Conecuh County AlArchives History .....History of Conecuh County, Alabama 1881
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 23, 2004, 1:29 pm

CHAPTER VI.
A Chapter of Biography--Early Heroes and Their Struggles--Frowning Barriers--
Unequalled Energy--Moral Giants-How the Basis was Laid--Apostolic 
Consecration, &c., &c.

REV. ALEXANDER TRAVIS.
   The sacred position which Mr. Travis occupied, together with the wholesome 
work accomplished by him in giving so much moral tone to the character of 
Conecuh county, demand that he occupy the first place in the biographical 
sketches of her useful and prominent men. Alexander Travis was born 
in .Edgefield District, South Carolina, on August 23rd, 1790. He was the child 
of humble, though respectable parents. Having been reared on a farm, he was 
inured to hard service, and thereby the better fitted for the toilsome duties 
which awaited him in the latter half of his useful and eventful life. The 
educational advantages of young Travis were limited-not exceeding an imperfect 
training in the rudiments of the English. But possessing more than an ordinary 
stock of native intellectual power, he absorbed much information from divers 
sources, which gave him a respectable position in society. In appearance, Mr. 
Travis was tall and dignified, and by the gravity of his bearing commanded 
universal respect. He was converted in 1809, and baptized into the fellowship 
of the Addiel Church, in South Carolina. One year later, he was licensed to 
preach; and in 1813, was ordained to the full work of a Baptist minister. 
Assuming charge of several churches, he retained his pastorate until his 
removal to Alabama in 1817. Upon coming to Conecuh, he located near Evergreen, 
where he resided till his death. Such was the zeal of this consecrated 
missionary, that he would gather together, as he could, a batch of hearers, 
from Sunday to Sunday, to preach to them the richness of grace in Christ 
Jesus. Nor were his efforts vain; for soon he collected a sufficient number of 
converts together, with those who had previously been members of Baptist 
churches, to organize a church near iris home. Hence he became the founder of 
the famous Old Beulah Church, situated between Sparta and Brooklyn. This he 
did in 1818. Nor were his labors restricted to this particular section; for in 
all directions his energies were exerted in the organization of yet other 
churches. The sparseness of the population compelled him to take long and 
trying journeys from week to week. But never did inspired apostle address 
himself to his work with more alacrity. During the week he was an earnest, 
active student. His library was a plain English Bible; over this he would 
assiduously pore, by the aid of blazing pine knots, after his labors in the 
field. Such was the devotion of this pioneer disciple, that he would leave his 
home early on Friday morning in order to walk to his appointments, thirty-five 
miles away. And not unfrequently, in these foot-marches, he would encounter 
swollen streams; but, nothing daunted, he would strap his saddlebags-which he 
always carried in his hands-about his neck, boldly plunge in, and swim to the 
opposite shore. Through his indefatigable exertions, thriving churches were 
established in different parts of the county, and some in districts quite 
remote from others. And such was his zeal, his success, his ability as a 
preacher, and his affable firmness as a pastor, that he remained in charge of 
several of these churches from the period of their formation to his death. 
This was true with respect to the Beulah and Bellville churches. Of the former 
he was pastor thirty-five years; of the latter thirty-two. A large and 
flourishing interest was established by him in the Higdon settlement, between 
Burnt Corn and Evergreen. Because of his peculiar parliamentary ability, Mr. 
Travis was chosen the Moderator of the Bethlehem Association for more than 
twenty consecutive sessions; and because of his earnest support of education, 
he was made the first chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Evergreen 
Academy, for many years together. So evenly balanced were all his powers-
mental, physical and moral-that he was admirably fitted to the work 
Providentially assigned him in a rugged, pioneer region.

   Elder Travis died in 1852, at his old home, where he had lived full thirty-
five years. His death was a public calamity, and was universally lamented. He 
was emphatically a good man. He was, in many respects, a man of greatness. He 
was unswerving in his principles, and had the courage of his convictions, 
which he boldly evinced when occasion required; and yet, in his general 
deportment, he was as meek as a child. At the pulpit end of Old Beulah Church 
may be seen to-day by the passer-by, a plain marble shaft, which marks the 
resting place of this sainted pioneer hero.

ALEXANDER AUTREY

was the second white man to settle upon the soil of Conecuh. His biography, 
therefore, is inseparably connected with the history of the county from its 
colonial period. He was born of French and German ancestry, in North Carolina, 
on January 4th, 1780. On March 5th, 1803, he was married to Parthenia B. 
Irvin. In 1810 he removed to Georgia, whence he removed to Monroe county, 
Alabama, shortly after the establishment of peace with Great Britain in 1815. 
Here he must have remained but a short time, for we find him in the early part 
of 1816 the founder of Hampden Ridge, on the range of hills west of Murder 
creek. In stature, Mr. Autrey was tall, rather disposed to stoop, and of lean 
physique. He practically illustrated in his life what could be achieved by 
genuine pluck and perseverance. The odds encountered, and the dangers braved 
by him in coming to Conecuh, only served to stimulate him to more vigorous 
exertions. He came up from the most straitened circumstances, enduring all the 
privations of pioneer life, and yet when he died he was one of the wealthiest 
men in Conecuh.* The controlling traits of his character were an indomitable 
will and a vigorous energy. Whatever engaged his attention at all, fired him 
with an ardent enthusiasm. He reared a large family, both of sons and 
daughters, of whom only one remains-Mrs. C. P. Robinson, of Vermilionville, 
Louisiana. Mr. Autrey died at his residence on September 22nd, 1857, at the 
advanced age of seventy-seven years.
_________
   * The writer has heard his mother, whose father Mr. Autrey was, relate what 
she had often heard her mother state-that she (Mrs. A.) would often hold a 
lighted torch at night for her husband to deposit his seed in the earth.

SAMUEL WHITE OLIVER.

   This distinguished citizen was a native of Virginia, where he was born 
about 1796. The early portion of his life was spent in Clarke county, Georgia. 
His literary course was taken at Franklin College, and was fitted for the bar 
in Litchfield, Connecticut. In 1819 he removed to Conecuh, and located near 
the new county site at Sparta. He soon associated with him-self, in the 
practice of law, Hon. John S. Hunter. By his ability, Mr. Oliver soon won the 
confidence of his fellow citizens. In 1822 he was elected first to the 
Legislature, in. which position he was retained by the popular voice of the 
people for twelve years. In 1834 he was chosen Speaker of the House. Two years 
later he was elected to the State Senate from Conecuh and Butler, but this 
position he resigned upon his removal to Dallas county, in 1837. During this 
year he was the candidate of the anti-Van Buren party for the office of 
Governor. But in the contest he was defeated by a majority of 4,000 for Hon. 
Arthur P. Bagby, of Monroe county. Colonel Oliver died at his residence, on 
Pine Barren creek, in Dallas county, January 18th, 1838. He was a gentleman of 
shining qualities, spotless reputation and popular bearing. Had his life been 
prolonged, he would doubtless have attained great distinction.

DR. JOHN WATKINS

was a distinguished physician, who removed at quite an early period, to 
Conecuh, where he found himself almost alone, for some time, in his practice. 
Dr. Watkins was born within a short distance of the scene of General Lee's 
surrender at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, in 1775. Having received a 
liberal education, he pursued his medical studies in Philadelphia, whence he 
was graduated in 1804. He first located at Abbeville Court House, South 
Carolina, where he practiced in the family of Senator John C. Calhoun. He 
removed to Alabama in 1813, and located first on the Tombigbee river. Later we 
find him at Claiborne-the only physician between the Alabama and Chattahoochee 
rivers. Notwithstanding his decided usefulness in his chosen profession, he 
was urged to represent Monroe in the Constitutional Convention in 1819, and 
during the same year was elected to the Senate from the same county. At quite 
an early period after the settlement of Conecuh, he removed to that county, 
where his ability was speedily recognized as a physician. But here again he 
was destined to share in political honors, for in 1828 he was sent to the 
Senate from Conecuh and Butler. Several years afterward he was chosen to 
represent Conecuh in the lower branch of the Legislature. In 1842 his services 
were again demanded in the realm of politics, and he was chosen Senator from 
Conecuh and Monroe counties. His devotion to his chosen profession, however, 
continued unabated, and he was assiduous in the accumulation of scientific 
works, that he might be the more fully prepared to meet the advancing demands 
of medicine. Dr. Watkins died at his home, near Burnt Corn, in 1854. He was a 
man of extraordinary physical powers. In manners he was exceedingly plain, and 
oftentimes very blunt. The following characteristic anecdote is related of 
him: He had a patient who had for a long time suffered from extreme 
nervousness. Dr. Watkins having learned that she had a peculiar fondness for 
coffee, admonished her to discontinue its use. Having been called to visit her 
again, he found her with her head resting upon her palms, and leaning over the 
fire-place, where he spied the coffee pot, poised upon a pedestal of glowing 
coals. Without ceremony, he knocked it from its position, causing the contents 
to flow out, and then proceeded to kick it across the room, through the door, 
and into the yard. But he was universally esteemed for his benevolence and 
hospitality. His memory will ever be cherished in Conecuh, because of his 
superior public worth.

CHESLEY CROSBY.

   The subject of this sketch was born is Chester District, South Carolina, 
July 22nd, 1788. Here he grew to manhood, when he removed to Conecuh, which 
was in 1818. When he came to the county he found a few struggling settlements, 
there having preceded him but few of the early emigrants. Like all others, he 
erected a rude house, and commenced his labors in the boundless forests of 
Conecuh. Along with the growth of prosperity in the county he continued to 
accumulate wealth, and by dint of energy and economy, had amassed considerable 
property before his death. Mr. Crosby was the ancestor of a large offspring. 
Many of these reside in Conecuh, some in adjoining counties, and others in 
different and distant States. He was a man of many sterling qualities of 
character. In him the widow and orphan ever found a sympathizing friend. And 
when convinced of the worth of a public enterprise, no one was more liberal in 
contributing to its success. A praiseworthy example of his liberality is found 
in the Baptist church at Bellville, to which he gave in a cash donation $500. 
In consideration of this marked liberality, a seat, stained with mahogany hue, 
was prepared for him, and which he occupied in his attendance upon the 
services of the church. After a long and useful life of seventy-five years, 
Mr. Crosby died at his home, between Bellville and Sparta, on May 22nd, 1864.

FIELDING STRAUGHN.

   Among the earliest inhabitants of Conecuh was Fielding Straughn, who was in 
very many respects an extraordinary man. He was born in Chatham county, North 
Carolina, in 1783. In 1817 he came to Conecuh, in the full vigor of manhood, 
and settled his home where Thomas Robbins at present resides. Such was the 
hardiness of his physical constitution that he defied all the difficulties 
encountered by him in this pioneer region. He was a modern Nimrod amid the 
abundant game that thronged the primitive wilds of Conecuh. It is said to have 
been a marvel how he could penetrate with bare feet and short-cut trousers, 
the dense everglades of cane and tangled thickets of briar, as he would chase 
the flying deer or the retreating bear. Though unlettered, he is said to have 
been a speaker of marked ability in the religious assemblies, of which he was 
from time to time a member. In early manhood he had a passionate fondness for 
pancakes and molasses, and indicated an ambition to become sufficiently 
wealthy to have them every day, instead of only on Sunday. The object of his 
gastronomical ambition was finally attained, and finding his desires for other 
objects increasing with his acquisitions, he declared that every man had a 
pancakes and molasses point in life which was never reached. Mr. Straughn 
lived to be quite old, having died in 1867, after reaping his share of the 
prosperity of the county during "the flush times" of its early history. 
Because of his calm judgment and extensive practical knowledge, he served the 
county for a long time as one of her most efficient commissioners. Among other 
descendants he left two sons-Pinkney and James-the former of whom has been a 
prominent and useful citizen of Monroe for many years, and the latter of whom 
has served the county of Conecuh with efficiency, as surveyor, for several 
successive terms.



Additional Comments:
Chapter VI

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/

File size: 14.1 Kb