Pulaski County GA

Biography of Emile Sommer

Emile Sommer, son of Samuel and Fannie Brown Sommer, born in Shierhoffen, Alsace, France, October 10, 1853, came to America and to Fort Valley, Ga., at the age of fourteen, joining his elder brother, Aaron, with whom he became associated in the mercantile business. Four years later Aaron died, and shortly thereafter Emile was joined in Fort Valley by his mother, three brothers, Albert, Willie, and Emanuel, and two sisters, Palmyre and Rosa. The brothers became closely associated in business, operating under the name of Sommer Brothers. In the year 1889 the firm and the entire Sommer family moved to … Read more

Hanksville, Pulaski County Georgia Schools

In the year 1889 the town of Hanksville had a number of private schools. The city council in 1890, considering a change in the system of the school elected the following trustees: Judge Jacob Watson James Stetson P. H. Lovejoy E. J. Henry Dave McCormick J. Jacobus. This board delegated Judge Watson to go to the Chautauquuar Lithia Springs to inquire for a superintendent. The board was then put in communication with N. E. Ware of Thomson, Ga., who was later elected. The following teachers were then elected: Geo. R. Glover Mrs. B. F. Parsons Miss Ida Watson Mrs. C. … Read more

Pulaski County Georgia Spanish-American War Records

Compared with the numbers engaged in the War Between the States, the armies that met to determine the fate of Cuba were small. Georgia as a State was called on for two regiments of twelve companies each, and there was great rivalry as to which of the military organizations already formed should go. Hawkinsville at the time had a company, the Pulaski Volunteers, that volunteered their service, but they were declined. Three regiments were made up from Georgia’s National Guard, but neither of these saw service on the firing line. Two of them never left the State, though encamped at … Read more

Biography of W. E. Finleyson

W. E. Finleyson, son of John J. Finleyson, who was born January 29, 1829, in Bibb County Georgia, served in the War Between the States one year. He moved to Wilcox County in 1869, and died August 15, 1878. He married a Miss Nobles, and they had three children: Ellen, who married W. L. Holt; Laura, who married John Pearce; and Amanda, who never married. His wife having died, he married Amanda Goodwin in 1858, and the following children were born to them: L. F. Finleyson, Sarah, Eugene, Belle, W. E., Emma, John Thomas, James B., and Alice. W. E. … Read more

Biography of Luke Stevens

Luke Stevens married Ellen Dupree and settled two miles south of Mock Springs, in Pulaski County. Seven children were born to them. In 1850 they moved to Angelena County, Texas. Nothing is known of the family except Stephen Daniel, a son, who came back to settle the estate. He married Katherine Dewitte and settled two miles north of Mock Springs and farmed. He served four years in the Confederate Army. After the war he came back and took part in the rebuilding of the county. Both were members of Antioch Baptist Church and were loved by many. He lived to … Read more

Biography of Joe J. Anderson

Joe J. Anderson, son of Robert Sanders and Sallie Wooten Anderson, was born near Hawkinsville, March 10, 1846, and died September 3, 1926. He married Laura Sheppard of Hawkinsville, Georgia, June 25, 1867. He was a Mason, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and became a large landowner and planter. At sixteen years of age he answered the call to arms, and served four years in Company B, Fourteenth Georgia Artillery, as flag-bearer. In battle at Griswoldville his flagstaff was shot into splinters. He stood on his horse and held the flag high above his head, using his body as a … Read more

Biography of Luther B. Coley

An outstanding representative of one of the oldest families in the county is this native of Pulaski, now a retired business man of the City of Atlanta, living at 39 Palisades Road. He was born at the plantation home of his parents, three miles west of Hawkinsville, April 17, 1873, the son of Captain Gabriel R. Coley (December 19, 1832-January 6, 1880) and Elizabeth Sutton Coley (September 21, 1837-May 22, 1902), who were married October 14, 1856. There were eight children: John Thomas, Vanness (who became the wife of R. S. Hardin), Martha Sutton (who married John Fleming Kellam, October … Read more

Company F, Fifth Georgia Reserves

Roster of soldiers who served in Company F, Fifth Georgia Reserves. These men were primarily from Pulaski County, GA. Charles E. Clark, captain F. H. Bozeman, first lieutenant A. M. Newman, second lieutenant J. R. Love, second lieutenant A. Anderson’s (formerly Dawson’s) Battery, Georgia Light Artillery Thomas H. Dawson, captain R. W. Anderson, first lieutenant, promoted to captain Isaac O. Hall, first lieutenant William Bembry, second lieutenant Henry S. Greaves, second lieutenant, promoted to first lieutenant Sidney A. Moses, captain H. R. Felder, first lieutenant Willis G. Allen, second lieutenant R. H. Brown, second lieutenant W. R. Hurst, assistant surgeon … Read more

Biography of George Washington Jordan

Origin of this surname: “A young Crusader who had borne the ensign of the Cross through many battles, when knighted by Richard the Lion Hearted, and asked what boon he desired, replied, `My father, William of Deandon, once made the complete pilgrimage, bathed in the holy waters of the river, and carried to my mother the olive branch. Therefore, if it please thee, I would like a name-I would be called Jordan’.” George Washington Jordan, son of Briton Jordan and his wife, Margaret Bell, was born in Washington County, Georgia, in 1826, and died in Hawkinsville in 1912. He attended … Read more

Company M, 121st Infantry, “Home Guard”

One of the first military companies organized in Pulaski County after the War of 1812 was “The Home Guards.” Peace and plenty characterized our growing county for a long period of years after the War of 1812-14, but as a safeguard to our homes this company was organized, as we had no military protection. When the war clouds of the sixties hovered over our Southland and men were being called into service, the “Home Guards” were merged into a large company, the intrepid “Pulaski Volunteers,” the first company to leave Pulaski County for the battlefront. Their valiant history during the … Read more

Muster Roll of Georgia Militia – District 364

Muster Roll of Georgia Militia, Pulaski County, Georgia, March 4, 1862 – District 364 Wright Harrell, Jr. John Harrell, Jr. Henly Harrell Jas. Bishop Jerry Bowen Kinchen Hilliard Jacob Joiner Wm. Shirly Asa Harrell J. W. Harrell S. W. Holt W. W. Holt, Jr. M. D. Daniels J. M. Daniels, Jr. Stephen Daniels Jas. Lowell T. M. Stewart W. W. Harrell Lovet Holt Gabe Singletary S. B. Rutherford Thos. Singleterry F. T. Flanders W. P. Dillard N. N. Harrell Edmond Cooday Alex Sapp J. L. Lamkin J. L. Graham

Biography of Jacob Watson

The Watson family, coming from the Edgefield District of South Carolina, played a small part in the early history of Pulaski County. Watson and his son, Jacob Watson II came to Pulaski County in its early age (date unknown), just before the town of Hartford was organized in 1811. Jacob Watson I did not stay in Pulaski long, moving to Tennessee, Jacob Watson II remaining a citizen of Hartford. He was a sergeant in the Allen Tooke Company and served as a lieutenant under R. E. Thomas, captain, in the War of 1812, serving at Fort Mitchell from November 22, … Read more

Biography of Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelk

Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks, fourth son of James Oliver Jelks and Mary Polhill, was born July 18, 1845, in Hawkinsville, Pulaski County, Georgia, where he died March 28, 1911. When six years old his family moved to Oglethorpe, Georgia, after two years moving to Hamilton County, Florida, where he received his early education, later studying in Augusta, Georgia. In 1863 he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting in Company I, Second Florida Cavalry, under General Jones, a gallant command guarding the interior of the State. He was wounded at the Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida, March 6, 1865, in which the … Read more

Biography of Ruth Scarborough, Ph.D.

Of all its youthful graduates, Pulaski County can boast of no other who has attained greater success in the realm of literature than Dr. Ruth Scarborough. Dr. Scarborough is the daughter of Robert Lee and Georgia (Turner) Scarborough, and is a graduate of the Hawkinsville High School. She received her A.B. degree from Bessie Tift College, Forsyth, Georgia, and her M.A. degree from Mercer University, Macon, Georgia. During her years at Bessie Tift College she was an ardent student, exceedingly wise in those things which seemed hard to master. She was interested in psychology and sociology. She participated in the … Read more

Native American History of Pulaski County, Georgia

Pulaski County is located in south-central Georgia. It is named after General Kazimierz Pulaski (1745 – 1780) – a lawyer and Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Its county seat is Hawkinsville. Kazimierz Pulaski is considered one of the great heroes of the American Revolution. He was first an officer in a failed attempt to liberate Poland from Russia. He briefly fought on behalf of Turkey in the Russo-Turkish War. In 1777 he sailed to North America and joined the Continental Army. Soon thereafter he saved the life of General George Washington. With the blessings of Benjamin Franklin, the … Read more

Muster Roll of a Detachment of Georgia Cavalry Mounted Riflemen

Muster Roll of a Detachment of Georgia Cavalry Mounted Riflemen under my command stationed at Fort Mitchell, Hartford and on an Indian Scout from the 9th of November to the 22d of December 1814. Both dates included. Allen Tooke, Co. Lt., commencement of service Nov. 9, 1814; expiration of service Nov. 22, 1817; stationed Ft. Mitchell. Captain, R. H. Thomas 1st Lt. Jas. L. Perry 2nd Lt. Furney F. Gatlin Private Thos. Sutton 1st Sergts. Thos. J. Johnson Jos. B. Colson Hardy Gatlin Jacob Watson Corporals James W. Shines John Jones B. J. Thomas Chas. Carden Privates Isham Adams Dennis … Read more

Biography of Eugene Anderson

Eugene, William Thomas, and Peyton Tooke Anderson and their seven sisters are claimed as sons and daughters of Pulaski County. The three men are publishing the Macon Telegraph and the Macon News, while their sisters have married and are, with three exceptions, living; in Macon. In 1878 Christopher Cohen Anderson and his wife, Laura Tooke Anderson, decided that schooling advantages were too poor at Houston Factory, and their children should get a better showing in life. Mr. Anderson had gone to the Factory from Hayneville to look after the office work of the big enterprise that Joseph Tooke had developed … Read more

Biography of Washington Leonidas Grice

A family tree would show four Grices in a direct line, all residents of Johnston County, North Carolina: Francis, who died in 1750, a copy of whose will appears in the published Colonial Records of North Carolina; his son, William, a Revolutionary soldier; and next, Stephen, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, and his son, Garry, who in his youth was a civil engineer and laid out the town of Goldsboro, North Carolina. In 1822, Judge Stephen Grice, with his wife, who was formerly Miss Sally Simms, with their family, moved to Newton County, Georgia, … Read more

Pulaski County, Georgia Land Lottery Register

In 1802 Georgia ceded to the US all the land between the Chattahoochee and the Mississippi River, in return for a promise from the US to remove all Indians from Georgia’s reserve territory. “By purchase if possible; by pressure if necessary.” By an act of the Legislature in the year 1803, the new Purchase of lands from the Indians west of the Oconee River was distributed under the first Land Lottery system. Under it the public lands as they were from time to time freed from Indian occupancy, were at public cost surveyed into small lots of uniform size and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Harley F. Lawson

Harley Fleetwood Lawson, son of Shine B. Lawson and Emma Adams Lawson, was born in Hawkinsville, Pulaski County, Georgia, October 4, 1879. With the exception of seven years while he was away at school, he has spent his entire life in Hawkinsville. He attended the Hawkinsville public schools, leaving them without graduating, and entered Mercer University, from which he graduated with an A.B. degree in 1899. He taught school in different parts of the State until 1904, when he began the practice of law in Hawkinsville, having studied law under the late W. J. Hammond. He has held the following … Read more