Henry County AlArchives Biographies.....Saunders, Eugenius A. June 15 1848 - living in 1893
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Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 27, 2004, 2:33 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
    EUGENIUS A. SAUNDERS, merchant of Abbeville, and one who has a large trade
and extensive business association, was born in Oglethorpe county, Ga., June 15,
1848. He is the tenth in a family of sixteen children, born to Payton D. and
Parmelia Ann (Davis) Saunders. The former was born in November, 1802, on the
Rappahannock river in Virginia, in which state he lived until he had reached his
eighteenth year, when he removed to Georgia, and bought a large plantation in
that state, bringing with him three negroes which he owned in Virginia. With the
assistance of these negroes he began business for himself, and as his farm was
situated in a fertile portion of Oglethorpe county, he became in a few years one
of the foremost planters in the state. He remained in Georgia until 1858, when
he removed to Alabama, settling in Henry county, where he purchased a plantation
of 700 acres. This he continued to operate until he was disabled by an accident,
when he retired from the farm and found a comfortable home with his son,
Eugenius A., until his death in 1882, when he was eighty years of age. He was a
man whose sterling qualities were recognized by all who knew him. He belonged to
a long-lived race, some of his ancestors attaining the age of one hundred and
five years. The family was, in fact, noted for its longevity. His mother was a
native of Randolph county, Ga., and was born in 1812. Her education was obtained
in the common schools of her native state. She was married at the age of twelve,
and became the mother of sixteen children. She was a faithful wife, a kind
mother, and a good neighbor. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
In 1868, she met with an accident which caused her death, in her fifty-sixth
year. Her mother died at the home of her son, Eugenius A., at the remarkable age
of one hundred and seven years. Eugenius A. Saunders was brought up on the farm,
and attended the common schools of the country. When the slaves were freed he
and his brother were given their liberty of time, as it is called, he being at
that time eighteen years of age. He then entered the store of Dr. Martin, of
Hardwicksburg, as a clerk, and worked as clerk three years. He then entered into
partnership with Dr. Martin, and became a full partner in the business, the firm
name being Martin & Saunders. He remained in this connection for fifteen
consecutive years. Dr. Martin then retired from business, and was succeeded by
his son, the firm name at the same time being changed to Saunders & Martin. This
firm continued to do business until 1890, when it divided, each partner taking
out his share. Mr. Saunders has since continued in the business, and now owns
and operates a large store which contains a large and well selected stock of
general merchandise. During the business career of Mr. Saunders his safes have
been used for many years for keeping the funds of the county commissioners. It
has also been customary for him to pay off county debts, taking receipts for the
same. Much money has also been paid into his hands, for which he would give
receipts, all of which served to show the unbounded confidence placed in him,
which confidence he always highly prized. He was married in October, 1876, to
Miss Melissa E. Martin, daughter of Rev. Dr. Martin, of Henry county, a Baptist
preacher of distinction, whose memoir appears elsewhere in this volume. The wife
of Mr. Saunders had the advantages of the common schools of her native county.
She was married in her sixteenth year. She has been the mother of five children,
three of whom survive. These three are Robert M., James A., and Payton D. Mrs.
Saunders owns and operates a millinery establishment in connection with her
husband's store, in which she carries a large and well selected stock of goods,
and has a large trade. Both Mr. and Mrs. Saunders affiliate with the Missionary
Baptist church. Politically Mr. Saunders is a democrat. He is a member of
Abbeville lodge; No. 818, K. of H., and is treasurer of the organization. Of Mr.
Saunders' brothers and sisters, he has but one sister living. She is the wife of
E. Oates, one of the enterprising planters of Henry county. Mr. Saunders had
nine brother's in the Confederate service, three of whom lost their lives during
the war. One died in, Tennessee; one lives at Jefferson City, Tex.; one, a
physician, lives in Georgia, and is postmaster of his town; two live in Geneva
county, Ala., and one lives in Abbeville. It is needless to say, after the
recital of the above facts, that Mr. Saunders enjoys the full confidence of the
entire community in which he lives.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 1117-1119
Published by
Brant & Fuller (1893)
Madison, WI

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