Georgia:  Hancock County:  Biography of Archibald J. Battle

====================================================================
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
free information on the Internet, data may be used by
non-commercial entities, as long as this message
remains on all copied material. These electronic
pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
written consent of the file contributor.

The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb
Archives to store this file permanently for free access.
This file was contributed by:
Barbara Walker Winge
barbarawinge@yahoo.com
====================================================================
     ARCHIBALD J. BATTLE  (This is a very lengthy biography)  The 
President of Mercer University, Macon, GA, is De. Archibald J. Battle, a 
native of GA, but reared in AL.  Six feet in height, with an erect and 
graceful carriage, he is prepossessing in personal appearance; with a 
countenance indicative of modesty and manliness, and with a demeanor in 
the highest degree refined and affable, he is instincitvely recognized as 
a cultivated Christian gentleman.  Still in the vigor of matured manhood, 
with a piety which pervade his life, with a nature sympathetic and 
affectionate, with a scholarship varied and extensive, with a dignity and 
strength of mind which command respect, and with a courtesy and delicacy 
which win esteem, he is admirably adapted to the position he occupies, 
and if his life is spared, bids fair to increase his usefulness with his 
years, and to attain yet greater distinction in the chosen field of his 
labors.
     He is now in his 55th year, having been born in Powelton, Hancock 
county, GA, Sep 10th, 1826.  At that time the social, educational and 
religious privileges of Powelton were the equal of any in the State, and 
the first ten years of his life were, therefore, blessed with those 
highest and best influences which go towards moulding character.  His 
mother, a woman of great piety, mildness and gentleness, by whom his 
character was, to a great extent, formed, is still living in a serene and 
happy old age.  His father, the late Dr. Cullen Battle, of honored 
memory, a wealthy planter, originally from NC, removed to AL in 1836, 
settling in Eufaula, then known as Irwinton.  There , amid the social and 
religious influences of a cultured Christian family, Archibald J. Battle 
grew up to manhood.  He professed religion, and was baptized in his 
thirteenth year.  Both there and at Powelton he enjoyed excellent school 
familites, to which were added all the advantages of the University of 
Alabama, where he was graduated in the year of 1846, under the 
administration of that distinguised educator and godly man, the late Rev. 
Basil Manly, D.D.  During the following year, 1847, he was married to 
Miss Mary E. Guild, a daughter of Dr. James Guild, of Tuscaloosa, AL, a 
lady of rare personal beauty and accomplishments and distinguised for the 
loveliness of her character.