Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2855as the proprietor of a small general store, and this he developed into thelargest mercantile enterprise of Lithonia. During nearly a half century ithas been operated under Mr. Johnson's direction and has steadfastly maintained a high reputation as a thoroughly reliable establishment. Mr. Johnsonbecame, in 1903, the organizer of the Lithonia Banking Company, which hasa capital stock of $25,000, and of which he has continued as the president.His capable direction of its policies has made it one of the sane, solid andconservative institutions of Dekalb County. Mr. Johnson was likewise theorganizer of the Davidson Granite Company, one of the several successfulconcerns engaged in the manufacture of granite blocks and building material,and this company, when in full operation, employs between 300 and 400 menin the City of Lithonia and ship during normal times on an average of twelvecarloads of granite daily. Mr. Johnson also has large farming interests andis extensively engaged in general operations and stockraising.Mr. Johnson's personal interests, as will be noted, have been large andimportant, demanding his constant attention and best energies, but he hasnot allowed his private affairs to interfere with his performance of the dutiesof citizenship. To him as much as to. any man are Lithonia and DekalbCounty indebted for the abolishment of saloons, a hard fight in which hetook a foremost part, contributing cheerfully and unselfishly of his means,time and abilities. As a member of the school board he was also influentialin building up a splendid educational system. Mr. Johnson is a MasterMason, and his religious connection is with the Baptist Church, in which heis serving as deacon. Personally, he is an excellent type of the old-timesouthern gentleman, courteous, genial, hospitable and possessed of the strictest integrity and probity, honored and esteemed by his fellow-citizens, andwith a large circle of warm and appreciative friends.On October 1, 1868, Mr. Johnson was married at Lithonia to Miss MarthaGeorge, daughter of Banks and Martha (Awtrey) George, and four childrenwere born to this union: George Sidney, born at Lithonia, a graduate ofLithonia High School and Mercer University, and now associated with hisfather in business, married Miss Zella Humphries, daughter of the late Rev.J. T. Humphries, who was a well-known Baptist divine and died at Monticello,Florida, and they have four children, Julius Caesar, Jr., George Sidney, Jr.,Ava Valeria and James; Luke, who is deceased; Ava, who is also deceased;and Benjamin Alton, assistant manager and bookkeeper for his father, whomarried June 9, 1915, at Social Circle, Georgia, Miss Ruth Dally of that place.They have one child, Martha Josephine, born March 10, 1916.JOHN B. McBEAYER. Through his ownership and successful operation ofthe Lavonia Roller Mills Mr. McBrayer is contributing materially to the industrial prestige and commercial activities of the thriving village of Lavonia,Franklin County, and he is known and honored as one of the representativebusiness men and loyal and progressive citizens of this county.Mr. McBrayer was born in Forsyth County, Georgia, on July 18, 1861,and is a son of Samuel R. and Luvinia (Milford) McBrayer, having been thesecond in order of birth in a family of eight children. Samuel R. McBrayerwas born in North Carolina and was a child at the time of his parents' removalto Forsyth County, Georgia, where he was reared and educated and where hestill maintains his home. He became one of the prosperous agriculturists ofthe county and is now one of its most venerable and honored citizens, he beingeighty years of age. and his wife being seventy-eight years old. Inthe gracious evening of their lives they are enjoying the well earned rewardsof former years of endeavor, and they are surrounded by friends who are realand loyal, Mrs. McBrayer having been born in Forsyth County, where herfather, James Milford, settled upon his removal from his native State of SouthCarolina, both he and his wife passing the residue of their lives in that county.