 W. H. Flowers, Sr.----Men who leave the impress of their characters upon a community for good are always honored by a grateful public, and as the frosts of many years gather upon their heads, their children rise up and call them blessed. In the category of such worthies, in Butler County, the name of W.H. Flowers is especially deserving of mention, a name which for over thirty-five years has added luster to the community in which he has resided. Rev. Drury Flowers, father of W. H., was a native of South Carolina, born May 1, 1780. He was a farmer by occupation, and for a number of years a preacher of the Methodist church, the interests of which religious body he was largely instrumental in promoting throughout many sections of the South. February 15, 1801, he married Catherine Sullivan, and in 1826 emigrated to Georgia, settling in Jasper County, thence in 1833 moved to the county of Henry, and in 1844 became a resident of Fayette County, Ga. Subsequently, about 1859, he removed to Randolph County, Ala., and died there in August of the same year. His wife survived him only a short time, dying in May, 1860. Of the large family of children born to Drury and Catherine Flowers, but three are living at this time, namely: W. H. Flowers, Benjamin J. Flowers, of Polk County, Fla., and Evaline Flowers, wife of Daniel Johnson, of DeKalb County, Ala. W. H. Flowers was born in Darlington District, S. C., January 7, 1813, and on attaining his majority began life for himself as a farmer, in his native state. January 5, 1837, when twenty-four years of age, he was married in Henry County, Ga., to Sarah T. Thomas, daughter of Rev. William Thames, and in 1840 moved to Fayette, County, Ala., where he followed his chosen calling until 1857, at which time he became a resident of Butler County. He lived for some years in Greenville, but after Mrs. Flowers' death, which occurred on the 7th day of October, 1885, he moved to Bolling, where he has since made his home. In 1860, Mr. Flowers embarked in the milling business, which he has since carried on with a large measure of success, being at this time the executive head of the Milner, Caldwell & Flowers Lumber company, one of the largest and best known manufacturing establishments of the kind in the state. Mr. Flowers is the father of twelve children, as follows: John J. Flowers; Cassie Flowers, wife of Charles H. Chandler; Lizzie Flowers, wife of A. Hamil; William M. Flowers; James D. Flowers; F. A. Flowers; Mary Ellen Flowers, died in infancy; Josephine Flowers, wife of J. Reed; Mrs. Susie Vinson, deceased; Sarah Flowers, died at the age of fifteen; Joseph H. Flowers, and Emma Flowers, wife of Dr. Perry. Mr. Flowers is a Methodist in his religious belief, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in politics has always been an earnest supporter of the principles of the democratic party. He came to Butler County a poor man, but by honest work and honorable dealing has succeeded in accumulating a handsome fortune, besides rearing a large family, every member of which reflects credit on the name and is an honor to the community. As a citizen, Mr. Flowers has ever stood ready to aid and encourage every worthy enterprise; in all transactions with the world, none have ever accused him of a mean or unworthy act, and his integrity has always been above reproach. His business career knows no stigma, his moral character is without blemish, and to posterity he will leave a name worthy of emulation by the wisest and best of mankind.
*Reprint from MEMORIAL
RECORD OF ALABAMA, VOL I by Brant & Fuller, Madison, Wis., 1893
This article was original
submitted by Grant
Johnston
NOTE: William Hampton is
buried in Hephzibah Church Cemetery, Troy, Pike
County, AL.
OBITUARY
FLOWERS,
W. H., lumber business, was born January 7, 1813, in Darlington District, S.C.; son
of Rev. Drury and Catherine (Sullivan) Flowers. His father was a native of
South Carolina, born May 1, 1890; was a farmer by occupation, and for a
number of years a preacher in the Methodist church, the interests of which
religious body he was largely influential in promoting throughout many
sections of the South; was married February 15, 1801; emigrated in 1826 to
Georgia, settling in Jasper County; moved to Henry County, Ga. in 1833, and
Fayette County in 1844; emigrated to Alabama in 1859, settling in Randolph
County, and died during the same year, his wife surviving him only a short
time. Mr. Flowers was reared on a farm, and began life for himself as a
farmer in his native state. Soon afterward he moved to Georgia, where he
married, and in 1840 moved to Fayette County. He devoted his time to his
plantation there until he became a resident of Butler County in 1857. He lived
for some years in Greenville, became engaged in the milling business in 1860,
and eventually became the executive head of the firm of Milner, Caldwell
& Flowers Lumber Company. He moved to Bolling
in 1885. He was a Democrat, a member of the Methodist church. and a Mason.
Married: January 5, 1837,
in Henry County, Ga., Sarah T. Thomas, who died October 7, 1885, in
Greenville, daughter of Rev. William Thames. Children: 1. John J. (q.v.); 2.
Cassie, m. Charles H. Chandler; 3. Lizzie, m. A. Hamil;
4. William M.; 5. James D. (q.v.); 6. F. A., b. February 2, 1846 in Fayette
County, Ga., moved to Butler County in 1857, farmed with his father two
years, entered the lumber business first as sawyer for the lumber firm of
Milner & Caldwell, in whose employ he continued until 1867, went to Bluff
Springs, Fla. Where he operated a saw mille for two years, for Evans & Tait, moved back to Alabama in 1873, becoming a member of
the firm of Milner, Caldwell & Flowers in Bolling,
Butler County, m. March 4, 1889, Carrie Wood, daughter of J. S. Wood, a
merchant of Greenville, children: Mamie and Maude; 7. Mary Ellen, d. in
infancy; 8. Josephine, m. J. Reed; 9. Susie, deceased, m. Mr. Vinson; 10.
Sarah, d. at the age of fifteen; 11. Joseph H.; 12. Emma, m. Dr. Perry. Last
residence: Bolling.
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