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 16
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Coleman, of Polk County, by whom two children: George and Herschel were born. After the death of his first wife he married, in 1875, Miss Mary Taylor, of Monroe County. by whom two children: Taylor and Maggie, were born. Both he and wife are Mission- ary Baptists. In 1861 he volunteered in Company B of Third Tennessee Infantry (Con- federate States Army), as second lieutenant. After a year's service he raised Company B. of the Sixty-second Tennessee Infantry (Confederate States Army), which was mounted toward the close of the war. He was at first in Manassas, Chickasaw Bluff, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, and was never away from his command during an engage- ment. He surrendered at Washington, Ga. At the close of the war he returned to his trade. He started in business with nothing, and has made all he has. He is a Mas- ter Mason and a Democrat. For some thirty years he has worked at his trade.
P. L. Bryan, a well known and prosperous farmer of the Seventh District, of Bradley County, was born December 1, 1822, in Sevier County, Tenn., a son of William and Lucy (Cote) Bryan. The father was of English-Irish descent, and a native of Sevier County, Tenn. He served as quartermaster in the war of 1812. By occupation he was a farmer, trader and stock-raiser. He was energetic and successful. In 1835 he moved to MeMinn County, Tenn., where he died two years later. His wife was a native of Jefferson County. Tenn., and died in McMinn County a few days later than her husband. They had nine children, P. L. being the third. He has a liberal education, attended the Holston Col- lege at New Market, Jefferson County, also at Cleveland, and several other places. After farming for twelve years he went to Athens, McMinn County, where he was engaged in the mercantile business seven years. He then moved to his present location, and has given his attention exclusively to farming. He now owns 320 acres, the greater portion under cultivation. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, a Master Mason and a Democrat. He is a generous supporter of all educational and public enter- prises. In 1842 he married Anna M., daughter of Daniel and Mary Horton. Mrs. Bryan was of Dutch descent. born in Washington County, Tenn., about 1824. She was well educated, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Her death occurred March 12, 1886. Nine children were born to this union: Mary M., Sarah E., William H., Daniel H., Alice A., Thomas L., Joseph A., Felix G. Lucy R. was born in McMinn County, and died in Bradley County.
James S. Byrd, a merchant and farmer of Bradley County, and a resident of Chatata, was born November 24. 1826, in Roane County. His parents were Joseph and Anna Byrd. The father was of Irish descent, born in Virginia about 1785. He came to Tennessee at an early date, and settled in Roane County, and there followed the occupa- tion of a farmer. He took part in the war of 1813. and was colonel of the militia when the Cherokee Indians were removed. He died about 1855. His wife was also of Irish origin, born in Knox County in 1800, and died in Roane County in February, 1886. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the mother of twelve children, of whom our subject was the fifth. He received a fair education in his native county, and at Hiwassee College, Monroe County. He engaged in farming, in connection with which he was in the mercantile business with his father during 1840-50. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army. Company I. First East Tennessee Infantry, and was commissioned quartermaster. He was in the battles of Logan's Field. Wild Cat, Murfreesboro, Kingston, was with Gen. Sherman in his . famous march to the sea, and in numerous skirmishes. After three years of active and gallant service he returned to Roane County, where he lived for the following eight years. He then came to Bradley County, and purchased the farm on which he now lives. containing 250 acres: he also owns a farm of 200 acres in Roane County, all of which are the fruits of untiring energy and industry, as he began life a poor man. He is a Dein- orat, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a valuable and respected citizen. On October 18, 1565, he married Miss Narcissa T. McMillan, daughter of Col. Joseph and Terrissa W. McMillan. She was born in Bradley County. August 21, 18H4: was educated at Cleveland, in the same county, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the mother of seven children: Joe R., Flora M., Samuel L., Standifer
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J., Mary L., Augustus and Nena T., the latter of whom was born in February, 1877, and died October 21, of the same year. Col. Joseph McMillan, the father of Mrs. Byrd. was among the carly settlers of Bradley County, in its early history; was a member of the State Senato, and was for many years an active and prominent citizen of the county. He died at a very advanced age.
Charles T. Campbell, merchant and manufacturer of Cleveland, was born Jannary 21, 1847, in the city of which he is now a resident. His parents were W. I. and Onie W. (Carter) Campbell. The father was a native of Virginia, and came to Tennessee when a young man. In 1834 he married in Grainger County, where he resided some time, and then came to Cleveland. He was for many years a tailor, and afterward a merchant. He was a magistrate for fifteen years. He and his wife died at Cleveland. Of their six children, four sons and one daughter are living. All the sons are merchants, the third of whom is our subject. He received a good academic education, and clerked a number of years. In 1872 he bought out a firm, and has continued the business since that time. In 1886 he purchased an interest in the Cleveland Chair Factory. Under his management they are doing a flourishing business, and turn out 400 chairs per day. He is a trustee of the Centenary Female College, an Odd Fellow, and a Mason. For twenty years he has been associated with the commercial interests of Cleveland, and has met with uniform success. In 1874 he married Miss Sallie Reeder, a native of Cleveland, by whom he has had three children: Guy R., Charlie B. and Lillie. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Church.
W. P. Campbell. agent at Cleveland for the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Rail- road, was born in Cleveland, February 19, 1854, a son of W. I. Campbell. Our subject was educated in the city schools, spending most of his time in his father's store. After learning telegraphy under Samuel Reese at Cleveland, he took charge of an office at Yel- low Sulphur Springs, Va. He soon afterward returned to Tennessee, and for nine years was stationed at Bristol and Greeneville. In 1881 he took charge of the Cleveland office. where he has since been. He has now been fifteen years in the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and thirteen years in the employ of the East Tennessee, Vir- ginia & Georgia Railroad, and has never lost exceeding a month's time, and has the entire confidence and respect of the companies which he has so long and so faithfully served. He is a stockholder in the bank of Cleveland, and a stanch Democrat. In 1814 he mar- ried Miss Florence A. Britton, a native of Greeneville, Tenn., who has borne him four children, three of whom are living: Ethel, Onie and John P. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are consistent members of the Methodist Church South.
Hon. John G. Carter, a prominent citizen and farmer of Bradley County, was born April 14. 1823. in Pittsylvania County. Va., of which State his parents were also natives. The father was born in 1486, and immigrated to Jefferson County, Tenn., in 1826. In 1844 he moved to Cleveland, Bradley County. He began life as a farmer, and afterward became a blacksmith. He was a Whig and after the war a Democrat. He died in 1878 at his son's home, where he had resided since 1869. His wife was born in 1795 and died in 1sts. They were married in 1812 in their native State, where they spent the following fifteen years. Both were members of the Methodist Church, and parents of six children. of whom our subject is fifth. He received a common-school education in Jefferson County. In 1838, November 10, at the age of fifteen, he went to Cleveland and entered the store of P. G. Lea, as salesman, beginning on a salary of $50 dollars per annum. He remained nine years, the last four of which he received $200 per annum. In August. 1847, he went to Charleston, S. C., and engaged as clerk in the mercantile business for nine years with J. S. & L. Bowie & Co. In about seventeen years he lost but two weeks' time, and was not required to make that up; the six following years was a partner in the firm, in their wholesale dry goods business in Charleston, S. C. From 1861 to 1863 he traveled in East Tennessee, Alabama and north Georgia in the interest of his house, their trade being extensive. He was in Charleston at the outbreak of the war, and saw the float- ing battery, which was constructed of railroad iron and palmetto, and which was used in the attack on Fort Sumter. The fall of 1863 he entered the Confederate Army,
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enlisting in Col. Rowan's regiment, under command of Capt. Blair. He was in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, near Vicksburg, after which he procured a substitute, and returned home on account of ill health. In the spring of 1864 he re-entered the army. and remained until May, 1865, when he was paroled at Memphis, Tenn. The last year of the service he had a narrow escape from death in an encounter with a party of guerrillas in Georgia. At the close of the war his business in Charleston was insolvent but the debts were compromised and settled in after years. In the fall of 1865 he entered the whole- sale boot and shoe house of R. M. Pomeroy & Co. in Cincinnati, on a salary of $3.000 for the first six months, and after that time of $5.000 per annum. In July, 1866, he located his family at Cleveland, Tenn., and went to New York City, engaging as salesman in the wholesale dry goods house of Evans, Gardner & Co., where he remained four years. receiving a salary of $5,000 per annum. In 1874 he returned to Bradley County, and set- tled at his present place of residence, which he purchased 'in 1867. He had become tired of traveling, and desired to be more with his family. He has been engaged in farming, and has been a successful agriculturist, and now owns about 450 acres. However, he con- tinued to work about five months in the year for the New York company, receiving $1.000 per month while in New York. In;1880 he was elected to State Senate from the Seventh Senatorial District. In 185? he was re-elected. He is a stanch Democrat. Although not a member of any church he is a firm believer in the Christian faith, and a moral. hon- est man and worthy citizen. January 18, 1853, he married Miss Darthula A .. daughter of James W. Inman. To this union were born three sons and three daughters, four of whom are living. Mrs. Carter was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. She died in 18:5. December 25. 1876, our subject wedded his sister-in-law, Miss Myra Ioman. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and mother of two sons and one daughter.
John B. Cate. a prominent planter of the First District, was born April 1s 1510. in Jefferson County, East Tenn .. a son of Thomas and Avy (Willhite) Cate. The father was a native of Virginia, and died in McMinn County, Tenn., where he immigrated with his family at an early day, and made a settlement in that county before the departure of the Indians. He was a farmer. His wife was a native of South Carolina. Our subject is the fifth of nine children. He received a good common-school education in MeMinn County. In 1834 he came to Bradley County, settling among the Indians, in what is now the Second District. In 1838 he immigrated to Van Buren County, Iowa, and remained fourteen years. In 1852 he returned to Polk County, where for twenty-three years he was a citizen. In 1875 he returned to Bradley County. After renting the farm upon which he lives for two years, he purchased it. and now owns about 500 acres. He is, perhaps, the oldest living settler of the Ocoee Purchase. He was here at the organization of Bradley County, and was a juror at the first term of the court. He is a Republican. and highly esteemed citizen. December 29. 1829. he married Miss Tanzy Brandon. whose parents came from Virginia at an early date, and settled in the Hiwassee Purchase. Mrs. Cate died in Polk County, December 10, 1874. Her children all died in infancy. Our subject's second union was with Miss Sarah Grifflu, who was born in Polk County. July 18, 1842, a daughter of Sanders and Susan A. Griffin. This last marriage has resulted in the birth of one son and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Cate are active and consistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Later: On the 28th of March. 1857. Mr. Cate died, his death being a serious loss to the community and a severe blow to his family.
V. A. Clemmer, editor and proprietor of the Cleveland Banner. Vaos, was born June 9, 1856. in Polk County. His father was a native of North Carolina, and was brought by his parents when about two years of age to Polk County, where he spent his life as a farmer. By his first marriage there was one son and two daughters. His second wife was Elizabeth Higgins, a native of South Carolina, who came to Polk County when a child To this union five sons and two daughters were born. The fourth child. our subject. was raised on the farm, receiving bnt limited educational advantages. In 1953. in partnership with a friend, also a young farmer, he established the Polk County Vous. Neither of them had ever written an article nor set a line. With determination to succeed they went to
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work, and in a short time were able to perform any part of the service. Ere long our subject became sole proprietor, soon afterward purchasing the Clockund Banner, and consolidated the papers. His success as a journalist is highly creditable, for he began comparatively in the dark. He is a warm Democrat, and universally popular man. In 1876 he married Miss Emma Russell, of Polk County, who died six years later.
R. L. Cleveland, a merebant of Cleveland, was born in Bradley County, December 15, 1849, a son of Jesse F. and Caroline (Spriggs) Cleveland. The father was born in Monroe County, and when a young man came to Bradley County, where he married a native of the county. He was a farmer by occupation, a Whig, and after the war a Democrat. He died in 1876, and his wife in 1878. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom four sons and three daughters are living. The grandfather. Cleveland, was a pioneer settler of East Ten- nessee. Our subject was educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one, with a small capital, he began selling goods in the northern portion of Bradley County. In 1882 he came to Cleveland, where he has since been successfully engaged in merchandising. By industry and prompt attention to business he has secured a fair share of this world's goods. He is a stanch Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Seymour and Blair. In 1873 he married Saloma Davis, a native of Bradley County, who has borne him four sons and one daughter. Mr. Cleveland is a Southern Methodist.
James Cook, a well known planter of Bradley County, is a native of East Tennessee, born in Blount County, May 17, 1820, and son of Alexander and Levicia (Ball) Cook. The father was of Irish descent. The mother's descent is not known, but she was a native of Tennessee. The father was born in North Carolina in 1791, and died in Blount County April 4, 1864. The mother was born in Washington County, Teun., in 1793, and died in Blount County in January, 1866. The parents were married in Blount County, and spent their days there. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits during life. He was a Democrat, and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother was a member of the same church. Our subject is the third of eleven chil- dren. He secured a good academic education in his youth in Blount County, and, having selected farming for an occupation in life, began at an early age the cultivation of the soil. In 1859 he came to Bradley County, and purchased and settled where he now lives, and since that date to the present has given his attention exclusively to farming; at dif. ferent times he has traded in live stock. Our subject has been an enterprising business man, and now owns upward of 780 acres of land in Bradley County. He has a large and commodious brick residence. On January 2. 1847, he married Miss Lucinda Henry, a most excellent lady, a native of Blount County, born April 9, 1832. This union has resulted in the birth of six children -- three sons and three daughters-two sons dead. Our subject is a decided Democrat. He is not a member of any church, but is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and a man of good moral character.
J. M. Crow, a prosperous merchant of Cleveland, was born in MeMinn County. July 1, 1830, a son of John H. and Susan (Wagoner) Crow. The father was born in County Feramanner, Ireland. When young he immigrated to North Carolina, where he married. Soon afterward he came to McMinn County, Tenn. He was a farmer by occupation. and at one time a constable. His death occurred in 1866. The mother died in 1859. Their family consisted of four sons and five daughters. Our subject was educated in the old field schools, and raised on the farm. In 1852 he began the mercantile business at Athens, continuing till 1856. when he came to Cleveland. and engaged in the foundry business. During the war he was bookkeeper for Gen. Green. After the surrender he returned to Cleveland. walking from Knoxville. Thirty five cents was the amount of capital he possessed. After clerking. he opened a store in 1866, and has since been engaged in the mercantile trade. He has been very successful, and is an able business man. He owns a large brick building, and carries a first -class stock. He is a stanch Democrat, a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In 1867 he married Miss Susan Bower. a native of Cleveland, by whom he has had seven children. of whom five sons and one daughter are living. Mr. and Mrs. Crow are consistent and highly respected members of the Methodist Church South.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
John P. Davis, planter and miller of Bradley County, was born in McMinn County, April 23, 1843, the son of Henry B. and Nancy (Pickens) Davis. The father was of Scotch descent, and it is not known of what extraction the mother was, but her ancestors proba- bly came from England. The father was born in Roane County, Tenn., April 26, 1817, and died in Bradley County, near Cleveland, April 13. 1882. The mother was a native of South Carolina, was born in Pendleton District, September 14, 1817, and is still living, a resident of Cleveland. The parents were married in MeMinn County November 28, 1833. After their marriage they came to Bradley County, where they lived two or three years. then moved back to McMinn County, and resided there up to the year 1851, at which time they went to Cleveland and permanently settled. The father organized the stock com- pany that built the Cleveland Flouring Mill, and for a number of years superintended the interests of the mill. He organized the stock company that established the first bank in Cleveland after the war. Mr. Davis was a stockholder and a director of this bank until his death. He was also connected with the E. V. & G. R. R. as a director for several years, and was a stockholder for a number of years. In his political views he was in sympathy with the Republican party. He was a member of the Methodist Church. The mother was a member of the same church. Onr subject is the second of six children and the only son. He secured a liberal education in his youth, and attended Hiwassee College. He began life for himself by entering the employ of the Government of the United States, in June, 1863, as wagon master of Gen. James Spears' brigade, continued about two months, then was clerk in the commissary department in the same brigade three months, was then forage master two months. He returned home in January, 1864, and was engaged in farming until the 1st of Angust, at which time he was employed as forage master by Capt. Harvey at Cleveland: remained in Harvey's employ about three months, then served nine months as clerk in the commissary department under Lieut. John Mitchell. After the war he returned home, and, in partnership with his father and John Osment, went into the mercantile business at Cleveland, and continued fourteen months. In August: 1866, he went to Georgetown, established a store of general merchandise, and thus contin- ued until October, 1868. He was also engaged in farming two years at this place. In the fall of 1868 he purchased and settled on a farm on Candy Creek. in the Tenth District, six iniles north of Cleveland, remaining eleven years. In 1879 be purchased and settled where he now lives, which is the home place of his father-in-law. He now owns upward of 580 acres in Bradley County, and a large water grist and saw mill on Mouse Creek. On September 20, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Cleveland, who was born in Bradley County, October 30, 1847. This union has resulted in five children-two sous and two daughters living and one son dead. Our subject is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South. His wife is a member of the same church. He has served the church as steward. and is now recording steward of the Charleston Circuit, and has been sent for the last three years as a delegate to the Holston Annual Conference. He is also secretary of the joint board of finance of the Holston Conference.
William A. Denton was born in McMinn County, at Athens, November 13. 1829. His parents were James and Mary (Grady) Denton. Both were of Irish descent. The father was a native of Virginia, was born in Wythe County in October, 1805, and died in Parker County. Tex., January 28, 1873. The mother was born in Pickens District. S. C., in 1812, and died in Parker County, Tex .. in January, 1887. Our subject's ancestors can be traced back three or four generations. The grandparents on his father's side were James and Dorcas (Mitchell) Denton. The grandfather, James Denton, was born, lived and died in Virginia, and was one of that State's early and prominent farmers. The grandparents on the mother's side were William and Susan ( Eaves) Grady. The name Grady was at first O'Grady, but the O was dropped by William Grady. These persons. as well as the grandparents on the father's side, were originally from Ireland. William Grady was a South Carolinian. Our subject's parents were married in MeMinn County in 1827. and lived there after their marriage about seven years, then moved to Monroe County. and remained seven years. In 1840 they removed to Polk County, remaining twenty-eight years. In 1858 they returned to Monroe County, and remained two years, after which
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they went back to Polk, and lived again in that county one year, then came to Bradley County, lived one year, and in 1872 immigrated to Texas and settled in Parker County, where they died. The father was by trade a brick mason, but farmed also. He was an old line Whig, and a member of the Methodist Church. The mother was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is the eldest of a large family of children. He secured a good academic education in his youth, in Polk County. He began life as a merchant, and was engaged in the mercantile business at Benton, Polk County, from 1851 to 1859. Before he commenced business for himself he was a salesman in the firm of J. L. McClary, of Benton. In the spring of 1860 he purchased and settled on a farm in Polk County, where he lived eight years. In 1868 he sold his farm, went to Benton and lived there two years. These two years he was clerk of the circuit court of Polk County. In 18;0 he came to Bradley County, purchased and settled where he now lives." He has made trading in live stock rather of a specialty. He now owns upward of 1, 400 acres in Bradley and Polk Counties. On his home farm in Bradley County there is an iron ore vein, one and one-half miles in length, that is attracting considerable attention among speculators. On January 4, 1855, he married Miss Mary McClary, who was born in MeMinn County in December, 1837. Her parents were Robert W. and Mary McClary. They had nine children --- five sons and four daughters-four sons are dead. Our subject is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Northern branch.
J. B. Fillaner, proprietor of the Cleveland Tannery, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, and came to America in 1870. He established his tannery in 1877, and through hard work and good management has met with success and prosperity.
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