Georgia:  Coweta County:  Biography of Thomas E. Zellars

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THOMAS E. ZELLARS, a prominent business man of Grantville, belongs to one 
of the valued pioneer families of the state, to which his grandfather 
came more than a century ago. He, Jacob Zellars, the son of a German, 
served through the revolutionary war, and for many years the old gun and 
powder-horn he had carried through that struggle were carefully preserved 
in his family. In 1790 he brought his wife, Barbara (Fudge) Zellars, like 
himself a native of Virginia, and settled in what is now Lincoln county, 
Ga., a pioneer in the midst of the dense woods. Though poor in the 
beginning, he was able, by his own industry and prudent management, to 
amass a considerable fortune, and became one of the richest men of that 
section of the state. In 1798 his son Solomon was born and was reared on 
his father's farm in Lincoln county, but after his marriage he went to 
Newton county for a few years, removing thence, inat he is reckoned a man 
of broad mind and great intelligence. In April, 1862, he enlisted in 
Company C, Nineteenth Georgia regiment, in command of Thomas C. Johnson, 
and was with his company in many of its engagements. He was in many 
battles, among them Ocean Pond (where he was wounded), Round House, 
Petersburg, Richmond, Fort Fisher and many others. The war left him 
penniless and he returned to his home to make a new start in life. Having 
a natural aptitude for business, he entered into partnership with William 
J. Garrett, on a borrowed capital of $2,000, and has been greatly 
prospered. Their business has steadily increased and they are now among 
the largest merchants in Coweta county, carrying a stock of some $10,000, 
doing a business of about $50,000 per annum, with an estimated working 
capital of $30,000, and owning land as a firm valued at $7,000 or $8,000. 
Mr. Zellars married Miss Ella Moreland, daughter of Thomas C. and Emma 
(Barnett) Moreland. She was born in Heard county, Ga., in 1851, and was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Zellars belongs to 
the Baptist church, of which he is a very useful and influential member. 
Mrs. Zellars died in 1891, having been the mother of five children: 
Jessie A., Thomas M., Ellen G.., Emma, and Ella E. Mr. Zellars is one of 
the wealthiest citizens of the county, where he is universally liked 
and esteemed. He and his family deservedly hold a position of influence 
in the community.

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