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 29
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Elijah M. Ewing was born in Roane County, Tenn. November 25, 1830, and is the son of Jacob and Anna (Matheney) Ewing. The father was of Irish descent, was
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born in Virginia, March 15, 1802, and died in Roane County about June 9, 1870. Ilis father moved to Northeast Tennessee, but after about one year moved to Roane County when Jacob was about seven years of age. He at an early age purchased a farm on the Tennessee River near Caney Creek Island, but since named Ewing Island, where he lived until his death. He was very religious, never missing a Sunday to go to the Baptist Church. He was the son of James Ewing, who was born in Ireland and came to Virginia. The mother was of English descent, and was born in either Greene or Washington County or Horse Creek, December 22, 1800, and died in Meigs County about May 10, 1880. She, also, was a worthy member of the Baptist Church for many years. She was the daughter of Elijah Matheney, who was a native of Virginia, and died in Roane County, Tenn. There were seven children, all of them now living, and in five hours' notice all can meet at one place. Our subject is the fourth of these. He had poor school advantages but has secured a practical education; he lived on his father's farm until his twenty-first year, then went on an extensive western tour, and was gone nearly one year, visiting Texas, Louis- iana, Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky, then returned home and went to work again on his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age, when he moved to another one of his father's farms; but after five years bought land on Riley Creek, Roane County. In 1881 he partly sold and partly gave it to his son, and purchased his present place, consist- ing of 520 acres, with the principal part under cultivation. His father gave him a horse and some farm implements, which he spent on his western trip. When he returned ha went to work in earnest, and has made what he has by energy and industry. In the latter part of 1862 he enlisted in Capt. Kincaid's Company, of Col. Mckenzie's Regiment, and was in the service for about a year. He is a member of the Baptist Church, a Mason, and
is a Democrat. October 13, 1853, he married Mary Murphy, who was born on the farm on which she now lives, December 5, 1830. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Nancy Murphy. She also is a member of the Baptist Church. This union bas resulted in the birth of ten children, six of them now living: John M., Martha J., Robert E., Nettie, Sarah M., William A., and those dead died when young.
Arthur C. Ewing was born near Kingston, Roane Co., Tenn., February 24, 1837, and is the son of Jacob and Anna (Matheny) Ewing. The Ewings are of Irish descent. Our subject is the sixth of seven children. He secured a practical education at home schools, which has been improved by constant reading and practice. In his twenty-first year he moved to an adjoining farm owned by his father, and was engaged in farming until the spring of 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, commanded by Capt. J. M. Kin- caid, of the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by Col. G. W. Mckenzie, of the Con- federate service, and served with credit until the surrender at Bentonville, N. C. He was in the battle of Chickamauga, and at Atlanta, and on the campaign south from, Dalton. Ga., and numerous skirmishes. He had two horses shot from under him, and his hat band cut in two by a bullet, but was never wounded. In 1863 he was made orderly. Some time after the war he purchased the farm that he had been living on, from his father, where he remained until 1873, then sold it and bought 189 acres of land in the Eighth District. Meigs County, Tenn., which he has improved greatly. In the fall of 1884 he engaged in the mercantile business at Euchee Landing with B. H. McCallon; the firm name is Ewing & McCallon. They carry a stock of goods worth $2,000. In 1878 he was appointed deputy sheriff, serving under Frank. Holt for two years. He is a very active and cater- prising man, a member of the Baptist Church, is a Mason, and a Democrat. March 25, 1858, be married Seraphine Barnard, who was born in Roane County, Tenn., July 2. 1541. She is the daughter of Col. John A. and Eliza J. (Campbell) Barnard. She is a member of the Baptist Church. This union has resulted in four children, all living: James A., Jacob N., Elijah B. and Luleni Leoti.
Jonas Fooshee, farmer, was born on the farm he now owns May 19, 1842; the son of John R. and Susan (Hinds) Fooshee, of French ancestry. The former was born in Roane County, November 28, 1817, and is now a farmer of the Eighth District, Meigs County. For several years he was a justice, and chairman of the county court. He is a Democrat. The grandfather, Absalom, was born November 20, 1797, in North Carolina, and died
es
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in Meigs County in October, 1879, was a farmer, and among the first settlers of Roane County. The mother was born in Roane County, about 1823, is still living. and is a member of the Baptist Church. Seven of twelve children are living. Our sub- jeet, the eldest, has educated himself, and in 1861 left the farm to enlist in Company A, Twenty-sixth Tennessee Confederate Infantry, as a sergeant, and was at Chickamauga, and the Atlanta campaign. He was sick at Fort Donelson, and escaped imprison- ment; then went to Company B, of Howard's Battalion. At Chickamauga he received a grape-shot wound. After the war he went to White County, and purchased 376 acres of land. but in 1873 he moved to Meigs County, having sold 150 acres of the White County land, and bought between 500 and 600 acres in Meigs County. He is a Methodist. a Mason, a Knight of Honor, and a Democrat. July 24, 1866, he married Jane, the widow of John Trewhitt, and daughter of John and Sallie Crook. She was born September 25, 1829, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their children are Joseph C., George A. and Robert E. L.
James H. Fuller, planter and ex-sheriff, was born in Washington County, Va., May 10, 1822, the son of Joshua and Mary (Clark) Fuller, of Dutch-Irish and Dutch- English stock, respectively, and born, the former in North Carolina, about 1790, and de- ceased in Roane County, Tenn., November 11, 1858; and the latter born at our subject's birthplace, May 10, 1792, and deceased in Roane County, December 27, 1871. The parents were married about 1820, and lived in Washington County, about five years, then, after four years in Roane County, they spent three years in Illinois. They finally settled in Roane County, Tenn., as successful farmers. The father was a Democrat, and a Methodist, while the mother was a Baptist. George Fuller, the grandfather. was in the Revolution, and James Clark, the other grandfather, also. The mother had been the widow of Rev. James Moore, who died, about 1816. Our subject, the eldest of seven children, was educated in Roane County, and grew up on the plantation. Eleven years ago he came to his present farm, purchased three years before, and for twenty-five years he has been a citizen of Meigs County. February 18, 1845, he married Lucinda Jolley. who was born in Roane County, in August, 1825, a daughter of William and Nancy Jol- ley (deceased). Of six sons and four daughters, one of each sex is deceased. Our sub- ject now owns about 330 acres. He has given most of his farm to his children. From 1872 he served six years as sheriff of Meigs County. He is now justice, elected two years ago, unsolicited. He is a Democrat, and his entire family are members of the Baptist Church.
Capt. Robert L. Gamble, a planter, was born December 10, 1836, in Meigs County, the son of Samuel and Matilda (Rigg) Gamble, of Irish-English stock, whose ances- tors came to America before the Revolution. The father was born about 1785, in East Tennessee, and died in Meigs County, August 13, 1855, and the mother, a Virginian. born November 29, 1803, died in Meigs County, October 15, 1855. They were mar- ried in Rhea (now Meigs) County, August 19, 1823, where they spent all their mar- ried life. The father was a farmer, a Democrat, and both were members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church. Our subject is one of ten children, and was educated
in Meigs County; excepting his four years of war service he has always been devoted to agriculture. He was a merchant, however, one of the years 1859-60-61 on the Hiwassee River. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifth Tennessee Federal In- fantry, Company E, as second lieutenant, but two months later was discharged on account of ill health, and while en route for home was captured in Rhea County, and kept under guard at Kingston. Tenn., about two months. In December, however. be re-enlisted in Company E, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, and served until 1863 as a pri- rate. He was soon made first lieutenant, and in May, 1864, Captain of Company G. He was captured in July, 1864, and taken to Macon, thence to Charleston, S. C .. and exchanged in September following. He reached his company at Nashville, twenty days later, but, in December, was wounded in the thigh at Sugar Creek, Giles County. and was in the hospital over two months. He was mustered out at Nashville July 12, 1865. He was at Farmington, Tenn., and with Gen. S. Smith on his Mississippi
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raid, also in an Alabama raid, in all the engagements of Gen. McCook, and those about Nashville and Franklin. Since 1867 he has been on his present farm. He owns about 600 acres in Meigs County. June 29, 1859, he married Permelia E. Tillery, of Knox County, who was born October 23, 1841, daughter of Charles and Ellen Tillery (deceased), the former born in Knox County, August 31, 1818, and the latter in Jefferson County, in 1816: March 25, 1866, and November 14, 1847, are the dates of their deaths. Our subject has bad six sons and six daughters, three of the latter, and one of the former deceased. His wife and three children are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church. A large marble quarry on his farm is now attracting considerable attention.
William C. Godsey is a native of East Tennessee, and was born in Rhea County September 20, 1844. His parents were Stephen J. and Mary (Gibbons) Godsey. The father was a native of Virginia, born in Scott County, about 1814, and died in Meigs County (where our subject is now living), August, 1859. The mother was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., about 1812, and is still living, a resident of Faulkner County, Ark. The parents were married in Hawkins County, and soon after their marriage they moved to Grainger County, where they lived three years; then came to Rhea County, and were citizens of that county nine years. In 1849 they came to Meigs County, and settled where our subject is now living, and here the father died in 1857. The mother never re-married. About six years ago she went to Arkansas, and makes her home with her youngest son. Our subject is the fifth of seven children. He secured a good education in his youth. In his boyhood he worked on his father's farm, and at eighteen years of age, in the fall of 1863, he entered the Confederate States service, enlisting in Company I, Fifth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment. W. W. Lillard was captain of the company, and G. W. Mckenzie, colonel of the regiment. The command was finally received into Gen. Wheeler's division, and remained with this general the remainder of the war. Our subject took part in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga Creek, and in all the battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, Ga. Our subject had a brother, John 2. Godsey, killed near Atlanta. He returned home in the spring of 1865, after an absence of over two years, and commenced farming. In the fall of 1872 he purchased the old homestead, and since that date to the pres- ent has given his attention exclusively to farming. In 1885 he built a unique and very attractive residence at a cost of nearly $2,000. He now owns upward of 275 acres of land, and three town lots in Dayton, one of them improved. On January 2, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Martin, born in Meigs County, July 26, 1854, the daughter of Luke P. and Narcissus Martin (deceased). This union resulted in seven children-five sons and two daughters; one son is dead. Our subject and wife are Baptists. In 1886 the home of our subject was made a postoffice, and nawed Maloney. They have a weekly mail from Dayton to Big Springs.
Benjamin F. Grigsby was born in Monroe County, September 14, 1840, the son of John E. and Susan (Roberts) Grigsby, both of English stock, and natives of Blount County, Tenn., the former born in February, 1810, and deceased in Bradley County, March 21, 1887, and the latter, born about 1815, and deceased in Monroe County in 1844. The par- ents were married in Blount County, in 1833, and moved to Monroe County. The father married again in 1846, and two years later became a farmer in Bradley County. He was a Democrat, and both were Methodists. Our subject, the third of tive children, was edu- cated in Bradley County, and up to 1874 was a farmer. In 1875 be became a salesman for Carter, Campbell & Co., in the county, and in 1630 he engaged with Hutcheson & Co., at Coytee, Loudon County. The next year he established a family grocery at Lou- don, and five months later started up a country store in the Third District of Meigs County. After a year here, he sold goods at Euchee for sixteen months, and then at Ten Mile for fourteen months. From 1885 to 1886, he was on his farm in the Third District. In 1886 he was elected, as a Republican, in a Democratic county (175 majority ) for the office of county clerk, receiving 621 votes to 599 given to his opponent, A. C. Ewing. March 9, 1862, Elizabeth Roberts became his wife. She died August 27, 1872. March 14, 1573, he mar-
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ried Mrs. Mary S. (Gooch) Ball, but they separated in the following November, and in 1881 she died in Texas County, Mo. He became the husband of Jemima Nance, June 10, 1879, by whom he has become the father of five children. Four of his children are by his first wife. He is a Republican, and a Master Mason, joining the latter order in 1882.
William M. Hale, planter, was born August 18, 1840, in Hamilton County, the son of William and Elizabeth (Francis) Hale, the former a Virginian, and the latter a native of Roane County. The father, in 1840, three months before the birth of our subject, was drowned in the Mississippi River, at New Orleans, where he had gone to trade country pro- duce for groceries, and the mother, about 1818, married Sanford Ritchey. She died in Chattanooga. Our subject, through hardship, secured himself an education, and began for himself at sixteen. In 1855 he went to Dallas County, Mo., with his brother, and worked on the latter's farm two years. In 1859 he returned to Hamilton County, Tenn., to farm again. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Nineteenth Tennessee Infantry, and took part at Fishing Creek (Ky.), Murfreesboro, Shiloh, Chickamauga, and other actions. He was wounded at the second place, and, after Chickamauga, was detailed, under Gen. Pillow, in the conscription department. He was a lieutenant, and was the one who took the wounded Gen. Zollicoffer off the field. In May, 1864, soon after returning home, he mar- ried Martha J. Gardnerhire, who was born in Hamilton County about 1846. In 1864 he settled in Hamilton (now James) County, but has, since 1885, been at his present home. He is a Democrat, and bas been successful in his career.
Martin A. Hardin, planter, was born in Blount County, August 29, 1835, the son of John P. and Naomi (Gash) Hardin, natives of North Carolina, the former of Irish stock. and born about 1792, and the latter born about 1808, of English-Irish lineage. They were married and lived in North Carolina about six years after, and they came to Blount County, where they died October 16, 1854, and May 8, 1843, respectively. The father, in early life, had been a miner, and also a merchant, and was successful in both, and also in farming to which he was devoted during his Tennessee residence. He was a Whig. and both were Methodists. Our subject, the fifth of seven children, was educated at Hiwassee College, Monroe County, and has been devoted to agricultural pursuits ever since. He bought a small farm in 1858, and August 26, brought to it a wife in the person of Mary F. Beal, of Carroll County, Ga. After ten years in Monroe County, he settled on his present farm in 1868, and at various times in life has been interested in the live stock trade, conveying horses and mules to the South, occasionally. He owns about 450 acres in Meigs and McMinn Counties. In 1885 he built a fine $2,000 residence. He has four sons and two daughters, two of the former deceased.
Gen. William and Nancy Beal are the parents of his wife; the General served in the war of 1812, and was adjutant-general of Georgia until his death. Our subject enlisted in September, 1862, in Company E, Fifty-Ninth Tennessee Infantry, was captured at Vicksburg, and imprisoned at Camp Morton, Ind., but was soon paroled. He is a Democrat, and a Methodist, while his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
A. W. Hodge, M. D., is a native of East Tennessee, and was born in Sullivan County July 11, 1823. His parents were Francis and Priscilla (King) Hodge. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and the mother of English descent; both were natives of Sullivan County, Tenn. The parents were married in their native county, where they spent their lives. The father was by trade a wagon-maker, and was an old line Whig, and a worthy member of the Old School Presbyterian Church. The mother was a member of the same church. Our subject is one of seven children. He secured a liberal education in his youth at Blountville, Sullivan County. After completing his education, he was engaged for two years in teaching school in Sullivan County, at Paperville. While teaching he read medicine under Dr. William Hammer, of Paperville. In 1846 he came to Decatur, and commenced the practice of his profession, and since that date to the present has followed this occupation. After he had practiced four years in Decatur, he went, in the fall of 1850, to the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine, having stood his examination on entering the graduating class. In October 7, 1847, he married Miss Evaline McCorkle, a native of
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Meigs County, and the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Allison) McCorkle, deceased. To this union were born seven children, four daughters and three sons, three being dead, two sons and one daughter. Our subject is a Domocrat, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His wife is a member of the same church.
James M. Hornsby was born in Roane County, Tenn., March 30, 1831, and is the son of James and Eleanor (McCidy) Hornsby. The ancestors of the Hornsbys were from England. The father was born in Wake County, N. C., seven miles from Raleigh, about October 25, 1792, and died in Roane County, Tenn., October 22, 1863. His father. William, moved with his family from North Carolina to Roane County, Tenn., when James was about sixteen, or about the year 1808. William Hornsby died in Rhea County. His occupation was that of a farmer, the same as James. James was very poor when he started, but before his death had accumulated a considerable amount of this world's goods. He was in the English and Creek war, or the war of 1812, for nearly two years. He was a Democrat, and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. The ancestors of the MeCidys were from Scotland and Ireland. Eleanor was born in South Carolina, in 1800. and is still living at the old homestead, in Roane County. Tenn. She, also, is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were twelve children in their family, six of them now living, and our subject is the fourth. His advantages for an education were poor, but he has been a great reader, and with practice has a good business education. He remained on his father's farm until his twenty-third year; then went to Rhea County, and rented land for one year; then moved to Meigs County, and purchased 300 acres, that being his share out of a large tract himself and brothers had purchased of the Gillespie estate. He has improved this land, and made it worth double the price paid for it. Just after the war, in 1866, he was elected justice of the peace for six years. He is a very active and enterprising man, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Mason, and a Republican. On March 29, 1855, he married Martha L. Brady, who was born in Rhea County, Tenn., May 20, 1832, and died in Meigs County December 7, 1871. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was the daughter of Farley and Elizabeth (Smith) Brady. There are six children to mourn her loss; they are Mary C., Ellen E., Margaret E., Martha J., Susan H. and Laura A. September 9, 1884, he married Martha J. Wasson, the widow of John Wasson, deceased. She is the daughter of M. H. B. Burkett. She was born in Botetourt County, Va., in 1842. She is a Methodist.
Samuel Hutsell was born in Wythe County, Va., October 22, 1813, and is the son of John and Christina (Hounshell) Hutsell. John Hutsell, the father, was born in Shenan- doah County. Va., and died in McMinn County, Tenn., at the advanced age of seventy- four years. He moved to McMinn County, Tenn., from Wytheville, Va., at an early date. He was a successful farmer, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was for two years in the war of 1812 and 1814, as fife player. Christina (Hounshell) Hutsell, the mother, was of German descent, was born in Wythe County, Va., died in McMinn County, Tenn., at the age of seventy-seven years, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject secured a good education at Wythe- ville, Va. After receiving his education he learned the brick-layer's and plasterer's trades. In October. 1839, he moved to McMinn County, Tenn., and on Christmas day. 1840, moved to Meigs County, Tenn., where he purchased land, and engaged in farming. but still continued working at his trade On coming to Tennessee he was worth about $1,500, and is now worth $25,000, and lias given his children $25.000. He has made this by bard work and good management. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and is a Republican. On August 12, 1839, he married Mary Gibbony. who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, February 2. 1820, the daughter of William and Jane Gib- bony. She has an excellent education, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While on a visit to her relations in Virginia, from Ireland, our subject and she formed an acquaintance, and were engaged to be married, but both families objected to the union, so they ran away to Ashe County, N. C., and were married. This union was, and has been, a very agreeable and happy one. It has resulted in & fine family of intelli-
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gent children; those living are Hester V., William W., Charles L., Samuel S., Jesse G., Anna A., Robert L. and David F.
Hon. W. H. King. a prominent farmer of the Sixth District, Meigs County, Tenn., was born near Kingston, Roane Co., Tenn., August 31, 1843, and is the son of John S. and Martha (Earnest) King. The father was of English-French descent, was a grandson of Gen. John Sevier, and was the son of Walter King, born in Roane County May 30, 1814. and died in Loudon. Tenn .. April 15, 1884. In early life he was engaged in farming. After 1870 and until his death he was circuit court clerk. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a Mason. He was the cousin of the lamented E. F. Sevier. On December 2, 1834, he was united in marriage with Martha Earnest, who was born about April 1. 1814, and died in Loudon, May 30, 1880. They were the parents of eight children-six of them now living. Our- subject is the third of these. His education is good, and was obtained principally after the war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I, of the First Tennessee Infantry (Union Army), and served until September, 1864, with credit. He was at the battles of Mills Springs, Cumberland Gap, pursuit of Gen. Morgan in Obic, Murfreesboro, Lexington, Ky., where his command were mounted, and where they did service until the Byrd and Sanders raid. in East Tennessee; then went to Mossy Creek and burned all the bridges to Knoxville; then went to Kentucky and did duty from July 1 until the latter part of August; then the regiment did duty as advance guard for Gen. Burnside, was stationed at Kingston, and was st the battle of Kingston, and from there did service until the following May; then was ordered to the front with Sherman in Georgia, and was at the fight of Atlanta; was there until the middle part of August; then moved to Knoxville, then to Nashville, and was dis- charged. He was never wounded, but at different times received bullet holes in his clothing. After the war he returned home, near Kingston, and engaged in farming until clected register of Roane County at the January term of the county court. and served until the regular election in 1866; then was elected by the people for four years. He then moved to Loudon, engaged in farming, was appointed deputy sheriff in 1876, and held the office for two years. Before this he was constable, or a collecting officer. for six years. In 1880 he came to Meigs County and purchased land, and has since been engaged in farm- ing. In November, 1886, he was elected to represent James, Meigs and Rhea Counties iu the Forty-fifth General Assembly. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. is a Mason, and a Republican. On November 27, 1867, he married Cynthia P. Fryar, who was born in Roane County, Tenn., May 25, 1847, and died in Meigs County, Decem- ber 6, 1883. She was the daughter of H. J. and Irena Fryar. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This union resulted in the birth of six children, five of them now living: U. H., Charles W., Martha I., Ann M. and Nancy S .; John F. is deceased. On October 7, 1874, he married Sarah E. Foster, who was born in McMinn County, Tenn., October 12, 1839. She is the daughter of William and Nancy Foster. Her father was a native of Virginia, and the mother of Kentucky. The mother of our subject was a descendant of Gen. Joseph E. Warren, who was killed at Bunker Hill. He has an uncle who made a fine reputation as governor of Missouri before the war, and was in Congress several terms-Austin A. Kirk.
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