USA > Tennessee > History of Tennessee from the earliest time to the present : together with an historical and a biographical sketch of from twenty-five to thirty counties of east Tennessee, V.2 > Part 43
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The following persons have been officers of the county since its organization:
Sheriffs-John McCroskey, 1820-30; John Henderson, 1830-32; James A. Haire 1832-34; James Vaughn, 1831-39; M. Henderson, 1938-44; Abraham Dyer, 1844-46; James H. Alexander, 1846-50; James A. Wright, 1850-52; Robert Russell, 1853-54; Robert Parks, 1854-56; John C. Vaughn. 1836-62; A. B. Clift, 1862-64; J. J. Crippen, 1864-70; J. McMul- lin, 1870-12: J. E. Houston, 1872-76; J. C. Warren, 1876-80; W. F. Ghormley, 1880-84; B. B. Hunt, 1894.
Clerks of the county court-William S. Blair, 1820-30; William S. Calloway, 1930-36: James M. Brayles, 1936-42; John 1. Stephens, 1942-56; A. T. Hicks, 1856-64; B. C. Pet- tett, 1864-70; A. T. Hicks, 1870-74; Arch. Mason, 1874-78; D. E. Harris, 1878-86: W. N. Magill, 1886.
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MONROE COUNTY.
Clerks of the circuit court-John B. Tipton, 1820-36: E. H. Wear, 1836-40; Young L. Bicknell, 1840-44; E. E. Griffith, 1844-56; J. E. Houston, 1856-64; William M. Smith, 1864-70; E. E. Griffith, 1870-82; H. L. Isbill, 1882.
Clerks and masters-James A. Coffin, 1932-63; J. R. Robinson, 1863-65; S. P. Hale, 1865-76; J. E. Houston. 1876-87; V. Stickley, 1887.
Registers-John Grimes, 1820-25; Joseph Marshall, 1828-36: William Griffith, 1836-40; Josiah J. Orr, 1840-48; William G. Bogle, 1848-56; E. D. Malone, 1856-64; A. M. Peace, 1864-70; E. D. Malone, 1870-78; J. W. Williams, 1878-86; D. H. Joines. 1886.
Trustees-William Williams, 1860-70; Robert Russell, 1870-72; 1. A. McSpadden, 1872-76; Thomas D. Wilson, 1876-78; W. F. Hudson, 1878-82; J. C. Warren, 1882-84; J. M. Lee, 1884.
The permanent seat of justice for Monroe County was located about 1822, and previ- ous to 1830 was known as Tellico. Much to the regret of the later residents of the town, the Legislature of that year changed the name to Madisonville, in accordance with a peti- tion circulated by James Madison Greenway. The land upon which the town is built was donated to the county by Robert Snodgrass and John F. Henderson. The first commis- sioners were Charles Kelso, Samuel Bicknell, Jesse Melton, Indell D. Wright and J. Grif- fin The first stores were opened by Samuel Bicknell, John Edgar. Hambright Block and Samuel Blackburn. Among the other merchants who located in the town during the- succeeding year and previous to the civil war were Christopher McGinnis, Guilford Cannon, J. M. Greenway, Kelly & Upton, Stakely & Smith, William Henderson, Haire & Grant, Wesley Stephens, H. Wear, Joseph Johnson, J. A. & C. W. Coffin and Lasater & Dick- son. The first hotel was opened by Christopher McGinnis on the northeast corner of the public square. Another was opened soon after on the southwest corner by Samuel Bay- less. McGinnis was succeeded by John G. Glass, and later the house was kept by Dr. I. I. Morrow and Granville C. Torbett, the latter of whom served several terms in the Legislature, and at the beginning of the war was elected State treasurer. In 1832 a pub- lishing house was established by John F. Henderson and Samuel M. Johnson for the publication of "Gunn's Domestic Medicine." The business assumed large proportions, and several other works were issued among which were " The World's Wonder, " an expo- sition of Free Masonry; "Woodville," a novel; "The Botanic Physician," and other medical works. Henderson & Johnson were succeeded by B. Parker and J. E. Carter, who continued the business until some time in the forties. About 1834 a newspaper called the Hiwassee Patriot was established by A. W. Elder, who continued two or three years, when he removed to Athens. The Baptist Monitor, a religious paper edited by Rev. Woods, was also published two or three years, beginning about 1835. The first church in the town was probably a iog building erected by the Methodists, who are now occupy- ing their second frame house. Creed Fulton was one of the first local preachers, and George Aiken one of the first circuit riders. In 1824 or 1825 the Presbyterians built & brick church in the northeast part of town, which they occupied for about twenty years. At the end of that time their present house was erected. The first regular pastor was Robert McAlpin. He was succeeded by Elijah M. Eagleton. The Baptists also erected a house of worship soon after the town was laid out. It was a large log structure, and was occu- pied until about 1955, when it was succeeded by the present frame building. Among the early ministers of this denomination were William Ballew, George Snyder, Robert F. Sneed and John Scruggs. About 1841 a Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized. but no house of worship was erected until a short time before the war. A brick house was. then built which was occupied until about ten years ago, when it was torn down and a frame building erected.
About 1826 or 1827 a school known as Bolivar Academy was established by Rev. Creed Fulton, and soon after was made a county academy. Mr. Fulton continued as principal of the school for a few years, and was succeeded by A. H. Mathes. The latter's successor was Samuel H. Doak, who remained until 1841. From that time until 1550 no regular principal was employed, and the house was occupied by various persons teaching private schools. In 1848 the Legislature passed an act appointing a new board of trustees, and
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
ordering them to erect a building for a female department. This building was completed in June, 1850, and the school went into operation under the direction of Miss C. M. Melville, who continued as principal until 1854. From that time until the war the principal was S. M. Gaine. In 1854 a new building was erected for the male department. In 1865 Mr. S. P. Hale was installed as principal of both departments, which were then consolidated. Two years later R. H. Ramsey assumed charge of the female department. and from that time until 1850 the two departments were taught separately. In March of the latter year a new building was completed, in which is provided a room for each sex. The present principal is Prof. J. C. Hicks. In 1849 the Legislature passed an act incorporating Hiwassee College with the following board of trustees: John Key, Lewis Carter, John F. Galbraith, J. A. Coffin, W. M. Stakely, John B. Tipton. William Heiskell. J. B. Heiskell, I. T. Lenoir. Samuel Henderson, Sr., D. M. Key, Madison Clyburn, James Clyburn. Joseph Fooshee, George W. Gibson, N. W. Hawn, Elisha Griffith, William Dyer and John Hatten. The college had its origin in a school established in Fork Creek by Prof. Gibson. About 1845 it was removed to its present location, and at first occupied a Methodist Church. A camp-ground had been constructed adjoining the church, and many students took up quarters in the board structure erected there. Prof. Gibson was succeeded by Robert E. Doak, assisted by S. P. Hale, and under their instruc- tion the institution educated several men who have since achieved distinguished success in business and in the professions. The institution has ever maintained its high character, and is widely known for the excellence of its management. During more than a quarter of a century it has been under the direction of Rev. J. H. Brunner.
The largest town in Monroe County is Sweet Water, situated in the western portion of the county, on the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad. It was established in 1852 upon land owned by I. T. Lenoir and Henry Mayes. The first stores were opened by Haun & Stakely, McKeldin & Co . W. C. Lillard & Co., and Wright & Coffin. Among others who engaged in business prior to the war were J. H. Patton, John Fitzgerald: Boyd. Spillman & Vaughn; Wright, Williams & Co. and W. H. Taylor & Co. The first hotel was -opened by John C. Vaughn upon the site of the Monroe House. Buckner, Rowan & Mayes put into operation a grist mill in the building now occupied as a warehouse.
The first church was erected by the Presbyterians in 1857. The Methodists and Baptists each built houses soon after, and in 1876 a church was erected by Daniel Heiskell and donated to the Cumberland Presbyterians. The first school was the Sweet Water Union Institute, established in 1953 in the building now occupied by the Sweet Water Female Seminary. The latter institution was opened in 1886 under the auspices of the Baptist Church with J. H. Richardson as president. About 1870 the Masonic lodge completed & hall, which in 1974 was transferred to the Methodist Episcopal Church South for school purposes, and has since been occupied as a female institute. In 1885 Sweet Water college for males was incorporated, and went into operation with J. L. Bachman as president. All of the above institutions are ably managed, and furnish excellent instruction.
During the war the town and surrounding country suffered severely. The depot was burned, and much other property destroyed and carried away by both armies. At the close of hostilities, however, the nnexcelled resources of this section soon restored it to its former prosperity, and at the present time Sweet Water is the largest shipping point between Knoxville and Chattanooga. The mercantile interests of the town are repre- sented by the following individuals and firms: B. A. Clift, McCaslin & Porter, J. H. Lowry and W. F. Hutcheson & Co., general merchandise; R. F. Scruggs, F. Bogard and J. H. Johnston, drugs; James May, hardware; R. S. Harlis, jewelry; R. M. Cleveland and John Gamble, groceries. In 1853 the Sweet Water Mill Company, of which John K. Brown is president, and John B. Whitman secretary and treasurer, erected a large flouring-mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1885. It was immediately rebuilt, and put into operation in 1886. It has a capacity of 150 barrels of flour, and from 250 to 300 bushels of meal per day. The other manufacturing establishments are two planing mills owned by J. W. Clark, and Albert Stradley respectively, and a bottling factory operated by Lenoir & Gil- lette. In 1885 the Bank of Sweet Water was established. with a capital of $50,000. The officers are John M. Jones, president, and J. A. Magill. cashier.
M' MINN COUNTY. $11
The first newspaper published in Sweet Water was the Forerunner established in 1987 by H. L. Fry, who in a few months sold it to J. M. Fisher. The latter changed the name to the Enterprise, and after conducting it about two years transferred it to Mr. Woodward. Subsequently J. H. Bean became the proprietor, and changed the name to the Monpie Democrat. He was succeeded by D. B. Grace, and for the past three years .I. S. Yearwood has been the editor and proprietor. In 1891 the Matos, a Republican paper, was established by:F. H. Scruggs, the present proprietor.
MCMINN COUNTY.
M CMINN COUNTY lies in lower East Tennessee, between the counties of Monroe and Meigs. It embraces an area of 480 square miles, and it is doubtful if any county in the State possesses resources of greater variety. Along the base of the Chilliowee Moun- tains, are found inexhaustible veins of brown hematite ore, yielding forty-eight per cent metallic iron, and beds of marble of the finest quality. Gold, silver, and lead are also found in paying quantities. The surface of the county consists of a series of low parallel ridges separated by swift flowing streams, which furnish excellent water power. The principal creeks are Conasouga, Chestua, Cane, Estanallee, Mouse. Spring and Rogers, all of which traverse the county from northeast to southwest, and empty into the Hiwassee River.
The territory now included in McMinn County formed a part of the Hiwassee Dis- trict, which the Cherokee Indians ceded to the United States by a treaty, consummated at Washington, D. C., on February 27, 1819, between Jolin C. Calhoun, secretary of war. and the following chiefs: Hicks. John Ross, Lewis Ross, John Martin, James Brown, George Lowry, Gideon Morgan, Jr., Cobbin Smith. Sleeping Rabbit, Small Wood, Joha Walker and Carrohee Dick. By the terms of the treaty a reservation of 640 acres was offered to all who chose to become citizens of the United States, and to a few, who were deemed capable of managing their own affairs intelligently, a grant of 640 acres in fee simple was made. Very few accepted the former privilege, and the latter grants soon passed into the bands of land speculators.
The act for the organization of McMinn County was passed by the Legislature at Murfreesboro on November 13, 1819, and on the 6th of the following March the county court was organized at the house of Maj. John Walker at Calhoun. The following were the justices present: George Colville, John Walker, Benjamin Griffith, Samuel Dickey, Hambright Black, Archibald Black and Jacob Sharp. Young Coiville was elected clerk, Spencer Beavers, sheriff ; Arch R. Turk, trustee; Benjamin Hambright, register; Griffith Dickeson, ranger, and Jacob Work, coroner. A temporary log courthouse was erected at Calhoun, and was occupied until December, 1823, when the courts were transferred to Athens. A. building standing about where Robeson & Co.'s store now is, was then used as a courthouse for a time. Later a brick building, 40x46 feet, two stories high. was erected on the public square. This was completed and received by the county court in June, 1828. Previous to that time a substantial log jail had been completed. It was used until 1851, when the present brick building was erected. In 18+3 preparations were made for the erection of a new courthouse, and a building committee consisting of M. L. Phillips, M. A. Helin, C. L. King. J. A. Turley and J. S. Russell was appointed. They engaged A. C. Bruce, of Knoxville, as architect, and the contract was let to W. C. Cleage. The building, which cost about $30.000, was completed in 1875, and is one of the finest structures of the kind in the State.
The following is a list of the county officers: Sheriffs-Spencer Beavers. 1820.42; Joseph McCulley, 1842-48; C. Peters, 1848-51; R. F. Braden, 1851-54; Thomas Stephens. 1854-56; J. A. Gouidy, 1856-60; L. E. Cantrell, 1860-61; William Burns, 1861-66; J. W.
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
Gibson, 1866-70; J. A. Gouldy, 1870-74; 1. S. Garrison, 1874-76; E. L. Miller, 1876-78; G. W. Bogard, 1878-84; W. G. Wilson, 1884-86; J. C. Duff, 1886.
Clerks of the county court-Young Colville, 1820-21; A. R. Turk, 1824-36; John B. Jackson, 1836-40; Thomas Vaughn, 1810-44; James C. Carlock, 1844-48; George W. Mayo, 1848-52; Thomas Vaughn, 1852-55: William George, 1855-64; R. M. Fisher, 1864-66; Thomas Hale, 1866-70; Lon Blizard, 187078, R. A. Ellis, 1878-86: W. S. Gaston, 1886.
Registers-Benjamin Hambright, 1820-36; George W. Mayo, 1836-40; J. L. Bridges, 1840-44; II. H. Rider. 1844-48: Cornelius Brown, 1848-62; William Burns, 1862-70; W. C. Davis, 1870-78; George W. Mayo, 1878-86; C. B. Davis, 1886; J. P. Thompson, 1886.
Trustees-A. R. Turk. 1820-24: James McKamy, 1824-28; George R. Cox, 1834-36; Aaron Matthews, 1836-38; P. A. Bradford, 1838-40; James Parkison, 1840-44; T. S. Price, 1844-46; James McNabb, 1846-48; John M. Cantrell, 1818-52; A. Barb, 1852-34; Benjamin Wells, 1854-58; I. Garrison, 15S-CO: Robinson Snider, 1860-64; R. T. Engledow, 1861-66; H. Buttram, 1866-68: Robert Reynolds, 1809-70; E. W. Hyden, 1870-72; R. Snider, 1872-74; J. H. Lowry, 1874-76; W. Mckenzie, 1876-78; John T. Boyd, 1878-82; J. G. Hale, 1882-86: J. K. Boyd, 1886.
Clerks of the circuit court-Samuel Gaut, -; Samuel Workman, 1836-44; J. L. Bridges, 1841-52; John F. Slover, 1852-CS; J. H. Hornsby, 1808-70; J. F. Slover, 1870-78; W. N. Hoge, 1878.
Clerks and masters-William Lowry, 1845-54; John L. Bridges, 1860-61; James M. Henderson, 1864-76; W. G. Horton, 1876.
The circuit court was organized at Calhoun in the spring of 1820, by Judge Keith; but as the early records of this court have been destroyed, nothing is known of its transactions. Judge Keith was a native of Jefferson County, but removed to MeMing County upon his election to the bench. He was a quiet, unassuming man, of sound judg- ment, and had a good knowledge of the law; his decisions were rarely reversed by the supreme court. He continued upon the bench until 1844, when he was succeeded by John O. Cannon, who died before the expiration of his term of office. The latter's suc- cessor was J. C. Gaut, who remained in the position until the reorganization of the court at the close of the war. George W. Bridges was then commissioned by the Governor, and presided about a year. He began the practice of law at Athens, about 1848, and was soon after elected attorney-general. In 1861 he was elected to Congress, but was arrested by the Confederate authorities before reaching Washington. He died in March, 1873. The succeeding judges have been W. L. Adams. 1866-70; John B. Hoyl, 1870-78 and D. C. Trewhitt since 1878.
The act for the organization of a chancery court at Athens was passed January 30, 1844, and permission was given the inhabitants of Polk and Meigs Counties to file bills in this court. (For a list of the chancellors see the history of Bradley County.)
The carly bar of Athens was one of exceptionable ability, numbering among its mem- bers Return J. Meigs, Spencer Jarnagin and Thomas J. Campbell, the first two of whom are mentioned in another chapter. Campbell located in Athens soon after the town was established, and remained until about 1845, when he was elected clerk of the National House of Representatives. He was a man of superior attainments, and one of the best lawyers in East Tennessee. T. Nixon Van Dyke, for more than half a century one of the prominent members of the profession in Tennessee, located in Athens about 1829.' He had been licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, and had for a time resided in Alabama, where he was a clerk of the House of Representatives for two terms. He served for about ten years as chancellor, and although somewhat inclined to be arbitrary and dicta- torial in his manner, bis rulings were generally satisfactory. He now resides at Rome, Ga. Among the other prominent members of the Athens bar from 1830 to 1860 were James F. Bradford, A. D. Keys, W. F. Keith, J. W. M. Breageale, M. P. Jarnagin. J. B. Cooke and D. W. Ballew. Bradford was a brother-in-law and partner of Spencer Jarna- gin, and a lawyer of moderate ability. Keyes began practice at Athens about 1830. He was an excellent office lawyer, but never attained very bigh rank as an advocate. For about five years he was president of the Hiwassee Railroad Company. Keith was a fine speaker
M'MINN COUNTY. 813
and a good advocate, but died before reaching maturity. Ballew was a native of McMich County, and served one term in the State Senate. A short time before the war he removed to Middle Tennessee. Cooke is also a native of the county, and was engaged in practice at Athens from about 1845 until the war. He is now one of the leading members of the Chattanooga bar. M. P. Jarnagin is a nephew of Spencer Jarnagin. Hle remained at Athens until the close of the war, and is now a resident of Mossy Creek. Among the other attorneys who practiced at Athens for a time before the war were A. Caldwell, William H. Briant, Willie Lowry, W. P. H. McDermott, William G. Blackwell. J. S. Matthews and Frank S. Hale. The present members of the bar, named in the order of seniority, are Col. A. Blizard, W. L. Harbison, T. M. Burkett, W. S. Gaston, W. D. Henderson, C. B. Davis, Virgil Turner and J. W. A. Sanford.
The first town in the county was laid out by Maj. John Walker, and named in honor of John C. Calhoun. Walker was part Cherokee, and had been allowed a large reservation on the north bank of the Hiwassee, and upon this reservation he established the town. Among the first settlers of the town were James and A. R. Turk, E. P. Oweu, John Cowan, George Colville, Young Colville, Benjamin Hambright and Eli Sharp. A Presbyterian Church was erected in 1823, and in the yard adjoining this church lies the body of Gov. Joseph McMinn, who at the time of his death was in charge of the Cherokee agency on the opposite side of the river. Previous to the removal of the Indians the town attained considerable importance as a trading point, and it is still a thriving village. The present business men are Graves & McKamy, I. H. Bond, J. B. Perter, J. F. Green, A. A. Farrington and W. T. Hays. A. Masonic institute has for many years furnished the town with good educational facilities.
In 1923 the seat of justice was permanently located upon land donated for the purpose by William Lowry. Cedar Springs two miles to the south was first considered, but Martin Cassidy, who owned the land, refused to donate a site for the town. The commissioners appointed to lay off the town and sell the lots were Isaac Rice, A. C. Robeson, Samuel McConnell, John Walker, Thomas Armstrong, George Colville, Will- iam H. Cooke, John B. Flanagin and Elijah Hurst. At the next session of the Legis- lature an act was passed establishing the town, and appointing Benjamin C. Stout, John K. Farmer, James W. McCartney, James McKamy, A. Matthews, I. W. Fyffe and R. J. Meigs, commissioners for its government.
The first stores in the town were opened by James and Isaac Fyffe and Matthew and William Smith. Among others who soon followed were O. G. Murrell, John Craw- ford, Alexander and David Cleage, Solomon Bogard, McKelden and Brobson, Lane and Jackson, W. W. Anderson, Francis Boyd and George Morgan. Joel K. Brown had a tailor shop; Peter Kinder was a hatter; Dempsey Casey, a saddler; George Sehorn, a silver- smith; James Gettys and Squire Johnson, tanners, and Julius Blackwell, a copper-smith. The first doctors were Benjamin C. Stout, John K. Farmer, Samuel H. Jordan and Horace Hickox. In 1835 & branch of the Planter's Bank was opened in Athens, and in 1838 a branch of the State Bank was established there, of the latter institution V. M. Campbell was the first cashier. His successors were Thomas J. Campbell, Col. A. Blizard, W. C. Witt and Thomas A. Cleage. Both banks continued until the begin- ning of the war and did a large business. During the fifties Atheus was at the height of its prosperity. Among the business men of that period were A. McKelden, John McGaughey, S. K. Reeder, George W. Ross, McEwin & Gillespie, George Horne, William Burns, King & Crutchfield, Grubb & Engledow, Moss & Jackson, William H. Ballew, J. M. Henderson, Robeson, Sartain & Co., Sehorn & Hornsby, W. C. Witt & Co., and A. Cleage & Co. About 1852 a foundry was established by C. Zimmerman.
The first newspaper published in Athens was the Valley Freeman, established in 1824 by John B. Hood, it continued for about įten years, and was succeeded by the Tennessee Journal, which was published by J. W. M. Brazeale, the author of " Life as it is." The Hinausce Patriot, a Whig sheet, was the next paper established. Its publication was begun about 1887 by A. W. Elder; it continued but a short time. The Athens Courier. a bitter Democratic paper, was founded at nearly the same time by Frazier & Gibbs. Rev.
5 1
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HISTORY OF TENNESSEE.
Robert Frazier was the editor until about 1841. From then until its suspension in 1953 it changed owners several times, the last proprietor being J. R McNelly. In 1848 S. P. Ivins founded the Athens Post, which he has since continued with the exception of the period from September, 1868, to December, 1867. From the first it has ranked as one of the best country papers in the State, and before the war it reached a circulation of 1,400. It exerted a considerable influence in securing the construction of the East Tennessee & Georgia, and until 1861 was an advocate of the principles of the Whig party. It then gave its support to the Southern Confederacy, and since its re-establishment has been Dem- ocratic in politics. The other papers of the present time are the Athenian, established in 1882 by Frank K. Houghton, and now edited and published by W. F. McCarron and the MeMinn Citizen, established in 1886, and published by J. N. Hood. The former is Republican and the latter Democratic in politics.
The first church in Athens was a log house built by the Baptists on the lot now occu- pied by the cemetery. It was erected soon after the town was laid out. At about the same time the Methodists built a house on the site of the present Methodist Episcopal Church. The Presbyterians established a camp-ground just south of town, and about 18-, erected a brick house near the Baptist Church. The Cumberland Pres- byterians had a camp-ground near the old Forest Hill Academy, in which they occasion- ally held services. Among the earliest ministers were Daniel Buckner, of the Baptist Church; David Ware, Fielding Pope, Robert MeCoppin and William and Elijah Eagleton, Presbyterians, and Robert and John Tate, Samuel Aston and C. C. Porter, Cumberland Presbyterian. About 1837 the Presbyterians erected the church known as Mars Hill, which is still occupied by them, but has been repaired and remodeled two or three times. About 1841 the Cumberland Presbyterians began the erection of a church which was never entirely completed. At nearly the same time the Methodist Church South erected the house which was recently torn down and rebuilt. The Methodist Episcopal Church, which was organized at the close of the war, worshiped in the college chapel until 1854, when the present brick house was completed. In 1867 the Episcopalians erected a church which is now unoccupied. The first school in the town was taught in a house standing on a lot adjoining the cemetery. The first teacher was probably John G. Lockins, a Presbyterian preacher.
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