Biographies

Of
Talladega Co AL
 

LACY, ERNEST RENFROE, lawyer, was born October 11, 1877, in Talladega County; son of Sheriff and Mary (McCullough) Lacy, the former a native of Randolph County, who lived at different times in Randolph, St. Clair, and Talladega Counties, until 1882, when he moved to Jasper, is a lawyer, has served as county solicitor, register in chancery, representative in the legislature, and solicitor of the law and equity courts; grandson of Abner Wise and Martha Ann (Brewster) Lacy, of Ashville, the former of a Virginia family and the latter of a South Carolina family, and of John Marion and Ruth (Skinner) McCullough, of Macon County, the former a Confederate soldier who was killed at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, July, 1864. The McCulloughs came from South Carolina to Alabama, and the Skinners from Georgia. Mr. Lacy attended Howard College, 1894-1895; attended the law school of the University of Alabama during the session of 1899-1900, graduating, LL. B.; began the practice of law at Jasper, January 15, 1902; and represented Walker County in the State legislature, 1907- 1911. He is a Democrat; a Missionary Baptist; and a Knight of Pythias. Married: November 3, 1903, at Jasper, to Gaye Musgrove, daughter of John B. and Zou (Musgrove) Long. Residence : Jasper.
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


LEWIS, WILLIAM LINN, teacher, was born November 20, 1808, in Chester District, S. C., and died May 17, 1895, at Talladega; son of Samuel and Mary (Lemon) Lewis, the former a native of Wales, the latter of Irish descent; grandson of William Lewis. He was educated in the schools and academies of Chester District, S. C., and at the age of twenty-one years, began teaching school at an academy at Providence, near Lowrysville, Chester District, S. C. In 1830, he moved to Alabama, and settled in Perry County, where he taught school for a time. Six years later he returned to Chester District, S. C., for two years, then moved to Talladega County, and was a resident of that place for nearly sixty years. The greater part of his life was spent in teaching school, although he did not teach with any degree of regularity after the "War of Secession. He was county superintendent of education for a number of years; and was an elder in the Marble Springs Presbyterian church in Talladega County. Married: (1) January 3, 1839, in Chester County, S. C., to Sarah Pogue, who died in 1847; (2) February 26, 1848, to Esther Adams, who died September 7, 1881, daughter of James and Mary Adams, who lived near Talladega. Children: 1. a son, killed in the battle of Sharpsburg, 1861; 2. Robert S., Sterrett, Shelby County; 3. Mary, m. Mr. Sweetman, Jacksonville, Fla.; 4. Sallie, m. Mr. Elder, Guthriesville, S. C.; 5. Eppie, Talladega; 6. Janie A., m. Mr. Sparling, Tuscaloosa; 7. Julia, m. Mr. Elliott, Talladega; 8. Fannie, Talladega. Last residence: Talladega.
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

LOFTON, GEORGE AUGUSTUS, Baptist minister, was born December 25, 1839, in Pontotoc County, Miss.; son of John B. and Olivia Ann (Settle) Lofton, natives of Edgefield District, S. C. He received his early education in the common schools of Mississippi, at Starrs vine, Fayetteville, and Monticello, Ga., and was attending Mercer university at the beginning of the War of Secession. He joined the Gate City Guards at Atlanta, Ga., in June, 1861, and was assigned to the First Georgia regiment of volunteers. He participated in the battle of Cheat Mountain, and in November, 1861, was discharged because of ill health. In the spring of 1862, he joined the Ninth Georgia artillery battalion, of which he was elected adjutant, and served with Humphrey Marshall in the fall of 1862; in Virginia, during the winter of 1862-1863; and in the spring of the latter year was stationed at Knoxville, Tenn. At Chattanooga, he was made aid to chief of staff of Gen. Buckner, and in November, 1863, took command of Battery A, Ninth battalion, and joined Gen. Longstreet in the battles of Campbell's Station and Knoxville. In the Lynchburg campaign he was presented with a captured battery, and in the latter part of 1864 rendered distinguished service in the Shenandoah Valley. He was next transferred to Richmond, and on the James River and at Drury's Bluff, commanded two batteries. From November, 1864, to the retreat from Richmond, he was actively engaged. He surrendered with Lee at Appomat- tox. After the war, Col. Lofton taught school in Webster County, until 1867, when he was admitted to the bar at Weston, Ga. He began to practice law at Amerlcus, Ga., but in the fall of 1867, was licensed as a Baptist minister, and began to preach near Americus. In 1868, he was called to Antioch, Lee County, Ga., and ordained to the ministry. He preached at Shiloh and other places in Georgia until 1869; was called to Dalton in 1870, where he founded the Crawford high school, now the Joseph E. Brown institute; became pastor of the First Baptist church at Memphis, Tenn., in July, 1872; canvassed Tennessee in the interest of the centennial endowment for the Southern Baptist university in 1876; became pastor of the Third Baptist church at St. Louis, Mo., in January, 1877; resigned in November, 1881, having become prostrated from much work; returned to Georgia, and in January, 1884, again took charge of the church at Dalton, Ga.; and came to Talladega as pastor of the Baptist church in October, 1886. Married: March 29, 1864, to Ella E. Martin of Atlanta, Ga. Residence: Talladega.
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


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