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Georgia Genealogy Trails "Where your Journey Begins" |
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Turner
County,
Georgia TURNER COUNTY
GEORGIA
HISTORY THE CREATION OF TURNER COUNTY
By an Act of the Georgia Legislature and by a two-third vote of the people, the Constitution of Georgia was so amended that new counties could be created. Turner County was the first county created under the new law. Turner County was taken from Wilcox, Irwin, Dooly, and Worth, and Ashburn named as the county site and began to function as a separate county in 1906. Turner County was named in honor of Henry G. Turner. Congressional Districts.
Turner County was in the Second Congressional District from January 1,1906, until August 19,1911. (Acts 1905, page 63). From August 19, 1911, until the present time in Third Con-gressional District. (Acts 1911, page 146). Senatorial Districts.
Turner County was from August 18, 1906, until November 5,1918, in the Tenth Senatorial District. Then from November 5, 1918, until the present time has been in the Forty-seventh Senatorial District. Superior Court Transfers.
Turner County was in the Albany Circuit from January 1, 1906, until January 1,1917. Then the Tifton Circuit from January 1,1917, until the present time. (Acts 1905, page 63 and Acts 1916, page 62). First Turner County Grand Jury,
1906.
E. R. Smith, Foreman; A. L. Hobby, J. H. Allen, W. L. Story, E. F. Mullens, A. Fountain, C. E. Walker, J. L. Evans, A. A. Johnson, G. W. Turner, G. W. Cooper, R. Paulk, J. J. Mimms, C. W. Evans, T. D. Mashburn, J. W. Hobby, G. R. Wamble, B. F. Rainey, W. A. Story, D. J. Branch, W. 0. McNair, J. C. Durham, M. B.Raiford. Among the recommendations in their presentment we note the following: That a court-house be built in the most convenient location available to the depot. The selection of the site was left to the wisdom of W. A. Greer, Ordinary. That a bill be introduced in the Legislature to repeal the City Court of Ashburn and to establish a County Court and recommended that W. A. Hawkins be appointed judge at a salary of $400.00 per annum. That bonds be issued to build a court-house and jail and not to exceed $60,000. The present site was selected and the present court-house and jail were completed in 1907. Churches.
In number of churches in Turner, the Methodist and Baptist predominate. The Primitive Baptist are also quite numerous and have several churches in and near Turner County. The Wesley an Methodist have a thriving church in Ashburn. The Free well Baptist have several churches in or near Turner County. Automobile Business.
Turner County has agencies or motor companies that represent the leading automobiles of the country, with ample service stations, all conveniently located. The paved highway leading through Turner County is connected to a fair system or net work of public roads throughout the county. Agriculture.
Turner County is considered a section where diversified fanning is fairly well practiced. Cotton, corn and peanuts are the principal crops. Many pecan groves are scattered over the county. County Treasurers.
J. H. Gorday, 1906-8. E. T. Clarke, 1908-10. J. H. Allen, 1910-12. Perry Hamans, 1912-14. Hammie Moore, 1914-18. The office was discontinued in 1918. Members of the County Board of Education. B. E. Smith, 1906-10. J. W. Brown, 1906-10. H. B. Enninger, Jr., 1906-10. J. D. Foster, 1906-10. O. A. Bozeman, 1906-10. O. A. Bozeman, 1910-14. J. J. Davis, 1910-14. J. B. Hardy, 1910-14. S. W. Brown, 1910-14. J. R. Brock, 1910-14. D. C. Rainey, 1914-18. A. S. Bussey, 1914-18. F. H. Taylor, 1914-18. J. B. Hardy, 1914-18. G. A. Owens, 1914-18. W. J. Dixon, 1918-22. G. A. Owens, 1918-22. Perry Hamans, 1918-22. Allen Owens, 1918-22. Archie Fountain, 1918-22. R. L. Betts, 1922-26. Perry Hamans, 1922-26. G. A. Owens, 1922-26. W. J. Dixon, 1922-26. Allen Owens, 1922-26. G. A. Owens, 1926-30. R L. Betts, 1926-30. Allen Owens, 1926-30. J. B. Pate, 1926-30. G. D. Whiddon, 1926-30. G. A. Owens, 1930-34. P. D. Whiddon, 1930-34. R. D. Rawlins, 1930-34. W. T. Humphries, 1931-34. H. C. Williams, 1931-34. Representatives to the Legislature. J. W. Sumner, 1907-8. J. W. Henderson, 1908-12. Lott Warren, 1912-14. John B. Hutcheson, 1914-16. J. H. Gilmore, 1916-18. Lott Warren, 1918-20. D. J. Branch, 1920-24. J. H. Pate, 1924-28. G. C. Owens, 1928-30. R. Paulk, 1930-32. C.Z. Harden, 1932-34. Senators. J. S. Shingler, 1916-18. J. H. Adams, 1922-24. R. Paulk, 1928-30. Probation Officers. Joe McHancock, 1917-25. J. N. Raines, 1925-29. Joe McHancock, 1929-33. Judge of the Juvenile Court. Joe McHancock, 1929-35 Jury Commissioners. B. A. Brown, 1907-8. W. K. Jenkins, 1906-8. J. B. Chandler, 1906-10. J. S. Geoghagan, 1906-10. A. L. Hobby, 1906-12. J. W. Henderson, 1906-12. W. K. Jenkins, 1908-14. B. A. Brown, 1908-14. W. F. Wardlaw, 1910-16. J. M. Roberts, 1910-16. T. B. Davis, 1912-18. J. M. Rainey, 1912-18. M. S. Cantey, 1914-20. A. J. Davis, 1906. J. L. Bass, 1906. Elbert Paulk, 1906-11. W. T. Wuliams, 1921-24. A. J. Davis, 1921-24. J. L. Bass, 1921-24. W. T. Williams, 1925-27. G. F. Durham, 1925-27. Archie Fountain, 1916-22. W. F. Wardlaw, 1916-22. R. W. Clements, 1916-22. J. C. McKenzie, 1920-24. C. E. Thrasher, 1922-24. J. B. Pate, 1924-28. R. W. Clements, 1924-28. Registrars. J. J. Davis, 1925-30. W. D. Simmons, 1925-30. W. A. Murray, 1925-80. J. W. Henderson, 1930-35. R. W. Clements, 1930-35. J. B. Pate, 1930-35. C. E. Thrasher, 1925-27. G. A. Mot calf, 1925-30. J. B. Chandler, 1928-30. John S. Johnson, 1928-30. R. L. Tipton, 1929-30. G. A. Metcalf, 1930-32. A. J. Davis, 1930-32. Clyde Young, 1930-32. Tax Equalizers. Sycamore District; Archie Fountain, 1906. Edwin Smith, Jr., 1906. W. L. Williford, 1906. Amboy District: H. H. Pitts, 1906. D. L. Rainey, 1906. Bennett Pate, 1906. Clements District: G. G. NeSmith, 1906. B. T. Mauldin, 1906. W. D. Ross, 1906. Rebecca District: J. M. Rainey, 1906. W. M. Hogans, 1906. F. H. Taylor, 1906. Ashburn District: C. W. Evans, 1906. J. H. Gilmore, 1906. J. R. Brown, 1906. Hobby District: J. D. Hobby, 1906. J. R. Sheppard, 1906. James Lumpkin, 1906. Dakota District: Willis Odom, 1906. Alex Hemdon, 1906. Tax Assessors from 1913. W. K. Jenkins, 1914-20. M. J. Gibbs, 1922-27. B. E. Smith, 1914-18. B. K Reeves, 1925-29. D. H. Davis, 1914-16. W. K. Jenkins, 1926-29. J. L. Hobby, 1916-21. J. L. Fields, 192S-3S. H. P. Tilley, 1918-22. D. A. Stewart, 1929-34. W. K. Jenkins, 1920-25. B. K. Reeves, 1931-36. Judges of the Superior Court. E. N. Spence, 1906-9. E. E. Cox, 1914-16. Frank Park, 1909-13. R. Eve, 1916 till present. Solicitor Generals of the Superior Court. W. E. Wootten, 1906-13. R. S. Foy, 1916-31. R. C. Bell, 1913-16. Forehand, 1932. Clerks of the Superior Court. C L. Royal, 1906-8. B. H. Cockrel, deputy, 1909-16. B. H. Cockrell, deputy. C. V. Perry, deputy, 1916-25. R. Baulk, 1909-25. Arthur Smith, 1925 till present. City Court Judges. W. A. Hawkins, 1906-9. R. L. Tipton, 1909-25. City Court Solicitors. J. A. Comer, 1906-10. E. A. Rogers, 1919-25. E. A. Rogers, 1910-14. J. H. Pate, 1914-18 In 1925 the city court was discontinued. Sheriffs. John B. Cason, 1906-12. John A. King, 1912-14. 0. B. Jarmon, 1915-25. G. E. Rinehart, 1925-28. AJex Story, 1929. Ordinaries. W. A. Greer, 1906-9. E. T. Clarke, 1925-29. Joe McHancock, deputy. J. N. Raines, deputy. Joe McHancock, 1909-25. Joe McHancock, 1929-1933. Tax Receivers. V. A. Freeman, 1906-8. O. H. Howard, 1945-28. J. F. Spradley, 1909-25. Tax Collectors. T. E. Brown, 1906-10. R. H. Johnson, 1920-29. E. Y. Paulk, 1911-20. Tax Commissioners. O. H. Howard, 1929-32. R. H. Johnson, 1932. County Commissioners. W. A. Greer, acting commissioner, 1906-8. Joe McHancock, deputy Board of Commissioners. From 1908-1910. D. H. Davis, Chairman. Ben Cravey J. H. Gflmore W. T. Williams, Clerk From 1910-1912 J. H. Gilmore, Chairman Ben Cravey H. Burdette W. T. Williams, Clerk From 1912-1914 R. L. Betts, Chairman Ben Cravey H. Burdette W. T. Williams, Clerk From 1914-1918. W. A. Greer, Chairman J. O. White H. Burdette B. H. Cockrel, Clerk From 1918-1929. Commissioners were discontinued in 1918. From 1918-1925. Joe McHancock, ordinary, became acting commissioner. S. Y. Hancock, deputy, From 1925-1929. E. T. Clark, ordinary, acting commissioner. J. N. Raines, deputy, Board of Commissioners re-established in 1928 as follows: R. L. McNair, Chairman J. W. McCall J. N. Coker The same board was re-elected in 1930, without opposition. R. L. McNair, Chairman J. W. McCall J. N. Coker County School Superintendents. F. H. TayJor, 1906-10. D. A. Stewart, 1917-25. J. T. Moore, 1910-13. Nina Cox, 1925-33. Judson Johnson, 1913-17. Lawyers who are Practicing or
have Practiced in Turner County.
J. A. Comer, first city court solicitor, reared in Tennessee and finished his education in the Houston High School at Arabi. A. J. Davis, educated at Ashburn and Mercer University, was formerly Judge of the County Court of Worth. J. J. Story, educated at Ashburn, Emory and Mercer. Clerk of City Council and Manager of the Pearsons, Taft Company. James H. Pate, educated in the Houston High School, North Georgia Military College and Mercer University. Was Solicitor of the City Court and represented his county in the Legislature. E. A. Rogers, educated at Emory University, was City Court Solicitor for many years. R. L. Tipton, educated at Sylvester and Mercer University, was Judge of the City Court for quite a number of years. W. T. Williams, now deceased, was a practicing attorney and was Clerk for the Commissioners of Roads and Revenues for a number of years. John B. Hutcheson, Judge of the Stone Mountain Circuit, practiced law in Ashburn and represented the county in the Legislature. W. A. Hawkins was the first Judge of the City Court of Ashburn. The following list of Turner County boys once practiced law in Ashburn; A. S. Bussey was educated at Sycamore and other schools; J. H. Adams, educated at Sycamore and Mercer University, served this district as State Senator; Wayland Hardy, educated at Mercer University; Z. Bass who was largely self educated. The above are living and practicing law in different places, several in Florida. Three more once practicing law here were Ben White, John C. Powell and Mr. Aaron. Physicians Who Have Practiced in
Turner County.
R. C. Smith, W. L. Story, T. W. Tison, T. H. Thrasher, C. E. Walker, W. J. Turner, J. T. Dickey, W. W. Terrell, J. H. Baxter, H. W. Harris, W. A. Harrison, J. T. Moore, H. M. Belflower, L. S. Stephens, W. W. Rutland, W. H. Houston, J. W. McElroy, D. P. Luke, G. R. Luke, J. F. Covington, R. P. Adams, J. W. Bradley, F. W. Rogers, W. J. Dickson, Archie Griffin, R. D. Rawlins. W. G. McKenzie, Waller, Johnson, C. W. Gardner and Mark Anthony also practiced here at one time. Dentists Who Practiced in Turner
County.
W. M. Thornton, G. W. Cooper, James E. Paulk, H. P. Baugh, W. H. Hansard, A. S. Sanders and Doctors Ellis and Cone. Unveiling of Pate Memorial.
The life of William Pate, Revolutionary soldier, patriot and pioneer preacher, was memorialized Sunday afternoon, January 20, 1927, when a beautiful stone erected near Amboy to his memory under the auspices of the Knox Conway Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was unveiled with impressive exercises. These exercises brought to a beautiful culmination one of the notable projects this patriotic body has undertaken since their organization two years ago. One of their aims is to seek out and do honor to the Revolutionary heroes, where no honor has been given. Early in their organization, they found the grave of William Pate, where he had been buried years ago. The spot at that time was an important one, on a prominent highway, but as years passed by, and the country built up, the land passed into other hands, and the spot had naturally been neglected. Mrs. J. A. Ewing, regent of the chairman, and Mrs. L. W. Green, chairman of marking historic spots, have labored unselfishly and unceasingly at this work from beginning to end. The government at their request sent a marker, while relatives contributed and erected a beautiful granite monument to memorialize their departed kinsman. The appropriate and touching exercises were largely attended by people from Turner and adjoining counties with the following exercises: Invocation—Mrs- Ola Jackson, Chaplain. Song—Star Spangled Banner, led by Mrs. Annelle Murphy. Taps—Russell Hudson. Unveiling by Misses Vara and Erline Pate, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Pate and Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Pate and Masters Pate Williams and Harold Williams, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Williams of Cordele. We have kept the faith—Mrs. John A. Ewing, Regent. An appreciation—Mrs. L. W. Green, Chairman of Marking Historic Spots. Address—Rev. John Ben Pate. Song—America. Benediction—Mrs. K. P. Baker. Source: History of Turner County. Atlanta, Ga.: Pate, John Ben.. Stein Print. Co., 1933.  |