USA > Tennessee > Bedford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 72
USA > Tennessee > Marshall County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 72
USA > Tennessee > Wilson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 72
USA > Tennessee > Maury County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 72
USA > Tennessee > Williamson County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 72
USA > Tennessee > Rutherford County > History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties, besides a valuable fund of notes, reminiscences, observations, etc., etc, Vol.2 > Part 72
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DR. H. JOSEPH WARMUTH. a prominent physician of Rutherford County. was born January 19, 1840, in the City of Mexico, and is the son of Joseph and Maria (Munoz) Warmuth, natives, respectively. of Bavaria and Madrid, Spain. The father, an importer of merchandise in Mexico died in 1859 in that city. Our subject was reared in the City of Mexico until he reached his sixth year; he was then taken to New Orleans, and from there to Paris where he commenced his studies in a preparatory school. then at Lycee Bonaparte: finished a literary course at the gymnasium at Wurzburg and entered the university at the same place as medical student. After his father's death he returned to the United States and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1862. During the late war he entered the army as a private in the Ninth Georgia Battalion, Artillery, and was promoted to first assistant surgeon in the same, after passing the Medical Army Examining Board, at Chattanoogo. March 23, 1863, he was promoted to surgeon in the same command, and passed the examination at Shelbyville, Tenn. After the battle of Chickamauga, he was sent to the rear as hospital surgeon, at Marietta, Rome. and Covington, Ga. In the fall of 1864 he returned to Johnston's army as surgeon of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Texas Regiments. After the Franklin fight he took charge of the Thirty-seventh Georgia Infantry, and was left by Forrest in charge of all the hospitals between Smyrna and Mur- freesboro, Tenn. After the war he began the practice of medicine in Atlanta. Ga., where he remained until January, 1866, when he moved to Tennessee and married Miss Mary Worsham Peebles, born in this county in 1846, and the daughter of Mr. Isham R. Peebles. To Mr. and Mrs. Warmuth were born three children: Sallie A., Laura (deceased), and Mitchell P. W. Dr. Warmuth has practiced .his profession ever since in this county. In politics he is a Democrat. and has held the offce of president of Rutherford County Medical Society, and vice-president of the medical society of the State of Tennessee. He is a Master Mason, an Odd Fellow and member of Encampment, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church.
FRANCIS WHITING WASHINGTON, a well-known and prosperous farmer and citizen of Rutherford County, is the son of Francis Whiting and Elizabeth Mason (Hall) Washington. Our subject is a descendant of John Washington, who was an uncle of George Washington and a grandson of the original John Washington, who immigrated to the United States from the North of England in 1657. Francis Whiting Washington, the father of our subject, was born in Frederick or Clark County, Va., in 1781, and was educated at Liberty Hall, Lexington, Va., afterward called Washington College. In 1906
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or 1808 he immigrated to Tennessee, settling first in Franklin. Williamson County, where, in 1813, he married, and soon after moved to Logan County, Ky. By this union he had five sons: Beverly, James, Allen H., John and Francis Whiting. In 1884 he removed to Nashville, in order to facilitate the education of his children, and afterward to Augusta. Ga., where he died at the residence of his son. Dr. Beverly Washington, in 1871. All the sous have died, with the exception of our subject, who is the sole survivor of the family He resided at Nashville from 1834 until his marriage, which occurred soon after attaining his majority, to Miss Sarah Catharine Crockett. He then removed to this county, where he has since resided on the Ancient Manor of Springfield, except during the late war, when he served with distinction in the Confederate Army. Springfield is a majestic and antique mansion on the bank of Overalls Creek, and was built in 1814. Our subject's wife was a descendant from the Virginia Crocketts. Her grandfather, Col. Anthony Crockett, was a first cousin of the famous David Crockett. Our subject's married life has been blessed with three children: William Hunter, America Isabella (deceased) and John Henry.
SAMUEL B. WATKINS, an old and prominent farmer of Rutherford County, Tenn .. and one of the early settlers of the county, was born in Montgomery County. Md., April 18, 1813, being a son of Thomas S. and Mary (Magruder) Watkins. Samuel B. Watkins was raised with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, securing but a limited educa- tion. He then engaged in business with his father, who was a contractor on the Chesa- peake & Ohio Canal. He witnessed the first shovel of dirt taken in the construction of that famous canal in 1829, and worked with his father until 1830, at which time his father retired. He then, with his two brothers, succeeded their father in contracting on this work. In 1840 he immigrated to Texas staying in that country six months; he then came to this county in 1841, purchasing his present farm, where he has since lived. Mr. Wat- kins is a Democrat in politics and did not take any active part in the lat . war, but sym- pathized with the Southern cause, as he had one son in the Southern Army. Himself and family are leading members of the Methodist Church. In 1842 Samuel B. Watkins was united in marriage to Miss Mary Anne Wade, a native of this county and daughter of Walter Wade, one of the pioneer settlers of this county. They have five children by this union, of which only two are living. viz .: Samuel S. and Mary S., wife of William Roberts, a well-known farmer of this county. The death of Mrs. Watkins, which was a sad blow to the bereaved family and friends, occurred September 8, 1877. Mr. Watkins is classed among the energetic and successful farmers of the county and is justly recognized as a moral, upright citizen.
ADALINE W. WATKINS, widow of Col. Wilson L. Watkins, was born in Virginia March 6, 1815, and is the daughter of Ambrose and Mary (Hartwell) Howse. Wilson L. Watkins, one of the first settlers of this county, was born in Maryland in 1802. and came to this county when quite young. He was the son of Thomas and Catharine (McGrudy) Watkins, both natives of Maryland. Col. W. Watkins was a Democrat in politics and held the office of sheriff of this county for eight years and for many years was colonel of the militia in this State; his death, which was a sad blow to the bereaved family and friends, occurred in March, 1861. He was a strong Union man up to the time of his death. In January, 1851, Mr. Watkins was united in marriage to Mrs. Adaline W. Howse. the subject of this sketch, and by this union two children were born: Louise S., wife of Jerome Winford, a farmer of this State, and Wilson L. Mrs. Adaline Watkins had three children by her first union, which was with Hubbard P. Wilkinson, in 1832. These chil- dren are Mary E., widow of Col. Thomas B. Johnson, William A. and George HI. The mother lives on the farm and with the help of her oldest son, William A., carries ou farm- ing and stock raising. She and family are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and justly recognized as one of the leading families in the county.
JAMES E. WENDEL, M. D., one of the leading practitioners of Rutherford County, Tenn., was born at Cheek's Cross Roads, Jefferson Co., Tenn., November 29. 1812. He is the eldest son of four surviving members of the fantily of David and Sarah H. (Neilson)
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Wendel. David Wendel was born in Virginia and removed to Tennessee with his father, Christopher Wendel, at or shortly before the beginning of the present century. The family located on a farm near Nashville, where our subject's grandparents spent the re- mainder of their lives. In 1801 David was apprenticed to his uncle in a mercantile busi- ness in East Tennessee, remaining with him in the capacity of a clerk until March, 1806, when he married our subject's mother, who was a native of that section of the State. and succeeded his uncle in business. continuing there until August. 1817. He then re- moved to Rutherford County and established a store in Murfreesboro, which he conducted successfully until 1839. After that date he retired from active life, having accumulated sufficient means by his frugal and industrious habits in early life to enable him to spend his declining years in peace and comparative luxury and ease. He was one of the most active politicians of the county in his day. and gained considerable local notoriety for his antagonistical views to Gen. Jackson's administration. basing his views upon the grounds that no military man should hold civil office. Notwithstanding this opposition to Jack- son he was postmaster of Murfreesboro, under as well as before and after that gentle- man's term of office. He was a strict Presbyterian in his religious views, as was also his wife, who died in August, 1838, followed by her husband October 8. 1840. There were few, if any, better or more enterprising and reliable pioneer citizens of Rutherford County than was David Wendel. James E. Wendel. the immediate subject of this sketch, se- cured a good literary education in his boyhood days. He took a common school and clas- sical course in this county and then after a four years' attendance at the Nashville Uni- versity, graduated from that institution in 1831. Returning home he entered the office of his uncle. Dr. Patrick D. Neilson, under whom he read medicine until 1834, when he en. tered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia and remained there during the winter and summer months continuously for a period of eighteen months, when his health failed him, and abandoning his studies he traveled rather extensively through the New England States, Canada, and finally re- turned home, but the following fall returned to the university, where in the winter of 1836 he was elected a resident physician of Blockley Hospital, Philadelphia. He held the position one year, when he resumed his studies at the university, from which he graduated in 1839. Returning home the Doctor entered into the practice of his profession in this city. And the fact alone that after nearly fifty years residence in our midst, during which time he has given his whole time, attention and en- ergy to the success and advancement of his profession, and yet retains a large and lu- crative practice, speaks more highly in his favor than words or pen can portray. Dr. Wendel is Democratic in politics, although he was formerly a warm advocate for the principles of the Whig party until it ceased to exist. He is a zealous member of the Presbyterian Church of this city, and is justly recognized as one among the leading and successful members of the medical profession of Middle Tennessee and an enterprising and reliable citizen of our county.
ROBERT S. WENDEL. M. D., brother af Dr. James E. Wendel, and a well-known and successful physician of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was born in Rutherford County July 14. 1821. He secured a good literary education in his early days, and in 1839 began the study of medicine with a view to making it his profession for life. He graduated from the med- ical department of the University of Louisville, Ky., in March, 1843. He first began the practice of medicine in Mississippi, where he remained six years; then returned home, where he has since been wholly engaged in the practice of his profession. meeting with good and well deserved success. In 1852 the Doctor was united in mar- riage to Emma C. James, a native of Virginia. They have ten living children by this union-one son and nine daughters. Dr. Wendel is Democratic in his political views, although like his brother, he was formerly an old-line Whig. During the late war the Doctor participated in it in his professional capacity as hospital surgeon for a term of three years, being stationed during the time at Dalton, Marietta and Forsyth, Ga., and Columbus, Miss. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
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Church South, and he is one of the acknowledged enterprising and reliable citizens of our county, and a physician of equally high standing.
DR. BARTLEY N. WHITE, a widely known and eminently successful practitioner. was born in this county August 16, 1841, and is a son of Burrell G. and Mary (Donley) White, natives, respectively, of Tennessee and Ireland. The father was an enterprising merchant and farmer, and departed this life October 31, 1884. He was a consistent mem- ber of the Christian Church. The mother still survives him and is a resident of this county. Our subject is a graduate of the University of Nashville, and is one of the class of 1867. He was married in May of that year to Sue Ransom, of Bedford County, and five children have blessed their union: Walter M., Sallie W., William R., Burrell G. and Bartley N. The Doctor took an active part in the late war, enlisting in May, 1861, in Company F, Second Tennessee Infantry, serving in the capacity of sergeant for three years. He was captured July 20, 1864, at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., and was a prisoner nine months. At the expiration of that time he was exchanged. He was on parole for sixty days, and during that time the surrender of the Confederate Army was announced. The Doctor is a Democrat of the most pronounced class, and is at present a candidate for and will probably be elected clerk of the circuit court. He and wife are. members of the Christian Church, and are recognized as prominent and influential citizens of the com- munity in which they reside.
FRANK WHITE, postmaster at Murfreesboro. Tenn., first saw the light of day August 5, 1843, son of Burrell G. and Mary M. (Donley) White, natives, respectively. of Tennessee and the Emerald Isle. Our subject was brought up to the mercantile business by his father, and secured a good business education. At the breaking out of the Rebel- lion he was chosen second lieutenant of Company E, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry. and served until the reorganization of the company a year later, when he was made first lieu- tenant. After the close of the war he returned home and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1878 he was appointed deputy clerk of the county court, and removed to Murfreesboro. In December, 1885, he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of Murfreesboro, . and is now discharging the duties of that office. March 6, 1866, he wedded Miss Joe E. Miller. They have three children living: Mary L., Kate and Frankie. Mr. White is a Democrat and a member of the K. of H. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
LEVI B. WHITE was born in Tennessee February 18, 1813. son of Henry and Eliza- beth (Ward) White, natives, respectively, of this State and North Carolina. The father's family were old settlers of the county. and were prominent people of their das, and he was an old-time Whig. He was strictly exact in all his business transactions, and his death occurred in 1855. The mother died in 1815. Levi B. White, our subject. was reared on a farm by his uncle, Levi White, and secured a common school education in the old log schoolhouse of long ago. When thirty years of age he began farming for himself. and has met with good success in that work. July 7, 1846. he was married to Miss Eliza J. Hall, born in Alabama. She died April 25, 1865, having borne these children: Sallie B. (Alexander), Henry H., Kate (Goodloe), John M. and James L. In August, 1867. Mr. White was married to his second wife, Mrs. Kate Mays, widow of Samuel Mays and sister of his first wife. They have one child. Azile. Mr. White is a Democrat in politics, and he and family are members of the Methodist Church. He is very prosperous, and owns from 1,000 to 1,100 acres of good land.
WILLIAM B. WHITE was born near Gallatin, Sumner Co., Tenn., September 10, 1814, and is a son of Stephen and Jane (Bell) White, natives, respectively, of North Caro- lina and Tennessee. The father was one of the early educators of Sumner County, and was a school-teacher in that part of the State for many years. He was a farmer of con- siderable note and his death occurred in 1821. The mother died in 1859. William B. made his home with his uncle, John Bell, of Gallatin, and served an apprenticeship at tailoring, and followed that occupation for ten years. He removed to Minton in 1833 and began merchandising there in 1844. In 1855 he purchased a farm south of Milton on which
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he remained five years and then purchased his present farm. June 5. 1850. he was married to Miss Martha C. Peebles, a native of the State. and daughter of George Peebles. They have four children: Sarah J. (deceased). wife of George Martin; Martha F. (wife of R. T. Knox); George A. and William Thomas. Mr White was twice married. his first wife being Sarah A. Wilson, who died March 13. 1847. He was the father of four children by this union: Hugh L. (died in 1862), John H. (died in 1870), Elizabeth A. (wife of W. J. Hooper) and Mary A. Mr. White is a Democrat and he and wife are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. He is good farmer and takes considerable interest in stock raising.
JOHN V. WHITE. merchant, of Murfreesboro. Tenn .. is a native of Monroe County, Miss., born September 24. 1850. His parents were Peyton H. and Saralı (Lee) White. The father died in Mississippi and the mother still resides in that State. John V. was reared on a Mississippi plantation and secured a good practical education in his boyhood days. In 1877, he came to Murfreesboro. Tenn., and was salesman in a mercantile store two years. He then engaged in the same business for himself and has continued to the present time, meeting with good and well deserved success. Mr. White started in business with a limited capital and small stock, but by industry, economy and strict busi- ness integrity has climbed the ladder of success until he now is one of the first merchants of the city, and controls a large. share of the trade in city and county. April 15. 1882. wit- nessed the celebration of his nuptials with Miss Bettie Jarrett. of this county. They have one son named Thomas V. Mr. White's political views are Democratic, and he and wife are members of Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is justly considered one of the relia- ble and prosperous business men of Murfreesboro.
DR. WILLIAM WHITSON was born near Nashville. Tenn., August 22, 1821, and is a son of George and Mary (Deth) Whitson, both natives of Virginia, and the father a skilled mechanic and farmer. He was a worthy member of the Christian Church and died about 1840. The mother was a devout Methodist and died in 1833. The subject of this sketch was a member of the first class that graduated from the Nashville University of Medicine. He was married the 22d of February, 1844, to Miss Mernira Newman; to them were born two children, one now living, Lurenza D., a resident of Columbia. N. C. Mrs. Whitson died December 31. 1849, and the Doctor took for his second wife Maria E. Phillips, November 6.1850. To them were born five children, three now living: George D., Hygene and William W. On the 3d of November, 1885, the Doctor's second wife died. She, as well as the first wife, was an carnest inember of the Christian Church. Dr. Whitson -was an active participant in the late war, being surgeon of the Forty-fifth Tennessee Regi- ment, and served two years. Owing to ill health he resigned his commission and returned home. He is an enthusiastic Democrat and a worthy and consistent member of the Christ- ian Church. He has a thorough knowledge of his profession and is doing well finan- cially.
CHESLEY WILLIAM S, a retired merchant of Eagleville. was born in Williamson County. July 22, 1809, and is the son of James and Sallie (Allison) Williams, both natives of North Carolina. The subject of this sketch was married December 9, 1830, to Miss Elizabeth Jordan, and to this union were born eight children, namely: Martha J., wife of Whit. Ransom; Mary V., wife of Joseph Ransom: James C .; Macon S .. wife of Dr. W. H. McCord; Sophia P., wife of S. K. Lowe; Fannie F., wife of Prof. Savage: Emma, wife of Jesse E. Sullivan. and Robert E. Mr. Williams did not take an active part in the late war, but had a son in the Confederate Army, and for that reason his sympathies were with the South, and yet he was always in favor of the union of States. Mr. Williams is an old- line Whig. He has served his county in the capacity of magistrate for a number of years. and was postmaster at Eagleville for thirty years. He and his wife are devout and con- sistent members of the Baptist Church, and are respected by all who know them.
JAMES C. WILLIAMS, a prominent and successful merchant, was born in William- son County, Tenn., September 22, 1842, and is the son of Chesley and Elizabeth (Jordan) Williams, both of whom are natives of Tennessee. The father served as magistrate for a number of years and was postmaster at Eagleville for thirty years. The subject of
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this sketch was married November 12, 1868, to Miss Mary T. McLean, and their wedded life has been blessed by seven children. namely: Minnie. Samuel. James C., Horace. Granville. Edward L. and Thomas S. Mr. Williams took an active part in the late war, shouldered his musket, and in 1862, enlisted in Company C. Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, and served in that capacity with Maj. Deering until the close of the war. Mr. Williams is now a Democrat. formerly a Whig. He and wife are worthy and consistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and are respected and esteemed as kind neighbors and excellent citizens.
JOHN A. WILLIAMSON. a successful farmer and saw-mill owner, was born in this county May 24. 1845, and is the son of Thomas and Jane (Jordon) Williamson, both native- of this State. Our subject was united in marriage November 28, 1865, to Miss Lizzie Faris, and became the father of eight children: Charles T., Horace S., Eula D., Sue MI .. Abbie L., Richard W., Maggie E. and Alfred F. Mr. Williamson took an active part in the war, enlisting in Company D, Twenty-fourth Tennessee Infantry, was honorably dis- charged in 1863, but re-enlisted. after a few months' recreation, in Company D. Twenty- first Tennessee Cavalry, serving with that company until the close of the war. Mr. Will- iamson is a Democrat with prohibition tendencies. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are justly recognized as influential citizens of the community in which they live.
JOSEPH T. B. WILSON. a cotton dealer, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., established his business in that city in 1874. He controls the leading trade in his line (cotton-ginning) in · the county, and is doing well financially. He was born in the "Keystone State" at New Castle, and is a son of John and Martha (Graham) Wilson, who were natives, respectively, of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The father was a merchant for a number of years and afterward became a successful tiller of the soil in Pennsylvania. The subject of this memoir, Joseph T. B. Wilson, spent his boyhood days at work on the home farm and in attending the common schools, where he received a good education. He located in Mur- freesboro, Tenn., about 1874 and engaged in his present occupation, at which he has since been steadily engaged. He does an annual business of about $40,000 and is always strictly accurate in his business transactions and prompt in the discharge of his duties. Mr. Wil- son is a strong supporter of Republican principles, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
MAJ. JOHN WOODS, the well-known and highly respected chairman of the Rutherford County Court, was born to the marriage of Thomas Woods and Susan Baldridge, who were both natives of Orange County, N. C., and came to this county after their marriage, in the spring of 1807. Thomas Woods was one of the sturdy pioneer black- smiths of Rutherford County and he plied his trade on Overall Creek, also in Murfreesboro. a number of years. In 1827 he removed to near Hickman, Ky., where he died in March. 1838. Our subject was born in Rutherford County. September, 11, 1807, and spent his youthful days on the farm and in his father's shop. Like his father he was a natural mechanic, but was prevented early in life from following his father's trade, by meeting with an accident which permanently disabled his left hand and arm. His early education was such as could be procured by a few months attendance each year at the subscription schools, held in the primitive "log structures," which were common at that early day. In May, 1827. Mr. Woods entered public life by being elected. by the court. to the office of constable of the district on ()verall Creek. He served in this position two terms of two years each; then engaged in the grocery business one year at Middleton, this county. and thence until 1833 was engaged as clerk in Murfreesboro. During 1833-34 he was en- gaged in business for himself again at Salem. In the latter year he repaired to his farm. to which he devoted his entire time and labors until 1840, when he was elected register of the county, serving by re-election until 1848. During his term of office he served also as deputy clerk of the county court. In 1848 he was elected clerk of the county court, filling this office by re-election until 1856. It is a fact worthy of recording that Maj. Wood- popularity as an official, as was evinced by his almost continous terin of office, for nearly
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