Henry County AlArchives Biographies.....Aycock, William B. 1849 - living in 1893
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Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 26, 2004, 8:43 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
    WILLIAM B. AYCOCK, maufacturer of naval stores, was born in Wayne county, N.
C., in 1849. He was a son of Benjamin and Serena (Hooks) Aycock, the former of
whom was a native of Wayne county, born there in 1817, was raised in the same
county, was a farmer and was recognised as one of the leading business men of
his day. He was elected to the legislature in 1864, and held the office eight
years. He was also a member of the constitutional convention in 1855, held for
the purpose of changing the constitution of the state. Although he had but a
limited education, his opinions were generally sound and his decisions usually
accepted by his associates. He was a well read man and was conversant with the
current topics of the times. He was a Jeffersonian democrat in politics, and a
Primitive Baptist in religion. While he was engaged in politics he was also
engaged in merchandising and farming, both of which lines of business he carried
on extensively. His death occurred in 1875. William P. Aycock's mother was also
born in Wayne county, N. C., in 1817, was married at the age of twenty-three
years and was the mother of ten children, only four of whom now survive. She is
still living at the old home place in North Carolina. William B. Aycock was
reared on a farm in his native county, was educated in the common school, made
the most of his opportunities and worked on the farm and at various occupations
until 1874, when he left home and went to Richland county, S. C., where he
became engaged in the manufacture of spirits of turpentine as an employee, and
in that capacity learned the business in all its branches. Remaining there until
1877, he went to Wayne county, Ga., there establishing himself in business,
which he prosecuted successfully until 1879. He then sold out and went to Jasper
county, Fla., and there established a turpentine plant, which he operated a
short time, selling out and then engaging in promiscuous occupations for some
years. He then established a plant at Houston, Fla., which he operated some
years, then sold it and in August, 1891, bought the large plant he now operates
and owns at the town of Dothen. He was married to Miss Virginia, daughter of
James L. King, a merchant and farmer of Blount's Ferry, Fla. Mrs. Aycock was
born in Caledonia county, Fla., about 1851, was married at the age of
twenty-seven, and is the mother of two children, Laura N. and Benjamin K. Mr.
Aycock now has a plant in fine working order, valued at $10,000, with a capacity
of 400 gallons a day, and an orchard of 270,000 trees, from which he gains his
supplies. He furnishes employment daily to sixty men and has a daily expense
account of $75. He also has a commissary with a stock of $5,000 worth of goods.
He has two brothers, who have attained distinction in politics, one, Charles B.,
ran for the United States senate, but was defeated by the farmers' alliance. He
was one of the Cleveland electors in 1888; the other, Francis M., was elected to
the legislature from Wayne county, N. C., two terms, and then to the state
senate one term in 1888. Early in life William B. Aycock was thrown upon his own
resources; but being full of energy and ambition he made a way to a business
which he mastered and built up, and now has undertaken that which renders him
independent, an employer of labor, a distributor of money and a valuable
citizen. In politics he is a democrat and his wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church,' south. Both are valuable members of society.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 1072-1073
Published by
Brant & Fuller (1893)
Madison, WI

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