WILLIAM H. MELSON

WILLIAM H. MELSON, farmer, Franklin, Heard County, Georgia, son of Abelton and Penelope (Sims) Melson, was born in Coweta County, Georgia, in 1829.

His paternal grandparents, Daniel and Mary (Grace) Melson, migrated from Maryland to Georgia, coming all the way in ox-carts, the latter part of the last century, and settled in Hancock County. He served with some distinction as a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Melson’s father was born in Hancock County in 1801, reared a farmer and given the education obtainable in the rural districts at that time. In 1828 he moved to what is now Heard County, and when the new county was organized in 1830 assisted in the work of organization. He was a volunteer soldier in the Seminole War, after which he devoted all his time and attention to his farming interests. He died in 1872.

Mr. Melson grew to manhood on the farm, and obtained his education at the historic old log school house, where so many of Georgia’s distinguished men acquired the rudiments of an English education. Reaching manhood he began the life of a farmer, which has been his life pursuit, in which he has abundantly prospered.

In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Capt. J. D. Sims, which was assigned to the command of Gen. John H. Morgan. After his discharge in 1863 he enlisted in the State service and served two terms of six months each. At the close of the War he returned to his farm a few miles east of Franklin, and has since been satisfied with the quiet enjoyments of farm life and a comfortable home.

In 1870 he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office by successive re-elections for more than twenty years.

Mr. Melson was married in 1853 to Miss Martha, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Maine) Holland, and to them four children have been born: Louisa, Mrs. Pendergress; Nancy, Mrs. Ware; Carrie, and John Holland.

Source: Memoirs of Georgia, Containing historical accounts of the states civil, military, industrial and professional interests and personal sketches of many of it’s people, Volume I, The Southern Historical Association, Atlanta, Georgia, 1895

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