Tombstone Tuesday: James A. Fortner (1845-1911)

James A. Fortner
2nd Lieut Co H 10 GA Inf
Confederate States Army
1845-1911

James Fortner soldiered with the Wilcox County Rifles.  He was buried in
Fortner Cemetery; Parrish, Florida.

Photo submitted by Benny P. Haimovitz to Wilcox Co GAGenWeb in
2005.

Rosser Adams Wilson, a Biographical Sketch

From Memoirs of Georgia, Volume II by The Southern Historical Association, 1895.
Transcribed by S. Lincecum 2004.

Rosser Adams WILSON, saw-mill proprietor, Reidsfield, Wilcox Co., Ga., was born at Eatonton, one of the most beautiful and aristocratic towns of central Georgia, Aug. 3, 1859. His father, William A. Wilson, is an eminently successful teacher, having had charge of the Eatonton high school for a number of years, and from there was called to the presidency of Furlow Female college at Americus, Ga. He was a soldier of the late war and was captain of a company in a Georgia regiment. The people of Sumter county have honored him with their suffrages at several different times as their representative and he is now president pro tem. of the state senate. Mr. Wilson received a good academic education and has made practical use of it in the mercantile and saw-milling business. Prior to 1891 he was located at Leslie, Ga., whence he moved to Reidsfield, on the A. & W., in Wilcox county, where he is at present engaged in business. As a business man he has been very successful; his methods being such as to keep him entirely unencumbered - something somewhat unique among country merchants. In June, 1878, Mr. Wilson consummated a marriage with Miss Cora B., daughter of J. W. Bailey, a successful and prosperous planter of Sumter county. His talent for business and his decision of character have given him a position of influence in the county of his adoption, which he uses with rare judgement.

E. H. Williams, a Biographical Sketch

From Memoirs of Georgia, Volume II by The Southern Historical Association, 1895.
Transcribed by S. Lincecum 2004.

E. H. WILLIAMS, attorney-at-law, Abbeville, Wilcox Co., Ga., is the eldest of six children born to Dr. Charles Williams, who was a physician of Georgetown, S.C., and who died in 1863. Edward Herbert was born April 19, 1854. Although the school period of his life was interrupted by the war and the disturbed condition of affairs immediately following the event, he succeeded in securing an academic education. Choosing the law for a profession he began its study under Richard Dozier, Esq., and subsequently with Joseph H. Earl, attorney-general of the state. He was admitted to the bar in his native state, and practiced at Lake City and Kingstreet until 1887, when he located at Abbeville. Prior to and since his admission to the bar Mr. Williams taught school in several different states. Since his coming to Abbeville he has made an earnest and patriotic citizen, serving as mayor of the town, and increasing the membership of the Abbeville guards, of which excellent military organization he is now captain. In 1892 Mr. Williams became a member by marriage of an influential Abbeville family, being happily wedded to Miss Laura, daughter of Maj. A. A. F. Reid. Two beautiful children are inmates of their home: Belle Reid and Martha Lovel. The character of Mr. Williams' citizenship has been such since his location in Abbeville as to cause the inhabitants of that bailiwick to feel indebted to his native state. Georgia needs such timber.

Dr. Joseph D. Maynard, a Biographical Sketch

From Memoirs of Georgia, Volume II by The Southern Historical Association, 1895.
Transcribed by S. Lincecum 2004

Dr. Joseph D. MAYNARD, physician and surgeon, Abbeville, Wilcox Co., Ga., was born in Jones county, Ga., Dec. 26, 1856. He is the son of Sanford B. Maynard, who was native of Edgefield district, S.C., whence he moved to Georgia. By occupation a planter, and a most successful one, highly esteemed and kindly regarded in the county where he lived, he died in 1868. Dr. Maynard was educated at Tremble institute, Winchester, Tenn. In 1882 he matriculated at Atlanta Medical college and was graduated in 1883. He was enabled to do this by reason of having read medicine for several years previously under a preceptor. He then supplemented his course in Atlanta college with a short one at Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., and then entered actively on the practice of his profession at Tallapoosa, Ga. After one year he removed to Abbeville, where he has since resided. When he removed to Wilcox county there were only three physicians within its limits, making a large territory to be covered by each. On April 11, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie May, daughter of William M. Shephard, at that time a resident of Atlanta, subsequently moved to Savannah. Dr. and Mrs. Maynard are the parents of two very bright and beautiful little girls, the elder of whom, Lillie May, is eight, and the younger, Jessie Myrtle, six years of age. Dr. Maynard is a blue lodge Mason, and exemplifies in his life the teachings of that noble fraternity. He is prominently identified with the railroad interests of his section, being surgeon for the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery railway, of which he is a director; and projector and president of the Waycross & Abbeville railway.

Hon. Thomas L. Holton, a Biographical Sketch

From Memoirs of Georgia, Volume II by The Southern Historical Association, 1895
Transcribed by S. Lincecum 2004

Hon. Thomas L. HOLTON, judge of the county court of Wilcox county, Abbeville, Ga., and a lawyer of excellent practice and ability, graduated from the state university of Georgia, law department, in 1889, since which time he has been actively engaged at Abbeville. His father, John R. Holton, was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1874. Thomas L. Holton was born Jan. 9, 1867, in Appling county, Ga. Like many of our leading professional men, he passed his boyhood on the farm, receiving the ordinary common school education. He entered the university in 1888 and graduated with honor the following year as stated above. Six years of faithful and painstaking service at the bar have placed Judge Holton in the front rank of his profession. He was appointed judge of the county court Oct. 1, 1893, and holds the office acceptably to both clients and attorneys. Judge Holton took something better than a diploma from Athens, Ga., having carried away one of her fairest daughters, Miss Ida Haudrup. Their nuptials were celebrated in October following his graduation, since which time two lovely children have come to brighten their home: Winnie was born Dec. 22, 1891, and William Cecil, born Nov. 13, 1893. Judge Holton is a stanch democrat.

Dr. Duncan F. M'Crimmon, a Biographical Sketch

From Memoirs of Georgia, Volume II by The Southern Historical Association, 1895
Transcribed by S. Lincecum 2004

Dr. Duncan F. M'CRIMMON, physician and surgeon, Rochelle, Wilcox Co., Ga. The grandparents of this gentleman were of Scotch descent, an earlier member of the family having migrated from Scotland to North Carolina. Braving the ills and discomforts attendant on pioneer life, they emigrated to Georgia, being among the earliest settlers of the state. These members of the family were marked by that strong individuality so often found in pioneer settlers of the states of America. The father of Dr. McCrimmon was a farmer by occupation, and was held in high regard by the people of his county, who honored him by several terms in both branches of the legislature, where he performed the duties devolving upon him most faithfully. Dr. Duncan F. McCrimmon is a native of Montgomery county, Ga., and was born May 15, 1837. After receiving a common English education in 1859 he entered the Atlanta Medical college as a student of medicine. He finished one course and then spent a year at the Oglethorpe Medical college at Savannah, where he was graduated in 1860. After leaving school he located on House creek in Wilcox County. In 1862, entering the Forty-ninth Georgia regiment, he was detailed as physician for the counties of Wilcox and Irwin. In this capacity he served during the war, and remained at House Creek, where he had a very large practice, until 1890, when he removed to Rochelle. He was married in 1864 to Miss Rebecca Wilcox, daughter of Capt. T. L. Wilcox. To them have been born the following children: Charles L., railroad contractor, in Florida; Louis B., farmer; Hattie, wife of E. L. Revere, Rochelle; Duncan, Julia and Sallie, at home. Dr. McCrimmon was a member of the constitutional convention of 1877. In 1892 he was chosen by the people of his county to represent them in the general assembly, and while serving in that body was a member of the following committees: Agriculture, hygiene and sanitary, lunatic asylum and penitentiary. He is a member of Rochelle lodge, F. and A. M., No. 270, and of the Hawkinsville chapter. Prominent in politics, and a most successful physician, he stands among the foremost people of the place in which he lives.

John C. Ausley, a Biographical Sketch

From Memoirs of Georgia, Volume II by The Southern Historical Association, 1895.
Transcribed by S. Lincecum 2004.

John C. AUSLEY, planter and turpentine farmer, Pitts, Wilcox Co., Ga., is the son of Merritt Ausley, deceased, and was born in Robinson county, N.C., Dec. 2, 1848. His opportunities for a good education were very limited, but having been endowed with more than the ordinary amount of good hard sense and a natural bent for business, he has by right use of his talents, won his way to success. From the close of the civil war until he left his native state he was engaged in the manufacture of naval stores. He came to Georgia in 1887 and located in Wilcox County. One of the most enterprising citizens of the county, he runs three turpentine stills, and is also extensively engaged in farming. He belongs to the masonic fraternity. He was joined in marriage in 1875 to Miss Mary McCaskill of South Carolina. Three sons and one daughter constitute their flock: Thomas Allen, seventeen years of age, and a graduate of a business college at Atlanta; Charles Merritt, fifteen years; Nannie Gertrude, thriteen years of age, and Calvin K. C., ten years of age. Mr. Ausley is one of the solid men of his county and deserves the success which his energy and business ability have brought him.

James F. Nelson, a Biographical Sketch

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 2006.

James F. Nelson was born in Twiggs County, Ga, August 30, 1833. His family is of English extraction, being related to the late Lord Nelson, who fought and put to rout "all the might of Denmark's crown." His grandfather was a native of Virginia, but settled with his family at an early day in Georgia. Alfred Nelson was our subject's father. He was born in Virginia, but reared in Georgia, where he was a planter all his life. Mr. Nelson's mother was a Miss Jenkins before marriage, her christian name Mary, and she was a daughter of William Jenkins, a successful planter of Houston County, Ga. His brothers and sisters are: John Nelson, planter of Pulaski County, Ga; Martin, a lumberman of Houston County, Ga; Margaret, wife of N. C. Greer, of Brunswick, Ga; Rebecca M., wife of Columbus Mitchell, sheriff of Wilcox County, Ga; Caroline S., wife of Columbus; Murray, a planter of Coffee County, Ga; Fannie Pugh, widow. Mr. Nelson received a common-school education in Perry, Houston County, Ga, and finished by taking an academical course at Holly Springs, Ga. On quitting the latter place he began teaching, and followed this successfully for a number of years, first in Houston County then at Midway, and then at Dawson. He gave up teaching in 1868, and embarked in the general mercantile business, which he followed for one year at Dawson, and moved in 1870 to Brunswick, Ga, where he continued in the same business for the period of twelve years. At the end of that time he closed out his mercantile interests and in connection with his sons built the Ocean Hotel at that place, then the largest hotel in the city. He was interested in the management of this house for some time, but afterward sold out, and, on account of his failing health, moved to Florida and located in Orlando. During his residence in Brunswick he was for six years an alderman of the city, for four years mayor, and for five years clerk and treasurer, and on leaving there the city council presented him with a beautiful golden crowned staff in grateful remembrance of his faithful services while filling these various offices. Mr. Nelson married Miss Martha Ann Summerford, daughter of William Summerford, planter of Dooly County, Ga. To this union have been born four children: Annie May, wife of H. H. Dickson, of Orlando, Fla; Eugene A., of Brunswick, Ga,...; James F., Jr., conductor on the B. & W. R.R., and William H., in the printing business in New York city. Mr. Nelson is a Mason and a zealous member of the Baptist Church.

Wilcox County Deaths

Compiled by Stephanie Lincecum
Last Update: 2004

AKINS, Mrs. Sarah	October 1876	-
ALLEN, James W.	22 July 1946	73
ALLEN, Susie	17 March 1951	52
ANDERSON, Adam	7 August 1948	58
ANDERSON, Willie W.	26 January 1952	67
ARMOUR, James	26 February 1951	55
ASH, Thomas C.	29 April 1949	68
AUSTIN, Lula	3 November 1947	80
BAKER, Minnie L.	12 January 1952	78
BAKER, William H.	26 July 1950	76
BALL, Patsy L.	13 August 1946	81
BANKS, Frank	31 October 1952	69
BANKS, Wes	2 March 1948	67
BAREFOOT, John P.	1 April 1951	80
BARFIELD, Charlie M.	6 January 1948	71
BARKER, Carrie	30 August 1948	54
BARNES, Jane	4 December 1952	90
BATTLE, Charlie	3 December 1947	68
BEALL, William R.	22 November 1950	77
BENNETT, Ida E.	23 October 1948	71
BENNETT, Walter A.	19 March 1950	81
BENTON, Archie	26 January 1950	68
BETTINGFIELD, Henry	25 August 1946	50
BISHOP, William	5 January 1947	73
BIVINS, Addie	14 February 1948	51
BLIZARD, William C.	7 June 1946	58
BOHANNON, Robert L.	20 October 1947	81
BOSWELL, Maggie J.	25 February 1951	69
BOWMAN, Emma F.	23 May 1952	75
BOZEMAN, Ella	8 August 1947	94
BRAZIEL, Lula W.	21 October 1949	78
BRAZIEL, Robert G.	20 December 1949	80
BRITT, Fannie	21 August 1952	60
BROWN, Gussie	26 February 1948	56
BROWN, Henry L.	5 april 1951	56
BROWN, Launa F.	9 April 1949	71
BROWN, Madison D.	11 July 1948	88
BROWNLEE, Leonia H.	28 August 1949	61
BUICE, Abraham	27 March 1951	63
BULLINGTON, Annie L.	12 March 1949	55
BULLINGTON, David O.	12 May 1949	57
BURCH, Sallie	10 May 1948	64
CALDWELL, Julia W.	12 October 1948	71
CALEY, Sallie	30 September 1950	71
CALHOUN, Eddie	11 March 1948	67
CALHOUN, John T.	18 December 1949	77
CANADY, William K.	21 October 1947	74
CANNON, Lola W.	26 July 1951	80
CATO, Martha E.	12 January 1951	80
CHANCELLOR, Nancy	16 January 1948	77
CHAPMAN, William S.	29 August 1951	94
CLARK, Ruth L.	30 April 1949	73
COLEMAN, Jane W.	4 July 1949	92
COLEMAN, John R.	18 April 1950	68
COLEMAN, Robert L.	3 August 1949	63
COLEY, Lillie D.	8 November 1950	77
CONEY, Cefus	2 March 1949	58
CONGRESS, Julia	13 August 1948	62
CONNER, Norman M.	24 March 1950	81
COOK, John B.	6 July 1951	81
COOKS, Fannie	29 October 1952	72
CRENSHAW, Martha M.	24 May 1947	71
CROMER, James O.	30 July 1950	76
CROSBY, Leila	19 January 1948	72
CROUCH, Thomas C.	18 May 1952	67
CROZIER, Vinnie C.	1 March 1949	74
CRUMBLEY, Robert L.	5 February 1946	71
CURRY, Berry	2 May 1949	76
DANIEL, Georgia A.	24 June 1946	49
DANIELS, James S.	21 January 1948	74
DANIELS, Rosa	30 June 1948	68
DAVIS, Julia	20 July 1948	51
DELOACH, Eva C.	2 December 1950	71
DENMARK, Will	22 August 1948	54
DORSEY, Amelia P.	16 October 1951	82
DOSTER, Calvin	12 June 1948	73
DOSTER, M. G.	10 May 1950	67
DOWDY, Winnie W.	27 November 1947	76
DOZIER, Martha	28 May 1946	84
DREW, Bryant H.	23 May 1947	67
DUNAWAY, Eugene P.	22 November 1950	79
ELLIS, S. B.	8 October 1949	64
FAIR, George	2 February 1949	64
FAIRCLOTH, Henry	25 February 1946	97
FAIRCLOTH, James M.	19 May 1950	85
FITZGERALD, John P.	29 April 1952	65
FORD, Reuben T.	15 June 1949	64
FOREMAN, Mary	30 May 1947	52
FULLER, Caroline	28 July 1948	70
FULLER, Esop	31 January 1947	56
FULLER, Eva	4 May 1946	58
FULLER, Jane T.	25 July 1952	72
FULLER, Otis W.	2 September 1949	67
FULLER, S. O.	7 April 1950	58
GAMMAGE, James W.	24 August 1947	70
GASTON, John M.	24 August 1949	86
GIBBS, Jane	9 June 1948	90
GINN, John R.	14 October 1952	67
GINN, William A.	30 December 1951	72
GOOLSBY, Mattie W.	15 March 1947	76
GORDY, John B.	24 June 1948	78
GORDY, Safronia	6 April 1948	71
GRANT, Annie	21 May 1952	84
GRANTHAM, Henry	5 December 1946	74
GREEN, John M.	13 August 1947	71
GRIFFIN, Lathia T.	8 December 1947	57
GRIFFIN, Neal	25 February 1951	74
GRIFFIN, Thomas C.	25 February 1951	74
GUEST, Ida H.	15 April 1949	74
GUNTER, Pauline H.	29 March 1946	49
HAGGINS, Dave	18 January 1948	87
HAMILTON, Malachi	12 May 1949	57
HANCOCK, Annie	6 January 1948	69
HARDIN, George E.	27 June 1947	65
HARRIS, Lizzie	9 June 1946	48
HARTSFIELD, Rebecca A.	28 June 1947	72
HAWKINS, Leslie H.	16 August 1952	66
HENDERSON, William H.	7 June 1949	73
HIGHSMITH, John C.	6 August 1947	52
HOLLINGSWORTH, Virgil O.	29 April 1948	58
HOWELL, Henry D.	15 January 1950	74
JACKSON, Ammie	26 September 1952	69
JACKSON, Eliza	27 October 1948	96
JACKSON, Irvin	12 July 1949	51
JOHNSON, Ed	12 February 1950	87
JOHNSON, George	11 August 1950	81
JOHNSON, Jack	9 November 1947	56
JOHNSON, William	10 January 1947	74
JONES, Alice J.	18 November 1951	74
JONES, Carrie	28 October 1948	80
JONES, John	2 March 1950	55
JONES, Sallie	31 May 1951	83
JORDAN, Martha C.	30 May 1950	80
KEEN, J. P.	12 October 1948	75
KENNY, William L.	12 May 1946	81
KENNEDY, William	21 October 1947	74
LAGRIER, W. Jr.	17 February 1951	58
LANE, Carrie	2 September 1949	67
LANE, Ed	13 January 1948	71
LASTER, Leonard L.	27 August 1949	77
LOCKETT, Frank	25 April 1948	56
LOLLIS, Dock L.	6 October 1952	79
LONDON, Mattie	11 January 1947	59
LOVE, Mandy	10 October 1949	54
MASSEY, Nancy H.	27 November 1952	73
MATHIS, Annie B.	21 October 1951	68
MCALLISTER, Portia C.	17 October 1946	85
MCBURROWS, James	29 February 1952	78
MCBURROWS, Sam	8 May 1952	73
MCCULLARS, John W.	7 June 1951	82
MCCULLARS, Thomas H.	27 July 1952	57
MCDUFFIE, John T.	12 November 1949	54
MCLEMORE, Enoch D.	30 September 1949	72
MCLEOD, John H.	9 May 1952	56
MILLER, Henry	23 April 1948	61
MILLER, William B.	25 August 1947	77
MITCHELL, Hattie P.	2 December 1949	72
MIXON, James W.	20 August 1952	74
MUNFORD, Mattie	1 February 1950	60
NANCE, James F.	19 December 1950	68
NAZWORTH, Ambrose	18 December 1949	77
NAZWORTH, Sallie M.	5 May 1950	80
NEWBERRY, George	23 November 1950	73
NICKLES, Pete	30 June 1949	60
OGILVIE, William H.	30 April 1948	69
OUTLAW, Thomas J.	6 March 1947	76
OWENS, John H.	10 November 1947	78
OWENS, John R.	25 April 1952	70
OWENS, Nelly J.	29 September 1952	82
OWENS, Rosa G.	21 July 1950	86
OWENS, William B.	16 May 1948	86
PARKER, Jacob P.	26 August 1950	66
PARKERSON, Austin H.	8 January 1951	60
PEACOCK, Martha	10 September 1948	72
PEAVY, Frances W.	10 April 1952	67
PENN, Hamp W.	11 December 1950	64
PHILLIPS, Minnie	14 April 1950	55
PHILLIPS, William L.	30 December 1951	58
PLAIR, Marie	18 September 1948	57
POLIC, Sallie L.	19 June 1948	85
POSEY, J. B.	27 February 1946	73
POSEY, Viola E.	5 November 1952	64
QUATTLEBAUM, Elizabeth	24 June 1952	75
QUATTLEBAUM, Henry G.	9 December 1948	75
REDDING, Jordan Jr.	9 October 1948	58
REDMAN, Sam	5 October 1952	63
REEVES, Mamie	19 November 1948	62
REEVES, Mary E.	23 January 1947	80
REID, Ruth H.	13 September 1949	66
RHODES, Ella M.	27 May 1948	75
RICHEY, Andrew J.	6 January 1947	68
ROWLAND, Albert T.	31 October 1949	52
SANDERS, Sallie	15 March 1949	62
SETTLES, Edward C.	12 September 1947	86
SHEDD, John H.	26 November 1949	92
SHEDD, Rosalee H.	22 April 1951	74
SHELLEY, Beatrice	19 July 1948	58
SLADE, William C.	25 May 1946	68
SMITH, C.	22 October 1949	54
SMITH, Georgia H.	25 October 1952	68
SMITH, Hattie	13 September 1949	64
SMITH, James H.	20 April 1952	66
SMITH, Noah T.	30 May 1950	65
SMITH, Samuel G.	8 July 1947	61
SPEARS, Charles E.	19 November 1951	53
STANDRIDGE, James B.	18 March 1949	72
STANTON, Robert E.	19 February 1952	83
STOKES, Rosa	25 March 1946	58
STUBBS, Mamie L.	5 March 1949	72
STUDSTILL, John	8 July 1949	51
SUTTON, Daniel T.	27 November 1947	96
TAYLOR, Andrew J.	25 May 1952	97
TAYLOR, Hattie	20 August 1948	64
TAYLOR, Mary D.	27 March 1948	76
TAYLOR, Thomas P.	1 June 1946	59
THOMAS, Rena	10 September 1947	72
TOMBERLIN, Sara Y.	23 March 1948	86
TROUTMAN, Rachael	22 October 1949	51
TURNER, Vance	11 July 1949	50
WALKER, Ada L.	4 October 1950	75
WALLACE, Andrew B.	17 January 1951	57
WALLACE, Ella J.	9 October 1951	58
WALTERS, Sallie B.	19 December 1951	88
WARREN, James A.	3 April 1946	48
WARREN, Lucinda M.	9 February 1952	93
WASHINGTON, Della	12 April 1948	70
WATSON, Charlie M.	3 December 1947	60
WAY, Mary	18 March 1946	80
WEBB, Jessie L.	20 July 1951	82
WHITAKER, John I.	18 March 1950	69
WHITE, Junior H.	7 September 1950	63
WHITFIELD, Alma I.	28 April 1948	64
WHITTLE, Mary E.	1 September 1946	63
WIGGINS, Idella S.	29 August 1948	52
WILCOX, Dennis	3 February 1948	57
WILCOX, Willis	14 January 1951	60
WILKERSON, William H.	23 December 1951	87
WILLIAMS, Sam	30 September 1951	62
WOOD, Naldo H.	13 December 1948	73
WRIGHT, Florida	16 February 1952	53
WRIGHT, Lilly M.	20 April 1949	76
WRIGHT, T. C.	14 December 1950	64
WRIGHT, W. W.	12 June 1952	76
YOUNGBLOOD, Elizabeth	22 September 1951	56