USA > Tennessee > A history of Tennessee and Tennesseans, the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume V > Part 15
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bia, Tennessee, is on file in the archives of Vanderbilt University, Nashville.
RUTH FAMILY: Having been repeatedly asked by the immediate members of his own, as well as other branches of the family, to place . in convenient form his knowledge of the family history, the writer has endeavored to outline briefly, such facts as may satisfy those who are interested.
A little more than a century has elapsed since our country took its place among the nations; that period may mark the beginning of a family history as well as the birth of a nation. While our knowledge of those ancestors who existed before the first mentioned names, or of the ante-revolutionary period, has not come to us so complete as to be authentic, being only traditional, enough is known to say in truth, they were of respectability, with them, like those who succeeded them, "The post of honor is the private station."
Of the record here made the writer has received much from his own parents; also from Mrs. Margaret Walsh, of Murfreesboro, daughter of James Ruth, now in the seventy-second year of her age. Some in- formation, also some interesting tradition, was obtained from the late Robert Ruth, who was a son of David Ruth, first mentioned. Robert Ruth was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. When a young man he came to Nashville, and died there at an advanced age. He was a man of much strength of character, and by extensive reading and study he attained a high literary culture. For some of the facts here stated, as well as a verification of his own knowledge, the writer is indebted to his sister, Mrs. W. G. Dorris, of Avondale, Sumner county, Tennessee.
David Ruth, with whom this record begins, was the son of James Ruth and Sarah Tenne Ruth, who came to Pennsylvania from Scotland with the tide of emigration to the Middle and Southern colonies, that began about the middle of the eighteenth century. David Ruth was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was born about the year 1761. His ancestry were of Presbyterian faith. At the age of sixteen he was draughted into the service of the Continental Army, and was engaged in the battle of the Brandywine, September 11, 1777. He was married a few years subsequent to that period to Mary McGlochlin, the daugh- ter of Joshua McGlochlin, a Presbyterian minister, who lived near the city of Wilmington, N. C. Soon after his marriage he removed to Granville county, North Carolina.
His immediate descendants were James, David, Sarah, Elizabeth and George Washington Ruth, the last named, being born October 6, 1799, was the youngest and father of the writer. There is a well au- thenticated tradition that he was honored with the name of "George Washington" by reason of the following circumstances :- General Washington, during the month of November, 1799, made a tour of North
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Carolina and passed near the residence of David Ruth, the babe being a few weeks of age and unnamed, he was held a few moments in the arms of the first President. It is an historical fact that General Washington died of pneumonia contracted by reason of undue exposure on his re- turn from his tour, his death occurring the following month. About the year 1802 David Ruth removed to Raleigh, then coming into promi- nence as the capital of the state. At the age of seventeen George W. Ruth was apprenticed to Mr. Jehu Scott, the "Jeweler and Silversmith" · of Raleigh, who was reputed to be one of the most skillful and thorough of his craft, having mastered his trade in the mother country. At the end if his apprenticeship he was discharged with full recommendations as to his skill as a workman, and as a "young man worthy of confi- dence." With his discharge, he received a set of tools, some of which had been "much used but serviceable." With these and a limited ward- robe, a bundle of modest weight, he left Raleigh, determined to estab- lish himself in some of the rapidly developing states of the southwest. Leaving Raleigh, he traveled mostly on foot, passing through the states of South Carolina and Georgia, he at length reached Mobile, at that time the most prominent point in the territory of Alabama. Finding the field occupied, he directed his course to St. Stephens, then the terri- torial capital and land office. The town he described as being filled up with land speculators, adventurers and gamblers. While successful in his trade, he fell a victim to chills and finally a severe attack of fever. After a residence of near five months, he left St. Stephens in search of more healthful location. The town, from its unhealthy location, subse- quently fell into decay, and is now only known as a steamboat landing of little importance.
Leaving St. Stephens, he visited Tuscaloosa, and then Huntsville, and stopping in the latter place, he worked a brief period for Thos. Cain, the pioneer "watch maker and silversmith" of that place. From thence he went to Fayetteville, Tennessee, where he engaged to work for E. M. Ringo. His stay there was brief. He arrived in Shelbyville in the summer of 1822, and here he found he had been preceded by Daniel Turrentine, who was somewhat his senior, having immigrated from Hillsboro, North Carolina, a short time previous, and had already established himself. He, having had the advantage of a thorough master, Mr. Turrentine gave him employment, which position he re- tained for more than four years. On the 30th day of May, 1824, he was united in marriage to Miss Anne Downs, who was born in the state of Maryland, near Baltimore, her father being James Downs, whose immediate ancestors were residents of Virginia, and members of the Church of England, her mother being Anne Shilcut, whose family were of Scotch origin, and of the Society of Friends (or Quakers). Her father died prior to her birth. Her mother died in giving her birth and she was given to her maternal grandmother.
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When about six years of age she was taken from her grandmother by relations of her father. She remembered crossing a large body of water in a boat, which was probably Chesapeake bay, her destination some distance from the opposite shore. She did not remain long, as an uncle Peter Shilcut, whom she quickly recognized, rode up to an or- chard fence, where she was playing with other children, she was taken upon the horse before him and carried away, he being on the road to Tennessee, where he settled. She was never informed as to the reasons that prompted either of those parties in their conduct to her, her uncle although treating her with great kindness and even consideration, gave her no intimation beyond expressing his purpose to give her means. IIe did give her a substantial and comfortable home. But his death occurred soon after and no deed was given. He died intestate, being carried away after a few hours of illness of cholera in July, 1833. He was a pioneer merchant of Shelbyville, coming to that place soon after James Deery, who arrived with the first stock of merchandise in 1811. Peter Shilcut is described by those who knew him to be an up- right merchant, of a taciturn manner, yet of a kindly nature. In ap- pearance he was of medium height, a swarthy face, black eyes and dark hair, his place of business was a two-story building of hewn cedar logs, and stood on the spot now occupied by the Farmers Bank building, on the southwest corner of the public square.
George W. Ruth after being in the employ of Mr. Turrentine for several years, at length entered into a partnership, the style of the firm being, Turrentine & Ruth. On the 30th of May, 1830, a de- structive cyclone swept over the business portion of Shelbyville, de- stroying totally their building, causing a serious loss in goods and mate- rial. This building stood on the spot now occupied by S. K. Brantley, and owned by him. It was a small frame one-story, and was rebuilt on the same place with a work shop and forge in the rear, and stood until removed to Depot street during the year 1855 or 1856, and torn away by Moses Marshall, Esq., giving place to his present brick building.
Soon after the storm he was induced to remove to Lebanon, Ten- nessee, by Dr. Frazer, a leading citizen of that place. Not being satis- fied with the outlook, he returned to Shelbyville after an absence of nearly one year, again entering into business with Mr. Turrentine, which partnership continued until January 29, 1833, when they dis- solved by mutual consent, Mr. Turrentine remaining in the original stand. The following July cholera broke out in Shelbyville, Mr. Tur- rentine falling a victim to the great scourge.
George W. Ruth lost by cholera three children within three days, Mary, the eldest, being eight years of age on the 3d of July, and Paulina aged six years, and David aged fifteen months on the 5th of July.
Mr. Turrentine was a man of slight form, medium height, genial
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temperament, of strict integrity and great piety. The writer has been informed by Richard Foreman, Esq., that he visited him in company with his father, Richard Foreman, Sr., while on his death bed, his . residence being on the spot now occupied by the residence of O. Cowan, Esq.
In 1837, George W. Ruth removed to Nashville, and entered the employ of Paul Negrin, a leading jeweler and silversmith, whose place of business was on what is now the corner of College and Deaderick streets. He remained with Mr. Negrin only about a year and a few months, when he returned to Shelbyville and resumed business at the old stand of Turrentine and Ruth. John M. Seahorn, Esq., a jeweler and silversmith, came to Shelbyville from East Tennessee in 1842, and entered into a partnership with George W. Ruth, but the firm was of limited duration, no date having been preserved. His failing health determined him to engage in a more active business. In 1849 he formed a partnership with the Hon. James Mullins, the firm being Ruth & Mullins, their stock being family groceries exclusively, this being the first firm to engage in that business in Shelbyville, such goods having been sold in all stores with other merchandise. They continued business several years. He then resumed his former business as jeweler, and up to the time of his death, occupied a building that stood on Depot street nearly opposite the store-rooms owned by Moses Marshall, Esq.
George W. Ruth died on Friday morning, August 20, 1858. He was reared by Presbyterian parents, being early after his conversion or pro- fession of religion associated with Methodists, he continued a thor- oughly consistent member of that connection until his death. He was long a member of the Masonic fraternity, was mayor of Shelbyville, served many years as a magistrate, a steward in the church and filled other positions of trust in the community whose confidence he re- tained to the fullest extent.
The following extract from his obituary written by the Rev. Wel- borne Mooney, who was his pastor, will show in strong light his char- acter as a churchman :
"His life of unblemished holiness was indeed a living comment on the religion he professed; a comment known and read of all who knew him. He was a reading intelligent christian; well informed as to the doctrines of his church; in fact, he was one of the best theologians we ever met among the laity of any church. At different times in his his- tory he filled the offices of class leader and steward, and filled them too with credit to himself and usefulness to his brethren. The death of such a man is a public calamity."
The following is an extract from the notice of his death in the Shel- byville Expositor:
"There was perhaps, no man, in the community more beloved and respected than the deceased. No one knew him but to love him."
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The following is a note to the writer from Joseph H. Thompson, Esq., who, in his early life, was engaged in business with him:
"I knew George W. Ruth from my boyhood, but began to know him best when I entered his employ in 1846. He was then one of the merchants of Shelbyville. I remained with him until he went out of business, but my intimacy with him continued until his death in 1858. Mr. Ruth was a man of strong individuality. He was full of sympathy for humanity ; always a friend to the poor and the unfortunate. He was a man of nerve and courage; and open, frank and manly; hated sham; . despised intrigue and corruption. Although born and reared by Pres- byterian parents, his early associations led him into the fold of Meth- odism. Mr. Ruth was a student, and to him the writings of the fathers of the church were familiar subjects. While a strong churchman, he never closed his eyes to the good that was in others. He was a good citizen, faithful in all the relations of life."
The descendants of David Ruth were: David, who married Martha Woodard. Born 1790, died 1863. James, who married Elizabeth Nutt. Born 1789, died 1837. Sarah, who married - Miller. Elizabeth, who married - - Barbour. George W., who married Anne Downs.
The descendants of George W. Ruth were: Jane Maria, born Feb- ruary 11, 1828. Married Maj. Thos. J. McQuiddy, February 24, 1847. Elzira Stone, born October 26, 1829. Married Rev. William G. Dor- ris, October 27, 1853. Died, February 1, 1911. John Wesley, born February 27, 1839. Married Fannie E. Newton, March 26, 1865. Died, 1906. Charles Leonidas, born January 17, 1841. Married Julie T. Hardwick, July 16, 1867. George Anne, born October 20, 1844. Mar- ried Robert Wright, October 31, 1872. Died March 8, 1880. Ambrose Driskell, born January 12, 1845. Married Jennie. S. Newton, Septem- ber 24, 1867. Samuel Moody, born March 30, 1848. Married Sophia Winfred, October 24, 1871.
SLOSS D. BAXTER. Although heredity and environment have, may- hap, played some part in fashioning the life of Sloss D. Baxter, a suc- cessful attorney of Nashville, the development of his natural talents, his mental attainments, and his untiring devotion to the duties of his profession, have won him a high reputation for legal knowledge and ability. A son of the late Edmund D. Baxter, and grandson of Judge Nathaniel Baxter, he was born, September 6, 1880, in Nashville, Ten- nessee, which he has always proudly claimed as home.
Scholarly in his tastes, and an ambitious student, Mr. Baxter ac- quired his early education under private tutors, and at Saint Albans, Radford, Virginia. In 1901, he was graduated from the law depart- ment of the Vanderbilt University, and since that time has been ac- tively and prosperously engaged in the practice of law in Nashville, where he has built up a large and lucrative clientele.
Mr. Baxter married in February, 1900, Miss Corneille Lindsey, a daughter of A. V. S. Lindsey, of Nashville.
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COL. WILLIAM PARSONS WASHBURN. For nearly half a century, the late Colonel Washburn was a member of the bar of Knoxville and east Tennessee. During that time he was associated with the most prominent men of his day, and himself became one of the most eminent in the group of lawyers who were the recognized leaders of the bar and as men of affairs in this section of the state. A successful lawyer, he was also identified with larger business and had a large influence and place in public affairs. Colonel Washburn was a most wholesome type of citi- zen, clean in both private and public life, conscientious to a fault, and one whose ideals were high and who sought to live on a high plane.
William Parsons Washburn came from distinguished ancestry, and of an old New England family. He was born in the old scholastic cen- ter at Amherst, Massachusetts, April 15, 1830 .. His parents were Rev. Royal and Harriet (Parsons) Washburn, natives respectively of Ver- mont and Massachusetts. The mother was the daughter of a minister, Rev. David Parsons, and her grandfather of the same name was one of the most noted ministers of the New England states. Rev. Royal Wash- burn was a clergyman of the Congregational church at Amherst, where his death occurred in 1833.
The' late Colonel Washburn was reared in Massachusetts, and received a collegiate education as a matter of course, being graduated from Amherst College in 1851. For several years he served as a tutor at Culpepper, Virginia, and in 1856, at the instance of Horace Maynard, came to Knoxville to prepare himself for the practice of law. He was at the beginning of his professional career when the Civil war broke out, and he espoused the cause of his adopted state, entering the Confederate army, and making a brave and patriotic record. After the war he returned to this city, and entered upon the practice of his profession with zeal and ability and success rewarded his efforts from the state. He formed a partnership with Mr. Horace Maynard who was for many years one of the leaders of the Knoxville bar, and their association through a long period brought the young lawyer into contact with the most prominent men of the day and rapidly promoted him to profes- sional distinction. Throughout his career as a lawyer, Colonel Wash- burn gave particular attention to equity causes, and ranked second to none as an equity lawyer. His fairness and honesty with his colleagues, his great respect for the law, and all who interpreted it, his fidelity to his clients, made him one of the most popular members of the Knox- ville bar. After the dissolution of his partnership with Mr. Maynard he became associated with General G. W. Pickle, and the firm of Washburn, Pickle & Turner continued for a number of years. About three years before his death, the firm dissolved and Colonel Washburn soon after- wards took into his office his nephew, James Maynard, and the firm of Washburn & Maynard continued until the death of Mr. Washburn.
Colonel Washburn was a Democrat in politics and took a prominent
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part in public life. He was many times named as special judge to serve in the lower courts, and was also at different times a special judge of the supreme court. One of the esteemed members of the Local Bar Association, and for his felicity of utterance he was often designated by the other members of the bar to speak on memorial occasions, and was equally popular as a speaker in social events. As a business man he was vice-president of the Knoxville Gas Company, was secretary of the Knoxville Car & Wheel Company, and was a director in the Mechanics National Bank. Colonel Washburn was prominent as a church man, was elder for a number of years in the Second Presbyterian church at Knox- ville, and for twenty years or more was superintendent of the Sunday school in that church.
Colonel Washburn was twice married. In 1864 he married Mrs. Minnie (Brown) Leonard, who died in 1877. His second wife was Mrs. Eliza Maynard, daughter of Robert Harper. Mrs. T. O. Baker of Brooklyn, New York, was an adopted daughter by his first marriage. The two children born to the second marriage were a daughter who died in infancy, and a son, William P. Washburn, who is mentioned in a succeeding paragraph. Mrs. Washburn and her son still reside at the old Washburn residence west of the city on the Kingston Pike, this home being considered one of the most beautiful in east Tennessee.
William P. Washburn, Jr., son of the late Colonel Washburn, and one of the rising attorneys of Knoxville, was born in this city on August 30, 1885. From the public schools he entered the University of Tennes- see, where he graduated in 1906, then became a student at Princeton University where he graduated with the class of 1907, and was subse- quently a student of the Harvard College of Law and spent one year in travel and study in Europe. His admission to the Knoxville bar occurred in 1909 and since then he has been rising rapidly to profes- sional distinction. His office is in the Holston National Bank build- ing, and he resides with his mother on the Kingston Pike.
JOSIAH C. DUNCAN. In the death of Josiah C. Duncan on August 1, 1911, Knoxville lost one of its most interesting and most highly esteemed citizens. In an age of electrical invention and usage, the career of Mr. Duncan was that of a pioneer. He belonged to the old-time tele- graphers, having been an operator during the war, and soon after the conflict taking charge of the telegraph office at Knoxville. He later identified himself with the newer application of electricity to the phon- etic telephone, and his name deserves remembrance for his connection both with telegraphy and telephony in this city.
Josiah C. Duncan was born in Cumberland county, Virginia, in 1840. He had only moderate advantages at school, but early in life manifested a practical energy, which carried him successfully through life. When he was eighteen years of age he began to learn the science
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of telegraphy, which at that time was still crude and only about thirteen years old. He made himself expert as an operator, and when the Civil war came on he was taken into the service with the Army of Tennessee as an operator, and gave a soldier's part in a position of special useful- ness in military operation. The year following the close of the war, in 1866, lie came to Knoxville to take charge of the Western Union Tele- graph Company, and continued in that service for a number of years. Throughout most of his active lifetime he was a student and experi- menter in electrical and phonetic science, and was one of the first men in Tennessee to assume practical direction of the new invention, the telephone. The invention of the telephone and its first practical demon- stration occurred in 1876, and four years later in 1880 Mr. Duncan organ- ized the East Tennessee Telephone Company at Knoxville. It was under his direction that the first telephone was introduced into use in that city, and he had the management of the local exchanges during their growth into general popularity. He became president and treasurer of the People's Telephone and Telegraph Company, and held that position during the latter years of his life. Mr. Duncan married Miss Fannie J. Brooks, a daughter of Gen. Joseph A. Brooks, who was prominent as a farmer, and a member of the State Guards during the war. His death occurred in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were the parents of four sons. The late Mr. Duncan had an ideally happy home and in his social rela- tions was a man of many kindly qualities and numbered his friends by the score. As a business man he was thorough and possessed of an energy which gave him a successful place among his contemporaries. He was ready at all times to assist in the upbuilding of his home city, and its advancement along civic and material lines. His family now reside at 1500 Cumberland avenue.
ROBERT M. JONES. Among the attorneys of Knoxville, Tennessee, a high place is given to Robert M. Jones, of the firm of Wright and Jones. He is considered one of the most brilliant members of the Knoxville bar and added to his mental powers he has the capacity for hard work and close application. He is not only an able lawyer, he is also an honest one, and his personality has won him wide popularity.
Robert M. Jones was born in Roane county, Tennessee, on the 3d of September, 1870. His father is the Rev. Henry B. Jones, and his mother was Mary (Hudson) Jones. The Rev. Henry B. Jones was born in the state of Virginia and became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He became in time a widely known and very influential minis- ter, and is still living, his wife having died in 1890.
Robert M. Jones was one of seven children and after having passed through the public schools the question as to any further education pre- sented rather a blank face. He had always been brought up with the realization that an education was the most valuable weapon a man could Vol. V-9
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possess in his battle with life and therefore many sacrifices were made that he might be well equipped along these lines, for ministers do not receive munificent salaries. He attended Roane College and later became a student at a university, from which he was graduated in 1892.
Having determined to become a lawyer the young man now entered the offices of T. Asbury Wright in Rockwood, and after four years of study, was admitted to the bar. This was in 1896 and immediately after his admission he began to practice in Roane county, where he resided until June 1, 1911, when he moved to Knoxville and formed a partner- ship with Mr. Wright, and this association has continued ever since, and is considered one of the reliable firms of Knoxville.
Mr. Jones is a member of the Republican party and belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and to the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Cumberland Club, and Cherokee Country Club.
HON. M. L. Ross. The wholesale grocery house of M. L. Ross & Company at Knoxville was founded and built up on the solid elements of commercial integrity, straightforward methods, and an almost unique energy of its chief executive officers. This company, starting on a small scale, finally came to possess a trade over half a dozen states, and was one of the commercial enterprises which gave character and stability to the city of Knoxville.
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