USA > Alabama > Memorial record of Alabama. A concise account of the state's political, military, professional and industrial progress, together with the personal memoirs of many of its people. Volume I > Part 58
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one of the substantial old citizens of Blount county. Knowing the ad- vantages of an education, he has graduated three boys, who are all prac- ticing physicians.
W. G. BYARS, one of the old landmarks and prominent business men of Blount Springs, was born in Blount county, in 1826, a son of Jonas and Sarah (Davis) Byars. The parents were natives of South Carolina. -the mother from Greenville district and the father from Spartanburg district-who came to Alabama in 1818, settling in what is now Blount county. Jonas Byars was one of the trustees to whom the deed was made when the court house was built in Blountsville; he also served as commis- sioner of Blount county about twelve years and was tax collector and justice of the peace for many years longer. He opened up a farm in beat 1, and raised a large family. He was a son of William and Elizabeth (Bedford) Byars. The grandfather was an early settler of South Caro- lina. The grandmother was a native of New Jersey, and the town of Elizabeth, N. J., was named in her honor. Her brother was a politician of note and served in the legislature of New Jersey, in early days. Mrs. Sarah Byars' father, Benjamin Davis, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a carpenter by trade. W. G. Byars was reared on the old homestead farm in Blount county, and attended school in the old pioneer log school house, with its dirt and stick chimney, puncheon seats, etc., and would attend only a short time after the crop was "laid by." His father being poor, and with a large family and an invalid wife, the young man was. compelled to remain at home and help in the farm work. Jonas Byars built the first cabin at Blount Springs. W. G. Byars grew to manhood on the old farm and in 1854 married Mary Thomas, daughter of William .J. and Nancy (Baker) Thomas, early settlers of Jefferson county, Ala. To this union have been born eight children, four still living-Travis M., William E., Mary A., and H. H. The oldest son is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, to which the parents belong; William is a partner with his father in the mercantile business, and H. H. is a. physician of Perryville, Ala. Mr. Byars has served one and one-half terms as commissioner of Blount county and twelve years as jus- tice of the peace in Blount Springs. He also served as postmaster of Blount Springs under Grover Cleveland, and is one of the leading busi- ness men of the county. Mr. Byars and son are proprietors of Blount. Springs hotel, a noted watering place.
T. J. CALLAHAN was born January 17, 1842, a son of Joshua and Mary (Releford) Callahan, both natives of Blount county. The father was born in 1816, was a farmer and also a mechanic. He remained in Alabama, until 1860, when he removed to Little Rock, Ark., and, being too old to join the army, he remained neutral. At one time, however, some Federal soldiers went out foraging and were killed, and he, and eleven other citi- zens, who had no hand whatever in the death of this foraging party, were arrested and put into prison. On the day of his arrest he had a log roll-
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ing, and some Yankee soldiers rode up and asked him if he were a dem- ocrat, and. being answered in the affirmative, he and the eleven were arrested, and out of the twelve there were only four who made their escape, Mr. Callahan being one of them. After the war he settled in Yell county, Ark., where he remained until his death. He was a son of Joshua and Susie (Ratley) Callahan, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Alabama in 1816 and settled among the Indians, and opened up a farm. Joshua was a soldier in the war of 1812, and, later, sheriff of Blount county. He was always a farmer and also carried on a blacksmith shop. The parents of Mrs. Mary Callahan were both natives of Kentucky, but early settlers in Blount county, Ala., where they remained until death. T. J. Callahan was reared on the farm in Blount county. In 1861, while in Arkansas, he enlisted in company E, First Arkansas Confederate troops, and served until 1863, when he was wounded and placed on the retired list. After the war he returned to Alabama and began farming on rented land, but he accumulated property very fast and is now one of the sub- stantial citizens of the county. In 1866 he married Emily Reed, daughter of Caleb Reed, of Blount county. The union has been blessed with five children : Cordelia, Vilula V., Sylvania, T. J., and Emma. The mother was born and reared in Blount county. Mr. Callahan was school trustee of his district ten years. He never would accept any official position, but has always been an uncompromising democrat. He joined the Masonic order in 1877, and has since remained in good standing. He began life after the war without anything, but now owns 470 acres of fine land, well improved, and all paid for from the products of the soil. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan are members of the Methodist church and stand high in the esteem of their neighbors.
DR. F. G. DONEHOO, a rising physician of Blount county, was born in Georgia, on December 5, 1855, son of A. C. and Nancy M. (Brown) Donehoo-both natives of that state. The father was a soldier in the late war in company L, of Phillips' legion. He practiced dentistry for several years before the war, but after the war, having lost all, engaged in farming. He was a son of B. W. and Sarah (Scales) Donehoo, natives of Georgia. The great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America and married Mrs. Key, in North Carolina. After the Reovlution he settled in Laurens county, S. C., where the great- grandfather grew to manhood, when he settled in Georgia, and lived to the advanced age of one hundred and three years, and the great-grandmother, on the mother's side, to one hundred and eleven years of age. Mrs. Donehoo, the mother of the doctor, was a daughter of Hiram and Sarah Brown, both natives of Geor- gia, and the former an eminent and leading physician of Elbert county, Ga. The grandmother on the mother's side descended from an old Vir- ginia family and is a relative of ex-Governor Scales of North Carolina. F. G. Donehoo was raised on the farm until ten years of age, when his
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father moved to Marietta, Ga., where the doctor grew to manhood. He had but few adavntages for schooling; but in 1878, began teaching school and reading medicine. Dr. Gilbert Tenant of Marietta was his precep- tor, and in 1880, he entered the Augusta (Ga.) Medical college, attended one session, and then went to Atlanta, Ga., and attended the Southern Medical college for one session, and in the spring of 1881 he graduated with honors and came to Alabama and located at Murphree's Valley in Blount county, where he has now a large and lucrative practice, and is engaged extensively in farming. In 1885, he married Miss Emma Hyatt, daughter of David and Nancy Hyatt. They have one child, Ethel O. The mother was born and reared in Alabama. The doctor and wife are members to the Baptist church, and he is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. F., and K. of P. He is a democrat in politics and has the confidence of all who know himn.
JOHN M. DOYLE, one of the most active business men of Blountsville, Ala., was born in 1847, in Madison county, Ala., son of Joseph P. and Hannah (Flippo) Doyle. The father was born in South Carolina and the mother in Alabama. The grandparents were natives of Ireland and came to America during the Revolutionary war, and in that struggle the grand- father took part. The father came to Alabama in 1818, remained a few years, then removed to Tennessee, then to Illinois, and returned to Ala- bama, where he remained until his death. The Flippo family were of Scotch descent, and the maternal grandfather of Mr. Doyle also bore a noble part in the war for American independence. Three children were born to Joseph P. and Hannah Doyle, viz: John M., Joseph P. and Pamelia, wife of Dr. F. N. Hudson. The two brothers constitute one of the lead- ing business firms of Blountsville. John M. Doyle was reared in Madison county and received a high school education. In 1864 he enlisted in Capt. Thomas Jordan's cavalry company and served until 1865; he was captured at Huntsville, Ala., was released in 1865, but never returned to his com- pany, as the war closed soon after. Afterward he moved to Blountsville, where he engaged in the merchantile business and has conducted a large . and lucrative trade at this point since that time in connection with mill- ing. In 1870 he married Miss Augusta Ellis, daughter of Reuben and Matilda (Faust) Ellis. To this union were born four children, but all died in infancy. The mother was born and reared in Blount county. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in 1874. In 1876 Mr. Doyle married Mary Wooten. This union was blessed with two chil- dren-Lila and Alice. The mother was born and reared in this state, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died in 1883. In 1887 Mr. Doyle again married, choosing as his bride, Dovey R. Black, daughter of F. M. and Magaret Black. This union has been made happy by the birth of three children-Ella, Winnie and Grady. The mother was born and reared in Georgia and with her husband is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Doyle is a member of the Masonic order and also
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of the I. O. O. F. His brother Joseph was also born and raised in Ala- bama, received a limited education, and in 1888 married Miss Emma Eliott, who is now the mother of two children-Ermine and John. The mother was born and reared in Madison county, Ala. Mr. Doyle and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while he is a member of the Masonic order and I. O. O. F. Mr. J. M. Doyle served as deputy sheriff of Madison county three years; served as register in chancery of Blount county three years, was the county administrator five years and served as chairman of the democratic central committee five years. In 1881 he and his brother formed a partnership and have since been in business together, with the exception of a short interval, and constitute one of the most substantial business firms of Blount county, both being good and reliable business men, respected by all who know them.
T. J. GRIFFITH, a prosperous farmer of Blount county, was born in 1847 and reared on the farm where he now lives, son of Robert G. and Mary E. (Van Zandt) Griffith. The father was a native of Wales, born in 1802, came to America about 1812 and first settled in Pennsylvania, but for many years roamed over a large portion of the United States and Mexico, and was in Texas while it was yet a republic, and for two or three years followed surveying in Texas. While in the territory he had several narrow escapes from being trampled to death by buffalo, and on one occasion he shot one of the animals, and, as he thought, killed it, as it fell when shot, but when he got to the spot it got up and made a charge upon him and came nearly ending his life. In 1847 he came to Alabama and settled in Morgan county, where he engaged in tanning and also followed slave-trading; in 1830 he settled in what is now Blount county, on the farm where his sons T. J. and R. G. Griffith now live, ยท and opened it up out of the unbroken forest, converting it into a fine plantation. It now comprises about 1,200 acres. In 1841 he was ap- pointed by the governor as major of the state militia. In 1844 he was married and has born to him the following children: Thomas J., born in 1847; Mary W., born in 1849; Robert G., born in 1851; Margaret L., born in 1853, and Alice E., born in 1856. The mother was born in 1822, in Tennessee, a daughter of Jacob and Permelia (Staples) Van Zandt. Her father was a native of South Carolina, of German descent, and her mother, Permelia Staples, was a daughter of John and Sarah (Stovali) Staples, both natives of South Carolina.
Robert G. Griffith, the father, was a well-educated man, and, although he came to America a poor boy, he lived to be one of the wealthy men of the state. He died in 1856, beloved by all who knew him. T. J. Griffith was reared on the old home- stead farm. He attended common schools of the neighborhood, and in 1864 enlisted in Capt. Holloway's company and served about five months, came home on a furlough, and while at home joined Capt. Gilbert's com- pany of cavalry, and was with Gen. Forrest from that time till the close of the war, surrendering with Forrest on the Tombigbee river in 1865.
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He had been with Gen. Joe E. Johnston in his famous retreat from Resaca to Atlanta, and did courier duty. After the war he returned home and attended school a short time, and 1877 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Thomason as his preceptor; in 1879 he entered the Vanderbilt university, at Nashville, Tenn., and attended one course of lectures and then entered into a partnership with his preceptor, but after practicing about two years he became tired of that profession and en- gaged in merchandising for seven years, then retired to the farm and since that time has devoted his entire attention to farming and stock raising. In 1880 he married Mattie Jackson, daughter of Isaac and Martha (Owen) Jackson, both natives of North Carolina, who came to Morgan county, Ala,, in a very early day. Mr. Jackson was one of the prominent citizens of the county and served as sheriff and also as repre- sentative. To this union three children have been born-Leroy, Thomas and Maggie. The mother was born in 1860, in Morgan county, Ala. She is a member of the Baptist church, while he is a Free Mason and one of the leading and representative citizens of the county.
ROBERT G. GRIFFITH, one of the leading and substantial business men and farmers of Summit, was born in 1851, and reared in Blount county, Ala., a son of Robert and Mary E. (Van Zandt) Griffith, of whom full mention is made above. Robert G. Griffith, the younger, was raised on the old homestead farm and attended the common schools of the neigh- borhood. In 1872 he married Sarah A. Hinds, daughter of Alfred L. and Mary (Carnes) Hinds, who were early settlers of Alabama. To this union eight children have been born, of whom seven are still living: Charles, Robert, James, Alfred L., Walter, Mary and Sarah. The mother of this family was born and reared in Blount county, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1878 Mr. Griffith engaged in mer- cantile business at Brooksville, in partnership with H. B. Henry and Alvah O. Dixon, and remained in business with this firm till 1879, when he moved to Summit, and, in connection with Mr. Henry, engaged in business at this point, the firm name being Griffith & Henry. When Mr. Griffith withdrew from the firm he went to Texas, and for about four months engaged in the cattle trade in partnership with his brother, and in 1881 he and his brother engaged in business at Summitt, under the firm name of R. G. Griffith & Bro., and remained together until 1885, when they removed to Cullman, where they conducted the business one year, and in 1887 returned to Summitt and continued in business one year longer, when the brother withdrew, and since that time Robert G. Griffith has conducted the business alone. He has a good trade and has the confi- dence of all who know him.
DR. F. N. HUDSON, a leading physician and business man of Blounts- ville, Ala., was born in the county in 1848, a son of Nicholas and Diadama (Crump) Hudson. The father was born in South Carolina in 1804, came io Alabama in 1822, and settled in Jones Valley, in what is now Jefferson
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county, in the woods among the Indians, with whom, however, he lived on friendly terms. He served as sheriff of Blount county eight years and afterward engaged in mercantile business at Blountsville until the open- ing of the war, when he retired, and in 1868 he had a stroke of paralysis which incapacitated him for business. He was a son of Richard and Sarah Hudson. His father was born in Virginia and was a son of a native of Ireland, who came to America before the Revolutionary war, and rendered good service in that conflict. To the union of Nicholas and Diadama Hudson eight children have been born, three living: Dr. F. N., Mrs. I. E. Hammel and Mrs. E. C. Mathews. F. N. Hudson was raised in Blount county, attended the log school houses with puncheon seats. In 1871-72 he attended lectures at the university of Nashville, Tenn., and after practicing a short time returned to college, and attended lectures in 1873 and 1874, and graduated in February of the latter year. He then located at Blountsville and began the practice of his chosen profession but remained a short time only when, 1873, he removed to Madison, Ala., where he remained six years; he then returned to Blounts- ville and has since remained. He is one of the leading physicians of the county, and by close application to business has built up a large practice. In 1886 he also entered into the general mercantile business, which he conducts in connection with his profession. His son, however, carries on the business under direction of his father. In 1871 the doctor married Parmelia A. Doyle, daughter of Joseph P. and Hannah M. (Flippo) Doyle of South Carolina. This union has resulted in the birth of eight children : Rena, Alberto (who is partner in the business), Minnie, Laurence, Walter, Olla, Pansy and Elsie. The mother was born and raised in Madison county. The doctor is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. F., the K. of P. and the K. of H. He served as county commissioner three years and is one of the leading politicians of the county, and has the entire confidence of the people. With his wife he is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JAMES M. JAMES, a thorough farmer, of Blount county, was born July 1, 1844. His parents, Isaac and Rhoda (Murphree) James, were born in Alabama-the father in 1818, the mother in 1819. The grandfather, Thomas James, was a soldier in the war of 1812, joined the army on the Coosa river and fought through to New Orleans, taking part in that great battle on January 8, 1813, and was also in the battle of Talladega, Ala. After the war was over, he returned to his home, which was then in Tennessee. His father moved from South Carolina at an early day to Tennessee, remained there a short time, and then moved to the then wilderness of Alabama, and, being a great hunter, he was in his glory. He would move into the woods and make some improvements, and as civilization advanced, he would sell out and move farther into the forest, and continued in this way until he became quite old, when he took up some land and opened up a farm and gave the remainder of his life to
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farming. Mrs. Rhoda James was a daughter of Allen and Rhoda (Dunn) Murphree, both natives of east Tennessee. The great-grandfather, Murphree. was a native of South Carolina, came to Alabama from Tennessee about the time of the war of 1812, and settled in Blount county, and for many years was a leading merchant at Blountsville, called Bearmeat Cabin. James M. James was born and reared in Blount county, and attended school in a little pole cabin, going irregularly, only between crop times, and walking two miles through the wood, and not a house to be seen between home and the school. In 1863, he eniisted in Capt. William Harrold's company, under Col. Lewis, and served until the close the war, except while a prisoner. June 24, 1864, he was captured at. Lafayette, Ga., and carried to Indianapolis, Ind., where he was held until February 19, 1865. After the war he returned to Blount county, his native home, and began farming. March 10, 1869, he married Mary M. Rice, daughter of James and Sarah (Hedrick) Rice. This union was prolific in its results, thirteen children being born, twelve of whom are now living: Rhoda, born December 16, 1869; Lou, born April 7, 1871; N. E., born October 7, 1872; Maggie, born March 25, 1874; Sallie, born January, 9, 1876; Francis M., born September 15, 1878; Alice, born February 22, 1880; Hattie, born April 28, 1882; Milton T., born May 14, 1885; Willie, born July 24, 1887; Mattie, born January 9, 1890; Frederick E., born November 26, 1892. All reside at home and are unmarried. The deceased one was born December 30, 1883, and died when nine days old. Mrs. Mary M. James was born in 1848, and reared, till eleven years of age, in Knox county, Tenn., when the family moved to Alabama. Before his marriage, however, Mr. James had attended school seven months and. then began teaching and taught one term of seven months, and after marriage he began farming on an old rented place; he was given all he could make the first year, but continued farming for some time until he had accumulated some money, with which he purchased the same farm; this he rented, and for about four years taught school; in 1880, he entered into mercantile business at Arkadelphia, Ala., and remained about four years, when he sold out and again retired to the farm. He owned at one time about 500 acres of good land. He now owns 270 acres where he lives, near the first purchase, which is well improved. He is one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of Blount county, with his wife, is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and for six years was justice of the peace of beat twenty-four. His grandfather was named Thomas James, and great-grandfather was named Isaac James, and his grandmother was named Sallie, and great-grandmother was named Dollie, on his father's side, and on his mother's side his great-grandfather was William Murphree, who was a Baptist preacher. All these old people originated from South Carolina, first moved to Tennessee, and then to Alabama, and were of the first settlers of north Alabama.
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PERSONAL MEMOIRS-BLOUNT COUNTY.
LEWIS MCPHERSON, one of the thriving farmers of Blount county, was born in 1836. His parents, Lewis and Narcissa (McPherson) McPherson, were both natives of Tennessee. The father was raised on a farm, came to Alabama and lived to be one of the prominent farmers of Blount county. The mother was a daughter of George and Nancy (Kincheo) McPherson, also natives of Tennessee. The grandfather was a captain through the whole war of 1812, and in 1815 came to Alabama. He had gone security for a friend in Tennessee, which broke him up and he left everything in the state of his nativity and came here a poor man. He settled among the Indians and became a kind of a moderator among them. If they became involved in dispute they would go to him and would abide by his decision. Although he came to Alabama a very poor man, he accumulated property very fast, and before his death was one of the substantial citizens of the county. Lewis McPherson was raised in Blount county. He attended school very little and that attendance was between crop time and fodder pulling time. The school-house was a log cabin with puncheon floor and seats and stick and dirt chimney. He had to walk about four miles and had his chores to do night and morning beside. In 1862 he enlisted in company F, Twenty-ninth Alabama regiment, under Capt. Sapp, and was with Gen. Joe E. Johnston in his famous retreat. He served until the fall of1864, when he came home on furlough, and before the time for his return the war ended. After the war, he for a few years took care of his widowed mother, and in 1866 married Mary A. Hunley, daughter of John and Martha S. J. (Gill) Hunley, natives of Virginia. The father was a. soldier in the Mexican war. He came to Alabama about 1842, and the mother came with her parents in 1816. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, have been born four children, three living: William C., James and John T. The mother was born in 1846 and reared in Jefferson county, Ala. In 1869 Mr. McPherson moved to the farm where he now lives, on which he has built a good frame dwelling and barn. The close of the war found him without anything, but by close economy and good management he has done well, and now owns 600 acres of good land, which he has made through his own industry. He is one of the substantial citizens and representative farmers of the county, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN E. MORRIS, a leading farmer of Blount county, Ala., was born in Georgia in 1850, son of Andrew J. and Satira (Wynn) Morris, both natives of Georgia, who came to Alabama in 1853; in 1855 Mr. Morris built the first water-mill on Whippoorwill creek in Blount county, which he conducted in connection with farming until 1861, when he returned to Georgia, where he took charge of his father's plantation and conducted the same until 1862, when he entered Capt. Howe's company and served as became a good soldier until 1864, when he was killed at Atlanta. He was a soon of Drewry and Sarah (Davenport) Morris, both natives of South Carolina, and pioneer settlers of Georgia, where they settled
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