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 86

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 86

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

EDMUND L. NEWTON, farmer, Pennington, was born Sept. 22, 1847, in Clarke county, Ga. He is the great-grandson of John and Catharine (Law- rence) Newton, natives of England; grandson of Elizur and Eliza (Collier) Newton, and the son of Dr. William H. and Mirian Keturah (Walker) Newton, sketches of whose lives appear in the memoir of Mr. J. T. Newton. Mr. Edmund L. Newton received a cominon school education and entered the university of Georgia, Athens, in 1866. He completed his course in 1867 and returned home to engage at work on the farm. In 1868 he married Julia, daughter of William H. and Mary A. (Robinson) Bailey. Her grandfather, Azariah Bailey, was a general in the Indian war and was killed by the enemy. The union has been blessed with three children: Mamie, wife of J. M. Nowell; Lipscomb, and Hoyt L. The mother was born in Jasper but reared in Newton county. The family belong to the Presbyterian church, the faith of their ancestors for many generations back. Mr. Newton has been justice of the peace for a dozen years, and has filled many other positions of honor and trust. He takes much interest in the cause of educa- tion, and was a member of the school board for five years, and has served four years on the jury commission. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the social and fraternal order. Mr. Newton has 260 acres of land that was of the tract his father originally opened up, besides a body of 1,000 acres connected with it, and other pieces of good farming lands. He is a progressive, spirited citizen, and has much pride in the development of his county and state. His farming property is well cultivated and shows the systematic attention given it. When but a lad of thirteen years Mr. Newton left books and home and tried to get into the ranks of the Confederacy, but his youth was against him, and spite of his protests he was turned aside. He renewed his efforts several times but without success, and it was not until he had just turned sixteen, and it was necessary to fill up the thinned out ranks with boys, that his hopes were realized and he was accepted. This was in 1864, and he enlisted under Capt. C. R. Hanleiter, and served until the surrender, taking part in every engagement of his company, and being an active participant in the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville.

I.T. PENICK, merchant, Madison, was born in Morgan county, in 1838, and was the son of Joseph and Martha (Coleman) Penick. The father, son of William Penick, was born in Virginia in 1794, and came to Georgia when a young man. He was a farmer all his life, and when in Virginia was employed as an overseer and worked nine years as such, receiving $125 per year. Out of this sum he saved $100 annually, and with this money he came to Georgia and bought land in Morgan county, and to his homestead he added land as long as he lived. He was a justice of the inferior court and a member of the state legislature and senate, and was a leader of the whigs in his county. The parents of his mother were pioneers of Morgan county. Mr. L. T. Penick grew up on the farmn and was educated at Emory college. In 1856 he went to Texas, and purchasing a farm lived there until the clash of arms of the civil war was heard, when he returned home and enlisted with the Panola guards, the second company organized in Morgan county. It was under Capt. D. B. G. Knight and belonged to T. R. Cobb's legion. He was in various battles and served throughout the war, being wounded at Richmond. In 1859 he was married to Mary E., daughter of Jesse and Mary (Fears) Mathews. This happy union has been favored with eight children: Jesse M., Lucius M., Jefferson Clay, James H., Lazarus T., Mary E., Edgar C. and Mattie E. The mother was born in Greene county, and is a strict member of the Baptist church. Mr. Penick began his mercantile career in Madi- son, Morgan Co., in October, 18-, with T. J. Hilssman, and the partnership

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continued until 1878, when Mr. Penick purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted the business with gratifying success. His well-known interest in public affairs, and the pride and interest he takes in the growth and prosperity of his county has caused the people to keep him on the town board for ten years, and to elect him to the county board of education and the board of commissioners for several terms. He is now jury commissioner, and one of Madison's best and most public-spirited citizens. Mr. Penick is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

W B. R. PENNINGTON, farmer, Pennington, Morgan Co., was born in the same county in 1828, and is the son of Samuel and Eliza (Shy) Pennington1. The father was born in Warren county, Ga., in 1800, and bought land in Morgan county after his marriage. He served as justice of the peace in the early days of Morgan county, was prominent in the masonic lodge, and for years was a steward in the Methodist church south. He was a son of Thomas and Leitha (Bell) Pennington. The grandfather was a native of Virginia, and came to Georgia and settled in Warren county for awhile, whence he removed to Jasper county, Ga., where he resided until death claimed him. He was an influential citizen and acquired much wealth. The mother of W. B. R. Pennington was a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Patterson) Shy, wlio were natives of Virginia, and came to what is now Hancock county, Ga., a short time after the revolutionary war. He was a prosperous man and much respected by his friends. W. B. R. Pennington spent his early years like the usual farmer boy improving what few chances were given him for learning and frequently resorted to the pine knot at night. In 1845 he married Nancy J., daughter of John and Sarah (Betts) Maddox. They were early settlers in Georgia, first locating in Hancock and then going to Jasper county, where Mrs. Pennington was born and grew to womanhood. She is the mother of eleven living children, viz: Thaddeus, J. C., Eliza, J. L., N. F., W. B. R., Jr., Nancy, Lucy, Elizabeth, Kate and Minnie. Husband and wife are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Pennington was made a Mason long before the war. He has been justice of the peace for ten years, and was commis- sioner of the roads in his district many years. For nearly a third of a century he has belonged to his church, and for thirty years he has officiated as steward. Immediately after marriage he commenced farming for himself on land in Jasper county, and he remained there until 1852, when he came to Morgan county and purchased an estate, and here he has educated a large family and lived a life of prosperity and contentment. His domestic relations are a loving example for every family-prayer morning and night-and the spirit of affection and awe of God going hand in hand throughout the household. Mrs. Pennington died Aug. 8, 1893. The family home is near Pennington, a town named in honor of the family, and the farm is well cultivated and stocked.

REID. The Reid family has long occupied a leading place in business and social circles in Morgan county, and among its prominent representatives of to-day is Col. James P. Reid, Sr., a farmer and much-honored citizen of Buck- head. He is the son of Edmund and Elizabeth (Terrell) Reid, and was born Oct. 25, 1830, in Putnam county. Edmund Reid was a native of Hancock county, being born in 1802, and in 1856 served that county in the state legislature. He was the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Brewer) Reid. The mother of Col. Reid was the daughter of Richmond and Kate (Butler) Terrell. The parents were natives of Virginia. Col. Reid was given a good education, and his early training was received at the old Phoenix school house in Putnam county. He was given military instruction and was graduated from the Western institute in Kentucky,

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a military school in which Gen. B. R. Johnson and Gen. F. P. Blair were then professors. In 1851 he married Virginia, daughter of Merritt and Olivia (Bell) Warren, natives of Virginia and Georgia respectively. Col. Reid and wife have been blessed with three children: James P., Jr., Merritt W. and George. The mother was a native of Georgia, a sincere Christian belonging to the Methodist church, and died in 1887. In 1861 Col. Reid organized Company B, Third regi- ment, and started his war career as captain, but before the command reached Norfolk he was made lieutenant-colonel. He served seventeen months and then returned home, and later joined the state militia. In 1859 he was elected state senator and served until the breaking out of the war. He has been road and county commissioner, and in 1876 was elected to the legislature from Morgan county. Col. Reid was strongly opposed to the states seceding from the Union, but when that step was taken he stood shoulder to shoulder with his countrymen, and raised the first company to go into the Confederate army from Morgan county. Col. Reid is a progressive man and enjoys the reputation of always being ready to help any legitimate enterprise whose success will benefit the people of his county.

H R. RICKERSON, farmer, Rutledge, was born in Hancock county, Ga., Aug. 16, 1840, and is a son of William and Elmira (Rogers) Rickerson. William Rickerson was born in Hancock county in 1812, and grew to manhood in Georgia, serving as a soldier in the Creek war of 1836. He was an officer in the state militia, was influential and highly respected. He is the son of Abraham and Dicey (Ogletree) Rickerson. Abraham, the grandfather of H. R. Rickerson, was one of Hancock county's pioneer citizens, and was a hard-shell Baptist when the only church was forty miles up the Savannah river. The distance to this church was so great that all kinds of transportation and vehicles had to be brought into use to attend divine service. Abraham Rickerson was a brave soldier in the revolu- tionary war, and immediately following it located in Georgia. The mother of H. R. Rickerson was a daughter of Rev. Henry and Caroline (Jackson) Rogers. Her father was a native of Virginia and came to Georgia to preach the gospel about 1809, was a minister of the Methodist church about forty-five years, and lived to the great age of eighty-seven years. Mr. H. R. Rickerson was reared on the farm and received his education from the schools of the period, his principal instructor being William Mattox, who is still living. In 1861, in March, he enlisted in Company G, Twelfth Georgia regiment, under Capt. William C. Davis, and Col. Connor. He saw very active service, and was in the battles of Malvern hill, Bull run, Slaughter mountain, Gettysburg, Martinsburg, Md., and Winchester. Six miles from Fish- ers' hill-north-they had a hot engagement, and Mr. Rickerson was shot, the ball going through his body."He was carried to Staunton, Va., then to Richmond, and thence to Petersburg, Va., where he recovered. He joined his company again and went to Maryland. He was wounded at Sharpsburg-the second time-and then at the Inn, in Washington, D. C. In these instances the balls passed through him and lodged in the skin in the opposite side of the body, where they are yet to be seen. He had his big toe shot off while on picket duty, and was transferred to the cavalry, Company D, Second Georgia, commanded by Gen. Lawton, and at Hampton's crossing was shot in the elbow. He was wounded six times and carries in his body four of the bullets. He attained the rank of corporal, and experienced capture at Harper's Ferry, but was exchanged in six months. He was present at the general surrender, and returned to Augusta, Ga. He afterward went to New York, where he was employed by the Hubble, Hall & Goaly Fur company, and went to Dakota, and built forts for them. He was a carpenter by trade, and at this work was engaged for twelve years in the northwest. Then he went to St. Louis and

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worked in a foundry four years, when he returned to Georgia. In 1874 he mar- ried Mary Brossell, daughter of Judge J. C. and Emma (Carender) Brossell. She died in 1886, and in 1888 he married Mary, daughter of Heziah (Stud- dard) Tomlin. By his second marriage he has had two children-Elmo and Orlander. The mother was born and reared in Georgia, and with her husband belongs to the Methodist church. Mr. Rickerson was sheriff of Coweta county for two years, and is one of Morgan county's best citizens.

JUDGE A. M. SPEER. For many years prominent in the political history, and an eminent member of the judiciary of Georgia has been Judge A. M. Speer, of Madison. He was born in 1820, and his parents were Alexander and Elizabeth (Middleton) Speer. The father was born in Abbeville district, S. C., and, being possessed of a liberal education, arose to great prominence in the palmetto state. He was a leader in the state and the legislature during the eventful years from 1830 to 1833, and was recognized to be the full peer of James M. Hamilton and the great McDuffie. He was in the legislature at the time the nullification act was passed, and took a great part in the fight. He was always a Union man, but was elected in the district in which John C. Calhoun lived and was never defeated for any office to which he aspired. He was a minister of the M. E. church, and took much interest in religious affairs. He removed to Georgia in 1833, and was editor of the "La Grange Reporter" for some time. In Georgia, as in his native state, he was active in politics, and was distinguished for his oratory and his high- minded character. He possessed a depth of wisdom and breadth of thought that placed him in comparison with Daniel Webster or Bishop Elliott. His demise was a great loss to the state, as well as to a large circle of friends. Judge A. M. Speer spent his childhood days in South Carolina, and his first school was the old log cabin so distinctive an educational institution of the time. When his father was elected comptroller of the state of South Carolina, he went to the schools of Columbia, but returned in four years to the farm, and was again a scholar in the country classes. In 1833 he came with his father to Georgia and attended school at Culloden, a place that has furnished some of the leading men of Georgia. In 1835 his father moved to Savannah, and he there was under the instruction of George Smith, a private teacher. In 1836 he entered the university of Georgia, from which he was graduated in 1839. He then went to Columbus and began the study of law with Jones & Burnett, and in one year was admitted to the bar. He

commenced the practice of his profession at Forsyth, where he remained several years, going thence to Macon. In 1853-6 he made his debut in public life as clerk of the house of representatives for that period. When the war between the states was begun he was among the first to offer his services to the south, and April 20, 1861, he enlisted in what was called the Macon volunteers, an organization which was in the very heart of the war. In 1862 he was elected as major of the Forty-sixth Georgia regiment, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1863 he was elected to the state senate, and retired from the service. In 1865 he was ap- pointed judge of the Flint circuit court, and served until 1868, when he was removed by Gov. Bullock, and returned to his practice. When the democratic party again resumed the management of affairs of state, he was re-elected to the judgeship; meanwhile, however, he had been elected to the legislature from Spalding county and served two years there, afterward taking his place on the bench. In 1879 he was elected to the supreme court bench and served in that honorable position for two years, when his health failed, and he had to resign and return to his practice. In 1841 Judge Speer was married to Mary, daughter of Rev. Thomas Battles, and to this union four children were born-Eugene, Isabella J., Dr. Arthur, and Mary L. The wife was born in Warren county in 1822, and died in 1878. She was a noble

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Christian wife and mother, and an active member of the M. E. church. In 1880 Judge Speer married Mrs. Celesta B. Sanders, daughter of John A. Brockton. Mr. and Mrs. Speer are members of the Methodist church, and he was made a Mason in 1843, and has obtained the royal arch degree.

AUGUSTUS STUDDARD, farmer, Rutledge, was born April 26, 1824, and is the son of James and Anna (Lemmond) Studdard. The father was born in South Carolina, and came to Georgia in 1807, and settled on the farm where the son now lives. The grandfather of Mr. Studdard, on his father's side, was John Studdard, a Virginian, and his mother was a daughter of Joseph Lemmond, who was a native of South Carolina, and an early resident of Georgia. When the father of Mr. Augustus Studdard came to Georgia, he settled within twenty-two feet of the line dividing his household from the Indians, and lived within one-fourth mile of the Brantleys, who were all murdered by the Indians while at dinner. This spot is about three-fourths of a mile from the house Mr. Studdard now lives in. His father died when he was in his early teens, and he was obliged to help his mother around the home, which greatly interfered with his schooling. He was not discouraged by this, but applied himself at night and odd hours, and by thorough reading secured a good education. His boyhood days were full of hard- ships and privations, but his indomitable energy conquered them all. When the family estate was settled up, he received $65, and this small sum was the foundation of his present large estate. He started out by raising a crop of cotton, and then he purchased the finest pair of Sunday shoes he ever owned. From then on Mr. Studdard's career has been a continued success. In 1849 he married Judith Malcom, daughter of Ganaway and Rebecca (Wadley) Malcom. They have two living children-James F. and Ophelia. The mother was born and reared in Morgan county. Mr. Studdard, after his advent into business life, by his cotton crop, was an overseer for two years, then he purchased a farm, which he has since managed and improved, with remarkable success, and to-day he is one of the wealthiest men in the county. In 1862 he enlisted in the state militia, and served three years and two months under Capt. Sehe Saffold. He is a popular citizen, and has twice been called upon to serve his county in the legislature. He is prominent in county and state politics, and is a stanch democrat.

BENJAMIN F. THOMAS. One of the best farmers of Morgan county is Benjamin F. Thomas, of Fair Play. He was born on the old farm, which was cleared by his father, Dec. 17, 1858, and is the son of William R. and Susan (Allen) Thomas. The father, the eldest son of Jesse and Mary (Vason) Thomas, was born in Georgia in 1808, and was in the Indian war of 1836. He was a man of limited education and accumulated considerable money as a teamster, which he invested in land, and became the owner of a small estate. He was a sincere member of the Baptist church, and a man whose integrity was never questioned by word or act. He had the confidence of everybody and his life was one of peace and good will with his fellow-man. The paternal grandfather of Mr. B. F. Thomas, Jesse Thomas, was born in Virginia, was a revolutionary soldier, served in the war of 1812 after coming by wagon to the sparsely settled country of Georgia. The mother of Mr. Thomas was a daughter of Thomas V. Allen, who married Miss Lucinda Hardeman. Mr. Allen was an early settler and leading man of his time in Georgia. He served in the war of 1812, and for many years was tax collector of his county. This was when the capital was at Milledgeville and Mr. Allen had to carry the money to the state treasurer by horseback, tied up in sacks. Mr. B. F. Thomas was brought up and now resides on the farm, which in early days his father purchased and cleared up, and received his educa-

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tional training in the public schools. In 1885 he married Josie, daughter of John and Josie (Woods) Dickinson and they have four children living: Estelle, Mattie, Lottie and Mary. The deceased son was named Turnell. The mother was born in Walton county, Dec. 25, 1863. Mr. Thomas is one of the most progressive and scientific farmers in the county, and his lands and improvements demonstrate the thoroughness of his cultivation, and the application of his mind to the pursuit of knowledge relating to agriculture.

P G. WALKER. The Georgia branch of the .Walker family descends from George Walker, who with a brother, Thomas, and sister Mary, wife of John Dallas, came from Ireland to America in 1750. George Walker settled on Brier creek in what is now Burke county, and in 1756 married Mary Dahart. He was a blacksmith by trade and brought over his tools which, with his bed-clothes, constituted his possessions on his arrival in Georgia. He soon relinquished his trade and purchasing a farm followed farming. He was a fine Christian gentle- man, and during the revolutionary war he refused to take sides, having con- scientious scruples against rebelling against England. George Walker and Mary Dahart had twelve children: John, the eldest, was born in 1760, and when his father died took his place at the head of the family and helped raise it. He was married to Frances Byne, a sister of Gen. William Byne, and in 1810 moved to Morgan county and cleared up a farm. Edmund Walker, a son, was born in Burke county in 1796, and received his education in the common schools, when the terms of study were between "laying-by" time and "fodder-pulling." He was a captain in the state militia and was in the war of 1812. He was a member of the Baptist church and for years was a deacon. When he was married in 1817, he went eight miles northeast of Madison to his wife's home on horseback, and after the wedding he brought his bride home to the log cabin which he had erected on the place where his son now lives. He was a farmer all his life and amassed a large estate. His wife was the daughter of Peter and Lucy Chilton (Waddy) Gautier. The father was born in Bristol, England, in 1771, and his parents were natives of Normandy, France-Huguenots who had fled to Great Britain for safety. Peter Gautier came to America about 1796 and first settled in Maryland, where he married Lucy Waddy, born Oct. 25, 1778, in Somerset, Md. She was the daughter of Capt. William Waddy, who was an officer in the revolutionary war. Mr. P. G. Walker was reared on the old farm, and attended school at Madison and when through there, was given his choice of a course in college, or the man- agement of the farm. He selected the latter. In 1881 he married Bessie Robert- son, daughter of Dennis M. and Susan J. (Lumsden) Robertson. Mr. Robertson was a native of Rahway, N. J. He was born in 1812 and came to Georgia about 1836. He was a carriage-maker and his work was the first executed in Madison. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker have been born four children: Mineola, Lula, Edmund and Dennis. The mother was born in Madison. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist church and he is a deacon. Mr. Walker was justice of the peace and notary public for two years, and county commissioner for five years. He owns about 1,000 acres of land he received from his father, and to this he has added about as much more. It is one of the best improved farms in the county.

PETER W. WALTON, a prominent citizen of Madison, was born in Morgan county, Oct. 9, 1840, and is the son of Peter W. and Mary F. (Fitzpatrick) Walton. The father was born in Virginia in 1792 and came to Georgia with his parents in 1806. He was a farmer all his life, and worked for twelve and a half II-38

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'cents per day, and with money thus saved in his boyhood he attended school. When the United States became involved in war with Great Britain the second time he was among the first to go to the front, and served in defense of his country through the whole struggle. For his service he received a land warrant and settled near Madison. The mother of Mr. Peter Walton was born and always lived in Georgia, and was the daughter of Perkins Fitzpatrick, one of the early residents of this state, and a soldier in the revolutionary war. Mr. Walton received his early teachings in the schools of Madison and then spent a year at Marietta. He had just entered a college in Virginia when the civil war broke out, and left school in 1861 to enlist in Company D, Third Georgia regiment, under Capt. James Reed, Col. Robert Wright. He saw hard fighting from the first, and was at Sawyer's Lane, Elizabeth City; then Norfolk, at Seven Pines, Malvern Hill and Drury's Bluff, where he was taken sick and discharged and sent home. As soon as able he joined the state militia and served till the surrender. While out on vidette duty at Atlanta on one occasion two companions with him were killed, and he by chance escaped. While the three were hiding in the shade of a tree, he stooped down to look for the enemy just at the time a shell was fired which killed his comrades and mutilated the tree on range of his breast when standing. He was at Griswoldville battle, and just ahead of Sherman a few days in the latter's march through the state. After the war he returned to Madison and began farming. In 1875 he married Susan, daughter of Edmund and Susan (Terrell) Reed. This union has been followed by six children: Fannie, Peter, Bessie, Reed, Susan and Richard. The mother was born in Eatonton. Mr. Walton and wife and three oldest children are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Walton takes much interest in educational matters, and is a member of the board of education. He has been county commissioner for eight years and is prominent in county politics. He lives on an excellent farm near Madison.

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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 86

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