Ben Hill County, Georgia Biographies

Georgia Genealogy Trails

"Where your Journey Begins"

Ben Hill County, Georgia
Biographies

Hon. David Edward Griffin.
It has been customary to speak of men who have raised themselves to honorable stations in life without the aid of wealth or influential friends, as "self-made." Such a one is Hon. David Edward Griffin, who started out in life with nothing save his determination and inherent resource to aid him in his quest for success. That his ambitions have been realized is made evident by the fact that he is one of the leading legists of Ben Hill County, and a man who has been the incumbent of important positions of public trust in which he has gained an honorable name and distinguished standing.

Judge Griffin was born at Buljo, Ohio, October 15, 1882, and is a son of Dr. J. K. and Susan C. (May) Griffin, natives of Illinois. From Illinois the family moved to Ohio, seeking a climate favorable to Mrs. Griffin's health, and from that state to Kansas, then to Arkansas, back to Illinois, and finally to Georgia, where her health was completely recovered. She still survives, at the age of sixty-three years, and makes her home with her son, Judge Griffin, at Fitzgerald. Dr. J. K. Griffin was a well known and able physician and surgeon, and was in continuous practice for a period of twenty-two years. During the Civil war he fought as a soldier of the .Union in an Illinois volunteer infantry regiment, and during the hard life of the soldier, during which he was often compelled to sleep in swamps, he contracted diseases which developed into paralysis, and to which he finally succumbed at Fitzgerald, September 7, 1904, aged fifty-seven years, seven months, eighteen days. There were eight children in the family, of whom six are living: James A., a practicing attorney of Cordele, Georgia; Julius C., of Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. May Harrod, of Jacksonville, Florida; David Edward; Mrs. J. P. Manning, of Fitzgerald, Georgia; and Gilbert, of Cleveland, Ohio.

David Edward Griffin received his education in the public schools of the various communities in which the family was residing during the time his mother was endeavoring to recover her lost health, and thus his training along educational lines was frequently interrupted. He was studious and persevering, however, making use of every opportunity that presented itself and taking every advantage to study at home, graduating from the Fitzgerald High School in 1902. Finally, he entered Mercer University, Georgia, where he was graduated in law in 1904 with honors. Although he was admitted to the bar at that time, he did not enter active practice, but instead took up the work of an educator, and for six terms taught in the rural districts of Ben Hill, Irving, Crisp and Dooly counties, and became one of the best known and most popular instructors of these localities. In 1910 Judge Griffin entered active practice, taking up his residence and opening an office at Fitzgerald, where he has since been located. From the start his practice was an important one, and as time has passed it has grown both in scope and importance, until he is now justly accounted one of the leading practitioners of the Ben Hill County bar. He is thoroughly versed in every branch of the law, and, being at home in all departments, recognizes no specialty. During his residence at Fitzgerald he has frequently been called upon to fill offices of public trust, in which he has conducted himself in a manner highly creditable to himself and of lasting benefit to the community. For two terms he served as judge of the city court of Fitzgerald. He was also ordinary for five months while the incumbent judge was ill, and at various times has filled other offices. Judge Griffin holds membership in the State Bar Association, and bears an excellent reputation among the members of his profession as well as in the confidence of the public. With his family, he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Judge Griffin was married at Greenfield, Indiana, to Miss Mayme Comstock, daughter of Dr. J. A. Comstock, a well known physician of that city. Mrs. Griffin died without issue, living but five months after marriage.
[Source: "A standard history of Georgia and Georgians", Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight, 1917 - Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by a Friend of Free Genealogy]

BEN HILL
The most colossal figure in Georgia Incidents in the during the days of Reconstruction Career of the was the man of consummate eloquence for whom this county was named. He was a statesman of proven fidelity, of keen insight into governmental problems, and of unquestioned moral courage. The spectacle which he presented in Davis Hall, in 1867, when oblivious to the presence of an armed soldiery, he hurled his terrific denunciations and his burning anathemas into the teeth of the men who represented the carpet-bag regime in Georgia, is wholly unique; and together with the dramatic figure of the rugged old Governor who denounced fraud and tyranny in the earlier days of Georgia, it will be treasured in the enduring affections of the Commonwealth. The outlines of the picture will never need to be retouched.

Judge Hill, in the excellent biographical memoir which he has written of his distinguished father, thus narrates the circumstances:*
"In 1807 the Reconstruction measures were passed by Congress and submitted to the Southern States for ratification. It is not the purpose of the writer to enter into a discussion of these measures. It is enough to say that they were enacted by a fanatical body of law-makers in bitter hatred of the South and for the purpose of degrading her people. A few citizens of Atlanta met together for the purpose of taking such action as might be deemed necessary to meet the exigency of the hour. These men looked around for leaders. Brown was advocating the prompt acceptance by the South of the terms proposed. Stephens was in silent despair at Liberty Hall. Toombs was abroad. Howell Cobb declined to give advice. Herschel V. Johnsoif promised to write a letter reviewing the situation. Mr. Hill came to Atlanta to confer with his fellow citizens. After doing so, he secured copies of the military bills and promised to give advice in a few days, at the expiration of which time he notified the gentlemen that he was ready to make a speech in Atlanta at such time as they might wish. July 10, 1867, is an ever-memorable day in the history of the South. On the night of that. day a voice was raised in behalf of Southern honor and manhood for the first time since the surrender. The speech of Mr. Hill put courage in the place of despair, and that night the glorious fight for political redemption was inaugurated."

One who was present on this occasion describes the scene from the standpoint of an eye-witness.** Says he:
"The hall was insufficiently lighted and the pallor of men's faces in the pit almost put to shame the lamps which here and there flickered. Mr. Hill appeared in a full dress suit of black. His superb figure showed to best advantage, his gray eyes flashed, and his face paled into dead white with earnestness. Just before he began, the Federal generals, in full uniform, with glittering staff officers, entered the hall and marched to the front, their showy uniforms and flushed faces making sharp contrast with the ill-dressed crowd of rebels through which they pushed their way, and sat in plain censorship over the orator and his utterances. With incomparable unconcern, Mr. Hill arose. The threatening presence of the soldiers, the jails which yawned behind them, the dangers which the slightest nod from the officers might bring, had no effect upon him. Without hesitation he launched his denunciations upon them and upon the power which they represented. For two hours he spoke as mortal seldom spoke before, and when he had done Georgia was once more on her feet and Georgians were organized for the protests of 1868 and the victories of 1870."
[*Senator Benjamin H. Hill: His Life, Speeches and Writings, by Benj. H. Hill, Jr., pp. 50-51, New York, 1891.
[** Ibid., pg. 294]
[Source: Georgia's landmarks, memorials, and legends ..." By Lucian Lamar Knight, 1914. Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by a Friend of Free Genealogy]

Hon. James R. Horton.
Among the newly-elected officials of Ben Hill County, one who has already shown marked qualifications for the office which he occupies is Hon. James R. Horton, ordinary of Fitzgerald. While this is Judge Horton's first public position, his former energies having been devoted to business and agricultural matters, he has demonstrated the fact that the qualities developed in the marts of trade and commerce may prove in practice as valuable as those which come from a training in minor offices or in the practice of the law.

Judge Horton was born in Ben Hill County, Georgia, April 30, 1880, and is a son of Daniel and Eliza (Sego) Horton. His parents were both born in Irving County, Georgia, of ancestry which originated in Virginia. Daniel Horton, during the greater part of his active career, was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Irwin and Ben Hill counties, and through industry and energy accumulated a competence. He now resides in Coffee County, at the age of fifty-eight years, and is one of his community's substantial and highly respected citizens. He is the owner of several plantations, takes part in business matters to some extent, and is known as a citizen who has aided in many ways the upbuilding and development of his locality. In politics he is a democrat. Mrs. Horton, who was reared and educated in Irwin County, died in that county in 1903, at the age of forty-five years. There were seven children in the family, James R. being the first born.

James R. Horton attended the district schools of Ben Hill County, although a large part of his education was self gained, being the result of close application to his studies at home during his leisure hours. The eldest of his parents' children, he was early called upon to assist in his own support, and as a youth showed himself industrious and ambitious, characteristics which have always marked his career. When he left home he was employed for some time in the sawmills of the community, subsequently became the owner of a small farm, and finally founded a business of his own, a supply store at Fitzgerald, which he conducted for some time, but which he has since sold. His straightforward manner of doing business, his fidelity in meeting engagements and a frank and pleasing manner gained him the esteem and friendship of his fellow townsmen, and in 1915, when he placed himself before the public as a candidate for the office of ordinary, he found he had much hearty and loyal support. The campaign was a bitter one, but in spite of severe opposition, Judge Horton secured the election, by a majority of ninety-two votes. While he has been in office only a comparatively short time at this writing, a record of his administration of its duties shows that he has all the qualifications for making one of the most popular and efficient officials the city' has known. While Judge Horton has given up his connection with business enterprises, feeling that his office demanded a full share of his time and attention, he is still interested in agriculture, and is the owner of a farm in Ben Hill County, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and on which he has substantial improvements and modern buildings. Fraternally, Judge Horton is one of the popular and valued members of the local lodges of the Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Woodmen of the World. He has always been faithful to the policies and candidates of the democratic party, but allows no political doctrines to interfere with his administration of the duties of his judicial office. He was reared in the faith of the Baptist Church, which he still attends and with the movements of which he is heartily in sympathy.

On December 15, 1907, Judge Horton was married in Ben Hill County, to Miss Minnie D. Troup, who was born in this county, a daughter of Joshua and Leah (Roberts) Troup. Mrs. Horton's parents are members of well known families of this section, and her father is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ben Hill County, where he owns a valuable property. Judge and Mrs. Horton have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, Julian Randall Horton, who was born at Savannah, Georgia, in 1913.
[Source: "A standard history of Georgia and Georgians", Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight, 1917 - Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by a Friend of Free Genealogy]

John Broadus Norman.
Although one of the younger members of the legal profession in Ben Hill County, J. Broadus Norman has already attained an established position in its ranks, his years seeming no bar to his ability. In fact there is so much more demanded of the law graduate of the present than in years past that the young legist enters upon his work well equipped to meet its arduous and responsible duties, and in his short period of practice Mr. Norman has won the confidence of the public and the patronage of a large and representative clientele.

Mr. Norman was born in Warren County. Georgia, October 29, 1891. and is a son of Jesse Mercer and Ella (Hawes) Norman. The Norman family is a large and prominent one of Wilkes and Warren counties, Georgia, but originated in Virginia, from whence came the grandparents of Mr. Norman, William B. and Sarah (Jackson) Norman. The grandfather, a large planter and slave owner of Wilkes County, accumulated a valuable property in that locality and became a prominent and influential citizen. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Norman were William and Nancy (Spears) Hawes, natives of Virginia, who later became residents of Lincoln County, Georgia, where they were known as the owners of broad acres of plantation land and many slaves.

Jesse Mercer Norman was born in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1857, and there passed the first thirty-three years of his life, being engaged in merchandising and farming. In 1890 he moved to Warren County, Georgia, where he was a leading merchant and prominent citizen at the time of his death, which occurred in 1907. Through industry and good management he had accumulated a large property, which included farm holdings in both Wilkes and Warren counties. In politics he was a stanch democrat. He was also prominent in Masonry, and a leader in the Baptist Church. Mrs. Norman still survives her husband and resides at Norwood, Georgia, where she is a leader in the work of the Baptist Church. There were six children in the family: Elizabeth, who is the wife of E. S. Ray, of Norwood, Georgia; Miss Lulie, who makes her home with her mother; Kathryn, who is the wife of Melvin Tanner, of Douglas, Georgia; William Walker, cashier of the Citizens Bank of Helena, Georgia; Jesse M., a bank auditor, residing at Monticello, this state, and J. Broadus.

After attending the grammar schools of Norwood, J. Broadus Norman became a student at the Warrenton High School, from which he was duly graduated in 1908. He next entered Mercer University, from which institution he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1911, and for the following two years was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Washington, Wilkes County. He then reentered Mercer University for his law course, and in the class of 1915 was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and also received the prize for highest general average. Mr. Norman immediately embarked in practice at Fitzgerald, which place he had selected as his field of activity, and here has built up a good practice. He has made a careful study of all cases entrusted to him, has met with good success owing to his thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law, and both as an attorney and citizen stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Reared amid refining influences, his social standing is high and the circle of his friends extensive.

Mr. Norman is unmarried. He is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Masons, and is a consistent attendant of the Baptist Church.
[Source: "A standard history of Georgia and Georgians", Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight, 1917 - Transcribed for Genealogy Trails by a Friend of Free Genealogy]