Savannah Biographies

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  The Life of Noble Andrew Hardee

  James Russell Parker Jr.

  Hardee was a direct descendent of the Hardees of North Carolina, leaving no present day descendants with the surname. However, at this writing there is a great-granddaughter, Mrs. Margaret Hardee Ellis Cubbedge, living in Savannah. He owned two plantations in his lifetime. In 1830 he served in the House of Representatives from Camden County. In the mid-1820's he married Martha Williams of Milledgeville, who bore him two children that did not survive early childhood. She died in childbirth in 1833. In 1835 he married Ann Margaret Lewis of Savannah, who bore him three children who lived full lives. They were John Lewis, Susan Ann and Mary Elizabeth. The mid-1800's found him as a businessman in Savannah where he and interests in cotton factorage, banks, real estate, railroads and insurance.

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  The Life of Rebecca Lamar McLeod

  Aurelia Roth

  oh, how beautiful Oh, how beautiful Oh, how beautiful!"

  The young woman cries It over and over, near exhaustion and on the verge of deliriousness, marveling at the sight of the approaching ship which Is to rescue her from sure death in the open sea. Slipped into unconsciousness and picked from the edge of a floating remnant of the sunken steamship Pulaski, after having fought the wild elements of the open Atlantic for 3 days and nights, she finds herself awakening on top of a locker In the cabin of the schooner Henry Cameron. There, she is nursed back to recovery and hurries back to her home In Augusta, Georgia.

  "I saw a vessel." Rebecca Lamar McLeod writes later in her emotional account of one of the most tragic events of her life, her sails spread and filled her hull pointed black, and a dazzling sun shining on her canvas.

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  The Life of William W. Gordon

  William Bickel

  William W. Gordon I was born in Augusta, Georgia, on June 17, 1796. Throughout his lifetime, he pursued several different careers: military, legal, and political. In his military career, he graduated from U.S. military Academy at West point and served in the Georgia Hussars. In his legal career, he was an apprentice under James W. Wayne and practiced in his own right from 1819 until 1836. In his political career, Gordon was Alderman of Savannah, Mayor of Savannah and he served in the House of Representatives and Senate of the Georgia Legislature. However, it was his accomplist1ments as a founder and organizer of the Central of Georgia Railroad and Banking Company that earned him a place in the history books of Georgia

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  The Lives and Times of William King

  Jeff Evans

  Mr. William King was a man whom the city of Savannah could not do without from the time of his birth in 1806 to the time of his death by 1892. Mr. King was actually born on St. Simons Island but at that time the Golden Isles were merely an extension of Savannah which was the key center of trade for the region. William King quickly learned from his father, Roswell, that civic participation was a must if one intended to acquire Southern wealth during the 1800's. Mr. King voiced his opinions well 1st as Foreman of the First Panel of the Chatham County Gr nd Jury, 2nd as the staunch leader of the Temperance Movement in Savannah, and 3rd as a firm supporter of Southern rights and grievances during the Civil War. Mr. William King was, in fact, the unchallenged spokesman for Savannah during the !9th Century.

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  The Right Reverend William Bacon Stevens

  Jacob W. Vanderbrink

  Above all other qualities, Bishop Stevens possessed the ability to influence others and develop their confidence. During his youth, 1815 in Bath, Maine, he managed to overcome normally debilitating health problems, while later in life he nearly circumnavigated the globe. To his honor and credit he was befriended, in 1838, by the likes of Bishop Stephen Elliott, Georgia's Episcopal leader during the Civil War years, and the Philanthropist Asa Packer, in 1862, Judge and gracious benefactor of Lehigh University. Bishop Stevens put his hand to other achievements as well, including the first comprehensive text, A History of Georgis, published in two volumes, 1847 and 1859, respectively.

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  The Story of George M. Waldburg

  Vercie A. Cox

  George M. Waldburg was a wealthy landowner of Savannah and St. Catherine's Island, Georgia. He grew cotton on his plantation, owned a number of slaves, and invested in the railroad and banking companies. He was active in community affairs. Doctors and judges were included in his friends circle in Savannah. He died in 1856 at the age of sixty-one; leaving an estate valued at $51,955.00 to his brother Jacob.

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  The Story of John Glen: Scenes from an Eventful Life

  Elaine McClarnand

  The following narrative is the story of John Glen, who lived from 1744-1799, as I have reconstructed it from family records, newspaper accounts, property deeds, wills, histories of the colonial period, etc. He spent most of his life in Savannah, Georgia, but his place of birth was Charleston, South Carolina. He was born on uly 26,1774, the second son of William Glen, a merchant and landowner. In 1767 young Glen moved to Savannah, where he practiced law.

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  Thomas Arkwright

  John Simpson

  A fine Englishman who kept his own counsel and prospered. His contributions to the City of Savannah were in the areas of the theatre and cotton manufacturing.

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  Thomas Gibbons, Esquire

  Florrie Hopkins

  Thomas Gibbons was born December 15, 1757 near Newington Village, which was located about nine miles northwest of Savannah on the Newington Road, now

  the Louisville Road. The Louisville Road is perpendicular to the Dean Forest Road near the Savannah Airport. Thomas was born and reared at his father's plantation Mulberry Hill.

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  Thomas Hale Kreeger

  Jeffrey Lee Stone

  The information found on Thomas Hale Kreeger1 suggests that he lead an obscure, average life even though he had in­herited land and money. He appeared in only one census, one city directory, and except for when his death was noted only once in the newspapers. His parents and grandparents (mother's side) were different, active in business and the community.

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  Thomas Purse, Sr

  Margaret W. DeBolt

  Thomas Pilkington Purse (1802-1872) was a Savannah merchant, railroad official, and church and civic leader. He was the first superintendent, and for 25 years a member of the Board of Directors for the Central Railroad and Banking Company of Georgia. He is credited with developing railroad time schedules. He was a city alderman, state senator, U.S. Appraiser of Customs, and a Civil War mayor of Savannah. He married twice, and was the father of 16 children. He is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery. The large memorial window at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension is dedicated in his memory. His active and useful life spanned a time of great expansion in Savannah as well as one of war, tragedy, and Reconstruction.

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  Thomas U. P. Charlton

  Edward M. Buttimer, Jr.

  Thomas Usher Pulanski Charlton was born in Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina in November of 1779. His family was quite prominent among the political circles of the time. Thomas U. P.’s father was Dr. Thomas Charlton, a native of Maryland. Dr Charlton had married Lucy Kenan of North Carolina. After migrating south, Dr. Charlton join the Revolutionary Army of South Carolina in 1775.He served as a surgeon and held the rank of lieutenant. Dr. Charlton was subsequently elected to and served in the South Carolina State Legislature. He died sometime in the vicinity of 1789.

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  Thomas Usher Pulaski Charlton (1779-1835)

  Michele Nyberg

  Thomas Usher Pulaski Charlton was a man highly regarded in all aspects of his life. He left behind him “… a spotless record, both in his private life and in his public service, and was recognized by his generation as a man of the most eminent ability and devoted patriotism. Charlton possessed a decided literary ability as well as a high order of wit. He was regarded as a man with great social qualities, generosity, and benevolence to man. His colleagues believed him to be upright, impartial, and possessing dignity in his conduct of all time.

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  Three Generations of the R. L. Frankline Family: A Tradition of Craftsmanship

  Lynn C. Ketter

  R. L. Franklin was born November 10, 1891 the son of a cotton gin machinist in Tattnall County, Georgia. In 1909, at the age of eighteen Robert Lester Franklin took over an established painting business from the son of a Baptist preacher, just outside of Vidalia. R. L. Franklin married his first wife in 1914 at age twenty-three In December of that year a son was born to R.L. and his wife Ida. ·Young R. L., Jr. was soon assisting his craftsman father with his painting business. R. L., Jr. trained as an apprentice and became a journeyman painter working on jobs from Reidsville to Miami, Florida. In 1937 R.L., Jr.· married Laura _Carmen Byrd. They had two children, Camilla Ann and Robert Barry. In 1955 R. L. retired and in 1979 when R. L., Jr. retired from the family business it was incorporated into the Franklin Paint Co.. R. Barry is the current president and Ann the Secretary/Treasurer.

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  William B. Hodgson: To Much to Summarize

  Charles J. Mobley

  The monument in front of Hodgson Hall tries to summarize the life of the hall's namesake, William B. Hodgson, describing him as "distinguished scholar of Oriental languages and United States Dragoman and Consul to the Barbary States and Turkey." Hodgson was hat - and much more. Born humbly, he married into one of the South's leading families and three Confederate generals were pallbearers at his funeral; he didn't attend college, yet he received two honorary degrees from Princeton and wrote pioneering tracts in linguistics; and, after achieving notable success as a diplomat, he embarked on new lifestyle and became a successful businessman. William B. Hodgson defies summarization, even in stone.

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  William Fairchild Deveaux

  Daniel B. Hughes

  William Fairchild Deveaux was a young man whose life was cut short before he had much of a chance to make a name for himself. It is likely he would have done so had he lived. Born into a ... of rebellion from the Crown, he watched history take place before him.

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  William H. Bordley (1820-1905)

  Daniel J. Brown

  Mr. William H. Bordley was born in Kent County Maryland in 1820. I was unable to find the names of his parents but there are a lot of Bordleys in Maryland. The name Bordley can also be spelled Broadly, Broadley, Brodly, or Boardly but I will spell it Bordley. William H. Bordley lived in Savannah until he died in 1905. He fathered seven children, three girls and four boys.

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  William Kehoe: Fulfilling the American Dream

  Carol Ann Causey

  William Kehoe's story, though, is the epitome of the American success story. It could have come straight out of the pages of a Horatio Alger story, but it did not. William Kehoe came to America with nothing but hope for a better life. In his lifetime he amassed a great fortune and an even greater respect. And he did so with dignity, fairness, and compassion. William Kehoe's story proves that the American Dream is within reach of anyone who has the heart to believe.

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  William Law

  James E. Terrell

  William Law was born on March 27, 1793. He died on January 22, 1874 as a result of a fall from a horse the previous July at the age of eighty. His obituary mentions that he led a company of cavalry in the War of 1812. Since little is known of his early life, this narrative essentially begins and ends on horseback. William Law was a great traveler and covered many miles between these events. When he was not traveling, he was busy letting the grass grow under his feet. In this case, interpret grass to mean children, responsibilities, slaves, rice and cotton. He was born to wealth and position, increased both and was held to be a brilliant man and a fascinating orator. Lest you think him overly blest, consider his appearance. William Law was not a handsome man. He looked much like Andrew Jackson, but add to that picture a scrubby beard and the nose of W.C. Fields. Life also dealt him an even share of tragedies and setbacks, but he coped with these In a workmanlike manner. Now, with no further ado, meet William Law.

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  William M. Leigh

  Leona A. Pierce

  William Leigh was born in Bulloch County Georgia about December 29 1804 . He was a merchant by trade dealing in wood and groceries with his partner Jonah Bird. Little is known of his life before the early 1830's. He married Sarah Shipman of New Jersey . March 2 1831. They were married by Stephen A. Mealy pastor of the Lutheran Church. There were three girls born of this marriage. Amanda Malvina was born in 1832 and died November 7, 1833 of Croup and Sore Throat. Mary A. was born December 1833 and Sarah J. in 1835. His wife Sarah died October 7, 1835 of "Child Bed" leaving Mr. Leigh with the two girls, one just an in­fant. Amanda and Sarah are buried at Laural Grove Cemetery. Sarah Leigh was 30 years old at the time of her death

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  William Philip Schirm

  To Molskow

  William Philip Schirm was born on December 10, 1836 in Nassau a/d Lahn, Germany and he died on May 31, 1896. Brave soldier, father of five, devoted husband, and dedicated business man. William P. Schirm immigrated to America in 1857 from Nassau, Germany and settled in Georgia. His early days in America are not well documented but on December 13, 1864 while helping to defend Fort McAllister, his Commanding Officer had this to say about Lt. Schirm: "Lt. Schirm fought until the enemy entered the fort, and notwithstanding a wound in the head, gallantly remained at his post, discharging his duties with coolness and efficiency worthy of commendation." The Savannah Benevolent Association wrote upon his death that "the life has been active, correct, exemplary, and consistent, and the service well-timed, practical, and useful." William P. Schirm was a man of honor, dedication, and trust.

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  William Remshart: A Biographical Sketch

  Sandra O. Beasley

  William Remshart (b. February 7, 1805, d. February 24, 1878) was a merchant who later became involved with real estate. He had the residences of 102-112 West Jones Street (also called Remshart Row) built. He was active in business and community affairs. William Remshart was first married to Julia E. Cooper on January 17, 1833 and they had nine children. After the death of Julia, William married Hrs. Rebecca C. Oliver on July 18, 1866. He died February 24, 1878 and was buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia.

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  William Thorn Williams: A Man of Integrity

  Kathleen M. Todd

  William Thorne Williams was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 24, 1785. He moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1805 and set up business as a printer and bookseller. He was active in historic preservation, religion, government, education and social events. He married Harriet Costigan and the " had four children. Mr.Williams died of a heart attack in Savannah on October 9, 1868 at the age of sixty-five.