is recognized as one of the leading merchants and representative citizens of the city of Milledgeville, and has done much to further the upbuilding and progress of the city, where he has varied and important interests. He was born on a farm in DeKalb county, Tenn., March 2, 1869, and in that county were also born his parents, John A. and Sarah (Robinson) Bass, who there passed their entir lives, the father having been a successful farmer and stock-grower and a prominent dealer in live stock. When the subject of this sketch was a lad of eight years his mother died, and when he was twenty years old his father also passed away. Edward E. Bass attended school in DeKalb and Wilson counties, Tenn., until he had attained to the age of eighteen years. In 1888 he came to Georgia and located in Griffin, Spalding county, where he entered the employ of his uncles, J. L. and H. H. Bass, who conducted one of the most extensive general merchandise concerns in that section, under the title of Bass Bros. He remained with his uncles in various capacities until 1896, when he removed to Milledgeville and engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being composed of himself and younger brother, C. L. Bass, who died in 1900. His success has been one of the most positive and gratifying order and he is today one of the most prominent business men of the former capital city, owning and conducting two of the largest and best equipped mercantile establishments in Milledgeville, - one devoted to dry goods and the other to dry goods and clothing. He also owns a one half interest in still another retail mercantile concern in the city. He is one of the large holders of improved real estate in Milledgeville, where he has personally erected twelve substantial buildings, including his own fine modern residence and one of the best business blocks in the town. He is also possessed of valuable farm property in Baldwin county, and is recognized as a reliable, progressive and able business man, and as a loyal and public spirited citizen. Mr. Bass is a free thinker in political matters, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Baptist church. On Jan. 4, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Bass, of Hancock county, who bore the same name, but who is of an entirely different family line, and they have two children - Sarah Ione, born Feb. 22, 1900, and Wesley Elward, born Aug. 1, 1902.

      who is engaged in the retail dry-goods trade in the city of Milledgeville, is one of the representative citizens and business men of Baldwin county, and is well entitled to consideration in this work. He was born on a farm in Forsyth county, Ga., on Dec. 9, 1858, and is a son of Matthew R. and Josephine (Scudder) Bell, both of whom were likewise natives of that county, where the latter died in 1865. In 1869 Matthew R. Bell was appointed steward and treasurer of the Georgia state sanitarium, at Milledgeville, and he retained this office four years, after which he continued his residence in Milledgeville, having served sixteen years as judge of the court of ordinary of Baldwin county and having been a citizen of prominence and influence, commanding unqualified esteem in the community; he was also a loyal soldier of the Confederacy during the Civil war. He died in 1899, at the age of seventy-one years. After the removal of his father to Milledgeville the subject of this sketch became a student in the schools there until he had attained the age of sixteen years, when he became a clerk in a dry-goods store, beginning at the foot of the ladder and learning the business in all its details. He has ever since bee actively identified with this special line of enterprise, and has conducted independent operations since 1884, when he became and member of the firm of T. L. McComb & Co., with which he has thus associated for many years. In 1901 he established an individual business,  and he is to-day the sole owner of one of the best equipped and most popular dry-goods establishments in Milledgeville, his reliable methods and unfailing courtesy, as combined with wide and favorable acquaintanceship, thorough knowledge of his business, and careful selection of stock, making his store one of the most prosperous of similar mercantile enterprises  in this section of the state. Though alwasy taking a loyal interest in all that concerns the well being of the community, and being a stalwart supporter of the principles of the Democracy, Mr. Bell has never desired the honors or emoluments of public offce. He is affliated with the  local lodge, chapter and connandery of the Masonic fraternity, being the present eminent commander of Plantagenet Commander, No. 12, Knights Templars, as  well as junior warden of his lodge and king of his chapter. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church South, in Milledgeville, and he is a steward in the same, as well as treasurer of the society. On July 9, 1884, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Annie Wright, daughter of the late Thomas D. Wright, of Milledgeville. They have no children.

Industry and economy, when accompanied by intelligently directed enterprise, will general win under any surroundings: but there and now then occur cases of more than ordinary success and interest. One of the most conspicuous of these, as well as one of the most instructive, is that of Peter J. Cline, merchant-farmer and stock raiser, Milledgeville, Baldwin Co., Ga., son of Peter and Bridget Cline, who was born in Augusta, Ga., Sept. 22, 1845. His parents were natives of County Roscommon, Ireland, and the subject of this sketch was the only one of the children born in this country. Mr. Cline's father, a  teacher by profession, emigrated to this country in 1843 and settled in Augusta, Ga., where, by his unusual ability he soon attained prominence and influence and position in the city government. About three years afterward he sent for his family, and two years later, in 1848, he died, aged thirty-nine years. His widow was born in 1813 and died in 1853. Both were devout Catholics.

     is the head of one of the oldest and most prosperous wholesale grocery houses of central Georgia, the same being located in Milledgeville and now conducted under the title of John Conn & Co.,  though he is sole proprietor. He is also president of the Exchange bank, of Milledgeville, and is one of the prominent and influential citizens and business men of Baldwin county. Mr. Conn was born in Milledgevile, April 20, 1865, and is a son of Capt. William T. and Lenora A. (Carr) Conn, (the mother having died in 1868). Captain Conn is the subject of an individual sketch in this work, so that a further resume of the family history is not required in the present connection. At the age of sixteen years John Conn was graduated at the Georgia military college in Milledgeville, and two years later he was graduated in Emory college at Oxford, as a member of the class of 1883, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Upon leaving college he became bookkeeper in his father's wholesale grocery establishment, the first one founded in Milledgeville, retaining this position three years and then becoming traveling salesman for the concern, the business having then been conducted under the title of W. T. Conn & Co. He remaining on the road two years and for the ensuing three years was employed in the house headquarters. He then, at the age of twenty-six years, purchased his father's interest in the business, thus becoming associated in the same with Arthur J. Carr,  who had previously been the silent partner of the original firm. The firm of Carr & Conn thereafter conducted a large and prosperous wholesale grocery business for thirteen years, or until 1904, when Mr. Conn purchased the interest of his partner, thus becoming sole owner of the fine business, which he has since conducted individually and with ever increasing success, the house having a high reputation throughout its trade territory. The same year Mr. Conn was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Exchange Bank of Milledgeville of which he has since been president, his brother, Otto M., being cashier of the institution, which has met with a most gratifying support from its inception. Mr. Conn is a stalwart in the local camp of the Democratic party, being a member of its executive committee for the city of Milledgeville. He served as a member of the board of aldermen a short time, resigning the office on account of the exigent demands of his private business. He is a member and trustee of the local organization of the Methodist Episcopal church South, and is identified with the lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic fraternity, being past high priest of his chapter and past eminent commander of his commandery of Knights Templar, which he is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Alpha Tau Omega college fraternity. On Dec. 5, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Conn to Miss Hattie Powell daughter of Dr. T. O. Powell, superintendent of the state hospital for the insane, at Milledgeville, and she was summoned to the life eternal June 9, 1902, leaving one child, Frances Powell Conn, who was born August 21, 1893.

  John Gilbert Croley, M. D. , an able and honored representative of the medical profession in the city of Milledgeville, was born in Brookly, N. Y., a son of Timothy J. and Margaret (McAuliffe) Croley, both of whom were born and reared in County Cork, Ireland, and whose marriage was solemnized in the city of New York, about 1856. When the subject of this sketch was an infant his parents came to Georgia, locating on a plantation in Hancock county, where the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, save for the interval of his service as a soldier of the Confedracy in the Civil war, until 1873, when he removed with his family to Baldwin county, taking up his residence on a frarm about seve miles distant from Milledgeville, where his devoted wife died in the year 1898. He survived her by a number of years, passing the closing yers of his life in the home of his son John G., whose name initiates this article, being summoned to the life eternal in 1903, at a vernerable age.  Both he and his wife were devout communicants of the Catholic shurch. Doctor Croley was afforded the advantages of Sparta academy and Rockby institute, both in Hancock county. He then entered the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, the medical department of the University of Georgia, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1880, duly receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine and coming forth well fortified for the work of his exacting and humane profession. Thereafter he was engaged in country practive in the vicinity of his old home, in Baldwin county, until 1889, and in 1890-91 he took post-graduate courses in Philadelphia and New York, after whick he located in the city of Savannah, where he was engaged in practive until 1893, since which time he has maintained his home and professional headquarters in Milledgeville, where he has met with eminent success in the work of his profession, both as a physician and surgeon. That he is held in high regard by his confreres in this locality, is evidenced by the fact that he is president of the Baldwin county medical society, and is also identified with the Medical Association of Georgia. The doctor accords unequivocal allegiance to the Democratic party. He is a Catholic and his wife belongs to the Baptist church. On Jan. 16, 1894, was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Croley to  Miss Sallie Stewart Davant, of Montgomery, Ala., and they have two children- Lilla Marguerite, born May 7, 1897, and John Gilbert, Jr. , born Sept. 7. 1904.

   is a prominent member of the Georgia bar, engaged in the practice of his profession in the city of Atlanta, and has been influential in public affairs in Georgia and is a leader in the councils of the Democratic party in this commonwealth. He was born on the parental homestead, Woodville plantation, five miles distant from Milledgeville, Baldwin county, Ga., July 25, 1852, a son of Charles and Ann V. (Grantland) du Bignon, the former born on Jeckyl island, Glynn county, Ga., Jan. 4, 1809, and the latter in State of Virginia, June 23, 1823. Charles du Bignon, a representative of one of the early settled families of Georgia, was of pure French extraction in the agnatic line, the lineage being of distinquished order. He was a participant in one of the Indian wars in this state and in the Civil war he was unreservedly loyal to the Confederacy, serving as captain in the Governor's Horse Guards, of Milledgeville, in Cobb's legion of Georgia cavalry. He enlisted in 1861 and served until 1863, when he received his honorable discharge. Mr. Ann V. du Bignon was a daughteer of Hon. Seaton Grantland, who served six years as  a representative of Georgia in the United States Congress, and her paternal grandfatherwas a patriot soldier in the Continental line during the  Revolution. Fleming G. du Bignon secured his preliminary educational discipline in the Virginia military institute, after which he took a technical course in the law department of the University of Virginia and was admitted to the bar of Georgia in 1873. He engaged in the practice of his profession in Milledgeville, where his success was marked and soon rose to prominence along professional and public lines. He served two years on the bench of the county court of Baldwin county; in 1880-81 represented that county in the state legislature; and in 1882-3 was a member of the state sentate, representingthe twentieth district. In the autumn of 1883 he removed to the city of Savannah and in the following year was elected solicitor-general of the eastern circuit. Before the expiration of his term he was again elected to the state senate, from the first district, and he had the further distinction of being chosen president of the senate, holding this position during the sessions of 1888-9, proving a most able and popular presiding officer. In 1896 Judge du Bignon was the candidate of his party for the United States senate, on the gold platform, but he encounteed defeat, owing to the insistent free silver tendency shown in the state. In 1897 he was elected chairman of the Democratic executive committe of the state, retaining this incumbency three years, at the expirat5ion of which he resigned. In 1888 and again in 1892 he was a delegate from the state at large to the Democratic natinal conventions, being chairman of the Georgia delegation in 1892 and a zealous supporter of Grover Cleveland in the convention hall. In 1889 he declined the nomination for governor, to accept the office of general counsel for the Plant railway system, with offices in Savannah, a position of which he remained the incumbent until the system was reorganized as the Atlantic Coast LIne. He is now general counsel for the Southern Express Company. Since 1903 Judge du Bignon has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Atlanta, where he has a representative practice in both the state and Federal courts. He is a member of the Oglethorpe club, of Savannah; the Capital City club, of Atlanta; the Manhattan club, of New York city; and is affiliated with the Royal Arcanum. On Nov. 25, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Caro (Nicoll) Lamar, daughter of Charles A. L. and Caroline Agnes (Nicoll) Lamar, of Savannah. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of this union: Carolina Lamar du Bignon was born in Savannah, Feb. 24, 1876; Anne Grantland du Bignon was born in Milledgeville, Aug. 19, 1877; Charles du Bignon was born at Woodville plantation, the birthplace of her father, Jan. 20, 1881.

Mr. Evans married Zella Bumpuss in 1869. There children were Alice Lee (married to Madison McGraw), Ada Virginia (married J. R. L. Austin),  Bessie (married H. F. Harris), Samuel, Jr., and George C. 3 infants who died in  1878, 1885, and 1890 are buried in Memory Hill.

 Mr Evans came to Milledgeville around 1871 and established a business that made plug tobacco. After 3 years he started a grocery and farmer's supply business until 1887 when he entered the cotton commission business. In 1889 he organized the Merchants & Farmers Bank and was made president. Later he was interested in raising cattle on his farm 8 miles from Milledgeville.
 

Samuel Evans died of Bright's disease at Starne's Private Hospital in Atlanta  August 23, 1904 and is buried in Memory Hill Cemetery, Milledgeville, Ga. Mrs. Evans  died at the home of her daughter Bessie Harris in Atlanta Feb. 1918 and is buried in Memory Hill Cemetery.
Source: Union Recorder August 30, 1904; Memory Hill Cemetery grave inscription

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HILBURN/HILBUN FAMILY

1817- Milledgeville, Baldwin GA- Oct 1- Letter for Frederick Hilburn left in Post Office.

1820- Baldwin, GA. Census.  Woodard A. Hilburn- 1 M< 10; 2 M 10-16; 1> 45; 2 F<10; 1 F 26-45.

1825- GEORGIA- Baldwin Co., Mariah Hilburn married Jacob Calaway 28 Jul.  Believed to be Woodard Hilburn's daughter.

1826- Baldwin, GA.  John L. Hilbun (Jehu) married Elizabeth Wirsham 14 Mar 1826.  Believed to be Woodard's son who later lived in Alabama.

1827- Feb 13: Baldwin, GA.  Vaughn Hilburn listed in newspaper in Milledgeville. Was a stagecoach driver betw. Milledgeville & Augusta.  His descendants are still in Georgia, primarily in Laurens County and many of whom spell their name "Hilbun".

Woodard/Woodward Hilbun later moved to Conecuh County, AL and then to Pontotoc Co., MS, where he is found in the 1850 US Census.  It's believed that he died there.  His children, Frederick, and William Hilbun settled for a few years in Desoto Co., MS.  Some of their descendants moved on to Texas and many later moved to California.  These Hilbuns primarily spell their name as HILBUN.

Woodward Hilbun served in the War of 1812 in North Carolina and the earliest record I have found of him is from 1800 in Brunswick County, NC.  He also owned land in Bladen, NC. :

1800 Brunswick- Oct 28. 1094 (235). Woodard Hilbern enters 400 a.; border: Elias Duncan; includes the place where Shadrick Wilson lived. “Abstracts of Land Entries: Brunswick Co, NC, 1794-1820” by R. B. Pruitt, 1989, p 66.

It's believed that his father was Vaughan Hilbun/Hilburn, found in Colonial N. C., served in the Revolutionary War in NC and who died in Hinds Co., MS in 1833/34, whose will I have a copy of.   Woodward's siblings were many, some of whom appear to be Frederick, James, Luke, Henry, John, Thomas, Francis.  The assumption of their relationship is based on the fact that they were in Brunswick Co., NC near each other and some of them are listed together on land records.  Vaughan also was in Brunswick but moved to Mississippi Territory as early as 1813 (record found).

I believe that the Vaughan Hilburn of Baldwin County, GA is LIKELY the son of Woodward Hilbun as he is the only Hilbun documented as living in that area of Georgia.  If others have documentation of something different, please let me know.   Joy Hilbun Mohr

B. A. WHITE, M.D.; EDWARD J. WHITE; JOSEPH H. WHITE, M.D.

lawyer, Milledgeville, Baldwin Co. Ga, who was born there in 1852, is one of the rising, as well as one of the most gifted young men of Georgia. His boyhood and early youth were spent-during the "unpleasantness" - on the old family plantation in Jasper county, Ga. In 1867 he entered Mercer university, then located at Penfield, Ga. where he remained two years. he next entered the university of Georgia, Athens, from which he graduated in 1870 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, some of his classmates being the following gentlemen, who have also left their impress on local or state legislation: Washington Dessau, Walter B. Hill, Nat E. Harris, C. L. Bartlett (congressman), Judge C. C. Jones, Rev. J. D. Hammond, Dr. A. S. Campbell, et al. The ensuing year he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and immediately located at Conyers, Rockdale Co., Ga. Six months later he went to Jackson, Butts Co., Ga., as to be conveniently near indian Springs, on account of his health. he remained here three years, doing some practice, and then spent the year 1875 on the plantation in Jasper county.  The ensuing year he located in Milledgeville, and formed a law partnership with Hon. Fleming du Bignon, now of Savannah, which continued until 1884. A year or so later he entered into partnership with Jon T. Adams, which still exists. In 1878 Mr. Whitfield was elected solicitor-general of Ocmulgee circuit, which comprises the counties of Morgan, Greene, Putnam, Jasper, Jones, Wilkinson and Laurens. This election was for an unexpired term, the incumbent having resigned; but wo years later-1880-he was elected for a full term of four years. In 1883 he was again  elected to the same office. The following November be resigned, as he had been elected at the October election to represent the twentieth senatorial district in the general assembly. In that body he was made chairman of the committee on the penitentiary, and placed on the committees of general judiciary and lunatic asylum.