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 82

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 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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MONROE COUNTY SKETCHES.

pillar in, and both are alive to, the interests and advancement of Methodism. He died in 1853 and she in 1856. Thomas G. Scott was reared in Hancock county and educated at Emory college, Oxford, Ga., whence he graduated in 1853, with the degree of A. B., and taking the first honor. Adopting the profession of teach- ing he taught first at Sparta, Hancock Co., three years; next at Eatonton. Putnam Co., two years, and then at Forsyth-the first teacher and principal of Hilliard institute-until near the close of the war. He made his residence where he now lives in 1862. Mr. Scott was married Dec. 25, 1859, where he now lives, in the room now his family room, in which all his children were born, to Miss Emma L., daughter of Early and Lucy (Wilder) Cleveland. Mr. Cleveland came from Elbert county, Ga., to Monroe county early in the twenties, and, although not a college graduate, became one of the most distinguished and successful educators in that part of the state. Among others he prepared for college were Rev. Edward Myers, D. D., and ex-Judges Robert P. Trippe and Alexander Speer, men who rose and rank high as members of the legal fraternity and of the judiciary, and in the councils of the state and nation. His educational work cov- ers thirty years of time-the scope of its influence none can measure. Mr. Cleveland was a successful planter as well as a ripe scholar and eminent educator. He was an ardent whig and a prominent and devoted Methodist. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott eight children were born: Milton C .; Lucy S., wife of George P. Rankin, Macon, Ga .; Lizzie E., died in infancy; Thomas G., Jr., student at Emory college, and Mary, Alice, Early Cleveland and Edwin at home. His attractive old-time home-"Pleasant Grove"-is one of culture and refinement, sunshine and happiness; himself well-read on all subjects, his wife a congenial companion and his children educated and intelligent. It has been the home of his wife since she was two years old. Mr. Scott is a democrat, and royal arch Mason. He is a devoted, working Methodist, has been a local preacher forty-one years-thirty- six of them in the community in which he lives. In 1877 he was elected county school commissioner of Monroe county, and has held the office continuously since. His reputation as an educator extends far and wide.

JAMES T. SEARCY, planter, Bolingbroke, Monroe Co., Ga., son of Dr. Daniel B. and Camilla J. (Thweatt) Searcy, was born in Monroe county Jan. 13, 1834. Of the many old families of Monroe and adjoining counties none stood higher in the estimation of their fellow-citizens than that represented by this estimable citizen and gentleman. For many years prior to the war the wealth and intelligence and conspicuous moral characteristics of his ancestry, on both sides, made them social and political leaders in their several communities. His great-grandfather, Searcy, was a citizen of North Carolina and reared three sons, one of whom went to Tenn- essee, one remained in North Carolina, and the third, William, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Georgia between 1770-80. He was a school teacher by profession, and early in life followed it, but became a planter and amassed a large property in Talbot county, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He left three sons: John, a Baptist preacher; William, a planter, and Daniel B., physician, and father of James T. Daniel B. was given a good education, studied medicine, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical college, Philadelphia. He located in the southern part of Monroe county, where he built up a practice whose extent was limited only by his endurance. Dr. Searcy is affectionately remembered as a man of deep religious convictions and high moral principles; one who was actively foremost in every good work and movement promotive of the community's welfare and advancement. The sterling qualities of his character caused him to be elected several times as the standard bearer of his party for legislative honors, but the county being largely whig, and

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he a democrat, he never succeeded. He came to Monroe county a poor man, but his great skill and ability as a physician, supplemented by uncommon sagacity in the investment of his gains, caused him to become one of the wealthiest men in the county. Dr. Searcy was married the year he came to the county, 1833. His grandfather on his mother's side, James Thweatt, was a physician, and was a surgeon in the army during the war of 1812-14. He became very wealthy, was unusually intelligent, prominent and active in politics, and quite frequently repre- sented his county in the general assembly. The family was of Scotch descent, and moved from Hancock to Monroe county in 1821, about the time the county was organized. Dr. and Mrs. Searcy were blessed with four children: James T., the subject of this sketch; W. E. H., Griffin, Ga .; Fannie, wife of A. T. Holt, Macon, Ga .; and Carrie, deceased. The last mentioned married first B. F. Davis, who died leaving her with several children, and afterward married L. O. Hollis, and, after bearing him one child, died. Dr. Searcy was an ardent, working Methodist, and died Aug. 1, 1885; his wife died Nov. 17, 1885, aged sixty-nine years. Mr. James T. Searcy was reared in Monroe county, and has lived there all his life. He was educated at Emory college, Oxford, Ga., from which he was graduated in 1854. Early in the war he enlisted in Company D, Forty-fifth Georgia regi- ment, and was made second lieutenant, but was soon promoted to the first lieuten- ancy. He participated in the seven days' battle around Richmond, Va., but becom- ing disabled by sickness he came home and put in a substitute. He afterward served, however, in the Georgia militia. Mr. Searcy was married in Monroe county Aug. 21, 1854, the year of his graduation, to Miss Sarah V., daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Redding) Greene. The Reddings were also among the earliest set- tlers of Monroe county, having come from Baldwin county about the time Monroe was organized. The Greenes came from Virginia, and are reputed to have been related to the great revolutionary general, Nathaniel Greene. Mrs. Searcy hastwo brothers living-James R. and William A., both in Lee county, Ala. To Mr. and Mrs. Searcy ten children have been born: John D., planter, Monroe county; James Thweatt, physician, Waco, Tex .; Charles R., planter, Monroe county; Henry and Herbert, at home; Kittie, single, at home; Annie, wife of Albert Harries, Meriwether county; Julia, wife of J. T. Lamar, Macon, Ga .; William E. and Abner H., deceased. Mr. Searcy has resided at his present delightful home since the war, where he enjoys his ample income and the domestic comfort and pleasure it is his good fortune to be blessed with.

JOHN R. SHANNON, physician and surgeon, Cabaniss, Monroe Co., Ga., son of John and Rachel (Johnston) Shannon, was born in Cabaniss, Aug. 15, 1858. His grandfather, Mathew Shannon, a native of Monahan county, Ireland, raised five sons, all highly educated. Of these, three-James, Joseph and John-came to the United States in 1822. James became a very distinguished educator: First, was professor of ancient languages in the university of Georgia; then was president of the university of Louisiana, next he was president of the university of Kentucky, and, lastly, chancellor of the university of Missouri, in which position he died. Joseph, after graduating at the medical college of Georgia, established himself in the practice of medicine in Louisiana, where he died. John Shannon, the doctor's father, was born in Monahan county, Ireland, in 1807, and came to Georgia when fifteen years of age. He read medicine with Dr. Milton Antony, and, also, while boarding with his brother James, in Athens, with Dr. Henry Hull. He then entered the medical college of South Carolina, Charleston, and, graduating in 1830, located in Clinton, Jones Co., Ga .; but, after remaining there a year, removed to Cabaniss (then Gullettsville), where he remained as long as he lived. He married his wife-whose family had recently

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removed thither from Elbert county-just after settling in Cabaniss, and to them ten children were born: Sarah J., deceased wife of Fleming J. Ward; Annie E., wife of Judge Monroe Clowerm, Forsyth, Ga .; James M., Cabaniss; Susan B., married Judge Mobley, now deceased; James H., Company H, Thirty-second Georgia regiment, killed at bombardment of Charleston. in 1864; Elizabeth B., deceased wife of W. B. Watts; William L., Company H, Thirty-second Georgia regiment, killed at Rivers' bridge, in 1864; John L., died in infancy; Walter D., died in infancy; John R., the subject of this sketch. His reputation for skill as a physician was excellent. He also took great interest in politics-and was a mem- ber of the constitutional convention of 1866. He died in July, 1872, and his wife in August, 1891. Dr. Shannon was educated at Hilliard institute, Forsyth, where he took the scholarship of the university of Georgia, from which institution he graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1873. Only fifteen, out of a class of sixty, obtained degrees. He then took a course at the Eastman Business college. In 1874-75 he engaged in mercantile business in Forsyth, and in 1875 traveled in the west. The next three years he taught school at his old home, Cabaniss. He then merchandized at Cabaniss until 1893, when he entered Atlanta Medical college. When he graduated, was valedictorian of his class. He located at

Cabaniss, where he has taken high rank, and is building up an excellent and prospectively lucrative practice. Well educated, and of superior intellectuality, a refined gentleman, literary and scientific in taste, and ambitious of distinction, he is quite certain to rise in his profession. He is, as yet, unmarried. He is a mem- ber of the board of education, of which he has been president twice. He is a democrat, a royal arch Mason, and a Missionary Baptist.

WILLIAM D. STONE, lawyer, Forsyth, Monroe Co., Ga., son of Charles and Mary S. (Griffin) Stone, was born in Dadeville, Ala., Sept. 12, 1844. His grandfather was of English descent, and came from Virginia to Georgia, went to Florida, and, later, thence to Montgomery county, Ala. He was a planter, and was very wealthy in both land and negroes. He was married three times, and had twenty-four sons and three daughters. Judge Stone's father was born in Mont- gomery county, Ala., and he grew to manhood in that state. He was a planter and a prominent politician. As a whig he represented Tallapoosa county in the legis- lature of Alabama from 1835 to 1846. After that he went as first lieutenant of Capt. Dennis' company of volunteers to the Mexican war. He was married in 1838, in Dadeville, Tallapoosa county, to Miss Mary E. Griffin, who was born in Columbus, Ga., whence her family moved to Alabama. About 1858 his father moved to Lafayette, the county-seat, for the purpose of educating his children, and died there in 1865. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Judge Stone's parents raised a family of seven children: Fannie, deceased, wife of Thomas B. Mitchell, Gilmer, Texas; William D., the subject of this sketch; Eugenia, wife of George Bertram, Macon, Ga .; Alice B., widow of Charles P. Toney, now Mrs. Joseph Copps, Macon, Ga .; Tecumseh, paying teller, Central bank, Macon; Oceola B., and Black Hawk. Mr. Stone's mother makes her home with him. Mr. Stone received his early education at Lafayette, and, later, at Southwood, Talladega, Ala. He ran away from school and enlisted in the Tus- kegee Zouaves, at Winchester, Va., which became Company B, of the Fourth Alabama regiment. He participated in the first Manassas battle, and saw Gen. Bartow fall, when killed. His regiment went into battle 1,000 strong, and came out with a little over 100-Mr. Stone was slightly wounded, and reported killed. He remained in the army in Virginia two years, and was in the seven days' and other bloody battles. He got a discharge and returned home; but in two or three months joined Forrest's cavalry, Sixth Alabama, and remained with him until

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the surrender. He was in the battles of Resaca and New Hope, and on the retreat from Atlanta, and was paroled at Forsyth. After a farming venture he taught school at Hilliard institute, Forsyth, meantime studying law under Col. A. D. Hammond, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He entered into partnership, with his preceptor-the firm being Hammond & Stone, which continued until 1872, when he withdrew and purchased an interest in the "Monroe Advertiser." After a year's editorial life he sold his interest in the paper and resumed the practice of law in partnership with J. H. Turner-as Stone & Turner. Mr. Turner moved away and Mr. Stone was appointed judge of the county court-a position he held four years-1879-83. He next entered into partnership with G. J. Wright, as Wright & Stone, which continued-1889-92-when he went into partnership with William Clark, as Stone & Clark, which firm still exists. Judge Stone has an excellent patronage, and stands high in rank with the bar and the people. When at home on a furlough, March 1, 1865, Judge Stone was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of O. H. P. Ponder, who was born and raised in Monroe county. Two children have been born to them: Charles O., and Clyde. Charles is in business with Cox & Corbin, wholesale supply house, Macon, Ga. He is married to Addie, Mr. Corbin's daughter, who was educated by Judge Stone, when he was principal at Hilliard institute. Clyde, the daughter, who is at home, finished her education at Wesleyan Female college, Macon Ga. Judge Stone is a very ardent and enthusiastic Mason-a Knight Templar, past high priest of his chapter, and past eminent commander of William Tracy Gould commandery. Judge Stone has in his possession a very interesting- and to him very valuable-heirloom of his family, in connection with masonry. It is a masonic apron-real sheepskin- beautifully and elaborately embroidered with colored silk, which has passed from generation to generation in the Stone family for nearly eight centuries. It was presented to Lieut. Donworth-who married a Stone-in England, in 1102, and, as may be supposed, Judge Stone is very proud of it, and cherishes it most fondly. Judge Stone is member and a steward of the Methodist church.

FDEN TAYLOR, planter, Pope's Ferry, Monroe Co., Ga., son of Job and Mary (Warthen) Taylor, was born in Monroe county, Nov. 8, 1834. He is a descendant on both sides, from some of the best Virginia families, and from the earliest settlers in Washington and Monroe counties, a noble scion of old, honorable and honored ancestral stock. Job Taylor, his father, was born in Virginia, and, at maturity, came with his brothers, George and Robert, to Georgia, and, in 1824, settled in Monroe county, a few miles east of Forsyth. As he prospered he added to his domain until he was the largest land-owner in the county, his holdings amounting to 10,000 acres in Monroe and adjoining counties, besides about 30,000 acres of wild lands in Alabama. He lived to accumulate the largest landed and slave property of any citizen of the county, and at the same time was known and recognized as one of the most austerely religious of men. Mr. Taylor is remembered by the older citizens as one who possessed, in a very remarkable degree, true piety and extraordinary business ability, a rare combina- tion to maintain, as the money-making faculty too often overshadows or entirely overcomes, the religious sentiment. It was often remarked of him that Job Taylor came nearer "serving God and mammon" than any man of his time. In the use of his wealth Mr. Taylor was exceedingly public-spirited and charitable. No school or church committee ever failed to receive a liberal response, while he was ever ready to extend generous aid to neighbors in obtaining facilities for utilizing or making their products. When the Central railway was projected (then known as the Monroe railroad) he was one of its earliest and stanchest supporters in his locality. He finally lost over $30,000 in consequence of his

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excess of enthusiasm and over-zealousness, as he graded a large number of miles for which he never received a cent. As already remarked, Mr. Taylor lived his religion. It entered into every act of his life. The family altar was as much an institution of his home as his dining table. It is said that, no matter what time of night he came in, if delayed from any cause, the candles were lit and the entire family assembled to be present at prayers. Mr. Taylor married Miss Mary Warthen, in Washington county, when she was but sixteen years old-he being thirty-five. She proved to be a helpmate indeed, a woman fit in every respect to be his life-companion. Loving, affectionate and charitable, she was the em- bodiment of Christian gentleness. In her latter days she became entirely blind, but it is related that during the war, notwithstanding this sad deprivation, she kept an entire company supplied with socks, knitting them with her own hands. She died in 1880, aged eighty-two years, having outlived her husband twenty- four years. This union was blessed with ten children: William, deceased; Sarah, widow of Col. W. H. Long; Frank, deceased, George, deceased; Mary, deceased; Job E., deceased; Eden the subject of this sketch; Camilla, deceased; Elijah B., Monroe county, and Rebecca, deceased. Eden Taylor has passed a life of usefulness on his plantation in Monroe county. He is best known throughout the state as the efficient secretary of the state grange during its entire existence, from 1872 to 1888. It is but just to say that the success of that excellent farmers' organization in Georgia was largely due to his untiring efforts. He is now a member of the board which has charge of the state experiment station. Mr. Taylor has been married twice. He was first married near Perry, Houston Co., in 1859, to Miss Georgia V. Tharp, by whom he had four children: Guy, farmer, Bibb county, Ga .; Maud, deceased; Claudia, wife of Will G. Bass, Bibb county, and Georgia E., a lovely girl, who died June 1, 1894. The mother of these chil- dren died in 1872, and Mr. Taylor contracted a marriage in 1874, near Hayneville, Houston Co., with Miss Sallie H. Brown. This second union has been blessed with four children: Rosa, Odille, Brown and Eden, Jr. As were his people before him, he is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, a public-spirited citizen, and a courteous gentleman.

J. M. THOMAS, planter and stockman, Forsyth, Monroe Co., Ga., son of John H. and Nancy (Carr) Thomas, was born in Monroe county, March 9, 1839. Mr. Thomas' father was born and reared in Jones county, Ga. About 1835 he moved over into Monroe county and settled within three miles of Forsyth. A few years afterward he moved into the town, where he engaged in merchandising, trading and speculation. He was cautious and shrewd, a careful manager, and regarded as a man of the highest integrity. For these reasons he was frequently selected as administrator of estates. He was a strong democrat, and although he cared nothing for the distinction or emoluments of office for himself, he took great interest in the success of his friends. He was very successful and accumulated a large estate before his death, which occurred in 1858. His last wife died in 1890. He was married twice and reared a family of nine children, all of whom are dead but two. His first wife was a Carson, by whom he had two children: W. J., deceased, and Sallie, now wife of W. W. Jackson, of Culloden, Monroe Co. Of Mr. Thomas' full brothers and sisters only two lived to maturity: Isaac, now deceased, and Lucy, who married Alvin Stafford, of Barnesville, Ga., now dead. Mr. Thomas was reared in Monroe county, and received his early education at Hilliard institute and Mercer university, and was at the university of Virginia when the war between the states began. He came home, and, in conjunction with his brother, W. J., assumed the management of his father's business. During the

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war he operated a tannery for the government, and made shoes for the soldiers. Since the surrender lie has been engaged in planting and trading in stock. He owns several plantations, aggregating about 500 acres, near town, and is one of a company owning several thousand acres in the county. Mr. Thomas was mar- ried in Macon, Ga., Nov. 26, 1863, to Miss Greta, daughter of Dr. D. W. Ham- mond, of Macon, formerly of Culloden, where she was born and reared. She was of a family, which, though not numerous in Georgia, is conspicuous for its intel- lectuality and religion. Five children blessed this union: Leola, wife of C. L. Edwards, Atlanta; Greta, wife of J. B. Fleming, planter, Monroe county; Ida, single, at home; Ella, widow of J. B. Barnes, formerly of Marietta, Ga., who, with her daughter, is with her father, and Jeffie, also at home. Mr. Thomas' wife died in June, 1890. She was a member of the Methodist church, of which Mr. Thomas and the children arc also members. He is also a master Mason.

T. E. WALTON, merchant and farmer, Bolingbroke, Monroe Co., Ga., son of Henry W. and Lorania P. (Redding) Walton, was born in Monroe county, June 7, 1844. His father was born and reared to manhood in Virginia. When of age he came to Baldwin county, Ga., and, about 1820, married his wife, who belonged to an old pioneer and influential family. In 1825 he moved to Monroe county, and settled about twelve miles east of Forsyth. Here were born and reared nine children: B. F., planter, New London, Ark .; Rebecca D., wife of J. H. Evans, Monroe county, Ga .; David A., deceased; H. H., Grapeland, Texas; Mary E., wife of B. F. Cadenhead, Sand Mountain, Ala .; J. G. R., enlisted in an Alabama regiment and died of typhoid fever soon after the battle of Bull Run; Martha L., wife of J. H. Cates, McRae, Ga .; Thomas E., the subject of this sketch; William W., planter, Monroe county. . His father was a member of the Methodist church and died in 1854; and his mother died in 1884 aged eighty-one years. Mr. Walton was reared on a farm and his education limited to county common schools, but he was industrious, saving and ambitious. In 1869 he bought an interest in the general merchandise business of J. W. Jackson, and continued it under thc firm name of Jackson & Walton; subsequently Mr. Ewing bought Mr. Jackson's interest, and the firm was changed to Walton & Ewing, under which it is now conducted. From a small beginning he has built a good trade, has a good stock of general merchandise, and a nice farm and comfortable home. In 1876 Mr. Walton was married in Monroe county to Miss Fannie B. Ewing, who died child- less in 1881. In February, 1883, he was married to Miss Sallie, daughter of Peyton and Annie E. Cocke, who was a native of the county, and who has borne two children: Thomas E., Jr., and Annie Lou. Mr. Walton is a democrat, a member of the Methodist church, of which he is a steward and Sunday school superintendent, and is held in high estimation by the community in which he lives.

R. L. WILLIAMS is the principal merchant in the prosperous little community of Juliette, on the E. T., Va. & Ga. railway, in the northeastern part of Monroe county. Although young in years, Mr. Williams is old in experience, having been reared and thoroughly educated in the business in which he has been so successful. His genial, and jovial, and sunshiny nature has drawn to and around him hosts of friends and a liberal patronage, which his unswerving integrity of character, and the downright honesty of dealings have kept, and disclose the real reason for the large trade he commands. Mr. Williams is the son of R. M. and Virginia (Chanı- bliss) Williams, and was born in Tazewell county, Va., June 1, 1861. His father was also born in the same county, but in his young manhood came to Monroe county, Ga. His stay, however, was not long, as after his marriage he returned

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with his young wife to his Virginia home. After the birth of his boy Mr. Williams brought his wife and child to Monroe county, and placing them in charge of her parents that they might be safe from the impending ravages of war, he returned to Virginia and entered the Confederate army and served faithfully to the end. In 1863 Mr. Williams' mother died leaving him to the care of his grandparents. After the war his father returned to Monroe county and married Miss Alice Chambliss, sister of his first wife, who survives him, at Juliette. He engaged in merchandising for some years at Forsyth, and then in the country, where, in addition, he had extensive planting interests. Being a man of excellent business judgment, combining enterprise with prudence, and a complete master of the details of business, he was successful in his undertakings, and at his death, in 1884, left his family in comfortable circunstances. R. L. Williams was reared behind the counter. After passing his eighteenth birthday he supplemented his common school education with a thorough business course at the Eastman Commercial college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Returning home thus equipped he engaged for a year as a clerk with J. J. Cater & Co. at Forsyth. In 1882, in company with his father, Mr. Williams established the business at Juliette, which, under his able management, has grown to such magnitude and attained to such prosperity. Occupying a spacious and cheerful-looking store building of his own, eligibly situated and carrying a $3,500 stock of merchandise and plantation-supplies, com- bined with his superior business training and capabilities, his commercial future is bright in the extreme. Mr. Williams was happily married June 1, 1884, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Dr. William and Melinda (Harris) Speer, who, at the age of seventeen, graduated with the first honor at the Georgia Baptist seminary, at Gainesville, Ga. Dr. Speer was a successful and prominent physician in Monroe county, who had two children besides Mrs. Williams: Robert J., reading law, and acting as stenographer in the law office of Dessau & Hodges, Macon, Ga., and Annie Belle, at Macon. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Williams has been blessed with eight bright children: R. L., Jr., Paul R., Jack H., Guy W., Helen V., Alice E., Charles M. and Malinda M. Mr. Williams in politics is a democrat. He is a master Mason, a member of Zabud lodge No. 175, and a Methodist, a steward in the church at Juliette.

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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 82

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