Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-10

luStrlOus names are lovingly IEeasuIsO
by the great state to the fair fame OF
which, whether as sons or adopted cit
liens, they so materially contributed,
no one occupied a securer or more en-
during place in the popular regard than
the distinguished subject Of the pres
ent sketch. An ornament to the day
and generation wherewfth his notable
lot was Identified, his political career
possesses an interest we'll deserving of
revival IN the recollection Of posteri-
ty. The remarkable parsonage to whom
we refer Is none other than the Hon.
Alex II. Stephens, who first beheld the
diurnal light on modest farm In the
vicinity of Crawfordville, Taliaferro
county. Georgia the date of his time
hOnered nativity being the 18th OF Feb
ruary, 1912. t- pcs
He came of a sturdy lineage, his
grandfather. Alex Stephens, who was
the founder of the American branch OF
the stephens family, being an English
man, and an adherent of the Jacobite
pretender, Rrince Charles Edward Re
moving TO this country about 1f46, he
cast hts pioneer fortunes with the
Pennsylvania colony, he being engaged
I'm several conflicts with the Indians,
as well as seeing service in the old
French war under the able chieftaincy
Of Colonel George Washington. He
was, moreover captain in the revolu-
tionary war, and soon after the sue
cessful termination OF hostilities. heq
transferred his residence to the sover-
eign soil OF the state of Georgia.
There, in wilkes county, in course of
time, his son, Andrew b. stephens,
was welded to Miss Margaret Grier.
and as a result OF this transformations
union, we point to the birth OF. our
distinguished subject, Alexander. who,
as his grandsires namesake, was des-
tined to shed lustrious credit upon
the family whereto he owed his brill
liant origin. .
At the age OF 10, our worthy who had
up to that time, because of assiduous
farm work. enjoyed few educational
opportunities, became an orphan. In
that forlorn predicament he soon at
tracted the attention of Charles G.
Mills, man of means, by whom he
was, after five months Institutional
training, offered home in Washing
ton. Wilkes county. and a place as pur
pill IN rs High school, over which Rev
Alex Hamilton Webster then ably pre-
sided. To this talented preceptor our
subject was not only indebted for
scholastic benefit. but likewise for, his
middle name. And the Hamilton by
which HIS nlustrious signature was
thenceforward to be distinguished, far
from suffering labasementi was in
later years. 10 receive continupous and
widespread plaudits from, his admiring
countfymen. ..t,st. -f.ss .itae4
Within a few months he was adj
judged as ready for admission to
Franklin college. subsequently known
as the University of Georgia. In the
summer OF 1923, thanks TO the assis-
lance OF a Presbyterian educationalgso-
ciety, and with view to his ultimate
preparation for the ministry he was
there Flatriculated as q freshman stuA
dent, and four years thereafter, lin 1882.
he had the distinction of graduating
with the highest honors of that vener-
able institution. On leaving college his
determination for taking orders hav-
Ing intermediately changed, he resorted
to teaching to the end of earning mon-
ey wherewith to reimburse Mills and
the aforesaid society for their generous
aid in connection with his schooling,
AS result Of his jealous efforts In
that regard, at the time Of his recep-
ton into the legal fraternity. in July.
1884. he. was able to fully discharge
both indebtednesses, and thus on the
threshold of his interesting career. was
he happily relieved from what would
certainly have preyed upon his honor
able mind. Before leaving this period
OF Mr.. Stephens life, we would say
that on the 9Th of the same month he
made HIS debut as a political orator.
His speech was an able one, and
from the ground, as then taken, his
rock-ribbed convictions never after
wards deviated. While denying the as
serted right OF notification, that is,
the right OF a state TO remain in the
union, and yet disobey the federal
laws. he insisted upon the sovereignty
of the states and upon the constitute
tionaI prerogative of any to withdraw
from the union whenever the. compact
should be violated by their sister conn
monwealths. ttl-
Abiding TO Mr.. Stephens admission
to the bar. which was secured after
only two months study we would