Savannah Biographies

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  A Biography of the Life of Thomas Gamble

  Russell William Bazemore

  Thomas Gamble who was a Newspaperman, six-tern Mayor of Savannah, Mayor of Savannah Beach, Historical Researcher and Writer, the father of Armstrong Junior College, a Publisher, a Husband, a Father, a decorated Chevalier Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, a recipient of a bronze medallion from the LS. Pulaski Sesqui-centennlal commission, a recipient of the Lucas Cup trophy and member of various other notable civic and social societies, commissions and boards. He was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1868 .and died in 1945 after adopting Savannah as his home in 1888.

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  Abraham Nichols: The Savannah Years

  Arthur G. Wilson

  Abraham Nichols (c. 1771-1829) was a New Englander who came to Savannah at the turn of the 19th century. He was a mariner who began sailing from this port. He eventually settled in Savannah and became a leading citizen.· He was at various times Harbor Master, Port Warden, and Commissioner of Pilotage for the port of Savannah. He was a merchant in the city dealing in ship supplies, and eventually married a woman from the local area. He was involved in the defense of Savannah during the War of 1812. Nichols became a valuable part of the community, well respected by many of the cities' top citizens. He was a civic minded individual who added much to the cities' history.

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  Abraham Webster Scribner

  Edgar Deal

  Abraham Webster Scribner was a Savannah shoe merchant of the early nineteenth century. He was born around 1785, and died on September 19, 1817 at age 32. Scribner married Margaret S. Williams on November 8, 1808. He was 23 years of age and she was 16 years of age. The Scribners had two children, Sarah Har­mon, and Benjamin James. Both children died at age 4, Sarah in 1814 and Benjamin in 1816. Scribner's wife, Margaret, died at age 25, in 1817 just five months before his death. In the six or seven year span of Scribner's business ac­ tivities noted herein, a steady rise and an unsuccessful end may be seen. But, because of the early date involved, little concise actual information is available. There are pieces to this puzzle that are missing, and they will always will be, but a reasonably accurate account is found within.

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  A Brief Biography of Lavinnia Florance Minis

  Bob Morrison

  
  Lavinnia Florance was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 26, 1825 to Jacob Levy and Hannah Florance. She was the eldest child of the family. She had two other sisters and three other brothers. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is inferred because the Florance family is not listed in the 1830 Louisiana census, but are found in the 1850 Pennsylvania census index", living in the Southward section of the city. Her grandfather did not care for the last name of Levy, so he changed it. Zachariah Levy Florance was a dentist in Charleston, South Carolina, and probably was not the most popular man in town due to the primitive techniques of dentistry that prevailed during the nineteenth century.

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  Adele M. Goerz A Short Biography

  Sharon Kemper

  Adele Goerz was an immigrant just before the Civil War. She married and raised her family to be responsible citizens. She contributed to Savannah' s growth by working with real estate development. Her daughters worked in chari­table pursuits. Her spirit continues in, the form of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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  A Genealogy of Thomas Holcombe

  Susan Dawes

  Thomas Holcombe was a wholesale grocer, born in 1815, a native of South Carolina. His business was located at 181 Bay Street. He was a respected merchant, attending many conventions and holding many community offices. Thomas Holcombe served one term as Mayor of Savannah from October, 1862 to October, 1863. He served three separate terms as Alderman. As a Democrat, he took a keen interest in national politics as well as local. He had several children, however, he has no living descendants in the Savannah area. He was married twice; First, to Miss Eliza C. A. Gale in December of 1834, second to Miss F!nnie W. Sometime between 1853 and 1861.Thomas Holcombe had three sons in the Civil War fighting for the Confederate army. One, Isaac C. Holcombe resigned his commission at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland at the outbreak of the Civil War to return to his home in the South.

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  A History of the John A Staley Family

  Rick Moesch

  John A. Staley was an interesting man, a versatile and somewhat controversial character. Born in Georgia in 1813, he served as Justice of the Peace, from the third District, from 1857 to 1866. Mr. Staley was seldom employed in the same profession for any length of time. Besides his terra as Justice of the Peace, only his length of service as Sherriff of Chatham County is of any real interest. Mr. Staley probably married in the middle l830's or early l840's, though there is nothing; to substantiate these dates. The relationship between Staley and his wife, Jane Williams Staley was not always a happy one. In1871, Mrs. Staley was involved in the stabbing of a woman who apparently had been having an affair with her husband. Fortunately for Mrs. Staley, the woman lived. However, I was unable to find any record, of legal action, taken against her.

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  Albert Jackson (1844-1901)

  Mary C. Klotz-Cook

  Albert Jackson was a leader in Savannah's African-American community. He was a native of Savannah, and resided in the city for most of his life. He was active in the business community, and in many organizations that helped the. Albert Jackson was married twice, first to Jennette Bullock then to Mary Scott. He had four children, three sons and a daughter. He died in 1901 after a prolonged illness, and is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery.

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  Alfred Haywood: A Biography

  David S. Corbett

  Alfred Haywood was a successful businessman and public servant who lived, worked, and served in the city of Savannah for almost half a century. Mr. Haywood not only made his mark in the local business world but also, through civic participation, and a significant contribution to the growth and development of the city. Born in Oxford, England, in the year 1817, the son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth Haywood, he married Mary Fagan, a native of Ireland, in Liverpool, February 2, 1834. They immigrated to New York soon thereafter. While living in New York with his father, two children were born to the couple, a daughter Margaret, in 1836, and a son Ebenezer, in 1837)

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  Alida Harper Fowlkes (1908-1985)

  Heather J. Raymond

  A pioneer in awakening Savannah's architectural and historical consciousness, Alida Harper Fowlkes made a definite imprint on the lives of her contemporary Savannahians, as well as on the city they called home. She was born June 8, 1908,1 and she died January 19, 19852. Having lived for most of the present century, life for Mrs. Fowlkes here in the South certainly was not always charming. She and her family experienced perhaps more than their share of troubling times. Her grandparents survived the War of 1812 and the Civil War and, like many southern families of established wealth, were financially devastated in its aftermath Mrs.Fowlkes lived through tumultuous milestones. In American history, including the Great Depression, both World Wars, and the Vietnam War. Undoubtedly, these events had an impact on her and her family's lives. Despite these hardships, this Savannah native garnered for

  herself the title of one of Savannah's first restorationists, making it possible for others to follow her lead. She was a woman of invariable determination and entrepreneurial wisdom, of unwavering conviction and guarded privacy, of traditional values and quiet achievements. She was intensely devoted to her family and went far to preserve their heritage. These characteristics proved to be the recipe for her success as well as the fuel for her commendable career of recognizing, saving, and sharing a heritage on a larger scale -- the architectural traditions of Savannah's beginnings.

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  A Look at Andrew J. Miller

  Teresa Spillane

  In 1863 Andrew J. Miller was owner and manager of A. J. Miller & Company - cabinet makers and undertaker which changed to a furniture store in 1871. Mr. Miller and his associates applied in 1875 for a charter incorporating them as a body under the name of Merchants and Mechantics Mutual Loan Company. On December 30, 1878, Andrew Miller declared bankruptcy in the District Court - the extent of that bankruptcy is unknown. He was a member of Trinity Methodist Church, served as a fireman, and served as a director on the Home Insurance Co., Georgia Mutual Loan Asso­ciation, and Merchants and Mechanics Mutual Loan Company boards. ln 1852 Andrew J. married Elizabeth Fourshly and fathered six children, Meeker T., Clayton P., R.E.L, Jefferson, Georgia E. and Walter Paramore - four of which survive to adulthood. Between the years 1864 to 1873, Miller's first wife dies and in 1876 he marries Mrs. Lucinda Trotty. Between the years 1888 to 1891 Andrew Miller either leaves Savannah or dies.

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  Alvin N. Miller: A Biography

  Martin E. Ross

  On March 25, 1889, Alvin N. Miller known as A. N. Miller. was laid to rest in Laurel Grove Cemetery (lot 151) nest to his wife, Sarah Jane McNish (who had died fifteen years earlier) Miller's funeral was a special occasion in Savannah history for it marked the end of an era many consider Savannah's "Golden Age." While Miller Lived in Savannah, he watched it rapidly develop from a small riverside community into a large industrial city. For example, the shipyards of Hutchinson Island produced what were the most powerful class of ships afloat to help handle Savannah's Prospering cotton trade.

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  Amos Scudder: A Yankee in Savannah

  Shelly Carroll

  Amos Scudder was born in Westfield, New Jersey in 1779. He married Phoebe Ross and together they had eleven children. The Scudder family lived in Savannah, yet kept their family farm in Westfield as a summer residence. A bricklayer/mason/architect, Scudder us credited with building many of Savannah's private residences, some of her finest public buildings and many rice mills along the Savannah River and Ogeechee Canal.

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  Amson Mohr

  Richard J. Landolt Jr.

  Amson Mohr was born in Bavaria about 1848 and immigrated to the United States arriving in Savannah prior to 1866. He became partner. in Lippman, Bro.,& Co., a wholesale and retail dry goods store. Later he was a partner .ln Oppenheimer, Mohr & Co. and then in the Mohr Bro. Co. Amson was one of the incorporating members of the Liberty Mfg. Co. and the American Mfg. Co. He was a founding member and director of the Germania Bank. He married Miss Carrie Epstein of St. Louis, Mo. They had three sons; Ivan, Melvin and Bertram. Amson died about 1919.

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  Andrew Bryan

  Michael Jandrlich

  Andrew Bryan was born around 1716 on a slave plantation near Goose Creek, South Carolina. Sometime around 1765 he was moved to Brampton Plantation located three miles west of Savannah, Georgia. In 1775 Jonathan Bryan, Andrew’s master, gave him the use of a barn to use as a church. In 1788 a Reverend Abraham Marshall ordained Andrew and, with 45 newly baptized people, a church was formed with Andrew Bryan as its pastor. This was the beginning of the first black Baptist church in Savannah. In 1790 Andrew was able to purchase his freedom from William Bryan, son of Jonathan, for 50 pounds sterling. On October 6, 1812, at the age of 96, Andrew Bryan died and is now buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery.

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  Andrew Cox Marshall: Centenarian, Slave, Porter

  Carl V. Butcher Jr.

  Andrew Cox Marshall, a mulatto slave, was born probably in 1756 in South Carolina and came to Savannah in 1766. He was a slave for approximately fifty years and was owned by at least five different men. A successful dray business enabled Marshall to purchase his freedom from a Mr. Richard Richardson sometime after 1812. Marshall's first wife, also a slave was sold away from him and he never saw her again. Rachel, his second wife died in 1829 and a year or so later he married Sarah a woman thirty-nine years younger than himself. There were twenty children born to Marshall, however only one, George, would survive his father. In 1812 he became pastor of the First African Baptist Church where he served until his death on December 7, 1856. Marshall is most noted for the leadership of his flock and through a schism in 1832 over a ''Campbell and Dunning Doctrine'' which caused 155 members to split £rom his church. Andrew Cox Marshall was a man who was well respected by both white and black and he carried much influence in the city of Savannah during the latter years of his life.

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  An Interview with Edward Clements Wade

  Jay E. Armstrong

  This hypothetical interview with Mr. E.C. Wade is simply an attempt to present the facts about his life in a very readable form. I have supported his responses with facts that are documented, in an attempt to make Mr. Wade more human, I have taken it upon myself to make other judgements about his character that I could be, quite wrong about. They should in no way be taken as a factual account of how things were, but should be looked at as a tool to help the paper fiow smoothly.

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  Anna Rolfe Surtell Quantock Turner

  Anna Juran Kelley

  Anna Rolfe Surtell Quantock Turner flourished during the mid and late 1800's in Savannah, Georgia, Most of her life is pieced together through the information found about her two husbands, William Quantock, Jr. from England and Richard T. Turner from New York. Information about her life is also found in the context of her children.

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  Anthony F. Mira (1820-85)

  John Maddox

  Anthony F, Mira was a Master Baker, He lived at 505 E. President Street in Lot Number 21 or the Green Ward, Anthony F, Mira was a illustrious businessman and devoted family man, Anthony F, Mira had a deep interest for politics and even ran for office once.

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  A Personal and Genealogical Report Pertaing to: Benedict Bourquin, 1795-1875

  Gustave A. Canon

  Contains pedigree chart, images and biographical resources.

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  Archibald C. Davenport: A Biography

  Amy Allen

  Archibald C. Davenport was born in Savannah in 1819. He was the son of Isaiah and Jane Davenport. Archibald was a member of the Savannah Volunteer Guards and the Tattnall Guards. He served as a captain during the Civil War. Archibald served as Clerk of City council for a few years. He was a banker and was employed by the Bank of commerce and later by the Central Railroad Bank :from which he retired, He married Jane Postell around 1870. The couple had no children. Archibald died on April 91 1892 of a he:S,rt "'track. lie was buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery.

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  A Research Paper on George Ferguson Armstrong

  Diana Guyette

  George Ferguson Armstrong was the youngest of four children born to Benjamin Remington and Elizabeth Ferguson Armstrong. Apparently the most financially successful of his siblings, he climbed to the vice-presidency of Strachan and Company from the position of clerk. At thirty-seven years of age, he married a woman fifteen yeats his junior and the marriage produced one child, a daughter. At the time of his death on February 24, 1924 he was a prominent and popular member of the Savanna business community and of several prestigious clubs, one of which included the Oglethorpe Club.

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  Aristide Louis DesBouillons

  Janet W. Owens

  On one of his early report cards, a teacher's description of him stated he was "like a windmill." The energies harnessed to come to the United States from France and found a dynamic business was indeed like a windmill. He lived in Savannah from 1868 until his death in 1915 and established a very successful jewelry business which is still in operation today. He was a devoted family man and took an active part in the civic and social activities of his new Savannah home.

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  Armenius Oemler (1827-1897)

  Willliam J. Towler Jr.

  Armenius Oemler was an outstanding resident of Savannah whose innovative ideas in truck-farming and the formation of the Oemler Oyster Company, the south's first oyster packaging plant, brought forth new industry to Chatham County. His headings were numerous consisting of physician, scientist, author, agriculturalist, entomologist, 03.ptain, and businessman. He was an informative source for scientists worldwide and a scholar in his own rite.

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  A Short Biography for Susan Elizabeth Wright (Cooper, McIntire, Argard) & Her Family in Savannah, Georgia

  Charles F. Winchester

  Allen R. Wright was born n Chatham County on June 13, 1811. I could find nothing about his parents or his early life. However, by his accomplishments in later years he apparently come from a family of some social standing and he was also well educated. On July 4, 1830, at age 19, he joined the Chatham Artillery, a well respected social and military unit of Volunteer Militia. Nothing certain is known about Allen Wright for the next few years but it seems likely that he entered in business of some sort, as was proper for a young man of his social standing. The earliest listing shows him simply as a clerk. Not long after his twenty-third birthday Mr. Wright took a bride.