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.
James M. Thompson, planter of Autaugaville, and ex-sheriff of Autauga county, Ala., was born in 1836 in the county named, a son of William N. and Cynthia A. (Manning) Thompson. The father was born in Wiltshire, Eng.., about 1789; was a man of great information, obtained after leaving school by constant reading, research, and observation in travel. During the war of 1812, between England and America, he was sent by his government on some public mission, and later drifted to Autauga county, where he married and engaged in farming for a number of years; he then, about 1830, moved to
Col. Charles S. G. Doster is a native of Autauga county, Alabama, and its oldest lawyer. His father, Absalom Doster, was born in Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, 1796, and his mother, Mrs. Sarah (Alexander) Doster, in Greene county, Georgia, in 1806. Absalom Doster received a fine English education when young, and at the age of sixteen was taken by his parents to Georgia, and in 1818 came with them to Autauga county, Alabama, where he engaged in merchandising at old Washington, then the oldest town in this part of the state. He was married in 1822, and continued in the
Dr. John W. Davis, a retired physician and surgeon of Autauga county, Alabama, was born here in 1838, the son of Benjamin, born in Brunswick county, Virginia, in 1789, and Martha (Taylor) Davis, born in Oglethorpe county, Georgia, in 1797. Maj. Benjamin Davis was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was one of the pioneer settlers of Autauga county, having come here in the year 1818 or 1819; here he married, and became quite popular — at one time representing Autauga county in the state legislature and at another time serving as tax collector. He was a well-to-do