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 31
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John W. Angel, an enterprising citizen, and the owner of the saw and planing mills formerly owned by a company, called the Spring City Saw and Planing Mill Company, was born in Missouri, September 22, 1844, and is the son of Edmund and Margaret (Falkner) Angel The father was born in North Carolina, in 1811, and is now a resident of Sparta, White Co., Tenn. He learned the wheelwright and wagon-maker's trade in his native state, and after marriage he moved to Missouri, where he purchased land and was engaged in farming, which he followed in connection with his trade .. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and a Republican in politics. The mother was also born in North Carolina, and died in Cumberland County, Tenn., in 1863. at the age of forty. four. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Four of their six children are now living. Our subject received a liberal education'in White and Cumberland Counties. June 20, 1863, he married Miss Mary Barnard. a native of North Carolina, born in 1842. and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This union resulted in the birth of six children now living: Margaret, William C., James W .. Edward C., Sallie and Lizzie. Our subject learned the blacksmith's trade in White County, and worked at this for about fifteen years in Cumberland and White Counties, and made his start while working at this trade. He then moved to Spring City and engaged in the saw mill business with the Spring City Saw and Planing Mill Company as a partner. In January, 1887, he purchased the other shares. He employs eighteen hands, and the capacity is about 18,000 feet per day. He is also engaged in farming, and owns 200 acres of land. He is a member of the Methodist
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Episcopal Church, is a Mason, and a Republican in politics. He was appointed sheriff of Rhea County, by Gov. Brownlow, but would not accept the position.
William B. Benson, a prominent citizen of Dayton, and chief clerk in the Coal and Iron Company, was born in Rhea County, June 4, 1844, and is a son of Bartley S. and Lina (Riddle) Benson. Our subject is the youngest of seven children, and secured by his own efforts a good education in his youth. He lost his parents when but a child, and found himself forced to make his way in life by his own efforts. He began as a farm hand, and worked three years in Hamilton at $4 per month. In 1857 he came to Rhea County, and with his only surviving brother, James Benson, rented a farm where North Dayton is now standing, and was engaged in farming up to the fall of 1861, at which time he went to Kentucky and entered the Federal Army, remaining in service up to the latter part of 1804. In 1863 he was captured at Rogersville, Tenn., and sent as a prisoner of war to Richmond, Va., where he remained four months. He then was sent to Andersonville prison, Georgia, and in May, 1864, made his escape by deceiving the guard. After a tedious and tiresome journey of nearly thirty days he reached Chattanooga and rejoined his old regiment at Knoxville in June, 1864, and was mustered out of service in December of the same year, and came back to what was then Smith's Cross Roads, but now Dayton. In 1865, he. in partnership with J. P. Walker, established a store of general merchandise, and continued twenty months with Walker, then bought him out and continued the same business. December 14, 1869, he married Miss Julia A. Collins, a native of Rhea County, born in 1847, and the daughter of Henry Collins. Mr. Benson is not a member of any church, but his wife and two daughters are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject enjoys the distinction of being the oldest merchant now in Dayton. For twenty consecutive years he was postmaster at Dayton, and he secured the change of names from Smith's Cross Roads to Dayton. In 1885 he sold his mercantile interest to the Dayton Coal and Iron Company, and in the spring of 1836 he went to Texas and established a cattle ranch in Stephens County, and is still interested in this enterprise. He soon afterward entered the employ of the Dayton Coal and Iron Company, and is now chief clerk of the store.
Alfred C. Blevins, M. D., a well-known and practicing physician of Dayton, Rhea County, is a native of East Tennessee, born in what was then Rhea (but now Meigs) County, May 27, 1831. His parents, James Blevins and Ruth (Rockhold) Blevins. were of English and Irish descent respectively, and both were natives of Sullivan County, Tenn. The father was born in 1803, and died in Meigs County in 1845. The mother was born February 29, 1808, is still living and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. They were married in Rhea County (Meigs County having been cut off since) in 1826, and passed the remainder of his life in that county. The father was in early life a blacksmith, and afterward gave his attention exclusively to farming. He was a Democrat in his political views, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which his wife is a worthy member. Our subject is the second of nine children, seven of whom are still living. He assisted his father on the plantation during his father's lifetime, and secured a liberal education in his youth. At the age of twenty- one he began the study of medicine by studying under Dr. John M. Lillard, of Decatur, Meigs County. After reading one year he went to Washington, Rhea County, and here he continued to read medicine under Dr. John Hoyal. Heremained at Washington about three years, and in the meantime, in the fall of 1859, he went to the Medical University of Nashville, Tenn, and attended his first course of lectures. In the fall of 1860 be went back, and in the spring of the following year he duly received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine. July 4, of the same year, he enlisted as first lieutenant of Company E, Twenty-sixth Tennessee Regiment of Infantry, Confederate States Army. John Crawford was captain of the company, and John M. Lillard was colonel of the regi- ment. He served twelve months in the field, and was then made assistant surgeon of the Forty-third Tennessee Regiment, of which Dr. James W. Gillespie was colonel. About twelve months later he was made chief surgeon of the Third Tennessee Regiment. and served his country in that capacity until the close of the war. He returned home in July,
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1865, after four years' service. In the fall of 1865 he located five miles southwest of Decatur, and began practicing his profession. In the fall of 1868 he purchased the old homestead, and moved upon it the next year, where he continued the practice of medicine in connection with the farming interest up to 1883, at which time he moved with his family to Dayton, and soon entered upon a large practice. In May, 1871, he married Miss Virginia Catharine Chatten, a native of Meigs County, born November 10, 1851. This union resulted in the birth of four children-three sons and one daughter. Dr. Blevins is a Democrat in polities, and his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject enjoys the distinction of being the man who started to build up and improve the now prosperous town of Dayton.
William F. Blevins, a well-known, enterprising merchant of Darwin Station, Rhea County, was born in Meigs County, October 27, 1835, and is a son of James and Ruth (Rockhold) Blevins. [For further particulars of parents see sketch of A. C. Blevins.] Our subject is one of nine children. He received a common-school education, and worked on his father's farm up to the breaking out of the late war. In July, 1862, he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, the captain of the com- pany being W. W. Lillard. Our subject took part in the battles of Perryville, Ky., and Chickamauga Creek, and the Georgia campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, etc. He returned home in the spring of 1865 after an absence of nearly three years. He was second lieutenant of his company. After the war he read law, obtained license to practice but abandoned the profession for mercantile pursuits. For a few years he clerked for his brothers, but afterward entered the business for himself; during all this time he was in Decatur, Meigs County. In 1870 he was appointed clerk and master of the chancery court of Meigs County, and served six years; he was re-appointed to the same office in 1876 and again served six years. He was first appointed to that p ._ by Chancellor D. M. Key, and the second time by Chancellor William M. Bradford. May 11, 1871, he married Miss Mary E. Russell, a native of Meigs County, born September 7, 1843, and this marriage resulted in the birth of four children-two sons and two daughters, one son being deceased. The children are named as follows: Ethel, born December 8, 1873; Braxton B., born April 27, 1876; William B., born August 12, 1878, and died October 28, 1883; and Daisy May, born December 2, 1881. In the early part of 1883 Mr. Blevins moved to Darwin Station, having purchased a dwelling, a store-house and a remnant stock of goods the previous December. Since that time he has been engaged in merchan- dising. He is a Democrat in his political views, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Polk Brown, an enterprising merchaut of Spring City, Rhea Co., Tenn., is a native of that city, born April 21, 1845, and is the son of W. F. and Amanda (Renfro) Brown. The father was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1804, and died in the same county in 1860. He was a farmer and trader, and was a very prominent man in Roane and adjoin- ing counties. He was often urged by friends to be a candidate for office, but would never allow his name to be used in that way. He had a fine business education, was a Mason, and a Democrat in politics. He began life with very little means, but before his death had accumulated quite a fortune. The mother was also a native of Roane County, Tenn., born in 1816, is now living, and a resident of Rhea Springs, Rhea Co., Tenn. She has an excellent education, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Of their twelve children seven are now living. Our subject was educated at Oak Springs and Kingston Academy. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-sixth Tennessee Infantry (Confederate States Army), and served with much credit until the surrender. He was in numerous battles, among which were the battle of Chickamauga, Fort Donelson, and the famous retreat from Dalton, Ga .. to Atlanta. He was taken with the rest of the company, which was captured at Fort Donelson, to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, and was retained as a prisoner seven months. After this he enlisted in Company A, of the Sixteenth Tennessee Battalion. As a spy he went through the Federal lines five different times, and was taken prisoner while on one of these trips, but escaped six days afterward by cutting through one of the out-houses. ; At Chickamauga he had charge
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of a company (as its captain), but afterward refused to act in that capacity on account of age. After the war he finished his education and turned his attention to farming and stock raising. He afterward removed to Rhea Springs, and engaged in merchandising. Two years later he went to Roddy. Rhea County, and after trading in stock for six years moved to Spring City, and has since been engaged in the mercantile and real estate busi- nesses, stock raising and farming. He has also been urged to accept the nomination of Senator in the counties of Rhea, Cumberland, Morgan, White, Sequatchie, Monroe and Van Buren. He is a Democrat. and a Royal Arch Mason. In April, 1867, he married Miss Mary Roddy, a native of Roddy. Rhca County, and a daughter of D. M. and Ellza- beth Roddy. Her birth occurred January 1, 1847. She secured a fine education at Athens and Chattanooga, and is a member of the Baptist Church. This union resulted in the birth of two daughters: Florence B. and Mary E.
Sanders D Broyles, a well-known and influential citizen of Rhea County, Tenn., and a resident of Dayton, is a native of East Tennessee, born in McMinn County February 15, 1824. His parents were Cornelius and Polly (Farley) Broyles. The father was a native of East Tennessee, born in Washington County about 1786, and died in Rhea County in 1861. He was of German descent, his grandfather having come from Germany to America at an early day. The mother was a North Carolinian by birth, and was a few years older than her husband. She died in Rhea County about 1870, at the advanced age of ninety. They were married in White County, Tenn., about 1814, and after living in that county a few years moved to McMinn County, where they resided until the fall of 1839, at which time they came to Rhea County, and there passed the remainder of their days. The father was a farmer, an old line Whig, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father, Daniel Broyles, served three years in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at the age of fifteen years. Our subject is the fifth of ~~-- Adren. He secured by his own efforts a common-school education in Rhea County. He followed agricultural pursuits on his father's plantation in Tennessee, and this occupation has been his life-long employment. In October, 1848, at the age of twenty-five, he married Miss Delilah Compton, a native of Rhea County, born in 1818, and settled in that county asrenters, and it was nine years before they owned a home of their own. In 1857 he purchased a farm in the Eighth Civil District of Rhea County, and moved to it in January of the next year. This farm then contained about 300 acres. This has been the home of our subject ever since. His residence at that time was near what was known as Smith's Cross Roads, which consisted of a postoffice and two dwellings. Since that time the name has been changed to Dayton, and the town has about 3,000 inhabitants. Our subject has been a stirring, energetic man, and now owns upward of 250 acres, a portion of which lies in the suburbs of Dayton. In the fall of 1862 he entered the Confederate States Army and served three years and four days with credit. He then returned home and resumed his farming interest. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and of the family of six children born to them all are living but one son.
Jonathan M. Caldwell, farmer of Spring City, Rhea Co., Tenn., was born in that city May 11, 1819, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Givens) Caldwell. The father came to Rhea County about 1818, was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. The mother was born in Blount County, Tenn., and both died in Rhea County. Three chil- dren are now living of the twelve born to this union, our subject being the eldest. He secured his education in the home schools, and remained at home until his thirtieth year, when he was elected sheriff for three terms; he also collected taxes one or two years; he then purchased land near Spring City, and here he has since remained. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and an excellent citizen. In 1858 he mar- ried Miss Victoria Darwin, a native of Rhea County, born about 1839. This union resulted in the birth of eleven children: Nettie, Walter A., Nancy A., James A., Vesta. Eva. Jessie. Kittie, Cecil and Edwin; Calla died when six years of age. In 1861 be enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company B, Twenty-sixth Tennessee Infantry, was made lieutenant, and was in the service until failure of health.
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James P. Collins, an enterprising farmer of the Fifth Civil District of Rhoa County, Tenn., was born in Bevier County, the same State, January 6, 1811, a son of Henry and Rebecca (Pierce) Collins. John Collins, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was & native Virginian, and died in Jefferson County, East Tenn., when Henry, the father of our subject, was about fourteen years of age. Henry Collins was born in Shenandoah County, Va., in 1783, and died at the residence of his son, our subject, in 1818. In 1797 the Col lins family moved to Jefferson County, Tenn. Henry moved to Sevier County, Tenn., and from there to Rhea County, in 1813, and was among the first settlers of the latter county. He was in the war of 1812, was a sergeant three months, and then came back home and took a team and wagon, and was afterward with Gen. Jackson's army; he was in several battles and numerous skirmishes. He was justice of the peace for several years, but resigned to accept the office of sheriff, which position be held for three terms, when he was again made a justice of the peace. He was a Jackson Democrat and a Clay Whig. The mother of our subject was born near Greeneville College, Greene Co., Tenn., in 1783, and died in DeKalb County, Ala., in 1847, while her husband was making that his home. They had ten children, our subject being the only one living. His advantages for an education were poor, but, by improving his time and opportunity, is considered a well-informed man. He lived with his parents until January 13, 1842, when he married Miss Susan H. Darwin, a native of either Jackson or Rhea County, born March 26, 1822, and died July 30, 1866. She was the daughter of James A., and Bethia Darwin, and was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. There were seven children left to mourn her loss: James D., Henry C., William G., Alfred S., Elizabeth B., Millard F. and Thomas C .; all now living. Ann E. died just two days before the death of her mother, and was about four years old at that time. Our subject at the time of his marriage purchased 200 acres of land, and a tanyard of his father; he has since improved and purchased, but has quit the tannery business, after working at it for fifteen years. Just after the war he was appointed by the chancery court to serve as clerk and master of Rhea County, has held the office for six years, and since that time has been justice of the peace. In 1836 he was in the Cherokee service, and assisted in removing the Indians from the Hiwassee and Ocoee Purchases. He is a Mason, and a Republican.
Thomas N. L. Cunnyngham, an eminent barrister of Dayton, is a native of Rhea County, Tenn., born six miles north of Dayton, August 30, 1840. His parents, Wiley B. and Elvina (Locke) Cunnyngham, were both of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Ten- nessee. The father was born in Monroe County, Tenn., about 1810, and died in Rhea County, September 22. 1862. The mother was born February 6, 1817, is still living, and is a resident of Rhea County. They were married in Rhea County, near Washington, about 1836, and since 1844 Rhea County has been their permanent home. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, was justice of the peace the greater part of his life, and was tax collector of Rhea County several terms. He was an old line Whig, and a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother came of a dis- tinguisbed family in Rhea County. Her parents were John and Jane Locke. The father was one of the pioneers of Rhea County, and filled the office of circuit court clerk of Rhea County for a number of years. He died in 1840, his wife having died previous to this. Judge Locke, for many years an eminent lawyer and judge of Rhea County, was a brother to the mother of Thomas N. L. Our subject is one of nine children. He secured a liberal education, and farming had been his chief occupation up to 1867, at which time he commenced the study of law under Capt. S. J. Frazier and Judge Frank Locke. He obtained license to practice in the latter part of 1868, and since that date his name has been on the roll of Tennessee attorneys. Previous to this, September, 29, 1859, he had married Miss Lorinda J. Smith, a native of Rhea County, Tenn., born April 25, 1842. She died February 26, 1883. October 11. 1883, Mr. Cunnyngham married Miss Kittie J. Coulter, daughter of Gen. T. J. Coulter. By the first union our subject became the father of seven children-four sons and three daughters-one son deceased. To the last mar- riage were born two daughters, one deceased. In 1854 he came to Dayton. Since the latter part of 1885 he has been a member of the United States Law Association. He has
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been quite successful in the practice of his profession, and is now associated in the prac- tice of law with R. A. Smith. He is a decided Democrat, and a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, serving the church as ruling elder over fifteen years. His pres- ent wife is a member of the same church, as was also his first wife. Mr. Cunnyngbam drew up the charter to incorporate the town of Dayton, in April, 1885, and served as mayor from April, 1885, to April, 1886. He then served one year as recorder and treas- urer, and was also at the same time tax collector of said town.
Robert C. M. Cunnyngham, a prominent attorney of Spring City, Rhea Co., Tenu., was born in that county, February 25, 1848, and is the son of Wiley H. and Elvina (Locke) Cunnyngham. The father died in Rhea County, Tenn., in 1863, at the age of fifty-two. He was a farmer and merchant, and, the latter part of his life, was tax collector of Rhea County. He had a good education, was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a Whig in politics. The mother's ancestors were from Ireland, and her father came to Rhea County, and was one of the first settlers of that region. He was a farmer, trader and blacksmith, and before his death had accumulated considerable prop- erty. The mother of our subject was born in Rhea County, about 1817. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Of their eight children, all are now living. Our subject received a liberal education. He taught school in Bledsoe County. and then went to Saline County, Ark., where he continued teaching. He afterward went to Texas, and traveled extensively over the State, and then came back to Rhea County. While in Arkansas, he began to read law with Judge W. L. Mckinley. After coming back to Rhea County, he completed his course with Judge F. Locke. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar in Washington, Rhea County, and practiced his profession there for two years, after which he went to Rhea Springs. Four years later he moved to Spring City, where he has built up a good practice. He is a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, is a Mason, both Master and Chapter, and is a Democrat. May 30, 1876, Miss Julia B. Blevins, a native of Meigs County, born in 1850, became his wife. To them have been born five children. Those living are John W. C., Nora A., Robert L. C. and Jennie. Otho J. died in infancy.
Capt. William P. Darwin, an enterprising merchant of Darwin Station, Rhea County, Tenn., was born at his present location, February 22, 1830; son of James A. and Bethia W. (Clements) Darwin, both of Dutch descent. The father was born in Virginia. in 179S, and died in Rhea County, at Darwin Station, in September, 1872. The mother was born in Jackson County, Tenn., in 1800, and died at Darwin Station in April, 1873. They were married in Jackson County, Tenn .. in 1816, where they lived four years, then came to Rhea County and settled where our subject now lives, and here remained the balance of their days. The station finally took its name from this family. The father was a farmer, an old line Whig, and last a Democrat, and a worthy member of the Christian Church. The mother was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our sub- ject is one of fourteen children. He secured a good academic education, and has been engaged in farming all his life, in connection with merchandising. In 1853 he engaged in the mercantile business at Washington, Rhea County, with W. E. Colville, with whom he continued three years, then with H. C. Collins two years, then in the firm of Darwin. Bean & Co., up to the late war. In 1862 he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting as captain of Company C, Sixteenth'Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, and remained captain of that company until the close of the war. He served in both the western and castern army, and was paroled at Athens, Ga., in 1865. For two years after the termination of the war he was in no special business except settling up his father-in-law's (R. N. Gillespie's) estate, having been made executor of the same. In 1860, previous to the war, he married Miss Adelia Gillespie, a native of Rhea County, born July 11, 1839, and to them were born a large family of children. In 1868, he, in connection with H. A. Crawford. engaged in merchandising at Washington, Rhea County, and continued up to 1870, at which time they moved their stock of goods to Orm's store, Bledsoe County, and here remained until about 1878. In 1881 he opened a general merchandise store in Darwin, the firma being Darwin, Crawford & Co. He soon bought out Crawford's interest, and the firm
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then became Darwin & Son. In 1883 it was changed to Darwin, Allen & Co., and in 1885 it was again changed back to Darwin & Son. Mr. Darwin is a Democrat, and he and wife and five children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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