MAYOR JOSEPH STALEY
No better illustration of what industry joined
to intelligence and sobriety will accomplish can be found than in the case
of the subject of this sketch.
He was born in Lancastershire,
England, March 26, 1824, and after receiving an ordinary education and
the rudiments of a trade as a tinner, came to this country and located
in Milledgeville, Ga., beginning life as a journeyman. After two years
of hard work and strict economy he saved enough from his earnings to open
a small tin-shop. In time he added a stock of hardware and his business
grew; until the opening of the war he was driving a splendid trade and
was on the road to wealth and independence. Like many others who were just
fairly getting started he closed his store, sacrificed his property, and
threw himself and fortunes into the uncertain conflict of arms. He joined
the "Baldwin Blues," which were mustered into the Fourth Georgia regiment
and sent into the Fourth Georgia regiment and sent to join the conflict
then raging in Virginia. After some service in the army of north Virginia,
he was discharged on account of failing health and sent home, when he was
placed in the State armory and there remained until the surrender. At the
close he opened a small shop again and began anew. By the exercise of the
same industry and economy, and the same attention to his own affairs which
characterized his earlier years, his business has grown and prospered and
he now has the best house of the kind in any country town in middle Georgia;
not only that, but he has interests outside. he has been active in the
movements to secure for his town a system of gas and water works, a street
car line and a building and loan association. He has also been one
of the aldermen of the town many years, and was recently elected mayor.
He has become thoroughly Americanized, although of foreign birth, and is
in active sympathy with all distinctively American interests. His wife
is a Georgia lady, being a descendent of one of the old families of Wilkinson
County - her maiden name Martha J. Sanders. He has but one child, a daughter,
Sarah Isabella.
Source: Biographical Souvenir
of the States of Georgia and Florida. Chicago, IL: F.A. Battey & Company,
1889.
February 28, 1909
The Atlanta Constitution
JOSEPH STALEY IS DEAD.
Aged Citizen of Baldwin Was Stricken
With Pneumonia.
Milledgeville, Ga., February 27. (Special)
Joseph Staley, one of Milledgeville's oldest citizens, died today of pneumonia.
he was in his eighty-fifth year, and had been constantly in business in
this city for over fifty years. He was a native of England, coming to this
section when thirty years of age, and for years has been in the hardware
business. Mr. Staley fought through the war as a member of the Baldwin
Blues. Up to a few days ago he actively attended to his business.
Staley Avenue in Milledgeville is named after
Mayor Joseph Staley.
Eileen Babb McAdams copyright 2005
