The 1893 article outlines the life and work of William L. Schieffelin, a dedicated citizen and tax assessor of Baldwin County, Alabama. Known for his business acumen, Schieffelin contributed significantly to his community through his successful general merchandise store and tenure as tax assessor.
The 1893 article chronicles the life of William H. Gasque, a dedicated public servant and probate judge in Baldwin County, Alabama. With his extensive service in court and legislative roles, Gasque significantly contributed to the county’s progress, successfully mitigating its debt, and improving infrastructure through personal efforts.
T. G. McGowan, born in 1832 in Ireland, became a respected planter and county commissioner in Baldwin County, Alabama. He served in the Fifteenth Alabama cavalry during the Civil War and later became a successful farmer and stock grower. He also served as a local preacher in the Methodist church.
Spencer Sharp, born 1809 in Virginia, was a pioneering horticulturist in Alabama, known for his ground-breaking work in orange culture. Despite initial challenges, his patience led to substantial rewards, securing his legacy in Alabama’s agricultural history.
Samuel K. Reynolds, born 1836 in Philadelphia, was a highly esteemed physician and surgeon in Baldwin County, Alabama. After initially practicing in Philadelphia and Europe, he moved to Alabama in 1859. During the Civil War, Reynolds provided medical services to Catholic institutions in Mobile, and continued his private practice post-war.
Samuel E. Stokes, born 1824, was a dedicated merchant and Civil War veteran from Clarke County, Alabama. Despite losing his wealth during the war, Stokes persevered, starting a business in Daphne, Alabama, with his remaining possessions and displaying admirable resilience and entrepreneurship.
Richard H. Moore, born in 1835, was a respected planter, stock raiser, and legislator in Baldwin County, Alabama. Despite becoming an orphan at a young age, he successfully managed his own plantation, expanded into timber and naval stores, and served in the state assembly. His efforts also contributed significantly to local development and philanthropy.
John Hadley, born in 1820, was a notable stock grower in South Baldwin County, Alabama. He initially worked as a farm hand and United States express rider, before transitioning into the stock business with his brother. Hadley, despite an early life of hardship, successfully managed a diverse and substantial livestock farm, specializing in sheep and cattle. He also played a significant role in his community and family.
Howell W. Slaughter, born in 1857, was a progressive planter and the sheriff of Baldwin County, Alabama. Despite limited formal education, he was an adept bookkeeper and managed his father’s plantation successfully. He expanded his property holdings, including the acquisition of the old Booth estate, and contributed significantly to local community development, particularly in the realms of education and church establishments, despite having no religious affiliation.
Henry J. Hunt was a respected planter and lumberman from Tensaw, Baldwin county, Alabama. Born in Georgia in 1827, Hunt relocated to Alabama, where he served in the Alabama cavalry during the Civil War. Following the war, he established a successful lumber business and farming operation. Recognized as an active community member, Hunt was part of the Tensaw lodge and the Missionary Baptist church.
Frank S. Stone Sr. was a prominent steamboat owner in Baldwin county, Alabama, in the late 19th century. Known for his distinguished career on the Bigbee river, he also became part-owner of the Planters & Merchants’ steam packet line. He gained recognition for his heroism during the 1858 Eliza Battle fire, his extensive participation in charitable endeavors, and his significant investments in agriculture, including orange and pear cultivation. His legacy extends to his familial and local community contributions.
This 1893 article details the life of Francis Earle, an Alabama farmer and slave owner who inherited his father’s plantation and stock farm in 1836. Despite suffering significant losses during the Civil War, he rebuilt his wealth and continued to contribute to his community. Earle married Mary McDonald and they had two children, Frank and Mary.
Edwin Baldwin, born in 1848, was a versatile entrepreneur in Baldwin County. Following service in the Civil War and varied occupations including river pilot and cowboy, he established a thriving business empire. His endeavors spanned from mercantile pursuits to a lumber and juniper business, grist and saw mill operation, pottery and brick production, and plans for a cannery. His resourcefulness significantly contributed to the growth of Baldwin County.
Edward Brodbeck, merchant and fruit grower of Point Clear, Baldwin county, and junior partner in the firm of Charles F. Zundel & Co., was born in Baden, Germany, in 1853 – the son of Christian and Barbara (Derr) Brodbeck. The father was a butcher of considerable wealth, who came to America in 1873 with his family, landing at New Orleans, whence he moved directly to Point Clear, where he bade farewell to earth in 1891 at the ripe age of eighty-one years. His wife was also a native of Baden, was married in her nineteenth year, and became the mother
Charles F. Zundel, born in Germany in 1824, emigrated to America and worked as a baker before moving to Baldwin county. In partnership with George Kapahn and later Mr. Brodbeck, he successfully engaged in merchandising. Married to Anna M. Brodbeck in 1870, they had nine children.
Ausphera W. Bryant, born in 1827, was a successful planter and Confederate veteran from Baldwin County, Alabama. Starting as a general merchandise clerk, he eventually owned 1,900 acres of agricultural and timber lands. He married Virginia Steadham in 1858 and fathered eleven children. His father, William P. Bryant, was a merchant originally from North Carolina. After the death of Ausphera’s mother, Margaret Weekley, his father’s second wife was Edward Robinson, his initial employer. The Bryants are a significant example of Alabama’s early pioneer families.
This is volume 7 of The Alabama Historical Quarterly published quarterly in 1945 by the Alabama State Department of Archives and History. You can freely read this manuscript online, search the manuscript, or download a PDF copy for offline reading. The article “Colbertians”, painstakingly prepared by Mr. James gives an intimate picture of the early history of Colbert County and some of its pioneer citizens. Parts 2 and 3 of the “Colbertians” include transcriptions of obituaries and cemetery records for Colbert County, Alabama.
This is volume 6 of The Alabama Historical Quarterly published quarterly in 1944 by the Alabama State Department of Archives and History. You can freely read this manuscript online, search the manuscript, or download a PDF copy for offline reading. This volume is known for the transcription of the 1820 State Census for the counties of Baldwin, Conecuh, Dallas, Franklin, Limestone, St. Clair, Shelby, and Wilcox, in Number 3, as well as it’s treatment of the Revolutionary Soldiers in Alabama in Number 4.
In 1928 the Baldwin County Historical Society sought to publish a small book on the history of Baldwin County. Their intent was to strive to present in a brief manner some facts which they hoped would be an inspiration to those seeking to know the history of the county better. A manuscript written to embody inspiration usually does not include items of interest that would show the county in a bad light. The topic of slavery, for instance, is mute. The section I find most interesting appears on pages 71-74 and discusses the Fairhope Single Tax Colony. A group of
Baldwin was originally carved out of Washington by an act of the Mississippi Territorial legislature, dated December 21,1809. As then organized, it lay west of the Tombikbee (except a portion of the lower part of the fork); south of the 5th township line, north of the parallel 31°, and east of the boundary line of Mississippi; and the courthouse was at McIntosh’s Bluff. By an act of the first legislature of the State all the country south of Little river, as far east as the line between ranges seven and eight, and north of the parallel 31° was added. By
THOMAS B. TUNSTALL died in this county, Aug. 13, 1842, at the age of 54 years. He was a native of Pittsylvania county, Virginia, but resided for many years in this county and in Madison. He was often clerk of one branch or the other of the general assembly of the State, and was secretary of State from 1836 to 1840. He was clerk of the house of representatives in 1840 and ’41. He has many relatives yet living in this and adjoining counties. JOHN O. AIKEN who died a few years ago, after a long residence in this county,