Thompson Hiles  

Stovall, Marcellus A., was born at Sparta, Ga., Sept. 18, 1818. Both his grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers.    He was educated in Massachusetts and, when only seventeen years old, enlisted for the Seminole war. In 1836 he entered the military acade­my at West Point, but was forced by ill health to leave before grad­uating. After an extended European trip he went into business at Augusta and at once became prominent in the military circles of the state. In 1846 he removed to Floyd county, where he lived at the breaking out of the war. He at once offered his services to Governor Brown and was made colonel of artillery. The following October he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Third Georgia infantry battalion and ordered to Richmond. He served during the entire war, and was several times specially mentioned for gallant conduct on the field of battle. In 1863 he was commissioned brigadier-general. After the war he returned to Augusta and engaged in the cotton and fertilizer business. He died August 4, 1895.
Source: Men of Mark In Georgia

Watters, John H., assistant master mechanic of the Georgia railroad, with head­quarters in the city of Augusta, is a prominent figure in railroad circles in the South, and comes of distinguished lineage, both his paternal and maternal ancestors having early established homes in the southern part of the present great American republic. He was born in Rome, Floyd county, Ga., Sept. 12, 1851, a son of Thomas G. and Catherine C. (Moore) Watters, the former born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., Aug. 21, 1818, and the latter in Rome, Aug. 18, 1828. Thomas Glascock Watters was named in honor of Colonel Thomas Glascock, of whom individual mention is made elsewhere in this work. The father of Thomas G. Watters was Joseph Watters, who had served in the command of Colonel Glascock. On Jan. 27, 1818, Joseph Watters was commissioned captain of a company of militia, by Gov. Will­iam Rabun, of Georgia, and later he held various offices of public trust, having been sheriff of Floyd county several years, prior to the Civil war, and afterward served eight years as justice of the peace. John Moore, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch in the maternal line, took up his residence in North Carolina in the colonial days, having come to America from Ireland.  He was a patriot soldier of the continental forces in the war of the Revolu­tion, in which he attained the rank of major-general.    He was a member of the fourth house of commons of North Carolina, serving from 1783 to 1794; again becoming a member in 1798, and served until 1809. His eldest son, William Adair Moore, grandfather of him whose name initiates this sketch, was in service as a soldier in 1818 and also in 1836. He married Miss Frances Swanson Edmundson, of Jasper county, Ga., a representative of prominent families of the state, through direct and collateral lines, including the Moxeys, Swansons and Buckinghams. Gen. John Moore's wife was a sister of Gen. John Adair, who was the first governor of Kentucky. General Moore died in 1836 and was buried at Goshen, N. C. John H. Watters received his educational training at Rome and in 1868 became identified with railroad interests, taking a position as locomotive fireman on the Rome railroad. One year later he took a similar position on the Selma, Rome & Dalton rail­road, now a portion of the Southern railway system, running between Rome and Selma, and was promoted locomotive engineer in 1872, thereafter continuing to work as such until 1886, when he was made master mechanic and train master of the Anniston & Atlantic and Anniston & Cincinnati railways, which was shortly afterwards made a part of the Louisville & Nashville system. He served in this dual office, with headquarters in Anniston, Ala., until Oct. 1, 1901, when he located in Augusta and assumed his present office, that of assistant master mechanic of the Georgia railroad. He has marked mechanical ability, as his present incumbency implies, and has invented several different styles of pneumatic track-sanding devices, which are being used by a large number of railroads in the Union. He is a member of the Southern & Southwestern railroad club, the American master mechanics' association and the American railway appliance association, and is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. In politics he gives his support to the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. On Nov. 29, 1881, Mr. Watters was united in marriage to Miss Mamie W. Borders, daughter of Samuel K. and Sarah M. (Williams) Borders, of Ninetysix, Greenwood county, S. C Her mother was a relative of Col. James Williams, who was killed in the battle of King's Mountain. Samuel K. Borders was a native of Georgia and was educated in the state university. He served in both the Mexican and Civil wars and died, at Oxford, Ala., in 1880. His wife still survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Watters have no children.
Source: Men of Mark In Georgia

Hillyer, Eben, M. D., a retired physician and honored citizen of Rome, is a representative of one of the old and influential families of Georgia, which state has ever been his home. He was born in Athens, Clarke county, Ga., Aug. 12, 1832, a son of Junius and Jane Selina (Watkins) Hillyer, the former born in Wilkes county, Ga., April 23, 1807, and the latter in Greene county, May 17, 1807. All four great-grandfathers of Doctor Hillyer were patriot soldiers in the war of the Revolution, namely: Dr. Asa Hillyer, Thomas Watkins, Joel Early and Capt. John Freeman. George Walton, a great-uncle of the doctor, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Peter Early, governor of Georgia during the war of 1812, was also a great-uncle, as was Robert Watkins, one of the prime factors in formulating the state government of Georgia and in the writing of its first constitution. Junius Hillyer was a man of distinction in his day and generation and honored the state of Georgia by his life and service. He served on the bench of the superior court, was a member of Congress two terms and was solicitor of the United States treasury in Buchanan's Administration. He was a man of spotless integrity and gracious personality, retaining the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. Dr. Eben Hillyer secured his preliminary or literary education in Athens and Penfield, Ga., and was graduated in the famous old Jefferson medical college, of Philadelphia, as a member of the class of 1854. When the Civil war was precipitated on a divided nation, Doctor Hillyer promptly entered the service of the Confederacy, becoming surgeon with the rank of Major. He was assigned to duty as surgeon of the Eighth and Thirty-second Mississippi regiments, Lowery's brigade, Cleburne's division, and was present at the battles of Resaca, Cass Station, New Hope Church, Dallas, the siege of Atlanta, the battles of July 21 and 22, 1864, at that point, and also the engagements at Jonesboro and Dalton, Ga.; Decatur and Selma, Ala., and Spring Hill and Franklin, Tenn. He was made president of the army medical board in the Tennessee campaign of the Western Army, and retired from the service only when the cause of the Confederacy was finally lost. He remained in service until after the last of the wounded from the battle of Selma, Ala., had received proper attention, and was thus on active duty until June, 1865. After the close of the war, Doctor Hillyer resumed the active practice of his profession in the city of Atlanta, where for a number of years he served as professor of institutes of medicine in the old Atlanta medical college. In 1867 he returned to Rome, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and also identified himself with agricultural interests, giving his attention to the same until 1875, when he was made president of the Rome railroad, which position he retained for thirteen years, in connection with which he was identified with the executive control of other railroad systems to which the Rome line was attached. For a number of years past he has lived retired from active professional and business associations. He is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, but has never permitted his name to be used in connection with a candidacy for political office of any description. He became a member of the Baptist church in June, 1855, and has ever since been zealous in its work and support. On July 29, 1857, Doctor Hillyer was united in marriage to Miss Georgia E. Cooley, a great beauty and belle in her section, a most lovely and religious character, daughter of Hollis Cooley, of Rome, concerning whom individual mention is made in this publication. Doctor and Mrs. Hillyer have two daughters: Ethel is the widow of Col. Thomas W. H. Harris, son of James Watkins Harris. Mabel first married Warren Palmer Willcox, of Savannah, after whose death she married Col. William A. Hemphill. Dr. Hillyer's grand-children are: Catherine Maud, and Ethel Hillyer Harris, daughters of T. W. H. and Ethel Harris: and Ellenor Churchill Willcox. daughter of W. P. and Mabel Hillyer Willcox. Doctor Hillyer in his present home, The Hill City, is respected by all for his justice and probity. He is considered one of the greatest students in Rome, and is a noted geologist. Charles Dana, Weir Mitchell, Prof. Agassiz and men of such character being his constant friends and authority. Men often come to consult with him on points of scientific discussion. His evenings for years have been spent in his library among his books. His fad though is his Sunday school class and many are the happy hours spent in study of the Bible, and though a man of scholarly attainments, his faith is as pure, strong and simple as that of a little child. He is a member of the Georgia Historical society, and of the Veterans of the Confederate war. When the reunion met in his town he threw wide the portals of his home and prepared for fifteen old soldiers. His home has always been open to the poor, the sick, the afflicted and all conventions, no matter whether Woman's club or preachers, regardless of denomination, find sup at his bounteous board. Perhaps after all has been summed up, the loveliest things to be said of him is that he never turned a tramp away hungry, and never refused to forgive an injury. As an example of his integrity, he has been made executor of four large estates. In conclusion, it must be said that Doctor Hillyer is a picturesque and magnetic character. Born of cavalier stock, and ante-bellum luxury, he went through a turgid period of blood and hardship, and came out a man, undaunted and true as did thousands of his day. His motto has always been to do his Duty —That word he impresses on children and grand-children. Though "He slay me yet will I trust in Him," and "I know that my Redeemer liveth," have been his watchwords in sorrow. The public gets a man down right and in the beautiful little town of Rome, Doctor Hillyer's word is as good as his bond. In all the relations and duties of life, Doctor Hillyer has been distinguished for unequivocal fidelity and integrity, and absolute devotion to truth and honor have been dominating forces in his makeup, so that he has ever commanded the trust and unqualified regard of his fellow men. Hillyer, George, was born at Athens, Clarke county, Ga., March 17, 1835. He graduated at Mercer university in 1854 and in 1857 received the degree of Master of Arts. He was admitted to the bar in February, 1855. In 1857 he was elected to the Georgia legislature, served two years, and then became clerk of the Georgia house of representatives (1859-60). In 1860 he was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Charleston. He was also a delegate to the Democratic national conventions in 1884 and 1892. In the Civil war he became captain of a company of Confederate troops, which formed part of the Ninth Georgia infantry and served with the Army of Northern Virginia in its various campaigns and battles. He commanded his regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg, also at the battle of Gettysburg, all officers above him having fallen. In November, 1863, he resigned from the army to become auditor of the Western & Atlantic (State) railway, and at the same time was major in command of a battalion of state troops in active service, which position he held until the close of the war. He was a member of the commission to wind up the affairs of the State railroad, which during the Reconstruction period had fallen into confusion. In 1870 he was elected to the Georgia state senate, served four years, and introduced a new charter for Atlanta. In 1873-76 he was Centennial commissioner for Georgia, and in 1877-83 judge of the circuit court for the Atlanta district, serving with much satisfaction to the bar and public. He was mayor of Atlanta, 1885-86, and after that, until recently, a member of the city board of water commissioners, most of the time its president, and has always been an active and liberal supporter of public enterprises in Atlanta. Judge Hillyer has made a close study of water systems for cities, and is the author of articles on the subject in many technical journals which have been widely copied and often quoted. In his profession, in his business, and in office, his career has been one of marked success. He retired from active practice in 1897, but occasionally acts as counsel in important cases. He has written much for the press on legal and economic questions. For many years he has been a member of the Southern Baptists home mission board and a trustee of various asylums and institutions of learning—among them being the following: Mercer university, Atlanta medical college, Atlanta college of Physicians and Surgeons, Spellman seminary, and Atlanta university, the two last named for Negroes. He has often been a delegate to the conventions of the Southern Baptists, and to the Baptist convention of Georgia. He was married, June 25, 1867, to Ellen Emily Cooley of Rome, Ga., and has four daughters and one son: Mrs. Elizabeth Coker, Mrs. Minnie Cassin, Mrs. Marian Wolff, George Hillyer, Jr., and Mrs. Ellen Hillyer Newell. Judge Hillyer is the second son of Judge Junius Hillyer and Jane Selina (Watkins) Hillyer. Judge Junius Hillyer was a member of the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses and was solicitor of the treasury during the administration of President James Buchanan. His mother was the grand-daughter of Thomas Watkins and Sally Walton, sister of George Walton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence. On his paternal side he is descended from, in the eighth generation, John and Ann Hillyer, who came to Windsor, Conn., in 1640. His great-grandfather, Dr. Asa Hillyer. was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war. The father of Dr. Asa Hillyer was Capt. James Hillyer, who married Mary Humphrey, a lineal descendant of Michael Humphrey and Priscilla Grant, daughter of Matthew Grant of Windsor. Another ancestor was Rev. Henry Smith, the Puritan clergyman of Wethersfield, Conn. He is also descended from Lieut. Samuel Smith of Hadley, deputy of general court of Colony of Massachusetts Bay and commissioner to negotiate with the Mohawks.
Source Georgia: comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and ... edited by Allen Daniel Candler, Clement Anselm Evans

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HARRIS, Mrs. Ethel Hillyer, author, was born and reared in Rome, Ga. She was educated in Shorter College. She graduated after taking the full course, including music, Latin and French. Her love for Rome, her "hill-girt city," is one of her strongest characteristics, and her enthusiastic devotion to her native land is deep-rooted. A daughter of Dr. Eben Hillyer and a granddaughter of Judge Junius Hillyer, she comes from one of the best families in the State. Her grandfather served five years in Congress, and was the friend of such men as Stephens, Toombs, Hill and Cobb. Mrs. Harris is a niece of Judge George Hillyer, of Atlanta, a prominent member of the Georgia bar. On her grandmother's side she is a lineal descendant of Lyman Hall and George Walton, two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and consequently she is a "Daughter of the Revolution." She became the wife of T. VV. Hamilton Harris, a young lawyer, of Cartersville, Ga. Mrs. Harris has contributed to some of the leading papers of the country, and many of her negro dialect and pathetic sketches have been praised by eminent critics. Her friends number a charming coterie of literary people, who honor and appreciate all that comes from her pen, and in society she ever finds a warm welcome.
(Source: American Women, by Frances Elizabeth Willard, Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Vol 1, 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow)

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Hillyer, Eben, M.D., a retired physician and honored citizen of Rome, is a representative of one of the old and influential families of Georgia, which state has ever been his home. He was born in Athens, Clarke county, Ga., Aug. 12, 1832, a son of Junius and Jane Selina (Watkins) Hillyer, the former born in Wilkes county, Ga., April 23, 1807, and the latter in Greene county, May 17, 1807. All four great-grandfathers of Doctor Hillyer were patriot soldiers in the war of the Revolution, namely: Dr. Asa Hillyer, Thomas Watkins, Joel Early and Capt. John Freeman. George Walton, a great-uncle of the doctor, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Indpendence, and Peter Early, governor of Georgia during the war of 1812, was also a great-uncle, as was Robert Watkins, one of the prime factors in formulating the state government of Georgia and in the writing of its final constitution. Junius Hillyer was a man of distinction in his day and generation and honored the state of Georgia by his life and service. He served on the bench of the superior court, was a member of Congress two terms and was solicitor of the United States treasury in Buchanan’s Administration. He was a man of spotless integrity and gracious personality, retaining the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. Dr. Eben Hillyer secured his preliminary or literary education in Athens and Penfield, Ga., and was graduated in the famous old Jefferson medical college, of Philadelphia, as a member of the class of 1854. When the Civil war was precipitated n a divided nation, Doctor Hillyer promptly entered the service of the Confederacy, becoming surgeon with the rank of Major. He was assigned to duty as surgeon of the Eight and Thirty-second Mississippi regiments, Lowery’s brigade, Cleburne’s division, and was present at the battles of Resaca, Cass Station, New Hope Church, Dallas, the siege of Atlanta, the battles of July 21 and 22, 1864, at that point, and also the engagements at Jonesboro and Dalton, Ga., Decatur and Selma, Ala., and Spring Hill and Franklin, Tenn. He was made president of the army medical board in the Tennessee campaign of the Western Army, and retired from the service only when the cause of the Confederacy was finally lost. He remained in service until after the last of the wounded from the battle of Selma, Ala., had received proper attention, and was thus on active duty until June, 1865. After the close of the war, Doctor Hillyer resumed the active practice of his profession in the city of Atlanta, where for a number of years he served as professor of institutes of medicine in the old Atlanta medical college. In 1867 he returned to Rome, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and also identified himself with agricultural interests, giving his attention to the same until 1875, when he was made president of the Rome railroad, which position he retained for thirteen years, in connection with which he was identified with the executive control of other railroad systems to which the Rome line was attached. For a number of years past he has lived retired from active professional and business associations. He is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, but has never permitted his name to be used in connection with a candidacy for political office of any description. He became a member of the Baptist church in June, 1855, and has ever since been zealous in its work and support. On July 29, 1857, Doctor Hillyer was united in marriage to Miss Georgia E. Cooley, a great beauty and belle in her section, a most lovely and religious character, daughter of Hollis Cooley, of Rome, concerning whom individual mention is made in this publication. Doctor and Mrs. Hillyer have two daughters: Ethel is the widow of Col. Thomas W. H. Harris, son of James Watkins Harris. Mabel first married Warren Palmer Willcox, of Savannah, after whose death she married Col. William A. Hemphill. Dr. Hillyer’s grand-children are: Catherine Maud, and Ethel Hillyer Harris, daughters of T.W.H. and Ethel Harris; and Ellenor Churchill Willcox, daughter of W.P. and Mabel Hillyer Willcox. Doctor Hillyer in his present home, The Hill City, is respected by all for his justice and probity. He is considered one of the greatest students in Rome, and is a noted geologist. Charles Dana, Weir Mitchell, Prof. Agassiz and men of such character being his constant friends and authority. Men often come to consult with him on points of scientific discussion. His evenings for years have been spent in his library among his books. His fad though is his Sunday school class and many are the happy hours spent in study of the Bible, and though a man of scholarly attainments, his faith is as pure, strong and simple as that of a little child. He is a member of the Georgia Historical society, and of the Veterans of the Confederate war. When the reunion met in his town he threw wide the portals of his home and prepared for fifteen old soldiers. His home has always been open to the poor, the sick, the afflicted and all conventions, no matter whether Woman’s club or preachers, regardless of denomination, find sup at his bounteous board. Perhaps after all has been summed up, the lovliest things to be said of him is that he never turned a tramp away hungry, and never refused to forgive an injury. As an example of his integrity, he has been made executor of four large estates. In conclusion, it must be said that Doctor hillier is a picturesque and magnetic character. Born of cavalier stock, and ante-bellum luxury, he went through a turgid period of blood and hardship, and came out a man, undaunted and true as did thousands of his day. His motto has always been to do his Duty –That word he impresses on children and grand-children. Though “He slay me yet will I trust in Him,” and “I know that my Redeemer liveth,” have been his watchwords in sorrow. The public gets a man down right and in the beautiful little town of Rome, Doctor Hillyer’s word is as good as his bond. In all the relations and duties of life, Doctor Hillyer has been distinguished for unequivocal fidelity and integrity, and absolute devotion to truth and honor have been dominating forces in his makeup, so that he has ever commanded the trust and unqualified regard of his fellow men.
(Source: Georgia Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, VOL II, by Candler & Evans, Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Kim Mohler)

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Maddox, John W., representative in Congress, a prominent member of the bar of Rome, Floyd county, and an honored veteran of the Confederate service in the Civil war, was born in Chattooga county, Ga., June 3, 1848, a son of George B. and Sarah A. (Dickson) Maddox, the former born in Greene county and the latter in Dekalb county, Ga.  Josiah E. Maddox, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Virginia, whence he removed to Georgia and settled in Greene county in 1818.  His father was a Continental soldier in the war of the Revolution.  The maternal great grandfathers of Mr. Maddox were born natives of North Carolina and active participants in the Revolution.  John W. Maddox was reared to manhood in his native county and in his youth received a common school education, which he has since effectively supplemented through individual study and wide experience with men and affairs.  In August 1863, when but fourteen years of age, he tendered his service in defense of the Confederacy by enlisting as a private in Company E, Sixth Georgia Cavalry, with which he took part in the memorable battle of Chickamauga and the various other engagements of Gen. Joe Wheeler’s cavalry until Feb. 14, 1865, when he received a wound that disqualified him for further service in the field, and was given his honorable discharge.  After the war he was finally led to take up the study of law, for which he had a seemingly natural predilection.  He was admitted to the bar in September, 1877, since which time the greater portion of his attention has been given to the work of his profession, in which he has been most successful, and he has been called to distinguished offices of public trust by the people of his native state.  His unwavering allegiance has been given to the Democratic party from the time when he attained his majority.  He served as mayor of Summerville, Chattooga county; was a member of the board of road and revenues of said county; was a representative of that county in the state legislature two terms; was state senator from the forty-second district one term; was district judge of the Rome circuit six years; and represented the seventh district of the state in congress for twelve years, his last term ending in March, 1905.  In a fraternal way he is identified with the Masonic order.  On August 15, 1872, Judge Maddox was married to Miss Frances Elizabeth Edmonson, daughter of H. D. C. Edmonson, of Summerville, Ga., and the children of this union are as follows: Berta, wife of L. O. Hand, of Rome; G.E., engaged in the practice of law in that city; John D., a successful lawyer in Los Angeles, Cal.; Linton, an electrical engineer in Savannah; Frank R., a chemist, residing in Pulaski, Va.; James, attending school in Atlanta; and Robert, a student in the Rome schools.
(Source: Georgia Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, VOL II, by Candler & Evans, Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Joanne Morgan)

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Meikleham, Harry P., agent of the Massachusetts Mills in Georgia Company, at Lindale, Floyd county, is one of the representative young business men of the state and is identified in an executive capacity with one of the most important industrial enterprises of this commonwealth, the cotton mills of the company mentioned being the largest and most modern in Georgia. The same company also founded the fine little city of Lindale, one of the busy and progressive industrial centers which well indicate the wonderful strides Georgia has made within the past decade. The mills of the company at Lindale were organized in 1895, as subsidiary to the Massachusetts Cotton Mills, of Lowell, Mass., and here a great commercial and industrial enterprise has been built up, surpassing in scope and importance even the most sanguine expectations of the promoters. Concerning the agent of the company, the following pertinent article appeared in a special edition of the Georgia Free Lance, of Lindale, under date of June 17, 1905 “One could just as easily imprison a shadow and give it form as to conjure up a mental engravure of Capt. Harry P. Meikleham and put it before the eyes of the public not that he is evanescent or variable but simply because he does not choose to be fathomed. One thing of a certainty may be said of him, and that is ‘He is the only one.’ It would take more argument than anyone has yet advanced to make those to whom the different phases of the man have presented themselves in business or social life believe that he is not all that their friendship and esteem have pictured him. Another thing is equally sure, and that is that since his administration as agent for the Massachusetts mills he has doubled their capacity and revealed their importance to the industrial interest of the country to a most remarkable degree. Not to know about the great mills of the Massachusetts Company at Lindale is to argue one’s self very much unknown, indeed. Few men have so remarkable perspicacity as to men and affairs or so wonderful executive power in places that would stagger the ordinary run of men. While natural ability and experience count largely in Mr. Meikleham’s peculiar adaptability for the management of so extensive an institution as the Massachusetts mills yet it must not be forgotten that he has had special training, having served seven years’ apprenticeship in learning the business. It is not only to the Massachusetts mill that Mr. Meikleham’s power of plan and execution have rendered such signal service, but also to this whole north Georgia section he has been a tremendous force of energy and progress.  He is a stanch friend, a fearless foe. He is dependable in friendship, a stanch ally, a princely host, a careful and just discerner, a Cromwell in purpose, beloved and respected by all those who serve under his authority, a man whose comparative youth is brightly illumined with promise, a Virginia gentleman, a man of few words, quick actions and splendid deeds.”
(Source: Georgia Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, VOL II, by Candler & Evans, Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Kim Mohler)

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