|
WILKES COUNTY
page 330
GABRIEL TOOMBS ANTHONY, merchant, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga.,
son of Edwin M. and Clara J. (Pope) Anthony, both parents
natives of Wilkes county, and his mother a daughter of Henry F.
Pope, was born in Taliaferro county, Ga., June 9, 1868, the
sixth of thirteen children. When he was four years old his
parents moved to Washington, and until he was eighteen years old
he had to work on the farm, his only schooling being that
obtained at such intervals as he could be spared. At the age of
eighteen he entered the store of Mr. J. A. Benson in Washington
as a clerk, and remained with him as such until January, 1894,
when he and his fellow-clerk, Kimble A. Wilheit, bought their
employer out, and
are
now doing the largest general merchandise business in the city.
He made his money by hard work, and knowing now he made it he
saved it. Mothers point to him as a model for their sons, and
legions of friends in and out of the county are proud of him and
his partner as representative young men and merchants of
Washington. A voiding the associations and contaminating
influences of the fast young people of modern society, they are
free from the expensive habits and vices consequent upon such
associations, and have honorably won the esteem they enjoy, the
prosperity secured, and that promised. That Mr. Anthony will
take a front rank in commercial circles and exert a commanding
influence in the future cannot be doubted.
page
331
EDWARD A. BARNETT, farmer-merchant, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga.,
son of Samuel and Elizabeth {Stone) Barnett, was born in
Washington, Wilkes Co., Feb. 23, 1855, the fifth of seven
children, four boys and three girls. Both parents were natives
of Wilkes county. Mr. Barnett was educated in the schools in
Washington, and at the age of nineteen years ,went on the
plantation of W. A. Pope as superintendent, where he remained
four years. He then for one year superintended the farm of M. M.
Sims. These gentlemen were two large Wilkes county planters. He
then bought a farm and began farming for himself, which he has
since continued, enjoying a full measure of success and
prosperity. In addition to his farm he has conducted with profit
a general merchandise store for seven years. Mr. Barnett vas
married Marcll11, 188S, to Miss Mary, daughter
of
W. P. Hill, of Wilkes county, by whom he has had four children,
all of whom are living.
SIMPSON BOOKER, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
Richerson and Esther (Simpson) Booker, was born ir:; Wilkes
county, Ga., April 9, 1831, the third of four children, all
boys. He worked on the farm, and went to school as he had
opportunity, until he reached manhood. He then took charge of
his father's farm, and has had the management of it from then
until now. In 1861 he enlisted" in" the Irwin guards, which
afterward was known as Company- C, Cult's artillery battalion.
As a member of this command Mr. Booker was in some of- the most
important battles of the war, among them: The seven days' fight
around Richmond, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg,
Appomattox Court
.House, etc. At the time of the surrender he was at Red Oak
Church. After the disbandment he returned to the 01(1 homestead
satisfied with whatever tribute it may bring to his comfort and
pleasure. 1\J r. Booker was married Dec. 20, 18SS, to Miss
Amanda, daughter of Basil Neal, of Columbia county, Ga., who
bore him one child, a daughter, and died Dec. 14, 1.858. On June
27, 186S, he married Miss Georgia, daughter of John M. Lazenby,
of what is now McDuffie county, Ga. Six children, four sons and
two daughters, have blessed this union, of whom t\VO
sons and one daughter are dead. Mr. Booker is a master Mason,
and a member of the Methodist church.
RICHARD D. CALLAWAY, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
Aristides and Martha T. (Doughty) Callaway, was born in Wilkes
county July 1, 1858. His father was of Wilkes county, and his
mother a daughter of Richard Doughty, of Oglethorpe County. Mr.
Callaway was the first-born of eleven children, of whom eight
were boys. He attended schools convenient to his home until
1874, when he entered the university of Georgia, Athens, and
graduated in 1878 with the degree of A. B. After he came from
college he engaged in the saw-mill business for three years.
Abandoning that he has since devoted his entire time and
attention to his extensive farming interests, and has been
satisfactorily prosperous. He is a lieutenant-colonel of the
Sixth Georgia infantry, and a member of the board of county
commissioners.
page 332
MARSHAL S. CALLAWAY, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
Seaborn and Mildred (Jordan) Callaway, daughter of Jordan, of
Oglethorpe county, Ga., was born in Wilkes county, Aug. 2, 1847,
the fourth of eight children, five sons and three daughters, one
of each being dead. He was reared on the farm and attended the
country schools until he was fourteen years old, when his father
died and he had to work on the farm and help keep it up. In 1863
he joined a company of state, or reserve, militia, under Capt.
Bowers, and was ordered to Atlanta. He was in Savannah with his
command at the time of the evacuation. He was in no regular
engagement while in tile service. After his discharge he
returned home and went to farming in good earnest, and rejoices
in the prosperity he has been blessed with. Upright and
honorable in all his dealings, a true man and Christian, he
stands high in the community. Mr. Callaway was married Dec.7,
1865, to Miss 1'Iary, daughter of James Spratlin, of Wilkes
county, who has borne him eight children, five sons and three
daughters; of these, a son and daughter have died. Mr. Callaway
is a consistent and influential member of the Baptist church,
which he joined in 1861.
SAMUEL J. CARTLEDGE, Presbyterian minister, Washington, Wilkes
Co., Ga., son of Rev. Groves H. and Annie M. (Lane) Cartledge,
was born at Bold Spring, Franklin Co., Ga., May 9, 1864. His
father was a clergyman; born in Madison county, Ga., and his
mother a daughter of Joseph Lane, Portland, Me. Mr. Cartledge's
schooling until he was nine years of age was obtained at the
ordinary neighborhood schools. When nine years old he was
entered at Martin institute, Prof John W. Glenn, principal,
Jefferson, Jackson Co., Ga., where heremained three years, and
then went back to the family farm. He next entered the school of
Prof. A. M. Scudder, at Athens, Ga., where, after six months’
close application, he was prepeared to enter the sophomore class
at the university of Georgia, Athens, which he did. At the end
of a year he was obliged to stop for want of money. He taught
school until he accomplished his object, when he went to
Dahlonega, Ga., where he took an elective course, finishing in
one year. He next went to the theological eminary at Princeton,
N. J., where he remained a year, when his funds becoming
exhausted he had to leave to replenish. He preached at
Danielsville and New Hope churches, Madison Co., studying
.meanwhile, and as soon as he felt able went to the theological
seminary at Columbia, S. C., where he remained two years, and
completing his theological course, graduated May 9, 1889. Rev.
Cartledge immediately took charge of a church in Gainsville,
Hall Co., Ga., and supplied its pulpit acceptably five years.
Since then he has been pastor of the Presbyterian church at
Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., giving entire satisfaction to a
congregation whose pulpit has been filled by some of the most
eminent clergymen of the denomination. Rev. Cartledge was
married Nov. 27, 1889, to Miss Laura, daughter of James H.
Burns, Apple Valley, Jackson Co., Ga., who has borne him two
children, both boys: A useful life for such a man is not
difficult to forecast.
THEODORICK M. GREEN, merchant-banker, Washington, Wilkes Co.,
Ga., son of John B. and Elizabeth (Leonard) Green, was born In
Wilkes county, Ga., May 19, 1846, the seventh of eleven
children. Mr. Green's father was a native of Prince George
county, Va., and his mother a daughter of Edwin Leonard; of
Wilkes county. He attended the common schools of the county
until. he was fourteen years old, when he entered the store of
A.A. Cleveland, Washington, as a clerk. Two years later he
entered the Confederate service as lieutenant of Company E,.
Twenty-seventh Georgia battalion, organized at Augusta, Ga. The
command was first ordered to Savannah, and thence to Lovejoy's
station, about
page 333
thirty
miles south of Atlanta on the Central railway, to aid in
obstructing Gen. Sherman's march southward. Falling back before
the Union army, the command bore its full part in the siege of
Savannah, and afterward participated in engagements at Monteith,
Ga., Pocotaligo, S. C., and Bentonville and Smithfield, N. C. At
the last-named place the command was reorganized, and became a
part of Elliott's brigade, when it was ordered to Greensboro, N.
C., where it surrendered May 2, 1865. Returning to Washington,
Mr. Green entered into a business venture, in which in five
weeks he made $400. After this he engaged with R. H. Vickers &
Co. as a clerk, with whom he remained until 1868, when, in
company with his brother, the firm of Green Bros. was formed for
conducting a general merchandising business. After a profitable
existence of ten years the firm dissolved by the withdrawal of
his brother, Mr. Green continuing until now as sole proprietor
and manager, and is still doing a large and profitable business.
He is also president of the Washington Exchange bank. Mr. Green
was married June 27, 1877, to Miss Willametta, daughter of Judge
Garnett Andrews, by whom he has had one child, a son. Mr. Green
is held in high esteem. He is a master Mason.
THOMAS W. HILL, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
Lodowick M. and Nancy (Johnson) Hill, was born in Wilkes county
June 17 (the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill), 1839.
His boyhood and youth were spent on the plantation, meanwhile
attending the best schools the county afforded. When nineteen
years of age he went to Furman University, Greenville, S. C.,
which he attended two years, and then returned home and busied
himself on the plantation until the war between the states was
precipitated. Going to Coweta County, Ga., he enlisted in a
company under command of Capt. John Hill, which was assigned to
Phillips' legion and ordered to Virginia, reaching there just
after the seven days' fight. He participated in the battles of
Culpeper Court House, Appomattox Court House, Fredericksburg,
and Gettysburg. Having been with Gens. Stuart, Hampton and
Butler, he was engaged in many minor battles and scores of
skirmishes. During his service he was so conspicuous for his
daring and courage that he" was many times specially
complimented. On one occasion Col. Rich, Mr.Hill's regimental
commander, presented him and one of his comrades with a very
fine pistol as a mark of his appreciation of their bravery. On
another occasion after the war-at a supper given by Judge
(ex-congressman) Hugh Buchanan to Mr. Hill's daughter, the judge
referred to Mr. Hill as a second Marshal Ney-certainly a very
high compliment from such a source. About the time of the
surrender he was in North Carolina, and managed to get home
without surrendering. His intention was to join the western
army, but just as he was ready to start he heard it had
surrendered. He remained awhile on his father's plantation,
superintending that, then went to his own, where he has since
remained. Mr. Hill is a: member of one of the wealthiest and
most influential families in his section of the state, and
worthily shares the distinction. Mr. Hill was married in 1869,
and to him have been born ten children, eight of whom are
living.
WILLIAM W. HILL, planter, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
Lodowick M. and Nancy (Johnson) Hill, was born in Wilkes county,
March 31, 1826, the first-born of thirteen children, twelve sons
and one daughter. Of the sons five are dead. Until he was
nineteen years old he worked on the plantation and went to
school. He then entered the University of Georgia, Athens, and
graduated in 1849 with the degree of A. B. Returning from
college, after a few years he purchased his present home
plantation, and has contin1ten in charge of it until the present
time. The family has been distinguished for strict integrity,
wealth, extra-
page 334
ordinary financial ability, a numerous membership, and
influence. Mr. Hill possesses its marked characteristics, and
enjoys merited prosperity. During the civil war he was a justice
of the peace and remained at home, excepting that at one time he
was a member of the state militia or reserve. .Mr. Hill was
married in 1851 to Miss Emma E. daughter of Micajah Anthony, of
Wilkes County, who has borne him seven children, three sons and
four daughters, all of whom are living. Since 1846 he has been
connected with the Methodist church, of which he is a valued and
influential member.
THOMAS OTIS HOLLIDAY, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., is a
son of Allen T. and Elizabeth (Zellars) Holliday. Her father,
John Zellars, of Lincoln County, Ga., was born Nov. 27, 1853,
the third of eight children, six sons and two daughters. Of the
sons two died in infancy. He assisted on the farm and attended
school until 1873, when he took charge of the farm and has had
it under his supervision since. He has managed it with success,
quite realizing his expectations. Mr. Holliday was married Dec.
4, 1874, to Miss Kittie A., daughter of T. P. Burdette, of
Wilkes county, who has borne him six children, four boys and two
girls, all of whom are living. He is a consistent member of the
Baptist church and all estimable member of the community in
which he lives.
LUTHER W. LATTIMER, farmer, Wilkes county, Ga., son of John T.
and Martha (Taylor) Lattimer, was born in Oglethorpe County,
Ga., Feb. 5, 1839, the eighth of ten children, seven boys and
three girls, six of the boys being dead. His mother was the
daughter of Col. Clarke Taylor of Oglethorpe County. He was
reared and worked on his father's farm during his boyhood, and
was educated at the country schools. His father's rule was to
work his boys two years and send them to school one. This was
done until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he entered
Meson academy, Lexington, Ga., and attended there three years.
He then worked on the farm a year, after which he attended the
academy another year. After leaving school and teaching five
months he enlisted in the Gilmer Blues, Capt. (afterward Col.)
John T. Lofton. The company went to Atlanta, became a part of
the Sixth Georgia regiment, Col. Alfred H. Colquitt, and was
ordered to Yorktown, Va. '"[he command participated in the
battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Mechanicsville and Cold
Harbor. At the last-named battle he was wounded in the neck, and
the wound being pronounced mortal he was sent home to die. But
he rapidly recovered, and was required to report every sixty
days. In January, 1864, he reported at James Island, S. C., for
duty, but the examining board adjudged him unfit for regular
service, and he was sent to Fort Gaines, Ga., where a hospital
was being organized, and was made clerk of the examining board,
remaining there until after the surrender. Returning home he
resumed farming, and has followed it ever since. He was elected
in 1892 to represent Wilkes County in the general assembly,
which he did to the entire
satisfaction of his intelligent constituency. He is now a member
of the board of jury commissioners. Mr. Lattimer was married
Dec. 18, 1862, to Miss Euphrasia, daughter of Moses Wright, of
Oglethorpe County, who has borne him six children, three sons
and three daughters, all living. Mr. Lattimer is a master Mason,
and a member of the Methodist church. A useful and
public-spirited citizen, he is influential and popular.
JAMES S. RHODES, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
William W. and Frances E. (Hackney) Rhodes, was born in Wilke5
county, Ga., Nov. 7, 1856. Until twenty years of age he lived
and, worked on the home farm and attended the common schools of
the county at such intervals as his services could
page 335
be
dispensed with. Himself and one brother were the only
children-both are living. In 1876 he commenced the battle of
life, and so far he has been successful, and placed himself ill
comfortable circumstances, gaining and retaining the respect and
confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Rhodes was married Jan.
9, 1879, to Miss Nora, daughter of Jonathan Smith, of Wilkes
County, who has borne him ten children, four sons and six
daughters, of whom one son is dead. He has been a consistent
member of the Baptist church since 1886. ROBERT A. SIMPSON.
Physician and surgeon, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
William W. and Jane (Powell) Simpson, both parents of Wilkes
county, and the mother a daughter of Nelson Powell, of Wilkes
county, was born in Sparta, Hancock Co., Feb. 1, 1859. His early
education was conducted at home under a private tutor, his
father and Hon. Linton Stephens having employed a tutor for
their children. At the end of two years his mother died, and he
was sent to live with his sister, Mrs. John A. Stephens, in
Atlanta. He attended school there one year, and then, at the age
of fifteen, entered the University of Georgia, Athens, as a
sophomore, half advanced, and graduated in 1877 among the "first
ten” -a particular distinction at that time-with the degree of
A. B. From the University he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and
took a one year's course at Eastman's Business College. He next
went to the University of Virginia, devoting two years to a
plain academic course and the third to the study of medicine. He
then went to New York City, took a course in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons and graduated in 1883, winning the honor
of being stationed in the Bellevue Hospital eighteen months, the
allotted term of service. Dr. Simpson then practiced his
profession in New York City a year, after which he went to
Europe and spent two years between Berlin, Vienna and
Heidelberg, studying his profession. Returning to New York he
practiced there again about a year, when the illness of his
father called him home to Washington, .which has been his home
and the theater of his professional service. Dr. Simpson is one
of the most highly educated members of his profession, as well
as one of the most practical and skillful; and, being young, if
he does not attain to exceptional eminence it will be for lack
of ambition on his part. He is a man of cultivated musical
taste, and this, with the courteousness or a cultured, refined
gentleman, makes him a welcome guest in all social and literary
circles. His home is of the old-time massive southern mal1sion
type, handsomely finished and tastefully furnished, and
surrounded by acres of garden-grounds, flower and vegetable,
exciting admiration, and giving assurance in advance of the
hearty welcome and generous hospitality which await the guest,
Dr. Simpson is (in 1895) unmarried.
REDDING SIMS, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of John
M. and Nancy (Wynn) Sims, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga.,
Oct. 13, 1817, the seventh born of ten children, six boys and
four girls. His father was of Oglethorpe County, and his mother
was a daughter of .George Wynn, of Wilkes County. He worked on
the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, going to school
at intervals as farm work permitted and school opportt1nities
offered. Mr. Sims was married in Oglethorpe County, Oct. 25,
1838, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Jesse Spratlin of that county.
After his marriage he moved to Mississippi and farmed there a
year; he then went to Louisiana, where he cut cane to provide
shelter until he could build a log house. Returning to Georgia
he permanently settled in Wilkes County, where he has made
farming his life pursuit During the unpleasantness he was in the
service of the state, and was assigned to the duty of furnishing
provisions and looking after the prisoners, remaining in the
county. Mr. Sims is a prominent member of the Baptist church,
with which he has been connected since 1841.
page 336
FRANK B. SIMS, farmer, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son of
Redding and Sarah (Spratlin) Sims, was born in Wilkes County,
the youngest of a family of eleven children, Aug. 5, 1863. His
grandfather, Jesse Spratlin, was a prominent farmer of Wilkes
County. Mr. Sims was educated at the common schools of the
county, and has always remained on the farm with his parents, as
a companion and protector. He is a consistent member of the
Baptist church, which he joined in 1886. To be a good farmer, a
good citizen, and a consistent Christian fill the measure of his
ambition.
HENRY T. SLATON, farmer-merchant, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga.,
son of William Slaton and Miss Frances, daughter of John Wright,
all of Wilkes County, was born in Wilkes county March 18, 1835,
the seventh of ten children. He worked on the farm when growing
up, and received only such education as he could obtain when he
could be spared. In 1856 he attended Richard's high school, at
Thomson, Ga., and then returned home and worked on the farm
until the war began. He enlisted in the Irwin guards (Capt. John
T. Wingfield), Washington, and proceeded to Richmond, Va., where
his company became Company A, Ninth Georgia regiment. With his
command he participated in all the principal battles in northern
Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and was included in the
surrender at Appomattox. After the war he came back to his farm
and set to work to recuperate. His labor has been rewarded fully
up to his expectations. In connection with his farm he has
carried on a general merchandise store, materially augmenting
his resources. In 1870, Mr. Slaton was elected to represent
Wilkes County in the general assembly-the first democrat elected
after the war. He is a prominent and influential member of the
Baptist church.
FRANK P. SLATON, farmer, Wilkes county, Ga., son of William and
Frances (Wright) Slaton, was born in Wilkes County, the ninth of
ten children, Sept 12, 1841. He acquired what education he
could, attending school at such intervals as he could be spared
from farm work until he was eighteen years old. Then, in 1859,
he attended the high school in Tuskegee, Ala., and the following
year he returned home. About the same time, or soon afterward,
his brother left home and enlisted in the Confederate army. His
father being blind, and Frank the youngest, he was left at home
to care for his father. Notwithstanding this, however, when, in
1863, the state called for more troops, he joined the army at
Kennesaw Mountain, was with the forces in front of Sherman when
he was "marching through Georgia," was in Savannah during the
siege, afterward in South Carolina, and at the time of the
surrender ,vas in Augusta, Ga. He returned to the farm as soon
as he was discharged, where he has since pursued the quiet life
of a farmer, enjoying the comforts of domestic life and the
cheering companionship of a family of promising children. Mr.
Slaton was married in September, 1864, to Miss Cornelia,
daughter of David Fouche, of Wilkes County, by whom he had four
children, three boys and one girl. Their mother having died, he,
in 1875, married Miss Victoria, daughter of Frank C. Armstrong,
of Wilkes County, who has borne him five children, two boys and
three girls, of whom two girls have died. Mr. Slaton is an
active and useful member of the Baptist church.
.page
1059
KIMIBLE A. WILHEIT, merchant, Washington, Wilkes Co., Ga., son
of Thomas T. and Julia C. (Freeland) Wilheit, both parents
natives of Anderson district, S. C., \vas born in that district,
June 4, 1869, the first born of six children. While he was yet
quite young his parents moved to Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., Ga.,
where, until he was fourteen years of age, he attended the
schools of the town. His father having died, he had to leave
school and begin the battle of life. Securing a clerkship with
Mr. J. A. Benson, of Washington, he remained with him eight
years, when himself and Gabriel Toombs Anthony (another clerk of
Mr. Benson's) bought Mr. Benson's business and engaged in
merchandising under the firm-name of Wilheit & Anthony. Being
industrious, of unbending integrity, and possessing the sympathy
and unquestioning confidence of the people, they have built up
one of the largest businesses in Washington. It is but another
illustration of what can be accomplished by pluck and push,
coupled with determination and well-directed energy. Alone,
without money or influential friends, he has thus far
successfully worked out life's problem. Mr. Wilheit was happily
married Noy. 30, 1893, to. Miss Kate Toombs Anthony, daughter of
Edwin M: Anthony, Washington, Ga. He is a devoted member of the
Methodist church, recognized as a true Christian, ((always
abounding in the work of the Lord." His Christian life, ,which
it may reasonably be claimed is the foundation of his success,
has won friends and applause, and affords an example well worthy
of other young men.
|