Dale County AlArchives Biographies.....Sessions, Horatio M. October 9 1863 - living in 1893 ************************************************ 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: Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 18, 2004, 9:11 pm Author: Brant & Fuller (1893) HORATIO M. SESSIONS, cashier and manager of the Planters' and Merchants' bank, of Ozark, was born in Chambers county, Ala., October 9, 1863. He is a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Morgan) Sessions, the former of whom was born in Georgia, where he grew to manhood, and whence he emigrated to Alabama in 1860, settling in Chambers county. Here he engaged in farming and accumulated property rapidly. His property consisted principally of negro slaves, and was of course swept away as a result of the war. He lost his health during the war and never recovered, his death occurring February, 1866. His wife was a native of Tallapoosa county, Ala, where she grew to womanhood and was married in her twenty-second year. She was the mother of five children, but three of whom now survive: John H. resides in Ozark, engaged in mercantile business and is unmarried; Mary J., and Horatio M. Mrs. Sessions in early life became member of the Missionary Baptist church, and has, always been a consistent member thereof. Mr. Sessions was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. Horatio M. Sessions grew up under adverse circumstances. He was early deprived of his father's care and training and thrown upon his own resources. He began life upon a farm and was able to attend school but a very limited portion of his time. At the age of nineteen he entered the store of L. W. Jenks, at Union Springs, Bullock county, at a salary of $15 per month. In 1889 he took a commercial course at Moore Commercial college, at Atlanta, Georgia, graduating July 26. He then accepted accepted a position as bookkeeper in the clothing establishment of L. Bernheimer at Union Springs, Ala., which position he held five months, when he located at Ozark, and in February, 1890, accepted a position as bookkeeper and teller in the Planters' and Merchants' bank of Ozark. In 1891 he was elected assistant cashier, and in January, 1892, he was elected cashier and made manager, with full charge of the bank. December, 1890, he was married to Miss Willie Dowling, daughter of G. P. Dowling, whose memoir appears elsewhere in this volume. She was born in 1870, and grew to womanhood in Ozark under the parental roof. Her education was of the most liberal kind, and she is accomplished in several of the fine arts. She was married at the age of twenty years, and is the mother of one child, Lewe, born December 19, 1891. Early in life she became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, and has since lived in accordance with its teachings. Mr. Sessions is a man of sterling worth, of industrious habits, of straightforward business methods, and honest in his dealings with his fellow-men. As a consequence of this course of life he is now recognized as one of Ozark's most promising young business men. He owns his house and grounds, and has in contemplation the erection of a large brick structure, to be used as a first class livery stable. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Anchor lodge, No. 113. He became a Mason in 1890, and is a member of Ozark lodge, No. 349, F. & A. M., in which he holds the office of treasurer. He is second cousin to Dr. Lewe Sessions of Union Springs, Ala., who is president of the Union Springs bank, and also of the Marietta Bank & Trust company, Marietta, Ga., and owns the controlling interest in the bank at Clayton and also in the bank at Ozark. He is also a nephew of Judge W. M. Sessions of Marietta, Ga. The Sessions family originated in Scotland, but moved over to Ireland, whence two brothers emigrated to the United States, one of whom settled in Ohio and the other in Georgia, Horatio M. being a descendant of the brother who settled in Georgia. His grandfather, Asa Sessions, was a man of prominence in Georgia, and lived to a good old age. Horatio M. Sessions is a democrat in politics and is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. He is one of the active young business men of the city, and takes a lively interest in everything calculated to promote the public welfare. Additional Comments: from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 837-838 Published by Brant & Fuller (1893) Madison, WI This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb