Brooks-Lowndes-Thomas County GaArchives Biographies.....McMullen, John West 1838 - 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 30, 2004, 6:02 pm

Author: William Harden
p. 983

   JOHN WEST McMuLLEN. A life-long resident of Brooks county, where his birth
occurred on January 6, 1838, John West McMullen is a fine representative of
those brave pioneers of old, who in their efforts to establish homes for
themselves and their descendants endured hardships and trials difficult for the
people of this generation to realize. How well they succeeded in their
undertakings the broad expanse of cultivated fields to be seen in every
direction, the commodious dwellings that have replaced the humble log cabins,
and the long trains of palace cars used for transportation in place of the carts
drawn by oxen or horses bear visible evidence. Mr. McMullen's paternal
grandfather was one of the earlier settlers of Georgia, having located in Thomas
county while that section of the country was in its pristine wildness. He was of
thrifty Scotch ancestry, and a man of sterling integrity. His children, which
included a son named James, who became the father of John West McMullen, were
all born and reared in Georgia.

   James McMullen was trained to habits of industry, and early showed natural
ability as a mechanic. Although he never learned a trade, he became an expert
with tools, and could do general blacksmithing, or make either a barrel or a
wagon. After his marriage he lived for awhile in Thomas county, from there
removing to that part of Lowndes county that is now a part of Brooks county.
Purchasing land in the Hickory Head district, he was there a resident until his
death, at the age of sixty years. He married Harriet Rountree, who was born in
Lowndes county, where her father, a pioneer settler, was murdered by negroes
while taking the produce of his farm to one of the marketing points in Florida,
either Tallahassee or Newport. She, too, died at the age of three score years.
To her and her husband eight children were born, as follows: Henrietta, William,
Martha, John West, Josephine, Robert, George, and Margaret. In his political
affiliations James McMullen was a Whig, and long before there were any railways
in Georgia he served as a representative to the state legislature.

   Brought up on the home farm, John West McMullen gleaned his knowledge of the
three "R's" in the district schools, and as a boy became familiar with the
various branches of agriculture. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Ninth
Georgia Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to Longstreet's Corps, Army of
North Virginia. Continuing with his regiment in all of its engagements, he was
at the front at the Battle of Antietam, where, on September 17, 1862, he was
severely wounded, a minie ball lodging in his shoulder. Later the ball worked
downward, and in 1864 his father extracted it, cutting it out. Having been
incapacitated for active duty for nearly two years, Mr. McMullen then rejoined
his regiment, and continued with his command, in Virginia, until the surrender
of General Lee. Mr. McMullen and a few of his comrades refused to surrender, and
having made their escape walked to their homes in Georgia. Resuming farming in
Hickory Head precinct, Mr. McMullen resided there for many years, but is now
living retired in Quitman.

   In 1868 Mr. McMullen was united in marriage with Sarah J. Lee, who was born
in that part of Thomas county now included within the boundaries of Brooks
county, March 20, 1844, where her parents, John and Eliza (Groover) Lee, were
pioneer settlers. His wife, who survived him, died in Thomasville. Mr. and Mrs.
McMullen are the parents of four children, namely: Margaret, James, Florrie, and
John Lee. Maggie, wife of Walter Avera, has three children, Mary Mec, Walter and
James. James, son of John W. McMullen, married Hattie Arrington, and they have
one child, James. Florrie, who married Charles Avera, died at the age of
twenty-nine years, leaving two children, Daisy and Charles. J. Lee married Julia
Arrington, and they have two children, John Lee and Thomas Briggs. Mr. and Mrs.
McMullen are worthy members of the Hickory Head Missionary Baptist church.


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/gbs470mcmullen.txt

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

File size: 4.8 Kb