USA > Tennessee > A history of Tennessee and Tennesseans, the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume V > Part 13
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In 1905 he married Miss Jamie P. Anderson, a daughter of James Anderson, who for a number of years was judge of the county court of Sumner county and a prominent man in local affairs. The two chil- dren of their marriage are : Walter L., and Edward L., Jr. Mr. Anderson
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and his family are members of the Christian church. In politics he Is an independent Democrat, and has served as an alderman of Gallatin.
WILLIAM G. SCHAMBERGER. The successful career of William G. Schamberger, one of the prominent financiers and business men of Sumner county, Tennessee, affords added proof that opportunity exists in the older as well as in the newer sections of our country and that opportunity is as much a matter of character as of favorable conditions in the outside world. The direct descendant of German forebears, he has exhibited to a strong degree those traits of thrift, industry and energetic endeavor universally accredited to the German people, and he knows how to make money make more money, which is the secret of wealth.
William G. Schamberger was born in Vanderburgh county, Indiana, December 6, 1859, a son of John G. and Helena B. Schamberger, both natives of Germany and now deceased. The father came to America when a young man and was married to Helena B. Schwab, then Mrs. Schroeder, a widow, near Evansville, Indiana. He was a carpenter by trade and did considerable carpentering at Princeton, Indiana, finally moving to Spencer county, that state, and from there to Mount Ver- non, Indiana, where he engaged in the mercantile business for a num- ber of years. Then in 1873 he changed his location to Gallatin, Tennes- see, where he purchased a small farm and continued to operate it until his death, at which time he was also in the coal business at Gallatin. Of the three children of these parents, two are now living: William G. of this review, and Dora, now Mrs. W. Winn, of Sumner county, Ten- nessee. Both parents were brought up in the Lutheran faith but became identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, South, after their removal to Tennessee. The father was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in political views was a Democrat, serving at one time as alderman of Mount Vernon, Indiana.
William G. spent his earlier youth in Indiana and began his educa- tional training in the city schools of Mount Vernon, that state, com- pleting it in the country schools of Sumner county, Tennessee. He began business life as the proprietor of a store in Gallatin and con- tinued thus identified nearly fourteen years, being also engaged in the milling business a little more than eight years and being quite suc- cessful in both lines of business activity. In 1905 he organized the Sumner County Bank and Trust Company, of which he became presi- dent and has since officiated in that station. This institution is capi- talized at $25,000, has average deposits of $100,000, and has taken a place among the prosperous financial institutions of the county. The same year, 1905, Mr. Schamberger also entered the real estate and loan business and in this line also he has been very successful, operating mostly on a commission basis. His personal holdings include a fine
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farm of 550 acres in Sumner county, the entire east side of the public square (with the exception of one store building) of Gallatin, besides considerable other valuable city realty. He started with but little money, but he had business acumen of a high order and was endowed with that faculty of indomitable will and energy which conquers all things. From the foregoing lines it will be seen that he is not of the standstill class of men, but is a man of push and energy who not only advances his own material interests but thereby promotes the pros- perity and advancement of his town and county as well, which, in turn, adds to the commercial prestige of the whole commonwealth of Ten- nessee.
On September 5, 1882, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Scham- berger and Miss Mary W. Harrison. She is a daughter of Dr. J. W. Harrison, a native of Sumner county, Tennessee, and a well-known country physician here for many years, whose people were among the earliest settlers in Sumner county. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Schamberger are: Freddie M., who married Emmett McCullock, now secretary of a large saddlery company at Nashville, Tennessee ; Harrold L., with Anderson & Company at Gallatin, Tennessee; and Helena, now a student in school.
Mr. Schamberger is an adherent of the Democratic party in political views. Deeply interested in community affairs, he has given hearty co-operation to many movements for the general good, and has served as mayor of Gallatin two years and as an alderman twenty years. Both he and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and Mr. Schamberger is affiliated fraternally with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, of which latter order he is a past chancellor commander. He always delights in doing for the good of Gallatin what to some seems impossible, as he has been tested by his raising money for schools, seminaries, etc.
JAMES M. VENTERS, M. D. The medical profession of Sumner county is represented by some of the most skilled and learned men of this calling to be found in the state, who have devoted themselves, their time, their energies and their lives to the preservation of public health and the alleviation of human ills. Theirs is no easy task, nor is it always remunerated as befits their high standing and undoubted great work, and yet they cheerfully accept the disadvantages, content in the knowledge of useful careers: The training of the modern physician is remarkably rigid and embraces not only a college course, but extended subsequent study, the constant changes and developments in the pro- fession demanding the practitioner's closest attention, while the coun- try physician has the added labor of covering a wide territory, always being compelled to hold himself in readiness to answer a call, irre- spective of time or weather. One of the representative physicians of
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Sumner county, whose devotion to duty, professional skill and kindly sympathy has won him a high place in the esteem of the people of his community is James M. Venters, M. D., of Portland, a man fitted by nature and training for his honored calling. Dr. Venters is a native of southwestern Virginia, and was born February 5, 1873, a son of G. M. and Rhoda (Branham) Venters.
John Venters, the paternal great-grandfather of Dr. Venters, was a native of England, from which country he emigrated to the United States, settling first in South Carolina and subsequently removing to Virginia, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His son, James Venters, was born in Virginia and was a suc- cessful farmer, but late in life met with financial reverses. He served as a soldier during the war between the states and is now making his home in Kentucky, being eighty-seven years of age. On the maternal side, Dr. Venters' grandfather was Martin Branham, a native of what is now West Virginia, whose people came from South Carolina. As'a young man he moved to Virginia, there taking up four thousand acres of land from the government, and this property he left to his estate at the time of his death. G. M. Venters, father of the doctor, was born in 1846, in Virginia, and in 1884 accompanied his parents to Kentucky, where he located in farming. He also followed horse trading, buying as many as five hundred animals at a time and taking them to Georgia, and this business he continued to follow until his death, which occurred in 1895. He was married to Rhoda Branham, who was born in 1848, and she died in 1882, having been the mother of seven children, of whom six are now living, Dr. Venters being the third in order of birth. The mother was a member of the Baptist church, and Mr. Venters was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.
James M. Venters received his early education in the public schools, following which he attended Lexington State College, where he remained two years. He next was a student in Hospital College of Medicine, of Louisville, which he attended from 1901 to 1904, in the latter year being graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Following this he was engaged in practice for two years in southeastern Kentucky, but in 1906 came to Portland and established himself in a country prac- tice, now having a large and representative clientele. In addition to the onerous duties of a large practice, Dr. Venters also manages his 175-acre farm, which is in an excellent state of cultivation, and on which he raises tobacco, wheat, corn and hay. He is well-deserving of the title of self-made man, having started out in life on his own account at the tender age of ten years, since which time he has received no financial help whatever. His sturdy independence, tireless industry and com- mendable ambition have gained him the respect of all who know him, and Sumner county has no more popular young professional man. Fraternally, the doctor is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the Loyal
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Order of Moose. He is a member of the Sumner County Medical Soci- ety, the Tennessee Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation, and takes an active interest in the work of these organizations, and his political proclivities cause him to support the principles and candidates of the Democratic party.
WILLIAM POLK MOORE, JR., M. D. Thirty years devoted to the prac- tice of his profession is the record of Dr. W. P. Moore, Jr., of Portland, Tennessee, thirty years of faithful service in the alleviation of the ills of his fellow men. During this time he has risen to an enviable position among the medical men of his state, but his energies have not been confined to the duties of his calling, for he has been engaged success- fully also in various lines of business, and has shown equal skill along commercial lines. A striking example of the benefits to be gained through the practice of constant industry, integrity and sobriety, he has been the architect of his own fortunes, and a record of his career will be read with interest by those who appreciate self-made man- hood.
William P. Moore was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, June 15, 1857, and is a son of Dr. W. P. and Amanda (Dickey) Moore. He lost his mother when he was still a child, but was given a good training in his youth, and his early education was secured in the Portland public schools. Subsequently he entered Vanderbilt Medical College, from which famous institution he was gradnated in 1882, and the follow- ing year received his degree from the University of Nashville. Immedi- ately after completing his studies he entered upon the practice of his profession in Portland, where he has since continued, and he is at this time one of the best known and most highly valued physicians in this part of the state. Dr. Moore entered upon professional life with but little capital, and his earlier years were attended by many trying strug- gles, but perseverance, a love for his chosen calling and inherent ability eventually brought recognition and appreciation and the financial emoluments that go therewith. In the field of business he has likewise succeeded, being the proprietor of a large dry-goods, ladies' furnishings and millinery establishment, located in his own building, in addition to which he is the owner of another business building and a well-cultivated farm. As the proprietor of a tobacco business, he is the only inde- pendent dealer in Portland.
On June 22, 1890, Dr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Ella Goostree, daughter of Watson W. and Fannie (Gimlin) Goostree, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Goos- tree was for some years a farmer, but in his later years entered the mercantile field. Dr. and Mrs. Moore have one daughter: Belle, who married, June 22, 1910, J. E. Derryberry, who is engaged in a gen- eral merchandise business in Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Derryberry have
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a little boy, William Spur Derryberry, born March 28, 1911. The family is connected with the Church of Christ, and in political mat- ters Dr. Moore is a Democrat, but takes only a good citizen's interest in affairs of a public nature. His life has been an active and useful one, and his connection with various movements of a progressive nature have aided materially in advancing the interests of Portland.
PAT W. KERR. There is no more urgent problem in America today than the problem of educational reform. The success of the demo- cratic experiment, the preservation of our free institutions, is depend- ent primarily upon its successful solution. Vocational education and citizenship training must be developed. Besides these broad considera- tions are new problems, those of health regulation and the social care of backward children. the development of schools as civic and social centers-problems of the most practical kind. To this work some of the most earnest and public-spirited citizens of Tennessee are today devoting their energies, and prominent in this class stands Pat W. Kerr, superintendent of schools of Portland, and a man whose whole active career has been spent in educational work. Mr. Kerr was born January 2, 1879, in Trousdale county, Tennessee, and is a son of Joe M. and Martha A. (Carey) Kerr.
Levi E. Kerr, the paternal grandfather of Pat W. Kerr, was born in Tennessee, whence his parents had come from North Carolina, at an early date. They settled on a farm in White county, and there spent the remainder of their lives, Levi E. inheriting their property and adding thereto, and also being a tiller of the soil throughout his career. John G. Carey, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Kerr, spent his life in farming in Trousdale county, and there died advanced in years and with a handsome competence. Joe M. Kerr was born in White county, Tennessee, in 1848, was there educated in the district schools, and remained in his native neighborhood until reaching the age of eighteen years. At that time he removed to Trousdale county, where he was married in 1868 to Martha A. Carey, who was born in this county in 1852, and they had a family of four children, Pat W. being the third in order of birth. Some time after his marriage Mr. Kerr went back to White county, but eventually returned to Trousdale county, where his death occurred in 1896, his widow surviving until 1911. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in political mat- ters Mr. Kerr was a Democrat.
Pat W. Kerr received his education in the Masonic Institute at Hartsville, and in 1895 began his career as an educator, teaching public school for one year. The next two or three years were passed in farm ·labor, when he again took up teaching, and has so continued to the present time, gaining success and popularity in his chosen calling. He taught White Sulphur Springs school at Rome, Tennessee, where he
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remained four years, and was also at D. A. Duke College, at Difficult, Tennessee, and after two years came to Portland, where in 1907 he took charge of the high school. Since then he has acted in the capacity of superintendent of schools, and his administration has been featured by numerous innovations and much needed reforms. Mr. Kerr has given his office conscientious service, and his ability in his profession has never been questioned. A scholarly man and deep thinker, he is an omnivorous reader and is well informed on all live issues of the day.
In 1904 Mr. Kerr was married to Miss Lydia Lipscomb, daughter of John R. Lipscomb, living at Hartsville, Trousdale county, success- ful farming people. Two children have been born to this union : Gladys L. and Harold, both being deceased. Mrs. Kerr is a member of the Christian church and her husband of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has held the chair of advisor, but the greater part of his time is devoted to educational work, and he is a valued member of the Middle Tennessee Educators Association. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Kerr also has some farming interests, and is a stockholder of the Farmers Bank of Portland and a member of the directing board of that institution.
EDGAR F. PEDEN, M. D. Bringing to his practice thorough scho- lastic training, innate soundness and accuracy of judgment, and a cheer- ful disposition, Dr. E. F. Peden has maintained a high position among the disciples of Æsculapius in Tennessee. The greater part of his professional life has been spent in Portland, where since 1904 he has ministered to the sick and built up a large and representative prac- tice, and he has also been successful along commercial lines, owning a flourishing drug business and being part owner in a large business block. Dr. Peden bears the added distinction of being a native son of Tennessee, having been born in Sumner county, August 4, 1872. His paternal grandfather, Hosie Peden, was born in Virginia and accom- panied his parents to Tennessee as a lad, passing the remainder of his life here in agricultural pursuits. On the maternal side, Dr. Peden's grandfather was also a Virginian, but was reared in Kentucky, where he became a successful farmer and merchant. J. W. Peden, father of the doctor, was born in 1838, in Sumner county, Tennessee, and as a young man enlisted in the Thirtieth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, in the Confederate service, fighting with that organization until his capture by the Union troops. At that time he was confined at Fort Donelson, and continued to remain a prisoner for ten months. On receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to the duties of peace, taking up his residence on the old home farm, where he still resides, and which he owns. He has developed a handsome, valuable property, and is considered one of the substantial men of his community. In
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politics he is a Democrat, and his religious belief is that of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He was married to Mary Anderson, who was born in Scottsville, Kentucky, in 1843, and she died in October, 1911, having been the mother of two children: W. H., who makes his home with his father on the old homestead; and Dr. E. F.
E. F. Peden received his early education in the public schools of Sumner county, following which he became a student in the Portland high school. In 1896 he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Nashville, where he was graduated in May, 1899, with his degree, and first settled himself in practice at Mitchellville, Tennessee. Dr. Peden came to Portland in 1904, and here he has continued to reside to the present time. He has an excellent practice, drawn to him by his undoubted ability, his deep sympathy and his kindness of heart, and holds a high place in the esteem of his fellow practitioners. Not long after establishing himself in Portland, Dr. Peden opened a pharmacy, which he has continued to maintain, and in partnership with Dr. W. P. Moore is the owner of a business block.
Dr. Peden was married in 1901 to Lena Wright, daughter of G. T. Wright, a retired farmer of Portland. Dr. Peden is a valued member of the Odd Fellows and the Masons, and in his political proclivities is an independent Democrat. His religious convictions make him a Bap- tist, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and both have numerous friends in religious and social circles of the city.
JAMES O. GAMBILL. One of Saundersville's successful men in the mercantile business is J. O. Gambill, who has displayed his business abil- ity both in the management of his store and in the operation of his farm. Born in Robertson county, August 9, 1859, he is the only son of B. F. and Caroline (Brewer) Gambill.
The settlement of Mr. Gambill's ancestors in Robertson county dates back to the time of his grandparents, Benjamin Gambill and John M. Brewer, pioneers in the county and very well known and prosperous men of their time, the former being a farmer, also engaged in the mill- ing business and for years a magistrate, and the latter the owner of many slaves and a believer in the Union, in the army of which he had one son in service.
Mercantile pursuits for years claimed the time and attention of the father of J. O. Gambill, he being successfully engaged in business at Erin, Tennessee, where he is one of the leading citizens. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and is a Democrat in politics. He was born in Robertson county ; his wife was born in Sumner county.
After his boyhood days in school were spent, J. O. Gambill began life in the milling business and was thus engaged until he received a
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position as clerk in a store. Subsequently he became railroad agent at Erin, in which capacity he was engaged for twelve years. The fol- lowing ten years were spent in the mercantile business at Erin, and in 1901 came to Sumner county where he farmed for ten years. April 1, 1911, he opened up the general store at Saundersville, where he is at present located and where he is doing a prosperous business.
The union of Mr. Gambill and Susan Gray, to whom he was mar- ried in 1893, has resulted in three children: William O., Houston, who attends high school at Gallatin, and Walton, five years old. Mrs. Gam- bill's father, long one of Sumner county's leading farmers and highly respected men, lives at Gallatin.
In his political views, Mr. Gambill is a Democrat, and fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor com- mander. He is one of Saundersville's foremost citizens, having been postmaster since January, 1912. He carries a nice stock of merchandise in his store and is the owner of a large farm.
Throughout the career of Mr. Gambill, both in his mercantile and agricultural pursuits, have been evident the persevering endeavors and the industriousness and activity which have crowned his efforts with success and brought him to the forefront among his fellowmen.
JOHN C. REVELL. The above-named gentleman is one of the well known and much respected planters of Obion county, where he has extensive property ; and one of the prominent citizens of the thirving little city of Obion, where he maintains his residence, one of the sev- eral fine houses which he possesses here.
Tennessee has been Mr. Revell's home since 1834 and Obion county for about forty-seven years. His birthplace was in North Carolina, where his parents spent a large portion of their lives. They were Axim Revell and Martha (Norvill) Revell and were the parents of ten children, of whom the sixth in line was J. C. Revell, the subject of this biographical review. The date of his birth was March 16, 1828.
As a boy, Mr. Revell's first interest in Tennessee began when in 1834 his parents removed from North Carolina to the part of Tennes- see which was then known as Hayward county. He early turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and in this pursuit he has succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations.
In 1852 Mr. Revell was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jones, of Crockett. With the passing of the years their home was brightened by the coming of seven children, of whom three are yet living. They are Mrs. Odela Cunningham of Obion; Mr. Guy Revell, a farmer of this county, district 14, and Mr. Milton Revell, also a farmer of district 14.
The second marriage of J. C. Revell took place in 1903, at which time he was united to Mrs. Mary Allsadine (Fairleigh) Seabolt. The Church of the Disciples, or Christian Church, is that of the religious
JOHN C. REVELL
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affiliation of Mr. Revell and his family. He has long been associated with leading fraternal societies, having belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since the year 1854, and being also prominently connected with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons since 1867.
Mr. Revell's agricultural property consist of nearly four hundred acres of fertile land. Three hundred acres of this is now under cul- tivation, its chief grain product being corn. Pastures for the feed- ing of stock also comprise a part of its extent. Mr. Revell is an expe- rienced planter and his farming operations also have the advantage of being conducted by means of the best machinery of modern and most approved construction. Not only is J. C. Revell very successful as an agriculturist, but also is he held in high personal esteem by all who know him. He is now probably the oldest citizen in the village of Obion. Being a cripple, he could not serve in the war, but his sympathies were with the South. He would never accept office and is still active and hale and hearty.
CHARLES ANDREW DERRYBERRY. In this era of the practical, educa- tion is keenly alive to the need for the purposive; and "vocational training" is the watchery of the majority of educators, as well as of those parents who would anticipate lives of definite usefulness for their children. America is one of the most businesslike of nations and her commercial leaders are demanding an ever better preparation of those who would enter the arena of business life. In lieu of this need, much credit is due the men who conduct and supervise institutions for thor- ough training in both educational foundations and the practical super- structure of business courses.
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