Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

2904 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANSand also purchased a controlling interest in the newspaper, Southern Confederacy, of Atlanta, which, upon the Federal occupancy of that place, wastransferred to Macon. At the conclusion of the war he resumed business atAtlanta, establishing the first wholesale drygoods house of that city. Afterit had been developed to mammoth proportions, in 1890 Mr. Marsh retiredfrom business. He was also influential in founding the Trion, the first cottonfactory established in North Georgia. He was further identified with thedevelopment of various mineral springs properties and in the advancementof the Chautauqua movement. He died October 7, 1901.CHARLES A. MCDANIEL. The gallant Col. Charles A. MeDaniel was bornin DeKalb County, Georgia, November 27, 1830, and was killed in the battleof Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862, while leading his regiment in afurious charge. He graduated at Emory College, and at the outbreak of thewar had founded a little school in the woods of Carroll County which after-'wards became Bowdon College. He first organized a company largely composed of his own students, was soon promoted to a colonelcy, then organizedthe Forty-first Georgia Regiment at Big Shanty and was killed while leadingit on the battlefield at Perryville.WILLIAM DANIEL GRIFFIS. There is probably no better known and morehighly esteemed citizen of Pierce County than William Daniel Griffis, nowjudge in ordinary, an office he has held since his election in 1912. The mattersof probate that have come under his jurisdiction have been administered withan unusual fidelity, care, patience and sense of justice. He has spent mostof his life in this section of Georgia, is a man of substantial means, and hasalways kept faith both with himself and with his fellow citizens.Born in Clinch County, Georgia, January 21, 1855, he is a son of the lateCharles A. Griffis, who was born in Appling County, Georgia, in 1826 anddied February 11, 1913. Charles A. Griffis was a farmer and school teacherall his life, and during the war between the states was filling the office ofjustice of the peace at the time Governor Joseph P. Brown called upon allcivil officials to enter the army. He at once answered this call, but was withthe Southern troops only five months when illness caused him to be sent tothe hospital. When he left the hospital he received an honorable discharge,and went back home where he was immediately granted the office of justiceof the peace again. He held that office until failing eyesight compelled himto retire. Mr. Charles Griffis married Mrs. Nettles, a widow, the daughter ofThomas Newbern. She was born in Savannah. There were four children byher marriage to Mr. Griffis, and the only two now living are William D. andJohn G., the latter fifty-seven years of age.When seven years of age William D. Griffis started to school, and continued his education for three years and four months. On leaving schoolhe proved his qualifications as a teacher, and soon afterwards was placed incharge of a school, and for three years also conducted singing classes. Hehad considerable natural ability as a musician, and proved an able teacher.After this experience he married Miss Lowcrecy Davis. She was born inPierce County, Georgia, August 20, 1855, daughter of Joseph B. Davis, whowas reared and spent all Ms life in Pierce County. Mr. and Mrs. Griffis arethe parents of seven children: Arthur Colquitt, who was born September 1,1880, and died four years later; Newbern Collins, born January 25, 1883;Lona Agnes, born December 1, 1886; Mabel, born March 13, 1890; SpencerAtkinson, born March 4, 1893; Oscar Stephens, born July 4, 1895; and JohnRandall, born June 10, 1899. All except the first are still living.Mr. Griffis has spent many years as a farmer and owns a fine farm ofsixty-five acres in Pierce County and has a comfortable home in Blackshear,where he resides with his family. His first important elevation in public