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M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01713 0607
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/notablemenoftenn00temp_0
OLIVER PERRY TEMPLE
Frontispiece
NOTABLE MEN OF TENNESSEE
FROM 1833 TO 1875
THEIR TIMES AND THEIR CONTEMPORARIES
BY OLIVER P. TEMPLE
COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY HIS DAUGHTER MARY B. TEMPLE
NEW YORK THE COSMOPOLITAN PRESS 1912
Copyright, 1912, by MARY B. TEMPLE
1142561
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTABLE MEN OF TENNESSEE FROM 1833 TO 1875-THEIR TIMES AND THEIR CONTEMPORARIES
PAGE 31 Three Remarkable Facts-November, 1860, to February Election, 1861- South Carolina Secedes, December 26, 1860-Grave Questions in Bor- der States-Bewildering Uncertainty as to Interest and Duty- Ambitious Leaders in Cotton States-Vague Fear of the Abolition- ists-Widespread Secession Movement-Attitude Toward Slavery- First Union Speech-Knoxville Streets Full of Secessionists-No- vember 26, Public Meetings Adjourned Without Decisive Vote- December 8, Secession Resolutions Defeated, Victory for Union Overwhelming-Meetings in Other Counties-Author Reluctantly Assumed Leadership-Brownlow's Paper Plays an Important Part- Johnson's Part- Local Leaders - Third Crisis - Emancipation - Brownlow's Quarrel with Johnson-Alexander Stephens at Mil- ledgeville-Firing on Sumter-Lincoln's Inaugural.
THOMAS D. ARNOLD
56
Born Two Years After Tennessee Became a State-Served Under Jack- son-Admitted to Bar, 1822-Defeated for Congress, 1827 and 1829- Elected, 1831, Though Anti-Jackson - Moved to Greeneville - De- feated by Blair, 1835-Elector, 1840-Encounter with Felix Grundy at Greeneville - At Rogersville Next Day - In Congress Again, 1841-43-Second Time, District Changed to Defeat Him-Attitude in 1861-Success in Jury Causes-Peculiarly Emotional Nature.
JUDGE JOHN BAXTER
66
Rose Rapidly in Profession in North Carolina-Clay Elector in 1844- In Legislature, Speaker of Lower House-Removed to Knoxville, 1857-Rank and Characteristics as a Lawyer-Believed Union Could be Preserved - Bitter Speeches - Favored Moderate Measures at Greeneville Convention-Followed Nelson to Richmond-Influence of Zebulon Vance-Defeated for Confederate Congress by William G. Swan-Co-operates with Secessionists-Arrested at Memphis- Drifts Back Into Union Ranks-1864, Joins Mcclellan Movement- Attacks Brownlow-1870, Elected to Constitutional Convention- 1872, Call to Organize New Political Party-Supports Hayes, 1876- Appointed U. S. Circuit Judge-Summary.
REESE B. BRABSON
75
Member of Congress-Lawyer-Whig Elector-Vehement Speaker- Spotless Integrity.
R. R. BUTLER
77
Member of Legislature Eleven Terms-Lieutenant-Colonel-Circuit Judge-Member of Congress Five Terms.
ROBERT K. BYRD . .
. . 79
Bold Leader-Slaveholder-Born in Roane County-Farmer-Entered Into Agreement at Greeneville Convention to Raise Troops-The First Tennessee, Colonel Byrd.
DANIEL A. CARPENTER
81
·
Born in Kentucky-One of First Volunteer Soldiers-After Number of Engagements, Destroyed Mill at Cumberland Gap-Captured Near Rogersville, Taken to Libby Prison and Charleston-Sheriff of Anderson County-Mayor of Knoxville-Pension Agent-Receiver Southern Building and Loan Association-Natural Leader.
ALFRED M. CATE
85 In Army-Personally Popular-Actor in Bridge Burning-Escaped to Kentucky-Member of Legislature.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
WILLIAM BLOUNT CARTER
PAGE 88
Great-grandson of John Carter-Washington College and Princeton- Church at Rogersviile-Whig --- Interview with Lincoln, Seward, Mcclellan-Bridge Burning-Member of 3d Knoxville-Greeneville Convention-Pocahontas Blood.
COLONEL WILLIAM CLIFT
94
Born 1795-A Whig, but Became a Democrat in 1855-Violent Unionist- Defiant of Confederate Government-Wooden Cannon-Agreement with James W. Gillespie-Courier Line Between Knoxville and Chattanooga-In Prison-Atlanta-Escape-Died in Ninety-first Year.
GENERAL JOSEPH A. COOPER
101
Father from Maryland-Mexican War-Greeneville Convention-Drilled Men on the Farms-Second Refugee-At Cumberland Gap, Chicka- mauga, Nashville -- Internal Revenue Collector at Knoxville-Great- est Union Soldier.
WILLIAM CRUTCHFIELD
109
Early Settler of Chattanooga-Replied to Jefferson Davis-Sought Safety in Union Army.
PEREZ DICKENSON AND JOHN WILLIAMS
114
Dickenson a Native of Massachusetts-Accumulated Fortune-Ardent Whig-Decided in Stand for Union-Arrested and Discharged-Wil- liams' Family Oid and Distinguished-Battle of the Horseshoe --- Opposition to John Williams' Father to Jackson-John Williams in Legislature-Fearless Union Man.
JOHN M. FLEMING
118
Born in Hawkins County-Educated at Emory and Henry College- Takes Charge of Whig Register in 1855-Supports John Bell-One of Three or Four to Oppose Secession-Elected to Legislature in 1861-Humorous Letter on Fall of Nashville-Secretary of Knoxville- Greeneviiie Convention-Supports General McCiellan-Opposes Re- construction Measures-Superintendent Public Instruction-Editorial Work-Encounter with John Mitchell-Controversy with Phelan.
ANDREW J. FLETCHER
123
Attended Washington Coliege -- Practiced Law in Newport-State Sena- tor-Difficulty with Mason-A Refugee-Secretary of State-Can- didate for U. S. Senate-Speech in Defense of State Administration- Origin of Term "Carpet Bag."
LEONIDAS C. HOUK
128
Born in Sevier County-Appearance Before Judge Alexander-Read Law at Night-Encounter with Foote in 1861-Contradictory Quali- ties-Member of Johnson Convention-Career in Congress.
HORACE MAYNARD . 137
Born in Massachusetts-Graduate of Amherst-Professor in East Ten- nessee University-Defeated for Congress by Churchweli in 1853 -- Elector for State at Large in 1856-Elected to Congress in 1857, 1859. and 1861-At Disadvantage Among Southerners-Went Into Kentucky After August Election, 1861-Attorney General of the State-Twice Elected to Congress in the '60's-In 1865 Defeated for U. S. Senate- In 1872 Elected to Congress from State at Large-In 1874 Defeated for Governor by James D. Porter-In 1877 Appointed Minister to Turkey-Postmaster General Under Hayes-Defeated for U. S. Sen- ate by Howeii E. Jackson in 1881-Ability-Oratory-Personal Char- acteristics-Rank as a Lawyer-Early Political Experiences-Last Days.
JOHN McGAUGHEY 150
Exponent of Justice and Goodness-Arrested Near Athens-Provost Marshail-Raised Union Regiment.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
SAM MILLIGAN
PAGE 152
College Career-Physique-Influence with Pupils-Elected to Legis- lature in 1841-Re-elected in 1845-Read Law in Interval-Quarter- master in Mexican War in 1846-Greeneville Spy-In 1857 Defeated for Congress-In 1861 Aggressive for Union-In 1865 Appointed to Supreme Court of Tennessee-Appointed to Court of Claims in 1868-Influence Over Andrew Johnson-Personality.
JOHN NETHERLAND
159
Born in Virginia-Educated at Tusculum Under Doak-Two Years in Franklin, Tenn .- State Senator in 1833-Elector for State at Large in 1848-Defeated by Harris in 1859-Constantly in Politics-Jury Lawyer-Personal Characteristics.
THOMAS A. R. NELSON
166
His Phenomenal Rise at the Bar-An Old-line Whig-Nelson and Haynes Canvass of 1858-First Speech in Congress, December, 1859- Nelson and Johnson in Tennessee, Spring of 1861-Re-elected to U. S. Congress-Captured and Taken to Richmond-Letter Pub- lished on Return to His Home-Attitude Toward Lincoln's Procla- mation of Emancipation-Attitude in 1872.
DEWITT C. SENTER
182
Active in Influence for Undivided Country-Father Prominent- Speaker of Senate and Governor-Later Years Passed in Retirement.
GENERAL JAMES G. SPEARS
186
Early Struggles-Clerk of Circuit Court-Happy Marriage-A Demo- crat-Delegate to Knoxville Convention-Daring Operation-Led His Regiment at Fishing Creek-In Battle at Murfreesboro-Hot-headed- A. L. Spears, His Son, a Brave Officer in Union Army-A Lawyer.
BENJAMIN TOLLIVER STAPLES · 191
Family Among Settlers of Jamestown-Taught by Parents-Leader in Cumberland Plateau-Defeated Twice for Legislature-Activity in Behalf of Union-Raised a Regiment-Wounded and Taken Pris- oner-Tortured and Shot-The Mountain Man-"Tinker Dave."
DR. JOSEPH C. STRONG 195
Earnest Friend of Union-His Father in U. S. Navy-Family Promi- nent in Social and Business Affairs-Aided Union Guides-Strong Family Dates in United States from 1630.
NATHANIEL G. TAYLOR 198
Grandfather Owned Immense Estates-Graduated at Washington Col- lege and Princeton-Became a Minister-Distinguished Appearance- Rare Gifts-Raised Funds for Relief of Destitute People of East Tennessee-Aided by Rev. Dr. T. W. Humes-Elector, 1860.
MONTGOMERY THORNBURGH · Studied Law-State Senate Three Terms-Attorney General-Active in Conciliation-Confined at Tuscaloosa.
. 203
DANIEL C. TREWHITT 20€ Lawyer-Chancellor-Circuit Judge-Mind Clear and Quick.
JUDGE CONNALLY F. TRIGG 208
Born in Abingdon-Defeated for Congress in 1853-In 1855 in Partner- ship with Author-Delegate to State Convention in 1861-Favorite with Union People-Left Tennessee in 1861-Took Part in Guberna- torial Canvass in Ohio in 1863-Appointed U. S. Judge in 1864- Crowded Docket-Sympathizes with Those Lately Opposed-U. S. vs. Moses Gamble-Never Severe.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
DAVID K. YOUNG
Born and Lived in Anderson County-Circuit Judge-Exceptional Land Lawyer-Arrested-Captain of Tennessee Artillery-Good Financier.
JOHNSON AND TEMPLE RACE FOR CONGRESS IN 1847 216
Attracted Great Interest-Democratic District-Temple Young, Un- known, Inexperienced-Johnson's Position Impregnable, but Record Vulnerable-First Debate, July 11-Lively Contentions-Disaffection Toward Johnson-Temple's Letter to W. G. Brownlow-Temple Had Good Voice-Ardor, Enthusiasm-Johnson Approaches Competitor to Withdraw-Fifteen Appointments-Less Than Three Weeks' Cam- paign-No Personalities-Notice in Brownlow's Paper-Enthusiasm Over Temple at Washington College Among His Fellow-Students- Political Conditions-Temple Fought Johnson with His Own Weapons -Whig Leaders Stood Aloof from Temple-Time Too Short to Over- come Inertia of the Whigs-They Were Too Indifferent to Go to Polls-Johnson's Majority 314-In the County Canvassed Thoroughly by Temple His Vote Largest Ever Given a Whig-Temple Changed Residence to Avoid Politics.
MEREDITH POINDEXTER GENTRY
233
Born in North Carolina in 1809-Removes to Tennessee in 1813-Early Education-Extensive Reader-Studied Law-Elected to Legislature, 1835-In Congress, 1839-Powerful Debater-Opinions as to His Abil- ity as an Orator-Runs Against Johnson for Governorship in 1855- Contrast of Their Characters-Defeated by Johnson-In Retirement on His Farm-A Union Man Until Sumter-Then a Secessionist- Elected to Confederate Congress-Loses All His Property Through Failure of Confederacy-Died in 1866.
THE RACES OF JONES AND POLK IN 1841 AND 1843
246
Jones' Limited Education-In Legislature, 1839-Nominated for Gov- ernor by Whigs in 1841 at Age of Thirty-two-His Personality-His Opponent, Polk, Highly Educated and an Experienced Politician- Polk Not a Great Orator-Jones Not a Buffoon-His Debates with Polk-Polk's Personality-Polk's Secret Trip to East Tennessee -- Discovered by Jones-Jones' Stinging Reproaches-Jones' Election- Jones in United States Senate, 1851-Votes to Repeal Missouri Com- promise-Becomes a Democrat-Polk's Nomination for Presidency-A Strict Party Man-His Election.
DISTINGUISHED PERSONAGES OF LAST GENERATION WHOM I MET OR KNEW . 262
. Andrew Jackson-General Winfield Scott-James K. Polk-Bailie Pey- ton-Felix Grundy-John J. Crittenden-William C. Preston-John C. Calhoun-President Taylor-Henry Clay-General Brooks-Joseph E. Johnston-General Hardee-General Garland-Albert Sidney John- ston-General Harney-General Sam Houston.
WILLIAM GANNAWAY BROWNLOW.
CHAPTER I
Brownlow a Native of Virginia-A Mechanic-Methodist Preacher- Established Tennessee Whig at Elizabethton, 1838-In 1839 Removed to Jonesboro, Paper Taking Name Jonesboro Whig and Independent- Editorial Contest Between Haynes and Brownlow-1849, Removed Family and Paper to Knoxville-Bitter Quarrel with Knoxville Register-Controversy with John H. Crozier, William and James Williams, and William G. Swan-In 1860 Circulation of Whig 14,000- Personal Characteristics-Public Spirit-As a Speaker-Influence in 1861.
CHAPTER II
Fidelity to Friends-Newspaper Warfare with George D. Prentice- Attitude Toward Slavery-Whig of April 20, 1861-After Battle of Bull Run-Belief in Long Continuance of War-North Had No Conception of Spirit of War in South-North and South Not Alien
6
PAGE 213
271
287
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
WILLIAM GANNAWAY BROWNLOW-Continued.
PAGE
Races-The Covenanter-The Merrimac-The Dutch, Irish, and Ger- man Contingent-Not Surprising Southern Soldiers Won First Vic- tories-The Puritan-Small Farmer.
CHAPTER III
. 303
Discontinued Publication of Paper, October 24, 1861-Flight of Union Men to Kentucky-Thornburg and Perez Dickinson Arrested-Brown- low Refuses to Take Oath-Abortive Attempt to Escape Into Ken- tucky-Bridge-burning, November 8, 1861-Brownlow Escapes to Mountain-Crittenden Offers Passport After Letter from Benjamin- Brownlow Arrested-March 3, 1862, Permitted to Start for Nashville- Flag of Truce-Brownlow Meets Johnson at Capitol.
CHAPTER IV
317
In the North-Published Book, May, 1862-Mrs. Brownlow and Mrs. Maynard Sent Beyond the Lines-Brownlow and Family Return to Knoxville, October, 1863-January 9, 1865, Meeting in Nashville- State Constitution Amended-Elected Governor-Ku-Klux-Bond Is- sues-Reconstructive Measures-Review of Secession Movement.
CHAPTER V .
. 33-1
Brownlow Re-elected, 1867-Emerson Etheridge-Isham G. Harris- Brownlow Elected to United States Senate, October, 1867-Johnson Arraigns Brownlow-The Reply-Author's Personal Relations with Brownlow.
CHAPTER VI
349
Brownlow's Popularity-An Editor Rather Than a Party Politician- Remarkable Individuality-Compliment from Knoxville Register- Press Tributes to Governor Brownlow-Memory-Place in History.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
CHAPTER I 357
Early Youth-Apprenticeship in Greenville, S. C .- Removal to Greene- ville, Tenn., Where Tailor Shop Still Stands-Elected to Legislature, 1835-Defeated, 1837-Again Elected, 1839.
CHAPTER II
369
Democracy of Greene County-Johnson Elector for State at Large on Van Buren Ticket, 1840-Elected State Senator, 1841-Elected to Con- gress, 1843-Represented First District for Ten Years-Introduced Homestead Bill During Second Term-Elected Governor of Tennes- see, 1853.
CHAPTER III
383
Succeeded Himself as Governor, 1855-Campaign with Gentry-Arraign- ment of "Know-Nothing Party."
CHAPTER IV
391
Elected to United States Senate, 1857-In 1860 the Democratic Delegates from Tennessee to Charleston Instructed to Vote for Johnson for President-December 18, 19, Speech in United States Senate in Opposition to Secession-Spring of 1861, Canvass with Nelson to Save the State-Hindman's Proposition to Arrest Johnson at Rogers- ville Thwarted by John R. Branner, President of Railroad-Made Brigadier General by Mr. Lincoln and Appointed Military Governor of Tennessee on Fall of Fort Donelson, February, 1862.
CHAPTER V
406
Policy as Military Governor-April 12, 1864, Knoxville-Greeneville Con- vention Convened for Third Time-Majority Report Aimed at John- son-"Convention" at Nashville, January, 1865-Noted Oath for Regu- lation of Election of Electors-Mcclellan Electors Ask Lincoln to Revoke the Oath-Lincoln Declined-Johnson Takes Oath as Vice-
7
.
.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ANDREW JOHNSON-Concluded.
President March 4, 1865-Remarkarble Utterances-Johnson's Change of Views After Lincoln's Death-Mr. Blaine's Views of President Johnson's Reconstruction Measures-Mr. Seward's Relations with the President.
CHAPTER VI
423
Bitter Quarrel Between President and Congress-Impeachment of Johnson-Failure of Southern States to Ratify "Fourteenth Amend- ment"-Contest Between Mr. Johnson and Republican Party-Atti- tude of Prominent Republicans Toward Negro Suffrage-Recon- struction-Negro Rule-Fifteenth Amendment-Civil Rights Bill- Johnson's Opposition to Fourteenth Amendment.
CHAPTER VII
439
Johnson Defeated for United States Senate by Henry Cooper, 1869- Defeated for Lower House of Congress by James White, 1870-De- feated for Congress from State at Large by Horace Maynard, 1872- January, 1875, elected to United States Senate-Assails President Grant in the Extraordinary Session Convened March 4-Johnson's Views as to Payment of National Bonds-Bonds Issued by Ten- nessee.
CHAPTER VIII .
451
My Early Impressions of Andrew Johnson-Compared with Other Public Men of His Time-Some of His Peculiar Traits and Char- acteristics-Intimate Friends and Their Influence-Mr. Johnson in the Senate, 1860-Personal Character and Habits-Critical Attitude of Contemporaries-Celebrated Speech in Knoxville April, 1861.
8
PAGE
INTRODUCTION.
BY MARY B. TEMPLE.
Oliver Perry Temple was born January 27, 1820, in Greene county, Tennessee, within a mile of Greeneville College. His father, James Temple, well educated, of a quiet disposition and noted for his integrity, was greatly respected for his many vir- tues. He was a farmer, owning a large farm and a number of slaves. He was also a surveyor, but this was an accomplishment rather than a profession, and no mean one a hundred years ago. He married at the age of forty, and died in 1822, when he was fifty years old.
The mother of Oliver Perry Temple was Mary Craig, eldest child of Samuel Craig and Jane Innis Burns. Samuel Craig was born in York, Pennsylvania. Enlisting at fifteen in the Conti- nental Line from Pennsylvania, he served for six years as cap- tain in the Revolutionary War. At one time he commanded the personal guard of General Washington. He was a man of com- manding presence and of great gallantry. At the battle of Paola, September 19, 1777, he received a bayonet wound in the face. He belonged to the large Craig family that came over from Ireland before the Revolution, settled at Easton, Pennsyl- vania, and founded that town. The family was prominent; many of the Craigs have held high positions, especially in Army and Navy circles. Seven brothers, including Captain Craig, all unusual men, were in the Revolutionary War; one was a colonel, one was a major, and four others were captains. Samuel Craig removed to South Carolina at the close of the war. He married Jane Innis Burns, who was born in Maryland. Her parents, John Burns and Mary McCoy, natives of Ireland, immigrated to South Carolina before the war of independence. John Burns became a patriot soldier, and served under Sumter, or Marion. The parents of Mary, Samuel McCoy and Jane Innis, both be- longed to wealthy families of Edinborough. In 1790, soon after his marriage, Captain Craig removed to Greene county, Tennes- see, where he selected a fine farm on the waters of Richland
9
10
NOTABLE MEN OF TENNESSEE
creek, near Greeneville. This farm remained in the family until a few years ago.
Oliver Perry Temple's mother, Mary Craig, was a woman of fine judgment, superior business ability and strong will. She was unusually gentle and amiable. When left a widow, in 1822, with seven minor children, she managed her estate so well that it nearly doubled in value by the time the youngest child became of age. During this time she gave to her children the opportu- nity to become educated. She and James Temple were married in 1810 by the Rev. Charles Coffin, D.D., the celebrated presi- dent of Greeneville College, who was their neighbor and warm friend. They were both Presbyterians. On the maternal side all the ancestors of Oliver Perry Temple were of Scotch origin. Craig, Burns, McCoy and Innis are well-known and prominent Scotch names. On his father's side he was English. Thomas Temple of Heytesbury, Wiltshire, England, was the remote paternal ancestor of the subject of this sketch. His will was proved May 15, 1594. He left ten children. Among his grand- sons were William Temple of Coombs Lane, Parish of Atworth, or Bradford-on-Avon, who was the ancestor of the Temples of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and William Temple of Tithing Wick, who was the ancestor of the Virginia Temples. The Wilt- shire Temples have been prominent since 1600. There is little doubt that all the Temples have a common origin. It is an old and distinguished English family, dating back to the days of William the Conqueror. An estate named "Temple Hall" was granted to the first Temple, and it is likely that he received his name from the estate. This first Temple is said to have been a descendant of Leofric, Earl of Mercia, whose consort was Lady Godiva of Coventry. Neither in England nor in America has the family been numerous. However, the name is one that the bearer may justly be proud of. Sir Peter Temple and James Temple were two of the judges that condemned to death Charles I. They paid the penalty under Charles II with life imprisonment and with the confiscation of "Temple Hall." Sir William Temple was a privy councilor of Ireland. The Rev. Frederick Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, is another person that honored the name.
William Temple of Coombs Lane married Susannah Carring- ton, and their third child was Thomas Temple, who was born in England in 1694. He was living in Goshen, Pennsylvania, in
11
NOTABLE MEN OF TENNESSEE
1721. He married Jane Chandler Jefferis, and died in 1775. Major Temple, their third son, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1736, and he moved to Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, in 1766. His wife was Mary Kennedy of Pennsylvania, a relative of Gen. Daniel Kennedy, well known in the early history of East Tennessee, and the aunt of Gen. Thomas Kennedy, who was a man of wealth and who became distinguished in the early history of Kentucky. The Kennedy family was a prominent one in Scotland. In 1780 Major Temple was with the North Carolina forces in the celebrated battle of King's Mountain .* In 1786 he removed to Greene county, Tennessee, and selected a farm on Richland creek, adjoining the farm of the Rev. Hezekiah Balch, the founder of Greeneville College. On the Rev. Hezekiah Balch's farm the college was established. These two persons probably came together from North Carolina, as their farms were entered the same day, and each called for the line of the other. Both were Presbyterians. The Rev. Hezekiah Balch was a cousin of the celebrated Hezekiah J. Balch, who was said to have drafted the Mecklenburg declaration of independ- ence. The Temple farm, like the Craig farm, two and a half miles distant, remained in the family until a few years ago, when it was sold and divided among the heirs. Major Temple had five sons and one daughter.t
The family became influential in Greene county, not only because of the property owned by its members, which was con- siderable for that day, but also because of their virtues. In fact, the Temple family has been prominent as far back as it can be traced, and its standing has been kept up. It has been said that Major Temple in 1884 had among his descendants twenty-five Presbyterian ministers and two hundred elders and deacons.
Oliver Perry Temple was reared on the Temple farm. Like the boys of his day, he worked during the summer and went to old field schools during the winter. He always rejoiced in the fact that he had had this early experience in the hardships and
*The musket that he carried, upon the handle of which he carved his initials "M. T." before the battle, long remained in the family, and was called "Old King's Mountain."
¡He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. In 1797 he was appointed by the Legislature a commissioner to lay out and govern the town of Greene- ville, Tennessee. His son John was also appointed a commissioner.
12
NOTABLE MEN OF TENNESSEE
toil of farm life, as it taught him to sympathize with the laboring classes. At sixteen he attended Greeneville College, but did not assiduously apply himself to his studies. At eighteen, when a call was made, May, 1838, by the Governor for volunteers to go to the Cherokee Nation to suppress a possible outbreak, young Temple promptly volunteered, but the number offering to go was greater than was required, and lots were drawn. Temple drew a blank, but at once purchased another man's lot in order to go along with his friends. Temple was made a non-commissioned officer. The service lasted only about three months, but, brief as was this army experience, it served a good purpose. It made Temple determine to go back to college, to apply himself in earn- est to his studies, and to become a lawyer. From earliest boy- hood he had been fond of debating, and when but fourteen years old he would walk five miles to take part in the debating societies held in the country schools. The neighbors came to hear the boys debate. In this early choice of a profession he was influ- enced by his success in these debates, by the reputation of Robert J. Mckinney, then at his zenith, and by the phenomenal rise of T. A. R. Nelson, who sprang at once into a foremost place at the bar, and whose success captivated Temple's imagination. At nineteen, the venerable Greeneville College having gone down, he entered Tusculum Academy, in Greene county, then under the control of the Rev. Samuel W. Doak, a celebrated teacher in his day. Here he applied himself diligently. In the fall of 1841 he went to Washington College, then just resusci- tated under the presidency of that brilliant young scholar, the Rev. Alexander A. Doak.
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