Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

' GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3059school at Athens. The next three years were passed in taking a literary courseat Gordon Institute, and at the end of that time he entered upon his legalstudies at Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1915. With thisthorough preparation, he immediately upon graduation settled at Swaiusboro,where he is nicely situated and has already made a good beginning. He is akeen, alert, modernly-trained young man, full of enthusiasm and devotionto the best professional ethics, and at present is the Emanuel County representative for the Empire Loan and Trust Company. He is the owner of avaluable farm in Bulloch County which is being operated by tenants.Louis RUSSELL FARMER. From a clerkship in local stores, where he waspaid $2.00 or $3.00 a week and board and clothes, Louis Russell Farmergrew in ability and influence and for more that twenty years now has beenthe strongest force in the financial affairs of Jefferson County, the executivehead and a director in a number of bafcks, the owner of an extensive plantation, and for years held some of the most important public offices until hisother interests compelled him to resign.His hojrfe has long been in Louisville, where he is cashier of the Bank ofLouisville, the oldest financial institution of that city. He was one of itsincorporators when it was organized in 1893. The bank has always maintained its capital at $25,000.00, and it rtow has a'surplus of $40,000.00.Mr. Farmer is president, having bought majority of the stock of the Bank ofWadley, which started in 1903 with a capital of $25,000.00 and a surplus of$5,000.00. He is president and organizer of the Bank of Wrens, anotherJefferson County bank, and has been its executive head since it started in1900 with a capital of $15,000.00. This capital has been increased from theearnings to $25,000.00. Mr. Farmer also organized the Louisville CottonWarehouse Company and put up the first warehouse in the city, and has beensecretary and treasurer of the company since it was established. In 1897 heorganized the Bank of Bartow with $15,000.00 in capital, since increased byearnings to $25,000.00, with $10,000.00 of surplus. He has been a director inthis bank since it was organized. From this recital of facts it is evident thatMr. Farmer not only has unusual ability but enjoys in a peculiarly highdegree the esteem and confidence of every one in Jefferson County.He was born in Jefferson County, October 10, 1855, son of Rhesa J. andElizabeth (Mathews) Farmer, who were also natives of the same county. Thefounder of this branch of the Farmer family was Rhesa J. Farmer, who wasborn in South Carolina and married his wife in that state. Isaac Farmerbecame very prominent after locating in Jefferson County, built up a largeplantation, owned many slaves before the war, and became the father ofthirteen children, only two of whom are still living. The son, William, becamea lieutenant in the Beatty Guards and was killed at the battle of Manassasearly in the Civil war. James was captured at the battle of Manassas andwas confined for a number of months in the Fort Delaware prison. Sidney,a private in the army, was killed in a skirmish near Richmond. Robertreturned after his service as a Confederate and was a planter in JeffersonCounty until his death. Kate married Andrew Templeton and died at Natchitoches,Louisiana. Georgia, the oldest daughter, married Richard Evans anddied in Richmond, Virginia, in 1912. Frances, who died in Wilkerson County,Georgia, in 1910, was the wife of Jasper Oliphant. Caroline, who died inWilkerson County in 1908, was the wife of L. W. Lee. Bethsheba marriedWoodruff McCook and died in 1911 at Robeline, Louisiana. Four other ofIsaac Farmer's children died in infancy and early childhood.Rhesa J. Farmer, father of the Louisville banker, was in his time one ofthe leading planters and active leaders in politics in Jefferson County. Heserved as sheriff before the war, and was with the state militia during the