Georgia:  Coweta County:  Biography of WILLIAM S. ASKEW 

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WILLIAM S. ASKEW, a prominent citizen of Newnan, was born in Coweta 
county, Ga., Jan. 1, 1841. His father, James P. Askew, son of William S. 
and Mary Askew, both natives of North Carolina, came to Georgia with his 
parents when six years of age, settling in Hancock county, where he grew 
to manhood. He was a soldier in the war of 1836, and his father was a 
soldier in the revolutionary war. William S. Askew, the subject of this 
sketch, attended school in an old log schoolhouse after fodder-pulling 
time and his education was very limited. In 1861 he enlisted in Company 
A, Newnan guards, the first company to leave Coweta county. After one 
year, the company being reorganized, he was connected with the Fourth 
Georgia regiment. In July, 1861, he was captured at Laurel Hill, but made 
his escape; his health failed, however, and for about five weeks he was 
cut off from his men. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the company 
commanded by Capt. Pittman, serving until 1862, when his time expired, 
but at the same time he re-enlisted under Capt. J. D. Sims, and served 
until September, 1863, when he was again captured and taken to Camp 
Morton at Indianapolis, Ind., and then to Fort Delaware, where 
he was held a prisoner until March 10, 1865, when he was paroled, this 
ending his war life. He was in some very hard-fought battles, among which 
were: 
Laurel Hill, Huntsville, Richmond, Kentucky and Jonesboro, and was 
captured at Blountville, Tenn. After the war he returned to Newnan and 
began farming, and was also engaged in the mercantile business until 
1875, when he was elected sheriff of Coweta county, serving two years. In 
1891 he and W. L. Cruce built a large-sized corn mill and also handled 
all kinds of building material. On Sept. 19, 1893, Mr. Askew bought his 
partner's interest and since then has been sole proprietor. On March 3, 
1867, Mr. Askew was married to Miss Samantha Scroggans, daughter of 
Barton and Eliza (Bird) Scroggans, to whom children have been born, three 
of whom are living: Olive May, Eugene and Anna E. Mrs. Askew was born and 
reared in Coweta county and both she and her husband are members of the 
M. E. church. Mr. Askew is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is well liked 
by all who know him. 

Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical 
Association, 1895.