Captain James W. English, a beloved
citizen and builder of Atlanta for over half a century, was
a financial genius and a leader in all lines of humanitarian
endeavor. The splendid principles of honor, integrity, and
usefulness permeated all his life's action, and produced in
him a broad philosophy, a greatness of character, and a success
in achievement which placed him in the forefront of the superior
men of his day.
He was left an orphan at the early age of thirteen years, and entirely through his
own efforts he builded his outstanding career of accomplishment.
Coming to Georgia from Orleans Parish, La., where he was born
October 28, 1837, the son of Andrew and Mary Warren English,
he located in Griffin and established himself as a youth of
sterling character and high ideals. When the call was made
for volunteers for the Confederate Army he immediately enlisted
with the Spalding Grays, and was actively engaged throughout
the entire period of the war, serving as captain of his company.
When in command of the skirmish lines he was chosen as special
courier to receive from General Grant and deliver a formal
demand upon General Lee to surrender at Appomattox Court House.
Captain English came to
Atlanta immediately after the close of the war, possessed
with a strength of conviction regarding justice and progress,
and a strong determination to succeed. He became one of the
leading spirits in the reconstruction of the government of
the city and the state. He was diligent in business, and was
a financier of ability, probably second to none. His lofty
intelligence, sound judgment, and surpassing vision of possibilities
were manifested in various enterprises, and he established
a large fortune. His first business venture was the organization
of the Chattahoochee Brick Company of which he continued to
be president throughout his life. During the early part of
his career he founded and became president of a state bank,
American Trust and Banking Company, taking over the Traders
Bank. In 1890 this institution was converted into a national
bank and named the Fourth National Bank. Captain English was
the first president of this new organization, and remained
president until five years prior to his death, when he resigned,
naming his successor. He was then elected chairman of the
Board of Directors, which office was created at that time,
and which he held the remainder of his life. Under his direction
it became one of the largest and strongest financial institutions
in the Southeastern States. In 1929 the Fourth National Bank
of Atlanta & Lowry Bank formed a merger and became the
First National Bank of Atlanta. He was in large part responsible
for the organizing of the Atlanta Savings Bank, of which institution
he was vice-president and a member of the Board of Directors.
He was the sort of civic
leader whose intrepid courage, broad intelligence,
and tenacious adherence to high ideals made him the center
of outstanding events for more than three score years. He
wanted Atlanta to be a happy and progressive city, and his
career of usefulness in civic activities brought his desire
towards its realization. In 1877 he was elected a member of
the City Council, and from that time until his death his connection
with various departments of the city government was almost
continuous with the exception of a few intervening years.
He was appointed chairman of the Finance Committee, and a
member of the Tax Committee. Acting in this capacity he found
that a number of floating bonds had been issued, and the city
was badly in debt. He recalled these bonds, converted them
into 6% bonds, and restricted the city's expenditures to actual
income. He introduced the first ordinance in council which
prohibits the city from creating a floating debt.
The location of the state
capitol and projected removal to Milledgeville became
a matter of urgent import, and Captain English wa prevailed
on to form a committee in Atlanta's interest. There were no
funds available and at that time there were neither telephones,
stenographers, nor typewriters, so it involved a tremendous
amount of initiative and energy to direct his campaign to
a successful fruition. In appreciation of his services the
citizens of Atlanta presented him with a silver waiter inscribed:
"Atlanta progress, December 5th, 1877, for the capitol
Atlanta, official majority 43,946, presented by his friends
to Captain James W. English, Chairman Atlanta Campaign Committee,
as a token of appreciation of his distinguished service."
In December, 1881,
he was elected mayor and many notable events occurred during
his administration. He was instrumental in perfecting plans
and completing the Georgia Western Railroad which connected
Atlanta with the coal fields in Alabama. The first Cotton
Exposition has been conducted largely under his successful
financial control; modern water pumping system was provided;
the first permanent street paving of Belgian Blocks was laid;
electric fire alarms, police signal systems, and salaried
firemen were installed. His unfaltering determination and
his daring courage and ability to copy with a crucial situation
was revealed in his handling of the gambling element. Atlanta
was fast becoming the mecca for this lawless group, and it
was realized by the leaders that this mater must be settled.
Accordingly, orders were given that all such places should
close. Unable to get this done, the chief of police was removed
by the administration, and a new man appointed. Within then
days every gambling house in the city was closed and their
fixtures and tools attached as evidence. Gradually the element
crept in and opened their houses again. This time they were
raided by Captain English in person and his aides and all
their equipment was piled at Five Points where it was burned
in a spectacular fire during a public demonstration. This
ended the professional gambling houses in the city.
After his term as mayor,
Captain English retired, but in 1883 he was urged to become
a member of the police board. For over thirty consecutive
years he continued to be a member of this board, much of that
time being spent as its chairman, and his splendid integrity
and dominant character were felt in its functioning.
Captain English had a vital
interest in all matters pertaining to humanity. He
was firm but tolerant and his lack of stoical indifference
led him into active leadership in numerous philanthropic undertakings.
He was a prominent factor in practically every undertaking
of magnitude for many years. He was one of the first trustees
of the Grady Hospital; chairman of the Building Committee
of the first Y.M.C.A. and chairman of the Board of Directors
for many years; a director and a guarantor of the Cotton States
& International Exposition, and of the City Auditorium;
instrumental with Mr. S. M. Inman and others in the building
of the Atlanta Terminal Station and president of the Atlanta
Terminal Company in 1905; chairman of the Finance Committee
for the building of the First Presbyterian Church on Marietta
Street, and late advisory member of the Building committee
for the new edifice on Peachtree Street. In gratifying recognition
of the great service he rendered the city he was given the
beloved title of "Atlanta's Grand Old Man" during
the latter years of his life.
Captain English was married July 25, 1865, to Miss Emily Alexander of Griffin. To this
union were born a family of six sons and daughters; three
of whom, James W., Edgar, and Edward A., are deceased. mes.
English died in 1907 and Captain English passed away February
15, 1925. Surviving this honored couple are a son, Harry L.,
and two daughters, Emily, who is now Mrs. James D. Robinson,
and Jennie, who is Mrs. Gordon P. Kiser. Their grandchildren
are Mrs. Emily Robinson Head, Jennie Robinson, who is now
Mrs. Allison W. Thornwell, James D. Robinson, Jr., Harry English
Robinson, Gordon P. Kiser, Jr., and Jane English Kiser. Their
two great-grandchildren are Arthur Dixon Head and Allison
W. Thornwell, Jr. |
