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 95

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 95

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F M. HAYES, farmer, Hayston, Newton Co., Ga., son of Robert L. and Sarah (Penn) Hayes, was born in Newton county in 1837. He was raised on the farm, and was educated at the historic log school-house with puncheon seats, when Webster's blue-back spelling book was in use. During the war he was on detached duty. In 1872, while absent from home, he was elected a justice of the peace without solicitation-without his consent or wish-and has been continuously re-elected since. He is living on a part of the land which his father cleared, and on which his grandfather settled nearly 100 years ago. He is unambitious of office, and perfectly satisfied with the distinction of being a good farmer, and with the profits of his honest labor. He is a solid, substantial, model citizen, much respected by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Hayes has been married three times. His first marriage was in 1856 to Miss Jimcy D .- born in Henry county, Ga .- daughter of James and Susan (Kidd) Hootton, South Carolinians, who early in life came in ox-carts to Georgia. Four children blessed this union: James L., Ophelia, Susannah, and Sarah. The mother of these, a devout Presbyterian, died in 1868, and in 1869, he married Miss Mary C .- born in South Carolina-daughter of James and Sarah (Hutchings) McCart. To them five children were born: Min- nie, Emory F., Fletcher M., Evy, and Mary D. She was an exemplary member of the Methodist church, and died in 1881. Two years afterward he contracted a marriage with Miss Sarah Thacker. He is a master Mason, and himself and wife are prominent members of the Presbyterian church.

ALBERT L. JACKSON, farmer, Hayston, Newton Co., Ga., son of John F. and Mary E. (Lazenby) Jackson, was born in Newton county in 1846. His grandparents on his father's side were Cornelius and Elizabeth (Green) Jackson. He was born in Virginia, came to Georgia about 1800 and located land under a land warrant. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain, and was raised

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on a farm. He enlisted in 1863 in Company C, Capt. Henry Park, Sixty-sixth Georgia regiment, Col. Nesbit. On Aug. 7, 1864, he was captured and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he died. His grandmother on his mother's side was Nancy (Pharr) Lazenby, an old settler. Mr. Jackson was reared on the farm and received a limited education at the oft-described old-time log school-house so pleasurable remembered by thousands. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-sixth Georgia regiment. Among the battles in which he with his command participated were: Resaca, and others in front of Gen. Sherman on his march to Atlanta. He was captured at Decatur and sent to Camp Douglas, Ill., where he was held a prisoner eight months. After the war he came back to Newton county and began farming, which he has pursued ever since with satisfactory profitable results. He is one of the best farmers in Newton county, as well as one of its most substantial citizens. Mr. Jackson was married in 1869 to Miss Jane, daughter of Timothy and Sarah (Ivy) Greenade, formerly of Warren county, Ga., by whom he has had five children: Cary W .; Homer V .; Anna Lamar; Walter C .; and Marcus Earl. He has given his children a good education, two of whom are teachers. Homer V. is now a student at Mercer university, Macon, Ga., having previously attended the North Georgia Agricultural college at Dahlonega, Ga., where he won the gold medal prize. Mr. Jackson is a master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church.

J. G. LESTER, banker, Covington, Newton Co., Ga., son of Richard P. and Mary Jane (Waddell) Lester, was born in Forsyth county, Ga., in 1857. His great-grandfather on his father's side was German Lester, who was a soldier in the patriot army-a member of the historic "Maryland line"-during the revolu- tionary war. His grandparents were Richard H. and Mary M. (Simms) Lester. He was a native of Maryland, whence he migrated to Georgia in 1818. He was attorney for the Cherokee Indians in north Georgia, which was the cause of his death, as he was killed during an incursion by the Creek Indians. He was a leading attorney and very popular. Mr. Lester's father was born in Gwinnett county, Ga., in 1832, and received his primary education at the old-time "old-field" school, finishing it at an academy. He afterward entered the office of his brother -- the late Hon. George N. Lester, who died in 1892 while attorney-general of Georgia-to read law. Mr. Lester's mother was the daughter of Isaac W. and Sarah (Daniel) Waddell, a granddaughter of Rev. Moses Waddell, one of the most eminent divines of the Presbyterian church, and president of the university of Georgia (then Franklin college) from 1819 to 1829. Sarah Daniel was the daughter of James K. Daniel, of Greene county, Ga. Mr. Lester had the benefit of a good education, which was completed at the university of Georgia. At the age of seventeen he began teaching school, and taught three years, in the mean- time reading law under his uncle, George N. Lester, and after being admitted to the bar located at Covington. He practiced for several years, and although he met with satisfactory success he abandoned it to go into the banking business. He is one of the incorporators of the Clark Banking company, a member of the board of directors, and the cashier of the bank. He is one of the foremost of the live young business men of Covington, and in integrity of character, intel- lectual endowment, advanced thought and progressiveness worthily represents his distinguished lineage. He has been the secretary and treasurer of the Cov- ington & Oxford Street Railway company since 1888, and no citizen is more highly esteemed, or has more implicitly the confidence of his fellow citizens than he. Mr. Lester was married in 1882 to Miss Hennie-born and raised in Newton county- daughter of Thomas M. and Hennie (Andrew) Meriwether, by whom he has had three children: Paul W., Anna Mary, and Eugene. He is a member

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of the Knights of Damon, and the I. O. O. F. He is also a master Mason, and a past master of the local masonic lodge; and is now a member of the auditing committee of the grand lodge of Georgia. Himself and wife are active and prominent members of the Methodist church.

R. M. M'INTOSH, professor of music, Emory college, Oxford, Newton Co., Ga., son of Hector and Nancy (Wiggs) McIntosh, was born in Tennessee in 1836. His paternal grandparents, John and Barbara (Mckenzie) McIntosh, were natives of Scotland who emigrated to the United States the latter part of the last century and settled in North Carolina. He was a farmer and did not long survive his arrival at his new home. Prof. McIntosh's father was born in Scotland and was quite young when his parents came to the United States. He grew to manhood in North Carolina, where, considering the period, he received an unusually good country school education. He served in the Creek Indian war under Gen. Jackson, who, when president, appointed him Indian agent for the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians. He held the office six years and devoted his entire time to its duties. His principal office was in Tennessee, near which he bought a farm: but he had temporary headquarters at other points, one of which was at what is still known as "McIntosh's bluff" on the Tombigbee river, in Washington county, Ala. Prof. McIntosh grew to manhood on the farm, and after receiving a good preparatory education entered the college at Jackson, Tenn., in 1852. When half advanced in 1854 he left college and engaged in teach- ing, following it many years. He spent about two years during this time reading law. In 1855 he was adjunct professor of English and mathematics in Triana High school, Madison county, Ala. The following year he went to Virginia, and adopted music teaching as a profession. He enlisted at Richmond May 7, 1861, in Company H, Eighteenth Virginia regiment, and was soon at the front. For conspicuous gallantry he was soon made second lieutenant, and not long after- ward was promoted to the first lieutenancy. He was transferred from this com- pany to Company C, Twenty-fifth Virginia battalion, of which he was commis- sioned captain, and held the rank until the surrender. With his command he was a participant in many of the hardest fought battles of the war, maintaining his reputation for courage and military skill. On one occasion he was surprised and taken prisoner. Deciding not to "accept the situation" he determined to get out of it if he could, so one night while under guard he saw a chance-but really a desperate chance-to make his escape. He made the attempt, was so fortunate as to succeed, and soon afterward reported at headquarters. Capt. McIntosh relates the following incident connected with his army life: In his company was a private named Joel Fore-nicknamed "Beauregard." On one occasion he came to the captain's headquarters and asked for a pair of shoes. In a jocular way-just for fun-he told him to "go to Jeff Davis for shoes." Sure enough, Joel went the next day, and being ushered into the presence of the Confederate president, said to him: "Capt. McIntosh told me to come to you for a pair of shoes." Mr. Davis sent his valet for some extra pairs of shoes he had, and when they were brought in told "Beauregard" to pick out the pair he wanted. He did so and went his way rejoicing. The captain was dumbfounded when on meeting the soldier a day or two afterward with the shoes on the latter told him how he got them. In 1868 Prof. McIntosh returned to Tennessee, and was for several years professor of vocal music and musical composition in Van- derbilt university. In 1876 he accepted the chair of music in Emory college- teaching vocal music and musical composition-which he has fillled for nineteen years acceptably to the college and its patrons, and with distinction to himself.

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During this time he has probably been the most numerous and voluminous com- poser, compiler and publisher of musical books-especially of those adapted to Sunday-schools-of any person in the Union. His musical compositions have attained remarkable popularity and are in use throughout the United States- probably wherever there is a Methodist church or mission. He has edited no less than twenty musical publications, the sales of two of which have exceeded a million each-a success attained by no other composer-and their circulation now is larger than those of any other. In 1882, 1886 and 1890 he was a lay delegate from the north Georgia conference to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church south. The value of his services to the church, especially to Sunday-schools, in preparing music for use in them, cannot be over- estimated; and it is no marvel that he is held, in social circles and wherever his publications have been used, in the very highest esteem. For many years he has held the office of town recorder. Prof. McIntosh was married Feb. 23, 1860, to Miss Sarah C .- born in Charlotte county, Va .- daughter of Marcus I. and Phoebe (Martin) McGlesson. He was a native of Virginia, well known, quite wealthy and very influential; but the war ruined him financially. He moved to Texas, where he died. Prof. and Mrs. McIntosh have been blessed with two daughters: Lulu, wife of E. P. Burns; and Nannie S., wife of Rev. H. W. Joiner. He is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. also of the masonic fraternity; and himself and wife are working and very influential members of the Methodist church.

REV. JOHN S. MOORE, professor, Emory college, Oxford, Newton Co., Ga., son of Robert and Elizabeth (Simmons) Moore, was born in Mecklenburg county, Va., Dec. 3, 1829. His parents on both sides belonged to the best families of Virginia. His father, son of Warner Moore, was always a farmer, in easy cir- cumstances. Prof. Moore, after receiving a good primary education, entered Randolph-Macon college, from which he was graduated with the degree of A. B. He next attended the university of Virginia, graduating in 1854 with the degree of Master of Arts. He then accepted a position at Randolph-Macon college as professor of natural philosophy, where he remained until January, 1856, when he was received into the Alabama conference as an itinerant preacher, and for many years performed valuable ministerial work. He was also a professor in the Centenary institute, Alabama, six years. In 1871 he was elected professor of mathematics of the Southern university, Greensboro, Ala., where the degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on him in 1879. He remained at this institu- tion until 1883, when he was elected professor of Latin in Emory college, Oxford, Ga., where he has been doing faithful and valuable work ever since. He is a member of the North Georgia conference of the M. E. church, south, and in addi- tion to his confining and arduous college duties he preaches every Sunday in the year at churches in and around Oxford. Early in life he consecrated himself to the work of the Master, and it has been his effort always faithfully to perform his vow. Preaching and teaching have been the work of his life, with the rich fruits of which Alabama and Georgia abound. Prof. Moore was married in 1859 to Miss Mary S., daughter of John L. and Susan (Buxton) Porter, natives of Virginia, whose families were among the first as to time and social rank. When he was married his bride's father was acting as naval constructor at Pensacola, Fla. When Virginia seceded Mr. Porter resigned and cast his lot with the Con- federacy. By the Confederate government he was appointed chief of naval construction, and continued in the service as such until the surrender. Under his supervision the famous ram "Merrimac," which plaved such havoc with the Federal warships, was built. Prof. and Mrs. Moore have been blessed with three

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sons and thrce daughters. The sons, John W., Robert and George P., are all suc- cessfully engaged in business in Birmingham, Ala. Of the daughters, M. Alice has been a missionary in Brazil, South America, since 1892, under the auspices of the Woman's Missionary society of the Methodist church, south, and she is now engaged in teaching music and art in the missionary college in Piracicaba; Mattie B. is the wife of Rev. R. F. Eakes, of the North Georgia conference, who is now stationed at Thomson, Ga., and Margaret S., is at home, the principal of Palmer institute, a children's primary school, Oxford. Prof. Moore is a member of the masonic fraternity.

W. S. NEEL, a leading citizen of Newton county, is a native of Georgia, born in 1841, and was the son of Thomas and Nancy (Veasey) Neel. The father is a native of South Carolina, having been born in 1795; was a son of Thomas Neel, and served in the war of 1812. In 1826 he canie to Richmond county, Ga., and a few years later moved to Hancock county. He was married to Jane Rabun, a native of North Carolina, who came here an infant in arms with her parents about 1800. Mr. Neel began life as a poor boy, but possessing pluck, energy and perseverance, he succeeded in amassing a fortune before his death. He was a justice of the peace, high in the order of Masons, and with his wife belonged to the Baptist church. Mr. W. S. Neel was reared in Hancock county, Ga., where his father lived, received special educational instruction under Prof. Beman of state fame and was graduated at Mercer college in 1860. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pány K, Fifteenth Georgia regiment volunteers, under Capt. Linton Stevens and Col. Thomas W. Thomas. He served throughout the war and saw active service from the first, being in several hard-fought battles. He was captured and held a prisoner during the last year of the war. When hostilities ceased he returned home and took care of his widowed mother. He then began teaching school, and in this profession achicved a high reputation, a peculiar mode adopted by him proving very successful. In December, 1866, he married Miss Bettie Pelham, a native of Alabama, and daughter of Atkinson and Martha (McGehee) Pelham, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Pelham was a leading physician in his state, and was the son of Charles and Isabell (Atkinson) Pelham, the father being a major in the revolutionary war. To Mr. and Mrs. Neel were born six children, five of whom are living: Thomas, Mattie, William, Robert and Rabun. Mr. Neel and wife are members of the Baptist church.

OLIVER S. PORTER. Sometimes some of the most progressive and useful citizens of a community are found among those who, never self-seeking, recoil from notoriety; they not only do not sound their own praises or merits, but would if they could prevent others from doing so. Of this class is the estimable subject of this sketch. Oliver S. Porter, manufacturer, Covington, Newton Co., Ga., son of James and Athline (Cox) Porter, was born in Greene county, Ga., in 1836. His paternal grandparents were Oliver and Margaret (Watson) Porter. His grandfather was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Immediately after the war he came to Georgia and settled in Wilkes (now Greene) county. Mr. Porter's father was born in Greene county in 1808, and followed farming all his life. He was a volunteer soldier in the Creck war of 1836, and was adjutant of his regiment. His mother was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hyde) Cox, whose families were among the early settlers of Greene county. Mr. Porter was reared on the farm in Greene county, and "graduated" from the "old-field" school of his boyhood period, taught in a log house, his first teacher being John Malone.

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NEWTON COUNTY SKETCHES.

He afterward taught school himself three years in Covington. In 1861 he en- listed in the Panola guards, Capt. G. B. Knight, which became a part of Cobb's legion, and he was made adjutant of his regiment. The following are some of the battles in which he bore an honorable part: Malvern Hill, Boonesboro Gap, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Salem Church, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Knoxville (where he was wounded), South Mountain, Chickamauga and Cold Harbor, and was captured at Front Royal, Va. He was detained a prisoner ten months and released June 18, 1865. Since the war he has been engaged principally in cotton manufacturing. In 1871, in company with D. W. Spence, he bought the place now known as the Porterdale mills, and in 1877 he bought his partner's interest and organized a company which now owns and operates the mills, which are situated on a fine power, advantageously located, and contain about 5,000 spindles, and the output averages about 4,500 pounds of manufactured goods per day. They make fish lines, seine twine, cable cord, and all kinds of small rope. He is a well-informed, broad-minded man, very progress- ive, and yet very conservative. He is a developer, one of the solidest and most useful of Newton county's citizens, and none is held in higher esteem. Mr. Porter was married in 1869 to Mrs. Julia (nee McCracken) Camp, daughter of William and Olivia (Hayden) McCracken, and to them four children have been born: John, James, William and Mary, who died in 1891 in her fifteenth year. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and his wife is an exemplary member of the Methodist church.

SILAS H. STARR, Jr., merchant, Starrsville, Newton Co., Ga., son of Silas H. and Ann J. (Dabney) Starr, was born Aug. 25, 1838, and reared in Newton county, and received a collegiate education, graduating from Emory college, Oxford, Ga., in the class of 1859. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Capt. A. A. Lee, Third Georgia regiment, Col. A. R. Wright. He was in the army through- out the war, saw much arduous service, and was in numerous skirmishes as well as some of the most important and bloodiest of the battles, among them Chica- maco, South Mills (where he was made second lieutenant), seven days' fight around Richmond, Malvern Hill, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg (where he had command of the company), Chancellorsville (capturing a whole regiment), Gettys- burg, Wilderness, etc., and in October, 1863, was promoted to first lieutenant of artillery and assigned to duty as ordnance officer in Wright's old brigade. He was present in every skirmish and engagement in which his regiment bore a part, and responded to his name at every roll call during the war. He was in the hospital but once and then for only three days. He was acting division ordnance officer of Anderson's division at the time Gen. Mahone was in command, and for his efficiency was promoted to the rank of captain in 1864. After the surrender he returned home and commenced farming. Later he went to Texas, where he remained five years, and then returned to Newton county and taught school for four years. In 1879 he engaged in a general merchandise business, in which he has continued, established a large trade and been very prosperous. He is a prominent and useful citizen, and is much esteemed. Mr. Starr was married in 1868 to Miss Fannie A. Tarver, by whom he has had two children, one of whom only-Alice K., wife of W. T. Corley-is living. Mrs. Starr died Sept. 27, 1873, and Jan. 8, 1880, he married Miss Fannie M. Butner, of Powder Springs, Ga., who bore him four children, only one of whom, Rena Maude, is living. This wife died in June, 1887, and April 4, 1888, he married Miss Nannie Childs. Mr. Starr is a master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist church.

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MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

T.A. STARR, merchant, Starrsville, Newton Co., Ga., son of Silas H. and Ann J. (Dabney) Starr, was born in Newton county, Ga., Dec. 19, 1840. His paternal grandparents were Silas and Mrs. Elizabeth Pinkston (nee Lawson) Starr, natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia. They came to Georgia in 1805 and settled in Wilkes county, making the journey in ox-carts held together with wooden pins and hickory withes, on block wheels. In 1821 they moved to Newton county, and when nearing their new home, there being no roads, they had to cut a roadway through the woods, then settled in the woods near where Starrsville now stands, and cleared a farm. He lived to be quite old. Mr. Starr's father was born in Wilkes county and came with the family to Newton county, in which he attained great prominence and became a leading citizen. He was a stanch and enthusiastic temperance man and a royal arch Mason. His mother was a daughter of a Mr. Tyra G. Dabney, who came from the state of Vir-

ginia about 1800. He was one of the first settlers in Newton county, and cleared the land on which Starrsville stands. Mr. Starr was reared on the farm and had the benefit of a collegiate education, graduating at Emory college, class of 1862, and when a young man taught school a short time himself. In March, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Capt. James Summers, Forty-second Georgia regiment, Col. R. J. Henderson. Among others he was in the following battles: Tazewell, Cumberland Gap, Chickasaw Bayou, Baker's Creek, Vicksburg (where he was captured, but soon afterward exchanged), Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, New Hope, Pumpkin Vine, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta (fighting July 20, 22, 28), Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Edisto river, Orangeburg and Kins- ton, where he was wounded and sent to the hospital. Before he was able to return to his command the war was over. He entered the service as a private, but was soon made second lieutenant, later first lieutenant. Returning from the war he engaged in farming, but after a while he went to Texas, where he remained three months, and then came back to Starrsville and commenced a general merchandis- ing business on a capital of $425. He has been phenomenally successful. By giving his undivided attention to his business, keeping abreast of the times as to supply and demand, and liberal and honest dealing, he has built up a large and very profitable business, his trade coming from miles around. He is one of the solid and progressive men of the county, and stands high as a business man, a citizen and as a gentleman. Starrsville was re-established as a post-office in 1889, and he has been the postmaster during its existence, but for many years previously it had been a sort of distributing point for the surrounding country.

T.C. SWANN, merchant, Covington, Newton Co., Ga., son of Thomas D. and Olive (Huson) Swann, was born in Newton county in 1849. His father, son of Thomas Swann, was born in North Carolina, whence he came to Georgia about 1828 and settled in Henry county. After a year's residence there he moved to Newton county and permanently settled, and for many years served as a justice of the peace. In 1863 he enlisted in the state troops, and after serving three months enlisted in Company B (of which he was made first lieutenant), Capt. Aaron K. Richardson, Fourth Georgia militia, serving with marked gallantry. His mother was born in South Carolina, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Reagan) Huson, who early in life migrated from that state to Georgia. Mr. Swann was raised on the farm and had the advantage of a good common school education, his first teacher being Rev. John W. Baker. In 1869 he went to Texas, where he taught school one year and then returned to Georgia. In 1872 he commenced merchandising in Conyers, Rockdale Co., Ga., where he remained seven years, and then removed to Covington, which has since been his home, and where he

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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 95

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