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 28
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1031
MC MINN COUNTY.
location, and established his store. He carries a stock of goods worth more than $5,000 and receives an extensive patronage. In connection with merchandising, he is interested in farming, owning about 120 acres. He began life a poor man, but by industry and careful management has accumulated a fair portion of this world's goods. He is an enterprising, worthy citizen, and for fifteen years has been postmaster at Williamsburg. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Democrat and straight Prohibitionist. April 9, 1861, he married Sarah J., daughter of J. F. and Mary ( Henderson) Strange. Mrs. Williams was born in McMinn County, March 23, 1842. Four children were born to this union, of whom are living Charles A. and Lillie C. Those deceased are William C. and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
William P. Willson, a well-known enterprising planter, of MeMinn County, is a native of East Tennessee, and was born in Monroe County September 4, 1845. His parents are William P. and Julia A. (Henry) Willson. The father is of Irish descent. His father, James Willson, came to America from Ireland with a brother, and he (James) settled in East Tennessee, and his brother, Adam Willson, went to Missouri. The father was born in Sevier County, February 12, 1812, and is still living, a resident of Monroe County. The mother was born February 1, 1812, in either East Tennessee or Alabama, and is still living in Monroe County. The parents were married about 1830, and have spent the greater part of their married life in East Tennessee. Our subject is the seventh of twelve children. He received a good education, in his youth. in Monroe County. His first employment was in agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. In the spring of 1872, or thereabout, he purchased and settled on a farm, in Bradley County, where he resided one year: then sold it, and for the next year he lived with his father in Monroe County. In the spring of 1813 he purchased the farm where he now lives, and moved to it the next year. Our subject has been a live and progressive man, but not ambitious for wealth. He now owns upward of 520 acres of land, which is perhaps as fair a tract of land as there is in the county. On September 26. 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Cor- nelia R. Callaway, a native of McMinn County, and born September 6, 1849. This union has resulted in seven children, five sons and two daughters-two daughters dead. Our subjeet is a Democrat, and is not a member of any church, but is a firm believer in the Bible and the Christian religion, and is in sympathy with the Missionary Baptist Church. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject has made the raising of live stock a speciality. In the fall of 1881, our subject made a western tour pros- pecting for a cattle range on the Pacific coast.
James A. Womac, a well-known resident of the Ninth District, was born in Ruther ford County, N. C., July 14, 1822. He is the eldest of six children born to Alexander and Mary (Neal) Womac. The father was of Irish descent, thought to have been born in Cocke County, Tenn., about 1802. He went to North Carolina at an early date, and there remained until 1839, when he moved to the Ocoee Purchase in Bradley. County. During the war he came to McMinn County, where he died in 1877. He was a successful farmer. The mother was of Welsh origin, born in North Carolina, about 1802, and died in her native State in 1832. Our subject remained with his father until he attained his majority. He then began as a tiller of the soil. He purchased a small farm, to which he has since added, and it now contains 1,000 acres. He came to McMinn County shortly after the war. and remained until 1878, when he went to Meigs County. Three years later he returned to his present location. While a resident of Polk County he was six years a justice of the peace. During the late civil war he was pressed into the Confederate service, for three months, declining the rank of captain which was offered him. He served as first lieutenant. He was in no battle. At the age of nineteen he joined the Baptist Church, and at twenty-four was ordained a minister. He is a Master Mason, and belongs to Sons of Temperance. In August. 1844, he married Margaret, daughter of James and Masila Thompson; the latter born in North Carolina, in 1829, and was committed to the grave on her thirtieth birthday. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and mother of five children, of whom are living Mary M., Riley B., Woddy A. and Evaline -- Buckner died in infancy. In 1859 our subject married Rebecca, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Higdon, who was born in MeMinn County, about 1811, and died in Meigs County in 1880. She was also a member of the Baptist Church. Eleven children were the fruits of this union, ten of whom are living: Daniel S., Lilian, Esther S., Thomas M., Ransom J., Margaret, William James, Robert S., Schuyler and George W. In August, 1880, Mr. Womuc wedded Catherine, widow of W. F. Whiteside, and daughter of James Il. and Carolina Hamilton. Mrs. Womac was born in MeMinn County in 1845. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James H. Hamilton was born in Me Minn County, October 27, 1811. He was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a Master Mason. Hc was a tanner by trade. He married October 20, 1837, and died November 2, 1871, leaving a wife and eight children. His wife was born June 9, 1819, and died October 10, 1880. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Samuel Workman was born in Athens, Tenn., March 15, 1836, and is the son of Sam- uel and Rebecca (Griffith) Workman. The father was of Irish descent, and was born in Green County, Ky .. March 25, 1796, and died near Calhoun, MeMinn County, August 10. 1869. He came to MeMinn County, about 1820. He was a tanner by trade, and worked at that trade for eight or ten years; then was appointed deputy county court clerk, and then was elected circuit court clerk, which office he held for sixteen years. While there he read law, and obtained license, but never practiced. After this he moved to Calhoun, and engaged in selling Seth Thomas clocks for about ten years, and then engaged in securing pensions, and then was engaged in the mercantile business in Bradley County for some time; then settled on a farm and lived there until his death. He was Past Master of the Masonic lodge at Athens. The mother was born in Virginia, and died in Charles- ton, Bradley Co., Tenn., in 1847. She had a good education, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is the fifth of teu children, He secared & collegiate education at Hiwassee College, in Monroe County. Tenn. When his education was secured he engaged in the mercantile business in Bradley County, and then worked on the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad as a civil engineer, until that road was completed to Knoxville; then was in the office of the clerk of the supreme court for a short time, and then went to Jasper County, Mo., and engaged in the mercantile bus iness until the spring of 1861; then enlisted in Company A, of the Eighth Missouri Infantry, Confederate States Army, and was discharged in the spring of 1863 on account of disability, but remained with the army after the battle of Halena in July, 1863, and returned to McMinh County, Tenn., in August, 1863. In 1866 he went to New York, and engaged in the mercantile business as a commercial traveler, and remained there until 1872; then he came to McMinn County and began to farm, which he has continued. He is a Master Mason, and a Democrat. December 24, 1867, he married Mrs. Mary I. Johnston, who was born in McMinn County, Tenn., April 25, 1830. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; she was the wife of Dr. W. B. Johnston, who was a surgeon in the Confederate service, and was killed at Vicksburg; and she is the daughter of John L. and Mary H. McCarty.
MEIGS COUNTY.
David M. Blevins, planter and merchant, was born in Sullivan County, October 13. 1833, the son of James and Ruth ( Rockhold) Blevins, of English and Scotch-Irish stock. and natives of Sullivan County; the former born January 22, 1802, and deceased in Meigs County, February 10, 1949, and the latter born February 29, 1808. and still living. The parents were married, about 1826, and spent about twenty-three happy years in this county, and the mother has never re-married. He was a Democrat, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject. one of uine children, was educated at Decatur, and left the farm, and began life as a merchant. In August. 1859.
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MEIGS COUNTY.
he opened a general store at Decatur, but, in 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Third Confederate Tennessee Infantry, and was in Virginia until February, 1863, and took part at Manassas (the first) and at other places. He was also in East Tennessee, and, in the following December, at Vicksburg, where he was captured with Pemberton's forces, paroled, and in September following exchanged. entering service again at Decatur, Ga. He was an adjutant for three years, but enlisted as second lientenant. On his return, in 1865, he resumed farming, and in 1878 made a tour of ten months through California, Oregon and Washington Territories. He then engaged in the grain traffic, on the Tennessee River, and in 1875 he turned to the plow again, and since 1876 has been at hiy present home, where since October 1880 he has also had a store of general merchandise. Fannie Hoyle became his wife December 28, 1880. She was born at Cleveland, Tenn., in 1860. Their children are David, born August 22, 1883, and died September 16, 1882: James II., born April 8, 1884, and Hugh, born October 16, 1886. Our subject is a Demo- crat and a Methodist.
Elisha S. Boggess was born at Ten Mile Stand. Meigs Co., Tenn., June 9, 1856, and is the son of Abijah and Lavina (Sharp) Boggess. . The father was born in Meigs County, and was killed at the battle of Bentonville ( N. C.) while enlisted in the Confederate serv- ice; he enlisted in the 'Twenty-sixth Tennessee Regiment as captain in 1561. He was at a great number of battles; was taken prisoner and exchanged, but enlisted again. He was a successful farmer, and a Democrat. His parents were Abijah and Susan E. Bogges, who died in Meigs County. They were old settlers of Meigs County, Tenn. The mother was born in Meigs County, and is now a resident of the same, fifty-eight years of age. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject is the fourth of seven children. He secured as good an education as could be obtained at the home schools. He lived with his mother until twenty years of age, when he went to his mother's farm in the Second District, and remained seven years: then purchased 460 acres of land in the Seventh Dis- trict, 300 of which are under cultivation. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a Democrat. December 80, 1880, he married Martha Ewing, who was born in Roane County in 1864. She is the daughter of Elijah and Mary Ewing. She has & liberal educa- tion and is a member of the Baptist Church. This union has resulted in three children, all living: Sudie, Catha and Dixie.
Samuel J. Breeden, M. D., was born in Roane County, July 25, 1852, the son of William and Nancy (Barnard) Breeden. of Irish and German stock, the former born on the Virginia and Tennessee line. in 1803, and deceased in 1865, and the latter born in 1814, in Roane County, and deceased in Loudon County in 1877. The parents spent their married life in Roane County, where they made farm life a success. The father was a Union Democrat, and both had been Baptists, but the mother and probably the father also became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father was a colonel in the Cherokee war, and was a financial success, although he lost much in surety money. Our subject, the seventh of eight children, on account of delicate health and the war, was educated but little before fifteen years of age, when he was educated chiefly at Hiwassee College, in Monroe County. He was then a salesman in Philadelphia. Tenn., for two years. He soon returned to Loudon County, and was engaged in the practice of medicine about eighteen months. Since then he has been at Breedenton, which, before he and his brother established a store there, was called Stewart's Landing, until 1886, he went to Dayton, Rhea County, but since October of that year, he has been in Decatur. March 25, 1884. he married Hester Marrell, a native of Washington County. and born in April, 1859. William E. is their only son. born September 4, 1885. Our subject is a Democrat, and a Methodist. while his wife is of the Presbyterian faith. She is a daughter of Eldridge S. and Susan T. (Allison) Marrell.
W. D. Browder, Sr .. farmer, was born in Roane County, Tenn., January 25, 1823, and son of William and Elizabeth (Lackey) Browder, of Irish and English ancestry; the former born in North Carolina February 10, 1792, and now a resident of MeMinn County, Tenn. The father, before giving so much to the building of churches, to hischildren, and before his slaves were freed, was worth about $40,000. He is a Methodist. and a Democrat.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
The Lackeys came from South Carolina to Tennessee, about 1800. The mother of our subject died in Monroe County, Tenn., in 1802, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject, the third of eight children (four living), was educated in the common schools, and left bis father's farm when twenty-one years of age. Ile rented for two years, and then bought a farm in Roane County, Tenn .. of 280 acres; he lived on his 627 acres in MeMinn for eight years, and after five years on another farm of 010 acres, in Sweet Water Valley. He rented land in Williamson County for four years. After rent- ing a year in Meigs he bought 820 acres, and his father-in-law gave his wife 203 acres, making the farm on which he now lives. He is a Democrat, Mason, Methodist and Pro- hibitionist. October 24, 1844, he married Sarah A., a daughter of Philemon and Martha Deatherage, who was born in Madison County, Ky., October 20, 1823, also a Methodist. Our subject improved and made money on his farm, but was ruined financially by the War.
William B. Brown is a native of East Tennessee, born in Monroe County, near Sweet Water, November 14, 1829. His parents were Thomas and Nancy (Davis) Browu. They were of English and Scotch descent. Both were natives of Fluvanna County. Va The father's birth occurred in the last hour of the eighteenth century, and his death in Meigs County September 3, 1875. The mother was born about 1798, and died in Meigs County, about the year 1855. They were married in West Tennessee, to which country they had emigrated from Virginia about 1824, and two years later they came to Monroe County, and settled near Sweet Water; for the next fourteen or fifteen years they lived at different places in Bledsoe County, and in 1840 they came to Meigs County, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father married, about 1856, Mrs. Jane Haney, whose maiden name was Chote. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits during life. He was a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (Northern Branch). The mother was a member of the same church. Our subject is one of eight children. He secured a good education in his youth at Georgetown and Pikeville. After completing his education, for a number of years be was engaged in teaching school in Meigs, Brad- ley and Bledsoe Counties. In the last named county he taught two years at Sequatchie College. In 1867 he settled down on the farm where he now lives, and since that date to the present has given his attention exclusively to the farm, and now owns nearly 400 acres of land. On August 8, 1887, he married Miss R. Jane Braswell, born in Bledsoe County in 1848. They have no children. Our subject has been in public office for this- teen years. In August, 1874, he was elected justice of the peace, and has successively been re-elected to that office ever since. He has also been notary public for the last eight years. In his political views he is a conservative Democrat, and is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church (Northern Branch). His wife is a member of the same church.
T. W. Burke, merchant, was born in Caswell County, N. C., February 11, 1540. the son of A. R. and Isabella (Graves) Burke, the former born in the same county December 9, 1806, and now living near his birth place, a successful farmer who lost all by the war. The father was educated in the Sunday school, and is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, and several years was a merchant. The next ancestors were in order, Anderson and James. Anderson was born in Virginia, and in his honor Burkes ville was named. He died in Stewart County, Tenn., a farmer, having in former vear- been a teamster. James was born in Ireland, and was connected with the famous gunpowder plot, from which he escaped, his brother being caught and executed. James then came to Virginia where he died. Sir Edmund Burke was of the same line of Burkes. The mother's ancestors were English, and she was born in North Carolina in June, 1814, the daughter of Asa Graves, a farmer and trader, and a sheriff of Henderson County, Tenn., where he died. The mother is a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject attended the common schools, and when sixteen engaged as salesman in a grocery at Danville, Va., and went to night school. Two years later he entered a dry goods house, and two years still later returned to Caswell County. After farming a year he went to Hamilton County, Tenn., and farmed and taught for some time. He was
1035
MEIGS COUNTY.
then engaged on government works on the Tennessee River, until May, 1874. He then went to near Red Bluff, Cal., and in October became the Company of Browne & Co., merchants. Then he came to his present home and engaged in farnung, contracting and building. Since March, 1886, he has been also a merchant at Pinhook Landing. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a Republican. August 20, 1874. he married Rachel E. Brown, who was born in Meigs County, April 27, 1854, the daughter of W. S. and Elizabeth Brown. She is a Methodist. They were married by Judge Charles P. Barnard, of Colorado. Their children are Lizzie B., Jennie C., Willie T. and Mary E. John A. died in 1881 aged three years.
Robert E. Cate, planter and miller, was born near Decatur September 1, 1830, the sou of Daniel and Ava (Elder) Cate, both of English stock, and natives of Jefferson County; the former was born in 1796, and died in 1858, and the latter wasborn in 1800, and died in 1867. They were married in 1817. and lived in Jefferson County about six years, then came to Rhea (now Meigs) County. The father was a successful farmer, and a Democrat, and both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In about the year 1680 four brothers of the name Cate came from Europe, and settled in America-two of them in Virginia and two in North Carolina. From these brothers sprang all of the kin of this name in the United States. Our subject is of a large family, was educated in Meigs County, and taught school five or six years in Meigs and Hamilton Counties. In IS58 Lit settled on a farm in the Fourth District, from which date he has been a successful farmer, and from 1868 on his present farm. His fine residence was built in 1880 at a cost of $2,500. November 16, 1858, Arminda Stephenson became his wife. She was born in 1834 in Mc Minn County. They have three sons and four daughters. He now owns about 700 acres on the Tennessee River, with a (water) flouring inill on it. He is a Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Cate family are largely scattered throughout the Western and Southern States. John C. Cate was a governor of New Hampshire, and William Cate was an eminent judge of Arkansas. They are also noted for the number of Baptist preachers they have furnished.
Dr. M. C. Clark, of Meigs County, Tenn., was born near Philadelphia. Monroe Co., Tenn., June 23, 1832; the son of Joseph M. and Nancy A. (McCampbell) Clark. The father was born in North Carolina, of English parentage, and came to Knoxville at an carly date; he was a professional teacher, taught school at Knoxville, Kingston. Phila- delphia, and various places throughout the country, an educational man, old line Whig, and a Presbyterian. The mother was born in Virginia, of Scotch-Irish parentage, was liberally educated for the times, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church; she spared no pains in training and educating her children. Our subject, the youngest of eleven children, except one, was educated liberally, but mostly at home. After becoming a man he taught school and farmed, reading medicine at the same time under one Dr. G. M. Clem- entson. He commenced practice in 1858, and in 1859 became partner with his old pre- ceptor. He is also now a farmer; was originally a Whig, now acts with the Democratic party; is a Master Mason, and a Presbyterian. December 15, 1861, he married Sarah C., daughter of B. F. and Mary Locke, born in Decatur, Tenn., December 20, 1848. and their children now living are Anna E., Andrew Franklin, Jo, McCampbell. Alice May. Rosalie C., S. Ernest, Bulah Dixie and Lillian. They have a little granddaughter-Mabel Clare Wann. Those who departed this life are little Hattie, born June 21, 1877, died August 16, 1878; Molenia Alberta, born February 10, 1863. died June 13, 1885, she was the eldest of the household flock, the flower of the family, and wife of Mr. J. H. Wann, late of Salem, Oregon, whose Memoriam is here perpetuated: "Mrs. Molenia Alberta Wann, daughter of Dr. M. C. Clark, of Ten Mile Stand, Meigs Co., Tenn., was born February 10. 1863. United in marriage to Mr. J. H. Wann, late of Salem. Ore .. on September 13, 1883, died June 13, 1885, at 11:30 A. M., leaving an infant daughter, aged one month and twenty-one days. Aged at the time of her death twenty two years four months and three days, having enjoyed and honored the marriage relation almost two years. Once more the silent tread of the Death Angel has crossed the thresholdl of a father's peaceful home, and a beloved one-the eldest of the household flock -- is borne away in his relent-
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
less arms, and laid on his cold bosom in the dark grave, covering an entire community with gloom, and filling the sorrow-smitten family with remediless grief. We might pause a moment, drop a tear of sorrow over the deceased, a tear of sympathy with the bereaved husband and family and pass on, as is too often the case; but in the course of human life we meet with persons, who are stamped with individuality to the extent that it is not amiss to embalm their memory with something more durable than a mere pass- ing notice. The writer, who knew her from infancy till her sanctified spirit fled from the world of death to the fountains of unsullied bliss, offers this tribute of respect to the name of Bertie, as she was familiarly called. It is not hollow praise to say that the child bloomed into a dutiful and trusted daughter, affectionate sister, sociable companion, diligent student. devoted, considerate and obedient wife, and-alas! life was too short to develop more than a tender, loving mother, before God had written little Mabel Clare motherless, and she was committed to other hands for training. Endowed with a fine intellect and personal charms, it is not singular that in school, at home, and abroad she had a large circle of friends, and reached a high grade of proficiency in all of her studies. Asprincipal of a country school, one session, she was acceptable to patrons and profitable to the students. Nearly three years before her death she professed faith in Christ-to be saved . by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.' Her religious Life was not marked by any unusual degree of piety; nor was there anything to injure any oue's confidence in her Christian integrity. . But owing to surroundings, she did not join the church, and in the gaieties and festivities of the times there was not the growth of grace developed that was so confidently looked for at her conversion. Her home was near the river, at Euchee, and being exposed to malaria her health became delicate, and she was removed to her father's to be under his treatment and her mother's care in her confine- ment, from which, and a complication of diseases, she declined under the treatment of as high medical talent as our country affords, till the end was reached. A week before her death she notified her friends of her gloomy forebodings and fears of the future, though all of the time claiming to have been converted. In the presence of death for some time she yielded to fear. During that time with child-like simplicity and deep-toned sorrow, which moved all to tears who heard, she repeatedly exclaimed: 'Lord, I give myself to Thee, Oh, take me as I am!'-seeming to fully understand the exclamation to mean entire submission to God's will, and an abiding confidence in the ability, will and love of the Savior to do right. In the repeated religious conversations had with her during the last week, no human mind could have been more calm, or have had a more fixed determination not to be deceived-to go down into death amidst the dark clouds, or have the star of hope to rise in her soul, and the sun of righteousness shed his bright beams in a halo of glory around her expiring couch. On Friday night before her death was the last extended con- versation, which was in private, at her request. She expressed herself as being satisfied with the evidences of her acceptance with the Savior, and a readiness to go and be at rest in heaven. She left an exhortation to her associates and all others to be prompt to render obedience to the Savior, as Christians to live in the church, and to 'abstain from all appearance of evil.' In full possession of her mental powers, which were retained to the last moment, our parting was with mutual promises to meet where clouds do not darken or sorrows torture the soul. That last night was one of great suffering. Nearly daylight she said to an associate: 'I am ready to go-am almost there.' At about 11 o'clock A. M. all knew the end was at hand. She committed her babe to her husband, father and mother to be trained for heaven, gave counsel to all of the family, asked and received promises to meet her in heaven, took an affectionate farewell, and fell asleep in Jesus. On Sunday at 4 o'clock P. M., in the presence of a large concourse. she was interred in the family burying-ground of Maj. Sharp, of whom she was a lineal descendant, where a part of four generations are sleeping. Sleep on, Bertie, a little while; the last trump will awake you in the resurrection of the just." [Affectionately inscribed by her Spiritual Adviser.]
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