Source: Georgia and Florida Biographies [database on-line].
Original Data from Biographical Souvenir of the States of Georgia and Florida,
Containing Biographical Sketches of the Representative Public, and many
Early Settled Families in These States. F. A. Battey & Company, 1889.
Transcribed by S. Lincecum about 2006.
John T. Rawlins, Eastman, Georgia, was born in Pulaski County, that State, January 25, 1848. His parents are Nicholas and Rosa J. (Grimsley) Rawlins, both natives of Georgia. Nicholas Rawlins, a farmer, served two years as tax-collector, (1856-57), eleven years as sheriff (being elected first in 1858), and two terms in the State legislature. During the entire war he held county office. Both he and his wife are still living in Dodge County, aged respectively sixty-two and sixty years, and both are members of the Baptist Church. Their union has been blessed in the birth of nine children, viz: subject, James C., Ashley M., Samuel T., George W., Col. W., Irae Elizabeth, David M. and Joseph B. Ashley M. married Martha Swearengane, and is engaged in farming; Samuel T. died at the age of twenty-three years; George W., farmer, married Drusilla Harmon; Col. W., farmer, married Rosella Rogus; Irae Elizabeth is the wife of Stephen J. Horne, a farmer of Dodge County; David M. married Julia Rogers; Joseph B. died at the age of twelve. All of the living children reside in Dodge County. The paternal grandfather of the subject was John Rawlins, a farmer who died in 1860; his wife died in 1850. The maternal grandfather was John T. Grimsley, who died in 1870, aged sixty-four.
John T. Rawlins was educated in the common schools of his county; began for himself on the farm at the age of eighteen and there remained until 1883, when he was elected sheriff of the county. He has been twice re-elected, his present term expiring January, 1889. He was justice of the peace nearly all his life until 1883, and has been quite successful in business. He enlisted in July, 1864, in a militia company of Pulaski County, and remained until September of that year, when the company was disbanded, and he taken sick, which prevented his returm to the army.
January 28, 1866, he was married to Miss Harriet Dykes, daughter of J. J. and Harriet Dykes, of Pulaski County. To this marriage were born Hattie J., wife of D. W. Floyd, Dodge County; Florence T., wife of J. J. Rozar, ordinary of Dodge County; James B., Lena A., Georgianna, Nicholas C., Vate C. and Minnie. Both parents are members of the Christian Church.
Subject's wife is the eldest of her family. Her brother and sisters are -- Rachel; Eliza, wife of J. B. Tripp, farmer of Pulaski County, and Jacob, who married Winnie Tripp, living in Dodge County. Mr. Rawlins is an honest, faithful, upright and painstaking officer. His continuous service speaks well for a satisfied constituency.