Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2981but Mr. Grant accomplished even this in addition to constructing railroadsand establishing permanent lines through Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. He acquired large estates and became prosperous in many ways. When the war between the states dragged out itsunhappy length, he lost much but later, through his energy and good judgment largely regained much that he had lost, and, resuming railroad building, complete^- some of the largest contracts that had ever been entrusted toa Georgia man.Colonel Grant was married December 13, 1834, to Miss Martha CobbJackson, who was a daughter of William H. and Mildred (Cobb) Jackson,and a sister of Hon. James Jackson, once chief justice of the Supreme Courtof Georgia. The above ceremony took place at the home 'of Hon. John A.Cobb, the uncle of Mrs. Grant and the father of Hon. Howell Cobb, who laterbecame so distinguished a citizen of this state. To this marriage one son wasborn, William D. Grant, now deceased, who, for many years was one of theforemost men of Atlanta.During many years of residence in Walton Coimty, Colonel Grant becameso widely and favorably known that he was elected to the State Senate fromthere in 1856 and during the troubled period that soon followed, wielded influence and gave wise and timely advice on many subjects. During the warthat finally was precipitated, he served as an aide, with the rank of colonel,on the staff of Gen. Howell Cobb, and afterward, when peace once more cameto his beloved land, he was permitted to enjoy the quiet life that pleased himbest. In his earlier years he had enjoyed hunting as a sport, but later foundrecreation in things artistic. He was talented in music and gifted as anartist and was able to surround himself with an atmosphere that was entirelycongenial. His death occurred January 18, 1887. His devoted friend andbiographer, Henry W. Grady, who survived him but two years, wrote as noother could. "He lived a long life in which good deeds were sown with unstintinghand and far-reaching arm. He died as the tired and weary man fallsasleep. The end came to him in no storm or convulsion, but gently, as a leafparted from the bough in an autumnal breeze floats adown the waiting silencesof the forest, his life, parting from the world, passed into the vast unknownwhich men call death. Earth is better for his having been heaven will bebrighter because of his coming."WILLIAM D. GRANT. There was a time when the present splendid City ofAtlanta lay in ashes and when visionary indeed seemed the prophecies ofthose whose business foresight could recognize the forces still alive underseeming prostrating misfortunes. Atlanta had native sons who had thesehopeful visions but the cruel misfortunes of war had sapped energy and deadened enterprise and thus it was that men of energy from other parts of theSouth were so welcome, and their capital and vitality such great upbuildingfactors. To this end no one man was more conspicuous .and useful than thelate Caprt. William D. Grant.William D. Grant was born at Athens, Georgia, August 16, 1837, and wasa son of Col. John T. and Martha Cobb (Jackson) Grant. When seven yearsof age the family moved to Walton County where his father owned one of thelargest plantations in the State of Georgia. He was prepared for college inthe excellent schools at Monroe and in his fifteenth year entered the GeorgiaState University at Athens. When he completed his course there he becamea student of law in the office of his uncle, Chief Justice James Jackson andcontinued until he was admitted to the bar. Although professional honorsundoubtedly awaited him, he became interested greatly in agricultural experimenting and during the four years that he managed his father's vastestate in Walton County, proved able and intelligent as an agriculturist and