Jefferson County, Alabama Biographies

Jefferson County, Alabama Biographies

The following biographies were extracted from: Jefferson County and Birmnigham, Alabama: Historical and Biographical, 1887, Author: John Witherspoon Dubose.

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ALBURTO MARTIN is a native and resident of Jefferson. His father, Col. John Martin, was one of the first settlers of the county. He was born in 1830, graduated at the State University, and began the practice of law at Elyton in 1856. He represented the county in the legislature from 1859 to 1863. In the latter year was elected solicitor of this judicial circuit, was displaced by Gov. Parsons, and re-elected by the general assembly of 1865, and held the office till 1868. In 1861 he raised a company, which became part of the 10th Alabama infantry. He served with this command till dangerously wounded by a shell at the second battle of Manassas, which has crippled him for life. Capt. Martin has very decided opinions, and is firm in his convictions. His scope of information is extensive; his capacity as a prosecuting officer unquestioned. He married a daughter of Judge Mudd.

The late LEMEUL G. MCMILLION came to Jonesboro, in this county, in 1819, from Pendleton district, South Carolina, where he was born in 1794. He taught school for some twenty years here, was the compiler of a spelling book of a very superior kind, and was for ten years a member of the legislature. He was also major of Col. Frazier's regiment which marched into the Creek county in 1836. He married a Miss Freeland, and one of his daughters married Dr. Gilbert T. Deason of this county, who represented Shelby and Jefferson in the State senate in 1865-67. Col. McMillion died Aug. 29, 1865 in this county.

WILLIAM SWEARINGEN MUDD came to Jefferson with his parents in 1831, but was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1816. In 1817 the parents settled in Madison county, and in 1824 removed to Lawrence, thence to this county. The son was graduated at St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, Ky., read law under the eye of Hon. Walker K. Baylor at Elyton and was licensed to practice in 1839. He opened an office here and entered on a prosperous career. In 1843, he entered public life as a representative in the general assembly, and was twice re-elected. In 1848 he was elected solicitor of the judicial circuit, and discharged its duties for eight years. He was defeated for congress in 1851, after a warm canvass, by Mr. Harris of Coosa. He was elected to the bench of the circuit court in 1856 over MESSRS. E. W. Peck of Tuskaloosa and B. T. Pope of St. Clair. He was re-elected without opposition in 1862, was appointed to the place by Gov. Parsons, and was again elected in 1866. He now fills the office. In 1865 he represented the county in the constitutional convention. Judge Mudd is of ordinary size, with a light complexion. His temperament is dispassionate, and his views are practical. Discretion, a strong sense of propriety, and a consideration for the opinions and motives of others, are salient traits of his character. His official conduct is unexceptionable. As a jurist he is much disposed to disregard the technicalities of the law in order to reach its equity. As a citizen, his exemplary deportment, and amiable disposition, are the basis of an esteem that time has only served to build up. He married a daughter of the late Dr. S. S. Earle.

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