Oliver, George Duncan, of Blakely, the incumbent of the office of ordinary of Early county, is an ex-member of the state legislature, an able member of the bar of his county. He was born in Dougherty county, Ga., May 1, 1852, and is a son of Joshua Braddy and Sarah A. (Dupree) Oliver, the former born in North Carolina and the latter in Georgia. He attended school in Plattville, Early county, studied law in the office of McGill & O'Neill, of Bainbridge, and was admitted to the bar in 1875 in Colquitt. He began practice in Blakely in 1885, has been successful as an attorney and counselor and has gained recognition as one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of Early County. In 1888-9 he represented Early County in the state legislature, and he served as judge of the county court two terms, under appointment by Governor Atkinson, though this judicial office has now been abolished throughout the state, by legislative enactment. Judge Oliver was mayor of Blakely three years and in October, 1904, was elected ordinary of the county. He is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church South. In November, 1897, Judge Oliver was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Jameson, daughter of William C. Jameson, of Talbot County, Ga.
Source: Cyclopedia of Georgia Transcribed by Friends for Free Genealogy

Jordan, William A., judge of the city court of Blakely, Early county, ex-mayor of the city, and one of the representative lawyers of that section of the state, was born in Pike county, Ga., May 20, 1856, a son of Willis Pope Jordan and Mary R. (Bethnell) Jordan, both natives of Georgia. The father was a lawyer by profession and served for a number of years as ordinary of Quitman county. William A. Jordan secured his preliminary education in the schools of Quitman county, after which he attended the University of Georgia. He read law under the preceptorship of his father and in 1877, at the age of twenty-one years, was admitted to the bar of his native state. He began the practice of his profession in Georgetown, Ga., and succeeded his father as ordinary of Quitman county, having been elected in 1881 and remained the incumbent of the office for a period of four years. In 1886 he located in Blakely, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and has ever since maintained his home, prominent in his profession and in the public affairs of the city and county. He was made solicitor of the county court in 188T and in 1889 he was made Judge of the county court and served on the bench until this court was abolished by act of the legislature. In 1890 he was appointed judge of the city court, and has since remained in tenure of this office, where he has gained a high reputation for the effective discharge of his judicial duties. He served two terms as mayor of Blakely; has been alderman of the city several terms, and has always shown a public-spirited interest in local affairs. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church South. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. In 1887 Judge Jordan was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Buchanan, daughter of James Buchanan, an honored and prominent citizen of Blakely, and at one time treasurer of the county. He served in the Seminole Indian war, in which he was wounded. Judge and Mrs. Jordan have three children—Maud, William, and Walker. Joseph's Town.—Among the earliest settlements in Georgia was one about three miles below the mouth of Abercorn creek, opposite to Onslow and Argyle islands. Two Scotchmen opened plantations there and thirty servants were employed in cultivating the lands. The name of Joseph's Town was given to the place and for a time it promised to become an important settlement. Then malarial fever attacked the inhabitants; several of the servants died, the rest moved away, and the plantations lapsed into neglect.
(Source: Georgia Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, VOL II, by Candler & Evans, Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Tracy McAllister)