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Georgia Genealogy Trails "Where your Journey Begins" |
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Schley
County, Georgia
Men of Mark in Georgia Volume 2 A.B. Caldwell Publisher 1910 Thomas B. Rainey. Another of the native sons of Georgia who has gained a place of prominence as a member of its bar and who has been distinctively successful as one of the leading lawyers of Buena Vista, the judicial center of Marion County, is Thomas Benajah Rainey, who is one of the influential citizens of this thriving little city and whose personal popularity, as well as his unequivocal eligibility, has been indicated by his election to the office of county superintendent of schools, of which he has been the incumbent since 1904, and by his preferment as mayor of Buena Vista, in which position he is, in 1916, serving his third term, though not in consecutive order. His administration of the affairs of the municipal government has been marked by unqualified civic loyalty and progressiveness and it may well be understood that he is one of the strong and influential citizens of Marion County, where his circle of friends is virtually coincident with that of his acquaintances. Mr. Rainey was born in Schley County, Georgia, on the 6th of October, 1873, and is a son of Reuben M. and Edna D. (Peacock) Rainey, the former of whom was born in Schley County, in October, 1849, and the latter of whom was born in Marion County, in September, 1853, a daughter of Benajah and Eleanor (Thompson) Peacock. Benajah Peacock was born and reared in South Carolina and came as a young man to Georgia, as founder of the branch of the family in this favored commonwealth of the South, his wife having been of Scotch-Irish lineage. Reuben M. Rainey, who was a son of Thomas F. Rainey, became one of the substantial agriculturists and influential citizens of Schley County, and here his death occurred on the 17th of June, 1915. At the time of his demise he was the owner of a valuable landed estate of 600 acres, constituting one of the finest plantations in Schley County, and he was a man whose progressiveness and public spirit made him quietly but effectively influential in community affairs. He was a stalwart in the local camp of the democratic party, was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and was a zealous member of the Baptist Church, as is also his widow, who now maintains her home at Buena Vista. Of their nine children Thomas B., of this review, is next to the eldest; Mary E. is the wife of William E. Barron, of Schley County; Elizabeth is the wife of Robert L. Owens, of that county; Henry Thompson is now a resident of Grayburg, Texas; Charles 0., M. D., was graduated in the Atlanta College of Medicine as a member of the class of 1910 and is now engaged in practice at Palmetto, Campbell County; William Mack is superintendent of schools at Lavonia, Franklin County, and is a graduate of Mercer University; Dr. Boyce Tucker Rainey is engaged in the practice of his profession at Buena Vista and concerning him more specific mention will be made in later paragraphs of this article; and Lucy B., the youngest of the children, is the wife of Henry Wiggins, of Myrtle Springs. Thomas B. Rainey acquired his early education in the public schools at Ellaville, the county seat of Schley County, and in preparation for his chosen profession he entered the law department of Mercer University, in which fine Georgia institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws, with concurrent admission to the bar of his native state. Soon after his graduation Mr. Rainey established his residence in Buena Vista, where his professional labors were initiated and,where he has continued to hold impregnable vantage ground as one of the representative members of the bar of the Chattahoochee Circuit, the while his ability, close application and definite achievement have resulted in his retaining a large and important clientele and involved his appearance in connection with numerous litigated causes of more than local note. In 1904 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and of this important position he has since remained the earnest, circumspect and efficient incumbent, his administration having inured greatly to the benefit of the schools of Marion County. In 1903 further honors were conferred upon Mr. Rainey, in that he was called upon to serve as mayor of Buena Vista, and that the voters of the place were not unmindful of the excellence of his administration of the municipal government at this time was significantly shown by his being again called to the mayor's office in the election of 1914, his present term as chief executive expiring in January, 1916. He has been an influential figure in the councils of the democratic party in his county and has given yeoman service in behalf of its cause, as he is serving as a member of the democratic congressional committee of the Fourth Congressional District of the state. Mr. Rainey is the owner of a well improved farm in Marion County and through its medium has continued an active association with the basic industry of agriculture. He is past chancellor of the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and past master of Few Lodge, No. 329, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a zealous and influential member of the Baptist Church of Buena Vista, in which he holds the office of deacon. In 1899, in Schley County, Mr. Rainey wedded Miss Kittie Tyson, who was there born and reared and who was a member of a highly esteemed family of that county. She was summoned to the life eternal in 1907, and is survived by three children: Irma, who was born November 2, 1900; Allen, who was born December 4, 1902; and Speer, who was born on the 17th of June, 1904. The fourth child, Thomas B., Jr., died at the age of eleven months. On the 19th of May, 1908, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rainey to Miss Inez Hirshburg, who was born at Westport, Decatur County, Indiana, a daughter of Leroy Hirshburg, and who was a resident of Buena Vista, Georgia, at the time of her marriage. Mrs. Rainey is active in church work and is president of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Audrey, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Rainey, was born on the 17th of April, 1915. Boice T. Rainey, M. D., youngest brother of him whose name initiates thia sketch, was born on the 2d of February, 1887, in Schley County, where he was afforded the advantages of the schools of Ellaville. Thereafter he attended the academic or literary department of Mercer University for two years, and he then entered the Atlanta School of Medicine, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1913, with the well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. He is now engaged in successful general practice at Buena Vista, as one of the popular and representative physicians and surgeons of Marion County. He is identified with the American Medical Association, the Georgia State Medical Society and the Marion County Medical Society. His religious faith is that of the Baptist Church and he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Chi Zeta Chi college fraternity. The 2d of August, 1911, recorded the marriage of Doctor Rainey to Miss Imogene Sears, daughter of Dr. William D. and Emma (Battle) Sears, of Ellaville, where they still maintain their home and where Doctor Sears is now living virtually retired from the practice of his profession. Doctor and Mrs. Rainey have one child. A standard history of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight James H. Cheney. Among the leading members of the bar of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit of Georgia James Henry Cheney holds definite vantage-ground, and his prestige has been gained not only through his able activities as an attorney and counselor but also through his meriting and retaining unequivocal popular esteem. With a representative clientele, lie is engaged in the successful practice of his profession at Ellaville, the judicial center of Schley County, and his status as a lawyer and citizen is specially interesting to note by reason of the fact that in his native county he has found an effective field for his endeavors as a member of the bar. Mr. Cheney was born in Schley County on the 11th of December, 1874, and is a son of Dr. Green Cheney and Minnie V. (McKeller) Cheney, the former of whom was born in Lawrence County, this state, and the latter of whom was born at Newberry, South Carolina, a daughter of Dr. John W. McKeller, who came to Georgia and settled in Macon County prior to the Civil war; Doctor McKeller was there engaged in the practice of medicine until after the close of the war and he finally removed to Schley County and established his home on a farm near Ellaville, where he became a successful planter and also held place as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of his day in this county. Prior to the war he had owned an extensive landed estate and many slaves in Macon County, and he was a fine type of the courtly, affable and kindly Southern gentleman of the old regime, generous and tolerant in his judgment and always ready to aid his fellowmen through his professional service and other means. Dr. Green Cheney was reared to manhood in Schley County and became a skilled exponent of the dental profession, in the practice of which he was successfully engaged in Ellaville until the time of his death. He was a stalwart advocate of the cause of the democratic party and was an influential figure in political activities in his native state. At the time of the Civil war he gave eighteen months of service as a valiant soldier of the Confederacy, and after the war he did well his part in bringing about an adjustment of interests during the so-called Reconstruction period. His widow still maintains her home at Ellaville, with inviolable place in the affectionate regard of all who have come within the compass of her gracious influence. Of the four children the eldest is Bessie, who is the wife of Samuel R. Forehand, of Montezuma, Macon County; Miss Minnie, the next in order of birth, likewise resides at Montezuma; William W. is a railroad employe and maintains his residence at Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky; and James H., subject of this review, is the youngest of the children. After fully profiting by the advantages afforded in the excellent public schools of his native county James H. Cheney began reading law, and that his ambition was one of resolute purpose is shown by the fact that he pursued his technical reading without the assistance of a private preceptor and without recourse to any law school. He fortified himself firmly in the science of jurisprudence and in 1902 proved himself eligible for and was admitted to the bar of his native county, upon appearing for examination before Judge William H. Fish, who was then serving on the bench of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit and who is now an associate justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. From the time of his admission to the bar to the present Mr. Cheney has been established in the general practice of his profession at Ellaville, and his ability has been proved in many important cases which he has won in both the criminal and civil departments of practice, his close application and effective work having won to him a prominent place at the bar of the Southwestern Circuit, and eight years of effective service having been given by him in the office of solicitor of the City Courts of Ellaville. He takes a lively interest in community affairs and is unwavering in his resourceful advocacy of the principles for which the democratic party stands sponsor. Though he gives virtually his entire time to his profession he is the owner of a well improved farm near Ellaville and gives to the same a general supervision. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his wife holds membership in the Baptist Church. He finds his chief recreation in occasional hunting and fishing expeditions, as an ardent lover of sports afield and afloat. On the 25th of November, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cheney to Miss Grace Peacock, daughter of C. L. Peacock, a well known citizen of Schley County. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have no children. A standard history of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight John H. Tehrell, M. D. Doctor Terrell is another of the ambitious and self-reliant native sons of Georgia whose steadfast purpose has been one of action and achievement, and he has gained secure vantage-ground as one of the able and representative physicians and surgeons of Stephens County, his residence being in the attractive little City of Toccoa. A standard history of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight Ebenezer J. Hart. By character and achievement Judge Hart has lent dignity and distinction to the bench and bar of his native state and he is not only one of the leading lawyers of Schley County but is also serving as judge of the city courts of Ellaville, the judicial center and metropolis of the county. No citizen of this thriving little city has shown more loyalty and public spirit than Judge Hart, and that this fact has not lacked popular appreciation is shown in his having been called upon to serve three consecutive terms as mayor of Ellaville, his administration having been marked by wise policies and much progressiveness, with the result that it inured greatly to the wellbeing of the city and its people. Judge Ebenezer Joel Hart was born at Americus, Sumter County, Georgia, on the 14th of April, 1867, and is a son of Dr. Aaron T. and Mary E. (Cottle) Hart, the former a native of Warren County and the latter of Lee County, this state. Dr. Aaron T. Hart qualified himself fully for the work of his chosen profession and gained marked success and prestige as one of the able physicians and surgeons of Western Georgia, his original field of practice having been in Sumter County, whence he transferred his residence to Schley County, where he devoted the remainder of his long and useful life to the supervising of his farming interests, which were of somewhat extensive order. Secure in the high regard of all who knew him, Doctor Hart was summoned to the life eternal in 1901, at the age of seventy-four years, his devoted wife having passed away in 1888, at the age of fifty-four years. Of the four children the eldest was Aeolia S., who became the wife of William J. Ross and who was a resident of Schley County at the time of her death; Isaac Solomon is one of the substantial representatives of agricultural enterprise in Schley County; Mary Elizabeth is the wife of George McNeal, of Americus, Sumter County; and Judge Ebenezer J., of this review, was the youngest in order of birth. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of Ellaville Judge Hart prosecuted a course of higher academic study in the Butler Male and Female College, and in preparation for the profession in which he has achieved distinctive success he entered the law department of the University of Georgia, at Athens, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1890, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and with virtually concomitant admission to the bar of his native state. Soon after his graduation Judge Hart established himself in practice at Dawson, the judicial center of Terrell County, where he built up a substantial and important law business and where he continued his activities until 1900, when he removed to Ellaville. Here his success has continued to be on a parity with his recognized ability as a resourceful trial lawyer and well fortified counselor, and he is known as one of the leading members of the bar of the Southwestern judicial circuit, besides which he has effectively proved his ability in the discharge of judicial functions. In August, 1910, Governor Joseph M. Brown appointed him judge of the city courts of Ellaville, and at the expiration of his first term he was reappointed by Governor Slay ton, his present term on the bench expiring in September, 1918. He has shown marked circumspection and fidelity in the discharge of his judicial functions, as evidenced by the fact that he has never had a decision reversed by courts of higher jurisdiction nor had a case appealed to the Supreme Court of the state. Judge Hart is a recognized leader in the local councils of the democratic party and while he has given yeoman service in the furtherance of the party cause there was little of political significance when he was elected to the office of Mayor of Ellaville, in which he served three consecutive terms—1913, 1914 and 1915. His first election was compassed by a two-to-one majority and at his successive re-elections he had no opposing candidate. Popular appreciation of his able service as head of the municipal government was indicated in the overtures made to him to serve a fourth term, an honor which he declined. The judge takes a lively interest in all that touches the civic and material welfare of his home village and county and gives a general supervision to his fine farm of 400 acres, situated about four miles southwest of Ellaville. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and he and his wife, as well as their three eldest children, hold membership in the Misionary Baptist Church. For many years he was a popular teacher in the Sunday school, and he likewise served as Sunday school superintendent at various times. On the 7th of September, 1893, was solemnized the marriage of Judge Hart to Miss Eveline P. Stokes, who was born at Buena Vista, Marion County, and they have five children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here noted: Henry Aaron, January 18, 1898; James Homer, May 17, 1900; Mary Edgar, August 18, 1902; Isaac Solomon, February 29, 1904; and Esther, October 4, 1906. A standard history of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight Walter Kenneth Stewart, M. D. Among the skilled and learned professional men of Worth County who have hearkened to the call of public life. one who is well known to the people of this locality is Dr. Walter Kenneth Stewart, of Sylvester. In his professional capacity as a practitioner of medicine, Doctor Stewart won well-merited success, and at the same time thoroughly established himself in public confidence as a man of sterling worth and capacity, so that in 1914 he was called upon to occupy the position of clerk of the Superior Court, a capacity in which he is acting efficiently at this time. Doctor Stewart was born in Schley County, Georgia, November 15, 1881. and is a son of Peter and Martha Christian (Morrison) Stewart. Peter Stewart was born in Schley County, Georgia, and came of a long line of farming people. so that an inclination for the pursuits of the soil was bred in him. He was brought up in a farming atmosphere and educated in the country schools, among farmers' sons, so that it was but natural that he should adopt agricultural work when he reached man's estate. He was a lad of nineteen years when the war broke out that cost the best blood of the Southland, and he was one of the first in his county to offer his services to the recruiting officer for service under the flag of the Confederacy. He was accepted, served four years as a private in a Georgia infantry regiment, participated in numerous battles in which he conducted himself as a courageous and faithful soldier, and when the war closed received his discharge and returned to the peaceful pursuits of the farm. Subsequently, through a long career of industry and earnest endeavor, he succeeded in accumulating a comfortable property, so that at this time he is living in quiet retirement at Sylvester, being now seventy-four years of age. Mrs. Stewart died in 1897, aged thirty-eight years. Like her husband she was a native of Schley County, and also like him had the unqualified esteem and respect of those among whom her life was passed. Peter and Martha C. Stewart were the parents of seven children, of whom Walter K. was the fourth in order of birth. The early education of Walter Kenneth Stewart was secured in Schley County, where he attended the Concord School, in the country, and this early training was supplemented by a course at Sparks Collegiate Institute, at Sumner, Georgia. After some further preparation he enrolled as a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Atlanta, where he was duly graduated with his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1907. He began his practice at Poulan, a town located east of Sylvester, but after two years in that community decided to seek a broader field for the exposition of his talents, and accordingly came to Sylvester, where he soon began to enjoy a large and lucrative professional business. Doctor Stewart devoted himself unswervingly to his practice until 1914. in which year he was elected to the office of clerk of the Superior Court of Worth County, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of that position in 1915. He has shown himself a progressive, energetic and eminently efficient public servant, with much executive capacity. His service has been entirely satisfactory to the people of the county. Doctor Stewart still attends to his practice, and continues to be known as a skilled practitioner and careful, steady-handed surgeon. He spends much of his time in study, and keeps abreast of the advancements being made in the profession, holding membership in the Worth County Medical Society, of which he was formerly secretary, and the Georgia State Medical Society. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, while his religious connection is with the Baptist Church. Since attaining his majority he has been a standi supporter of the democratic party. Doctor Stewart has been for some years interested in agricultural affairs, and at the present time is the owner of a fine farm in Worth County, which is being occupied by tenants. On June 10, 1915, Doctor Stewart was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Irvin Harris, of Wrightsville, Georgia, daughter of Dr. T. L. Harris, of Wrightsville, a well-known medical practitioner and Baptist minister. A standard history of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight James H. Cheney. Among the leading members of the bar of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit of Georgia James Henry Cheney holds definite vantage-ground, and his prestige has been gained not only through his able activities as an attorney and counselor but also through his meriting and retaining unequivocal popular esteem. With a representative clientele, lie is engaged in the successful practice of his profession at Ellaville, the judicial center of Schley County, and his status as a lawyer and citizen is specially interesting to note by reason of the fact that in his native county he has found an effective field for his endeavors as a member of the bar. Mr. Cheney was born in Schley County on the 11th of December, 1874, and is a son of Dr. Green Cheney and Minnie V. (McKeller) Cheney, the former of whom was born in Lawrence County, this state, and the latter of whom was born at Newberry, South Carolina, a daughter of Dr. John W. McKeller, who came to Georgia and settled in Macon County prior to the Civil war; Doctor McKeller was there engaged in the practice of medicine until after the close of the war and he finally removed to Schley County and established his home on a farm near Ellaville, where he became a successful planter and also held place as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of his day in this county. Prior to the war he had owned an extensive landed estate and many slaves in Macon County, and he was a fine type of the courtly, affable and kindly Southern gentleman of the old regime, generous and tolerant in his judgment and always ready to aid his fellowmen through his professional service and other means. Dr. Green Cheney was reared to manhood in Schley County and became a skilled exponent of the dental profession, in the practice of which he was successfully engaged in Ellaville until the time of his death. He was a stalwart advocate of the cause of the democratic party and was an influential figure in political activities in his native state. At the time of the Civil war he gave eighteen months of service as a valiant soldier of the Confederacy, and after the war he did well his part in bringing about an adjustment of interests during the so-called Reconstruction period. His widow still maintains her home at Ellaville, with inviolable place in the affectionate regard of al! who have come within the compass of her gracious influence. Of the four children the eldest is Bessie, who is the wife of Samuel R. Forehand, of Montezuma, Macon County; Miss Minnie, the next in order of birth, likewise resides at Montezuma; William W. is a railroad employe and maintains his residence at Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky; and James H., subject of this review, is the youngest of the children. After fully profiting by the advantages afforded in the excellent public schools of his native county James H. Cheney began reading law, and that his ambition was one of resolute purpose is shown by the fact that he pursued his technical reading without the assistance of a private preceptor and without recourse to any law school. He fortified himself firmly in the science of jurisprudence and in 1902 proved himself eligible for and was admitted to the bar of his native county, upon appearing for examination before Judge William H. Fish, who was then serving on the bench of the Southwestern Judicial Circuit and who is now an associate justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. From the time of his admission to the bar to the present Mr. Cheney has been established in the general practice of his profession at Ellaville, and his ability has been proved in many important cases which he has won in both the criminal and civil departments of practice, his close application and effective work having won to him a prominent place at the bar of the Southwestern Circuit, and eight years of effective service having been given by him in the office of solicitor of the City Courts of Ellaville. He takes a lively interest in community affairs and is unwavering in his resourceful advocacy of the principles for which the democratic party stands sponsor. Though he gives virtually his entire time to his profession he is the owner of a well improved farm near Ellaville and gives to the same a general supervision. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his wife holds membership in the Baptist Church. He finds his chief recreation in occasional hunting and fishing expeditions, as an ardent lover of sports afield and afloat. On the 25th of November, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cheney to Miss Grace Peacock, daughter of C. L. Peacock, a well known citizen of Schley County. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney have no children. A standard history of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6 By Lucian Lamar Knight Hudson, Thomas G., of Atlanta, is the incumbent of the important office of commissioner of agriculture of the State of Georgia, and has given a most discriminating and able administration. He was born in Schley county, Ga., Nov. 3, 1867, and is a son of John N. and Amanda M. Hudson, the former of whom was born in Laurens county, Ga., in April, 1832, and the latter was born in Monroe county, in November of the same year. John N. Hudson served several years as county school commissioner of Schley county and was elected to the state senate in 1878, serving one term. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of Company B, Seventeenth Georgia infantry, in which he held the office of chaplain. Thomas G. Hudson has been identified with agricultural pursuits from his youth to the present, having received his educational discipline in the schools of Schley county and in the South Georgia male and female college at Dawson. He is the owner of a valuable landed estate in Schley county and is one of the most able and progressive representatives of the agricultural industry in the state. In politics he is an uncompromising adherent of the Democratic party, and he has been accorded distinctive marks of popular confidence and esteem. He represented his county in the lower house of the state legislature in 1892-3, in the senate 1896-7, and again in 1902-3 and 4. On Aug. 1, 1905, Gov. Joseph M. Terrell appointed him to his present office, that of state commissioner of agriculture. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church South. On Nov. 5, 1889, Mr. Hudson was united in marriage to Miss Katie Royal, daughter of Thomas and Josephine (Baisden) Royal, of Schley county, and they have two children – Charles Baisden, and Gertrude. (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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