The life and times of James Martin Hamrick, Part 3

We continue this week with the next to last article on the autobiography of James Martin Hamrick, (1838-1907) a farmer who lived in rural Georgia (Meriwether, Troup and Carroll counties) during its early days. This week, James tries his hand at politics and tells us more about life in Carroll County in the late 19th century. Our thanks to Dave Hamrick and his father, John Hamrick, for sharing with us this fascinating story.

"Chapter VIII

"After serving as tax collector for two terms, I began to think that I was getting very popular and ran again against a good man, a one-armed soldier, Dan Creel, and he laid me in the shade by 40 votes. After he served two years, 1881-1882, we had what was called a scrub race (10 men running for the office). I was successful and came out winner by 190 votes. After serving two years, we had another scrub race. I again went in the ring and thought that I could see my way clear; but oh, often we are mistaken. My friend W.D. Jones defeated me by 75 votes. Since then, I have been in several races and ran very well but got left on the home stretch. In 1896 I got in sight of the promised land, but my friends for their support and hope they will let me have the office one more time in life; then I will retire from politics and help my friends.

"During the time at Sand Hill that I was holding office, my wife attended the store and looked after my collections and bought many bales of cotton and made money for me. By this time I had bought and paid for about 700 acres of land. By this time, the Southern Railroad was constructed; and in 1883 I sold out and moved to Villa Rica, a prosperous place, and bought a farm, also a business house in which I sold dry goods and made money. And in that town though not boastingly I raised a large family of good children, 8 boys and 3 girls, 10 of whom are living, though only 1 with me now; and though I am getting old, I still hope to live to see them make the best of citizens.

"In 1885, after getting a good start, I commenced buying cotton and lost money. In 1890 I decided that cotton would go to a high point; so I made arrangements with Maddox & Rucker to get money, bought and held 1,000 bales, and lost $10,000 on it and was then flat broke and had to sell my surplus property and enter the loan association in which I remained 6 years when I had to give up or sell my farm to pay out and have been hard run up to now to meet my obligations when due, and many friends have advanced me money for such purposes for which may God bless them.

"Chapter IX

"About 1891, after losing heavily on cotton, it grieved me. Still I thought there was a living for all if we would strive in the right way; so I went into the cattle business and bought and fed thousands of head, and in the meantime, I made my little farm so that it would produce a bale of cotton to the acre, dealing at the same time in cottonseed hulls and meal.

"I have made it a point in life, as much as my means would allow, to help build up the county and paid $500 in to the Griffin and Carrollton Railroad and $300 toward our school building, which is an honor to our town. In doing this, I only did my duty as we should all strive to leave monuments for our children; yet I regret that I have not been able to do more and been of more service to my county and society.

"In looking over my past life, I see many places where I could make improvements, but too late, though in the future I expect to guard against some missteps that the mantle of charity will be thrown around all my shortcomings. I find by past experience that when we do our duty religiously or temporally towards our fellow man, we can lie down at night with a clear conscience. My family has been my pride, and I feel that I have done all that I could for them, and they have likewise been kind to me; and with all my failures, I feel that I have cast a few mites that will be gathered up in days to come.

"For the past 40 years I have been a lover of sacred music and have traveled hundreds of miles to attend our conventions, and at my present age, it fills my soul with love to sing God's praises; and if a man were to pass my house with a sacred harp under his arm, he can return, eat my ham and sweetened coffee, and slumber on my best bed. Last year I attended 20 conventions and annual singings, cutting a great through, especially at mealtime; and today I have no regret at being thrown with music talent, and the best I ever heard led by ladies was by Misses Lola White, Ora Morgan, Gardner, Smith and others. And after my time, I hope my musical friends will hold a memorial singing in memory of me.

"Farming has been pleasant with me, and I have followed it all my life up to 1897 and raised a large family, mostly boys, and they have worked hard; and my experience is, if you want to make useful men, learn them to pull the bell cord, and not boasting, I am proud to see my 8 sons doing as well as they are, and I hope to see them make the best of citizens and be of great use to the state. I have only 1 with me and my 2 faithful daughters of whom I have no complaint I will speak in my next."

Next week: Chapters X and XI, the conclusion of this personal look into the life of an ordinary Georgia citizen ... one who lived possibly in much the same manner as your ancestors.

If you missed the first parts of this story, you can read them online at www.thecitizennews.com. From the home page, scroll down to the "Finding Your Folks" link on the right. You'll find all past columns archived there.

We want to hear your ancestors' stories too. Send them to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

Until next week, happy hunting!