Wilcox County, Georgia (GA) Biographical Sketches (Biographies): Genealogy and History

Wilcox County, Georgia Biographical Sketches
From Memoirs of Georgia, Volume II by The Southern Historical Association, 1895

John C. AUSLEY, planter and turpentine farmer, Pitts, Wilcox Co., Ga., is the son of Merritt Ausley, deceased, and was born in Robinson county, N.C., Dec. 2, 1848. His opportunities for a good education were very limited, but having been endowed with more than the ordinary amount of good hard sense and a natural bent for business, he has by right use of his talents, won his way to success. From the close of the civil war until he left his native state he was engaged in the manufacture of naval stores. He came to Georgia in 1887 and located in Wilcox County. One of the most enterprising citizens of the county, he runs three turpentine stills, and is also extensively engaged in farming. He belongs to the masonic fraternity. He was joined in marriage in 1875 to Miss Mary McCaskill of South Carolina. Three sons and one daughter constitute their flock: Thomas Allen, seventeen years of age, and a graduate of a business college at Atlanta; Charles Merritt, fifteen years; Nannie Gertrude, thriteen years of age, and Calvin K. C., ten years of age. Mr. Ausley is one of the solid men of his county and deserves the success which his energy and business ability have brought him.

Dr. Duncan F. M'CRIMMON, physician and surgeon, Rochelle, Wilcox Co., Ga. The grandparents of this gentleman were of Scotch descent, an earlier member of the family having migrated from Scotland to North Carolina. Braving the ills and discomforts attendant on pioneer life, they emigrated to Georgia, being among the earliest settlers of the state. These members of the family were marked by that strong individuality so often found in pioneer settlers of the states of America. The father of Dr. McCrimmon was a farmer by occupation, and was held in high regard by the people of his county, who honored him by several terms in both branches of the legislature, where he performed the duties devolving upon him most faithfully. Dr. Duncan F. McCrimmon is a native of Montgomery county, Ga., and was born May 15, 1837. After receiving a common English education in 1859 he entered the Atlanta Medical college as a student of medicine. He finished one course and then spent a year at the Oglethorpe Medical college at Savannah, where he was graduated in 1860. After leaving school he located on House creek in Wilcox County. In 1862, entering the Forty-ninth Georgia regiment, he was detailed as physician for the counties of Wilcox and Irwin. In this capacity he served during the war, and remained at House Creek, where he had a very large practice, until 1890, when he removed to Rochelle. He was married in 1864 to Miss Rebecca Wilcox, daughter of Capt. T. L. Wilcox. To them have been born the following children: Charles L., railroad contractor, in Florida; Louis B., farmer; Hattie, wife of E. L. Revere, Rochelle; Duncan, Julia and Sallie, at home. Dr. McCrimmon was a member of the constitutional convention of 1877. In 1892 he was chosen by the people of his county to represent them in the general assembly, and while serving in that body was a member of the following committees: Agriculture, hygiene and sanitary, lunatic asylum and penitentiary. He is a member of Rochelle lodge, F. and A. M., No. 270, and of the Hawkinsville chapter. Prominent in politics, and a most successful physician, he stands among the foremost people of the place in which he lives.

Hon. Thomas L. HOLTON, judge of the county court of Wilcox county, Abbeville, Ga., and a lawyer of excellent practice and ability, graduated from the state university of Georgia, law department, in 1889, since which time he has been actively engaged at Abbeville. His father, John R. Holton, was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1874. Thomas L. Holton was born Jan. 9, 1867, in Appling county, Ga. Like many of our leading professional men, he passed his boyhood on the farm, receiving the ordinary common school education. He entered the university in 1888 and graduated with honor the following year as stated above. Six years of faithful and painstaking service at the bar have placed Judge Holton in the front rank of his profession. He was appointed judge of the county court Oct. 1, 1893, and holds the office acceptably to both clients and attorneys. Judge Holton took something better than a diploma from Athens, Ga., having carried away one of her fairest daughters, Miss Ida Haudrup. Their nuptials were celebrated in October following his graduation, since which time two lovely children have come to brighten their home: Winnie was born Dec. 22, 1891, and William Cecil, born Nov. 13, 1893. Judge Holton is a stanch democrat.

Dr. Joseph D. MAYNARD, physician and surgeon, Abbeville, Wilcox Co., Ga., was born in Jones county, Ga., Dec. 26, 1856. He is the son of Sanford B. Maynard, who was native of Edgefield district, S.C., whence he moved to Georgia. By occupation a planter, and a most successful one, highly esteemed and kindly regarded in the county where he lived, he died in 1868. Dr. Maynard was educated at Tremble institute, Winchester, Tenn. In 1882 he matriculated at Atlanta Medical college and was graduated in 1883. He was enabled to do this by reason of having read medicine for several years previously under a preceptor. He then supplemented his course in Atlanta college with a short one at Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., and then entered actively on the practice of his profession at Tallapoosa, Ga. After one year he removed to Abbeville, where he has since resided. When he removed to Wilcox county threr were only three physicians within its limits, making a large territory to be covered by each. On April 11, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie May, daughter of William M. Shephard, at that time a resident of Atlanta, subsequently moved to Savannah. Dr. and Mrs. Maynard are the parents of two very bright and beautiful little girls, the elder of whom, Lillie May, is eight, and the younger, Jessie Myrtle, six years of age. Dr. Maynard is a blue lodge Mason, and exemplifies in his life the tachings of that noble fraternity. He is prominently identified with the railroad interests of his section, being surgeon for the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery railway, of which he is a director; and projector and president of the Waycross & Abbeville railway.

Lewis F. NANCE, a county commissioner and prominent citizen, Rochelle, Wilcox Co., Ga., was born in Robeson county N.C., Dec. 29, 1846, the son of Joshua Nance, deceased in 1873. The latter was a man of fine influence in his county, a member of the legislature, and county commissioner for years prior to his death. Lewis F. Nance was hardly of proper age to do much service in the late war, but he gave all he had, and that was himself. While a member of the Seventh battalion of junior reserves, stationed at Fort Fisher, he was captured by the enemy on Christmas day, 1864, and spent the remaining days of the war in a Yankee prison. Agriculture had been his occupation in North Carolina until 1882, and since in Wilcox county, Ga. He has a good six-horse farm, and also operates a two-still turpentine farm. Mr. Nance is a gentleman who has always commanded the respect of his fellow-citizens, and does his duty patriotically in filling important offices, which, while the pay is only the consciousness of duty well-done, must be held by men of standing and integrity to insure good local government. He married in North Carolina Miss Rebecca, daughter of Henry and Matilda Howell, and has reared a family of six children, of whom he is justly proud, as follows: William O., aged twenty-four, married to Miss Claudia Jackson of Dooly county, Ga.; Ella E., aged twenty; Julius A., aged eighteen; Almon J., aged fifteen; Mary A., aged twelve; and James F., aged ten years.

Hon. David B. NICHOLSON, solicitor of the county court of Wilcox county, postoffice Rochelle, Ga., and a lawyer of superior ability, is a native of North Carolina, in which state, Duplin county, he was born Sept. 19, 1853. His father was the late Rev. David B. Nicholson of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, who was for years one of the most gifted divines in the North Carolina conference. Mr. Nicholson is a college-bred man, having graduated at that justly celebrated school, Trinity college, N.C., in 1875. The early part of his career was spent in the school rooms of his native state, where he occupied good positions, for two years being a teacher in the academic department in the Clinton Female institute. Concluding to enter the legal profession he began reading in 1880 under the preceptorship of Col. William A. Allen of Kenansville, N.C., and was there admitted to the bar. He remained at Clinton until March of 1893, when he concluded to become a Georgian, and is now, as stated, a member of the bar of Wilcox county, where he expects to pass the remainder of his days. Mr. Nicholson was a man of considerable prominence in North Carolina, where he was esteemed for his rare qualities of head and heart. In 1881 he represented Duplin county in the lower house of the legislature, and in 1887-88-89 was reading clerk of the senate. In 1891-92-93 he was assistant chief clerk of the house. Soon after coming to Georgia he was appointed solicitor of the county by Gov. Northern and at the next session of the general assembly the appointment was confirmed. He is a fine judge of law and formidable opponent before a jury. The thorough manner in which he has taken up his work in the home of his adoption augurs well for his future success. Mr. Nicholson was happily married in Sampson county, N.C., in 1876, to Miss Katie Powell, and is the father of five sons and one daughter: Luke P., Justin L., Edwin F., Mary Z. and David B., Jr., and James M. Nicholson.

John F. POWELL, physician and surgeon, Kramer, Wilcox Co., Ga., is one of the younger physicians of the county, and is a native of one of the most beautiful cities in the south, having been born in Atlanta, Ga., April 14, 1859. His father, Frank E. Powell, was a very skillful mechanic of that city, a machinist. He was a master of his trade, a kind and indulgent father, and an intelligent gentleman. He died in 1864. Dr. Powell received a good grammar school education in the excellent schools of his native city, sufficient for him to enter one of the professions. He chose that of medicine, and with that end in view he entered the Southern Medical college in 1884. Two years later he graduated from this institution with honor. He then spent a short period in Atlanta, after which he went to Gresston, and took charge of the medical department of the Gress Lumber company's camps. For nearly four years he remained here, until the camps were removed to Kramer, where he began practice there. He was appointed physician to the state wards here, and fills the position most faithfully at all times. Dr. Powell was the first physician to separate the white convicts from the black, and his camp had them separated long before the law prohibiting their confinement together was enacted. In 1887, at Eastman, Miss Lula F. Sapp became his wife. She is the granddaughter of Dr. David Sapp of that place, and a niece of Dr. Buchan, late representative of Dodge county. To this marriage have been born two children - both boys, and of the sturdiest kind - the elder born in 1891 and the younger child of seven months, named respectively John and Charles F. A member of the Medical association, and a physician of much sound sense and practical knowledge, he is one of the few to merit the good will and kind regard of friends, neighbors and patrons. He ranks high as a surgeon and enjoys a large practice in both branches in the country surrounding Kramer.

Adolphus A. F. REID, Abbeville, Wilcox Co., Ga., is the son of Jesse Reid, and is native of Brunswick county, Va., where he was born June 16, 1816. Jesse Reid was a soldier in the war of 1812, and also held various civil offices of trust; was a member of the Virginia legislature for twenty-two consecutive years. He moved to Oglethorpe, Ga., in 1839, where he died in 1861, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His son, Maj. Reid, was educated under Henry A. Dwight, a nephew of the celebrated divine of that name. He engaged in farming and milling on attaining manhood and was instrumental in founding the now flourishing town of Abbeville. Maj. Reid entered the army as captain of a company of state troops, and was afterward promoted to the rank of major, in which capacity he served during the siege of Atlanta. As a personal friend of the president of the Confederacy, he was honored by being in a position to aid Mr. Davis and his party in their attempted escape through this section of the state. Since the war he has been engaged in merchandising and farming at Abbeville. Of his marriage in 1863 to Miss Mary A. Stubbs, of Bibb county, Ga., a cousin of Col. Stubbs, who attained prominence in the late war, five children born are living. One of them married Dr. Royal, of Abbeville, and another is the wife of Edward Williams, a prominent lawyer of the same place. Maj. Reid holds a warm place in the hearts of the citizens of Wilcox county.

Alfred R. ROYAL, Abbeville, Wilcox Co., Ga. The gentleman who is here mentioned is one of abbeville's most trusted physicians. He comes from worth county, where he was born Jan. 11, 1856, and where his parents still reside, his father, John P. Royal, being a planter in that county. Dr. Royal located in Abbeville in 1888, where he immediately fell into popular favor. Previous to his coming he had spent six years at Crisp, Irwin Co., Ga., where he had a large practice and an influential following. The year prior to his location in Irwin county he had spent in Dooly county, where he made his initial effort, having graduated in 1883, after a two years' course in the medical school of Atlanta. Dr. Royal is also a graduate of that celebrated post-graduate school, the New York Polyclinic, having taken a course there in 1887. At this time he gave especial attention to surgery, and now enjoys the reputation of being the leader in that branch of medical jurisprudence in Wilcox county. Besides engaging actively in the practice, Dr. Royal for several years carried on a drug business, but the outside demands on his time became so urgent he found it necessary in 1893 to dispose of it. As a physician Dr. Royal is peculiarly skilled in his diagnosis of cases, seldom failing to locate the seat of the disease. He is frequently in demand as consulting physician, evidencing the confidence reposed in him by his fellow craftsmen. Twice has Dr. Royal entered the matrimonial state. A niece of Gen. Eli Warren, Miss Martha R. Shinholser, became his first wife, Nov. 16, 1882. He death occurred Jan. 24, 1885, leaving one son, Warren, born Jan. 7, 1885. Miss Anna Reid, a daughter of Maj. A. A. F. Reid, of Abbeville, became his second wife, Jan. 6, 1887. A daughter, Rebecca, was born to her April 1, 1888; Alfred R., Jr., and Edward H., born Sept. 30, 1892. Death again removed the wife and mother in October, 1892. Dr. Royal is a Free and Accepted Mason, Abbeville lodge No. 272, and a chapter Mason. He is also a Knight of Honor, being past dictator of that order.

E. H. WILLIAMS, attorney-at-law, Abbeville, Wilcox Co., Ga., is the eldest of six children born to Dr. Charles Williams, who was a physician of Georgetown, S.C., and who died in 1863. Edward Herbert was born April 19, 1854. Although the school period of his life was interrupted by the war and the disturbed condition of affairs immediately following the event, he succeeded in securing an academic education. Choosing the law for a profession he began its study under Richard Dozier, Esq., and subsequently with Joseph H. Earl, attorney-general of the state. He was admitted to the bar in his native state, and practiced at Lake City and Kingstreet until 1887, when he located at Abbeville. Prior to and since his admission to the bar Mr. Williams taught school in several different states. Since his coming to Abbeville he has made an earnest and patriotic citizen, serving as mayor of the town, and increasing the membership of the Abbeville guards, of which excellent military organization he is now captain. In 1892 Mr. Williams became a member by marriage of an influential Abbeville family, being happily wedded to Miss Laura, daughter of Maj. A. A. F. Reid. Two beautiful children are inmates of their home: Belle Reid and Martha Lovel. The character of Mr. Williams' citizenship has been such since his location in Abbeville as to cause the inhabitants of that bailiwick to feel indebted to his native state. Georgia needs such timber.

Rosser Adams WILSON, saw-mill proprietor, Reidsfield, Wilcox Co., Ga., was born at Eatonton, one of the most beautiful and aristocratic towns of central Georgia, Aug. 3, 1859. His father, William A. Wilson, is an eminently successful teacher, having had charge of the Eatonton high school for a number of years, and from there was called to the presidency of Furlow Female college at Americus, Ga. He was a soldier of the late war and was captain of a company in a Georgia regiment. The people of Sumter county have honored him with their suffrages at several different times as their representative and he is now president pro tem. of the state senate. Mr. Wilson received a good academic education and has made practical use of it in the mercantile and saw-milling business. Prior to 1891 he was located at Leslie, Ga., whence he moved to Reidsfield, on the A. & W., in wilcox county, where he is at present engaged in business. As a business man he has been very successful; his methods being such as to keep him entirely unencumbered - something somewhat unique among country merchants. In June, 1878, Mr. Wilson consummated a marriage with Miss Cora B., daughter of J. W. Bailey, a successful and prosperous planter of Sumter county. His talent for business and his decision of character have given him a position of influence in the county of his adoption, which he uses with rare judgement.