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James Wood Oglesby.

FTEN in the contemplation of what a man has accomplished there arises a wonder that his annals could

encompass so much, just as, in the consideration of the multiplied interests demanding and receiving his attention it seems marvelous that the hours can be so elongated as to permit of the answer to every call of duty, in the manner that is attested by the growth and success of the interests involved.

One of the busiest, most active, energetic, progressive business men in Georgia, a man of sound judgment, whose advice is sought and accepted not only by his neighbors, but by others who contemplate investment in his section, is James Wood Oglesby, of Quitman. Mr. Oglesby is a lumberman, manufacturer, inventor, farmer, financier and railroader, a promoter of every deserving interest, whose home city has doubled in population since the completion of a railroad which he built ten years ago, while on every hand are industries, mills and factories, in which he is the largest stockholder and the promoter, that give profitable employment to a happy and prosperous people.

Mr. Oglesby was born in Marietta on May 11, 1857. He is a son of Thomas I. Oglesby, one of Georgia's pioneer cotton gin manufacturers, and traces his ancestry back to Scotland. They were early settlers in America, one branch of the family locating in Kentucky, and the other in Georgia. From the Kentucky branch the late Governor Oglesby, of Illinois, was descended. Other facts in the family history are given in the sketch of Zenas Wise Oglesby, a brother of the subject of this sketch, which appears in this volume.

Mr. Oglesby began the battle of life at an unusually early age, his father having died when he was less than twelve years old. It was necessary for him to earn his own living and assist in the support of others, and in a right manly manner did he face the issue. His only educational advantages were those derived from the common schools, but he learned in the school of life and entered into a man's place in the world's affairs at an early age, but competent and thoroughly equipped for life's duties. More than one generation of this branch of the Oglesby family has engaged in the manufacture of cotton gins. Oglesby was associated with his brother in this industry for several years, and not only made improvements from time to time, but invented and patented two pieces of cotton machinery. Mr. Oglesby was married on May 14, 1878, to Miss Bessie Cobb, daughter of Thomas and Martha Cobb, and they have four sons whose names are, James, Pope, Wilbur and Hugh.

Mr.

Mr. Oglesby is a Democrat in politics, and leans toward the Methodists in religion, though not a member of the church. The only secret order which claims his membership is that popular organization of the lumbermen known as the Concatenated Order of the Hoo-Hoo, of which the black cat is the emblem, and in which the number nine plays an important part.

Mr. Oglesby conceived and constructed the South Georgia Railway, which was completed from Heartpine to Quitman, a distance of twenty-eight miles, in 1896, and two years later extended twenty-three miles to Greenville, Fla. He is president and largest stockholder in this line, the building of which infused new life into the town of Quitman, and largely, as a result of Mr. Oglesby having invested capital and energy in this enterprise, the town has almost doubled its population in the last nine years. The West Coast Railway, opening up anoth

er rich section, was also built by Mr. Oglesby, he being president and the largest stockholder in the corporation. This line was leased to and is operated by the South Georgia Railway Company, making the latter's mileage seventy-eight miles. The fact that this company has never had a complaint filed against it before the Georgia Railroad Commission is evidence of Mr. Oglesby's good management and fair dealings with the patrons of the line.

About two years ago Mr. Oglesby and a few associates organized the First National Bank of Quitman, with $100,000 capital stock. Mr. Oglesby was chosen president, and another evidence of his superior business qualifications is given in the fact of the bank already showing profits of above $14,000. At an early date in its career the bank was made a State depository and also designated as a government depository by the Secretary of the Treasury, and that, too, when older institutions had for some time had their applications for this honor on file.

Mr. Oglesby is president of the Oglesby Lumber and Manufacturing Company, which operates one of the largest and most successful saw and planing mills in that section with a daily capacity of 50,000 feet. The company utilizes about twelve miles of tram road. There is also connected with the mill an ice manufacturing plant which not only supplies the local demand for domestic use, but ships large quantities to the near-by

towns.

Mr. Oglesby is also president of and a large stockholder in the Inter-State Lumber Company, which has at Perry, Fla., a saw mill with a daily capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber. The company owns thousands of acres of adjacent valuable timber

lands.

Mr. Oglesby is director and a stockholder in the Atlantic and Gulf Cotton Mills, of Quitman. These mills operate 10,000

spindles. He is director and a large stockholder in the Perry Naval Stores Company, which operates one of the largest turpentine plants in Florida. He is the largest stockholder in the West Coast Lumber Company, which owns large bodies of timber land in both Georgia and Florida. Mr. Oglesby is also a director in the West-Flynn-Harris Company, naval stores factors of Jacksonville. He is individually the holder of extensive farm lands in his own section as well as having quite an interest in real estate in the city of Quitman.

Many of the older citizens of Georgia, as well as adjacent States, doubtless have pleasant memories of visits to White Sulphur Springs in Hall county, and about six miles from Gainesville, Ga. This property had been improved some years ago by Athens capitalists, but the hotel remained closed and the property was badly neglected when it was purchased, three years ago, by Mr. Oglesby. He has since spent a small fortune improving the buildings and grounds, and to-day it is one of the most beautiful, healthful and comfortable resorts to be found anywhere in the South.

Mr. Oglesby's home at Quitman is almost palatial, and architecturally and in its furnishings would hold its own among the residences of any of the large cities.

G. T. HALLEY.