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 22
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Joseph H. Forshee, a wide-awake, thorough-going farmer of the Eleventh District. and the son of Rev. Joseph and Ellen (Parker) Forshee, was born near his present place of residence. October 9, 1833. His father was born in Greene County, Tenn., in 1800, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., April 2, 1855. He was a well-known and prominent local Methodist Episcopal preacher. When young he was poor, but before his death he bad accumulated considerable of this world's goods. He had a very liberal education, secured at a very great disadvantage by constant study out of work hours. The mother was also a native of East Tennessee. born about 1801, and died cleven days after the death of her husband. She was a very practical woman, and a worthy member of the Methodist Epis. copal Church South. Our subject is the tenth of sixteen children. He secured a very liberal education at Hiwassee College, and in 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-ninth Tennessee Infantry, Confederate Army, and was in active service until May. 1865. He was in numerous battles and skirmishes, was taken prisoner at Winchester. Va., and retained at Point Lookout, Md., for five months. On May 21, 1874, he married Miss Mar- tha Keller, a daughter of Philip Keller, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a native of Monroe County, Tenn. To this union two sons were born: Walter W. and Hugh H. Our subject remained on the old homestead until 1876, when he pur- chased the farm, consisting of 400 acres, and moved upon it. He is a Democrat in politics, and at all times supports the cause of education.
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William J. Fowler, a prominent citizen and farmer of Monroe County, Tenu .. was born in Cocke County, in the same State, April 23, 1838, son of Josiah and Rebecca (Yett) Fowler, both natives of Cocke County, Tenn., the father of English and Irish, and the mother of French and German descent. The father was born about 1809, and the mother about 1812. They are still living, and are residents of Bell County, Texas. They were married in their native county, and afterward lived there about eighteen years. They then immigrated to Burnet County, Texas, and subsequently settled in Bell County, in the same State. The father was a fine mathematician, and when he was about twenty-two years of age, with the assistance of a brother, he made a practical arithmetic that went through several editions, and was extensively used in East Tennessee and adjoining States. Though an old work it is still in use in some sections of the country, and is unquestionably a work of merit. He has also been engaged in the farming interest, which has been his chief calling. In his political views he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject is one of a large family of children. He secured a good education in Texas, which has been supplemented by extensive reading. He was reared on his father's farm, and cultivating the soil has been his chief calling ever since. At the age of twenty-three, February 14, 1961. he married Miss Mary J. Kelso, a native of Monroe County, born May 3, 1839. After mar- liage our subject settled on his present farm, and since that time has been a successful and enterprising farmer. He now owns 1,700 acres of land, and on Fork Creek has a grist and saw mill. In 1874 he was elected to represent Monroe and Loudon Counties in the State Legislature of 1875 and 1856. He was elected on the Democratic ticket, defeat- ing his opponent by 360 votes. Our subject was again clected to the same body in the fall of 1886, and is now representing Monroe County in the Lower House. He is a strong Prohibitionist, and was a friend to that move at the last session of the Legislature. Mr. Fowler, wife and four daughters, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Albert H. Gallaher, an influential citizen, planter and merchant, and the son of George and Lucinda (King) Gallaher, was born in Knox County, Tenn., May 1. 1842. The father was born in Knox County, July 3, 1808, and was of Irish descent. He died in Roane County, July 12, 1875. The mother was also born in Knox County, May 27, 1513, and died in Roane County, August 10, 1876. They were married in their native county. September 6, 1831, and remained there until 1848, at which time they removed to Roane County, where they passed the remainder of their days. The father was a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Her father, Jeremiah King, was for a number of years an itinerant preacher of the Methodist Episcopal per- suasion, and was of the Holston conference. Our subject is one of eight children. He was reared on the farm. and secured a good education at Hiwassee College. In October, 1865, he married Miss Fannie L. McCroskey, a native of Monroe County, born October 27. 1841, and to them have been born four sons and three daughters. Previous to his marriage, in 1861, he enlisted in Company F, in Browner's Batallion, Confederate Army, and served until the final surrender. He was in the battle of Fishing Creek. Murfrees- boro and others. He returned home in June, 1865. In 1868 Mr. Gallaher went into part- nership with a younger brother, William T. Gallaher, and was engaged in the farming interest in the Fifteenth Civil District of Roane County for four years. In 1876 he pur- chased and settled where he now lives, and since then has been a live, energetic farmer. In 1879 he, in partnership with H. M. McCroskey, established a general store of merchan- dise at Glenloch, which is still flourishing at that place. Mr. Gallaher is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which he has served as elder for the past fifteen years. Mrs. Gallaher is a member of the same church.
Rufus Gaut, a prominent citizen and wide-awake farmer of Monroe County, Tenu., was born in Jefferson County. in the same State, January 26, 1844, son of Joseph and Delilah (Jones) Gaut, both natives of Jefferson County, Tenn., and of Irish and German lineage. The father was born about 1799, and died in Bradley County. February 14, 1885. The mother was born about 1809, is still living, and is a resident of Cleveland,
A
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Bradley Co., Tenn. They were married in their native county in 1829, and lived in Jeffer- son County for about fifteen years, after which they came to Sevier County. After remaining there until 1865, they moved to Bradley County, leaving the former county on account of the strong Union sentiment expressed there. The father was a fariner, a stanch Democrat, and was a worthy member of the Baptist Church. He died March 14, 1885, and his widow June 10, 1887. Our subject is one of eight children born to his par- ents. He secured a good academic education in Sevier County, and followed agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. At the age of cighteen he enlisted in the Confederate Army, in Company F, Sixty-first Tennessee Regiment of Infantry, and was captured at Vicks- burg Mills in 1868. He was sent as a prisoner of war to Fort Delaware, where he was confined until the following September, at which time he was paroled. In February of the next year he was exchanged, re-entered the service, and remained until the close of the war, surrendering at Columbus, Ga., in the spring of 1865, and returned home after being absent over two years. He was engaged in cultivating the soil up to 1873, at which time he came to Monroe County. September 29, 1873, he married Miss Bettie Latimore, and to them were born seven children-one son and six daughters-all living. Mr. Gaut is a Democrat in politics, and a worthy member of the Baptist Church.
James A. Gilbreath, of Monroe County, Tenn., was born near his present home, near Hiwassee College, May 26. 1842, and is the son of John F. and Isabella (Edington) Gil- breath. Hugh Gilbreath, grandfather of our subject, came from Ireland and settled in Blount County, Tenn,, where John F. was born. May 30, 1796. The latter died in Mon- roe County, April 6, 1877. He was a prominent local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church South for over fifty years. He came to Monroe County at the time of the land sales, purchased a farm and made this county his home the remainder of his life. ITe was a good citizen in every sense of the word. The mother of our subject was a native of Blount County. Tenn., born January 15, 1708, and died in Monroe County, May 26, 1874. She was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Her ancestors came from England. Of their family of thirteen children, four of whom are now living, our subject is the youngest. He was a student of Hiwassee College at the breaking out of the war. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Capt. Rowan's company, of the Sixty-second Tennessee Infantry, Confederate Army, and was in active service until the surrender at Vicksburg, when he returned to Monroe County, and engaged in farming. June 28, 1868, he married Miss Elizabeth J. Brunner, a native of Greene County, Tenn., born in Aug- ust, 1842, and the daughter of Joseph Brunner. The fruits of this union were six chil- dren, five now living: Sidney G., Arabella B., Hugh A., Joseph F. and John E. Bruce T., an infant, died in 1881. In 1870 our subject purchased the land on which he now resides, and the same year was elected justice of the peace, which office he has continued to hold up to the present.
Stephen P. Hale, a prominent citizen of the Tenth Civil District, of Monroe County. Tenn., was born in McMinn County, near Athens, November 1, 1825, and is the son of William and Sarah (Porter) Hale. The father was born in Grayson County, Va., Jan- uary 11, 1802, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., February 21, 1845. He came to Me- Minn County, Tenn., in 1824, and settled in the Hiwassee District, bought land and farmed, but in the spring of 1834 sold and moved to the Eighth District of Monroe County, where he purchased a farm and here remained until his death. He was assistant quarter master and commissary, with the rank of captain, during the removal of the Cherokee Indians from the Ococe Purchase. He was a Whig in politics, and the son of William Hale, who lived and died in Grayson County, Va. The mother was born in Wythe County, Va., July 8, 1807, and died in Monroe County, October 5, 1858. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the daughter of Andrew Porter, who lived and died in Wythe County, Va. Of this union, two children, our subject and Pey- ton G., who died in infancy, were born. The former secured a fair education at Forest Hill Academy, and at Athens under Charles P. Samuel, one of the best educators in the State. Our subject also attended Hiwassee College, and then engaged in teaching school in MeMiun and Monroe Counties for abont twenty years. In 1856 he married Miss Elmina
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Cantrell, a native of McMinn County, born 1833, and died in her native county, April 1. 1863. She was the daughter of David Cantrell, and by her marriage with our subject be - came the mother of four children, three now living: William D., Sarah A., Mary E. Stephen .P., died September 2, 1863. After Mrs. Hale's death our subject married Mrs. Cornelia Yearwood, a native of MeMinn County, and the daughter of Dr. J. W. Netherland, and the widow of James Yearwood, deceased. She was born in 1848 and died in Monroe County, June 9, 1868. She was a member of the Baptist Church. April 7, 1870, Mr. Hale married Mrs. Susan A. Palmore, the daughter of Thomas Price. Mr. Palmore died while in the Confederate service. She is a native of Cumberland County, Va., born May 15, 1839, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. To this union five children were born: Lillie, Charles P., Stephen P., Thomas N. and Susan (deceased). In 1865 Mr. Hale was appointed clerk and master of Monroe County, and served in that capacity for twelve years. In 1879 he was appointed, by Judge John Baxter, commissioner of the United States Court, which position he has since held. He has also followed farming. He is a notary public and a member and elder of the Presby- terian Church. He was a Whig before the war. a Union man during that memorable period. and since that time has been a Republican. He obtained a license, some ten years ago. to practice law, and does considerable business as counselor and office lawyer.
Thomas A. Henderson, a well-to-do and enterprising citizen of Monroe County, and a resident of the Fourteenth District, is the son of John and Dorcas (McSpadden) Hender- son. He was born near his present place of residence, October 27, 1826. His father was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., in 1790, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., in 18:1. He moved to and entered the land on which our subject is now living, at the early settle- ment of the county. He was a farmer and house carpenter by occupation. Was magis- trate for many years, a member of the Baptist Church and a Republican in politics. His mother was a native of Jefferson County. Tenn .. born in 1795 and died in Monroe County in 1869; was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their family consisted of eleven children, five of whom are now living. Our subject received a liberal education at the East Tennessee University, of Knoxville. He remained on the old homestead, took care of his parents in their old age, and provided for them until their death. He then pur- chased the home place from the other heirs. September 15, 1857, he married Miss Mar- tha Caldwell, a native of Jefferson County, Tenn., born 1828, a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, and the daughter of Harvey Caldwell. To this marriage were born five children, all living: William B., James H., Mary E., Oliver B. and Martha C. Mr. Henderson is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a Republican in politics.
James R. Henley, a well-to-do farmer and stock-dealer of the Eleventh District of Monroe County. Tenn., was born near Jonesboro, Washington Co., Tenn., April 30. 1536, and is the second of eight children born to Thomas O. and Melvina (Carroll) Henley. The father was a native of Washington County. Tenn., born about 1814, and died in Meigs County, Tenn .. in March, 1886. He was a farmer, came to Cocke County about 1838, to Monroe County in 1854, and to Meigs County in 1870. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a Democrat in politics. His father. George W. Henley, was a native of Virginia, and came to Washington County. Tenn., at a very early day. The mother of our subject was born in Virginia about 1812, and died in Monroe County in 1867. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject remained with his parents uutil twenty-seven years of age. and in June, 1863, he married Eliza Jane Edington, a native of Monroe County, Tenn., born in 1843, and the daughter of Samuel and Fannie Edington. Ten children were born to this union, nine now living: Mary F .. Samuel O .. Charles W .. Nellie, Georgie, James F. A., Maude, Joseph J. and John M. Georgie died June 25, 1865, when only fourteen months old. In 1863 our subject moved to his present location where he has since remained. He has been trading in stock since his seventeenth year, and is one of the county's most wide-awake, thorough-going; farmers. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, is a Mason, a K. of HI., and a Democrat in politics.
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Charles C. Jones, M. D., a prominent citizen of Monroe County, Tenn., was born in Union District, S. C., October 9, 1841, and is the son of Joshua W. and Ophelia (Partlow) Jones. The father was of Welsh descent. He was born in Union District, in 1817, and died in Abbeville District, S. C., in 1863. He received his education at South Cumberland University and was afterward a very prominent instructor in South Carolina, and was offered the president's chair in all the leading colleges of the State, but refused because be liked retirement. He taught successively all the branches, viz .: Mathematics, languages, theology and medicine, and was considered the most talented man in the State. At the time of his death he had charge of a college of his own at Jonesville, S. C. In 1844 he represented his district in the legislature. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity. and a Democrat in politics. The mother's ancestors came originally from France and England. She was born in Union District, S. C., in 1820, and is now a resident of Blount County, Tenn. She has a good education and is a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject is the third of seven children, all now living. He remained with and was educated by his father, and graduated in music under Prof. Rothchild, who was a gradu- ate of music from Heidelburg, Germany, until eighteen years of age, when he went to Philadelphia and attended the Jefferson Medical College, not as a student, but as a looker- on, not expecting to practice medicine. After this he enlisted in the Second South Caro- lina Regiment, or Secession Guards, as sergeant, and remained in service until the close of the war. He was in twenty-three general engagements, was at the battle of Manassas, acted in different capacities during the war, and at its close was sergeant of the signal office, etc. After the war he came to Tennessee to look after some business interests of his brother-in-law, married here and has since been a resident of Mouroe County, hav- ing been engaged in the practice of medicine and in farming, His marriage with Miss Mar- garet W. McGhee occurred March 14, 1867. She was born in Monroe County, has a good education, and is the daughter of Barclay J. McGhee. The fruits of this union are nine children, viz .: Lavina O,, Barclay J., Sarah E., Ada., Montrie, Olie B., Ewayea, Charles H. and Diva R. In 1876 Dr. Jones was elected justice of the peace, and has since resigned that position, twice, but was elected to the same office the same number of times. His land is in the Seventeenth District, on a bend of the Little Tennessee, and is called Citico for its beautiful location. Dr. Jones is a Democrat in politics, and a very active, enterprising man.
Joshua R. Jones, a well-to-do and enterprising young planter of the Seventeenth Dis- trict of Monroe County, Tenn., is a native of Abbeville District, S. C., and is the son of Joshua W. and Ophelia (Partlow) Jones. He received a very liberal education but could not attend college on account of the breaking out of the war. His brothers had all en- listed in the Confederate Army, and he, at the age of ten, was left to superintend the farm and the shoe and leather works (his mother had taken a contract to furnish shoes to the Southern Army, which she did with credit to herself). In the fall of 1865 our subject came to Monroe County, Tenn., as a refugee; after the excitement had subsided he returned to South Carolina, and remained there until 1869, when he returned to Monroe County, and made it his permanent home. July 13, 1869, he chose for his companion through life, Miss Lavina McGhee, a daughter of Barclay and Mary K. (Henley) McGhee, of Scotch - Irish descent. Our subject's land, consisting of 2,850 acres, is situated on the Little Ten- nessee River and on a part of the Taylor and Bark Indian Reservation. Our subject is a great sportsman, likes dogs and horses, and spends a great deal of time hunting.
Rev. J. P. Kefauver, a prominent Baptist minister and a resident of Monroe County, Tenn., was born in Roanoke County, Va., December 29, 1823, and is the only child born to Jacob and Nancy (Vineyard) Kefauver. The Kefauver family originally came from Germany and settled in Va. The father of our subject was born in Maryland, in 1798, and died in Roanoke County, Va., in 1863. He moved to Roanoke County when a boy, received a good education, was a member and exhorter in the Baptist Church, and was a Democrat in politics. The mother was born in Maryland, in 1800, and was of French extraction. She died in Roanoke County, Va., in 1825. The father afterward married Miss Sarah James, who bore him eight children. At the age of sever- teen our subject was apprenticed to a house joiner, and learned that trade. At the age of
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twenty he became converted, and at that time made up his mind to become a minister of the Gospel. He then went to Holland's Institute, and five years later graduated, after which he went to Bath County, Va., and taught school two years, and was also engaged in preaching. In the meantime he had purchased a farm, and at this time began to raise stock, etc. December 19, 1849, he married Miss Sarah Civily, a native of Alleghany County, Va., born in 1832, and died in the same State one year after marriage, on Christ- mas day, 1850. December 12, 1860, he married Miss Nancy R. Cooke, a daughter of Dr. R. F. Cooke and a native of Madisonville, Tenn., born December 30, 1839. She had a very liberal education, being a graduate of Bolivar College, Madisonville, both in science and in music. She is a member of the Baptist Church. To their union were born four chil- dren: Paul F., Nancy V., Robert C. and Lottie. The same year of his second marriage he moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., and had charge of the First Baptist Church at that place. He remained there until forced to leave on account of the war, or on account of the place becoming a battle-ground. At that time half of the farm he now owns was willed to him, and he purchased the other interest eight years after the war. He is still engaged in bis ministerial duties, and is also employed in farming and stock raising.
Capt. William Lee, a prominent citizen of Tellico Plains, Fourteenth District of Monroe County, and the son of Clem and Frances (Richey) Lee, was born in Murray County, Ga., March 29, 1839. The father was born in North Carolina, in 1792. and died in Polk County, in 1852. He moved to Polk County about the time the Hiwassee Pur- chase was sold. After marriage he moved to Georgia, remained there ten years. and, in about 1836 or 1837. he again moved to Polk County where he remamed until his death. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and a Democrat in politics. The mother was born in Monroe County, Tenn., about the same date as her husband, and died in the same county in June, 1876. She was also a member of the Baptist Church. Of their family of nine children, five now living, our subject is the seventh. He was only fifteen at the time of his father's death, but he assisted his mother all he could by working on the farm or in giving her his wages when he worked out. He also went to school during that time. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Third Tennessee Infantry, Confederate Army, was a private twelve months, and upon the reorganization was elected first lieutenant, and later was made captain. He was at the first battle of Bull Run, was at the battle of Tazewell, siege of Vicksburg. and was in East, Tennessee. and paroled at Washington, Ga. He received a severe wound at the siege of Vicksburg. After the war he returned to Tellico Plains, rented land for thirteen years. and then purchased the property where he now resides. June 16, 1865, he married Miss Marzaret J. Morgan, a native of Tellico Plains, born October 10, 1839, and a daughter of Amasinh and Irene (Hunt) Morgan. She as well as our subject is a member of the Baptist Church. To their marriage were born six children: John L., A. Thomas, Francis I .. Margaret J . Mary H. and Worth S. Mr. Lee has been quite successful in all business transactions. and is a good citizen. He is a Democrat in politics.
James F. Magill, a prominent citizen and well-to-do farmer of the Sixth Civil District of Monroe County, Tenn., was born within half a mile of his present place of residence. May 12, 1825, and is the son of Nathaniel and Jane (Rankin) Magill. The father was born in Greene County, Tenn., February 2, 1797, and died in Monroe County, in August. 1978. He came to Monroe County, Tenn., in 1824, made preparations and had his family come the succeeding year. He was a farmer, one of the first magistrates of Monroe County, holding the office three terms, and was chairman of the county court. He was a member and elder in the Presbyterian Church for over forty years. He had a good education, and in his youthful days taught school. He was a Whig in politics. His father, James Magill, was born in Virginia, and when a young man moved to Greene County, Tenn. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in numerous battles. He died in Monroe County, in 1838, at an advanced age. The ancestors of the Rankin family came from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania. The father of Jane Rankin moved to Greene County, Tenn., and here she was born in 1801, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., in November, 1883. Of the nine children born to his
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parents our subject is the eldest. He secured his education at Dancing Branch Academy, and, after finishing, his father gave him a small tract of land which has been added to until he now owns over 390 acres with the principal part under cultiva- tion. September 26, 1850, he married Margaret Johnston, a native of Monroe County, Tenn., born in 1830, and the daughter of Samuel M. and Margaret Johnston. Samuel M. was born in Blount County, TenD., in 1794, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., in 1876. Ile was a publisher and printer in Madisonville for some time. His wife, whom he married in 1817, was born in South Carolina, in 1791, and died in Monroe County, April 6, 1877. Margaret, wife of our subject, received a reasonably good education, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. To their marriage were born ten children, eight of whom are now living: Esther A. A., William N., Margaret E., Hugh R., LaFayette J., Harvey E., Franklin M. and Ada N. Those deceased are Uretta J. and Samuel O. In 1860 our subject was elected justice of the peace, held the office for twelve years, and was one of the three associate justices for several years. He has often been urged by friends to accept the nomination for the legislature, but has always declined. He is a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church, is a Mason, a Republican and was decidedly opposed to the late war.
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