Bleckley County
Cochran, Bleckley County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
Bleckley County. This County, created by an act of the Georgia Legislature July 30, 1912, is named for Chief Justice Logan E. Bleckley, ofthe Georgia Supreme Court, one of the greatest jurists in the history of this State. Born in Rabun County in 1827, he served as a Confederate soldier, resumed his law practice after the war, was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 1875-1880 and Chief Justice 1887-1894. Among the first Bleckley County officers were Sheriff J.A. Floyd, Superior Court Clerk J.T. Deese, Ordinary W.M. Wynne, Tax Receiver Jim Holland, Tax Collector W.D. Porter, Treasurer J.R. Taylor, Coroner Morgan Barrs, Surveyor W.H. Berryhill, Comm. of Roads and Revenue J.B. Hinson. 012-1 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1985
Erected by Georgia Historical Commission
The Story
Bleckley County was carved out by the Georgia Legislature in 1912 and named for Logan E. Bleckley, remembered as one of the state's greatest jurists. Born in Rabun County in 1827, Bleckley served as a Confederate soldier, then rose through the Georgia Supreme Court to become Chief Justice. The marker also records the county's first slate of local officers as it began its work.
Why it matters
The county's creation and its namesake jurist reflect how the Progressive-era South reorganized local government while honoring the legal minds who shaped its courts.
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Related people
- Β· Logan E. Bleckley
Themes & tags
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