Later residents of 339 Whitehall
Part of the ‘Smith family history’ series
As we saw in the previous post, several significant events led up to the Smith family’s move away from their home on Whitehall Street in ~1890. Robert Windsor Smith had lived on the Whitehall property for approximately forty years. The land was purchased by his father L. Windsor Smith from Charner Humphries in the late 1840’s, but most of the land had been subdivided and sold at auction in the 1870’s. For details including records of the 1848 and 1849 deeds see this linked post.
Once again, here are a few maps showing Robert and Mary’s T-shaped house at 339 Whitehall.
I mentioned this in a previous post as well, but Atlanta went through a renumbering process in 1892 and at that time 339 Whitehall became 385 Whitehall. Another renumbering occurred in 1926, and I believe 385 would have ~most likely become 443 Whitehall at that time. Unsurprisingly, the house is long gone and that section of Whitehall has been primarily neglected industrial space for a very long time. If I’m not mistaken though, the lot where 339/385/443 Whitehall sits contains this unassuming brick industrial building.
In the 1940’s and 1950’s the brick warehouse above housed “State Distributing Co wholesale liquors”. But let’s see if we can trace who lived in the house after Robert and Mary moved to Kirkwood. I was able to locate an 1891 article from the Atlanta Constitution that referenced a Miss Minnie Daniels (actually Daniel, no “s”) living at 339 Whitehall.
Also, the 1892 Atlanta City Directory confirms the 339 to 385 numbering change. Both in the 1892 and 1927 directories following the respective renumberings, the old house number is listed in parentheses following the new. So in this case we see under the street directory a listing of “385 (339) Daniel A G”. Under the resident directory we see that this is Abner G. Daniel, solicitor for the Southern Farmers’ Alliance. Miss Minnie Daniel mentioned above was his daughter. The Daniel family was originally from Kentucky, and had a relatively short stay in Atlanta.
This may illicit a chuckle from some readers, but I actually don’t want to stray ~too far off on a tangent here, BUT I will provide some brief additional context for anyone interested. Colonel A. G. Daniel was involved with politics, and specifically with the “third party”, also known as the Populist party. At the time, Georgia politics were dominated by the Southern Democrat Bourbon Triumvirate, three different Governors of Georgia, composed of “north” Kirkwood resident John Brown Gordon, Kirkwood resident Alfred H. Colquitt, and Joseph E. Brown. However, by 1892 the Farmers’ Alliance launched the Populist Party to contest the Democrats. A. G. Daniel was apparently a substantial mouthpiece for the Populists, and was mentioned several times in Atlanta newspapers.
By 1894 it seems the Daniel family moved back to Kentucky, and eventually had settled in Arkansas by 1910. A. G. Daniel passed away in 1912 at the age of 74.
For more information, here are some suggested links from the New Georgia Encyclopedia:
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/farmers-alliance/
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/populist-party/
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/bourbon-triumvirate/
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/john-b-gordon-1832-1904/
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/joseph-e-brown-1821-1894/
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/alfred-h-colquitt-1824-1894/
The next resident of the Smith’s former home on Whitehall was Charles Davis Tillman. Tillman was listed as a resident of 385 Whitehall from 1894 to 1897, after which I believe he moved to East Point. Another interesting character from Atlanta history, Mr. Tillman was a well known publisher of gospel music. Some of the better known songs he either wrote or published include “Old-Time Religion”, “Life’s Railway to Heaven”, and one of my personal favorites “I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger.” While I’m sure he was a talented musician in his own right, one does have to wonder to what extent his success was built upon transcription of arrangements originating in African American churches.
Here are some links to additional information about C. D. Tillman:
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/charlie-d-tillman-1861-1943/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Davis_Tillman
Finally, my assumption is that at some point the residential structure was either intentionally or unintentionally destroyed. However, from approximately 1908 to 1915 there was another name listed as the owner of 385 Whitehall in the Atlanta City Directory: Victor H. Kriegshaber. This was not Kriegshaber’s residence, but most likely warehouse space for his building supply company. Later records indicate that he additionally owned 383 and 387 Whitehall as well. Kriegshaber served as president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and established the Atlanta Philharmonic Society. The Kriegshaber house on Moreland Ave. still stands and is operated as the Wrecking Bar brewpub and The Marianna.
Ok, I thought this would be much shorter, but personally I just think some fascinating history about the later residents / owners of Robert and Mary’s home on Whitehall. Up next I’m going to jump straight into some background on the Kirkwood neighborhood, including early residents, the history of the Kirkwood name, and incorporation.
Birds of Kirkwood 