Franklin County Alabama Biographies   ALMON, Judge GEORGE C., senior member fo the highly respected law firm of  & Bullock of Russellville, Ala., is a native of this state, and was born in Lawrence the third of seven children born to George V. and Nancy B. (Eubank) Almon, natives of Tennesee and Virginia, respectively.  The paternal grandpaerents of the judge were Nathaniel and Elizabeth Almon of North Carolina; and his maternal grandfather was Thomas Eubank of Virginia.  At the age of twenty years George C. Almon entered the law department of the University of Mississippi at Oxford, having been thoroughly prepared for the university under private tutors in his native county.  He graduated from the law department mentioned, in 1873, and at once entered upon the practice of law at Franklin, Franklin county, where he was meeting with a promising patronage. A year later, however, the seat of justice was removed to Russellville, and his business being with the courts, he of course followed the court house, this event occurring in 1875, success following him as he had followed the court house.  In 1879 the court house was again removed, this time to Bel Green, the present county seat.  Having, in the meantime, been appointed probate judge, Mr. Almon also removed to Bel Green, where he remained till 1887, when he returned to Russellville to resume his private practice, and Russellville has been his home ever since.  In 1886 he was elected to the state senate from the twelfth senatorial district, his popularity as a citizen equalling his repuation as a lawyer.  The marriage of the judge took place in 1876, to Miss Modena Burgess, daughter of William Burgess of Alabama, and there has been born to them one child, Susie B.  The judge and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and he is a K. of P.  In politics, the judge is a staunch democrat, and take great interest in the party, especaily in its election of candidates who are fully qualified to fill the postions for which they may be nominated. Source: Memorial Record of Alabama.  By Hannis Taylor,  Brant & Fuller Publishers,  Madison, Wis. 1893.  Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney BULLOCK, WILLIAM I, of the firm of Almon & Bllock, attorneys at law, Russellville, Ala. was born in Franklin County, Ala., October 6, 1859, and is the elder of the two children born to Frank and Kate (Tompkins) Bullock.  Frank Bullock was a son of William J. and Elizabeth (Sugg) Bullock of North Carolina and Alabama, respectively, was a farmer by calling, and was killed in the battle of Perryville, Ky., while fighting for southern independence.  Mrs. Kate Bullock's parents were Wiilliam and Harriet Tompkins of Alabama.  William I. Bullock was educated in his native county, and was married in 1887 to Lelia Anderson, daughter of Judge Sidney S. Anderson, of Alabama, the union being blessed with two children, Lucile and William Almon.  Mr. and Mrs. Bullock are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and faithfully live up to its teachings. The Knights of Pythias also claim Mr Bullock as one of their order.  In the politics of the county and state.  Mr. Bullock takes a lively interest, and the democratic party takes a lively interest in him.  In 1884-85 he was elected by that party to represent Franklin county in the state legislature.  He is a member of the democratic state executive committee, and is altogether an active worker for the party's interests and for the general good of the people.  The law firm with which he is connected, is looked upon as the leading one in the county, and its business is consequently quite lucrative.  The Bullock family is of English extraction, and the Alabama branch has always been held in the highest esteem. Source: Memorial Record of Alabama.  By Hannis Taylor,  Brant & Fuller Publishers,  Madison, Wis. 1893.  Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney EZZELL, JOHN T., lawyer of Bel green, Franklin County, Ala. was born in Calhoun County, Al. March 21, 1846, the eldest in a family of nine children born to Robert and Nancy A. (Hunnicutt) Ezzell, of Georgia and South Carolina - the former a son of William and Margaret (Ward) Ezzell, of French descent, and the latter a daughter of John and Rebecca (Thompson) Hunnicutt, of Irish extraction, all of South Carolina.  John T. Ezzell was well educated in his native country, and was variouly employed until thirty-four years of age, when he entered the law school at Lebanon, Tenn., from which he graduated in 1882 and settled in Bel Green for practice.  He has been very successful at the bar, reaping an ample reward for his labors.  For a number of years he was also in the real estate business, and is still owner of 1,100 acres of good land on Cedar Creek in Franklin County, besides holdling an interest in wild lands to the extent of 1,000 acres.  Of his local property he has 200 acres under cultivation.  His fortune is of his own making, as he began business life at the age of twenty-one with no capital but he inherited the energy and skill of his father, who farmed in Franklin county from the time of his coming, in 1858, until his death, March 16, 1889.  The marriage of John T. Ezzell took place December 30, 1875 to Miss Laura O. Moody, of Alabama, who has borne him seven children, as follows: Othello C., Annie, Mary B., Gertrude, James N., Robert T. and Florence.  Mr. Ezzell's religious convictions are those promugated by the Christian church, and fraternally he is a Mason.  He is one of the leading and substantial citizens of Franklin county, and stands deservedly high in the esteem of its inhabitants. Source: Memorial Record of Alabama.  By Hannis Taylor,  Brant & Fuller Publishers,  Madison, Wis. 1893.  Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney JORDAN, Judge JAMES M., planter, of Russellville, Franklin County, Ala., is a native of Paulding County, Ga., born August 26, 1844.  He is the eldest of a family of nine children born to Joshua R. and Mary B. (Campbell) Jordan, natives of Georgia and of Scotch-Irish descent. Joshua R. Jordan came to Alabama in 1860 and was employed in farming and in mechanical work until his death in 1877.  The maternal grand-parents of James M. Jordan were Duncan and Frances Campbell, and his paternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Beesly.  James M. came from Georgia to Alabama with his father, and here his home has been made ever since.  In September 1862 he enlisted in Company L., Fourth Alabama Cavalry, and served with the same until the close of the war.  His main battles were at Iuka, Day's Gap, Brice's Cross Roads, and Harrisburg, but, like all other cavalrymen, was in innumberable skirmishes.  He was neither wounded nor captured, and was never off duty one day from the time he enlisted until he was paroled in 1865, at Pond Springs, Ala.  Mr. Jordan is very prominent and very active in Franklin county politics.  In 1871 he was elected tax assessor, and was re-elected in 1874 and 1877, serving in all nine years; in 1886 he was elected probate jduge, and served six years to the full satisfaction of all concerned.  He is also engaged in farming, owning 200 acres of arable land, of which seventy-five are kept in a high state of cultivation.  The marriage of Mr. Jordan took palce in 1861 to Miss Sarah C. Gober, of Alabama, and a daughter of John Gober of Tennessee.  Nine children have been the fruit of this union, and are named as follows: James J., William P., Albert O., John T., Sidney A., Arthur A., Emmitt O., Alice C. and Stella C.  The family are members of the Primitve Baptist Church, and stand very hgih in social life. Source: Memorial Record of Alabama.  By Hannis Taylor,  Brant & Fuller Publishers,  Madison, Wis. 1893.  Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney LINDSAY, ROBERT BURNS, lawyer, governor of Alabama, was born July 4, 1824, in Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and died February 13, 1902; son of John and Elizabeth (McKnight) Lindsay. He was educated at the parochial schools, at the University of St. Andrews, and was a prize student of the foundation bursary under the principalship of Sir David Brewster. He came to the United States in 1844 on a visit to his brother David R. Lindsay, a school teacher in North Carolina, and concluded to remain in this country. He accepted charge of a boys' academy in North Carolina, and in addition to his teaching, began the study of law under Col. Robert Treat Paine. In 1849 he moved to Tuscumbia, Franklin County, where he continued teaching school and studying law, until 1852 when he was admitted to the bar. He opened a law office in Tuscumbia, and the following year was elected to the State legislature as a representative of Franklin County. In 1857, he was elected to the State senate on the Democratic ticket, and during the same year was on the board of visitors to West Point Military Academy. He was appointed a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1860, but when the breach in the party placed two candidates in the field, Douglas representing the Union wing and Breckenridge the states rights or southern wing, Mr. Lindsay who was a conservative and opposed to secession, refused to serve on the Breckenridge ticket and became an elector on the Douglas ticket. He resisted secession with all his power, but after the ordinance was passed, remained loyal to the state, and served for part of the time during the war m Roddy's cavalry, organized at Tuscumbia, in December, 1862. He was elected to the State senate in 1865, and in 1870, under the constitution of 1868, which permitted a foreign born citizen to hold the office of governor of Alabama, was nominated and elected governor by 1051 the Democratic conservative party, over Gov. William H. Smith,  the Democratic conservative party, over Gov. William H. Smith, the radical incumbent. An attempt was made by Gov. Smith to contest his election and prevent his inauguration, but after a few stormy weeks, during which Gov. Smith called in the power of the Federal army to sustain him, Gov. Lindsay was left in possession of the executive authority. He served through his term and refused to allow his name >to be presented for a second term. Two months after his term of governor had expired, he was stricken with paralysis, and became an invalid. He continued his law practice, although not as actively as before, and took no further part in politics. He was a Presbyterian, and one of the oldest members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the state. Married: in 1854, to Sarah Miller, William Winston; sister of Gov. John Anthony Winston (q. v.) ; sister-in-law of Gov. Pettus, of Mississippi; and cousin of Edmund Winston Pettus (q. v.), U. S. senator from Alabama. Of nine children born to him, the following survive: 1. Mamie, m. Robert H. Watkins, formerly of the Birmingham "Age," resides in Washington, D. C.; 2. Minnie Burns, m. Joseph H. Nathan, lawyer, Sheffield; 3. Mattie I., Sheffield; 4. Maud, Sheffield. Last residence: Tuscumbia.  Source: History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, By Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen, Published by The S. J. Clarke publishing company, 1921; Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer  LITTLE, BENJAMIN F., merchant, farmer, railroad agent and real estate man, was born November 30, 1842, near Russellville; son of Claiborne and Sarah (Bruton) Little, the former a merchant, reared eight children, two sons, Coleman R. and John C., members of the 10th Mississippi infantry regiment, C. S. Army, lost their lives in the services of their country; great-grandson of Maj. William Russell of Tennessee, who served with Gen. Jackson in the battle of New Orleans, located in Alabama and for whom Russell's Valley was named. The paternal ancestry was of Irish stock. Mr. Little received his education in the schools of his community, and at the age of twelve began clerking in a store, eventually engaging for himself in the mercantile business in partnership with J. O. Jones, at Russellville and Florence. In 1861, he entered the Confederate States Army, enlisting as second sergeant, in Co. H, 4th Alabama infantry regiment. He participated in the first battle of Manassas, after which he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant; transferred, 1862, to the Army of Mississippi, and served in the forage department of Bragg's army; appointed to command a company of sharpshooters and was engaged at Bryantsville and Perryville; was made aide-de-camp of Woods' brigade on the retreat from Kentucky; appointed captain in the 5th Alabama cavalry; appointed recorder of the military court for the northern district of Alabama, where he served until the close of the war; appointed major, but did not receive his commission owing to the cessation of hostilities. After the war he located at Tuscumbia where he engaged in the real estate business. He had previously assisted the Sheffield and Birmingham railroad in procuring the right of way for its lines. He is a Methodist and member of the Knights of Honor. Married: (1) August 2, 1864, at Tus- cnmbla, to Mattie, daughter of John D. Inman, a substantial citizen of that place; (2) Emma, daughter of Daniel Jones, of Holly Springs, Miss. Children: by the first wife, 1. John C.; 2. Mattie R., m. F. W. Ross; 3. Sac; by the second wife, 4. Lulie W.; 5. Edward; 6. Laura F.; 7. Henry; 8. Benjamin. Residence: Tuscumbia. Source: History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, By Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen, Published by The S. J. Clarke publishing company, 1921; Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer ORMAN, WILLIAM A., planter and merchant of Bel Green, was born in Franklin County, Ala., December 6, 1856, and is the eldest of eight children born to his parents, James M. and Elizabeth (Hancock) Orman, natives respectively of North Carolina and Alabama.  James M. was but an infant when he was brought to Alabama by his father, who has passed the greater part of his life in Franklin county, where he is a leading citizen and a farmer of much note.  The parents of James M - James T. and Mary Orman - came to Alabama when the country was but sparsely settled and the Indian was lord of the soil, and were consequently among the oldest families of the state.  The maternal grandparents of William A. were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Hancock of Tennessee, who were also among the pioneers of Alabama. William A. Orman was educated in his native county, and was engaged in planting until 1874, having begun at the age of twenty-one with no captial, but he now owns 950 acres of good land, of which 600 acres are under cultivation.  In 1874 he entered upon his mercantile career, which he has ever since continued with gratifying success, and has become one of the representative men of the county.  December 29, 1880, Mr. Orman married Miss Kate, daughter of Washington P. Nance, of Alabama, and he is now the father of four children, named Mattie L., William A., Mary P., and Bettie L.  Fraternally, Mr. Orman is a Knight of Pythias. Source: Memorial Record of Alabama.  By Hannis Taylor,  Brant & Fuller Publishers,  Madison, Wis. 1893.  Transcribed and submitted by Veneta McKinney  WATSON, Capt. Robert H., proprietor of the Iuka Springs house. Iuka as over a thousand inhabitants and is situated on the Memphis & Charleston railroad, one hundred and fifteen miles east of Memphis, six miles from the Alabama line, seven miles from the Tennessee river; upon one of the most elevated sections of Mississippi, readily accessible by the Memphis & Charleston, and its connections. The country around is hilly and has been termed the Switzerland of Mississippi. The corporation is one mile square. Every house is surrounded by ample grounds of orchard, park and garden. There are five churches, all with active, earnest membership, and a flourishing normal school. Coridal, hospitable, wide-awake and energetic, the inhabitants of Iuka are pleasant people with whom to cast your lot. The Springs house is a magnificent, four-story brick structure, to which has been added, to meet the increased patronage, a large frame addition, together with a square of neat, cool, three-roomed cottages. The open court around which they are built is a beautiful grass-covered plot, shaded from the summer's sun, the place for croquet and other out door games. Balconies above and below furnish a cool, delightful place throughout the summer days for quiet thought, jolly conversation or social promenade. One steps from the train into the entrance of the hotel. In the front central part is the office. On this floor are a number of choice rooms. On the second floor is an elegant ballroom, well fitted to the fancy of those who worship at the shrine of Terpsichore. Conveniently near is the parlor. The dining room is large and airy, the tables are supplied from the city markets supplemented by the rich fresh store of good things from the country. The managment is now in the efficient hands of Capt R. H. WATSON, which of itself is assurance lo every one of perfect satisfaction. Captain WATSON has thoroughly refitted and repaired the hotel property from top to bottom. Those who have been there before will hardly recognize the place, it has been so much improved from roof to foundation, new clothed in what of beauty the painter's hand can give. Captain WATSON is a courteous, enterprising, successful business gentleman, and his name guarantees that no pains or expense will he spared to make luka Springs the most delightful summer resort of the South. This gentleman was bom in York district, S. C. August 5. 1832, a son of Matthew and Eleanor (LOVE)WATSON. His father was a native of Ireland and was born in 1778. He came to this country when about twenty-five years old and located in Tennessee, whence he removed to Mississippi, where in the early days he became prominent as an educator. He was married in South Carolina about 1820, and raised five children: Margaret. John L., Catherine, Mary J. and Robert H. His wife was bom in South Carolina in 1797, a daughter of John and Drucilla LOVE. They were married in South Carolina previous to the removal of Mr. WATSON to Tennessee, and came together to this county in 1838. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. WATSON died in 1842 and his wife died in 1852. The former was polilcally an old line whig. The early life of Captain WATSON was spent in Tishomingo county, and at the age of twenty he went to East Port and became a clerk of R. B. BROWN, where he remained for three years. He then went to Pleasant Site, Ala., where he became a merchant, planter and miller, being successful in each of these three occupations. There he remained until 1884, when he came to luka, where he established a mercantile business, which is now managed by his son, C. L. WATSON. In October, 1890, he purchased the luka Springs house and the property connected with it. In 1859 he was married to Miss Martha J. HARRISON, one of the five children of John and Polly (HARRISON) HARRISON, who was born in Lauderdale county, Ala., in 1836. Of this marriage five children were born, the two following of whom are living, John H., and Charles L., John H. has, since his father's retirement from the active management of the mercantile buisiness, been in charge of that important interest. John H. married Miss Mary WILLIAM and now lives ai Pleasant Site, Ala. Charles L. is bookkeeper in his father's store. Mrs. WATSON died January 16, 1878, and in 1879 Captain WATSON married again, this lime to Morilla CROSS, daughter of Dr. S. E. CROSS and his wife, Margaret (SHELBY) CROSS. Lauderdale Co, AL. marriage records show this marriage as Shadrack E. CROSS to Margaret SHELBURN on 22 Dec I846, and she was bom in Lauderdale county, Ala., in 1855. By this marriage he had four children; Mattie B., WilIiam C., Mary W. and Martha C. Mr. and Mrs. WATSON are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Captain WATSON acquired his title as captain by gallant service for the Confederate cause during the Civil war. He was in command of company B of the Twenty-seventh Alabama infantry, for a year. For two years thereafter he was captain of a cavalry company. He was one of the first to answer the call for troops in 1861, and he participated in battles at Fort Henry. Fort Donelson, Jackson, Miss., Port Hudson and numerous other engagements and skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, but an opportunity soon presented, and he made his escape. After taking command of his company's cavalry, he served under General Forrest, and took part in fighting at Tupelo, Cross Roads and Selma. He was paroled at luka, in 1865. Captain WATSON has an enviable record as an honorable and successful business man. and is a public-spirited and useful citizen. He is largely interested in the improvement and development of the county, and has been especially helpful to schools and churches. His politcal influence is recognized, and though not an office seeker, he has taken an active part in the public history of his county, and was a delegate to the state convention when STONE was nominated as governor. Source: Biographical and Historial Memoirs of Mississippi, Vol 2; 1894, Submitted by Dianne Armstrong   Genealogy Trails   Copyright © Genealogy Trails This Webpage has been created exclusively for the Genealogy Trails History Project. Submitters retain all copyrights