Claunch and Stewart Families

Biographical Sketch

Humphrey Posey Colvard

April 27, 1869 - September 8, 1935

Excerpt from unknown source

"H. P. Colvard, one of the rising young business men of Dalton, Georgia, is a native of the state of Tennessee, and was born Pikeville, Bledsoe County, on April 27, 1869. He was reared in that county and educated in White County, completing his studies in 1887. For a short time he engaged in merchandising in Bledsoe County, and then for four years was a traveling salesman for the Southern Monumental Company, of Chattanooga. He finally settled in Dalton on November 11, 1892, and resolved to embark in business on his own account. He became engaged in the marble and stone trade under the firm name of Baker and Colvard, manufacturers and dealers in marble and granite monuments. The business of the firm prospered during two years, engaged extensively in that industry, and became one of the reliable institutions of the city. In January, 1895, Mr. Colvard purchased the interest of his partner and became the sole operator of the plant, which is now known as the Dalton Marble Works. An excellent grade of work is being turned out by the present proprietor, the market for his product extending from Texas to Maryland and throughout the South generally. Mr. Colvard is a shrewd business man, possessing a good share of energy and activity in his business and social circles, at all times displaying those qualities inherent to success in life. His father was Jesse Colvard, who was born near Murphy, North Carolina on October 7, 1800. By his second marriage to Miss Sarah Cooper, they had three sons and five daughters" Nancy, wife of W. M. Smith of Chattanooga; Ann, wife of M. DeBoard of Pikeville, Tennessee; Jennie, wife of John Childers, now of Texas; W. A. Colvard of Kentucky; H. P. of Dalton; A. T. of Pikeville, Tennessee; Florence, wife of R. Pendergrass of Billingsly, Tennessee; and Lila, residing with her parents in Tennessee. The father of Mr. Colvard died on January 23, 1876, at Pikeville. Mr. Colvard is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, is a master Mason - member of Dalton Lodge No. 105, a member of the Knights of Pythias, Dalton Lodge No. 29, and of the order of Woodmen of the World at Dalton."

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Research notes from Mary Louise Claunch

"Was mayor of Dalton in 1906-1907. Moved to Chattanooga (1608 Union Ave) about 1917. Moved to 101 South Crest Rd., Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga about 1924 and was mayor of Missionary Ridge. Was instrumental in 1933 in getting Chickamauga Dam project started.

Biographical Sketch

Humphrey Posey Colvard was born at Pikeville, Tennessee, on April 27, 1869. His father died when he was seven, and he had to support the family. His formal education of six or seven years was in White County, Tennessee. For a short time he was engaged in merchandising in Bledsoe County, and then for four years he was a traveling salesman for the Southern Monumental Company of Chattanoog, Tennessee. He settled in Dalton, Georgia, on November 11, 1892, and became engaged in the marble and stone trade under the firm name of Baker and Colvard, manufacturers and dealers in marble and granite monuments. The business prospered for two years and became one of the reliable institutions of the city. In January, 1895, he purchased the interest of his partner and the plant became known as the Dalton Marle Works. He was a member of the Methodis Church South, a master Mason (Dalton Lodge No. 105), a member of the Knights of Pythias (Dalton Lodge No. 29), and of the Order of Woodman of the World at Dalton. He was Mayor of Dalton, George and died September 8, 1935.

Chickamauga Dam Project

One summer day in 1933 Judge Cummings answered his telephone and much to his surprise and pleasure it was someone calling who not asking for help in getting a job. The caller was the late H. P. Colvard, who had been active in civic affairs for several years. He asked Judge Cummings to come by his office as he wanted to talk with him on an important matter. The county judge accepted the invitation and upon arriving at Colvard's office learned that he was intereested in getting the Chickamauga Dam project started.

"Judge, you do things and that is the reason I am calling on you to help," Mr. Covard said. He proceeded to ouline plans for getting the Chickamauga Dam project started and informed Judge Cummings that a committee had been formed by the Kiwanis Club for the purpose.

On the committee with Colvard were L. J. Wilhoite and Courntenay Twinam, now members of the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, S. Russell Dow and Ben F. Hunt. This group had gotten the Kiwanis Club interested in the Chickamauga project ....

p 11

History of the Beginning of Chickamauga Dam
A Story of a Dream that Came True
Fred Hixon
Chattanooga Printing & Engraving Company, 1940

Letter

31st Decr 1919
Crumpler N.C.
Ashe County

Mr. H. P. Colvard
Chattanooga Tenn
Dear Cousin
Yours of the 24th to hand on the 28th and I have been might unwell for several days and not much better yet but will write you a short letter. As for the Revolutionary war I have heard my father tell it many times that he had one uncle Neil Colvard that belonged to General Washingtons army and on a long march he got sick and give out and his command left him lying under an apple tree sick and that his people never heard of him from that time until this and we had an uncle named after him and I had a brother named Neil and my yougnest son who lives with me is a single man 38 years old his name is Neil so you see the name has been kept up so that is all I can tell you about that war I suppose our grandfather was not old enough for a soldier. His name was William Colvard. He come to this country from Prince William County Virginia after the war and settled in Wilkes county about 15 miles from here and raised his family and him and his wife lived and died there. His wife before marriage was Rachel Berry. They raised eleven children, six sons and five daughters. My father was born in Wilkes co. 1792 and as to any of the others I don't know any of their ages as the family Records in our Grandfathers Bible was destroyed by some of his motherless grandchildering. I will give you all their names. Payton was my father. Yours was Jesse, Wade, William, Neil, Montfort, Elizabeth, Rachel, Sibba, Jennie, Ann. All are dead and gone. My parrence raised 8 childering, four sons and four daughters. All dead but two. I have a sister living in Va. that is in her 83rd year. I am in my 85th year. I raised 8 childering, 3 sons and 5 daughters, all living. My son Neil and my daughter Sallie and myself compose my family. My dear wife departed this life the 18th of January 1913. I am living on the same farm I settled on after I was married in 1866 one year after Genl Lee surrendered. I carry the scars of bullets, one in my neck, one through my left hand and one on my fight foot but am sorter living yet. Well I have lately heard that me and you have a second cousin that is Govenor of Alabama. Some boddy I never saw. He was raised in Georgia his name is Thomas Kilby his Grandmother was our aunt Rachel Colvard. His father was Payton Kilby raised in Wilkes Co N. C. I wish you would wirte him and send me his letter if you can get one. well I will close for this time.
With much love to you and your family

(Signed) Thomas Farrow Colvard
Crumpler, N. C. RFD#2

Speech given at the Hotel Patten October 8th, 1918 on the launching of the Fourth Liberty Loan drive for Chattanooga and Hamilton County

Mr, Chariman; -

I have a resolution I want to submit for consideration which will no doubt appear to many as a strong arm method to sell bonds.

At this particular time in the history of our country, there are many things being done which would appear to be by the strong arm method.

When you go into the homes and take by force the flower of our young manhood and send them to the battlefields of France, thousands of young men have been taken from the dear mother, her only son and in many instances several of her sons. Don't you suppose that at times, to say the least of it, they feel that the strong arm methods are being applied? They don't murmur, they stand right up to it and take it as is befitting to the national blood.

Many prosperou business men, young men, are taken from their wives and babies. Their places of business are closed, resulting in loss of many thousands of dollars, leaving a comfortable home and a happy family to go and fight our battles. Don't you suppose that they, at least a few of them, feel and think the strong arm methods are being applied.

Many men, some of them our neighbors and friends who have been enjoying a princely salary, and the comforts of life and the companionship of lifelong friends, are taken from their work and placed in the front line trenches at thirty dollars per month. Don't you suppose many of them feel at times that the strong arm method is being applied?

Be it remembered that the noble sons of the best and bravest blood the world has ever known are today, many of them, lying dead on the battlefields of France, many mortally wounded and others sick and dying in the hospitals thousands of miles from home. These young brave men are crying to us for help.

Under these conditions can any method be too strong to make the slacker furnish his part of the needed supplies?

My sympathies are not with the men at home enjoying the comforts of life, and three square meals a day. No, sir, not at all. But for the brave boys some where in France and those leaving us every day.

So be it resolved, sir, that it is the sense of this meeting that the equalization committee furnish the Chattanooga papers the names, business addresses and home addresses of all whom they find, after careful examination and consideration, to be slackers and that the same be published.

To my mind a genuine slacker and deserter are one and the same. Since there is no law to have the slacker courtmartialed and shot, they should be published and known and despised by all patriotic American citizens.

You will find many in the drive, which we today undertake, who feel like they can get by without buying bonds. Many feel like the war is practically over, or soon will be, but be it remembered we are fighting the most ferocious beast the world has ever known. Be it further remembered we are not yet, to any extent, within his domain. Be it further remembered that the skin over his heart has only been scratched by the American sword. That it is pointing to his heart. That our boys, your boys, the boys of Tennesee are back of the sword and are calling to us for pressure. So let us stand back of them and drive it clear to the hilt.

Delivered in the ball room of the Hotel Patten October 8th, 1918 on the launching of the Fourth Liberty Loan drive for Chattanooga and Hamilton county of six and a half million dollars, before approximately two hundred and fifty of the leading business men of Chattanooga by

H.P.C.