TROUP COUNTY, GA - BIOS James L. Sims Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Typed by Carla Miles Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/troup.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Memoirs of Georgia, Vol. II, Atlanta, Ga., page 927 Published by The Southern Historical Association in 1895 TROUP COUNTY James L. Sims, farmer, Hogansville, Troup Co., Ga., son of William G. and Permelia (Cheatham) Sims, was born in Meriwether county, Ga. Oct. 10, 1837. His paternal grandparents, John and Fannie (Garr) Sims, were natives of Virginia and came to Georgia early in this century and settled in the woods near Athens, Clarke Co., Ga. Mr. Sims’ father was born on this farm July 7, 1811, was reared there, and educated in the “old-field” schools of the locality and period. In 1829 he went to Meriwether county, Ga., and settled in the woods, living in tents until they could build cabins - minus floors - in which the family lived in that condition for some considerable time. In 1837 he moved to Troup county, where he very nearly repeated his pioneer experience in the county he left. He was married Dec. 15, 1836, to Miss Permelia Cheatham - born near Athens, March 8, 1815 - daughter of Josiah and Permelia (Jones) Cheatham, pioneer settlers near Athens. Mr. Cheatham was a soldier in the war of 1812, and lived to be more than 103 years old. To Mr. Sims’ parents the following children were born: James L., the subject of this sketch, born Oct. 10, 1837; Emeline, born Sept. 17, 1838; William N., born July 13, 1840; Cynthia E., born Oct. 20, 1841; Fannie, born Feb. 26, 1843; Mary, born July 5, 1845; John I., born Sept. 6, 1847; Josiah G., born April 25, 1849; Jones C., born Jan. 22, 1851, George R., born June 15, 1853. He began life very poor, but he was industrious and energetic, and being progressive, with exceptionally good business judgment, he became quite wealthy. Mr. Sims was reared on the farm, and his limited education, was obtained in the old log school house. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B., Capt. James McCalla, Thirteenth Georgia regiment - Col. Ector - which command served in the Virginia army under Gen. John B. Gordon. He was in battles at Savannah and Shepherdstown, and numerous skirmishes; but his health not being good he was a great deal of the time in hospitals. He began life with one mule and cow, and settled in the woods where he now lives. Beginning with but little and a small farm, he has gradually increased his land holdings until now he owns nearly 600 acres of excellent land, with a good residence and good outbuildings, and his cleared land under the best of cultivation. He is now one of the solid and substantial citizens of one of the best counties in Georgia. His thriftiness is worthy of imitation - his success an inspiration to young farmers of small outfit. Mr. Sims was married Dec. 15, 1868, to Miss Jane Powledge - born in Meriwether county April 27, 1845 - daughter of John M. and Fannie (Foy) Powledge, whose families were among the early settlers near Savannah, Ga. The following children have been the fruit of this marriage: Robert F., John M., James O., Laura F., Irene J., and Foy P. Himself and wife are prominent members of the Methodist church.