Sumter County, Florida

Do you have an ancestor, or knowledge of an individual, who was prominent within Sumter County at some time? Perhaps an ancestor who held public office, or who founded a school, church, etc.? 

If so, you are invited to submit a short description and biography of that individual. In the interest of space, please limit the information to 100 words or less. (Dates, names, and places are counted as one word.) One small photo of the subject will be accepted. 
 

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Dr. George McIntosh Troup Simmons, 1836 - 1897 
My grandfather, Dr. Simmons, was the first permanent doctor in Bushnell area. He and his wife, raised their six children about 2 miles out of town on Lake Annie, now called Simmons Pond. George was also a farmer and owned an orange grove and would ship his produce on cargo boats down the Wilhacoochee River. George was also a Mason and a charter member of New Hope Methodist Church in Isatachatta. He enlisted in his brother's co., Holman Felix Simmons Co., Co F., 8th Florida Infantry serving as assistant surgeon in Talladelga Hospital. He also served as a school teacher from time to time. He is Buried in Teema Cemetery. 

Submitted by: Barbara J. Daugherty

SPURGEON "JIGGS" UPSHAW
Jiggs played a prominent role in the early days of Sumter county cattleman. He managed the Monarch ranch for over 25 years and was a well respected member of the community. 

Submitted by: Douglas Sigmon

William Gready Hope 1816-1897 
William was born in Woodville, Mississippi, the son of "Captain" Adam Hope and Jane Gready. He ran unsuccessfully for county office there on two occaisions, served with the "Woodville Rifles" in the Mexican War under his neighbor Jefferson Davis, married Caroline Newell in Woodville in 1848, and when she inherited slaves from her father, the family moved to Amite, La., and after the War to Mckinney, Texas. William came to Sumter county to live near his oldest son in 1894, and died there at the age of 81. He is buried in the Stewart Chapel cemetery near Webster. 
He left a fascinating diary that describes life in Sumter County before the turn of the century. 

Submitted by Brett Hope

Andrew Benjamin Albritton  
Andrew Benjamin Albritton was born July 14, 1882 at Orange Springs, 
Florida (Marion County). He was the son of Arthur Jackson Albritton and Martha Ann Waldron both natives of Florida. After completion of his high school education he went into the mercantile business and raising cattle. He then entered the University of Georgia at Augusta and graduated in 1912 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. To earn extra money he would return home in the summers to run timber on the Ocklawha River. After graduation, he began practicing medicine in Wildwood and operating a drug store in downtown Wildwood until his death in May 1945. He was a Past Master of Wildwood Blue Lodge, member of the City Council and he served as a medical examiner during the World War and a director of the Bank of Wildwood. On June 27, 1915 Andrew Albritton married Thelma Caruthers daughter of David Crockett Caruthers and Anna (Caruthers) Caruthers. They had three children: Dr. David C. Albritton a practicing physician in Ocala, Fl., Agnes, a registered nurse, who married F. L. McGehee, Sheriff of Marion County, and Dolly who married John Bropson. Andrew had one brother Glover that lived in Sumter Co. 

Submitted by Kay McGehee Love

James Caruthers   
James Caruthers and his wife Elizabeth Hull were born in Burke County Georgia 
around 1800. James received Armed Occupation Act permit 389 in May 1843 and 
settled at Shady Brook in Sumter County. James established and operated a 
saw mill there. He is listed in the Marion County Commissions minutes as the 
builder of the first county courthouse, which was a log structure. The 
building was first used by the county commission on September 7, 1846. James 
was paid $225 for the job with an additional allowance of $80.00 for a judges 
bench, jury box and other interior furnishings. James died about 1848. His 
widow Elizabeth recorded her mark and brand Dec. 13, 1850. Her oldest son 
Thomas recorded his mark and brand in May 1850. 

James brother William Brinson born Dec. 2, 1808 in Burke Co Georgia,. He 
claimed his land under the occupation act April 17, 1843 and received permit 
365 at the land office of Newnanville (Alachua Co. Fl). he married {1) 
Millicent Hull (who died in a fire) (2)Delilah Hall in Alachua County on 
October 30, 1844. Delilah was the daughter of Soloman Hall. William died 
August 2, 1882 and Delilah died March 1893. Both are buried at Oak Grove 
Cemetary, Wildwood, Florida. Several descendants of the Caruthers brothers 
have remained in Sumter and Marion county Florida. 

Samuel brother to William B. and James was also born in Burke Co. Georgia. 
He moved to another county in Florida. 

Submitted by Kay McGehee Love

William W. Caruthers
William W. Caruthers was the son of James and Elizabeth Hull Caruthers. He was born in 1835 Burke County Georgia. His family moved to Florida around 1843. He served in Captain J.J. Dickinson's Company H of the 2nd Florida Calvalry during the Civil War. He enlisted at Flotard Pond where the company was formed and he was mustered out May 20, 1865. He drove cattle for the government during the time when cattle was driven to market in huge trail drives. He was a member of the Baptist church in Wildwood. He married Rebecca Duncan , born in Lancaster County, South Carolina and daughter of John and Jincy Duncan. In January of 1852 the Duncans left Lancaster County, SC along with the Crenshaw and Perry families, travelled by wagon train until they arrived in Sumter County March 1852. Many descendants from these families still reside in Sumter Co. William W. Caruthers died in Sumter County April 27, 1892 and Rebecca died 15 September 1904. They are buried in Oak Grove Cemetary, Wildwood, Fl.

Submitted by Kay McGehee Love