[Source: Memoirs of Georgia Containing...Personal Sketches of Many of Its People. Volume I. The Southern Historical Association, 1895]

Augustus O. Bacon, United States senator-elect of Georgia, is a native of Bryan county, and was born there Oct 20, 1839. His parents were, however, residents of Liberty county, and he was born when his mother was on a visit to Bryan county. His father was the Rev. Augustus O. Bacon, a Baptist minister, and on his mother's side he is a grand nephew of the late Judge William Law, of Savannah, one of Georgia's most distinguished men. By the death of his parents the boy was left an orphan at an early age, but under the care of a grandmother he spent his boyhood, and at the age of 16 he entered the University of Georgia, graduating in the collegiate course in 1859, and the law school in 1860. In October of that year he began the practice of his profession in Atlanta, but in May, 1861, he joined the force under the starry flag of the Confederacy, and enlisted as adjutant of the Ninth Georgia regiment.

In 1864 he was wedded to Miss Virginia Lamar, of Macon, and when hostilities were ended Maj. Bacon returned to Macon, and has since practiced his profession there. His success in his profession was immediate, and he quickly assumed a ranking place in the Bibb county bar. In the summer of 1868, he made his debut in politics, being nominated by the democratic state convention as presidential elector for the then fourth congressional district. The compliment can be better appreciated when it is known it was made on the same day the great Bush Arbor mass-meeting, at Atlanta, was held, and was for the purpose of invoking the highest oratorical ability. The masterly way in which he handled the questions agitating the public, to the satisfaction of the party, marked him then as one of the coming men of Georgia. Two years later -- 1870 -- he was elected to the legislature of 1871-72. He was re-elected to the next legislature, and in January, 1873, was chosen the speaker. In the fall of 1876, he was again elected, and this time was unanimously elected speaker. Under the new constitution he was re-elected in December, 1877, for two years, and on the organization of the house, was again unanimously elected speaker. In 1880, he was again elected to the house from Bibb, and chosen speaker. Maj. Bacon's record, under the circumstances, could hardly be other than a brilliant one. His knowledge of law, fine executive ability and parliamentary experience and learning, and fine personality, made him a model speaker. In 1883 he was a candidate for governor, and in that famous convention he had a large plurality. After a three-days' deadlock a committee was named to suggest a candidate to the convention, and, by a majority of only one vote, they agreed upon Hon. Henry McDaniel over Mr. Bacon. Two years later he was again a candidate for governor, being defeated by Hon. J. B. Gordon. The contest was a close one, and though Gen. Gordon won, there was only a difference of about 1,500 in the popular cote, several of the counties being carried by shoestring pluralities. He was chosen United States senator in 1894, after an exciting campaign and a canvas on the part of Mr. Bacon, remarkable for its organization and execution.


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