John Holbrook Estill was born October 28, 1840 in Charleston, SC, and died November 9, 1907 in Wymberly, Isle of Hope, Savannah, Ga. He married (1) Marion Virginia Thomson (April 10, 1848 - January 26, 1894) October 10, 1865 in Christ Episcopal Church, Savannah, Ga.; (2) Ida Holbrook (December 21, 1869 - July 11, 1896) June 30 1895 in St. John's Church, Savannah, Ga.; and (3) Maude Augustin Hill (October 29, 1874 - 1945) March 21, 1897 in St. Paul's Church, Chattanooga, Tenn. John Holbrook Estill is buried in Bonaventure Cemetery, Estill family triangle, Savannah, Ga. His gravestone inscription reads: A Confederate Soldier, Savannah Morning News 1867 - 1907, Thirty Years President Union Society, Bethesda Orphanage 1877-1907.

John Holbrook Estill was named after John Edwards Holbrook, the celebrated naturalist, who was a professor in SC Medical College, and a friend of "Col." Estill's father.

As a conspicuous example of a self-made man, the story of "Col." Estill's life is of unusual interest. His success is due to his own unaided exertions. He began life at the bottom of the ladder. Indomitable perseverance, steady application, rare executive ability and excellent judgement in business affairs are features of his character.

He is one of a family of 11 children, 5 boys and 6 girls. His father, William Estill, was as bookbinder, bookseller and printer; from his earliest years, "Col." Estill has been in one way or another connected with the printing business. John was born in a building on Broad Street near East Bay; it later became the publication office of the Charleston Mercury, the great newspaper organ of succession. The Estill's moved to Savannah in 1851 when John was 11; at that time John began his career working in the office of the Evening Journal. Two years later, at age 13, he left the printing office to go to school, and between the school sessions clerked in a store. In 1856, at age 16, he returned to Charleston and served for three years an apprenticeship in the printing house of Walker, Evans & Coggsville. The 1860 census reported he was a printer and living alone.

"Colonel" Estill's military career began in 1859 at age 19, when he joined the Oglethorpe Light Infantry, which was later to become Company B of the 8th Georgia Infantry. With this group he entered the service in January, 1861, as part of the first volunteer regiment of Georgia stationed in Fort Pulaski, Savannah. As part of this group, Private Estill left Savannah in May 1861 and went to Virginia where the Oglethorpe Infantry became part (Co. B) of the 8th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, CSA. He was severely wounded at First Manassas, Virginia, on the first day of the battle [and the first battle of the Civil War], July 21, 1861, at age 20. Disabled, Estill received a disability discharge at the First General Hospital, Richmond, Virginia, February 16, 1862 [age 21]. Returning to Savannah, he became a Volunteer of Screven's Battalion which opposed Sherman's March to the Sea and siege of Savannah; as a member of that group was taken prisoner in Savannah.

John Holbrook Estill's 4 brothers also served in the Confederate States military forces during the Civil War. His four brothers served with the SC Vols. Four of the five brothers survived their service (the youngest Charles Edward Estill died of disease and was buried in Summerville, SC). Three of the Estill brothers served in the first ground battle of the Civil War --the 1st battle of Manassas, Virginia, July 21, 1861.  William Charles Estill served in Co. K, 2nd Regt SC Vols; he was the oldest at 29 at that time.  John Holbrook Estill, Co. B, 8th Regt GA. Vols was age 20.  Henry Pickard Estill served with Captain Boykins Company, SC Cavalry at age 16. All survived this battle, but John Holbrook Estill was seriously wounded and was given a disability discharge seven months later.

Since the Civil War era "Colonel" Estill has continued to take an active interest in military affairs, and served several years as Captain of Company F, First Regiment Georgia Infantry. In 1895 he was placed on the retired list of State Volunteers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was an Honorary Member of the Oglethorpe Light Infantry, and a life member of the Georgia Hussars, Savannah Cadets and Savannah Volunteer Guards. He was a Past Commander of Lafayette McLaws Camp, No. 576, U.C.V., and a member of the Confederate Veterans' Association.

The close of the war left him practically penniless, as it did, almost without exception, every one in the South, and then it was that his native ability, together with the practical and technical knowledge of the printing trade served him in good stead. He secured employment as a pressman in the office of the Savannah News and Herald at a dollar a day. His independent and constructive spirit soon made him ambitious to branch out for himself, and when he had saved a little money, his duties in the newspaper office not requiring all of his time -- he established "Estill's News Depot", and with it a job printing office. The news depot was his first post-war enterprise. In later years it was conducted by his brother, William Charles Estill. In 1866, Estill purchased a small printing plant and left the News and Herald. By good management in this enterprise, and by several successful business ventures, he accumulated enough to purchase a half interest in the Morning News in June 1867. In June 1868 he bought the remaining half. It was not an easy matter in those days to make a newspaper pay. There were two other morning papers in Savannah, but in a short while the Morning News absorbed its competitors and had the field to itself. By 1871, The Rome Commercial considered Estill "accomplished, energetic and talented; he has built up the best newspaper in the state, if not in the south ..." In 1876 "Colonel" Estill erected the first Morning News building on the site of the six-story publishing house, itself a splendid monument to his successful newspaper career. As evidence of the esteem in which he is held by the newspapers of the State, he was honored by his contemporaries with the office of President of the Georgia Press Association for twenty years.

Outside of his profession, "Colonel" Estill has taken an active part in many successful business enterprises. There are few men more prominently identified with the industries and progress of Savannah. He built the Barnard and Anderson street car line in 1878, and upon its consolidation with the City and Suburban Railway, became its President; was President of the Savannah Investment Company, which in 1890 built the first belt street railway in Savannah; was president of the Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine Company in the old volunteer fire service; was County Commissioner of Chatham County for 12 years [1882-1894], during which he dealt with sewer and drainage problems, saw the county's first poor farm at Queensbury Plantation lying on Montgomery Crossroads purchased, the erection of a new jail on the corner of Habersham and Lincoln Streets, the erection of a courthouse at Wright Square and the first improved public highways in the county opened; served on the Board of Education from 1885 to 1907; was a prime mover in the company which introduced electric lighting in Savannah; helped organize the first cotton mill in Savannah; has been President of the Chatham Real Estate and Improvement Company since its organization in 1885; was one of the organizers of the company which built the DeSoto Hotel and named it; was a director of the South Bound Railroad of the Savannah Construction Company, which built the South Bound (now the Seaboard Air Line between Savannah and Columbia); was president of the Bonaventure Cemetery Co. [sold to the City of Savannah, Ga. in August, 1907} and an owner in the Pilot's Navigation Company, the steam pilot boat which bore his name; was the first President of the Mutual Gas Light Company; was Vice-President of the Georgia Telephone and Telegraph Company; and the Inter-State Rifle Association; was a Director of the Citizens Bank, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company and the Savannah Racing Association; is as member of the Chatham County Board of Education for seventeen years. He was also President of that ancient charity, the Bethesda Orphan House, founded by George Whitfield more than a century and a half ago. He is as member of the Georgia Historical Society, the Savannah Yacht Club, and a number of social organizations. He is a prominent Mason, a Past Master of Solomon's Lodge No. 1; life member of Georgia Chapter No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; member of Palestine Commandery No. 7, Knights Templar, and a Shriner, and is Past Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and is one of its Vestry.

In public office "Col." Estill has been Chairman of the State Democratic Executive Committee, and in 1892 was the Georgia member of the Democratic National Committee. He was the Chairman of the First District Democratic Congressional Committee.

In 1902 he was a candidate for Governor of Georgia and made a most remarkable race against the Executive, Governor Joseph M. Terrel, and Hon. Dupont Guerry, the Prohibition candidate. In his canvas he visited nearly every section of the State and met the people in their offices and homes, in the factories and on the farms. His personal contact with them and his candid and straightforward expressions upon public questions won him confidence and support, and although defeated for the office, he won the distinction of having what in many respects, was the most remarkable gubernatorial race in the history of Georgia.

Because of his role in building the railroad from Columbia, SC to Savannah, Ga. through Lawtonville, SC in 1891, this town was renamed Estill, SC. [Estill, SC was incorporated Sept. 8, 1905, named in honor of J. H. Estill.] The new town site allegedly grew up around a railroad stopping point and took on the name of Estill after J. H. Estill.

In 1888, Estill bought on the Isle of Hope all the land which has comprised the "Wymberly" area. Wymberly was originally settled in 1763; after the original owner departed, it was granted by the crown to Noble Jones of Wormsloe and, prior to Estill's purchase, had been divided through bequest and grants among at least six families. Estill bought the land from all the heirs and combined it into one estate where he built a grand mansion on Skidaway River. Here he and Marion moved with six of their eight children; two children had died and were buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery.

The original stairs and tile porch of Estill's mansion is still present (1994). There has been another house built on the foundation of the original. Helen and John Artley are presently (1994) living in the home. The cannon which sits on the lawn as of 1994 was dedicated by Estill "To Commemorate the services of Colonial and  Revolutionary soldiers 1903."

In April 1922, Savannah's Estill Avenue, between Bull Street and Waters Avenue and also Dale Avenue between Waters and the eastern city limits, were both changed to Victory Drive. There remains a Savannah street named Estill Avenue. In addition there is an Estill Ward in Savannah between 34th Street, Bull Street, 38th Street and Barnard Street. There is also a Col. Estill drive on the Isle of Hope and an Estill Hammock Drive on Tybee Island.

Condensed from Newspaper sketches of his life by G. A. Gregory.

Major Research Sources:

(1) Savannah Morning News, Savannah, GA. Number 13,910, Sunday, November 10, 1907.

(2) Armstrong State College, research paper by J. Patrick Finley, Savannah, Georga, May 1994, title: John Holbrook Estill, 1840 - 1907. On file at the Georgia Historical Society, 501 Whitaker Street, Savannah, Georga 31499