Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3125and is now president of one of the county's largest and most substantial banking institutions.His parents were T. L. and Jane (Fullen) Gregory, both of whom werenatives of Georgia. His father, who died in 1881, when T. H. Gregory wasbut fifteen years of age, was a Confederate soldier throughout the war, havingjoined the army at Atlanta 1 under General Gordon. Along other campaignshe fought for many months in Alabama. Subsequently he became a farmerand was also connected with several other lines of business.T. H. Gregory, who was the only child of his parents, started school inLawrence County, but even when a school boy he was doing a work whichenabled him to pay his own way. He worked as a farm hand, did the heavytoil connected with a brick yard, and at the age of fifteen found employmentin a store at McRae, and that experience laid the foundation on which hisadvancement has since been possible. He finally entered business on his ownaccount, having been very economical and thrifty, and for fourteen years hewas a successful merchant at McRae. In January, 1896, he removed toVienna, and "continued as a merchant in that city until 1910. In that year heorganized with others the First National Bank of Vienna, which started witha capital of $50,000 and in 1911 was increased to $75,000. It has alwaysmaintained the highest standards of a banking institution, and Mr. Gregoryhas been its president since organization. H« is also director of a mercantilecompany at McRae.Fraternally he is a Mason and Shriner and belongs to the MethodistEpiscopal Church. He has served as an alderman of Vienna. In 1893 hemarried Miss Aurelia Mullis, who died at Cochran, Georgia, in 1900.. Herfather was W. J. Mullis of Cochran. In August, 1900, Mr. Gregory marrieda sister of his first wife, Miss Bettie Mullis. To their marriage have beenborn two children, William Poison Gregory, born at Unadilla in 1903 andnow in school at Vienna; and Mary Elizabeth, born in 1905 at Unadilla andalso attending school.JOEL JONES LOTT. The president of the Glynn County Bank and of theleading wholesale grocery and jobbing firm of Lott & Love, Joel Jones Lettis a typical citizen of the South, alert, progressive and resolute. It is to suchmen that Southeast Georgia owes its advancement and the wonderful development of its business enterprises men who maintain a constant lookout foropportunity, who utilize it when it comes, and who at the same time promotethe general welfare while winning individual success. Mr. Lott is one of thestrong representatives of business and banking interests at Brunswick, andhis advancement to his present position has been continuous from a humbleplace in the business world, for when he started out in life for himself his capital was represented by his ambition, determination and native business ability.Joel J. Lott is of Danish descent, the family having been founded in thiscountry by three brothers of the name who came to- America during theeighteenth century, one settling in South Carolina and the other two in Georgia, and all of whom became merchants and planters. Mr. Lott was born inCoffee County, Georgia, July 20, 1863, and is a son of Elisha and Mary(Moore) Lott, and a grandson of Daniel Lott, a native of Montgomery County,Georgia. Elisha Lott was born in Coffee County, Georgia, in 1821, was therereared and educated, and, following in the footsteps of his sire engaged inplanting when he reached man's estate. He became the owner of a large andvaluable property which he operated with slave labor, but during the periodof the Civil war, like many others of his locality, lost much of his fortune.However, through good management and industry he was able to recover fromhis financial shock, and at the time of his death, in 1886, when he was sixtyfiveyears of age, he was one of the well-to-do men of his locality. Mr. Lotttook an active part in political affairs, held many minor offices, and was sent