John J. Flowers*

John J. Flowers, eldest son of W. H. and Sarah T. Flowers, was born in Fayette County, Ga., October 8, 1837. He received a practical education in the common schools. In 1858 came to Alabama, and, in partnership with a Mr. Thames, engaged in the mercantile business at Greenville, where the firm did a large and lucrative trade for a period of three years. Severing his connection with merchandising, Mr. Flowers, for the succeeding ten years, lived the life of a farmer, but in 1872 moved to Bolling and became a member of the firm known as the Milner, Caldwell & Flowers Lumber company, of which he is now general manager, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Flowers possesses business ability of a high order, and much of the success of the large company with which he is connected is due directly to his superior management. He is a democrat in polities, a royal arch Mason and a member of the Methodist church. April 11, 1861, Miss Kate Brooks, daughter of Sawyer Brooks, became his wife, to which union the following children have been born: May Flowers, wife of R. E. Steiner; Sallie Flowers, wife of Bernard Steiner; Edward P. Flowers, bookkeeper for the lumber company with which his father is connected; William H. Flowers, student at Vanderbilt University, preparing for the legal profession; Brooks Flowers and Marvin Flowers. Marvin died January 14, 1891. July 11, 1878, Mr. Flowers had the misfortune to lose his wife, and in October, 1881, he married Mrs. Lizzie (Hill) Brown, daughter of John G. Hill, of Griffin, Ga. The children born to bless this union are named John J. Flowers, Jr., and Arthur Flowers, who are living at home with their parents.

*Reprint from MEMORIAL RECORD OF ALABAMA, VOL I by Brant & Fuller, Madison, Wis., 1893

NOTE: John Jefferson Flowers is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Montgomery County, AL. First wife, Permelia Katherine “Kate” Brooks Flowers, b. April 1, 1842, d. July 11, 1878, Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery. Second wife, Elizabeth Temperance Hill Flowers, b. January 13, 1846, d. November 26, 1924, Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery.

DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT

JOHN J. FLOWERS son of William Hampton and Sarah Flowers born Henry Co., Ga., Oct. 3, 1837; died Jakin, Ga., April 7, 1905; lived on a farm in Fayette Co., Ga. until he was 20 years old and then moved with family to Butler Co., Ala.; moved to Montgomery, Ala. in 1900; married (1) Parmelia Kate Brooks; 9 children; (2) Mrs. Lizzie Brown; 3 children.

OBITUARY

FLOWERS, JOHN J., planter, manufacturer and lumberman, was born October 8, 1837, in Fayette County, Ga., died April 7, 1905, in Jakin, Ga., where he had gone on business and was buried in Montgomery; son of W. H. and Sarah T. (Thames) Flowers (q.v.). He received a practical education in the common schools of Georgia and in 1858 moved to Alabama. Locating in Greenville, he formed a partnership with Mr. Thames engaging in the mercantile business. Three years later he withdrew from the partnership, and devoted his attention to farming for the next decade. In 1872, he moved to Bolling, becoming a member of the lumber company of Milner, Caldwell and Flowers, of which he was general manager, secretary and treasurer. This firm was practically the pioneer lumber company of Alabama. He was the first postmaster of Bolling. During the administration of Gov. W. J. Samford he tendered in the position of president of the convict board to Mr. Flowers, which he decided to refuse after due consideration. He was especially interested in the promotion of union in Alabama Methodism for a great education system. His conditional offer of $50,000 for the woman’s college in Montgomery, was an inspiration throughout the whole movement. Though he did not live to see his plans materialize, his widow and children were in full sympathy with the cause. They have built as a memorial to him the John J. Flowers memberial hall which was erected at a cost of $150,000 and which stands as an enduring monument to the man who encouraged and supported the education of young women in the South. Married: (1) April 11, 1871 to Kate, daughter of Sawyer Brooks; (2) in October, 1881, to Mrs. Lizzie (Hill) Brown, daughter of John H. Hill, of Griffin, Ga. Children: by first marriage: 1. May, m. Gen. H. E. Steiner (q.v.); 2. Sallie, m. Bernard Steiner; 3. Edward P., wholesale lumber dealer, m. Mary Ross; 4. William H., bookkeeper, E. P. Flowers & Co.; 5. Brooks, lumber dealer, Brooks Flowers lumber co., m. Lacy Bishop; 6. Marvin, deceased; by second marriage: 7. John J., paying teller, Capital national bank, m. Kate Nettle of Montgomery; 8. Arthur H., member of Brooks Flowers lumber co., m. Allen Snyder. Last residence Montgomery.

This article was original submitted by Grant Johnston

2013, Butler County ALGenWeb Coordinator

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Last updated July 20, 2013