Early History of Polk County, Georgia - July 24, 1875

Early History of Polk County, Georgia

Multi Part Series From the 1875 and 1876 Cedartown Standard Newspaper

July 24, 1875

Transcribed by Debra Tumlin. We owe her a big thanks for her efforts.


THE RECORD

CEDARTOWN, GA, July 24, 1875

Early History of Polk County

BY ONE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS

Continued

In the early part of the year 1834 was the most gloomy time with the people of Cedar valley. The time had expired for the Cherokee Indians to leave the country, and they had failed or refused to go. In the change, or election of their chief, they had got a new hearing before Congress, as to their treaty with the government, and it was uncertain as to when they would leave, and the Pony Club claimed to rule the country with an iron rod in all elections, and the future was truly gloomy, and a great many citizens moved back to the old counties.

About this time Asa prior brought out some Negroes and located near the big spring, and soon commenced building cabbins and houses, and also the saw and grist mill the Oppert now owns. Asa Prior was a man peculiar to himself, but in the main a good, honest man. He attended strictly in person to his own business, and toiled from early in the morning until late at night. Never particular as to the adornment of his person, plain clothing in common with his workmen was his custom. He was gentle and kind in his intercourse with all men, but stern enough when his personal honor required it. He was a man whose whole soul would sicken under a sense of personal dishonor. He was elected to the legislature in 1838 or 39, and made a good, plain unassuming member. He belonged to the old Whig party, and heartily supported the principles of his party while a member of the house. He was about sixty-five years old when he left Polk county for Texas in 1853 or 54, and died soon after he landed in Texas. He had, by close attention to business, accumulated a considerable amount of this world’s goods; in fact he was called a rich man before he left the county, but he had lived nearly to man’s appointed time, and beyond man’s common lot; but when the summons came he breathed forth his gentle spirit to God who gave it.

Martin Sparks also came in about this time with some Negroes and located on the place now owned by Mr. Bunn. He was a man of considerable means, and a man possessed of fine business qualities; had served as Sheriff of Morgan county a number of years, and perhaps had been elected to the legislature a term or two. He was a man of fine practical sense and had fine talents for making money and holding on to it. He also was an old line Whig, and a good, orderly member of the Baptist church. I knew but little of his peculiarities, as he died the next winter after he moved out in the spring. He was between fifty and sixty years old when he died. His son Thomas was about grown when he died, and was the only heir. He then took possession of everything, and remained on the place until 1860 or 1861, when he sold out to Mr. M. H. Bunn and went West.

{TO BE CONTINUED}


Faithfully transcribed as printed on July 4, 1999. Debra Tumlin

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