Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2999master of the local lodge. Other fraternities are the Knights of Pythias, theImproved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.He is devout in his associations with the Methodist Church and is particularlyinterested in Sunday school affairs.Major Irwin was first married at Conyers December 11, 1878, to MissMartha H. Overby, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Overby. Mrs. Irwin died atConyers October 29, 1900, the mother of four children: Irene, who graduatedfrom the local high school' and was a student in the Converse College atSpartansburgjiSouth Carolina, and is now teaching at Atlanta; Callie, a bookkeeper at Atlanta; William Howard, a farmer in North Dakota; and HenryGrady, at home in Conyers. On November 24, 1904, Major Irwin marriedMiss Elizabeth Peek of Rockdale' County, daughter of W. L. Peek. Mrs.Irwin is actively identified with both church and Sunday school work in thePresbyterian denomination.JOSEPH Me. HANCOCK. There is perhaps no public office involving moredelicate responsibilities than that of judge in ordinary, known in most statesas the office of probate judge. For its efficient administration there are required not so much a technical understanding of law as a patience, industry,commonsense judgment and a knowledge of humanity and impartiality whichinspire confidence in those who come before the court. These qualities havebeen well exemplified in the Turner Cotfnty ordinary, Joseph Me. Hancock,who has efficiently looked after the duties of the office for a number of years,and who is recognized in that section of the state as a man of unimpeachablerectitude and of the highest personal and civic standing.He.was born in Pulaski County, Georgia, September 11, 1859, a son ofJoseph J. and Sarah (Watson) Ilancock. His father was born in SouthCarolina, and his mother in Georgia, the latter being of Irish parentage, herparents having come from Ireland to Georgia many years ago. Joseph J.Hancock became well known both as a minister and as a farmer and planter,and died in 1879 at the age of sixty-two. The mother passed away in 1895at the age of seventy-three.Judge Hancock is the youngest in a large family of eleven children. Asa boy he spent his days on the home farm, attended country schools, andacquired a practical training for life on his father's plantation. Subsequentlyhe engaged in farming on his own account in that part of Wilcpx County thatis now Turner County and it was as a farmer that he laid the'foundation forhis successful career. He is still interested in agriculture and has considerable land in Turner County.His first important office was that of justice of the peace, and he administered its duties in his home district for a number of years. In 1908 he waselected ordinary and has since been reelected, so that he is now in his fourthsuccessive term. Judge Ilancock is a Royal Arch Mason and is also affiliatedwith the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His church is the MissionaryBaptist, and he has always been a loyal democrat.In February, 1880, in "Wilcox County he married Miss Mary W. McCall,daughter of John and Missouri McCall, of a pioneer family in that section ofthe state. To their union have been born eight children. John, born in 1881,is now postmaster at Pinetta, Florida. David, born in 1884, died in 1915.Miss Essie, born in 1887, is a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Charles,born in 1889, lives in Turner County. Samuel was born in 1891 and lives inWilcox County. Miss Estelle was born in 1893 and now resides at Booneville,Indiana. Joseph, Jr., was born in February, 1894, and is still living inTurner County. Domer was born in 1899 and is attending school at Ashburn,Georgia. All these children were born in Wilcox County.JOHN J. STORY. One of the first lawyers to locate at Ashburn after theorganization of Turner County was John J. Story, whose career for the past