Georgia Genealogy Trails

It is doubtful if any one family has contributed more able members of the medical profession to Georgia during the last fifty or sixty years than that bearing the name Brantley. Dr. John Q. Brantley, who for a number of years has been prominent in professional circles at Atlanta, is only one of a numerous relationship that has been identified with the same profession, and he may properly be said to come from a family of doctors, both his father and grandfather before him having done their part in alleviating pain and suffering among a large circle of patients in their respective communities of Georgia. Born on a farm in Gwinnett County, Georgia. November 25, 1880, John Quincy Brantley is a son of the late Dr. Quincy Lucius Brantley and a grandson of Dr. L. . Brantley. Dr. L. G. Brantley, who was a well known practitioner and for many years a resident of Social Circle, Georgia, had three sons and one daughter who adopted the same profession. Their names were: Dr. James P. Brantley, of Atlanta; Dr. William A. Brantley, of Lithonia, Georgia; Dr. Lucy McCullough, now deceased; and Dr. Quincy L. Brantley, also deceased. Quincy L. Brantley's professional services were chiefly performed in Gwinnett County. He died in Cobb County, February 19, 1898, as a result of injuries received in a railroad accident. His widow, whose maiden name was Sarah J. Hutchins, was born and reared in Gwinnett County and is now living with her son Dr. John Quincy at Atlanta. Pursuing the family relationship with the medical profession still further, it should be stated that Dr. John Q. Brantley has a brother, Dr. Henry Grady Brantley, also numbered among Atlanta's physicians, while one of his cousins is Dr. James L. K. Brantley, also of Atlanta.

John Quincy Brantley grew up in Gwinnett County, and from early years bis education was directed with a view to his entering the medical profession. In 1898 he graduated from the Roswell High School, and in 1905 from the Georgia College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery at Atlanta. Subsequently in 1909 he received a degree from the Hospital Medical College of Atlanta. Since 1905 he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Atlanta. In addition to his private practice he also filled other engagements, and during 1910-11 was Professor of Obstetrics in the Hospital Medical College and is now Professor of the Practice of Medicine in the Georgia College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery.

He is a member of the Georgia State Eclectic Medical Association and the National Eclectic Medical Association, has fraternal affiliations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is a member of the Baptist Church. In 1903 Doctor Brantley married Miss Maud Lillian Tinney, who died November 30, 1914, leaving one child, John Q. Brantley, Jr., now eight years of age.

Webster P. Ezzard, M. D.

One of the most reliable and progressive of the younger members of the Gwinnett County medical profession, who stands high in professional ability and as a man of broad business judgment, is Dr. Webster P. Ezzard, who since 1906 has been engaged in practice at Lawrenceville. Holding prestige in the ranks of his calling by reason of superior natural ability, aided by a thorough training and broad sympathy, Doctor Ezzard is firmly established in the confidence of the people of his adopted community.

Webster P. Ezzard was born in Forsyth County, Georgia, February 18, 1879, and is a son of George W. and Mary Frances (Perry) Ezzard, natives of this state. George W. Ezzard was born near Auburn, Gwinnett County, Georgia, and has passed his life in farming, being one of the well known planters of his community in Forsyth County, where he still survives at the advanced age of eighty-three years. During the entire period of the war between the North and the South, Mr. Ezzard fought in the Confederate army, being captain of a company in a regiment of Georgia volunteer infantry, and participated in numerous engagements, including the battles in front of Atlanta, when the Gray were opposing the advance of the Union General Sherman, and the conflict at Chickamauga, where he received a gunshot wound. He continued as an active and faithful soldier until the close of hostilities when he returned to his home and again took up the duties and valors of peace. Mrs. Ezzard, who was born in Milton County, Georgia, died July 18, 1916 at her home near Elizabeth, Georgia. There were six children in the family, as follows: Emma, who became the wife of W. A. Cole, of Tucker, Georgia; Henry H., who is engaged in school teaching, and is a graduate of the University of Georgia; Oscar P., who is engaged in farming in Forsyth County; John T., who is a practicing attorney of Claremore, Oklahoma; Dr. Webster P., of this review; and Maud M., who is the wife of Arthur Westbrook. of Birmingham, Georgia.

The early education of Webster P. Ezzard was secured in the public schools of Hampton, Henry County, Georgia, following which he did some preparatory work and then entered the Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was graduated from that institution with his degree in 1903, and at that time took up the practice of his calling in Forsyth County, where, in the country districts he ministered to a large numher ot patients for 3 1/2 years. This gave him excellent experience, of the most diversified character, and finally, feeling that he was qualified to enter practice in a broader field, he came to Lawrenceville, where he has continued to the present time. He has a well equipped and finely appointed office, where he has a large medical library and all instruments and apparatus for conducting the most delicate work of his profession, and continues to be a close and careful student, keeping fully abreast of all the changes and advances made in the science of medicine and surgery. He stands high in the esteem and regard of his fellow-practitioners and is a valued and popular member of the Gwinnett County Medical Society, the Georgia State Medical Society, the Ninth District Medical Association and the American Medical Association. In 1912, in connection with his practice he established a drug store at Lawrenceville, in partnership with Mr. Montgomery, and this has grown into one of the flourishing enterprises of the city. Fraternally, Doctor Ezzard is connected with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a democrat in his political views, and religiously is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a stalwart supporter of beneficial movements of a civic nature, and is a friend of education, progress and good citizenship.

On August 8, 1905, Doctor Ezzard was married to .Miss Clara V. Jones, of Forsyth County, Georgia, daughter of Walter W. Jones, a farmer and planter of that county. To this union there have come three children: Dorothy M., born in 1907, in Forsyth County, and now attending the public school; Winn W., born in 1909, at Lawrenceville; and Clara Virginia, born in 1912, at Lawrenceville.

Oscar A. Nix.

Commencing his career when a mere lad as a worker in the farming districts and a teacher in the country schools, Oscar A. Nix has steadily advanced himself to a position of prominence among the lawyers of Gwinnett County. During the attainment of this position he has passed through diversified experiences and varying fortunes, but the self-reliance, determination and ambition that led him upon an independent career of his youth, have supported and sustained him, and he today possesses a prestige that is all the more satisfactory because it is entirely self gained.

Mr. Nix was born in Gwinnett County, Georgia, December 18, 1875, and is a son of H. A. and Mary Frances (Julian) Nix, natives of this state. The parents were reared and educated in Georgia and after their marriage settled at Grayson, Gwinnett County, where H. A. Nix engaged in agriculture and mercantile lines and where he is still living at the age of sixty-six years, one of the substantial men of his community. Mrs. Nix died in Gwinnett County in 1897, at the age of forty-six years. She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom Oscar A. was the second in order of birth.

The public schools of his native locality furnished Oscar A. Nix with the foundation of his educational training, and he was but a boy when he left home, determined to work out his own career. He obtained employment as a farm hand and worked thus during the long summer months, in the meantime preparing himself so that he could become a teacher. In the winter terms he had charge of a country school, which he taught until the spring,and then took up farming again, continuing to spend his time thus until he had accumulated the means with which to attend the state normal school, at Athens. From youth it had been his ambition to enter the law, and when he had left the normal school he again took up school teaching until he had the capital to take him through a legal course at Mercer University, from which he was duly graduated with his degree, in 1898.

At the time of his graduation, Mr. Nix came to Lawrenceville, opened an office, and began the practice of his profession in a modest way. He was not to be left long unrecognized, however, and in a short time he was the recipient of the best kind of business that can come to a young lawyer. From that time to the present his practice has grown in size, importance and the emoluments that go with extensive practice, and among his fellow-practitioners he is known as an opponent to be respected and an associate to be valued. He belongs to the various organizations of the law and is a close student of practice and precedents. Politically a democrat, he is one of the leaders of his party in Gwinnett County, which he has represented in the lower house of the Georgia Legislature, in 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1911 and 1912. During this time he was able to secure for his constituents some much needed legislation and was accounted one of the working members of that distinguished body. Fraternally, Mr. Nix has shown an interest in the affairs and activities of several orders, and is a popular member of the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is the owner of several highly productive cotton plantations in Gwinnett, County, which, although only yielding a medium crop in 1915 produced 150 bales which Mr. Nix marketed. He also has other valuable realty at Lawrenceville, expressing his confidence in the future welfare of the community by his investments.

In August. 1900, Mr. Nix was married to Miss Mary Frances McConnell, daughter of Moses and Mary McConnell, who were well known farmiug people of Gwinnett County and are now deceased. Four children have been born to this union, namely: Roy McConnell, born September 14, 1901, who is attending school; Mary Frances, born in 1905, also a public school student; Julia, born in 1907; and Oscar A., born March 28, 1912, all at Lawrenceville.

Hon. Emmet Mitchell Williams

The career of Hon. Emmett Mitchell Williams, present judge of probate, has been noteworthy in a number of ways, but particularly has been interesting to the people of Walton County for public service and integrity in office, Judge Williams having the distinction of being one of the few officials who have spent less of the county funds than they have received. Still a young man, his activities have led him into successful operations in agriculture, sawmilling, cotton ginning and merchandising, while as a public servant his signal services have contributed materially to the development of his county, particularly along the line of good roads.

Judge Williams was born at Grayson, Gwinnett County, Georgia, December 10, 1880, and is a son of James D. and Mary E. (Jacobs) Williams, residents of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and natives of Gwinnett County. The father, who was one of a family of eighteen children, passed his entire active career in planting, and won honorable success in his undertakings through industry and integrity. He is now living a retired life. He is a stanch democrat, has for many years been steward of the Methodist Church, and is prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he passed through the chairs and has been a delegate to the state lodge. Eleven children were born to James D. and Mary E. Williams, of whom four arc deceased, the survivors being: Charles P., of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Sally, who is the wife of J. T. Armstrong, of Atlanta; J. Marion, a resident of Monroe; Emmett Mitchell; Dr. A. D., a graduate of the Atlanta Eclectic School of Medicine and now engaged in active practice at Atlanta; Pearl, who is the wife of Prof. J. J. Brock, principal of the schools of Rockmart. Polk County, Georgia; Dr. P. A., who is the proprietor of an Atlanta pharmacy; and George, a graduate of the University of Georgia, class of 1913, and a teacher in the Home public schools.

After attending the public schools of Gwinnett County, during which time be resided on the home farm. Emmett Mitchell Williams enrolled as a student at Perry Rainey College, Auburn, Georgia. At that time he took up the vocation of educator, which he followed for seven years in Gwinnett and Walton counties, and during these years also found time to devote to the successful operation of a farm, a sawmill, a cotton gin and a general merchandise store. His versatile abilities were displayed in making a success of all of these ventures, and he and Mrs. Williams are still the owners of 1,000 acres of well-cultivated land in Walton County, on which were operated in 1914 thirty plows, producing 200 bales of cotton, a flourishing crop of corn and the standard produce and truck.

Judge Williams' first political office was that of justice of the peace, a capacity in which he served from 1906 until 1908, in Walton County, and in 1912 he became the candidate for the office of ordinary, to which he was elected by a handsome majority, and in which capacity he has continued to serve to the entire satisfaction of those who placed their confidence in his ability and probity. With innate principles and character to permit only honorable and legitimate courses of action, Judge Williams has constantly gained new friends among the right-thinking men of the community. He has been one of the foremost promolers of improvements for civic and county betterment, and has established a record for the upkeep and top-soiling of county roads. He also takes an active part in the elevation of agricultural standards and is one of the valued members of the Farmers Union. Fraternally be is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious connection is with the Methodist Church, in which he is serving as steward.

Judge Williams was married May 20, 1902, in Gwinnett County, Georgia, to Miss Floy Gertrude Booth, who was lwrn in Walton County, a daughter of Hon. Charles M. and Mary S. (Smith) Booth, her father being a prominent planter and at one time representative of Walton County in the Georgia General Assembly. One child has come to Judge and Mrs. Williams: James Booth, born in Walton County, May 26, 1904, and now a student in the graded schools at Monroe.

[Source: "A Standard History of Georgia and Georgians" by Lucian Lamar Knight, 1917, submitted by C. Anthony]

LEVI BALLARD

THE family name of Ballard is of Flemish origin, being derived from the proper name Ballat. The English Ballards are descended from Fulco Ballard of Hainault, Flanders, who came to England in the fourteenth century in the train of Queen Phillipa. He was given Horton, near Canterbury. Here lived his son, Sir George Ballard, butler to King Richard II, who showered many favors upon the family, especially in gifts of land, such as West Combe, Spittel Combe, East Combe, and lands in Carlton, Lewisham, and Deptford. Thomas Ballard, third in descent from Fulco, was High Sheriff of Kent and married Phillipa, the only daughter of Thomas Walsingham and sister of the great Minister under Queen Elizabeth. The grandmother of the Virginia immigrant was Mary, the youngest daughter and coheir of John Spencer of Castle Ashby, giving the Virginia Ballards the deSpencer quartering on their coat of arms. Hasted, in his History of Black Heath, Kent, states that Black Heath furnished two chiefs and two of the principal officers at Agincourt, viz., Gloucester and Exeter, Ballard and Chaucer (father of the poet).

The Virginia Ballards are descended from William Ballard, of Greenwich, England, who came to Virginia in 1627 accompanied by his son, Thomas Ballard, a lad of ten years. Father and son differed upon all the absorbing issues of the day, the father becoming Puritan in his views, and the son remaining steadfast to the faith of his forebears. William Ballard, the immigrant, moved to Massachusetts, where he again married and reared a family from whom most of the New England Ballards are descended. He lies buried in the old cemetery at Andover, Massachusetts. Thomas Ballard, the son, was an important personage in the early history of Virginia. A man of means, a lawyer of distinction, repeatedly a Member of the House of Burgesses and for a term Speaker of the same, and Member of the Council. His son, Colonel Thomas Ballard, was vestryman of Bruton Parish, and was a man of importance in the early history of Virginia. His son, Captain John Ballard, of Yorktown, was the grandfather of the Georgia immigrant from whom the subject of this sketch is descended.

The Ballard arms brought from Flanders were sable, a griffin sergeant ermine, crest a demi-griffin sergeant ermine. The Sussex Bullards from whom the Virginia immigrant was derived had quartering, argent and gules, in second and third quarter a fret, or, over all; on a bend sable three fleurs de lis, or.

The subject of this sketch, Levi Ballard, a prominent citizen and business man of Palmetto, is descended from the Virginia Ballards. His grandfather, Benjamin Ballard, moved from Princess Anne county, Virginia, in 1783, and settled on Camp Creek, in Wilkes county, Georgia. The subject of this sketch was born in Gwinnett county, Georgia, on November 22, 1833, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Bryant) Ballard. His grandmother Ballard was Katherine Herman or Hammond of Wilkes county, Georgia. His grandmother Bryant was Elizabeth Barnett, who married William Bryant in Oglethorpe county, Georgia.

Young Ballard was educated in local schools for several years, and as a young man taught school for several years, first in Georgia and later in the West. The outbreak of the Civil War found him in the West, and ho first became a soldier as a member of the State troops, later becoming attached to the Fifty-sixth Georgia Regiment. He served through the entire war, the first period in the Western armies, and the latter period attached to Bragg's Army commanded by Johnston and Hood. He went through the Georgia and Kentucky campaign; was at Vicksburg and finally surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina.At the close of the war he engaged in farming, which he followed for ten years, and then became a merchant and land dealer. He gave ten years to that; then returned to farming, to which he added various financial interests.

In 1884-85 he represented his county in the Lower House of the General Assembly; and in 1888.89, served a term an member of the Senate. Mr. Ballard's business operations have been successful, and he is now one of the leading men of his section, having large farming interests; being president of the Palmetto Banking Company; stockholder in the Palmetto Cotton Mill, and in the Fairburn Oil Company.

He married Sarah Smith Harrison, a daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Harrison, of North Carolina; and of this marriage twelve children have been born, of whom the following are living: Villeta, now Mrs. Chas. B. Mosely; Nathaniel H. Ballard, a leading educator in the State, located at Brunswick; Cora V., now Mrs. T. P. Arnold; Maude, now Mrs. C. H. Hudson; Mabel, now Mrs. Rush Irwin, and Jacob H. Ballard.

Mr. Ballard is a Democrat in his political affiliations; a Mason in fraternal circles; and a Baptist in his church relations. He has lived a long and useful life; fought the battles of his country in war, and contributed faithfully to the development in peace. He will be best remembered for the aid and assistance he has given so many people in acquiring independence. Hundreds of people living in his section owe their home and success to the aid received from him. He knows of no better platform upon which to build the State in a moral and material way than industry and honesty in personal life, and the improvement of our farming methods—as, in its last analysis, the prosperity of Georgia rests upon the land.

Source Men of Mark in Georgia

Rev. H. N. Rainey

Rev. Hiram N. Rainey was born in Jackson county His father, Erwin Rainey, was a farmer and descended from the Tennessee branch of the Rainey family. His mother was Emily Pendergrass, a sister of Nixon Pendergrass, a distinguished lawyer and jurist of San Francisco, and also the sister of Nathaniel Pendergrass, a pioneer of Jackson county, whose descendants are among the leading and most influential citizens of that section.

The only educational advantages enjoyed by Mr. Rainey were those furnished by the country school at Rock-well. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Confederate army and saw service mainly with Longsteet’s corps in Virginia and Tennessee until the surrender. Returning home in May, 1865, he began life with few advantages. He was engaged in teaching school for several years or until 1872. In the meantime, he had felt the call to the ministry, and was accordingly ordained in 1867 a minister in the Baptist church. From that day to this he has never been without a pastorate and has served many churches in Gwinnett, Jackson and Walton counties. For thirty years and more, he has been the pastor of Hebron. He" is moderator of the Mulberry Association

He is a tower of strength and a power for good throughout this section, but in his fostering friendship for the cause of education he has possibly been of the greatest material benefit to the largest number of people. Having personally experienced the limitations of the common country school, and having only attained his own education by personal effort, he possessed a keen appreciation of the advantages of a high school furnished to a community and so working through the church organization, he, in 1892, secured the approval of the Mulberry Association of the proposition to establish a high school within the boundary of the association. The erection of the Mulberry High School at Auburn followed. Later the school was enlarged and its name changed to Perry-Rainey Institute. Mr. Rainey has given much of his time and means in building up the institution, and it is confidently believed that he will endow it ultimately and otherwise extend its power for good.

For more than forty years he has served his people as preacher and pastor, sharing their joys and offering them consolation when sorrow's shadow darkened their homes. His business career has been separate and distinct but in no wise interfering with his consecrated labors in his master's vineyard. His material prosperity has been gratifying and his private fortune is estimated at half a million dollars.

Source: Flanigan, James C.. Gwinnett churches : a complete history of every church in Gwinnet County, Georgia, with short biographical sketches of its ministers. 1911.

Contributed by Friends For Free Genealogy

Rev. J. P. McConnell

Rev. J. P. McConnell was born August 2,1854, on his father's farm near Grayson. He is a son of Tilford McConnell, being the youngest of ten children. He grew up during the war between the states and had but little opportunity to secure an education.

He joined the Chestnut Grove Baptist church August 1, 1872, being baptized by Rev. T. E. Kennerly, and he has been a member of this ever since. He became a deacon in the year 1876, and was ordained to the ministry in 1882 at his home church. He has been pastor of the following churches: Armana, Chestnut Grove, Bethany, Lebanon, Mt. Zion, Rock Bridge, Pleasant Hill, Salem, Liberty, Rehoboth, Pleasant Hill (DeKalb county), Hog Mountain, Snellville, Loganville, Clarkston, Dunwoody, Providence, Duluth, Corrinth, Union Hill, Woodville, Center Hill and Hebron.

Mr. McConnell is regarded as one of the ablest ministers in the Lawrenceville Association. He was for seven years moderator of the body.

During his ministry, he has baptized between 800 and 1,000 people. At one time, he baptized 72 converts into the Snellville church at one time, it requiring only 54 minutes. He was married to Miss Susan Arendall August 21, 1874, and has three children. He represented Gwinnett county in the legislature in 1909 and 1910, taking an active part in the deliberations of that body. He is post-master at Grayson, and owns something like 800 or 1,000 acres of farm land. His wealth is estimated at $50,000.

Source: Flanigan, James C.. Gwinnett churches : a complete history of every church in Gwinnet County, Georgia, with short biographical sketches of its ministers. 1911.

Contributed by Friends For Free Genealogy

Rev. John F. Almond.

The pastor of Haynes Creek Primitive Baptist church, Rev. J. F. Almond, was born April 23, 1848, in at that time Newton, now Rockdale county. He was converted December, 1871, baptized in April, 1875, ordained June 11, 1887, and since the last date had, with the exception of two years, been the pastor of four churches each year, preaching once a month at each church. He had baptized as many as 200 converts into the membership of his churches, and is a popular and successful minister. He lived in Atlanta.

Source: Flanigan, James C.. Gwinnett churches : a complete history of every church in Gwinnet County, Georgia, with short biographical sketches of its ministers. 1911.

Contributed by Friends For Free Genealogy

Rev. A. J. Webb.

One of the best known ministers and most prominent citizens in Gwinnett county is Elder A. J. Webb of Webbville. He was born January 2, 1844, his father being J. W. Webb, himself a minister.

At the age of 16, he began to be deeply convicted of sin, and was converted that year. His experience was a wonderful one. At this important crisis in his life, there came to him as if spoken in his presence the following words: "If God give you Christ, the Savior, how shall He not freely give you all things, even a desire to live."

He joined the Confederate army in October, 1861, and was sent to Virginia. He was a brave and faithful soldier, and was wounded at Gettysburg, September 10, 1863. On May 4, 1864, he was baptized in the Rapidan river in the state of Virginia by a Baptist minister, who was a chaplain in the Confederate army. He came home from the war in 1865, and in the fall of that year married Miss Mary J. Braswell. They have five children, all married and all own good homes.

May 15th 1880, he was ordained to the ministry at Bay Creek Church. He was called to and served Double Springs, Mt. Zion, Bethany, Rock Bridge, Sharon, and other churches, baptizing 68 converts into membership of these churches.

For ten years he was a minister in the Missionary Baptist church but in 1890 for various reasons, he joined the Primitive Baptist church at Haynes Creek and was baptized by Elder W. D. Almond. He has served various churches of that faith, among them being Haynes Creek, Ivey, Bethlehem, Mountain Creek and Shoal Creek.

For twelve years, he was justice of the peace in his district. He was a member of the county board of education for two years, and he has been census enumerator, clerk of the Yellow River Association, president-of County Farmer's Alliance, etc.

He has lived at. his present home since 1880. He owns a splendid farm. He. is now in the evening of life and says that faith in God is his only staff, hope in Christ, his greatest riches, and the fellowship of his brethren his sweetest pleasure.

Source: Flanigan, James C.. Gwinnett churches : a complete history of every church in Gwinnet County, Georgia, with short biographical sketches of its ministers. 1911.

Contributed by Friends For Free Genealogy

Rev. B. F. Clemant.

B. F. Clemant was born in Anderson Dist., S. G, Oct. 5, 1836, and moved to Georgia with his father in 1852.

He joined the Union Hill Baptist church, Forsyth County in 1856, was ordained to the ministry in 1869 at Shiloh church, Gwinnett County. The presbytery consisted of John H. Westmoreland and W. G. Akins.

He was called to, and served the following churches with good results: Shiloh, Gwinnett County; Mt. Tabor, Gwinnett County; Zion; Rehoboth, Providence, and Peachtree, DeKalb County; Mt. Paron, Fulton County; and Clear Spring, Milton County.

Some years ago failing health forced him to give up, with regret, the care of churches and he now lives at his home in Norcross, almost-a confirmed invalid, waiting his Master's call.

Rev. J. M. Williams. Our county is great because of its people. It cannot be greater than the men and women who live within its boundaries and support its institutions'.

In preserving the name, merit and memory of our people, the county and the state will be benefitted and their history preserved.

Among the really great men who have lived in Gwinnett County, none excel the late Rev. Jas. M. Williams. He began life in obscurity, He rose slowly, but steadily and surely, and became the most powerful preacher in the county.

This position he won by- the faithful preaching of the Gospel for more than thirty years. He labored among all classes; the common people heard him gladly, and loved him as but few men are loved in this life. And the educated and the distinguished looked upon him with pride and could but respect his wisdom. His words were like "apples of gold" and "pictures set in silver;" his example was worthy of emulation; his character was beautiful; his work, the noblest and best.

The people respected and loved him, so much that his services as a pastor were in great demand, and he could not fill the pulpits to which he was called.

He was born in Gwinnett county, January 1, 1849. He was ordained to the ministry at Union Grove, August 6, 1879, and was continuously engaged in the work up to his death. He was pastor of the Union Grove church twenty-three years, and his remains He in the cemetery there. He served four churches all the time during his ministerial career, and many others sought his services. He really gave his life for his people.

During his ministry, he baptized 1,309 people into the church. Perhaps he preached more funerals than any man of his time. He bathed more souls with his tears and comforted more hearts with his words than any of his fellow, ministers.

He died February 15, 1909. More people perhaps attended his burial than that of any other individual in the history of the county. A handsome monument was erected at his grave from funds given by his friends and admirers. ;

"A great light has gone out. A prince in Israel has fallen." We shall seldom look upon his like again.

Source: Flanigan, James C.. Gwinnett churches : a complete history of every church in Gwinnet County, Georgia, with short biographical sketches of its ministers. 1911.

Contributed by Friends For Free Genealogy

Rev. J. W. Montgomery.

July 5, 1848, Jackson County, Georgia, indicate the time and place of the birth of Rev. J. W. Montgomery, now living in the city of Lawrenceville. At the age of six, his parents moved to Gwinnett County, where he grew into manhood and where he has lived practically all his life.

His ancestors came from Ireland, a land that has given so much of character and love of liberty to the state and nation.

Like most young men that grew up during and immediately after the civil war, he had few educational advantages; and what equipment for life's work he had was received in the school of experience and in the diligent study of books and men at home.

In 1868, at the age of 20, he was converted and became a member of Bethabra church in Cains district, receiving the ordinance of baptism at the hands of Rev. J. M. Davis, now deceased. He entered the ministry in 1891, and was ordained at the Auburn Baptist church in 1893.

Since that time he has been called to the pastorate of various churches, his work resulting in many accessions to the church and in the spreading of the glad tidings of a savior's love over a large portion of the county.

His work carries him into Hall, Walton, Jackson, DeKalb and Milton counties, where he is known as a reliable, sound and faithful minister.

He has a most excellent family, his children being above the average in industry and intelligence. A son, Emory, is cashier of the Bank of Lawrenceville, while another, Grover, holds a responsible position with the Brand Banking Co.

Source: Flanigan, James C.. Gwinnett churches : a complete history of every church in Gwinnet County, Georgia, with short biographical sketches of its ministers. 1911.

Contributed by Friends For Free Genealogy

Kinchen R. Foster

senior member of the wholesale grocery firm of K. R. & R. M. Foster, of Milledgeville, an honored veteran and officer of the Confederate service in the Civil war, and a citizen who has been prominent in industrial, civic and business affairs in Georgia for many years, is a native of that state, having been born on a plantation in Gwinnett county, Feb. 17 1839. He is a son of Robert S. and Margaret (Allison) Foster, both of whom were born in South Carolina, where the respective families were early founded. Robert S. Foster came to Georgia when a young man and settled in Gwinnett county, here his marriage was solemnized. He served two terms as sheriff of the county, and was a lieutenant in a Georgia command in the Seminole Indian war. In 1849 he removed to Floyd county, where his first wife, mother of the subject of this sketch, died, in 1861, leaving five sons and two daughters, of whom only two now survive,-Capt. Kinchen R., of this review, and Hon. John C., of Floyd county. The latter has been a member of the board of roads and revenues in Floyd county. Robert S. Foster continued a resident of that county until his death, at the age of sixty-eight years. Capt. Kinchen R. Foster was reared to the sturdy discipline of the plantation, and was afforded the advantages of the schools of Gwinnett and Floyd counties during his boyhood and youth. When the war between the states was precipitated he forthwith manifested his loyalty to the cause of the Confederacy, and on Aug. 21, 1861, he enlisted as first lieutenant in Company K, Twenty-first Georgia volunteer infantry. He took part in many of the important engagements which marked the progress of the great internecine conflict, and among the number may be mentioned the second Manassas, Harper’s Ferry, Sharpsburg, second Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania Court House, and Drury’s Bluff and Plymouth, North Carolina. At Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864, he was captured by the enemy, and was held in captivity at Fort Delaware until after the close of the war, receiving his parole as a prisoner of war July 1, 1865. He was promoted to captain of his company at Drurys Bluff, where his former captain was killed, and thereafter he commanded his company until he was captured. After the close of the war Captain Foster located in Chattooga county, Ga., where he became an extensive planter, and where he conducted a general merchandise business on his fine plantation for thirty years, the establishment being known far and wide as "Foster’s Store." In 1899 their state prison commission conferred upon him the appointment of superintendent of the newly established prison farm near Milledgeville, and upon him devolved the responsible work of bringing the farm up to a proper status and of supervising its work. He discharged this duty most ably and acceptably and remained as the administrative officer of the farm four years, at the expiration of which he resigned, in 193, and located in Milledgeville, where he engaged in the wholesale grocery business, in company with his son Robert M., under the title designated in the initial lines of this article. They have built up a very prosperous enterprise in their province, and the captain is also a director of the Milledgeville Banking Company. He is a Democrat in politics, and while a resident of Chattooga county he served as a member of the board of roads and revenues and also as a member of the board of education. He is a member and steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is affiliated with the United Confederate Veterans. On Oct. 2, 1859, Captain Foster was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Mayo, who died March 17, 1902. Of the twelve children of this union seven survive: Mary Ellen is married and lives in Texas; Carrie is married and is resident of Alabama; Eugene and Clarence remain in Chattooga county; and Robert M., William B. and Paul M. are resident of Milledgeville. June 24, 1902, Captain Foster married Mrs. Sallie Clarke, of Milledgeville, and she died on April 23, 1906, leaving him a second time a widower.

(Source: Georgia Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, VOL II, by Candler & Evans, Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Renae Donaldson)