W. H. ALBRIGHT

W. H. ALBRIGHT, one of the most successful business men of the county of Meriwether, was born in Sumpter, Georgia, in 1840, the son of Oswald and Sarah A. (Wheless) Albright.

His father was born Feb. 29, 1819, in Franklin County, Georgia, of which county his parents, Jacob and Mary (Dixon) Albright, who were natives of North Carolina, were among the earliest settlers. He, Oswald Albright, in 1836, ran away from home to serve in the Indian war. His wife was the daughter of Abb and Polly (Tindall) Wheless, natives of Virginia, who made Georgia their home at an early date.

Although born in Georgia, young Albright (W. H.) passed his boyhood and youth on a farm in Russell County, Alabama, and returned to this state in 1858. He received such education as the country schools could afford, supplemented by one term at college, and also taught seven terms.

Then, as did many of his comrades, he laid aside his high hopes, and responded to the call of duty, enlisting in 1861, in a company under Capt. Dubose, attached to the Fifth North Carolina battalion. But on account of his disabilities, the young man was discharged in 1862, and returned home the next year broken in health and without a cent wherewith to make a start in life.

He, however, possessed superior qualifications, which fitted him for a business career, and he embarked in the mercantile trade, in which his success has been marvelous. By industry, integrity and persistent application to business he has amassed a fortune, and is one of the most honored citizens of this county.

His wife was Miss Sarah Humphries, born in Meriwether County in 1844, the daughter of Charles F. and Elizabeth (Sewell) Humphries, the former born in South Carolina in 1814, and an early settler of Georgia.

Mr. and Mrs. Albright have been blessed with seven children, four of whom are living: William A., John O., Thomas D., and James C. The parents are both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Albright is also a prominent Mason.

He traces with pride the genealogy of his family to the day of the pilgrim fathers, when, in 1620, the first Albright landed in America. This man, named Jacob, was the father of four sons, and through them rose the families of that name throughout America. Two counties of North Carolina——Guilford and Alamance—were named for members of the Albright family, who were noteworthy and popular.

Source: Memoirs of Georgia, Containing historical accounts of the states civil, military, industrial and professional interests and personal sketches of many of it’s people, Volume II, The Southern Historical Association, Atlanta, Georgia, 1895

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