USA > Tennessee > A history of Tennessee and Tennesseans, the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume V > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
W. T. KENNERLY. Beginning his career as a stenographer, one of the best avenues of approach to many commercial and professional activ- ities, then winning his degree in law, and applying a fine industry with his natural ability to his early practice, Mr. W. T. Kennerly has for ten years been one of the rising members of the Knoxville bar, and has attained a place with the best of his contemporaries. Mr. Kennerly is the present city attorney of Knoxville.
Born in Henry county, Tennessee, August 29, 1877, he was one of a family of five children whose parents were C. M. and Sarah A. (Travis) Kennerly. The family is of Irish lineage, and the father followed the occupation of farmer. The names of the paternal grandparents were .John W. and Martha (Ross) Kennerly, and of the maternal grandpar- ents, Dr. Joseph H. and Eliza (Crump) Travis.
Beginning his education in the common schools of Henry county, Mr. Kennerly learned stenography, and for several years used that accomplishment as a source of self-support and a means to a broader field of work. In 1901 he had completed his studies in the University of Tennessee and won the degree of LL. B., and has since been engaged in active practice. He is a member of the strong legal firm of Pickle, Turner & Kennerly. His election to the office of city attorney occurred Janu- ary 27, 1912.
During the Spanish-American war Mr. Kennerly was first sergeant in Company L of the First Tennessee Infantry, and is now a member of the Spanish War Veterans. He was for four years chairman of the Knox
1463
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
county Democratic executive committee, and four years a member of the state Democratic executive committee. He is affiliated with the Phi Kappa fraternity, the Masonic lodge, and the Knights of Pythias, and his church is the Methodist South. His marriage occurred March 15, 1906, when Miss Ola D. Robertson, daughter of G. C. and Emily C. Robertson, became his wife. They have two children, Robert T. and Warren W.
MATTHEW S. MCCLELLAN. Of the old and well remembered mer- chants of Knoxville, one of the most prominent was the late Matthew S. McClellan, who for forty-five years was in business in the city and at the time of his death was at the head of the credit department of the well- known shoe firm of McMillan-Hazen Shoe Company. A successful busi- ness man, he displayed much public spirit in the civic affairs, and was a kindly and highly esteemed associate and friend. His death, which occurred February 2, 1912, closed a career of substantial achievement and good citizenship.
One of a family of eight children born to William and Margaret MeClellan, the late Matthew S. McClellan was born at Powells Station, Tennessee, January 26, 1849. He attended the public schools of his native county, and subsequently was a student in the University of Tennessee. The beginning of his practical career was coincident with the uplift movement in business which followed a few years after the close of the war, and his energy and ambition found its first important outlet in the mercantile line in partnership with Col. J. M. Toole. After this co-partnership had continued for some time he became identified with the Gaines Brothers in the shoe business at Knoxville, and subsequently became associated in the shoe business with R. S. Payne. This enter- prise subsequently went under the firm title of McNulty, Payne & Com- pany, Mr. McClellan being a partner in the enterprise, and a later reor- ganization resulted in the firm name of McMillan, Hazen & Company, probably the largest and most prosperous wholesale shoe company in Knoxville. Mr. McClellan was identified with this firm as one of its guiding spirits until his death. He was at that time secretary and treas- urer of the company and had given the best years of his life to the exten- sion of its business throughout this part of the South.
The late Mr. McClellan was for one term an alderman representing the Seventh ward in the city council, and his name was frequently asso- ciated with the voluntary organizations of business men or citizens in effecting some important improvement in this section of the city.
Mr. McClellan was married on October 26, 1871, to Miss Hannah E. Wallace, a daughter of Robert Wallace. Their children, six in number, are named as follows: Hugh, who is one of the well-known and pros- perous business men of Atlanta, Georgia ; Samuel B., in the manufactur- ing business ; Robert W., V. P. with the S. C. Dismukes Hat Co., at Knox- ville ; Lula, wife of Edward C. Briscoe, one of Knoxville's business men
1464
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
and a resident of 1510 Laurel avenue; Harriet, the wife of James W. Young, who died September 20, 1908, and Miss Elizabeth, who resides at home with her mother in the old residence at 1221 Laurel avenue. The late Mr. MeClellan and his family were all communicants of the Southern Methodist church. In his home Mr. McClellan was loved as a kind and generous father and husband, and among all his business associates he had a reputation for solid integrity which was never impeached. His remains now rest in the Old Gray cemetery at Knoxville.
CAPT. JOHN M. BROOKS. One of the most highly esteemed citizens of Knoxville is Capt. John M. Brooks, who for some years has been in the insurance business in this city and has spent most of his life in Tennessee. Captain Brooks is a veteran of the Confederate army and won his rank as a soldier of the South. He has long been one of the influential men in the Democratic party and following the end of the war had a very important part in the reorganizing of the Democracy in eastern Tennessee. He is a former mayor of the city of Knoxville and has given public service in many important capacities during his long and active career.
John M. Brooks was one of a family of nine children, whose parents were Joseph A. and Margaret (McMillan) Brooks. He was born Octo- ber 28, 1840, and during his youth received an excellent education, first in the common schools and then in the University of Tennessee, or the University of East Tennessee, as it was then known. With the outbreak of the war in 1861 he was among the first to answer to the call of duty to the Southland, and went into service in Company I of the Second Ten- nessee Cavalry. His service continued for more than four years until the surrender of General Johnston in North Carolina.
The first important public service of Captain Brooks on returning from the war was, as has been mentioned, in the reorganization of the Democratic party in this state. He was then identified for many years with business in Knoxville, after which he went to Middlesboro, Ken- tucky, where he was connected with a land company of that place and during his residence there served in the office of mayor. On returning to Knoxville in 1906 he engaged in his present business, the handling of insurance, and his success has been far beyond his expectations. The captain has many friends and his character and personality have kept him continually in high esteem.
Politically he is an independent Democrat. He supported Governor Hooper during his candidacy and has always been an active worker for party success.
Captain Brooks was elected mayor of Knoxville in 1908 and gave two years of excellent service to the city. Since leaving the office of mayor he has been a member of the board of education. He is one of the most honored members of the Confederate Veterans of the state and that
1465
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
body has promoted him to the office of brigadier general of the veterans' organization. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, and has membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. He and his family are communicants of the Presbyterian church.
ALFRED Y. BURROWS. One of the leading lawyers of Knoxville, Ten- nessee is Alfred Y. Burrows, a native Tennesseean who has honored his profession and his state by the able order of his services.
He was born in Fayette county, Tennessee, November 30, 1869, and is one of the five children that came to his parents, Benjamin F. Burrows and Matilda A. (Young) Burrows. The father was a very prominent contractor of Fayette county, Tennessee, where he resided until his death in 1892.
Alfred Y. first received a common school education in his native county and then later attended the University of Tennessee. Follow- ing that he completed the law course in the same institution and was graduated in law as a member of the class of 1899, of which he was president. He was admitted to the bar in 1899 and immediately there- after commenced his practice in Knoxville, where he has continued to the present. He excels as a lawyer and has long held a foremost place at the Knoxville bar. Mr. Burrows has offices in the Empire building. In political affairs he is affiliated with the Democratic party and he is now city attorney of Park City as well as being counsel for a number of other large corporations. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fra- ternity, being a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a past high priest of the Royal Arch Masons and a past master of the Free and Accepted Masons and past eminent commander of Knights Templar.
On June 2, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Burrows and Miss Mary E. Atkin, a daughter of Capt. J. J. Atkin, who formerly served the city of Knoxville as chief of police. Mr. and Mrs. Burrows have two children, Bessie and Frank J. The family are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church South. Their residence is at 1720 Washington avenue, Park City.
LEONIDAS D. SMITH. Division counsel at Knoxville for the Southern Railway Company, Mr. Smith has attained one of the most important honors and positions of service open to the legal profession of east Ten- nessee. He has been connected with corporate practice of a more impor- tant character for many years, and has been a successful member of the Tennessee bar for fully a quarter of a century.
Leonidas D. Smith was born in Sparta, Tennessee, November 25, 1866. His parents were William G. and Amanda (Templeton) Smith, who had a family of seven children. The late William G. Smith had a prominent place as a member of the Tennessee bar, and was actively engaged in
1466
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
practice until his death which occurred at Sparta in 1909. His wife died a year later in 1910.
The career of Mr. Smith was started with a public school education, and he was subsequently a student in the University of Tennessee, where he completed his literary studies. As a preceptor for his legal studies he was fortunate in having Col. H. C. Snodgrass, one of the most emi- nent lawyers of Tennessee, who had served the state in the office of attorney general and was also a member of congress. Under his direc- tion Mr. Smith continued his studies until his admission to the bar in December, 1887. He at once began practice and became a member of the firm of Jourolman, Welcker & Smith, a partnership which enjoyed many distinctions and successes in the profession and existed for many years until dissolved on March 1, 1913. As division counsel for the Southern Railway Company, Mr. Smith has full occupation for all his professional energy, but in previous years was associated with many important cases in the higher courts of the state.
Mr. Smith in 1911 and 1912 served as president of the Tennessee State Bar Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and is a Democrat in politics. His office is in the Holston National Bank building at Knoxville. Mr. Smith married Miss Ella Wallace, daughter of Simon D. Wallace, one of the prominent citizens of White county, Tennessee. The one child born to their union is Keilah C. Mr. Smith and family worship in the Christian church, and their residence is at 615 West Church street in Knoxville.
HORACE VAN DEVENTER. Now clerk of the United States District Court for eastern Tennessee, Mr. Van Deventer has been identified with the bar of this state for about twenty years, a period which has been one of influential achievement and varied service in public life. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American war, has been a member of the state legislature, and has associated himself with many of the movements in social and civic affairs which give distinction to the city of Knoxville.
Horace Van Deventer is a native of Clinton, Iowa, where his birth occurred July 22, 1867, one in a family of six children, his parents were James Thayer and Letitia (Flournoy) Van Deventer. Few of the younger generation of the Tennessee bar have been more liberally edu- cated than Mr. Van Deventer. He attended the public schools at Clin- ton and from there entered the Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake, a preparatory and military school, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then became a student in the University of Michigan, where he was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. in 1890. From that univer- sity he took up his law studies, which were pursued in probably the fore- most school of the time in the country, the Harvard Law School, and he was graduated in 1893 and received the degree of LL. B.
1467
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
Since his admission to the bar Mr. Van Deventer has been an active member of the Knoxville bar. His record of public service began as city attorney for West Knoxville, a position he held during 1895-97. In the fifty-second general assembly of Tennessee he was a senator from Knox county. In 1905 he began his services as clerk of the United States Dis- trict Court, for the eastern district of Tennessee, and his official term has continued now for nearly ten years. During the Spanish-American war in 1898-9 he was a captain in the Sixth United States Volunteer Infantry under Colonel Tyson, and also held the ranks of first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster in the same regiment. He was with the regiment during the Porto Rico campaign and after his muster out resumed his practice in Knoxville. His law offices are located at 202 Van Deventer building.
Mr. Van Deventer was married April 9, 1902, to Mary Lurton Finley. Mrs. Van Deventer is a daughter of the Hon. Horace H. Lurton, whose career as a jurist is familiar to all Tennesseeans, and who is now a mem- ber of the supreme court of the United States. Mrs. Van Deventer who has been prominent in the social circles of both the Tennessee and national capitals as well as in Knoxville was recently appointed by Hon T. Asbury Wright as president of the Woman's Board of the First National Conservation Exposition to be held in Knoxville in the fall of 1913. Mr. Van Deventer and his wife are members of the Episcopal church. He has membership in the Military Order of Foreign Wars, the Tennes- see Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Holland Society of New York, and his fraternities are the Masons, the Alpha Delta Phi, Peninsular Chapter, and he is a member of the Cherokee Country Club and the University Club of Knoxville. His residence is at 945 Temple avenue, Knoxville.
HARRY SAMUEL HALL. One of the young and progressive lawyers of Knoxville, with offices in the McNutt building, Mr. Hall has rapidly attained success and prestige since opening his practice in 1906. He has also important interests in local business affairs, and in the city which has been his lifetime home he has always occupied a high social position.
Harry Samuel Hall was born at Knoxville, July 4, 1884. There were . four children in the family, and his parents were Isaac and Mary Ella (Alexander) Hall. The family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
Reared in his native city and attending the local schools, Mr. Hall graduated from the University of Tennessee with his degree in law in 1906, and in October of the same year was admitted to practice in all state and federal courts. He then became associated in practice with the late Judge D. D. Anderson, former judge of the circuit and criminal court, with offices in the McNutt building. Since the death of Judge Anderson he has continued to practice alone. Mr. Hall is also presi- dent of the Hall Lumber Company of Knoxville.
1468
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
He has membership in the County and State Bar Associations, is affiliated with Lodge No. 234, Knights of Pythias, at Knoxville, his Greek letter fraternity is the Theta Lambda Phi, and he and his family are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Hall belonged to Company B of the Tennessee State Guards, in which he held the offices of second and first lieutenant. His other fraternal orders are the Eagles and the Red Men. Mr. Hall in 1910 was the Democratic nominee for the office of representative from Knox county and he made a strong though un- successful campaign.
April 2, 1908, Mr. Hall married Miss Bessie G. Johnson, daughter of John W. and Fannie L. Johnson. They are the parents of two chil- dren, Mary Frances and Irma Eugene. The Hall residence is on Washington pike.
CORNELIUS E. LUCKY. The subject of this sketch, Cornelius E. Lucky, was born February 25, 1841, in the village of Jonesboro, the old- est town in the state, and the capitol of the short-lived state of Franklin. He was the sixth child in the order of birth in a family of nine chil- dren, he and three sisters are now living.
Mr. Lucky was the son of Seth J. W. Lucky and Sarah Rhea Lucky, both of Scotch-Irish descent, Presbyterians, and connected with old fam- ilies, that were founders of the state of Tennessee.
Seth J. W. Lucky was born in Greene county, in 1799, educated in that county, graduated at Greeneville College, and began the practice of law in Jonesboro, became circuit judge in 1841, then chancellor, con- tinued his judicial career until his death in 1869, being at that time chancellor of the first chancery division of the state. Judge Lucky was always a Whig although never taking any part in party politics, was identified with every temperance movement of his time, and was an unwavering Union man during the Civil war.
His son, the subject of this review, gained his early education in the schools of Jonesboro and Blountville, entered Emory & Henry College, Virginia, in the fall of 1860, and left there in April, 1861, the college closing at that time on account of the impending Civil war.
Mr. Lucky being strong in his conviction touching the issues to be settled by war deemed it his duty to go with his state and so in 1862 enlisted as a private, assisted Col. Nathan Gregg in raising a company in Washington county, which upon the organization of a regiment became Company K, in the 60th Tennessee Infantry, C. S. A. Lucky having been chosen orderly sergeant of Company K. This regiment, soon after its organization, was sent South and participated in the battles around and near Vicksburg, Mississippi, losing a portion of same by capture at the battle of Big Black river, Mississippi.
The major part of the regiment entered Vicksburg with Pemberton's command and passed through that noted siege. General Pemberton, by
1469
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
surrendering on July 4th, obtained very favorable terms, as the entire command was paroled, allowed to return to their homes and remain there until duly exchanged. Mr. Lucky was with his regiment during this entire period, and was paroled on July 4, 1863, and returned to his home.
The 60th Tennessee was not exchanged until July 1, 1864, its mem- bers remaining at their homes on their paroles. When said regiment was exchanged, Mr. Lucky re-entered the army with his command, which was then mounted, and served with it until the end of the war, campaign- ing in east Tennessee and south West Virginia.
The regiment, or that part of it not captured at the battle of Big Black river, was with General Early in south West Virginia, when Gen- eral Lee surrendered, and thereupon it started to join General Johnson, in North Carolina, but when within a few miles of Greensboro, North Carolina, learned of General Johnson's surrender, and then the men and officers of that regiment returned to their homes, where possible, Mr. Lucky surrendering to the Federal forces at Jonesboro, his home. He was sent from that place to Nashville, Tennessee, where he took the oath of allegiance to the United States government. Mr. Lucky was a non-commissioned officer during his entire military service, although he acted as quartermaster of his regiment during the last six months of the war. On his return from Nashville, Mr. Lucky learned of his indict- ment for treason, he at once surrendered to the civil authorities, gave bond for his appearance, and applied for and obtained a pardon from President Andrew Johnson.
After the close of the war, Mr. Lucky spent a year as a clerk in a business house and in a law office, the latter service being in Knoxville, and in September, 1866, entered Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, where he spent three years, graduating with the class of 1869, being a C. B. K. in that class. Upon graduation he returned to Knoxville, read law with the Hon. Thomas A. R. Nelson, one of the most distinguished lawyers in the state, one of the counsel defending President Andrew Johnson in his impeachment trial and one of the supreme judges of the state.
Mr. Lucky began the practice of the law in the city of Knoxville in the year 1870, just after his admission to the bar, has continuously pursued his profession, never seeking nor holding any public office, but always taking an active interest and part in all civic affairs, city, county, state and national, and in the moral, educational and religious movements of his adopted home.
He and his law firms of Lucky & Yoe, Lucky & Sanford, Lucky, San- ford & Fowler and his present firm of Lucky, Andrews & Fowler have always commanded a lucrative practice, and have been connected with many of the leading cases arising in this section of the state.
Mr. Lucky has always been deeply interested in all of the educational
1470
TENNESSEE AND TENNESSEANS
movements in this section-was one of the founders of the first public library in Knoxville, is now a trustee of the Lawson McGhee Library, a trustee of Tusculum College (successor to Greeneville College-where his father graduated), is a member and officer of the Fourth Presbyterian church and a member of the Fred Ault Bivouac.
GEORGE H. BURR. In the development of the business enterprises which accompanied the rehabilitation of the South after the disastrous effect of the Civil war one of the most prominent factors in the city of Knoxville was the late George H. Burr. Mr. Burr was for thirty-five years closely identified with the commercial life and the civic and phil- anthropie activities of Knoxville, and in his death, which occurred April 29, 1902, that community lost one of its finest citizens. He was a busi- ness builder and possessed the rugged strength and enterprising quali- ties which bring success in that line, but with this half of his character he also combined his finer virtues of citizenship and manhood which are not less essential to the well-being of a city.
The late George H. Burr was a native of Connecticut, born in that state October 15, 1829, and was directly connected with the family which produced Aaron Burr, the former vice-president of the United States, associated with Thomas Jefferson in the office of president and vice-president in 1800, and an eminent American whose position has been subject to many counter opinions, but to whom the maturer judg. ment of history accords a sanity and worthiness in the enterprise which in early years marked him as almost an enemy of his country, though he was really only in advance of his times. The parents of the late Mr. Burr were Moses and Harriet B. (Banks) Burr, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. Moses Burr was born in Greenfield, Fair- field county, Connecticut, in 1806, and the mother was born in 1809, being a daughter of Thomas and Abigal (Murwin) Banks.
George H. Burr was reared at Weston, Connecticut, and as a boy attained a substantial education in the public and private schools of that place. When a youth he learned the trade of a coach-maker, but after some years in that pursuit it proved too small for his large ener- gies and ambitions, and he sought a better field for his enterprise. With the close of the Civil war he was among the northern men who recog- nized the great opportunities existing in the new South, and accordingly came to Tennessee in 1867, locating at Knoxville. Here he became identified with the saw milling and general lumber business, and during the succeeding years in the century his name was one of the most promi- nent in association with this important industry at Knoxville. He occupied a leading place as a manufacturer and dealer in lumber, and was also connected with other local commercial affairs. As a business man he stood in the small group whose resources and influence were the most vital factors in the business community. At his death he left a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.