History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 110

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 110

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Resuming business after the war, under the former name of A. G. Adams & Co., and continuing under that name till 1876, when the present firm-style of Adams, Throne & Co., was announced, he is now one of the oldest whole- sale merchants on the squarc.

Mr. Adams' whole soul has been interested in the cause of religion. His church and Sabbath-school have been his chosen field of labor outside the duties of his business life.

He has held the office of treasurer of the National Bible Society since 1854; also the position of director in the Union Bank of Tennessee, to which he was elected in 1854, and in that connection passed through the trying times which all the banks experienced in the civil war. Mr. Adams was also a director in the Tennessee Marine and Fire Insurance Company, now closed, and has lately been persuaded to take the presidency of the Equitable Fire Insurance Company. He took an active part in the establishment of the first cotton-mill in Nashville, the " Ten- nessee Manufacturing Company," which now is in success- ful operation ; he was elected a member of the first board of directors, which position he still holds.

At a public meeting of the citizens of Nashville to take steps to celebrate their Centennial (April 24, 1880), Mr. Adams was appointed chairman of the committee of re- ception, and by virtue of this appointment was constituted a member of the board of directors of the Centennial Com- mission.

Mr. Adams has been twice married,-first, in 1846, to

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

Susan Porterfield, daughter of Francis Porterfield and Ma- linda Morgan, after whose death he married, in 1851, Mary J. Strickler, of Shelbyville, Tenn., daughter of Benjamin Strickler and Sarah Eakin. By this marriage he had eight children,-five sons and three daughters.

In the community in which he resides Mr. Adams is highly esteemed as a public-spirited, honest, and upright man; a man of sound judgment, courteous and elegant manners, kindly sympathies, and strong religious tendencies.

WILLIAM H. JACKSON.

William H. Jackson was born in Paris, IIenry Co., Tenn., Oct. 1, 1835. His father, Dr. A. Jackson, and his mother, Mary W. Hurt, both natives of Virginia, were married in 1829, and removed to West Tennessee in 1830. The only surviving children of this marriage were William H. and Howell E. Jackson, the latter now an eminent lawyer of Jackson, Tenn.

The subject of this sketch was reared amid good and wholesome precepts in the home circle, and sound instruc- tion in the school and church.

Possessed of a sanguine spirit, his fearless bravery and warm espousal of the weaker side in boyhood's strifes se- cured him strong friends and ardent admirers. His impet- uosity of spirit and love of adventure made field sports more attractive than the monotonous duties of the school, and clearly foreshadowed his manbood.

While a member of the senior class of the West Ten- nessee College he received the appointment of cadet at West Point, and entered that institution in 1852.

The discipline of the military school was of the greatest benefit in its influence on the restless and ambitious spirit, and at the same time the prospects of a military life opened up broader fields and presented strong stimulus to exer- tion. He graduated with credit in the large class of 1856, and after the usual furlough at home, he reported in the fall of the same year at the cavalry school of instruction at Carlisle, l'a., to Col. Charles May, of Mexican war fame. One year later he joined his regiment of Mounted Rifles, U.S.A., then stationed in various parts of Texas and New Mexico. He remained in this frontier service as second lieutenant under Col. W. W. Loring from 1857 to the spring of 1861. In this connection full scope was given his love of adventure in following Indian trails and the exciting incidents peculiar to this branch of military service. Individuality was developed, self-reliance constantly exer- cised, perils encountered, and bravery stimulated.

For persistence in duty and gallantry in action he was frequently complimented, not only from regimental head- quarters, but from the headquarters at Washington.

At the commencement of the civil war he was oper- ating against the Apaches in the vicinity of Fort Staunton, New Mexico.

Viewed from the standpoint of that day, it was to be ex- pected that our young cavalry officer should take sides with the South. There resided his family, his dearest friends,

his childhood associates. While separating with regret from his companions in arms who had with him stood the brunt of many an Indian onslaught, or participated with him in the fierce attack on savage hordes, yet without hesi- tation he decided to go with his native State in the con- flict. His decision adds another to the many instances illustrating the controlling influence of the accident of birth.

In pursuance of his resolve to aid his native State, Lieut. Jackson tendered his resignation, turned over to the proper oficer of the United States army every cent of government funds and every description of public property in his pos- session, and, in company with Col. Crittenden, of Kentucky, made his way into Texas, ran the blockade at Galveston, reached New Orleans, sent in the tender of his services through Maj. Longstreet to the Confederate government, and was at once commissioned captain of artillery by the Governor of Tennessee.

After performing various duties he was assigned at New Madrid in 1861 to the command of a battery of light artil- lery. At the battle of Belmont, being unable to land his battery, Capt. Jackson, by order of Gen. Pillow, led an infantry charge against a portion of the United States troops, and was wounded in the side with a minie-ball, which he still carries,-a striking reminiscence of the hor- rors of war.

After recovering from what was at the time supposed to be a mortal wound, he was promoted to a colonelcy and assigned to the command of the Sixth Tennessee and First Mississippi Cavalry, then operating in West Tennessee and Mississippi.

At the taking of Holly Springs, Col. Jackson, for gallant conduct, was promoted brigadier-general, and in command of cavalry took part in all the various movements of Gens. Hardee, Polk, and Joe Johnston, commanding the cavalry on the left wing in the memorable Georgia campaign.

Among other military services was his engagement with the dashing Kilpatrick at Lovejoy's Station, leading with Forrest the Confederate advance into Tennessee and cover- ing the retreat of Hood. For this he was recommended for promotion to a division, and was assigned to the com- mand of Forrest's old division, with the Texas brigade added. With this fine command he operated until the close of the war, when he was assigned by Gen. Dick Tay- lor on the part of the Confederates, and Gen. Dennis on the part of the United States army, as commissioner for the parole of troops at Gainesville, Ala., and Columbus, Miss.

To delineate fully the part Gen. Jackson played in the civil war is not our purpose; it is not necessary to place be- fore the reader so voluminous a history as would be requi- site to do justice to the subject. His characteristics are what we seek ; these stamp him as a man of high type.

He engaged in the service of the South from a sense of imperative duty. He gave to the cause unquestioned ability. His courage was spontaneous and impetuous. His training and experience gave him coolness and sound judg- ment. He was chivalrous to his foes, and disposed always to conduct war upon the principles of civilized usage, with as little of severity and harshness as its barbarous nature per- mitted.

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

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While a mentor Cel - dir dess of the V . Ten- att . at passe ment of cadet at West Point i bution in 1-52.

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ent of Mounted Rifles . parts of Texas and New . from ier service as second 1. Loring from 1-57 to the . Politiet tion full stope was given " following Indian trails and the . war of the branch of military service. real tive constantly exer- ahiest . po, t maavery stiamiated. utry in action he was y core i mented, not only hon regimental hond- .as. bu. It in the headquarters at Washington. wantciencement of the civil war he was oper- . ist the As when in the vicinity of l'et Staat in, Bat at that des it was to be ex. Tar Bete sites with

uth. There resided his family, tis dearest friends,

his ein thood associates. While separating will . from: hi- e aupanions in arms who had with the ..... brunt of many an Indian onslaught, or partie; . ham in the the ce attack on savage bondes, gew , un ation he decided to go with his native Cate a %. Sur. His decision adds another to the mang ? . illust: atit. 2 the controlling influence of the acciden. . . ...

In perua hed his resolve to and his native state !. Jackson tendered his resignation, turned way pote .. . oficer of the United States army every cent (' .... fan, and every description of pathe property h. Fi : session, and, in company with Col. Crittend & MAS made his grey into Texas, ran the blockade at 'ta reached New Orleans, sent in the ter ler of his. through Maj. Lesstr st to the Contractor coins and was at once manissioned captain of : . : :. Governor of Tennessee.

After performing various duties he was ass .. Madrid in 1861 to the command of a battery of 1 lery. At the battle of Belmont. being well to ! battery, Capt. Jackson, by order of Gin. P.s. infantry dage against a portion of the D'em " > troops, and was wounded in the sido vib a m . which he still antes,-a strike: remaining of rors of war.

After recovering from what was at the sinte . be a mortal wound. he was prote ded to a co. assigned to the command of the Sixth Tones . Missed Cavalry, then operating in West T .. .... . Mississippi.

At the taking of Holly Springs, Col. Jackson to : I conduct, was protracted brigadier general, and ? of godby took part in all the various mot . toets Hardes, Folk, and Joe Johnston, commanding :' on the key wing in the memorable Georgia part Among other mithary services was his rene the da-hing Kitpatrick at Lovejoy's Station, i. Purest the Comi Surate advance into Tennessee. ing the retreat of Hood. For this he was r. a. for promotion to a division. and was assigned In the mead of Forrest's old division, with the Tesa. . added. With this five command he operates close of the war, when he was assigned by Gen. ! ' lor on the part of the Confederates, sod Gra. P . the part of the United States army, as conun'. the parole of troops at Gainessale, Ale, atd ( Miss

To delicate faily the part Gen. Jackson. .. civil war is not our purpose , it is not be cons het, fore the reader so voluaines a hist. ,y as site to do justice to the subject. Ilis chu what we seek ; these stamp him as a man . : He engaged in the service of the Soul. . imperative daty. He gave to the cato t ability. His courage was spontaneeps ar 1. training and experience gave him melges. at. mont. He was chivalrous to his for, and i . to con lact war'm on the princigl , of .... .. as little of security and home bound . it mitted.

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BIOGRAPHIES.

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AFTER THE WAR. :

The war ded. and with the same resolute !" had siw po vetnated his life. Gen. Jackson ope god's culture. Taking charge of his father's pantin_ in he managed "so farins, organizing a mived for and colored tabor. superinten ding their work w.h . m .... and seeming profit Lie resalta.

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He engaged in agriculture with all his chut ney. cray of aring; bringme to bar a quick ana mint. he has gained a distinction in his new be .. .. not interi ~ to the fame while he earned for lem ". profa ira . f arms.

For three or four years he this superint. gled in ... . of cotton in West Tennessee.

In December. 1-6. he married Mass Son . it. 1 the daughter of Geu. W. G. Harding, of bad. 8. : near Nashville, Tenn., one of the most emin: hit turists and stock-raisers of 1 . South. For the 5 :". change of his life, habits, and tastes he is in toute it .. lost canso, to his connection with the Methodist !..... Church, to his marriage, and sales ment intimit. ... tion with his father-in-law, one of the most extent i. successful farmers of Terrore.

Gen. Jackson's pre-eminent qualifications a . dasen field of labor have been so appreciate d thi. p already filled the offices of president of a. Nat ....: \ estatal Congress, president of the Farmers' Assure ... . Tennessee, president of the Bureau of Agriculture tur .i. tto, and president of the e. v . board of the ... Son Publishing Company." a we By journal de ve [ . Sathorn agricultura, also M.s. r of the best of Ok Gange of Patrons of Husiantry at Nashik. From the Bureau of Agregar for the State with that comprehensive and be 3 vaiged work euthy I . i. Resvaters of Leon .. ".

An uncommon f fare in canatedy q se! the issue of to work should be aword 1. 1 : fiscal agent of the -site for the disbursement of ! .. . je epen ... .. patric tion of this work, but. Bakan delivered to the the the cheapest piece we to agen doct : has ever received, and i wir an unexpended soha et and other services . get county he has b ver received one tor . tien, for he never a. M accept it.

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BIOGRAPHIES.

AFTER THE WAR.

The war closed, and, with the same resolute purpose that had always actuated his life, Gen. Jackson engaged in agri- culture. Taking charge of his father's planting interest, he managed two farms, organizing a mixed force of white and colored labor, superintending their work with judgment, and securing profitable results.

He engaged in agriculture with all his characteristic en- ergy of purpose; bringing to bear a quick and observant mind, he has gained a distinction in his new field of labor not inferior to the fame which he earned for himself in the profession of arms.

For three or four years he thus superintended the culture of cotton in West Tennessee.

In December, 1868, he married Miss Selene Harding, the daughter of Gen. W. G. Harding, of Belle Meade, near Nashville, Tenn., one of the most eminent agricul- turists and stock-raisers of the South. For this happy change of his life, habits, and tastes he is indebted to the lost cause, to his connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to his marriage, and subsequent intimate associa- tion with his father-in-law, one of the most extensive and successful farmers of Tennessee.

Gen. Jackson's pre-eminent qualifications in his now chosen field of labor have been so appreciated that he has already filled the offices of president of the National Agri- cultural Congress, president of the Farmers' Association of Tennessee, president of the Bureau of Agriculture for the State, and president of the executive board of the " Rural Sun Publishing Company," a weekly journal devoted to Southern agriculture, also Master of the Heart of Oak Grange of Patrons of Husbandry at Nashville.

From the Bureau of Agriculture for the State was issued that comprehensive and highly-valued work entitled "The Resources of Tennessee."

An uncommon feature in connection with the issue of this work should be recorded. As the fiscal agent of the State for the disbursement of all requisite expenses in the publication of this work, Gen. Jackson delivered to the State the cheapest piece of printing for a public document it has ever received, and he actually returned to its treas- ury an unexpended sum of over six thousand dollars. For this and other services to the State and county he has never received one cent of compensation, for he never would accept it.

Gen. Jackson's children are three in number,-viz., Eu- nice, now nine years old; William Harding, now five years old; and Selene Harding, three years of age.

Since the close of the war Gen. Jackson has been one of the foremost men in the South in all that tends to elevate the profession of agriculture, and to unite the North and the South as one fraternity, in order that the workers in the soil might realize their full value as a great factor in the scale of national importance and power.

In politics he is a Democrat, taking interest in county, State, and national affairs, but has wisely concluded not to enter the political field, regarding it as equally as disturbing and unsettling as the military life, and the fruits in old age as unsatisfactory in the one life as in the other.

NATHAN ADAMS.

Nathan Adams, the subject of this sketch, although not a native of Davidson Co., Tenn., came here at so early an age that he may be said to be identified with the county and State as truly as many of those who were born here. A native of the beautiful town of Strabane, Ireland, Na- than Adams was brought by his parents, in 1814, at the age of four years, to America, landing at New York, where his father had already a brother settled and prospering in business ; we allude to the lamented and universally re- spected John Adams, who had emigrated to this country in 1794, and who for twenty-eight years held the honor- able position of president of the Fulton Bank of New York City, and for even longer periods the responsible posts of treasurer of the New York Hospital and of the American Bible Society.

The parents of Nathan Adams proceeded at once to Philadelphia, where, in less than three years, the father died, leaving his widow with a large family of three sons and eight daughters, one of the latter having married and removed to Nashville, Tenn., with her husband, our former well-known citizen, George Crockett, Sr.

Soon the widow resolved to follow this married daughter, and during the year 1817 the whole family were settled in Nashville, Nathan, then seven years old, being the youngest child. Few of the old citizens of Nashville will fail to re- member the gentle, loving mother of this numerous family, and her unremitting labors in rearing and educating them. Her uniform steadfastness of purpose and her quiet, unob. trusive picty insured her the respect of all who knew her, from the highest to the lowest, our noble President, An- drew Jackson himself, never leaving his home for Washing- ton City without calling to say " Good-by" to Mrs. Adams. With such a mother, young Nathan was sure to have care- ful training; and, after receiving a good English education, at the age of nineteen it was thought best that he should " go West" to seek his fortune. Ile set out, therefore, and located, in 1829, in Covington, Tenn., where he was en- gaged for three years in mercantile business. During his residence there he was elected vice-president of the first Bible society organized in that section of country. From Covington, Mr. Adams removed to Wesley, Tenn., where, in 1833, he married Grace Arlington Stanton, only daugh- ter of Joseph B. Stanton ; and in 1835, relinquishing bus- iness, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, to which he adhered until the death of his wife, which occurred in November, 1877.

In 1869, Mr. Adams was elected president of the Mem- phis and Ohio Railroad Company, and continued in that position until its consolidation with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company. In 1873 he was appointed by Governor John C. Brown commissioner from the State of Tennessee to Vienna, and also by the Chamber of Com- merce of Memphis, Tenn., as its representative at the same exposition. Mr. Adams was also appointed by Governor Por- ter one of the commissioners from Tennessee to represent the State at the Geographical Congress and Syndicate of Trade at Paris, France, in 1875; and again to represent Tennes- sce at the International Industrial Exhibition in Paris in

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

1878. After spending part of five years in the various countries of Europe in foreign travel, Mr. Adams, after an absence of fifty years, has now returned to the home of his youth to pass the remainder of his life. There is some- thing touching in the return of such a man to the scene of his boyhood days, and it argues well for the attractive- ness of our little " City of Rocks," implanted as it is in the very garden-spot of our own loved Tennessee.

We must not omit to touch upon the religious record of Mr. Adams, so well begun at the early age of twenty-one as the vice-president of a Bible society. Becoming a mem- ber of the church in 1842, he was ordained an elder the same year in the Presbyterian Church at Emmaus, Hay- wood Co., Tenn., of which church he continued an elder until its removal to Stanton, Tenn. There, in this village named for his wife's father, Mr. Adams contributed be- tween four thousand and five thousand dollars to erect a Presbyterian church, in which he was a ruling elder until his recent removal to Nashville. This generous act of Mr. Adams is but one of many that might be selected to show the munificent, liberal spirit of our esteemed fel- low-citizen. That little village church, as well as the magnificent Stanton Block, erected as a memorial to the memory of his wife's father, J. B. Stanton, in Memphis, Tenn., by Mr. Adams, are living monuments of his desire to benefit his fellow-men and of his enterprising public spirit. His many relatives and friends can testify to the fact that he is one of those with whom "it is more blessed to give than to receive," and the numerous instances in which, for years past, he has caused " the widow's heart to sing for joy," and has " delivered the poor that cried, and him that had none to help," will surely bring upon him the " blessing of those who were ready to perish" here, and an unfading crown of glory hereafter. May he long remain with us !

CAPT. WILLIAM PHILLIPS.

Capt. William Phillips, one of the oldest and most highly- respected citizens of the county, and long a successful mer- chant of Nashville, died at his residence, a few miles north of the city, Feb. 17, 1880, of pneumonia, after an illness of about four days. Capt. Phillips was born in the State of Pennsylvania, moved to Ohio at the age of fifteen, and at the age of nineteen, thrown upon his own resources, went manfully to work at the first employment that offered,-as deck-hand on a steamboat. It thus happened that he first came to Nashville. As an illustration of his pluck and energy at this time it may be mentioned that on one occa- sion he walked all the way from this city to Smithland to reach a boat with which he had engaged. His rapid pro- motion afterwards was due to his sterling qualities. He successfully filled every position on a steamboat, from deck- hand up to captain, and for years was one of the most re- liable and successful of Western navigators. He first em- barked in mercantile business in this city with Mr. Henry Hart, under the firm-name of Phillips & Hart, on the north side of the public square. He subsequently formed a partnership with Mr. L. II. Lanier, and the firm of Lanier & Phillips was continued for fifteen years, and up to the

breaking out of the late war. The same firm in 1865 and 1866 continued the business in the city of Cincinnati for about a year. In 1867 he returned to Nashville and formed a partnership with Mr. John W. Terrass, which continued for two years. He then engaged in the business of pork-packing with his brother-in-law, Andrew Hooper, and the late Capt. Len Hooper, which business was con- tinued for about three years. In 1872 he formed a partner- ship with his son, Mr. C. H. Phillips, and Mr. George M. Jackson, under the firm-name of Phillips, Jackson & Co., which firm still exists. Capt. Phillips had reached the age of seventy-one years at the time of his death, and died at the old homestead, where he had resided for many years, on the Dickerson turnpike, a few miles north of the city. He leaves a wife, whom he married April 15, 1846, and seven children, as follows : two sons, C. H. and W. K. Phillips, and five daughters,-Mrs. Mary Bang, wife of W. F. Bang, Jr .; Mrs. Ella Connell, wife of A. P. Connell ; Mrs. Bettie Connell, wife of Walter Connell ; and two un- married daughters, Laura and Mattie Phillips, the youngest aged six years.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 110

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013