History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 125

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 125

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When paroled he returned to England to adjust his busi- ness affairs in connection with the blockade-running, re- turning on its completion to New York and entering the mercantile service, making voyages to the Pacific, to Europe, Gulf of Mexico, and Europe again. This seafaring- life on merchantmen covered some three and a half years and brings us down to 1868, when he visited a brother in Cincinnati and resumed his old business as a carpenter and builder. Mr. Byrne came to Nashville, Jan. 1, 1869, as foreman for P. J. Saxton, Esq.

In 1870 he commenced business for himself, under the firm-name of McDonald & Byrne, as carpenters and builders and manufacturers of warehouse elevators, being the first to make elevators a specialty in Nashville.

In 1871, Byrne's patent elevator was first built, since which time other valuable improvements have been patented, and in this section of country and especially south of Nash- ville these elevators have been largely introduced. This suc- cess has not been so much due to location of the factory as to their intrinsic merit and simplicity.

Mr. Byrne was married in 1872 to Miss Mary McGuirc, daughter of Terrence McGuire, formerly a large railroad contractor.

In politics, Mr. Byrne is in sympathy with the Demo- cratic party, and, while not a professional politician, is an active and earnest worker, having been a member of the executive committee of the county for several years.

His interest in military matters has been a permanent one; he is an active member and first lieutenant of the Burns Tennessee Light Artillery. Mr. Byrne dissolved his business partnership in 1879, and now conducts the

business of elevator manufacturing and building at 90 Line Street, Nashville.

A. H. HURLEY, SR.

A. H. Hurley, Sr., was born in Lincoln Co., Tenn., on the 24th day of October, 1832. He is of Scotch-Irish de- scent, but both his parents and grandparents were born in North Carolina. His father, Amos Hurley, married there in 1814 Miss Mary Rhodes, and on the day following his marriage started for Lincoln Co., Tenn., where he engaged in farming, and continued to reside on the same farm to the time of his death, which occurred in 1876.

To this union there were born eight children,-W. R. ITurley, who, after attaining manhood, became a physi- cian, but is now dead; D. P. Hurley, who for many years was a prominent lawyer, but who is now proprietor and principal of a female college in Troy, Ala .; E. R. Hurley, who is now a farmer residing upon the old homestead; Z. G. Hurley, deceased ; F. M. Hurley, deccased ; A. H. Hur- ley, subject of this sketch ; W. P. Hurley, now a produce merchant in Nashville; and B. F. Hurley, deccased.

A. H. Hurley, Sr., received a common-school education in the county of his nativity, and when about seventeen years of age attended Hiawassa College, East Tennessee. Upon leaving college two years later he commenced the study of law under the tutelage of his brother, D. P. Hur- ley, then a practicing lawyer in East Tennessee. Haring qualified himself for the profession, he practiced law there four years and then came to Nashville and located, where, on the 14th day of October, 1856, he married Miss Nar- cissa C. Murrell, a daughter of James N. Murrell, one of the early pioncers of Davidson County. He continued the practice of law in Nashville to the year 1860, when, owing to declining health, he abandoned the profession and turned his attention to merchandising, first engaging in the gro- cery business, in which he continued about ten years. He then commenced the business in which he still continues. -viz., grain, produce, and commission.

Mr. Hurley has by prompt attention to business, by an honest upright course of action, and strict integrity of char- acter, succeeded not only in amassing a competence, but, what is of greater value, succeeded in winning the confi- dence and high esteem of those who have come in either business or social contact with him. In some respects Mr. Hurley is an exceptional man. He has never made use of profane language in his life, has never been intoxicated, and for many years not even a drop of ardent spirits has passed his lips.

He comes of a devotional and religious family ; both his paternal grandfather and grandmother were zealous mem- bers of the Baptist Church. His father was also a Baptist, while his mother was an Old School Presbyterian. Mr. Hurley, his wife, and only surviving child, a son, are mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has never coveted political or official distinction, yet has from prin- ciple been a lifelong Democrat ; has been a member of the board of aldermen in Nashville five years, holding the ofice of president one year.

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

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BIOGRAPHIES.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurley have had but two children,-one, a daughter, dying in infancy ; the other, a son, A. H. Hur- ley, Jr., now a young man in business with his father, and who is following in the pathway of piety, sobriety, and honesty so plainly marked out and so faithfully trod by his father.

DR. S. J. COBB.

S. J. Cobb was born in Wayne Co., N. C., Aug. 14, 1829. He was left an orphan at an early age, without means or education. At the age of fifteen he left home and started in the struggle of life. He at once determined to obtain an education, and up to his eighteenth year, at intervals, when his means rendered it possible, he attended school. When he was eighteen years of age the Mexican war broke out, and he volunteered as a soldier from his native State. After his return from Mexico he went to college, where he remained until 1849, at which time he removed to Tulip, Dallas Co., Ark., where he engaged in the mercantile business. While there he devoted all his spare time to the study of dentistry. In 1852 he removed with his preceptor to Kentucky, and after three years more of study and practice became connected with him as a full partner. During their partnership he practiced in Logan Co., Ky., as well as Robertson and Sumner Cos., Tenn. At the expiration of this partnership Dr. Cobb located in Gal- latin, Tenn., where he practiced his profession with success until 1861, at which time he moved to Nashville. Soon after his removal to Nashville he went to Louisville, Ky., and practiced there until 1864, when he returned to Nash- ville, where he has continued the practice of his profession ever since. While in Louisville, Dr. Cobb assisted in or- ganizing " The Louisville Dental Association" and " The Central States Dental Association." Soon after his return to Nashville he commenced agitating the subject of a dental association in that city, and on the 10th of October, 1865, he and a few other dentists organized "The Nash- ville Dental Association," the first dental society ever organ- ized in the State of Tennessee. As soon as this society was fairly under way he commenced conferring with his brother- dentists as to the propriety of organizing a "State Dental Association," and on the 26th of July, 1867, he had the pleasure of assisting in organizing " The Tennessee Dental Association," a society that has done a great deal to elevate the standard of the profession in the State. As an indica- tion of his good work, he was one among the first elected to preside over said society. Dr. Cobb has belonged to many dental societies, and, believing as he does in the ne- cessity of associated effort, he has always been active and zealous in forwarding the true objects of such associations. In 1877, Dr. Cobb, then the presiding officer of "The Southern Dental Association," joined with other leading dentists of the United States in an effort to organize an " American Dental Congress," based upon State representa- tion. A meeting was called at Deer Park, Md. After full discussion, it was agreed by the societies represented to organize such a body. Committees were appointed to meet at Niagara Falls, and it was hoped they would succeed in .

fairly starting a national society. This, however, has not yet been accomplished. A committee on organization, of which Dr. Cobb is a member, is to meet in New York City on the 11th of August, 1880, at which time it is expected to bring to a successful issue this very laudable enterprise. In 1869, Dr. Cobb was elected first vice-president of "The American Dental Association," held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and succeeded in having the next meeting take place at Nashville, Tenn., the first and only meeting of the asso- ciation ever held in the South. Dr. Cobb is a strong ad- vocate of dental education, not only in the profession itself, but among the people. He has gone so far as to suggest the propriety of putting in school-books short dental lessons, inculcating in the youth of the land a proper appreciation of their teeth, and giving general rules for their preserva- tion. In a paper read by him at a meeting of the American Dental Convention at Detroit, Mich., in 1864, he elaborated this idea, and received a vote of thanks from the convention for his valuable suggestion, and a committee was appointed to prepare a dental catechism for use in common schools. Dr. Cobb was elected dean of the faculty of one of the Nashville dental schools, but, believing as he did that it was an error to attempt to build up two schools in that city, he declined to become identified with either.

He has always been honest and strictly conscientious in the discharge of his professional duties, and has gained the confidence of his patrons and the respect of his fellow-citi- zens. His practice is large, and he has amassed a comfort- able estate.

He is plain and unassuming, kind and charitable, stands in the very front rank of his profession, and is thoroughly identified with every effort to clevate the standard of pro- fessional learning among his brother-dentists, and make the profession not only lucrative and honorable to the dentist, but useful and beneficial to the people. Few men have observed and adhered more faithfully to the Golden Rule than he has in all his dealings with his fellow-man.

CAPTAIN CALVIN G. CABLER.

Frederick Cabler, paternal grandfather of Capt. Cabler, was born in North Carolina, and came to Buchanan's Fort in 1787. He was in the Revolutionary war, and partici- pated in the battle of Guilford Court-House. He had five children, of whom John was the father of Captain Cabler.

John Cabler was born in North Carolina in 1785; coming with his parents at the age of two years to the then wild Davidson County, he was reared among the privations and thrilling scenes of border life, and familiar with the chase and Indian warwhoop in boyhood's days. He grew up and enjoyed this life. He was married in 1808 or '9 to Chris- tine Corbett, daughter of William Corbett, who also came from North Carolina to Buchanan's Fort in 1788. She was born in Davidson County, April 24, 1793. They had three children,-Sarah, born in 1810; Calvin. G., born Oct. 22, 1816; and Martha, born in 1820. Mrs. Cabler is still living in Nashville, at the advanced age of eighty- seven years.

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HISTORY OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.

Captain Calvin G. Cabler was born three miles south of Nashville, on the place now owned by Capt. David Hughes. He stayed on the farm until his parents moved to Nashville, in 1824. He is pre-eminently a type of a self-made man, commencing his carver at nine years of age, without schooling, by borrowing his small capital of three dollars from an uncle, and peddling apples on the street. He did this for two years. He then began to haul water in a cart to the houses of Nashville. (This method of water-supply pre- ceded the water-works system.) He worked at this for nearly two years. In 1829 he engaged as cook on a keel- boat, following this avocation on keel- and flat-boats until 1832, when he commenced steamboating in the same capa- city. In his leisure hours he took lessons from the pilots, and so thoroughly learned the river in four years' time as to be able to assume the position of pilot himself, which he did in 1836, on steamer " Tally Ho," running from Nash- ville to Memphis and St. Louis. Up to 1845 he acted as pilot on different boats, making trips to New Orleans, St. Louis, and other points.

Captain Cabler engaged as commander as well as pilot from 1845 to 1850. He was saving and economical, and accu- mulated sufficient funds to purchase, in 1850, with Captain O. W. Davis, the steamer "Republic," running on the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers. Captain Cabler was captain and pilot until their purchase of the " Excel," in same year, when he assumed command of the " Excel." In six months' time he had made more money with this boat than he had in the five or six previous years. They continued in partner- ship, purchasing another boat, until 1853, when, selling these boats, they bought an interest in the Memphis Packet Line, consisting of three splendid steamers, "City of Huntsville," " John Simpson," and " J. G. Cline," and two small lighters. Captain Cabler was given command of the " City of Huntsville," the finest steamer ever running on the Cumberland River. In 1855 he sold out his in- terest in this line, and the next year, with two other per- sons, built the steamner " Commerce," of which he took command, and commenced making trips to Cincinnati, St. Louis, and on the Upper Cumberland. He ran this boat until 1862, in which year he, with the Hughes Brothers, built the " Mattie Cabler," placing her, as soon as com- pleted, in the United States service, with himself as cap- tain. In the same year, he, in company with the Hughes Brothers, bought steamers " Beard" and " John A. Fisher." In 1863 the same company bought the steamers " Emma," " John H. Baldwin," " Piketon," and " Olla Sullivant." In 1864 they sold several boats to the government and bought others.

In 1864, Captain Cabler had such an extensive govern- ment business as to necessitate his constant personal atten- tion in Nashville, and this occupied his time fully till July, 1865, when he sold all his interest in boats, and has owned none since. He was in the coal business from 1866 to 1872. Since that time he has been engaged in real estate, in which he is now largely interested. His financial suc- cess has been marked, and he is in possession of a hand- some competency, resulting from his thrift, economy, and attention to business. He enjoys the confidence of the con- munity in a high degree, and is a staunch personal friend.

Captain Cubler married Sarah Emily Newberne, Aug. 27, 1843. She was born May 18, 1827, dying Sept. 21, 1878. She was of the old family of Newbernes, in North Carolina, which gave name to Newberne, in that State. They had seven children, two of whom-Bettie W. (Mrs. C. A. Litterer) and Cemmie-are living.

Mrs. Litterer has two children,- Wilhelm and Cemmie C.,-aged respectively four and two years.

JOHN BRADEN.

John Braden was born in New York City, Aug. 18, 1826. His father, dying in 1832, left a widow with six children in comparative poverty. His mother was a woman of strong body, vigorous mind, and a devout Chris- tian. She supported the children by such labor as she could perform, not forgetting to give them such religious training as her limited time and means would allow. Two of these children died in infancy ; the others are still living, are heads of families, occupying respectable positions in society, and all are members of some evangelical church. In 1836 the subject of this sketch was sent to Philadelphia to enter upon his duties as errand-boy in a store, where he remained for nearly a year. He returned to New York, and in a few weeks he was sent to Peekskill to learn shoemaking, but he was so small that the gentleman with whom he was to learn the trade secured a place for him in the country on a farm with a good Christian family, where he remained over three years, working in the summer and going to school two or three months in each winter. In the latter part of his stay here he was permitted to take books out of the school-district library. Hitherto he had cherished no friendly feelings for school other than affording an op- portunity to meet with playmates and enjoy school sports; but while reading the " Life of Benedict Arnold," the desire to know something was awakened in him, which has largely shaped his subsequent life. In the spring of 1840, in company with his stepfather and other relatives, he went to Illinois. Here he worked on a farm for some time, then went to St. Louis, where he was employed in a dairy, and while so employed he went to New Orleans and spent about eight months. During his stay here he went as cabin-boy on the steamer "New York" to Galveston and Matagorda Bay. The Gulf was very rough, and be ex- perienced so much of sea-sickness that on the return of the vessel to New Orleans he left the position, having no desire to renew his acquaintance with a seafaring life. In 1845 he returned to Illinois, and spent several months at Monti- cello, working at wagon-making. The next year he went to Springfield, Ill., where he engaged in teaching school, and also classes in singing. In the spring of 1848 he went to Zanesville, Ohio, where, after trying the business of s patent-right vender, he engaged again in teaching. During the summer of this year, while he was preparing to attend another school, his attention was called incidentally to the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, which be entered in September, and remained until he graduated, in 1853. The year after graduation he taught in the Xenia .

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BIOGRAPHIES.

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is tan os . twee ings of duty, he watine withpeach and a send to the Cincinnati A med Cost ners woah k witter die September, 1551. In th st germain, at was Now Cialide, the next year . mesmo the thand appartement was two years of Now Bellingato e. rge ther two sex on the Bay-ville circuit. I " do met Conference, lagd he was appointed principal . ... Now Cathelo Academy. This position be retained so weare, date consideral & pending. and part of the 1 · · · i ver he was in charge of the en uit. : 1 -02 he was apgond & a Yok Sret Church, Ciu- "i. ramining two years, then to Car Street, in ol- up with the Ladies' Hoon. Mason, where the contained In 1867 the s. : k anumz the fredmen was : 'ra tiby the atiention of the church. and Power_ tie efforts A ce tas go to establish schools for them as well as to preach is ! to them. Among the charles that took a t've . at this work was the Methodet Executed, which had " good the Freedmen's Aid Society, and had schools wendy established in the South. When the "al was made " :. B. iden offered himself, and was transferred from the It wasti to the Tennessee Conf rence, and stained at ( anh Chapel, Nashville, and also appointed principal you sdiven's school, which was taken under the load super. ,-ton of a board of trustees, who had secured from the State A charter for the school, under the name of the Centred Temesse Cisse. He was elected president of the school. At the close of the school year he resigned his position and weepted the principal-hip of the city school, what I was 'a in the same ba'lding, -viz., the "Gun Factory." .. . Ho cola bring removed to its present Ication on Maph. Sret. At the dose of the school year he was re-el tud power S the esta ge and at once entered upon his dados. De - wxintend to hold this position to the present time. I've r in administration the school has steadily ent a princey sebool, in which the spelling book we the principal text books, to the village. : Because of sandy. This advancement has taken ! and patient labor, and Mr. Bradon this had

" lavet dasses pass de Ih the entire course, to 'in the classical course with credit to theme this for teachers made it necessary that 't be taken to provide them, and the not- of the wings was early organized. This kaderse, the preparatory, the theo- `~ and. in 1976 the Meharry M. tid .. . i from P v. Samuel M-berry, who, Hugh, Jesse, and Mesander, continued h and bring it into -a vestul operation. ' has been recently r. ganzed. Tl. Ten- .eted him a & serate in the General ... und also 1-74. ... a Wesleyare Underway gave him the

degree of Doctor of Divinity. From 1870 to 1873 he was

secretary of the State Tendre Association, and in this position added in devek pire the public opinion in favor of a more efficient system of free public schools. In addition to le ciuties in the college he was presiding older on the Nach- ville District from 1-72 to 1 -76. and at the same time mem- bor of the general commited from the Seventh Episcopal District of the Board of Church Extension As president of the college he has maintained les portion under peculiar deakins, seenring the respect and controlonce of his peso. ciates and the esteem of the thousands of students who have bon connected with the college. As a preacher he is above ttoliberty. always practical, having but little taste for mere sperotation when pre-sving the protied duty of men to obey the gospel and secure its burits. As a writer for the weekly press las articles are always readable.

In IMAlu word Mes Conier, of ! dale. N. Y. am. tuand body of sterling (" divin character who has shared the vi issades of the itinerant's life and e. ostratym visited on all who engage in devaring the fr : lyon, with chretfulness. and has made their home a delightful retreat. "Two of their children died in in'apey, leaving the . Mest, a da ightet, who is now engaged with her father in the college as tesher of music ..

DR. A. P. GRINSTEAD.

Dr. A. P. Grinstead was born in King and Queen Co., Va., on the 5th of May. 1- 15. Hi- parents were of Eng- lish descent, yet his peornal grandfather was a velvet s. idier nader We. hingi. . .

Farly in life Thomas Grinstead wedded Frances SkRien, and to this comnie were bra three children, -Elizabeth Am, who mail doch Wer ; Bothure J. Grin- Head, who and a fun gus of age; and A. P. Grin- stead, the scanjet of this sketch. The greatest misfortune of his life ofrerred at his birth, for within the some hour that he became a living son' the me they's heart was stilled in death.

A maiden sister of his mother norgesteak the rearing of the little orphan but within a orif time she. too, was laid away in the family burying-gior 4. He was they received into the family of if's motha's brother. This andle, how- ever, did not long survive his sisters, vet the orphan babe was ret ined by his aunt until he had reached his devert. year, when he was taken to Essex County to reside with his guardian, Jam ... Som; le.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 125

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