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 92

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 92

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beginning of the season. At eighteen he entered the State Agricultural and Mechanical college of Alabama, at Auburn, where his old teacher had preceded him in the capacity of professor of English, which he afterward exchanged for inathematics. Here the struggle of his life began. Full-grown physically, his limited text-book learning almost all forgotten in his four years of farm-toil, he presented the anomaly of reciting side by side in the lowest class in college with little fellows that hardly reached to his shoulders. But though illy prepared in text books, his life had been spent in an intellectual atmosphere; his father and mother both being people of culture and wide reading, and what the boy had unconsciously absorbed, now stood him well in hand; and the brawn that came

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to him from his out-door life backed up the demands made on it by his unremitting study. He was graduated in 1876 with the first honor of his class. Before graduation he had already secured a position as teacher of mathematics and tactics in a private military school in Hopkinsville, Ky. Here he remained three years, making a marked success as a teacher. During this time he read law at night and on Saturdays reciting to Judge Champlin, who kindly took an interest in his studies, and was admitted to the Kentucky bar before the close of his school term in 1879. In June of that year he went to St. Louis, Mo., and when the law school of Washington university for that year was formed, he entered both junior and senior classes, and before the end of the term stood an examination in open court for admission to the St. Louis bar. During his attendance at law school he earned the money to pay his expenses by teaching a night school. Thus single-handed and alone, without one dollar of help from any source, he fitted himself for his life calling. Early in 1881 Mr. Peabody returned to Georgia and married Miss Myrtice Nelms of Griffin, daughter of the late Judge William Nelms of that place. It was his intention at that time to locate in the far south- west; but taking a visit with his bride to his aged parents at the family homestead, they persuaded him to locate in Columbus. This decision he has probably never had cause to regret, for his rise at the bar has been rapid, and his position sure. He has been identified more or less with all the public enterprises of his city, and is known, not only as a sound lawyer of ability, but as an enterprising and progressive citizen. Mr. Peabody has never held public office, nor aspired to do so. In 1892 he consented to stand as alternate presidential elector on the democratic ticket, which ticket he has never failed to vote since attaining his majority. In 1894, owing to his keen interest in educational affairs, and be- cause of his peculiar fitness for the place, he was appointed a member of the board of educators in Columbus, where he has since done faithful and efficient service. In 1895 Mr. Peabody was elected by the city council of Columbus, as corporation counsel for the city of Columbus, a position of great responsibility and importance. It is a matter of pride with him that his earnings have all been expended in the upbuilding and improvement of his native town.

GIDEON J. PEACOCK, a leading clothing manufacturer of Columbus, Ga., was born in Upson county, Ga., Jan. 15, 1837. His father was Washington Peacock, a native of North Carolina. He devoted his whole life to agricultural pursuits and came to Georgia about 1834, settling in Upson county, thence removing to Covington county, Ala., and departed this life there in 1881, at the age of eighty-one years. He was superintendent of schools in that county for several years. He had two sons, both of whom saw service in the Confederate army, viz .: Benjamin, a member of the western army, who was captured after two months' service, was sent to Johnson's Island as a prisoner of war and was never heard of afterward. It is presumed that he died at that place. Gideon J. Peacock lived in Upson county, Ga., until the age of sixteen .. Attended the Hootensville academy in that county and in 1853 came to Columbus, where he began to clerk for Barnett, Ellison & Co., dry goods. He was with this firm until 1860, when Mr. Ellison retired and Mr. Peacock then became a member of the firm, which was Barnett, Chapman & Co. In April, 1861, Mr. Peacock went into the Confederate service as private in the City Light guards of Columbus, Ga., which, together with the Macon Volunteers, the Floyd Rifles and the Spalding Greys was afterward consolidated into the Second Georgia battalion. After the battle of Fredericksburg he was made lieutenant and served as such until the close of the war, but during the last twelve months of the war commanded his company. He participated in the battles around Richmond, Seven Pines,

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Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Drewry's Bluff, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania court house, Cold Harbor, battles at Petersburg and ten days of fighting on the retreat, which ended at Appomattox-one of the fights being at Farmville, Va. Lieut. Peacock, together with Maj. Charles J. Moffett of Colum- bus, Ga., and Lieut. J. W. English, now of Atlanta, Ga., received the demand of Gen. Grant on Lee for the surrender of Appomattox court house. The circum- stances were as follows: On the evening of April 7, 1865, two days before the surrender, two or three officers of the Federal army came in front of the Confederate lines near Farmville, Va., waving a flag of truce. Maj. Moffett, who was in command of that part of the Confederate lines, recognized the flag and inquired what was wanted. The Federal party replied that they were the bearers of important dispatches from Gen. Grant to Gen. Lee. Maj. Moffett commanded them to stand where they were until he could communicate with his superior officers, and, later, the dispatches were taken by Maj. Moffett and Adjt .- Gen. Perry. When Maj. Moffett returned to his command Lieut. Peacock held the dispatches in his hand for a moment and saw the address. The dispatches were delivered to Gen. Lee soon afterward. After the surrender Mr. Peacock returned to Columbus, partly on foot, reaching that city May I, 1865. He at once entered the dry goods store of W. H. Phelps and clerked for him a year, then became a member of the dry goods firm of J. A. Chapman & Co. for two years. After that the firm of Peacock, Chapman & Co. was organized, with which he remained in business about four years, when Mr. Peacock sold his interest, and with E. S. Swift organized a dry goods firm, known as Peacock & Swift, which continued for three years. In 1875 Mr. Peacock sold his interest in the dry goods business to Mr. Smith; and two years later started a clothing manufactory with a capital of $2,500. In 1892 the firm became the G. J. Peacock Clothing company, with a capital stock of $26,000. They now do a business of $65,000 annually, and give employment to more than seventy-five persons. Mr. Peacock is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and is chairman of the board of stewards of St. Luke's. Mr. Peacock was married in 1873 to Miss Josephine, daughter of the late John Banks of Columbus, Ga., the founder of the Howard factory of Columbus, now the Eagle & Phoenix Manufacturing company. This union has been blessed by the birth of two sons and two daughters, viz .: Sarah Watkins, Elberta, James G. and John B. Peacock.

GEORGE A. PEARCE, president of the City Mills company of Columbus, Ga., was born in Hamilton, Harris Co., Ga., Aug. 8, 1854. His father, Till- man I. Pearce, was a native of Harris county, was a carpenter before the war, and a miller after the war; and died in 1893. Tillman I. Pearce married Nancy Thomasson, and they had nine children, all of whom are now living. At eight years of age George A. Pearce removed with his parents to Russell county, Ala., locating at Seale, where he was reared and educated. He attended Mercer uni- versity, at Macon, Ga., for two years, and then he returned to Russell county, Ala., where his father owned two flour mills, and managed one of them for his father for five years. He came to Columbus, in 1877, and started a small mill, ran it two years, then entered the city mills, operated by J. N. Embry; he worked there as assistant miller six months, and was then given charge of the whole business. Three or four years later J. N. Embry sold out to Frank Mitchell, who retained Mr. Pearce for four years, when he bought Mr. Mitchell out. In 1890 it was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, and Mr. Pearce was made presi- dent, and Thomas Salisbury secretary and treasurer. George A. Pearce is a consistent member of the Baptist church. He was married Nov. 15, 1878, to

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Miss Ida Embry, daughter of J. N. Embry, a native of Columbus, and who died in 1893. This union has been blessed by the birth of five daughters: Odelle, Effie May, Kate Mitchell, George Alma, and Mabel Clare.

WILLIAM REDD, JR., postmaster of Columbus, Ga., was born in Troup county, Ga., Sept. 27, 1839, and came with his parents to Columbus, Ga., five years later. His father was James K. Redd, a native of Greene county, Ga., who was a merchant and planter, led a very active life, and died in 1877, aged seventy-four years. During the civil war he held an important and responsible position in the paymaster's department. William Redd, Jr., had two brothers in the Confederate service, viz .: Nicholas L., who was a second lieutenant in a Georgia regiment, and died in 1884; and Charles, who enlisted as a private in the celebrated Nelson rangers, who acted as escort to Gen. Stephen D. Lee. He served throughout the war and died from disease contracted in the service in 1865. William Redd, Jr., was reared and received his earlier education in Columbus. He was graduated from Oglethorpe university, Midway, Ga., in 1860. After his graduation he returned to his home in Columbus, and entered the grocery store of his father, James K. Redd, continuing in that position until April, 1861, when he went away as a private with the Columbus guards, which was assigned to the Second Georgia regiment. In July, 1861, he was made brevet second lieutenant of Company C, Second Georgia regiment, serving as such until the reorganization of that regiment, in April, 1862. The term of service of the regiment having expired, Lieut. Redd was promoted to the position of adjutant and served as such until the close of hostilities. He participated in the battles of Munson's Hill, Yorktown, Garnett's Farm, Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Second Manassas, Thoroughfare Gap, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg. After the last named battle he was sent home on a sick furlough. Recovering from his sickness Adjt. Redd rejoined his regiment and participated in the battles of Reams Station, Knoxville, Tenn., the Wilderness, and many minor skirmishes on retreat to Rich- mond. After the battles of Fort Harrison and Petersburg he was given leave of absence and saw no more fighting. He was wounded in front of Petersburg twice, and once at the battle of Fort Harrison, Va. After the war closed he returned to his home at Columbus without a dollar, and opened a general store, in a small way, with a stock of about $500, carrying it on about four years, and clearing a small amount. He then entered the depot of the Rome & Columbus Railroad company at Columbus, Ga., as general agent, and a year later was made superin- tendent and treasurer of the road, acting as such about six years. He then entered the railroad contracting business and built twelve miles of the Pensacola & Selma railroad. Then he came back to Georgia and built the Talbotton rail- road, eight miles long, running from Bostwick to Talbotton, Ga. Mr. Redd next put the roadbed of the Georgia Western (now the Georgia Pacific) in order from Atlanta to Austell, Ga., a distance of about twenty miles. Then he took a sub- contract on the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia railroad, to build five miles of it in Paulding county, Ga. Returning to Columbus he was made superin- tendent and treasurer of the Columbus Railroad company (a street railway), serv- ing as such one year, when he was made general superintendent of the con- struction of the Georgia Midland & Gulf railroad, acting as superintendent under the contractor, P. P. Dickinson, and was so engaged for about fifteen months. Mr. Redd was next made general superintendent of the railroad construction of the Chattahoochee Brick company and acted in that capacity for four years. During that time the company built part of the Atlanta & Hawkinsville (Ga.) rail- road, the Chattanooga, Rome & Columbus railroad, the Columbus Southern, from Columbus, Ga., to Albany, Ga., and the Buena Vista & Ellaville, from Columbus

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to Ellaville, Ga. Mr. Redd then returned to Columbus and entered the real estate and fire insurance business, continuing in that business until May, 1893, when he was made postmaster at Columbus. Mr. Redd is a master Mason. He was married in November, 1865, to Miss Sarah H., daughter of the late Hon. Hines Holt of Columbus, who was a member of congress before the war, of the Con- federate congress during the war, and was a member of the First constitutional convention held in Milledgeville, in 1865, departing this life while in that city attending the convention. Mr. Redd's marriage has been blessed by the birth of three daughters, viz .: Mary L., Sallie Willie, and Helen Holt.

COL. BEALE H. RICHARDSON, editor and proprietor of the Columbus "Enquirer-Sun," the leading daily of Western Georgia and Eastern Alabama, was born in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 1I, 1841. His father was Judge Beale H. Rich- ardson, a native of Hartford county, Md., was a journalist and died in 1877 at the age of seventy-four years. He served in the war of 1812, was chosen an elector on the Andrew Jackson ticket, was appointed an appraiser in the Baltimore custom house under the Buchanan administration, was for a number of terms a member of the Maryland legislature, and also served for several years in the city council of Baltimore. He was editor of the "Argus," published in Baltimore, up to 1863, and at that time the paper was suppressed by Gen. Robert Schenck, and its editor banished from Maryland, coming to Montgomery, Ala., where he edited the "Montgomery Mail" for nearly a year. After the close of hostilities he returned to Baltimore, was appointed judge of the appeal tax court in the autumn of 1865 and held that position at the time of his death in 1877. Beale H. Richardson, son of the foregoing, attended school in Baltimore until his twentieth year, at that time entering the office of the "Evening Argus," the only afternoon democratic daily then published in Baltimore, and owned and edited by his father. Young Richardson maintained charge of the mechanical department of the paper until shortly after the breaking out of hostilities in 1861, and the following May came south and enlisted in Company A of the First Maryland cavalry, in Richmond. He served as a private in that company until just before the battle of Gettysburg, when he was made a special courier and placed on the staff of Gen. E. Ewell, serving on that staff until the retreat into Virginia. He was courier later on the staff of Gen. Jubal Early during his feint on Washington, and served in that capacity until June, 1864, when he was placed on detail duty under Maj. Harry Gilmer during the raid in Maryland, when Chambersburg and Gov. Bradford's houses were burned. During the raid young Richardson recruited twenty-one men and brought them to Sheppardstown, Va., where they enlisted as soldiers in the Confederate army. Returning to winter quarters in Virginia, he partici- pated in the battles at Centerville and Manassas, being badly injured during the latter engagement by having his horse shot from under him and receiving also a severe sabre cut in the head. In November, 1864, Mr. Richardson was trans- ferred to the gulf department as a purchasing agent, with headquarters at Mobile, and was in charge of the blockade runners at that port, with the rank of captain. He remained in Mobile until the evacuation of that city by the Confederates, April 12, 1865. Afterward he was under Gen. Dick Taylor and was with him until the surrender at Meridian, Miss., May 23, 1865. He participated in the battle of Sharpsburg, was captured and carried to Fort Delaware, where he was held a prisoner of war from September, 1863, to December, 1863. He was also in the battles of Fredericksburg, Maryland Heights, Manchester, Harper's Ferry, Charlestown, Front Royal, Gettysburg, Chambersburg, Manassas, Brandy Station, Fisher's Hill, Newmarket, Martinsburg, Harrisonburg, Woodstock and Bridge-

Beale HRichardson

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water. After the close of hostilities Capt. Richardson went to Mobile, Ala., and sold a watch he had captured for $40, investing the proceeds in civilian clothing. Soon after by chance he met on the streets of Mobile Maj. Henry Balantyne, the owner of the "Mobile Tribune," which had suspended publication after the evacua- tion of the city. Capt. Richardson, with the consent and authority of the owner, Maj. Balantyne, secured permission from the provost marshal to revive the paper. Capt. Richardson was made associate editor and remained in the position until 1868, thence going to New Orleans, where he started a book bindery and job printing business. In 1871 he accepted an offer from the Savannah (Ga.) "Morn- ing News," serving as city editor, and later as editor of the "Sunday Telegram," both under the same management. In 1883 Capt. Richardson purchased the Savannah "Times," an evening paper, and conducted it as sole proprietor for a year and a half, when a stock company was formed. In 1886 he disposed of his interests in Savannah and bought the "Evening Capitol," of Montgomery, Ala., and changed the name of the paper to the "Evening Star." He conducted the "Star" one year, selling it in 1887, then removing to Anniston, Ala., and accepting a position as associate editor of the "Hot Blast," subsequently becoming editor, and conducted it two years. Capt. Richardson moved to his present home in Co- lumbus, Ga., in September, 1889, and was made managing editor of the "Enquirer- Sun," leasing the paper three months later and becoming the owner of it in June, 1894. In 1878 Capt. Richardson was commissioned by Gov. A. H. Colquitt as quartermaster, with the rank of lieutenant, of the First Georgia regiment at Sa- vannah, and held that rank until his resignation in 1886. Later he was appointed on the staff of Gov. William J. Northen, with rank of lieutenant-colonel of cavalry, and retains that rank at the present time. As an evidence of the estimation in which Col. Richardson is held by the people of Georgia, it may be mentioned that he has repeatedly been selected as a delegate to the state and congressional conventions and was secretary of the democratic executive committee of Chatham county for eleven years. While a citizen of Savannah he was brought forward as a candidate for representative in the state legislature, but declined after his nomination. In 1892 he was elected a member of the democratic state executive committee for the fourth congressional district, re-elected in 1894 and made secre- tary of that organization. Col. Richardson is a master Mason and has filled all the chairs up to and including senior warden of Ancient Landmark lodge No. 215, F. and A. M., of Savannah, Ga. He is also an enrolled member of the Golden Rule lodge No. 12, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Savannah, Ga., and was grand commander for the state of Georgia in 1883-84 of the American Legion of Honor. He is also first past grand regent of Georgia of the Royal Arcanum and was the first representative from Georgia to the supreme council of that order, which met in Detroit in March, 1880. He is also a life member of the grand council of the Royal Arcanum of Georgia and belongs to Columbus lodge No. III, R. A., and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. For a time Col. Richardson was the first officer of Jasper council, Home Circle, of Sa- vannah, Ga. He is also an active member of the Pawnee Tribe No. 27, Improved Order of Red Men, and in 1879 was dictator of the Savannah lodge, Knights of Honor. Among the strictly social organizations Col. Richardson is a member of the Muscogee club, of Columbus, and the Elks Social club of that city. Among the business organizations he has been prominently identified with the Columbus Board of Trade, and is one of the directors of the Chattahoochee Exposition com- pany. Col. Richardson's great-grandfather was Vincent Richardson, who was one of the first men in Maryland to shoulder arms in the revolutionary struggle, and was killed in action under Gen. Stansberry. His great-grandmother was a

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daughter of the celebrated John Eager Howard of revolutionary renown, and a family famous in the highest social and political history of Maryland. Mr. Rich- ardson has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth M. Holcombe, of Mobile, one of the most prominent families in Georgia and Alabama, by whom he had five children, two of whom are living, one daughter married and one grown son. His oldest son, G. Holcombe Richardson, died on May 4, 1894, while chief clerk in the United States pension office of Knoxville, Tenn., having been appointed by Hon. Hoke Smith, secretary of the interior. His present wife was Miss Georgia M. Goodman, also of Mobile, of the same family connection. He has been from early youth an earnest and zealous democrat and may rightly be classed as of the rock-ribbed democracy.

THOMAS S. SPEAR, a prominent jeweler of Columbus, Ga., was born in Bloomfield, N. J., Jan. 19, 1825. He was reared and educated in his native town and in 1845 removed to Charleston, S. C., to engage in the jewelry business with his brother, James A. Spear, remaining with him twelve years. In 1857 the two brothers, having removed their business to Columbus, were robbed by Wil- son's raiders and $150,000 of booty was carried away by the pilferers. After the close of hostilities the Spear brothers resumed their jewelry business and the first year made a profit of $15,000. Thomas S. Spear was called upon in 1870 to mourn the death of his only brother, James A., which sad event occurred in Charleston, S. C. Since his brother's death he has conducted the business alone and has been remarkably successful. In 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Dodd, a most estimable and cultured lady of New Jersey, and a union which has been blessed by the birth of several sons and daughters, all of whom, save, one, survive: Charles Spear, of New York city; Horace Spear, Charleston, S. C .; Mary, wife of Stephen Crawford, of Columbus, Ga .; Howard, secretary and treas- urer of the Georgia Midland railroad, of Columbus. Thomas S. Spear has two widowed sisters residing in Charleston, S. C., viz .: Elizabeth L., relict of David Oaks, a native of Bloomfield, N. J., and Carrie Olivia, relict of Daniel S. Silcox, a native of Charleston, S. C.

W W. STEWART, M. D., of Columbus, Ga., was born at Union Springs, Bul- lock Co., Ala., Aug. 30, 1865. When an infant his parents moved to Co- lumbus, Ga., where he received his earlier education in private schools and sub- sequently became a student at the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical college, at Auburn, graduating from that institution in the class of 1882. For a year and a half next after his graduation Mr. Stewart resided at Columbus, but removed to Jefferson county, Ala., in 1884, where he was engaged in the mining industry. He returned to Columbus soon thereafter and began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. George J. Grimes, of very extensive reputation in West Geor- gia. Mr. Stewart became a student at the Bellevue Hospital Medical college, New York city, in 1886, graduating from that institution with the degree of M. D. in 1888. He served the New York city hospital, on Blackwell's island, for more than a year and a half, returning to Columbus in the autumn 'of 1890, when he formed a copartnership with his former tutor, Dr. Grimes. Dr. Stewart is the author of several valuable papers on subjects related to his profession, was made a member of the board of health of Columbus, and is a prominent member of the Georgia State Medical association. He occupies a very enviable position among the physicians of Muscogee county.

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MUSCOGEE COUNTY SKETCHES.

GEORGE P. SWIFT, the leading manufacturer of cotton goods in Columbus, Ga., was born in Fairhaven, Mass., Sept. 1, 1814. His father, Asa Swift, was a native of Wareham, Mass., was a ship captain and largely engaged in whaling. He married Sarah Mackie, a native of Long Island, N. Y., and of the children born to this union four are living, viz .: Mary Dykeman, George P., Henrietta Attwood and Andre M. K. George P. Swift, after the usual attendance at the public schools, clerked for three or four years in a dry goods store in Boston, and in 1832 moved to Georgia and located at Knoxville, Crawford Co., thence he moved to Upson county and engaged in manufacturing; next, in 1866, he removed to Columbus, Ga., and in 1867 was elected president of the Muscogee Manufacturing company, which position he still fills. This company manufactures cotton goods exclusively, operates three mills, each five stories in height, con- taining 15,000 spindles and 426 looms, and affording employment for 550 opera- tives, all of whom are white and native born. The several mills consume 3,600 bales of cotton annually, which are made into colored goods, consisting of plaids, cottonades, cheviots, shirting, ticks and denim and towels, the annual production being valued at $400,000. This company was permanently organized in 1869, has a capital stock of $157,500, and is controlled by George P. Swift, president, and W. A. Swift, secretary and treasurer. George P. Swift was also actively engaged in the establishment of another manufacturing establishment in Colum- bus, which still bears his name, the Swift Manufacturing company. In 1844 Col. Swift married Cornelia A. Jewett, of Boston, a daughter of Charles Jewett, and this union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, viz .: Helen. W. Murphy, George P., Jr., deceased, William A., Charles J., Edward W., Elizabeth B. Swift and Adelaide Kyle. In the matter of political belief Col. Swift is an uncompro- mising democrat. He has no desire to enter into public life and has never sought any office, though his voice has undoubted weight in all public deliberations. Mrs. Cornelia A. Swift is a consistent member of the Baptist church.

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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 92

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