Brooks-Washington-Laurens County GaArchives Biographies.....Emerson, Henry A. unknown - living in 1913 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 27, 2004, 12:05 pm Author: William Harden p. 966-967 HENRY A. EMERSON, whose well-managed farm lies in Brooks county, about five miles from Quitman, is numbered among the enterprising and skillful agriculturists who are using excellent judgment and good business methods in their work, and are meeting with satisfactory results. He was born in Liberty, Florida, a son of Charles Warren Emerson. He is of English ancestry, his grandfather, Joseph Emerson, having emigrated from England to Massachusetts, settling in the near vicinity of Boston, where he spent the remainder of his years. Charles Warren Emerson was born and reared near Boston. Massachusetts, and there acquired his early education. While in his 'teens he spent two years on board a whaling vessel, and afterwards followed the sea for seven years. Feeling the lure of the South, he made his way to Florida, becoming a pioneer of Leon county. At that time there were no railroads in either Florida or Georgia, and the forests were inhabited by wild animals, game of all kinds, and the Indians were numerous and sometimes vicious, causing the newcomers much trouble. He lived in various counties in Florida, but spent the closing days of his life in Lafayette county, dying in 1894. His wife, whose maiden name was Diana Byrd, was born, in 1824, in Liberty county, Georgia, a daughter of Aleck and Nancy (Sykes) Byrd, who removed from that county to Florida, locating as pioneers in Madison county, and there living until called to the life beyond. Charles Warren and Diana Emerson were the parents of seven children, as follows: Nancy, Susie, Joseph W., Henry A., Charles, Mary and John. Joseph W. and Henry A. are the only survivors of this family. Joseph W. Emerson, the oldest son, has been twice married. He married first Nancy Shaw, who died in early life, leaving five children: Katie, Susie, Lewis, Charles W., and Jeremiah. His second wife, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Starling, died in 1887, leaving two children, Lulu and Sophia. Although his educational advantages were limited, Henry A. Emerson availed himself of every opportunity for advancing his knowledge, thus obtaining a good stock of general information. He was reared to habits of honesty, industry and thrift, and at the age of nineteen began earning wages as a farm laborer, finding employment in Brooks county, Georgia. In 1877, Mr. Emerson went to Jefferson county, Florida, where he remained as a plantation overseer until 1886. He then entered the roadway department of the Savannah, Florida & Western Railroad Company, now the Atlantic Coast Line, and remained with the company for twenty years, faithfully and capably performing all the duties connected with the position until handing in his resignation. In 1906, having previously bought land in lots four hundred and seventy-three and four hundred eighty-six, Dixie district, within five miles of Quitman, Mr. Emerson turned his attention to agriculture, assuming possession of the farm where he is now living. Successful in his new industry, he now owns four hundred and sixty acres of land, and now has a goodly portion of his farm in cultivation, and improvements of an excellent character, his buildings being substantial, commodious and convenient. In 1879, Mr. Emerson was united in marriage with Mary Emma Johnson, who was born in Brooks county, Georgia, a daughter of Wilson Johnson. Her grandfather, Jared Johnson, who married Elizabeth Eckels, moved from Washington county. Georgia, to Brooks county in pioneer clays, and built a grist mill at Water Lillie Pond, and operated for a time. He afterwards moved south, settling near Ancilla river, where he resided until his death. Born in Washington county, Georgia, Wilson Johnson came with his parents to Brooks county, and in this part of the state spent his active life as a tiller of the soil. He married Mary Dean, a daughter of John and Jane (Albritton) Dean, who came to Brooks county from Laurens county, her father having been a man of culture, and one of the pioneer school teachers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson have seven children, namely: Azubah V., who married Bailey T. Waldron, and has two children, Nellie and Alma; Carrie V.; Susie R.; Lucy I.; Nancy W.; Henry B.; and Russell W. In state and local affairs Mr. Emerson is a straightforward Democrat, but in national affairs he is independent, voting for the best men regardless of party restrictions. Fraternally he is a member of Dixie Lodge, No. 242, Free and Accepted Masons. Additional Comments: From: A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA BY WILLIAM HARDEN VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1913 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/brooks/bios/gbs454emerson.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb