J. FLAKE DURHAM.  J. Flake Durham, who since January 7, 1913. has been superintendent of schools of Calhoun county, serving capably and effectively in his responsible position, was born in the section where he now resides, February 18, 1883. He is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Peacock) Durham, natives of Georgia, who came to Florida in 1835 anc * settled in Calhoun county, where the father has since engaged in general farming. He and his wife now reside on the old homestead, where they took up their residence in pioneer times. In their family were eight children : Lilia, the wife of W. F. Johnson, of Jackson county; James N., of Calhoun county; J. Flake, of this review’ ; William L., deceased; Dallas M., of Blountstown, Florida; Drusilla, who died in infancy ; John J., at home ; and a child who died in infancy.

After acquiring his early education in the public schools of Calhoun county J. Flake Durham attended high school for two years and was for one semester a student in the Florida State University. He then returned home and has since been associated with his father in the conduct of the farm. On the 5th of November, 1912, he was elected superintendent of schools of Calhoun county and has since served, proving himself by his able, constructive and far-sighted work a worthy representative of educational interests in this section of the state.

Air. [sic] Durham belongs to the Baptist church and has extensive and representative fraternal affiliations, holding membership in the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Mystic Circle and the Columbian Woodmen. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is well and favorably known, and that he has always merited the esteem and goodwill of his fellow townsmen is indicated by his popularity. for he has a large circle of warm friends.

Source for Biography: Chapin, George M., Florida, 1513 - 1913, Past, Present and Future, Four Hundred Years of War and Peace and Industrial Development, (c) 1914, Volume 2, p. 387-388.  Contributed by Denise Wells 2/2020


JOHN B. HALLEY. John B. Halley, one of the most extensive landowners and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Calhoun county, operates a fine property of one thousand acres near Blountstown. He is a native of Florida, born in Key West, October 22, 1869, and is a son of Caleb and Mary (Franklin) Halley, natives of the Carolinas. They came to Florida in the early '50s and located in Wakulla county, where the father was extensively interested in the sponge business. Moving to Calhoun county in 1873, l ie turned his attention to farming, following that occupation until his death, which occurred in 1909. His wife survives him and makes her home in Calhoun county. To their union were born eleven children: Nancy, the wife of W. W. Parrish, of Calhoun county; John B., of this review ; Mary, who married W. J. Spears, of Calhoun county; Molly, now Mrs. J. B. Barber, of Calhoun county; P. F., of Calhoun county; Susan, who married J. W. Peacock, of Calhoun county; Emma, the wife of J. W. Vickers, of Jacksonville; C. B., of Calhoun county; Tempa, who married John Hayney, of Calhoun county ; Joseph, also a resident of Calhoun county; and a child who died in infancy.

John B. Halley began his independent career at the age of sixteen, when he left home and engaged in lumbering, following that occupation for four years. At the end of that time he came to Blountstown, where he divided his attention between the mercantile business and raising bees. He afterward worked in a sawmill and was engaged in the naval stores business for about sixteen years, turning his attention at the end of that time to agricultural pursuits. He purchased about one thousand acres of land in Calhoun
county, near Blountstown, and upon this property has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising. His methods are modern and practical and therefore profitable, and a gratifying degree of success has rewarded his labors, making him one of the representative agriculturists of this vicinity.

Mr. Halley married Miss Mary Peacock and they have become the parents of ten children: James E., of Blountstown; Annie, the wife of E. Coxwell, of Blountstown; Mary Ella, who married Charles Wood, also of Blountstown; and West, Belle, Ruby, John, Roy, Lilly and Chester, all of whom reside at home.

Mr. Halley gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never been desirous of political preferment, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs. He belongs to the Free Will Baptist church and guides his life by its principles, being known throughout Calhoun county as a man of exemplary character who well deserves the respect and esteem in which he is uniformly held.

Source for Biography: Chapin, George M., Florida, 1513 - 1913, Past, Present and Future, Four Hundred Years of War and Peace andIndustrial Development, (c) 1914, Volume 2, p. 504-505.  Contributed by Denise Wells 2/2020


SAMUEL A. LEONARD.  Samuel A. Leonard, who in association with his brother D. Luther Leonard controls large turpentine interests in Calhoun county, is numbered among the important factors in the development of this representative industry of Florida and among the prosperous and successful business men of Blountstown, where he makes his home. He was born in Bladen county, North Carolina, September 11, 1872, and is a son of Daniel and Caroline G. (Anders) Leonard, natives of that state, where they now reside. The father is engaged in farming and is recognized as a progressive and public-spirited citizen, his service as county commissioner having been attended with beneficial and far-reaching results. He and his wife became the parents of eleven children: Virginia, who married F. F. Newton, of North Carolina; Samuel A., of this review; Henry C., who lives in Frink; Wade H., of Burch; Daniel Luther, who is associated with the subject of this review in the turpentine business in Blountstown; Sadie E., who lives at home; Mellie C., in business with Wade H. in Burch; Mary Lou, who makes her home with the subject of this review; Maud, who married James West, of North Carolina; John, who lives at home; and one who died at an early age.

The name of Samuel A. Leonard is today conspicuously identified with the turpentine business in this part of Florida, for he has done much to develop this industry in the successful management of his own extensive interests. In association with his brother he owns six thousand acres in Calhoun county and eight thousand near Scotts Ferry, and from the one hundred acres under cultivation produces large quantities of high-grade turpentine. The brothers understand the scientific details connected with their work, are able, keen and resourceful business men and have, consequently, met with a gratifying measure of success, their activities being important as factors in general development.

Samuel A. Leonard married Miss Maggie Player, and they have become the parents of three children, Samuel W., Samuel A. and Maggie P. Fraternally Mr. Leonard is connected with the Masonic order and the Woodmen of the World. He gives his allegiance to the democratic party, to which his brother also belongs, and is eminently public-spirited and progressive in matters of citizenship, although never desirous of public office. Possessed of a spirit of business initiative, broad, liberal and modern views, he has been active and successful in his business career and has accomplished far-reaching results, contributing in no small degree to the expansion and material growth of this county.

Source for Biography: Chapin, George M., Florida, 1513 - 1913, Past, Present and Future, Four Hundred Years of War and Peace and Industrial Development, (c) 1914, Volume 2, p. 728-729. Contributed by Denise Wells 2/2020 

WILLIAM J. MAY.  William J. May, a successful logger and turpentine manufacturer of Alliance, is also engaged in the operation of a sawmill in the interests of his father. He is one of the most energetic, able and progressive young business men of this community and his present success is a gratifying prophecy of his future advancement. He was born in Calhoun county, this state, June 11, 1888, and is a son of William H. and Jessie V. (Burgess) May, natives of Georgia. The parents moved in early life to Florida and located in Calhoun county, where the father engaged in farming and milling and became also active in the timber business. He later moved into Jackson county, where he accumulated large holdings in land and is today the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres. He and his wife became the parents of twelve children : Georgia, the wife of B. L. Henine, of Jackson county; William J., of this review; Mary, who married Frank Higgins, of Jackson county; Lizzie, Charles and Liller, all at home; John, deceased; David, who has also passed away; Benjamin, still at home; two who died in infancy; and Jake, deceased.

After acquiring a public-school education William J. May turned his attention to business pursuits, engaging in logging and in turpentine manufacturing in Alliance, occupations which have since claimed his attention. He also operates a mill in the interest of his father and in this branch of work, as in all others, he has been successful because he has been industrious, energetic and enterprising.

Mr. May married Miss Amanda Lulu Sellers, and they are the parents of two children, Otis and Onus. The parents are members of the Freewill Baptist church and Mr. May gives his political allegiance to the people’s party. He is a young man who through enterprise and honesty has acquired a gratifying measure of success and gained an excellent reputation throughout the county.

Source for Biography: Chapin, George M., Florida, 1513 - 1913, Past, Present and Future, Four Hundred Years of War and Peace and Industrial Development, (c) 1914, Volume 2, p. 734.  Contributed by Denise Wells 2/2020

HENRY C. RICHARDS.  Henry C. Richards is one of the active and prosperous general farmers of Calhoun county and is operating a fine property of two hundred and forty acres near Altha. The farm’s neat and attractive appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical methods and he is justly accounted one of the leading agriculturists of the community. He was born in Washington county, Florida, February 29, 1864, and is a son of Thomas D. and Cherry Ann (Nelson) Richards, both natives of this state. The father was a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war and a prosperous and successful farmer in private life. For a number of years prior to his death he was justice of the peace. His wife has also passed away, her death having occurred November 8, 1902. To their union were born eleven children: John D., of Washington county; Eliza, widow of F. Clark, whose home was in Calhoun county; Sarah Frances, widow of E. Sayers, who was a resident of Calhoun county; Thomas M., deceased; Wesley, of Calhoun county; Zachary, deceased; Henry C., of this review; Martin L., of Calhoun county; Ida Victoria, who married C. S. Trailer, of Calhoun county; Miles J., also of Calhoun county; and Ellis E.

At the age of eighteen Henry C. Richards turned his attention to farming, working for a time in the employ of others. He was, however, ambitious and energetic and saved his money, becoming finally able to purchase land of his own. In 1895 he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Calhoun county, near Altha, and this he has since increased to two hundred and forty acres. His property is well improved and developed and is equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. In addition Mr. Richards owns a lot in Pensacola, and a fine house and lot elsewhere.

Mr. Richards married Miss Margian Melissa Parrish, a daughter of James and Delilah (Higdon) Parrish, natives of Alabama. They were the parents of four children: Margian Melissa, wife of the subject of this review; Mary, who married Lewis Jackson, of Texas; John, deceased; and Andrew Jackson, who died in childhood.

Mr. Richards is a member of the Methodist church, and fraternally is connected with the Woodmen of the World. His political views are democratic but he never seeks public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon the development of his farm. A resident of this county for eighteen years, he is widely known within its borders and the substantial qualities which he has displayed in social and business relations have gained him a high place in the regard of his associates.

Source for Biography: Chapin, George M., Florida, 1513 - 1913, Past, Present and Future, Four Hundred Years of War and Peace and Industrial Development, (c) 1914, Volume 2, p. 730-731.  Contributed by Denise Wells 2/2020