History of Troup County, Georgia
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Courtesy of http://www.gagenweb.org Online: 12/01/2005 Electronic Edition - All Rights Reserved. THE AUTHOR 0 HISTORY of Troup County would be complete without the biog- raphy of the author of this book, the man whose brain and pen have preserved for future generations the traditions and achievements of the people of this county. Clifford Lewis Smith, the fifth child of Rufus Wright and Oreon Mann Smith, was born in Greene County, Georgia, March 25, 1867. He came of a family of artists and educators. April 2, 1893, he was married to Miss Pearl Long of Greenwood, Florida, whose genius and culture have been an inspiration to him. After attending Emory College and Chicago University, he selected teaching as a profession and taught several years in LaGrange Female College. When LaGrange established a public school system, he was elected superintendent of the schools and held the position for fourteen years. He assisted in completing the plans for Harwell Avenue Grammar School and the High School buildings. For a number of years he held a most responsible position with the New England Southern Mills and the Callaway Mills, rendering valuable service in the research and engineering departments of those mills. It is said by those who know that Professor Smith is the most versatile man in this section of the state. He has no particular hobby, but takes a delight in solving problems in higher mathematics. Some years ago, he pre- sented a monograph of seventy-five solutions to the Pythagorean Problem to the University of Chicago and received a letter of congratulations from the pedagogical department on the work. He has mastered chemistry and phys- ics. He is an authority on subjects pertaining to botany and astronomy. He is a master in mechanics. He is a musician and knows the technique of " music. He speaks French, reads Latin and Greek, and understands some German, Italian and Spanish. A distinct honor came to Mr. Smith in 1908. He was one of a number of American teachers invited by the teachers of Great Britain to visit the school systems of England, Scotland and Ireland. He made an extended trip to those countries and on his return wrote a 'report to the American Civic Federation under whose auspices the visit was made. This report 111 Courtesy of http://www.gagenweb.org Online: 12/01/2005 Electronic Edition - All Rights Reserved. relating to these schools and the educational systems was given the title of "Views and Values." He has written a number of treatises on different subjects, the most recent of which is a booklet on the Trees and Birds of Troup County. The people of Troup County are fortunate in having the history of the county written by Professor Smith. As an evidence of this, a resolution was introduced by Senator J. R. Terrell, Jr., and passed by the last Georgia Senate in the session of 1932 commending Professor Smith for his work in the preparation of the History of Troup County. Professor Smith is a most pleasing conversationalist. He possesses a rare grace and charm of manner. He is courteous, unpretentious, genial and efficient. He is loved and respected by all who know him. He is a loyal friend, a good neighbor, an upright citizen, a Christian gentleman. Such is the author of the History of Troup County. J. H. MELSON, Superintendent Troup Cozcnty Schools. Courtesy of http://www.gagenweb.org Online: 12/01/2005 Electronic Edition - All Rights Reserved. INTRODUCTION N PRESENTING this compilation of the history of Troup County, the author wishes to acknowledge the generous assistance of many citizens and of numerous contributors to the local papers, and of the county and municipal o6cials in searching among the old records. The information of the early days seems now to be sadly lacking in many details, and some characters stand out in exaggerated prominence, while the feats of many modest heroes of the long ago are lost in oblivion. The apathy of their descendants and the absence of definite recorded facts have precluded them from the permanent record. The very names of many brilliant actors in the drama and tragedy of the pioneer days excite no throb of remembrance or interest in the minds and hearts of many of our modern citizens. The author wishes especially to acknowledge the assistance of the follow- ing citizens and officials: Barker, Novatus L., Jr., city clerk of West Point. Barnes, Mrs. Pearl W., of Abbottsford, for church records. Boddie, Miss Belle, of Mountville, for numerous contributions. Bradfield, Mrs. Jennie E., of LaGrange, for Confederate records. Dickinson, Marvin M., of LaGrange, for assistance in paper files. Dozier, Rev. W. E., of Loyd Chapel, for church history and records. Faver, Mrs. Mattie T., of LaGrange, for papers of Judge W. W. Turner. Griggs, Miss Carrie Lou, of West Point, for clippings and data. Henderson, Miss Lillian, of Atlanta, for Confederate rosters. Heyman, Miss Bertha, of West Point, for data and contributions. Hightower, Charles T., of Hogansville, city clerk. Hill, Mrs. Annie Bass, of West Point, for data and contributions. Hudson, Asa C., of LaGrange, for Ferrell Battery data. Johnson, Mrs. Ola M., of West Point, for papers, records and data. LaGrange Graphic, for use of files. LaGrange Reporter, for use of files. Lanier, Mrs. Ada F., of West Point, for church records. Loyd, Walter R., of East Vernon, for assistance in investigations. Courtesy of http://www.gagenweb.org Online: 12/01/2005 Electronic Edition - All Rights Reserved. McLendon, Mrs. M. F., of LaGrange, for numerous old paper files. Melson, J. H., of Hogansville, for county school records. Moon, Mrs. E. T., of LaGrange, for diary and papers of West Point. Moss, J. H., of LaGrange, city clerk. O'Neal, V. R., of LaGrange, for numerous papers and investigations. Oslin, Mrs. Mary P., of West Point, for scrapbook and data. Park, Mrs. Annie Lizzie, of LaGrange, for papers of Judge J. B. Strong. Pharr, R. O., of LaGrange, for church records. Polhill, Mrs. Mary P., of LaGrange, for records of U. D. C. and D. A. R. Rakestraw, Mrs. Elizabeth D., of LaGrange, for old diary and papers. Render, L. J., of LaGrange, much interesting data. Slack, Dr. and Mrs. H. R., of LaGrange, for numerous contributions. Smediey, D. B., of West Point District, for church records. Smith, Mrs. Pearl L., of LaGrange, for assistance in editing. Traylor, G. T., of LaGrange, for assistance in county records. Traylor, J. E., of LaGrange, for locating the "Burnt Village." Traylor, Miss Lizzie, of Atlanta, for scrapbook and documents. Trirnble, W. S., of Chickamauga, for Hogansville data. Wells, Mrs. Bettie B., of Mountville, for diary and documents. Whatley, S. H., of Thomaston, for church records. Young, Mrs. R. M., of LaGrange, for scrapbook and papers. The contributions referred to above were in the form of manuscript, verbal information, or clippings of articles published in various newspapers and magazines. The author presents this volume with the accompanying wish that the reader dwell not on its imperfections, nor berate the omissions, but that he may note the errors and omissions, and carefully preserve such notes for the use of the compiler of our next county history. CLIFFORDL. SMITH, County Historian. LAGRANGE,GA. December 31, 1933. Courtesy of http://www.gagenweb.org Online: 12/01/2005 Electronic Edition - All Rights Reserved. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTERI. George Michael Troup 1 ... CHAPTER11. Acqulsltion 3 . .. , CHAPTER111. Subdivlslon and Dlstrlbution 9 CHAPTERIV. Boundaries 27 CHAPTERV. .Organization ---.-----_---------_---------------------------------3 8 CHAPTERVI. Troup County Courts 41 CHAPTERVII. Munlclpalltles.. .. 47 CHAPTERVIII. Troup County Localities ,---------------------------------64 . CHAPTERIX. Troup County Mllrtary ........................................ 67 CHAPTERX. Troup County Minerals and Rocks ---------------.--------84 CHAPTERXI. Troup County Trees 88 CHAPTERXII. Troup County Birds 99 CHAPTERXIII. Transportation - 106 CHAPTERXIV. Public Utiht~es.. 112 CHAPTERXV. Troup County Textile Industry ---.--------------------------115 CHAPTERXVI. Industrial and Commercial 123 CHAPTERXVII. Educational 129 CHAPTERXVIII. Literature and Arts 143 . CHAPTERXIX. Public Bulldlngs ---.-----------.----.- 149 CHAPTERXX. Churches 15 4 .. CHAPTERXXI. Organlzatlons -------.-------_----------------------------------------175 CHAPTERXXII. Architectural Features 18 5 CHAPTERXXIII. Customs and Practices ---.---------.-------------------------198 CHAPTERXXIV. Confederate Roster 205 CHAPTERXXV. World War Soldiers and Sailors -----_------------------------ 237 CHAPTERXXVI. Troup County Cemeteries 2 5 5 CHAPTERXXVI1. 06cials and Old Citizens -----------.-----------------------2 18 CHAPTERXXVIII. Statesmen of Georgia 3 06 CHAPTERXXIX. Acts of Legislature 3 12 vii Courtesy of http://www.gagenweb.org Online: 12/01/2005 Electronic Edition - All Rights Reserved. CHAPTER I. GEORGE MICHAEL TROUP EORGE M. TROUP, for whom Troup County was named, was the son of John Troup and Catherine McIntosh, and was born on the Tombigbee River, then in the territory of Georgia, on September 8, 1780. His maternal uncle, William McIntosh, married the daughter of an Indian chief, and their eldest son was William McIntosh, the president of the Creek Nation. George M. Troup was graduated from Princeton in 1797. He was a Georgia congressman from 1807 to 18 15, and in 18 16 was elected as United States senator, but resigned in 1818. He was governor of Georgia from 1823 to 1827, and in 1829 was again elected as United States senator. It was during his administration as governor that the treaty with the Creek Nation was negotiated by the United States for the cession of the territory, of which Troup County forms a part, as it was dated February 12, 1525. His old home was in Laurens County and was named by the Troup family "Valdosta," but it is not the site of the city of that name. He died while visiting one of his plantations' near Soperton in what was Montgomery, but now Wheeler County, on April 26, 18 56, and was buried on the Rosemont plantation, about seven miles from Soperton.