Carroll County GaArchives Biographies.....TOLBERT, J. THOMAS 1836 - ************************************************ 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: Elizabeth Robertson lrober@plantationcable.net July 27, 2004, 2:31 pm Author: S. EMMETT LUCAS, JR. J. THOMAS TOLBERT, farmer and retired stock-trader, Villa R1ca, Carroll Co., Ga., son of Roland A. and Elizabeth (Tolbert) Tolbert, was born in Villa Rica in 1836. His paternal great-grandparents, Thomas and Judia (Reeves) Tolbert, were natives of Ireland, camel to America in the last half of the last century and settled in North Carolina. He cleared and cultivated a farm, and also engaged in gold-digging. He was a' consistent member of- the Methodist church. Mr. Tolbert's father was born in North Carolina, July 3, 1799, and is now alive and in good health at the home of the subject of this sketch. His educational advantages were meager, as he had to work hard and long and late on the farm. He came to Georgia and settled in Madison county in 1827; but in 1832 came to Villa Rica to work the gold mines. He continued this until 1853, when he engaged in farming and followed it until 1872, when he went to live with his son. - When he came to Carroll the country and the mines were rough, whisky was freely drank and free fights of the fists and skull, rough-and- tumble sort, were common. Mr. Tolbert was usually "at home" for all comers, though he sought no conflict. He was a member of the military-force which escorted the Indians to their new homes, and draws a pension now for that service. He was the eldest of eight children, and is the only one now living. He is a devout and exemplary member OF the Methodist church: Mr. Tolbert's maternal grandparents were Josiah and Bersheba (Cranford) Tolbert. He was born in North Carolina, and she was of English parentage; was born in 1795 and died in March 25, 1872. She was a strict member of the Methodist church from childhood, and was the mother of six children, who all grew to maturity, and two of whom are now living-a daughter and the subject of this sketch. J. Thomas Tolbert was reared on the farm, and work was such an imperative necessity that he attended - school but little. In 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Georgia battalion artillery, Maj. Austin Leyden, with which he served until July, 1863, when he was transferred to Company E, First Georgia cavalry. On one occasion he and five 'others were out on a scout and suddenly came upon a company of guerrillas, who chased them five miles, shooting at them all the time; but they finally escaped. He was in many hard fights, but never wounded. - At the siege of Knoxville-1864-he was captured by the same men, an interesting coincidence ,who-chased him when scouting. He was held until after the surrender-sometimes, he alleges, on starvation rations. After his release he went to Cincinnati, where he remained about seventeen months, and then returned to his old home in Carroll county. Mr. Tolbert was married Dec. 19, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth V., daughter of Valentine Mc. and Elizabeth (Rice) Hodgson, of English descent. Six children have blessed their marriage-Thomas W., Elizabeth H., wife of Lyman Stutts; Minnie R, and Elba, living, and Abby' Estelle and Montra May, deceased. After marriage Mr. Tolbert went to farming, supplementing it- with trading in stock, prospering beyond his most sanguine expectations He is now one of the most substantial and ranks among the best citizens in Carroll county. Mr. Tolbert's success illustrates the great possibilities of life in Georgia when pluck and perseverance are coupled with energy and fair business judgment. Financially and socially himself and family occupy first-class positions. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/carroll/bios/gbs72tolbert.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb