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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
ATLANTA, GA.
THE SOUTHERN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, 1895
QUITMAN COUNTY, GEORGIA |
M.T. DUSKIN, merchant
and farmer, was born in Stewart county, Ga, in 1839. His grandfather Michael
Duskin, was a native of North Carolina, where he married Elizabeth Atkins,
the daughter of an old resident of that state. In 1830, with his wife and
family of eight children, Michael Duskin came to Georgia and settled in Stewart
county, where he lived until 1847, when he went to Florida with his wife
and part of the children. He died there about two years later at the age
of sixty years. His wife survived him many years and died at the age of eighty
four. The founder of the Georgia branch of the Duskin family was one of the
original whigs and was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The oldest of his sons was John L. B. Duskin, who was born in Edgefield district,
near Raleigh, N. C., Sept. 30, 1813. He was about sixteen years old when
his father came to Georgia, and long before manhood had commenced his successful
career as a farmer. In 1838 he married Miss Mary Hardie of Stewart county.
She was the daughter of Theophilus Hardie of Washington county, where she
was born in 1820. Mr. Duskin was a soldier in the Indian war of 1835-36,
and was a man of great influence in the community in which he lived. Like
his father and mother, and in fact, all of the Duskin family, he belonged
to the Methodist church. He died on his farm, where he had first settled,
at the age of sixty-seven. His wife, and the mother of the subject of this
sketch, survives him and resides with her children, seven of whom are living:
M.T., the subject of this sketch; Sarah Elizabeth Parker; Mary L. Boyett,
living near Lumpkin, Stewart Co.; Josie K. Kenyon of Webster county; M.L.,
living near Lumpkin; Martha E. Thornton, near Columbus, Gs.; John Emory,
living in Montgomery, Ala. Those deceased are: W.J., died in the Confederate
service in 1864, and Mrs. Argent K. Griffis. Mr. M. T. Duskin lived in Stewart
county until 1885, and there received his early education. He now lives on
the Lumpkin & Eufaula road, near Georgetown, Quitman Co. He was twenty
two years old when the "war between the states" began and enlisted at the
first call in Company K, Second Georgia regiment, under command of Capt.
J.I. Ball. His first service was in the seven days’ fight around Richmond,
thence to Malvern Hill. He was in all the north Virginia campaign and was
wounded in the right leg at the second battle of Manassas. He was confined
in he hospital and at the home for ten months, but as soon as able rejoined
his command and was in the battle of Chickamauga where he received his second
wound. He was in Longstreet's corps through the east Tennessee campaign and
vas in the battles of the Wilderness and then in the campaign around Richmond.
At the time of the surrender he was at home on a furlough. Mr. Duskin was
married in 1865 to Mrs. Mariah J. Keith, the daughter of Williamson Perkins
a native of Talbot county, in which county she was horn in 1841. Mr. and
Mrs. Duskin have one child living: Lena T.; three daughters Eula F., Ola
B., and Mary Eliza, hav-ing died in childhood. Miss Lena now at home with
her parents is a charming young lady with a talent for music that has been
highly cultivated by a thorough training and instruction at the hands of
eminent artists. She was educated in the public schools, by private tutors,
and at Andrew Female college of Cuthbert, Ga. The family are members of the
Methodist church and Mr Duskin is steward of the Rocky Mount congregation,
and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a liberal supporter of the
church and a strong advocate of thorough education. Mr. Duskin is a thorough
progressive business man and his enterprise is felt by the whole section
in which he lives. Beginning a poor boy, he has fought his way to a position
in life where he can stop and look back with satisfaction at a most honorable
and successful career achieved by his own individual efforts. In politics
he is a democrat.
JOHN R. ELLIS, postmaster
and justice of the peace, Oak Grove, Quitman Co., Ga., was born in 1847 in
Randolph county, in that part which is now Quitman county. He was educated
in the common schools and in 1864 enlisted in the army, joining Company E.,
Georgia reserves, Osborne’s battalion of cavalry. He was in active service
in the skirmishes around Atlanta, Jonesboro and Griswoldville. After the
war he returned to the home place and picked up his school books again. In
1868 he was married to Miss Mollie Lewis, a native of Stewart county. They
have no children, but have adopted a son, Joseph Hillman. Mr. Ellis is a
democrat and has served as tax receiver for four years, county commissioner
four years, and is at present clerk of the common pleas court. When oak Grove
postoffice was established he was made postmaster, and there has since been
no change. He has been justice of the peace fourteen years and was also
commissioned a United States commissioner. Oak Grove, near where the Ellis
family live, was established as a postoffice in 1886, and derived its name
from the fact that there were many big oak trees around. It is in the North
Carolina district, so named on account of several families from that state
who located here early in 1830. In Oak Grove is located the Union Methodist
church, built in 1867-68, the congregation having been organized in 1838,
and the first church erected in 1850. The Ellis family has always been closely
identified with this church since its organization, and the father, child,
and grandchild have worshipped under its roof. Mr. J.E. Ellis has been a
steward of the church for many years.
THOMAS J. ELLIS,
farmer and miller, Oak Grove, Quitman Co., Ga., was born in Houston county,
Ga., in 1834. He is of English descent, his great-grandfather being James
Ellis, a sea captain, who was shipwrecked on the North Carolina coast about
the middle of the last century. Out of a large crew on the vessel only Capt.
Ellis and a mate were saved, and they only by swimming three miles, landing
near Wilmington, N.C. He did not return to England, but adopted this country
as his home, and marrying a Miss Elwell, of North Carolina, reared a family
of four children. Of these Evan, the youngest, was married to Miss Locke,
a native of North Carolina, and to them were born four children, George W.,
the third, being the father of Thomas J. and J.R., whose sketches here appear.
George W. grew to manhood in North Carolina, when he came to Georgia about
1827, a single man, and located in Houston county, where he married Miss
Mary McLain in 1828. In 1834 he moved to Randolph county, originally Lee,
now Quitman county, and located between the Odchodkee and Pataula creeks,
in what is now the North Carolina district. He lived there till his death,
May 4, 1875, aged sixty-seven years. His wife survived him, dying in 1882,
aged seventy-five years. She was one of the original members of the Union
Methodist church, located near the home of her sons. To Mr. Ellis and his
wife were born six children: Thomas J., now living near the old homestead;
J.R. of Oak Grove, and Martha are the living children, and Elizabeth, Evan
and Lucy M. are the deceased. Thomas J. Ellis came to Quitman county with
his parents at the age of two years and has lived there since. In 1859 he
married Rebecca Gay of Quitman county. At the outbreak of the civil war he
joined the Thirty-second Georgia infantry, Capt. Pruden commanding, and saw
active service throughout the entire war. He was detailed by the secretary
of war of the Confederacy as military conductor, serving in that capacity
for a long time. He was discharged April 10, 1865, and returning home, has
since engaged in farming and milling. To Mr. And Mrs. Ellis were born the
following children: James, George, Thomas, Florence, Claudia, Robert, Glenn
and Alva. The mother died in 1879 and Mr. Ellis was again married - his second
wife being Ada Lewis, of Randolph county. They have one child, Flossie Lee.
Mr. Ellis was tax collector of Quitman county four years, treasurer two years,
and at present is one of the county commissioners. He is prominent as a democrat
in both local and state politics.
J.E. HARRIS, state
senator of the Twelfth district, Oak Grove, Quitman county, was born in Stewart
county in 1839 and is the son of Thomas R. Harris and Caroline Brown. Thomas
R. Harris was born in Virginia moved with his parents when a boy to Oglethorpe
county, Ga. and lived there until his marriage in Clarke county, about 1833,
when he moved to Stewart county. He had two brothers, James, who settled
in Walton county, Ga. where he died, and Lewis, who moved to Texas. Thomas
R. continued to reside in Stewart county, engaged in farming, until his death
in 1872, at the age of sixty-two. He was no politician, though he always
voted the whig ticket. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church and
was a quiet, unassuming Christian gentleman respected by all. His wife survived
him, dying Oct 31, 1892, aged seventy five years. She too was a devoted member
of the church. They had four children Mrs. Lucy McKemie of West Point, Ga.;
J.E., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Florence Lewis of Thomston, Upton
Co., Ga., and Lewis of Texas. Mr. J.E. Harris was reared principally in Stewart
county and attended the public schools there until he went to Mercer University.
He was in the senior class when the war broke out, and with fellow-students,
enlisted at once, joining Company E, Thirty-first regiment, Georgia volunteers,
Capt. L.R. Redding commanding. His first service was at Savannah, where his
company was attached to the Thirty-first regiment under Col. Phillips, Lieut.
Col. Crowder, Maj. Clem Evans. The first engagement of any note was the seven
days’ fight at Richmond. The next was the battle at Cedar Mountain,
soon followed by Sharpsburg, then Fredericksburg. He was then detailed to
the quartermaster’s department, serving until the close of the war.
He then returned home to Stewart county, and in 1865 married Miss Mary Roxanna
Turner, born in Troupe county. She was a daughter of Rev. Joseph T. Turner,
a Methodist minister, and was educated at the Masonic Female college at Lumpkin.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born six children: Everard L., is a graduate
of Atlanta medical college and is a practicing physician in Clay county;
Neta Olivia; Thomas Richard; Joseph Aubry; Carrie Cottie and Willie, all
at home. Mr. Harris is a stanch democrat, and one of the manipulators of
state politics. He has been a member of the board of education for six years
and also county commissioner for several years. He was county surveyor a
number of terms, and in 1890 was elected to the general assembly, and in
1894 was chosen state senator from Twelfth senatorial district. Mr. Harris
is a member of the Baptist church, but his family are adherents of the Methodist
faith. About a year after his marriage, Mr. Harris moved from Stewart to
Quitman county, where he has since been engaged in farming.
JASPER N. HILL, planter, Hatcher’s
station, Quitman Co., was born in Warren county, Ga., Sept. 9, 1823. He was
the son of William C. Hill and Mary Dykes Hill, the father being a native
of Richmond, Va., of Irish descent, and the mother a native of Georgia. William
C. Hill was born in 1781, and lived in Virginia until about grown to manhood,
working in the capacity of clerk in Richmond. From there he came to Warren
county, Ga. He married and settled in that county, where he continued to
reside until February, 1832, when he moved to Randolph county, now Quitman
county, and took up his abode about 400 yards from the present home of the
subject of this sketch. He owned quite a large tract of land, possessing
seven lots in Quitman county and seven lots near Cuthbert. He built himself
a house in the woods, and so sparse was the settlement of the country at
that time that there was only one house between his place and Lumpkin. There
were then a number of Creek Indians in the country, but this hardy pioneer
faltered not but fearlessly set to work clearing ground and opening up a
way for other settlers. He established a mill within five miles of where
Cuthbert is now situated. He farmed, milled, operated a saw and grist mill
and did blacksmithing. In the Indian war of 1836 he took a prominent part
and was in Roanoke on the Sunday the Indians burned it. William C. Hill and
wife were strict Primitive Baptists, and he a whig in politics. The father
died January, 1845, and the mother October, 1836. At the death of the mother
there were thirteen children living. There were: Asaph A., at one time judge
of Stewart county, Willoughby D., who was a merchant in Roanoke; Phoebe Ann,
wife of William Brooks of Warren county; William C.; Mary C., wife of John
Mainord of Cuthbert, Ga.; Allen W., a prominent man of Stewart county at
one time, dying near Galveston, Tex., in 1862; Eliza Webb, wife of John Mangham
of Talbot county, Ala.; Albert Madison; Jasper N., the subject of this sketch;
Sarah C., wife of James Redding. All these children lived to be over twenty-one,
but the only one surviving is Mr. Jasper N. Hill, the subject of this sketch.
He was only nine years old when his father settled in the wilds of Randolph
county, now Quitman, and he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest settler
in this section of the state, having lived here for sixty-three years. Though
at an advanced age, Mr. Hill has a keen memory, and his recollections of
his boyhood days and the early history of the country in which he has lived
nearly three-quarters of a century, is fresh and fervid. During the troublesome
times of 1836, when he was a lad of thirteen years, took place the most thrilling
experience of his younger days. It was a rapid ride with his family to escape
the clutches of the murderous Creek Indians. Word reached the family of the
approach of the savages while at dinner. They left the table, home and
everything, and mounting horses hurried away to Houston county. They remained
in Houston county until July 4, when they returned home. He lived with his
parents until their death, and has since continued to reside upon the original
home place. He was married May 25, 1854, to Miss Eliza N. Pittman, daughter
of Jesse Pittman, who was born within three miles of where she now lives.
During the late war Mr. Hill served in the Home Guards, being present when
Atlanta was taken. Mr. And Mrs. Hill are the parents of eleven children,
all living except one, who died in childhood. They are: William A., married
and living near Georgetown, and present school commissioner of the county;
Fannie, wife of J.J. Castillow; Jessie L., teaching school at Union; James
P., living with parents; Jasper N. and Robert L. living at Providence, La.;
Mattie E., wife of Walter Crumbley; Alexander S., Providence, La.; Charles
C., teaching in Calhoun county; Julia May, at home. Mrs. Hill and most of
the family are members of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Hill has devoted
his life and time to duties on the farm, and is one of the largest farmers
of the county. He lives nine miles east of Georgetown, in a handsome residence
he built on the plan of convenience, just after the war.
JAMES FRANKLIN HOGAN,
planter, Sanford, Quitman Co., was born in Wilkinson county, Ga., in 1835.
He was one of a family of eight children, and left an orphan in childhood.
He was cared for by his grandmother until twelve years old, when she died.
Thrown on his own resources at an early age, he had little time even to accept
the few chances of education offered, but with an iron will and untiring
industry he was later able to educate himself and prepare for success he
has achieved in life. In 1856 he married Miss Martha Ann Ridley, daughter
of Everett Ridley. Mr. Ridley, who was one of triplets, was one of the earliest
settlers of Wilkinson county and was the son of Robert Ridley, who came to
Georgia from Virginia. The latter lived to be quite an old man. In 1859 Mr.
Hogan moved to Dale county, Ala., settling near Barnes Cross Roads, where
he engaged in farming until the war broke out. Dec. 12, 1861, he enlisted
in Capt. A.H. Johnson’s company, First Alabama cavalry, Company F, with
which he served fifteen months, when he was transferred to Robinson’s
battery, Light artillery, which afterward became the famous Wiggins’
battery. He remained in this command the rest of the war, and at the time
of his discharge he belonged to Diberal’s division. At Greenville, N.C.
this division was chosen as Jefferson Davis’ guard and they followed
the old leader to Wilkes county, Ga., where they were disbanded May 15, 1865.
There were few men on either side in the late war who saw more active service
and hard fighting than Mr. Hogan. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro,
Chickamauga, at the siege of Knoxville, in which he fired the first cannon,
at Atlanta, July 22, 1864, and at the siege of Savannah near the end of the
war. After the war Mr. Hogan took his family to Quitman county and purchased
600 acres of land, partially improved, where he now lives. He has resided
there since and has added to his original purchase until he now owns about
1,900 acres, a large portion of which is under a high state of cultivation.
His present residence, one of the finest in this section of the state, was
completed in 1894. The home of Mr. Hogan has been blessed by the birth of
ten children, six of whom are living: Everett C., married and residing near
by; Letitia E., wife of J.T. Tye, living on an adjoining farm, and R.G.,
William G., A.C. and Margaret M., living at home. Those deceased are: John
F. died in 1883, single; Joel D., died in 1894, leaving a family; Walter
W., died in 1887, aged nineteen, and Martha A., died in 1894, aged seventeen
years. Mr Hogan has always shown a deep interest in the cause of education,
being for a number of years a member of the board of education, and has taken
much pains in the education of his children. He and his entire family are
members of the Liberty Baptist church, of which Mr. Hogan is a deacon. He
is also a superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a strong democrat, though
he takes no very active part in politics. At present he is a member of the
board of commissioners of roads and revenues. Mr. Hogan’s estate lies
near the old locality known as Bumbleton. This place was the old court ground
originally in Stewart county, where justice court was held, and received
its name from the fact that the people who assemble there and drink whisky
sweetened with molasses, which caused the bumblebees to swarm around. The
whisky was purchased of Clem Climons, who established a grocery at this place.
He was succeeded by Louis Lee, who established Bladen Creek postoffice, now
extinct.
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