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.3 > Part 15
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Pleasant L. Matthews, Esq., a well known, enterprising planter of James County, and a resident of the Fourth Civil District, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in MeMinn County, near Athens, August 17, 1825, the son of John and Nancy (Collison) Matthews. The father was of English descent, and the mother's ancestors came from Ire- land. The father was a native of North Carolina, born in that State June 26, 1786, and died in James County, where our subject now lives, June 1, 1869. The mother was born in Tennessee, and died May 5, 1860. The parents were married in Blount County. Tenn. After their marriage they moved to McMinn County, and lived in that county about twenty years, then came to Bradley County, where they lived three years; then removed to what was then Hamilton County, but now James, about 1839, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father was by trade a mechanic, to which he asso- ciated the farming interest, and made life a success. He was a Democrat, and a worthy member of the Primitive Baptist Church about sixty years. The mother was a member of the same church. Our subject is the youngest of eight children, three of whom are still living. He secured a common-school education in his youth, at Georgetown. In 1845 he went to Blount County, and worked at the tanning business one year, and in the spring of 1846 he returned home and established a tanning business of his own, continuing uine years, and was successful. In 1855 he commenced farming at the old homestead. and since that date to the present he has given his attention exclusively to agricultural pur- suits, and has been very successful, now owning 1,080 acres of land in James and Brad- ley Counties. He has been an active man. On October 30, 1856. he was united in mar- riage with Miss Margaret Williamson, a native of North Carolina, born in Mecklenburg County, April 17, 1839. Our subject was fortunate in his choice of a companion. To this union was born one daughter, Nancy E. born September 1, 1857. She was married to Mr. Edward Edwards, December 19, 1877. Our subject is a stanch Democrat. He is not a member of any church, but is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and is in sympa- thy with the Primitive Baptist Church. His wife, daughter and son-in-law. are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He has three grandchildren: Louis R., born Decem- ber 4, 1878: Margaret E., born October 4. 1881; Ina E., born April 13, 1884. Margaret E. died May 23. 1884. Our subjeet was justice of the peace twenty seven years.
Wiley P. McDonald, a well-to-do farmer. of James County. was born in MeMinn County, January 2, 1826, being the son of William and Matilda ( Kirkpatrick) McDonald. They were of Scotch and English descent, and both were natives of Jefferson County. The father was born in 1796, and died in what is now James County in 155%. The mother was born in 1795, and died in what is now James County in 1551. The parents
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JAMES COUNTY.
were married in their native county about 1818. The father was a planter, and made life a success. He was a decided Democrat, and a worthy member of the Cumberland Pres. byterian Church. The mother was a member of the same church. Our subject is the third of eleven children. He secured a good academic education in his youth in what was then Hamilton County, though now James. Farming has been his chief occupation. In 1860 he purchased and settled where he now lives. He has never married. A sister who died last year has lived with him a great deal. Mrs. Eliza C. Thompson, another sister, and the widow of James Thompson, is now living with him. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
W. A. MeCallie, a prominent merchant of Birchwood, was born near his present loca- tion, Angust 21, 1851. He is the second of seven children of John and Amanda McCallie. The father is of Scotch origin. He was born in Blount County, Tenu., January 28, 1829. He is a successful agriculturist of James County, and a Republican. The mother was born in Hamilton County, Tenn .. November 16, 1828, and is still living. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education at the home schools and Chatata Seminary. Brad- ley County. He taught school in that county three years, and was a photographer two years. He then came to Birchwood, and engaged in the mercantile business. Three years later he went to Georgetown, Meigs County, and remained one year. He then returned to Birchwood. He is an enterprising merchant, carrying a first-class stock of goods. worth $2,000. He has built up an extensive and substantial trade. He is a stanch Republican, and a highly esteemed citizen.
Philip M. Robert. a prominent citizen of James County, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Monroe County, September 6, 1830. He is the son of Philip and Nancy (Dougan) Robert. Both were of Scotch-Irish descent, and both were natives of Sevier County, Tenn. The father was born in 1797, and died in Monroe County, October 11. 1866. The mother was born April 23, 1195, and died in Monroe County, February 11. 1876 Our subject's grandfather, Robert, was among the first settlers of Sevier County The parents of our subject were married in their native county about the year 1817. Abont 1829 they immigrated to Monroe County, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father was a popular and useful minister of the Missionary Baptist Church for over thirty years before his death. He was also a farmer. Our subject is the seventh of eleven children. He secured a good academical education in his youth, in his native county. He began life as a miner, and in 1853 he opened up the Soddy Coal Mines, in Hamilton County. In 1856 he purchased a farm on the Tennessee River, in Hamilton County, and in 1858 settled on this farm, and since that date to the present, farming has been his chief occupation. In the fall of 1886 he sold his farm in Hamilton County. and bought another in James County, where he now lives. one mile south of Ooltewah. Our subject has been a lively, active man. On June S. 1854, he married Miss M. A. McRee. born in Hamilton County, February 23, 1840. Our subject is a Democrat, and a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife is a member of the same Church.
Thomas H. Roddy, M. D., a well known practicing physician of Ooltewah, and clerk and master of the chancery court of James County, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Meigs County, December 28, 1830. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Lane) Roddy. The father was of English descent, was born in Jefferson County. Tenn., aboni 1995, and died in Hamilton County, Tenn., in 1844. His father, James Roddy, was quite a prominent citizen of Jefferson County, and was a member of the constitutional Con. vention of Tennessee, in 1836. The mother of our subject was a native of Georgia, and was born in that State about 1800. She died in Hamilton County, Tenn., in 1863. The parents were married in Jefferson County, Tenn. The father was engaged in agricult- ural pursuits during life, and made the business a success. He was an old line Whis Our subject is the youngest of eight children. He secured a good academical education in his youth, by his own effort. in his native county. At the age of fourteen his father died, and for the next ten years he gave his time and attention to the support of his widowed mother. In 1848 he commenced the study of medicine, by reading under Dr. John L. Yarnell, and for the four or tive years, while clerking in Dr. Yaruell's store.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
he gave all of his spare time to the study of medicine, and in the fall of 1856 went to the medical department of the University of Nashville, where he duly received his diploma as doctor of medicine in the spring of 1858. After his graduation be located at Harrison, Hamilton County, commenced to practice, and continued at that place until 1865, at which time he came to Ooltewah, where he has since been engaged in practice. At the organization of James County, or soon thereafter, he was appointed. by Hon. D. M. Key, clerk and master of James County, and six years afterward he was reappointed by Chancelor William M. Bradford to the same office, and now holds the same. Our subject is a self-made man. He now owns a farm in James County of 320 acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation, one improved lot and five unimproved lots in Ooltewah, and a half interest in sixty-five acres of iron ore land on White Oak Mountain. He has been married three times: First to Miss Zerelda Yarnell, who was a daughter of his old preceptor in medicine. This marriage occurred in April, 1851; this lady died in March 1854. Second to Mrs. E. D. Watkins, whose maiden name was Martin, in 1871; died in August, 1874. Third to Miss Sidnah C. McDonald. December, 1876; this lady is still living, and presides over his hospitable home. One son was the result of the first marriage; two daughters of the second, and four by the last marriage. One daughter, Pearl, by the second marriage, died in August, 1874. Our subject before the war was an old line Whig, and is now a Democrat. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His first wife was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; his second wife of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his present wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Simeon P. Runyan, a prosperous farmer of the Fourth District of James County, was born in Bledsoe County, June 20, 1821. He is the sixth of nine children of John and Nancy (Mullendore) Runyan. The parents were natives of Sevier County, Tenn., of Welsh and German descent. The father was born about 1778, and died in Hamilton (now James) County in 1854. He was a successful farmer aud stanch Democrat. The mother was born in 1794, and died at the home of our subject, August 27, 1875, in her eighty-first year. They were married in their native county, and spent their lives in Sevier, Rhea and Bledsoe Counties, East Tenn. Our subject received a liberal education. He taught school several years, in connection with his farming interests. At twenty-two or twenty - three years of age he purchased and settled on a farm in Hamilton (now James) County. HIe lived there fourteen years. In 1858 he moved to his present place of residence. He served one year in the war with the Cherokee Indians, in Col. Powell's Regiment. He was quartermaster sergeant of the Fifth Tennessee Regiment, Mounted Infantry, Federal Army, for one year, during the late civil war. He is a Republican and a worthy citizen. By his own efforts and judicious management has become the possessor of upward of 1,000 acres of valuable land. July 22, 1844, he married Miss Nancy C. Birgar, who was born in Roane County about 1835, and died September 4, 1860. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (North), and mother of tive sous and three daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are dead. One son, recruited in the Federal Army, was in bat- tle before he was mustered into service, and no particular account of him was given in the battle of Knoxville. February 8, 1871, our subject wedded Mrs. Susan J. Ezell, born in McMinu County in 1846. To this union one son and two daughters have been born. Mr. and Mrs. Runyan are members of the Methodist Church.
Capt. John W. Smith, an enterprising planter of James County, and resident of the Fourth Civil District, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Hamilton County near Harrison, June 2, 1834. He is the son of Rev. Nogh R. and Fidily ;(Umbargo) Smith. The father was of English, and the mother of Dutch descent. The father was a native of Virginia, born in that State about 1810, and died in Mc Donald County, Mo., in February. 1876. The mother was one year older than the father, but the land of her nativity is not known. She died in Bradley County. in August, 1865. The parents were married in Warren County, Tenn., in the latter part of 1832. Soon after their marriage they settled in Hamilton County, where they lived about four years, then removed to Cannon County, and remained one year; then came to Bradley County, and his home was in this county at
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JAMES COUNTY.
the time of his death, in Missouri. He was a popular minister of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. Our subject is the eldest of five children. He secured a good academical education in his youth in Bradley County, and, having selected farming for an occupation at an early age, he began the cultivation of the soil. In August, 1861, he purchased eighty acres of land near where he now lives. In 1865 he made a purchase of eighty acres more, and built the improvement he now occupies. In 1811 he made another purchase of 240 acres. Our subject has been a live, active man. He began life rather poor, but by industry, economy and close application to business, he has secured a fair competency. In the spring of 1862 he entered the Federal Army, and served thirteen months as a pri- vate. In July, 1863, he received a commission as captain of Company G, Fourth Tennes- see Cavalry. He served with credit until May, 1864, at which time, on account of ill health, he was compelled to return home. He took part in numerous battles, and skirmishes. After the close of hostilities between the States, he resumed the peaceful occupation of the farm. Immediately after the war he served as a civil officer seven years-five as con- stable, and two years as deputy sheriff-in what was then Hamilton County. On August 2, 1852, he married Miss Martha C. Bower, a native of Hamilton County, born in January, 1834. This union has resulted in the birth of nine children-six sons and three daughters- three of whom are dead-one son and two daughters. Our subject is a decided Republican. and was an old line Whig before the war. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; has been an elder in this church four years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (northern branch).
Zachary T. Watkins, an enterprising merchant of Ooltewah. was born in Hamilton (now James) County. February 8, 1847. He is next to the eldest of six children, born to Finley P. and Tressie M.(Kelso) Watkins. The father was born in North Carolina about 1816. He was married in Monroe County about 1840, and a few years later moved to Hamilton County. He was an active member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a Whig. By occupation he was a farmer and merchant. He established the first store in Ooltewah, and was the first depot agent. He held that position at the time of his death in 1861. The mother was born in Monroe County in 1812. and is now a resident of James County. She is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our sub- ject's education was required principally at the high school at Cleveland, and at the .Jef- ferson College, Blount County. He was engaged in farming several years. In 1867. in partnership with G. B. F. Guthrie, he established a store of general merchandise at Oolte- wah. In 1871 he bought his partner's interest. He has a first class stock of goods, and receives a liberal patronage. He owns considerable valuable poperty near and in the town. He is a true Democrat and popular citizen, and a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South. Mr. Watkins was appointed postmaster on the 23d of September, 1885. and is still officiating in that position.
George P. Wells, a well known merchant of Ooltewah, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in what is now James County (though at the time of his birth it belonged to Hamilton County), September 15, 1838. He is a son of Barnum and Mary (Hopkins) Wells. The father was of Scotch descent, and the mother of Dutch descent. His grandparents were Virginians, and his parents were natives of that State, and both were born in Smith County-the father about the year 1790, and the mother about 1794. Both died, when our subject was but an infant, in Hamilton County, though now James County. They were married in their native State about the year 1830. In 1837 they immigrated to Tennessee. and settled where they soon died of milk poison. The father was a farmer and stock trader, and though he was not very successful, he was a man of energy and industry. Our subject, an orphan, was reared by a first cousin, Flemming T. Wells, who watched over him in his infancy and youth with a father's care. He secured a good academical education in his youth, and after completing the same up to the age of thirty-three years (1871), he gave his attention exclusively to farming. In the early part of 1822 he entered the firm of Stone & Read at Ooltewah as a salesman, and remained with this establishment until October, 1873. Mr. Read sold out to Mr. Stone in the spring of 1872, and Mi. Stone died in July, 1873. In January, 1874, he established a store of general merchandise at Ool.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
tewah of his own, and from that date to the present he has been engaged in mercantile business at this place. Our subject is a first-class business man. He began life rather poor, but by industry and close application to business he has secured a fair compe- tency. Ile now controls a business of about $7,500 dollars annually. October 17. 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca E. Caruthers, a most worthy lady. born in what is now James County, March 17, 1848. This excellent lady died November 2, 1884. This union resulted in one son, Willie F., born July 12, 1882. Our subject is a decided Democrat, and always supports that party; is a worthy and consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His wife was a member of the same church.
Samuel I. Yarnell, M. D., a prominent practicing physician of Ooltewah, was born in Hamilton (now James) County, December 30, 1852. He is the eldest of five children of Dr. Jackson B. and Sophronia T. Yarnell. The father was of English descent. born in Knox County about 1815. For more than twenty years he was a practicing physi- cian. He was a believer in the doctrines of the Baptist Church, and was a Whig. His death occurred in 1865 at Nashville, whither he had gone to be treated for paralysis. His ancestors came to America with William Penn. The mother of our subject. is of Irish extraction, born in Hamilton County, Tenn., about 1832. She was married in her native County, in 1850. She is a resident of James County, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The subject of our sketch received an excellent edu- cation at Sequatchie College. In 1874 he was elected circuit court clerk of James County. and re-elected in 1878 and 1892. September 25, 1886, he became the Democratic nominee for joint representative of Rhea, Meigs and James Counties. He was defeated by only forty-nine votes, although the Republican nominee for governor carried the three coun- ties by 253 majority. Subject devoted his spare time to the reading of medicine under Dr. T. H. Roddy. In 1878-79 he attended a course of medical lectures at the Vanderbilt Uni- versity; the fall of 1886 be returned to the university, and in the spring of 1887 received his diploma as an M. D. Since that time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Ooltewah. He is an esteemed and worthy member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South.
BRADLEY COUNTY.
J. N. Aikin, one of the prominent lawyers of Cleveland, is a son of Samuel J. aud Martha L. (Brown) Aikin. His father was born in County Antrim, Ireland. When about seven years old he was brought by his parents to South Carolina. In 1825 he moved to Cal. houn, Tenn., where he married Miss Brown. a native of Bristol. Tenn. Soon after they moved to Bradley County. By trade he was a blacksmith. When the Indians were being moved West he had charge of the ambulance train. Soon after his return he died. in 1-3 ;. at the age of thirty-seven years. The mother died in 1873. sixty-nine years old. In their family were four children, three living-two sons and one daughter. Our subject was born August 14, 1833, in Bradley County, and while growing up received his education in the old field schools. He thus acquired sufficient education to teach, and for four years followed that calling. For a time he was circuit conrt clerk of Hamilton County. In 1861 he raised Company K, Forty third Tennessee Infantry (Confederate States Army). and during the war led it as captain. Having returned he taught school for a time, and then turned his attention to the study of law, reading under Hon. D. M. Key and A. G. Welker. In 1867 he was admitted to the bar, and practiced in Charleston, Bradley County, till 19si. when he came to Cleveland. In 1861 he married Miss Amanda J. Coulter, of Hamilton County, by whom he has six children-two sons and four daughters. The eldest son. Samuel J., is a student at the naval academy of Annapolis; Paul is studying mechanics at Chattanooga. Both he and wife are Methodists. He is a Mason and a Democrat.
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BRADLEY COUNTY.
Dr. E. C. Anderson, a prominent physician of Cleveland, was born October 7, 1:54. io Michigan. He is the younger of two sons of Henry E. and L. (Wood) Anderson. The parents are nativesof Michigan, where they now reside. The father is a merchant. The subject of our sketch, received the best of educational advantages from school, college and private tutors. After reading medicine for two years he entered the Eclectic Medi- cal Institution, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated in 1878. He has had extensive hospital experience in Philadelphia, afterward at Cincinnati. In 1880 he came to Cleveland, where he has received an extensive and lucrative patronage. He has been United States exani- ining surgeon for five years, and correspondent for some of the leading medical and liter- ary journals of the country, and has contributed many valuable articles of interest to the profession. He is a Republican. In 1877 he married Miss Mary C. Legg, daughter of Col. M. W. Legg. Two children are the result of this union: Mary G. and Edwin M. Dr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Episcopal Church, of which the Doctor is secretary of the vestry.
T. L. Bates, a prominent farmer of the Seventh Civil District, Bradley County, Tenn., was born in Franklin County, Ala., April 2, 1819, and is the son of Ezekiel and Hannah (Hill) Bates. The father was of Anglo-Irish descent and was born in Virginia. October 14, 1:94, and died June 15, 1861. He came to Tennessee at a very early date, then married and moved to Alabama, and was there for two years. He then moved to Ray County, Tenn. He afterward moved to the Ococe Purchase, Bradley County, Tenn. He was a very successful merchant and farmer. He had a good education, which he secured by his own efforts after his marriage. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was a Democrat. The mother was born in Georgia, February 13, 1196, and died in Bradley County, Tenn., January 19, 1837. She had a good education. and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was the third of eleven children. He has a collegiate education, secured at Knoxville. Tent. He worked on his father's farm until January 2, 1844, when he married Cynthia McCarty. who was born in Meigs County, Tenn., July 24, 1824, and died in Bradley County, Tenn., July 25, 1867. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was the daughter of B. V. and Sallie G. McCarty. Our subject's marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, two of them now living: Catherine H. and Cynthia J. The others died in infancy. July 29. 1868, our subject married Maryline Culton, who was born in McMinn County. Tenn., April 11, 1842. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Culton of Dutch-Scotch descent. The union has resulted in eight children, six of them now living: Clementine A., Thomas L., Walter C., James M., Sarah M. and Nancy A. Those dead are Fre l- erick A. and Henry C. When married our subject moved to his present location. and lived on this place until elected sheriff of Bradley County, then moved to Cleveland. He was re-elected two terms after this, then moved back to his farm. He was popr when he began, but now owns 360 acres. Besides this he owns two improved lots in Cleveland and two and a half acres of unimproved land in Cleveland. Heis a Democrat. a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, a Master Mason, and was instru- mental in instituting a lodge of that kind at Chatata. He at all times contributes to churches and schools, having very nearly paid for one church, and contributed largely to the female college at Cleveland.
P. L. Bible. contractor and builder of Cleveland, is a son of Henry and Rachel (Simmos) Bible, both natives of Greene County. Having married, they settled in Montor County where he farmed. In their family were five children-four sons and one daughter. In 1837 the father died, and the mother moved to Polk County, where she died m ist Our subject was born in Monroe County, Angust 13. 1833. He was raised on the farm, and! received a fair education. At the age of twenty-one years he began learning to make and lay brick, and after an apprenticeship of some two years he began taking contract: In 1869 he came to Cleveland. and has followed his trade aluce. He built Craigne Block. McNelly corner. Jones' residence in Cleveland, Maury County, Ga., Courthouse. and many others in Bradley and adjoining counties. In 1866 he married Miss Aurinds
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