in Russell county, Ala., in 1854. Both Mr. Tigner and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church south. They have two children, W. S. and Mary A.

BENSON F. TIGNER, a successful farmer of this county, belongs to a family of considerable prominence in the state during the last century. His grand- father, William Tigner, of Scotch nativity, was a pioneer of Elbert county; his son, Hope H. Tigner, married Miss Eliza Glenn, and was the first settler of Meri- wether county, where he built the first frame house ever erected in that county,

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which was for many years noted through an extensive region of country as the Tigner homestead. Mr. Tigner was a man of large influence and greatly liked, and he organized a company to serve in the Indian war, but his health broke down and he died before the time came to go. His wife was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Crawford) Glenn, early settlers of Monroe county, Ga. Mrs. Glenn was a sister of Hon. William H. Crawford, so long distinguished among the eminent citizens of the state, and this gentleman took charge of the education of the niece, Mrs. Tigner, which under such direction was of unusual excellence. Benson F., the son of Hope H. and Eliza (Glenn) Tigner, was born in Meriwether county in 1833, and in that sparsely settled community enjoyed but limited educational opportunities. He enlisted in 1862 in the company com- manded by Capt. Bragg, and was in the battle of Atlanta, and was present at the surrender at Savannah. Mr. Tigner began life for himself with little means, but with a character combining energy and perseverance, and by resolute endeavor and arduous work has accumulated a large property, has a beautiful home, and over a thousand acres of choice land in a fine state of cultivation, and enjoys the high esteem of all who know him. In 1858 Mr. Tigner married Miss Martha Stin- son, a daughter of Dr. J. W. and Martha (Jackson) Stinson, the former for many years a leading physician of this section, with a widely extended and very lucra- tive practice, and a man of wealth and influence and great liberality. Mrs. Tigner was born in Meriwether county in 1836, and her union with Mr. Tigner has been blessed with seven children: Frank C., Mattie G., George S., Edward A., James H., Carrie O. and Julia B. Mr. and Mrs. Tigner are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church south, in the work of which they are very active. Mr. Tigner is a member of the board of trustees of the church and also of the school, and bears the same responsibility in relation to the camp ground, a beautiful tract of land in Meriwether county which for sixty-four years has been held for religious purposes. It was chartered by the legislature of 1832.

JOHN J. TUCKER, farmer, Meriwether county (P. O. Chipley, Harris county), Ga., son of Humphrey and Eda (Grant) Tucker, was born in Elbert county, Ga., in 1826. His paternal grandparents, Ethrel and Rebecca Tucker, were natives of North Carolina, and Virginia, respectively, migrated to Georgia and settled in Elbert county about the beginning of this century. Mr. Tucker's father was born in North Carolina, came with the family to Elbert county, whence, in 1833, he moved to Meriwether county, where he settled permanently. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Grant, was a native of Virginia, who, early in life, left that state and settled in Georgia. Mr. Tucker was raised on the farm, and like most farmers' boys at the time of his boyhood received only a limited education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Second North Carolina battalion, of one of whose companies he was made lieutenant. The latter part of the year he was commissioned as captain of the company. He saw much and arduous service, and with his com- mand was in many important battles. At the battle of Gettysburg he was cap- tured and kept as a prisoner for twenty-two months. He came out of the war without a dollar; his capital being a piece of land, bought but not paid for, a stout heart and a resolute will. As a result he has paid for the original tract, and now has an 800-acre paid-for tract, enjoys a competency, and the respect and esteem of all who know him. Capt. Tucker was married in 1853 to Miss Louisa Kilpatrick, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Kilpatrick, an old Georgia family. Of the children born to them five are living: Sarah F .; Oscar; Benjamin; John, and James Robert. The mother of these children having died, in 1874 he mar-

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ried Ollie Crawford-born in Talbot county, Ga., in 1840-daughter of P. Craw- ford, a native of North Carolina, who early in life left that state and came to Georgia. Capt. Tucker is a master Mason, and himself and wife are active and influential members of the Methodist church.

J. W. TRAMMEL, one of Meriwether county's active and intelligent farmers, is a native of Clarke county, born June 29, 1829, the son of John and Jane (Harris) Trammel; the former, born in 1779, was a soldier in the war of 1812; the latter was a daughter of William Harris, a revolutionary soldier, and his wife, Sarah Harris. J. W. Trammel was reared in Meriwether county, receiving such education as could be obtained in an old log school house of unusually restricted dimensions-only eight logs high-which gave shelter to the youth of that dis- trict, and stood them in lieu of the temple of knowledge. In 1862 Mr. Trammel enlisted in Company B, First Georgia cavalry, under Capt. Strickland. He was in many severe contests, both battles of Manassas, Chickamauga and Atlanta; he was in the same battle in which Gen. Pope was killed, and also assisted in the capture of Gen. Stoneman. Mr. Trammel at the close of the war returned home penniless to make a new beginning, working on a farm for a few years for him- self. He is a man of fine business talent, to which, in addition to his persistent devotion to his chosen pursuit, as well as thrift and economy, his continued and increasing success is chiefly due, and for these and his other admirable traits of character he is highly respected by all. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and he and Mrs. Trammel are both members of the Baptist church. The latter was Miss Nancy Hindsman, daughter of William and Sallie (Cotton) Hindsman. Their union took place in 1853 and has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living: John W., Mattie and Robert T.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS, a prosperous farmer and leading citizen of Meri- wether county, was born Jan. 9, 1834, his parents, Clark T. and Harriet (Jos- sey) Williams, being natives of the state in which his grandparents were early pioneers. His father's parents, John and Lily (Taylor) Williams, were among the early settlers of Clark county, the former being a native of Virginia, the latter born in Wilkes county, Ga., a daughter of Virginian parents, Henry and Huldah (Pope) Jossey, who came to Georgia among the earliest settlers. Clark T. Williams was reared in the pioneer home, and bravely endured the accom- panying hardships and privations. His son, John H., was also reared upon the farm, and enjoyed the limited educational privileges of the early schools in those sparsely settled districts. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Eighth Georgia regiment, under Capt. Columbus Howard, after whose death Capt. Hugh E. Malone was put in command. During the first part of the war Mr. Williams took part in many of the fiercest engagements of that period: First battle of Manassas, Malvern Hill-that fearful seven days' fight, Mechanicsville, the siege of York- town, and many others. He served valorously through them all, but in 1862, having procured a substitute, he returned home to recruit. In 1864 he again entered the field under Col. James Blount, and served with ardor to the end of the war. He then returned home without a dollar to begin life anew, but by his steady application to business has been able to make continued increase of his property, and is now the owner of a fine farm in an excellent state of cultivation, and has won a position of influence in the community. He is a member of the masonic order, and he and his wife are both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. She was Miss Martha S. Robertson, born in Luthersville, in October, 1844, a daughter of J. M. C. and Mary (Kindall) Robertson, natives of

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Virginia, who were among the early settlers of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were married in 1862 and have been blessed with eleven children: Mary L., Howard R., Albert C., Gustavus, James H., Harriet J., Mattie L., Minnie C., and Eliza K. are living. Henry C. and Sallie P. are gone from earth.

S.R. WILLIAMS, one of the prosperous farmers of Meriwether county, of which he is a native, was born in 1842, and is a son of James N. and Bath- sheba (O'Neal) Williams; the former served in the state militia during the late war, and was a native of Putnam county, of which his parents, natives of North Carolina, were early pioneers. Mrs. Williams' parents were also North Carolinians, and early settlers of Georgia. Young Williams, who had passed the years of his childhood and youth on the Meriwether county farm, with such limited schooling as was there obtainable, ere he was fairly out of his teens-in 1861-enlisted in CompanyK, of the Fifty-fifth Georgia regiment. In 1863, Sep- tember 9, he was captured at Cumberland Gap, and kept a prisoner at Chicago until the close of the war. From this long imprisonment the young man returned penniless to his home to begin life anew. He worked for a season for Atley O'Neal and then rented a farm from M. A. Thrash; after four years on this rented land he purchased a small farm to which he has added at intervals until he now owns a large and well-cultivated farm. In 1866 he married Miss Mary E. Thrash, the daughter of M. A. and Martha (Lassiter) Thrash, old settlers of Meriwether county; in May, 1890, Mrs. Williams died. In August, 1890, Mr. Williams married her sister, Miss Sarah Thrash, born in this county, in i849, who is a member of the Primitive Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one child, Lillie E.

A. W. N. WILSON, one of the most successful farmers of this region, belongs to one of the oldest families in the state, his grandfather, George Wilson, having settled in Georgia in 1781. He was a native of Maryland, and had served through the revolutionary war, in which he was badly wounded; but his native vigor of constitution and wonderful vitality were such that he lived to the remark- able age of one hundred and ten years. His wife was Miss Rhoda Spence, and their son, George A., was born in Walton county in 1800. He married Miss Apsila Newsome, a daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Hinyard) Newsome, old settlers of the state. The son, A. W. N. Wilson, was born in Coweta county, July 6, 1833, and reared on a farm near Moreland. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany C, Thirty-fourth Georgia regiment, and was soon made lieutenant of the company, with which he went through many important engagements. But in the siege of Vicksburg he lost an arm and was obliged to return home. Although Mr. Wilson had been deprived of much schooling, having only about three months in all, he is of that determined nature which overcomes every difficulty and thrusts aside all obstacles in the way of success. He "never attempts any- thing but what it goes through," is what he truthfully says of himself, and it is simply indicative of that persistence which always wins success. He is one of the most progressive farmers in the south, and has acquired a considerable fortune, and is widely known and respected. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, In 1855 Mr. Wilson married Miss Matilda J. West, who died the same year, leav- ing one child, Hattie, wife of Dr. W. T. Brown. A year later he married Miss Susan Hindsman, and their union has been blessed with seven children, six of whom are living: Thomas C., George, John C., Annie, Newsome B., and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

FRANKLING CHICAGO

A. W. N. WILSON.

ISAAC BUSH.

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MILLER COUNTY SKETCHES.

MILLER COUNTY.

BUSH. This is one of the pioneer, as well as one of the most enterprising and influential families in southwestern Georgia, its founder, James Bush, having settled on Colomokee creek, in Early county, not far from Fort Gaines, in 1818, being one of the four white men then in the county. The grandparents of James Bush came from Germany some years before the revolutionary war and settled on Trent river in North Carolina. Here two sons, John and William, were born. While quite young their father died and their mother married a Mr. Blackshear, by whom she had seven children: Brig .- Gen. David E. Blackshear, who gained distinction in the war of 1812, being one of them. In the latter part of the last century the family came to Georgia and settled in Laurens county. Here William Bush reared his family of children, one of whom was James Bush, father of Judge Isaac and Dr. Elijah B. Bush, of Miller county, Ga. Judge Bush, born in 1794, was married to Miss Nellie Glass, in Laurens county, who bore him three children: William J., David V., and James C., all of whom died. Bereaved of these and of his wife he removed to Early county in 1818, where he married Miss Mary Caraway, who bore him twelve children: Mourning, Mrs. Charles Roberts; Isaac; Charles W .; Rebecca, Mrs. William Battle; Arkansas, Mrs. A. C. Sheffield; Usual J .; Mary V .; Missouri D .; Thomas J .; Amanda K .; Burden B., and an infant, all of whom are dead except Isaac. Losing his second wife by death Mr. Bush contracted, April 25, 1844, a third marriage with Nancy Grantham, by whom he had five children: Nancy, Mrs. George Tabb, Arcola, Miss .; Monterey S., and Robert E., both deceased; Elijah B., M. D., Colquitt, Ga., and Edith, deceased. The mother of these children having died, Mr. Bush married Mrs. Effie Tennent, who survives him, he having died Nov. 10, 1869, and is living in Miller county. Mr. Bush was a man of great energy of character and did much to advance the material interests of his section.

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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 76

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