Butler County, Alabama - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 26 of those read), 1885

This village has the reputation of being the most energetic and prosperous settlement in the county. Situated as it is, on the north side of Pine Barren Creek, it enjoys all the advantages that a level, sandy and productive soil can afford. The blue marl is from 75 to 100 feet under the surface of the ground, and hence the wells here are much deeper than at any other place in the county ; but the superior quahty of freestone water found, more than repays for the extra depth. This section of country remained undisturbed for many years, while the people tried their fortunes on more productive soil. A few, who settled in this locality, convinced the public that a much better living could be obtained here than on the more productive soil of the sickly prairies. As soon as this fact was established, the virgin pine forests, that had stood so long, were hewn down, and were replaced by beautiful fields of oats, corn and cotton.

Although this place has been settled ever since 1819, yet Forest Home is in its infancy; for it was not until recently that the people became thoroughly convinced that this place offered superior advantages to those of any other locality in the whole surrounding country.

In 18 19, Henry Powell settled in the field near where E. M. Lazenby's gin-house now stands. He sold out to his son-in-law, Robert C. Traweek, who came from the State of Georgia to Tuscaloosa County, in 18 19, and removed to this county in 1820. The old gentleman not being used to the log-house accommodations, soon went to work to build a frame-house, which he completed in 1827. This house still stands on the old site, and on the brick chimney may be found this inscription in large letters : Robert C. Traweek, 1827. Traweek put up a mill on Breastwork Creek in 1825, the dam of which may still be seen a few hundred yards below the mill now owned by Lewis Wright & Co. Mr. Traweek opened a blacksmith-shop here in 1821, being the only shop of this kind in this part of the county at that time. He lived here about twelve years, but did not depend upon farming for his living. Here he began to rear a large family, the most of them being boys. They were : Thomas, William H., Brown, Lafayette, Ripley and Hugh.

In 1833, Robert Traweek sold his interests here to William Wallace, who soon sold to Green Coleman. The property then passed through several hands, being owned at one time by Major James Yeldell, and at another by Mrs. Christian, and finally was purchased by E. M. Lazenby in 1869.

L. H. Gibbs built a house in 1828, about one mile northeast from where Smith's mill now stands, and put up a mill on Pine Barren for John Murphy. This was one of the first mills started on this creek.

Lod Roberson moved into this neighborhood about 185 1, and was followed by John Worrell, Seb. Moore, Nathan Wright, Thomas and Joseph Glenn, and many others, who can not be mentioned in this short sketch of Forest Home.

In 1 87 1, E. M. Lazenby opened a shoe-shop with S. J. Campbell, and shortly after, during the same year, he had a few goods for sale in the shop. Finding that there was business enough to employ one man's whole time, he opened a store separate from the shoe-shop, an enterprise which paid him very handsomely for the amount of capl68 THE HISTORY OF ital invested. In the meantime, the land that had been almost valueless as far as its market price was concerned, now sold for prices equal to those paid for fine Cedar Creek land, and the demand was greater than the supply. A large number of families having moved in, they opened a school in 1 87 1, which was taught by Mr. J. Norris, whose place was filled the next year by Miss Hattie Stewart, a lady of rare accomplishments, superior culture and refined Christian manners. It is to this lady that the good people of Forest Home should feel grateful for giving to this happy and prosperous village the name it now so appropriately bears. To think of a home where strife, disappointment and grief are replaced by joy, happiness and peace, and this home, situated in the refreshing atmosphere of a deep pine forest, is enough to make the mind of the common pilgrim wander.

In 1873, the people erected a frame schoolhouse, which still stands near the Baptist Church. Miss Stewart was succeeded by Miss Wilson, from Georgia, who proved quite as efficient a teacher as those that had preceded her. She was afterward married to Thomas Ansley, and still resides at this place. At the close of Mrs. Ansley's school in June, 1875, occurred a difficulty which will long be remembered by the Forest Home people. It arose from a wrong interpretation of what a Methodist preacher named Gillis, who lived near the school-house, had said in the church at Monterey, some time previously, and the young men at Monterey took this opportunity of caUing upon the reverend gentleman for an explanation. Not finding him at home, they attempted to interfere with the exercises of the school, which the citizens resisted very emphatically. However, the writer will not enter into the details of this matter, but will proceed with the next teacher at Forest Home, who was Samuel A. Lowrey, of Monroe County. It was here in 1876, under his ever- watchful eye, that the writer of this little volume entered upon the studies of geography, algebra, and English grammar.

Lowrey was followed in 1878 by Prof. Seb. Reynolds, assisted by Mrs. Powers. They taught together for several years. In 1883, the people decided to erect an academy for the accommodation of all the students in the place. Each citizen subscribed according to his means, and the academy was, according to agreement, erected near the Methodist Church ; but after its completion, there was a misunderstanding between the people as to their teacher, and a disagreement ensued, which resulted in a denominational issue. The Baptists took the old school-house and employed their teacher, and the Methodists took the academy with their teacher. They both had flourishing schools during the past session, the Baptist enjoying the best reputation. It would be considerably better, if the whole place could unite and have a school in common. But from appearances now,

In 1880, the Methodists, assisted by other citizens, erected a very handsome and commodious structure, which now bears the name of the Forest Home M. E. Church. A parsonage was erected in 1 88 1. The Baptists removed old Ebenezer Church from the cross-roads, near Butler Springs, in the summer of 1882, and remodeled it, making a very nice building, with plenty of room for the large congregation which always assembles on the regular days for services.

As there is not much wealth at this place, most of the farms are two-horse farms. The planters farm here on the intensive system, using a great deal of the different kinds of fertilizers, which pays them very handsomely for the money expended and the extra pains taken in the course of cultivation. Land rents at from ;^4.oo to ^7.00, and can be made to produce over 1,600 pounds of seed cotton per acre, when the season is at all favorable. Land sells at from ;^ 15.00 to ;^35.00 per acre, and sometimes even higher than this when improved and in a very desirable locality.

There is a post-office here, George Lazenby, postmaster, with three mails per week from Greenville. Here are also three stores, owned by F. N. Moorer & L. Glenn, Lewis Wright, E. M. Lazenby & Son, the last carrying a full line of general merchandise and plantation supplies.

from Monterey, but as this is a very healthful locality, the Doctor does not depend upon his practice entirely. He spends his spare time upon a few well-fertilized acres, which always yield very abundantly.

The general tone of the society at Forest Home will compare with that of any other place in the county, but there is not as much * 'starch" in this society as is usually found in villages of the same size and importance.

Hon. Nathan Wright, an honest man, a worthy citizen, a true gentleman, and a faithful Christian, spent the latter part of his useful life within the borders of this happy village. He represented Butler County in the General Assembly in 1880, and was an active member in the passage of many local prohibition bills in different parts of our State. This fact, along with his noble traits of character, should make the good people of this county immortalize his humble name. He departed from our earthly shades in 1883 to join the angels in that bright and blissful home above, where none but the righteous dwell.