CRAWFORD COUNTY, GA - Bios John I. Champion

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Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm

John I. Champion

John I. Champion, farmer, Roberta, Crawford County,
Georgia, son of Thomas G. and Mary (Sandford) Champion,
was born in Crawford County in 1845. His paternal
grandfather was Joseph I. Champion, who was born and
raised in Augusta, Georgia, then moved to Alabama. A few
years afterward he moved to Crawford County and
subsequently returned to Alabama. He was a very devoted,
ardent Baptist and a leading member of the denomination
in the state. He lost all his sons in different wars -
Henry and James in the Indian War of 1836; Jefferson in
the Mexican War, and Thomas G. in the late war. 

Mr. Champion's father was born in Alabama, he came to
Georgia with his father when he was a boy. He, like his
father, was a farmer by occupation. He enlisted in
Company A, Benaud's Battalion, and died near Savannah
while in the service. 

Mr. Champion's mother was a daughter of John S. and
Silvia (Spivey) Sandeford. He was born in South Carolina,
and coming to Georgia, was one of the early settlers of
Jefferson County. He was a farmer and fruit distiller. 

Mr. Champion was raised on a farm and received a very
limited education. In 1863 he enlisted in Company A
(Capt. Joseph A. Cotton). His battalion was subsequently
consolidated with the First Georgia Regulars, in which he
saw some pretty hard service. He was in the battles of
Olustee, Cusahassee, James Island, Silver Hills, and
Bentonville. He was severely wounded at Olustee and
disabled from service four months. His father died during
the war, and the son came out of it poor, and, being the
oldest child, had his mother and her family of children
to provide for. For a number of years he rented land, but
in 1873 he made his first purchase, to which he has
added, until now he has a 400 acre farm of good land,
well improved, and a nice home. He cultivates well and is
quite prosperous and as much respected as any citizen of
the county. 

Mr. Champion was married in 1866 to Miss. Agnes L.
Roberts - born in Crawford County in 1844 -daughter of
James and Margaret (Stiles) Roberts. He was born in Jones
County, but early in life moved to Crawford County, which
continued to be his home until his death. He was a
soldier during the Indian War of 1837. 

Of the fruits of this marriage five children were born.
Robert E., John H., Mary A., Beulah, and Walter E. Mrs.
Champion was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. 

In January 1895, Mr. Champion was unanimously elected by
the citizens of his county as Tax Collector.

Transcribed by Kim Gordon