USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > Nashville > History of Nashville, Tenn. > Part 69
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was more respected than his; few men, indeed, were possessed of better judgment on most practical questions than he. To this rare gift which we call judgment was added, in him, untiring energy, great firmness, un- flinching honesty, with the crowning gift of deep philanthropy and sweet- est charity-sentiments which found expression and expansion in a life of beneficence. He was, indeed, a wise counselor and a good man, and the recognition of this was attested not only by the places of honor and trust he was called to fill, both in the secular world and in the Church, but by the well-nigh unanimous verdict of his fellows.
In person Mr. Weaver was a little above the medium in height, spare, erect, his whole frame instinct with energy and will. His face was both strikingly firm and gentle; and his eye, which carried with it through life the laughter of childhood, was nevertheless capable on occasion of with- ering severity in rebuke. His manners were marked by a quiet, modest dignity.
Mr. Weaver was twice married-first, in 1839, to Mary D., daughter of James Johnson, Esq .; and again, in 1844, to Frances L., daughter of Thomas S. King, Esq. Three children-one, a daughter of the first marriage; and two, a daughter and son, of the second-survive him. His death occurred on February 3, 1880, at Nassau, in the Bahama Isl- ands, whither he had gone in the hope of improving his health. The city of Nashville has had few worthier sons, and truth and eulogy meet to- gether in the words of his friend, the Rev. (now Bishop ) Hargrove, when he says: " His unostentatious life, his pure character, his simple piety, his modest manliness, his domestic tenderness, his persistent energy, his unswerving integrity, and his Christian benefactions made him a model worthy of imitation."
JAMES WHITWORTH was born in 1816 in Sumner County, Tenn. He was a son of James Whitworth, and a grandson of John Whitworth. His grandfather came from Amelia County, Va., in 1806, and settled on the Cumberland River near Hendersonville, Sumner County. He was one of eleven children, and was only thirteen years old when his father died. His mother was Ann Harding. The farm upon which he was born was small and poor, and it seems strange that so large a family could have been reared upon it without great suffering. But there was no suffering, and for two reasons: the children were large, strong, and active and able to work, and did it so as to supply every necessary want.
The Cumberland River played quite an important part in James's life. He cut and rafted wood to Nashville, and thus was first brought to the city which afterward became his home. James worked on the farm for the support of mother and children, and at intervals rafted wood, and
41
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HISTORY OF NASHVILLE.
thus earned money enough to enable him to attend Wirt's Seminary for five months. With this amount of schooling, he himself commenced teaching school, and taught for five months, acquiring money with which to pay for five months' additional schooling for himself. This ended his school days. He soon managed to get hold of a few law books, and read them as best he could. He came to Nashville in 1842, and entered the law office of Edwin H. and Andrew Ewing as a student. He had no money, and but few friends or acquaintances. He was admitted to prac- tice in the fall of 1842, and won his first case, though Jo C. Guild was his opposing counsel. He soon formed a partnership with R. N. Will- iams, but the following year became a partner with Messrs. Edwin H. & Andrew Ewing, remaining with them until 1847. A new law firm was then formed, composed of Andrew Ewing, W. F. Cooper, and James Whit- worth, which remained intact until 1853.
In 1856 James Whitworth was elected County Judge, and zealously at- tended to the affairs of the county through the trying times of the war, being uninterfered with by either the Northern or Southern armies, thus saving Davidson County from great loss. If Judge Whitworth had per- formed no other public service, his name would still have been a part of the history of the county. At the end of the war Judge Whitworth sold his farm of five hundred acres on the Brick Church pike, and moved to the city. He assisted in organizing the Fourth National Bank, and was its President for fifteen years. He was interested in the establishment of the Tennessee Manufacturing Company, and when afterward it seemed to be on the verge of bankruptcy he accepted its presidency and made it pay its first dividend. He was a Director in the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company for five or six years ; but when it commenced the policy of issuing stocks and bonds, and buying up its competitors, he sold his in- terest and retired from the directory. When it was found that the Pub- lishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was bankrupt, with a debt of $350,000, and about to be moved from Nashville, he was chosen President of the Book Committee, and remained its President un- til the debt was entirely provided for and the establishment strong and active in its great work.
It is one of the characteristics of Judge Whitworth that he gives most of his time, attention, and thought to that enterprise, establishment, or organization which is in the most financial trouble; and the moment it becomes strong and able to take care of itself he resigns his position to others.
Judge Whitworth's character is a peculiar one. Strong of body and mind, using no stimulants, regular in habits, slow to take hold, and hence
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never a speculator; but looking each opportunity squarely in the face, he uses it as it presents itself.
What money he has is the accumulation of fifty years' labor. He can keep money even better than he can make it. In charity popular senti- ment cannot move him. He must see the necessity, and when that ap- pears always responds. He has neither sought nor wanted public office.
Judge Whitworth is no theorist; on the contrary, he is eminently prac- tical, and is endowed with a strong, rich vein of common sense. With- out being aggressive to a harmful degree, he is solid and firm, and in council or action makes himself felt. There has probably never been any man in this community who could influence other strong men to the same degree with Judge Whitworth. He has a just estimate of his own powers and has a correct estimate of his own measure, and for this reason has never allowed himself to assume a position or be thrust into relations of personal embarrassment from which he could not extricate himself with dignity.
His sense of justice and fair dealing and his reputation for integrity are such that testators have frequently left to him the administration of large estates without exacting the usual bond, and in no instance has any one had occasion to regret having done so. Judge Whitworth has to a marked degree had the courage of his convictions. He has none of the cunning, or even of the prudence, of what is called "policy;" but has always been clear, well-defined, outspoken, and vigorous. Now that he is growing old, and to a great degree retired from the activities of life, it can be truly and appropriately said of him that he has been a useful man to his com- munity, his Church, and his State; and his absence has been already felt alike in public affairs and in private trusts, especially in the case of the weak and dependent, who could always confidently apply to him to in- struct them in their ignorance and to guide them in their doubts and hes- itation. Throughout his married life he has been so fortunate as to have had the " sweet counsel " of a devoted Christian wife, to whom he is in- debted and to whom he is grateful for a happy home and household, and whose gentle character has largely molded and fashioned his own robust nature.
THOMAS WILLIAM WRENNE, President of the United Electric Railway, is of Irish descent, Catholic religion, and was born in Rockbridge Coun- ty, Va., within a few miles of Lexington, December 1, 1851. He was the third son of John and Margaret Wrenne, in a family of seven chil- dren-five sons and two daughters. His parents removed from Virginia to Nashville in the latter part of 1859. His father was a man of superior attainments in theoretical and practical mechanics. His mother possessed
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HISTORY OF NASHVILLE.
a strong Christian character; was zealous in her religious duties, and charitable in the fullest sense. Both were students, and placed great value upon the benefits of education. Although not wealthy, they suc- ceeded in giving to each of their children a good English education.
With the exception of a few months the entire school life of the sub- ject of this sketch was passed in the public schools of Nashville; where, in 1870, having completed the highest course, he was awarded a diploma. Soon after leaving school he was appointed to a clerkship in the office of the Clerk and Master of Davidson County, by the Hon. Morton B. Howell.
Hon. Nathaniel Baxter, Jr., succeeded Mr. Howell as Clerk and Master, and re-appointed Mr. Wrenne to the same position under his administration. Mr. Wrenne remained in this office until he resigned to accept a position as book-keeper in a large wholesale house in this city, but was soon ap- pointed Secretary, Treasurer, and Superintendent of the South Nashville Street Railroad Company. While in this position, in 1875, he married Clara Virginia Hebesstreit, of Bavarian descent, and the second daugh- ter of John Frederick and Virginia Hebenstreit. He managed the affairs of the street railroad company so well that it was soon put on a dividend paying basis, and continued to serve in this capacity until Hon. Robert Ewing, having succeeded Mr. Baxter as Clerk and Master, offered him the chief deputyship in his office, which he accepted, and during his lei- sure hours studied law. He was licensed to practice and admitted to the bar, and resigned his position to commence the practice of law. He suc- cessfully pursued this profession until 1882, when he was appointed Clerk and Master of the Court, serving the full term of his appointment with satisfaction to all concerned. As Clerk and Master he was Receiver of the Bank of Tennessee, and closed up the affairs of that corporation in the most satisfactory manner.
Mr. Wrenne for several years took an active part in politics. He has been a delegate to all the State conventions, gubernatorial and judicial, held within the last fifteen years, and has been Chairman of the Demo- cratic Executive Committee of the county and member for Davidson on the Congressional Committee for this district. In the Democratic con- vention that fixed the terms of settlement of the indebtedness of the State he advocated its payment in full; and although this view was not adopted, yet, under a resolution offered by him, he was successful in having incor- porated as a condition of the settlement that all State bonds held by char- itable or educational institutions should be paid in full.
He is a strong advocate of free and pure elections, and abhors corrupt practices in politics as much as in any other of life's affairs. He was a
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member of the City Council for several terms, until he declined re-election. For more than fifteen years he has been a member of the Board of Edu- cation of Nashville, is yet a member of that body, and is a strong friend of the public school system. The Tarbox and Caldwell schools for white children, and the Pearl school for colored children, were erected under resolutions originally prepared by him.
After retiring from the office of Clerk and Master Mr. Wrenne resumed the practice of the law, and continued thus engaged until elected Pres- ident of the McGavock and Mount Vernon Horse Railroad Company (which was the first to introduce electric cars in Nashville ), when he gave up his law practice to discharge the duties of this position. He projected the Summer Street and West Nashville Street Railroad Company, and was one of the largest stockholders, which resulted by consolidation with the McGavock and Mount Vernon Horse Railroad Company in building a double-track railroad from the center of the city to and beyond Van- derbilt University, and additional lines along Church Street and NcNairy Street in the western part of the city, and from the Cumberland River along Broad to Spruce Street. The effect of these improvements was among other things to give a great impetus to values of real estate in the western part of the city, and to cause the city to build up in that direction more rapidly than in any other. He projected and was the largest indi- vidual stockholder in the City Electric Railway, which was the first ex- clusively electric railway in the city, and the first street railroad company to build the line and operate cars to Mount Olivet and Mount Calvary Cem- eteries. Subsequently in the consolidation of all the street railroads in the city he was elected President of the consolidated company known as the United Electric Railway, which then enjoyed the distinction of being the largest, most efficiently equipped, and successfully operated electric rail- road in existence. He is a stockholder and director in many of the prom- inent corporations doing business in the city. He has probably declined as many positions of trust in the nature of directorships, guardianships of minors, and administrator of estates as any man of his age in Nashville, as a rule when declining same pleading want of time to properly dis- charge the duties pertaining to the trust.
He has been active in developing the iron industries of the State, and was a director in the Ætna, La Grange, and Wayne Iron Companies, three of the largest charcoal iron furnaces and properties in Tennessee until absorbed by the Southern Iron Company, in which he is a director. He is also a stockholder and director in the Tennessee Fair Association, which was incorporated to develop the live stock and agricultural indus- tries of the State, and was one of the original projectors of this Associa-
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tion. He has also been connected with the newspaper business, having at one time been a large stockholder in and Vice-president and General Manager of the Union and American Publishing Company.
Mr. Wrenne is well known for his liberal views in all matters, whether religious, political, or business; and yet he is of the most decided char- acter and opinions on all matters of importance. He is a man of strong friendships, and among his most intimate and best friends, living and dead, are ranked the ablest and most distinguished men in the city of Nashville and Tennessee. He is public-spirited, generous, and charita- ble; and in contributing to religious, charitable, or educational institu- tions he makes no distinctions, believing that the principle of the " gold- en rule " should govern here as elsewhere.
Every member of his family developed marked character for execu- tive work. Each of his three brothers now living have filled and now fill positions requiring ability and tact. M. J. C. Wrenne, the oldest brother, is now the General Superintendent of the Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway, conceded to be the best operated road in the South. He is widely known as a successful railroad officer. James L. Wrenne, the second brother, was for several years the Superintendent of the South Nashville Street Railroad Company. David P. Wrenne, the youngest brother, is Superintendent of the La Grange Furnace, one of the largest charcoal iron furnaces in the South. All have attained success by strict. attention to business, energy, and integrity of character.
NOTE TO VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY.
SINCE writing the history of Vanderbilt University, as it appears in the chapter on Education, attention has been called to the fact that before the university idea, as connected with the General Conference of 1870, was abroad in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, a movement was orig- inated in 1857, by Bishop Soule and Dr. A. L. P. Green, looking to the establishment of Central University of the General Conference of this Church; and on January 7, 1858, the Legislature passed an act charter- ing the proposed university. The names of the incorporators were: Joshua Soule, James O. Andrew, Robert Paine, George T. Pierce, John Early, H. H. Kavanaugh, A. L. P. Green, J. B. McFerrin, John W. Hanner, William B. Campbell, Jonathan McDonald, W. R. Elliston, John P. Ford, Thomas L. Maddin, and James C. Malone. This charter was prepared by Bishop Soule and Dr. Green, with the assistance of Dr. J. H. Callender. The General Conference of the M. E. Church, South, was to have supervision of the above-named Board of Trustees; and the Board of Trustees was given power " to establish at Nashville a univer- sity, comprising an academic or literary department, a scientific, and such other departments as they may see proper." The Board of Trustees was given full power to 'prescribe the course of study and discipline, and to elect from their own number, or otherwise, a President of the university, who should be, ex officio, President of the Board of Trustees, etc. The act also incorporated a department for instruction in the various branches of medical science, under the name and style of " The Shelby Medical College of Central University of the General Conference of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, South," the faculty of which was named in the act, as follows: John P. Ford, Thomas A. Atchison, William P. Jones, Thomas L. Maddin, and John H. Callender, who were invested with power to increase the number of members in the faculty to ten, if neces- sary. A Law Department was also incorporated, in which was to be taught all branches of legal science usually taught in the most approved schools in the United States; and the following-named persons were to constitute the Board of Trustees of this department: Milton Brown, John , S. Brien, Andrew Ewing, A. S. Colyar, Robert C. Foster, Sr., Charles
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W. Moorman, and Thomas Martin. This board was invested with power to fill vacancies in its own number and to elect the faculty, etc.
On May 31, 1858, the General Conference of the Church, held at Nashville, adopted the following preamble and resolutions :
" Whereas the charter of the Central University of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, obtained from the Legislature of the State of Tennes- see, has been presented to this Conference for its reception; and where- as this Conference has no organized existence except during its sessions, which occur but once in four years, which is too seldom for the practical management of said institution, and it is not therefore expedient that this Conference receive said charter; therefore,
" Resolved, That the Tennessee Annual Conference, at its next session, take into consideration the propriety of receiving said institution under its care and management; and that any other Annual Conference that may choose to do so, join the Tennessee Conference in this measure; and that measures be taken to have the charter so changed as to conform it to such an arrangement."
Central University ( afterward Vanderbilt University ) was organized on this plan-viz., by co-operating Annual Conferences. But before this plan was finally adopted there was long and earnest discussion in the Gen- eral Conference of 1870 over the question of establishing a Theological Institute, separate and apart from the Biblical chairs connected with the colleges then in existence. At length, on May 17, the latter idea em- braced in the minority report of the Committee on Education was adopt- ed by the Conference. The university idea was, however, afterward again taken up and prevailed, as is shown in the history of Vanderbilt University, on page 412.
INDEX.
Adair, the English Traveler, 35, 40. Adams, A. G., 574. Adath Israel Congregation, 498. Additions to the Corporate Limits of the City, 151, 152. Address to the People of Tennessee, by Neill S. Brown, 188. Aldermen of Nashville, 119. American Legion of Honor, Grand Council, 562.
American Medical Association, 540. American National Bank, 294. American Presbyterian, 353. Ancient Order of United Workmen, 563. Anderson, Joseph, 508. Annexation of Texas, 167. Anzeiger des Sudens, 371. Arlington Street Church, 461. Articles of Agreement, 73, 506. Atchison, T. A., M.D. 530. Atchison, W. A., M.D., 529. Aurora Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F., 560.
Bailey, Francis, Visits Nashville, 92. Banks and Building Associations, 260. Bank of Commerce, 297. Bank of the State of Tennessee, 264 Banner of Peace, 351. Baptist Churches, 475. Baptist Family Visitor, 353. Baptist, The, 352. Baptist Reflector, The, 368.
Baptist Standard, The, 353. Baptist Watchman, 369. Barges and Keel-boats, 302. Battle of the Bluff, The, 79. Battle of King's Mountain, 84 Battle of Lexington, 55. Battle of Nashville, 198. Battle of New Orleans, 164. Battle of Nick-a-jack, 83. Baxter, Jere, 578. Baxter, Nathaniel, 577. Bean, Captain, 49. Bell's, James T., Commercial Reviews, 249. Bell, John, 518. Belmont Collegiate School, 438. Bench and Bar, 506.
Berry, Dr. Daniel, First Principal of Nash- ville Female Academy, 399. Bilbo Avenue Church, 461. Black Bob's Tavern, 90. Blackburn, Rev. Gideon, 465.
Blackie, George S., M.D., 530. Blakemore Chapel, 462.
Board of Health, 135, 140, 144; Chartered, 147.
Board of Public Works and Affairs, 151.
Boone, Daniel, 41, 50.
Bowling, W. K., M.D., 531. Branch Bank of the United States, 268, 281.
Brennan's Select School, 434.
Brick Church Turnpike, 326. Bridge across the Cumberland, 102, 306.
Bridge, Present across Cumberland, 327. Briggs, C. S., M.D., 530.
Briggs, W. T., M.D., 542, 580.
Brown, Colonel Jacob, Leases Lands from Indians, 53. Brown, Governor John C., 582. Brown, William L., 518. Brownlow's Appointments to Judgeships, 514. Brush Electric Light and Power Company, 232. .
Buchanan, A. H., M.D., 528. Buena Vista, Battle of, 178.
Buena Vista Turnpike, 326. Building Associations, 299.
Buist, John R., M.D., 533, 586.
Burch, Colonel John C., 347, 588. Burns, Michael, 330, 590. Burr, Aaron, Visits Nashville, 97. Bush, W. G. & Son, 234.
Callender, John II., M.D., 532. Cameron, Alexander, British Indian Agent, 53. Campbell, George W., 516. Campbell, William B., 165. Canton R. H. Barry, No. I, I. O. O. F., 560. Capital City Bank, 297.
Capital City Electric Company, 233.
Carpet Bag Rule, 514. Catholic Knights of America, 563. Catron, John, First Chief-justice of Tennes- see, 511, 518.
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INDEX.
Cemeteries, 543. Central Baptist Church, 483. Central Tennessee College, 428. Cerro Gordo, Battle of, 179. Chancery Court, 511. Chancery Court for Davidson County, 512. Charleville, M., Came to Nashville, 38. Charleston Convention, The, 184. Cheatham, W. A., M.D., 530. Cherokee and Creeks Attack Settlers, 76. Cherry-Morrow Manufacturing Company, 228.
Chickamauga Indians, 57. Cholera, Asiatic, 138, 140. Cholera in Nashville, 524. Christ Episcopal Church, 488. Christian Advocate, The, 350.
Christian Magazine, The, 353.
Christian Record, The, 349. Christian Unionist, The, 354.
Church and Spruce Street Railroad, 337. Church History, 453.
Church of the Advent, 491.
Church of the Assumption, 501. Church of the Seven Dolors, 500.
Church Street Mills, 222.
Circuit Courts, 509. City Cemetery, 543. City Electric Railway, 339. City Mills, The, 222. City Savings Bank, 298. Civilization Dependent on Geography, 17. Civil War, The, 180. Claiborne Lodge, No. 293, 558.
Claiborne Machine Works, 221.
Clark's, Mrs. M. E., School, 433. Climate of Nashville, 24, 25.
Cockrill, M. R., 593. Cole, E. W., 332, 596.
Colored Baptist Churches, 502. Colored Christian Church, 504. Colored Churches, 501. Colored Congregational Churches, 504.
Colored M. E. Churches, 503. Colored M. E. Churches, South, 504. Colored Primitive Baptist Churches, 505. Coltart's, John, School, 385. Commerce of the Cumberland, 313. Commerce with Indians, 39. Commercial Club, 259. Commercial Crisis of 1837, 284.
Commercial National Bank, 296. Commercial Reporter, The, 371. Committee of Vigilance and Safety, 191.
Confederate Cemetery, 547.
Confederate Monumental Association, 547- Constitution of Tennessee Amended, 104. Constitution, The, 359.
Corinthian Lodge, No. 414, 559. Cottage Presbyterian Church, 470. Cotton Seed Oil Mill in Nashville, 221.
Councilmen of Nashville, 123. Counting a Quorum, 206, 208.
Court of Law and Equity for Davidson Coun -- ty, 89.
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 507. Crabb, Henry, 518.
Crabtree Makes Trouble, 53.
Craighead, David, 518.
Craighead, Rev. T. B., 465.
Crozat's, Anthony, Schemes, 37.
Cumberland Chapter, No. I, R. A. M., 559.
Cumberland Church, 473.
Cumberland College, 89, 381, 385.
Cumberland, Duck, and Elk Rivers; What: They Are Doing, 19.
Cumberland Lodge, No. 8, 557, 558
Cumberland Lodge, No. 60, 558.
Cumberland Magazine, 353.
Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publica- tion, 237.
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