Heard-Campbell County GaArchives Bios.....John D Hightower ************************************************ 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: Candace Gravelle http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00023.html#0005680 March 20, 2004, 11:16 am Excerpt from an article in the book "Memoirs of Georgia", publ. 1895: " John Dickerson Hightower, farmer, Rockdale, Heard Co., GA, son of Henry R. and Tempie (Ray) Hightower, was born in what is now Campbell County, GA in 1825. His father was born in Pennyslvania and about the year 1800 migrated thence to Georgia and settled in Oglethorpe County. his conveyance was an old time ox cart with wooden wheels, the frame being put together with wooden pins and hickory withes. He cleared a farm and commenced farming, but after some years moved wo what is now Campbell County and engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1857. Mr. Hightower was raised on the farm, on which he worked and attended school at a little log school house until nearing maturity, since when many years of his life has been interestingly eventful. At the age of nineteen he ran away from the home to join an expedition against Mexico, and enlisted in Company C, Capt. W.T. Wofford, in Calhoun's Cavalry Battalion. He did scout duty during the entire war, and went as far south as the penisula of Yucatan, where he was wounded in the right thigh by a lance in the hands of a Mexican. In 1848 he returned to his home in Campbell County but did not stay long. The next year he joined a company of gold hunters, started for California and shipped from Mobile to go via Cape Horn. After a long and rough and tedious voyage he reached the alleged land of promise, only to meet with sad disappointment. After spending several months in fruitless search for the precious metal, he found himself impoverished, and decided to return home. A sympathizing friend loaned him money for the purpose and the early fifties found him at the plow handles on the old homestead. In 1852 he moved to Heard County where he continued farming with satisfactory success. When the civil war was precipated in 1861 he enlisted in Company K 41st GA Reg., participating in it's engagements. At Perryville, Kentucky, he received a wound which disabled him temporarily, and he was sent home. At the end of sox months he returned to his command, and at the battle of Baker's Creek was again wounded but continued in the field. After the surrender, he returned, penniless and homeless to Heard County. He went to work as a farm hand and worked and lived hard until he got a start, when he bought a piece of land and went to farming on his own account. Working hard, and early and late, and living frugally, he had placed himself in easy circumstances. He owns a good farm, has all that he craves in the matter of a good homne and plenty, and a comfortable bank account. No citizen of the county stands higher. Mr. Hightower was married soon after his return from California to Miss Rosiana, daughter of Joshua and Polly (Wallace) Teal, who has born him six children, only two of whom, Isom J. and Benjamin F., are still living. " (Written in 1895) Henry Hightower and wife Temperance Ray Hightower are shown in the 1850 census for old Campbell County, GA. Henry Hightower married Temperance Ray on Jan 13, 1820 in Clark County, GA 1850 census for old Campbell County, GA shows: Henry Hightower, age 59, farmer, born ?? Temperance Hightower, age 50, born GA Amanda Hightower, age 17, born GA Hilliance (or Hilliary?) Hightower, age 15, female, born GA Nancy D. Hightower, age 13, born GA Elsberry W. Hightower, age 7, male, born GA Campbell County, Georgia Land Deed Record Book "E" p. 47 - - Campbell County, GA Dec 26, 1849 - - Deed from John D. Hightower of Campbell County to Emanuel Teal of Campbell County; 50 acres lying in the NW corner of LL $5 Dist 9 Coweta, now Campbell Co., GA $55. Wits: Thomas Bullard, H.F. Moates, J.P. No recording date entered. Campbell County, GA Land Deed Record Book "D" p. 493 - - Campbell Co., GA Dec 25, 1848 - - Deed from Ryle McNeal of Campbell Co. to John D. Hightower of Campbell County 50 acres lying in LL #5 Dist. 9 Coweta, now Campbell Co., GA $50. Wits: Rylie Shirley, Eli R. Goodrich, J.P. No recording date entered. Additional Comments: Notes: 1880 census Heard County, Georgia District 987, Heard County, Georgia 1880 Source: FHL Film 1254152 Natl Archives Film T9-0152 Page 93A John D. HIGHTOWER Self age 63 GA Occ: Farming Fa: GA Mo: GA Rosana HIGHTOWER Wife age 60 GA Occ: Keeping House Fa: NC Mo: NC Tempa HIGHTOWER Dau age 24 GA Occ: At Home Fa: GA Mo: GA William NINDING (?), Other age 21 GA Occ: Laborer Fa: NC Mo: GA Notes: John D. Hightower served in the Civil War as a PVT Co. I 41st GA Inf. CSA, Heard County Rangers; he enlisted March 4, 1862, was captured at Vicksburg, MS on July 4, 1863; paroled from there on July 6, 1863; was shown on muster rolls with his regiment as present on Dec 31, 1863. John D. Hightower applied for an Mexican Wars pension in 1887 (ref. index of Mexican war pension applications - - pension Number C7247 (2-16-1887) Buried at Caney Head Methodist Church Cemetery in Heard County, Georgia (ref: Heard County, GA Cemeteries book, listed as John D. Hightower) Note: Appears from his Will, filed in Heard County, Georgia, that John D. Hightower remarried after the death of his first wife Roseanna. As he was of advanced age (presumably), it is thought that he did not have any children with the second wife.