Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1881 — The Wealthiest Colored Man in Georgia. [ARTICLE]

The Wealthiest Colored Man in Georgia.

A special dispatch from Atlanta, Ga. to the Cincinnati Enquirer, says: His name Is Henry Todd, and he lives at Darien, in this State. When i, youth his master died and left him his freedom as are ward for hisforthful attention daring the slaveholder’s last sickness. Young Todd was so esteemed by the family that they insisted on his remainihg m their employ, and paid him a handsome salary. He was sort of assistant overseer on the plantation. By the kindly aid of white mends he soon became aland owner, and then a prosperous farmer. In a few years his affairs showed the result of industry and natural business talent in a snug little fortune. His quiet mannner ana strict uprightness guarded him from the bitter prejudice which in those days both races felt for the average “free nigger.” HenTy Todd soon had money enough 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 ootton, which then demanded 60 cents a pound. After the war he continued his farming operations, but also engaged In the lumber business. His remarkable success continued, and up to to-day he owns two large lumber mills and exports very extensively. He is 76 yean old, and has an excellent education. He is worth *IOO,OOO 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 they leave the coast and spend the hot months at a house which they own In one of the cool mountain nooks of Nprth Georgia. Henry Todd has carefully kept from active participation in politics, though he has frequently been solicited to be a candidate. 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.