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 21
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W. S. Kimbrough was born near Dandridge, Jefferson Co., Tenn., May 28, 1828, and
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is the son of Isaac and Mary (Randolph) Kimbrough. The father was born near New Market, Jefferson Co., Tenn., April 26, 1788, and died in Polk County, Tenn., February 3, 1868. He was a very successful and noted preacher of the Missionary Baptist Church, and rode as a missionary in East Tennessee and west North Carolina for several years. He was a great reader, and a thorough theological student. He came to Polk County, Tenn., in 1849, and settled on the farm on which his son, our subject, now lives. He was a, Democrat. The mother's ancestors came from England. She was born in Jeffer- son County, Tenn., January 15, 1792, and died in Polk County, Tenn, January 20, 1860. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject was the tenth of thirteen children. He secured a liberal education in Jefferson County, and has since been a close student. December 26, 1850, he married Miss Mary Thornburgh, who was born near New Market, Jefferson Co., Tenn., September 8, 1829, and died in Polk County, Tenn., February 3, 1878. She was educated at the Female College of New Market, and was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. She was the daughter of Nimrod and Sarah Thornburgh. This marriage resulted in the birth of two children, both living: Elvira J. and Sarah E. March 32, 1874, our subject married Mary E. Ferguson, who was born in Polk County, Tenu., June 26, 1840, and died in Polk County, May 3, 1883. She was educated at Benton, Polk Co., Tenn. She was the daughter of M. E. and Jane Ferguson. By this union there are two children, both living: Laura A. and Susan J. February 20, 1884, our subject married Louisa J. Lawson, who was born in Polk County, Tenn., February 28, 1854. She was well educated and was a teacher, and was married, after school hours, having the scholars for witnesses. She is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Lawson. Our subject now owns 400 acres of good land. In 1850 he was elected bailiff of Polk County, and held the office for two years. In 1860 he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office until 1864, when the mili- tary governor, Andrew Johnson, removed all the officers, but he was re-elected to that office in 1870, and was elected chairman of the county court for over five years. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a Democrat.
Amos Ladd, a well-known and enterprising agriculturist of the Third District, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., August 18, 1814. He is the tenth of fourteen children born to Amos and Anna (Stone) Ladd. The father was born in Ireland about 1763, and came to America with his father when quite young, locating first in Virginia, shortly afterward in South Carolina, then in Bedford County, and from there moved to Marion County. Tenn., where he remained thirty years. He then went to Polk County, and finally to Bedford County, where he died in 1847. He received an excellent education in Virginia. He was a Democrat, and a prosperous farmer. The mother was born in England. and came to Virginia with her parents. They moved to South Carolina, where she was mar- ried. She was well educated, and a member of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch had no educational advantages, as he was compelled to work very hard when young. but he has a great deal of practical, useful information, and is a keen observer. On May 18, 1837, he married Nancy, daughter of William and Jane Pettit, who is of German descent, born in Surry County, N. C., February 24, 1818. To this union four children were born. Our subject first settled on the Conasauga River, and discovered the famous Ladd Mineral Springs, now known as the "Minnewauga Springs." He built the first hotel at that place. After living there thirty-three years, he sold out and purchased his present farm, which contains 470 acres. He is a much esteemed citizen. a Master Mason. and a Republican. He served as sergeant in the Seminole war in 1834 and 1835, and was captain under the old militia law.
Francis M. Luttrell, a well-known citizen of Benton, and high sheriff of Polk County, was born May 29, 1846, in MeMinn County. He is a son of Hugh F. and Louisa S. (Bounds) Luttrell, both of whom are of Irish descent, and natives of Knox County. Tenn. The father was born about 1815, and remained in his native county uutil 1545. when he went to MeMinn County, where he lost his wife. He moved to Polk County. and lived several years with our subject. His last days were spent in Monroe County. with his daughter, Mrs. Sarah J. Ravis. He died February 2, 1885. He was a farmer.
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and a Republican. His wife was born about 1813, and died in McMinn County, December 25. 1876. Both were members of the Methodist Church, and raised a large family of chil- dren. The subject of this sketch received a good education in his native county, and for some time was a farmer. In December, 1872, he came to Polk County, where he has since resided. Until his election for high sheriff, in August, 18Si, he was interested in agri- culture. Since that date his attention has been given to the duties of his office; and he discharged them in so satisfactory a manner that in August, 1886, he was re-elected. Although the Democrats of the county have a majority of 200, Mr. Luttrell, who is a Republican, has twice defeated the Democratic nominee. He is universally known, and popular. On September 10. 1871, he married Miss Maggie T. Jarvis, who was born in Monroe County, March 12, 1845. To this union four sons and three daughters have been born. Mr. Luttrell is not a member of any church, but a firm believer in the Bible and the Methodist faith.
Isaac Nicholson was born in Monroe County, Tenn., November 30, 1830, the son of Isaac and Rebecca (Penry) Nicholson. Both were of English descent, and natives of South Carolina, were married in their native State, and lived in South Carolina after their marriage several years, but spent the remainder of their days in Tennessee and Georgia. The father died at the age of about seventy-five, in Union County, Ga., about 1853. The mother died in 1860, in Monroe County, Tenn., at about eighty years of age. The father was a farmer and an old line Whig, and both father and mother were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject is one of thirteen children. He secured a good education in youth, in MeMinn County. In 1848 he came to Polk County, and bas resided here ever since. In 1871 he purchased a farm of 145 acres. Our subject has been an active business man. In 1882 he was duly elected trustee of Polk County, and re-elected in 1884 and 1886. He is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. On March 4, 1849, he married Miss Helen M. Howell, born in Polk County. September 30, 1829. This union has resulted in the birth of ten children, eight sons and two daughters; two sons being dead. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
William A. Prince, Sr., was born in Haywood County, N. C., January 22, 1829, and is the son of Ephraim and Lucinda Prince. The father was born in South Car- olina, and died in Polk County, Tenn .. November 16, 1867. He came to Tennessee at a very early date, but moved to North Carolina, then back to Monroe County, and afterward to Polk County, and settled on Ococe River. About 1841 he moved to Duck- town, and remained until his death. His occupation was that of farming. He was very successful in business. Lucinda (Stillwell) Prince, the mother, was born in North Car- olina, and died in Polk County, Tenn. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was the second of six children. He had poor school advantages in his youth, but has been a close student since. He was an infant when his father came to Tennessee, and about twelve years of age when he moved to Ducktown. He worked on his father's farm until July 15, 1850, then married Jane Hayes, who was born in Monroe County. Tenn., about 1832. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and the daughter of James and Rebecca Hayes. Our subject's union has resulted in nine children: Martha J., Re- becca L., Mary C., James W., John M., William A., Minerva C., Ephraim L. and George C. Shortly after marriage he began taking contracts to furnish the Ducktown copper mines with wood and coal until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in Company A, of the Forty-third Tennessee Infantry, Confederate service, and was elected second lieutenant. He was in active service until the fall of Vicksburg. He was wounded while in an engagement with guerrillas. He came home and began to take contracts, until October, 1875, then moved to his present location, and turned his attention exclu- sively to farming, but before moving from Ducktown he was elected constable. After the war he was elected justice of the peace, and held that office four years. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a Master Mason and a Democrat.
Jesse Rymer is a native of Polk County, and was born October 19, 1839, the son of Eli and Catherine (Milton) Rymer. The father was of German descent, but it is not
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
known of what descent the mother was. The father was born in Buncombe County, N. C., about 1819, and died in Polk County in 1877. The mother was born in Bradley County, Tenn., about 1820, and died in her native county, at Cleveland, about 1870. The parents were married in Bradley County, about 1838. The father was by trade a blacksmith, with which he associated farming. He was a Democrat, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is the eldest of two children. He secured a good education in his youth at Benton, Polk County, and after completing the same he was for three years engaged in teaching school. Afterward he gave his attention to farming. About 1861 he purchased and settled on a farm in the Fifth Civil District, Polk County. In 1862 he entered the Confederate States service; enlisting in Company B, Sixty-second Tennessee Regiment, Confederate States Army, served with credit over one year in the field, and was made a prisoner of war at Vicksburg in 1863; was paroled, came home and resumed farming, which he has followed since. From 1867 to 1879 be had several teams of wagons on the road, freighting copper and goods to and from Ducktown. In 1882 he was duly elected to the office of circuit court clerk of Polk County, and moved his family to the town of Benton the same year. and from that date he has been a resident of Benton. In the latter part of 1883, in part- nership with W. M. Clemmer, he established a store of general merchandise at Benton, and has since that time been engaged in the mercantile interest in connection with farm- ing, and the firm is still Rymer & Clemmer. In September, 1861, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Dorinda A. Cloud, a most excellent lady and a native of South Carolina. This union has resulted in two children: Minerva, born June 1, 1864, and Fannie, born October 5, 1867. Our subject is a Democrat, and he and his wife are worthy and consist- ent members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
MONROE COUNTY.
Arch Bacome, an energetic and prominent farmer of Monroe County, and son of James and Sarah (Glass) Bacome, was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., July 29, 1814. The father was born in Virginia about 1780, and was of English-Scotch descent. He died in Monroe County July 26, 1840. The mother was born in Washington County, Tenn., about 1790, and died in Monroe County June 8, 1874. They were married in Washington County, and lived in that and Sullivan Counties until 1820, when they came to what is now Loudon County. After living there one year they moved to Monroe County, and settled upon the farm where our subject is now living. They were among the first settlers of this county. The father was a farmer, an old line Whig, and he had been reared in the Presbyterian faith, as had also his wife. Our subject is the third of five children. At the age of five he came with his parents to Monroe County, and here received a good academic education. IIe was reared on his father's farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. In 1841 the old homestead came into his possession. He has been suc- cessful as a farmer and now owns upward of 660 acres of land in the section of country known as the Sweet Water Valley. In October, 1856, our subject married Miss Sophronia C. Johnston, a native of Monroe County, born in 1836. She is the daughter of Josiah K. and Clarissa J. Johnston. To them were born one son and three daughters. The son is deceased. Mr. Bacome is a Democrat in politics, is not a member of any church, although a Presbyterian by faith. Mrs. Bacome is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
James L. Bacon, an enterprising merchant and farmer of Mountainville, the Fifteenth District of Monroe County, Tenn., was born near Loudon, Loudon Co., Tenn., Septem - ber 7, 1847, and is the son of Drura A. and Caroline (Ballard) Bacon. The father was a native Virginian, born December 4, 1808, and died in Loudon County, Tenn., in 1881. He
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came from Virginia when a young man and settled in Loudon County, where he engaged in farming. He had a good education; was a member of the Baptist Church. and a Democrat in politics. He held the office of deputy sheriff and constable for many years. The mother was born in Loudon County (known then as Roane County), March 17, 1817, and is now living on the old homestead in Loudon County. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Of their thirteen children, eight now living, our subject is the fourth. He remained on the farm and attended the country schools until twenty years of age, when his father gave him and his brother, Nathaniel P., land in Loudon County, which they sold. Our subject then came to his present location in Monroe County, and in 1870 purchased land here. November of the same year he married Miss Anna Par- shall, a native of Monroe County, Tenn., born June 22, 1854, and the daughter of Dr. John R. and A. E. Parshall. This union resulted in the birth of four children, all living: Walter, Rosa, Nona and Nathaniel L. Two years after purchasing his present property he engaged in mercantile business, in which he has been very successful. In 1884 he was appointed postmaster. 'He is a very active, thorough-going man, and is a Democrat in politics.
William N. Bicknell, M. D., a successful practitioner of Madisonville, Monroe Co., Tenn., was born at Dandridge, Jefferson Co., Tenn., September 9, 1822, and is the son of Nelson and Mary A. (Fain) Bicknell. The father was a native of Greene County, Tenn., born January 31, 1795, and died in Jefferson County, Tenn., July 27, 1829. He was a hatter, and was engaged in that business at the time of his death. He was a Whig in politics. Mary A. Fain, whom he married May 22, 1821, was born in Washington County, Tenn., September 18, 1797, and died in McMinn County, Tenn., June 23, 1847. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the daughter of William and Sarah Fain, who came to Tennessee at a very early day, when it was a part of North Carolina. Our subject is the eldest of three children born to his parents, and at the time of his father's death his mother moved to Jonesboro, Washington Co., Tenn., to her parents. At the age of fourteen our subject came to Monroe County, Tenn., and worked on a farm for one year. He then engaged in merchandising, as salesman, where he remained five years, when he began the study of medicine under R. F. Cooke, of Madisonville, and attended lectures at Lexington, Ky. In 1846 be returned to Madisonville, and began the practice of medicine, and has since followed that occupation, with the exception of the year 1853, when he again attended lectures, and graduated at Nashville. Previous to this, August 23, 1818, he married Maria A. Moore, a native of Maine, born in April, 1825, and the daughter of Collins Moore. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was one of a party who came from Maine to Tennessee. She was teaching school in Madisonville at the time of her marriage. This union resulted in the birth of eight children, five now living: Willie N., Guilford O., Nelson Y., Robert C. and Della. Those deceased are Mary A., S. Annie and Maria. Dr. Bicknell is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a Republican in politics, a Prohibitionist, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
William L. Brown, farmer and citizen of Monroe County, Tenn., was born in Roane County, in that State, near Kingston, January 9, 1840, son of Rev. Thomas and Jane M. (Patton) Brown, both of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was born in Rockingham County, Va., December 27, 1800, and died in Monroe County, Tenn. April 23, 1872. The mother was born at Kingston, Roane County, Tenn., in 1817, and is still living. They were married at Kingston, in 1834, and remained at that place until 1847, when they came to Monroe County, and here remained. The father was a useful and popular preacher in the Presbyterian Church for forty-five years, having entered the ministry in 1827. After the division of the church in 1837 he belonged to what was known as the New School Presbyterian Church, and subsequently he was connected with what is known as the Northern Presbyterian. Our subject is one of ten children. He secured a good education in his youth at Maryville College, but the breaking out of the war interrupted his studies to some extent. He was reared on his father's farm, and cultivating the soil has been his life-long occupation. He took charge of the farm after the death of
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
his father. In February, 1875, he married Miss Sydney C. Hood, a native of Monroe County, born at Madisonville in 1847. To this marriage were born three sons and two daughters, one daughter deceased. Mr. Brown is a decided Republican and a worthy member of the Northern Presbyterian Church.
Larkin Cardin, a stirring and energetic farmer of the Fourteenth District of Monroe County, Tenn., was born in the Spartanburg District, S. C., August 4, 1816. He is the son of Leonard and Tobitha (Peace) Cardin. The Cardin family originally came from England. Leonard Cardin was born in Virginia, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., in 1857, at an advanced age. He moved to South Carolina in his younger days, and to Monroe County, Tenn., in 1817. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. a farmer and a Democrat. The mother was born in South Carolina about the same time as her husband, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., about 1817. She was of German descent. Of their ten children our subject is the seventh. He remained with his parents until sixteen years of age, and secured his education at Scruggs Academy. He then went to the State of Georgia, and was cook for a company of railroad hands for two years, after which he came to Polk County, Tenn., and taught school for seven years. At the end of this time he came to Monroe County, and again engaged in teaching school, which occupation he followed for three years. During this time, February 29, 1850, he married Miss Nancy Henderson, a daughter of Robert Henderson. She was born in Monroe County, Tenn., in 1827, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Nine children were born to this union, seven now living: Malinda J., Cornelius P. and Florence A., (twins), Decatur A., Sarah A., Marcus C. and Winnie L. : Julia A. and Penelope died in infancy. Part of the land our subject now owns belonged to his wife; the rest he bought of other persons. He has served as school commissioner for thirty-six years, and as justice of the peace for twenty-six years; is a member of the Baptist Church, and a Democrat in politics.
Edward P. Clark, a well-to-do farmer of the Eleventh District of Monroe County, Tenn., was born in Washington County, Va., November 4, 1827. He is the son of Will- iam and Nancy (Wilson) Clark. The ancestors of the Clark family came from Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania, but afterward moved to Washington County, Va., where William, the father of our subject, was born, about 1800, and died in Rush County, Ind., in 1832 or 1833. He was a farmer, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He had a good education, and was a Democrat in politics. The mother was born in Washington County, Va., about 1802, and died in the same county in 1836. She was well educated, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She was the daughter of James Wilson, who was also a native of Washington County. There were five children born to this union, and after the mother's death our subject was taken by his grandfather Wilson, where he remained until he was sixteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to one James Young, a plasterer and brick mason. At the age of twenty-one he moved to Loudon County, Tenn., and worked at his trade there for five years, when he moved to his present location, where he purchased a farm. August 2, 1852, he married Miss Nancy C. MeKen- zie, who was born in Monroe County, Tenn., and died in that county in 1857, being about thirty years of age at the time of her death. She was the daughter of John L. Mckenzie, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. To this union one child, William E., was born. He is now a resident of Grundy County, Mo. In January. 1860, Mr. Clark married Miss Mary Brunner, a native of Greene County, Tenn., and the daughter of Joseph Brunner. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and to her marriage were born seven children, viz .: Anna, Nellie, John D., Kate W .. Oscar M., Blanche and Eddie. In the summer of 1861, Mr. Clark enlisted in Com- pany B, Fifty-ninth Tennessee Infantry (Confederate Army), and remained in active serv- ice until the close of the war. He was paroled at Kingston, Ga. He entered the service as a private, and was made first lieutenant. He was in a great many battles, was wounded at Martinsburg, W. Va., and was at Charlotteville ( Virginia) Hospital for about four months. Mr. Clark is a Mason, and a Democrat in politics.
Hon. William H. Dawson. a prominent citizen of the Ninth Civil District of Monroe County, Tenn., was born in Wytheville, Va., March 18, 1827, and is the son of John and
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Elizabeth Dawson. The ancestors of the Dawson family came from Ireland at an early day. John Dawson was born in Wythe County, Va., in 1806, and now resides in Morgan . ton, Loudon Co., Tenn. He has followed the occupation of a farmer and a miller. He moved from Virginia to Knox County in 1899, to Monroe County in 1840, and from there to Morganton eight years later. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Of their family of seven children our subject is the eldest. He secured his education at the East Tennessee University of Knoxville, after which he taught school in Loudon and Monroe Counties for six years. He then moved on the farm where he now lives on Tellico River. He has been a justice of the peace for eighteen years, and a member of both branches of the Tennessee Legislature. In 1851 he married Miss Lavenia J. Tipton, daughter of John B. and Louisana Tipton. She was born in Monroe County, Tenn., November 12, 1826. and has had good educational advantages. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this marriage seven children were born -- five now living: Henry F., Sadie L., William R., Betty E. and Mary L. Those deceased are John B. and Charles M. John B. died on his thirty-first birthday in October, 1885. Charles M. died when two years old.
William Dyer, an influential citizen of Monroe County, and a resident of the Eleventh Civil District, was born in Washington County, Tenn .; September 14. 1818, and is the son of John and Mary B. (Barnes) Dyer. The Dyer family originally came from Ireland, and settled in Sullivan County. Tenn., where the father of our subject was born April 10, 1792, shortly after his parents had arrived from Ireland. He died in Monroe County, Tenn., December 14, 1841. After marriage he moved to Washington County, Tenn., and in 1824 he came to and entered land in Monroe County, in the same State. He was a Democrat in politics. The mother was also a native of Sullivan County, Tenn., born January 23, 1792. and died in Monroe County, in the same State, May 29, 1870. Our subject is the eldest of eight children, four now living. He received bis education at Madisonville. Tenn., working on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he enlisted and was in the Florida War with the Indians, being engaged in helping to gather the Indians of the Ocoee Purchase together, and moving them west of the Mississippi River. This was in 1837 or 1838. He then returned to Monroe County and purchased the home farm of the other heirs. To this he has added large tracts of land. On January 23, 1850, he was mar- ried, by Rev. John Key, to Miss Sarah J. Vaughn. a native of Monroe County, Tenn., born August 5, 1830, and the daughter of James and Sarah Vaughn, and a sister of Gen. John C. Vaughn. To this union were born eleven children -- ten now living: John, James V., William E., Hugh B .. Mary R., Jennie C., Robert L., Nellie B., Sallie B., Mattie L. and Joseph M., latter born June 15, 1868, and died September 5, 1875. Mr. Dyer and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been a magistrate since 1846.
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