The Wealthiest Colored Man in Georgia Henry Todd
Georgia Weekly Telegraph Journal and Messenger August 5, 1881 Page 8
The Wealthiest Colored Man in Georgia
Atlanta Dispatch to the Cincinnati Inquirer
His name is Henry Todd, and he lives in Darien, in this State. When a youth his master died and left him his freedom as a reward for his faithful attention during the slaveholder's last sickness. Young Todd was so esteemed by his family that hey insisted on his remaining in their employ and paid him a handsome salary. He was sort of an assistant overseer on the plantation. By the kindly aid of his white friends he soon became a landowner, and a prosperous farmer. In a few years his affairs showed the results of industry and natural business talent in a snug little fortune. his quiet manner and strict uprightedness guarded him from the bitter prejudice which in those days both races felt for the average "free nigger." Henry Todd soon had enough money to hold money to hold slaves himself, and he purchased several as a matter of economy. When the Confederacy fell he lost twenty Negroes and some money in Confederate Bonds. This severe blow was in a measure counteracted by his good fortune, having on hand a crop of cotton, which then demanded fifty cents a pound. After the war he continued his farming operations, but also engaged in the lumber business. his remarkable success continued, and today he owns two large lumber mills and exports very extensively. he is 65 years old and has a good education. he is worth $100,000 in good investments. He lives in a neat country home, surrounded by a family of five children, who enjoy the luxuries of life. Every summer then leave for the coast and spend the hot months at a house which they own in one of the cool mountain nooks of North Georgia. Henry Todd has carefully kept from active participation in politics though he has frequently been solicited as a candidate. He has constantly voted the Democratic ticket and has warned colored friends against the carpet baggers who has deceived and swindled them in Georgia since the war. His example is in every way healthy for the Negroes of Georgia. he is public spirited and generous, giving freely to charitable objects. He has educated his children well and will leave them rich.
Mr. Todd did not serve as a soldier but became a slaveholder and bought Confederate bonds. Mark Anthony Cooper, the Eatonton businessman, said this of the War between the States that it was "the capital of one nation seeking to control the capital of another." Land to be considered as capital had to add the factor of human labor. Did slaves represent capital to the South? What were slaves to Mr. Todd? Someone to oppress perhaps or maybe just maybe part of a business strategy. You can judge.
The Wealthiest Colored Man in Georgia
Atlanta Dispatch to the Cincinnati Inquirer
His name is Henry Todd, and he lives in Darien, in this State. When a youth his master died and left him his freedom as a reward for his faithful attention during the slaveholder's last sickness. Young Todd was so esteemed by his family that hey insisted on his remaining in their employ and paid him a handsome salary. He was sort of an assistant overseer on the plantation. By the kindly aid of his white friends he soon became a landowner, and a prosperous farmer. In a few years his affairs showed the results of industry and natural business talent in a snug little fortune. his quiet manner and strict uprightedness guarded him from the bitter prejudice which in those days both races felt for the average "free nigger." Henry Todd soon had enough money to hold money to hold slaves himself, and he purchased several as a matter of economy. When the Confederacy fell he lost twenty Negroes and some money in Confederate Bonds. This severe blow was in a measure counteracted by his good fortune, having on hand a crop of cotton, which then demanded fifty cents a pound. After the war he continued his farming operations, but also engaged in the lumber business. his remarkable success continued, and today he owns two large lumber mills and exports very extensively. he is 65 years old and has a good education. he is worth $100,000 in good investments. He lives in a neat country home, surrounded by a family of five children, who enjoy the luxuries of life. Every summer then leave for the coast and spend the hot months at a house which they own in one of the cool mountain nooks of North Georgia. Henry Todd has carefully kept from active participation in politics though he has frequently been solicited as a candidate. He has constantly voted the Democratic ticket and has warned colored friends against the carpet baggers who has deceived and swindled them in Georgia since the war. His example is in every way healthy for the Negroes of Georgia. he is public spirited and generous, giving freely to charitable objects. He has educated his children well and will leave them rich.
Mr. Todd did not serve as a soldier but became a slaveholder and bought Confederate bonds. Mark Anthony Cooper, the Eatonton businessman, said this of the War between the States that it was "the capital of one nation seeking to control the capital of another." Land to be considered as capital had to add the factor of human labor. Did slaves represent capital to the South? What were slaves to Mr. Todd? Someone to oppress perhaps or maybe just maybe part of a business strategy. You can judge.
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