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 33
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Irby W. Holt, Dayton, Rhea Co .. Tenn. The subject of this sketch was born in Bradley County, Tenn., about nine miles southwest of Cleveland, on November 25. 1954. being now about thirty-three years of age. His father, F. A. Holt, who is yet living at Cleveland. Bradley Co., Tenn., was born in - County, Tenn., on - 1927. being now about sixty years of age, and whose father, Irby Holt, a Methodist minis- ter, of whom the subject of this sketch is a namesake, lived to the ripe old age of seventy-
five years, and was of - - descent. The mother of Irby W. Holt, Mrs. Sarah D. Holt. was born in Monroe County. Teun., on - 1824, being about fifty-seven years old at her death, which occurred February 18, 1881, at Decatur, Meigs Co., Tenn., and was the daughter of William Yearwood, a wealthy and very influential farmer, of Mou- roe and McMinn Counties. of Irish descent. The subject of this sketch, while yet a young man, was raised on a farm in Meigs County, until, at the age of about twenty years. he accepted a position as clerk, or salesman, in the general store of John K. Brown & Co., at Kincannon's Ferry, on the Hiwassee River, in Meigs County, Tenn., being called to this position by the business manager of the company, Mr. James R. Moore, as his selec. tion from a number of young men in the neighborhood, and remained with the company until they sold their business, in the year 1875, when he accepted a position with Holla- day Spivey in a store and on a trading boat plying the Tennessee and Hiwassee Rivers. remaining with Mr. Spivey the greater part of three years. During the latter part of this period, they removed from the river trade to Rock Creek, in Hamilton County, where. in June, 1878, he bought ont the firm of Griffiths & Son, and did a flourishing business until he sold in September, 1879, to D. R. Griffiths. While bere, August 14, 1828, our subject
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was married to Miss Julia C. Bolton, aged sixteen years, the daughter of Hon. Peter Bol- ton, who has filled the office of postmaster and justice of the peace since the late war, He was elected and represented his county in the Lower House of the Legislature of Ten- nessee, in the years 1882-83, on the Republican side of politics. In October, 1829, Mr. Holt removed himself and family to Calhoun, in MeMinn County, Tenn., and did busi- ness in the mercantile line until June, 1880, when, finding this line of business unprofita- ble, he suspended, and did no business until March, 1881, he removed to Dayton, his present home, where he engaged in the sale of sewing machines for the Singer Manufact- uring Company, until in August, 1882, the voters of the Eighth District elected him jus- tice of the peace, which office he has since and is now filling. After his election to this office, he turned his attention to the study of law, and in 1885 obtained law licenses to practice in all the courts of the State. He is now county judge of Rhea County, to which position be was elected in January, 1886. Mr. Holt, politically, is a simon-pure Democrat, yet, at the same time, speaks out against the wrongs of his own party, and commends the good acts of the opposite party. He is a stockholder and one of the board of directors of the News Printing Company, publishers and proprietors of the News Gazette, a Democratic paper published at Dayton. Mr. Holt is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South, and is one of the stewards in the same. He is a Mason, at Odd Fellow, and a member of the Knights of Honor. He is now the Noble Grand and Dietator, respectively, of the two latter. His family consists of himself, wife and five children-two girls, Flora B. and Ettie D., and three boys, Walter C., Irby W. and Harry C. Mr. Holt has four brothers, two older and two younger than himself. His youngest brother, Farrow C. Holt. was injured while playing base ball at or near Kincannon's Ferry in August, 1878, from the effects of which he died September 1, 1878, aged eighteen years. His next younger brother, Frank B. Holt, fills the position of traveling salesman for Martin Bros., a wholesale firm of Chattanooga, Tenn. His next elder brother, Will- iam T. Holt, is a real estate agent, and living at Dayton; his eldest brother, John F. Holt, is a farmer living at Birchwood, in James County, Tenn. Mr. Holt, the subject of this sketch, owns a beautiful residence on the corner of Fourth and Railroad Streets. in Dayton, well improved, besides several other lots in the city. Our subject's grand- father was, for a number of years, an eminent itinerant preacher of the Methodist Church, in East Tennessee, at an early day. Our subject's father has been a planter. and served two terms as high sheriff of Meigs County. The parents were married in Monroe County, near Sweet Water, and one year later they came to Bradley County, where they resided up to 1866, then moved to Meigs County, and were citizens of that county about sixteen years. In the latter part of 1883. they moved to Cleveland, Bradley County, or rather the father did; the mother having died in Meigs County.
John M. Howard, the well-known liveryman of Dayton, is a native of East Ten- nessee, born in Rhea County. March 30, 1851, son of Rev. Robert T. and Penelope (Majors) Howard. They were of English and German descent, and both were natives of Rhea County, Tenn. The father was born in November, 1828, is still living, and is a resident of James County, Tenn. The mother is also living in James County, and is one year older than her husband. They were married in Rhea County, near Eagle Furnace. The father is a popular and useful member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He was ordained to preach at the age of nineteen, and has been preaching ever since. After marriage he lived in Rhea County for over thirty years, and then moved to Sequatchie County, where he remained three years He then moved to James County and settled at Birchwood, where he now lives. While a resident of Rhea County, and while preaching the Gospel. he also followed agricultural pursuits. He was elected deputy sheriff of Rhea County in 1860, but resigned in 1861 to enter the Confederate service. He was chaplain of the Nineteenth Tennessee Regiment of Infantry for about two years, and the remainder of the war he was first lieutenant of Capt. D. Waterhouse's company, and for a while Gen. Vaughn was colonel of the regiment. Mr. Howard has a family of seven children -- six sons and one daughter-all of whom are married. Our subject is the third child. He received a good education in Rhea County, and began life as a farmer. In 1971 he
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settled on a farmi near Washington as a renter. and here remained one year. February 23, of the same year, he married Miss Hami Nanny, a native of Rhea County, born about 1851, the daughter of J. T. and Orlenia Nanny (deceased). This union resulted in the birth of one child-a daughter -- Dora Howard, born March 28, 1877. In 1872 our sub- ject moved to Rhea Springs, and was engaged in the blacksmithing business at this place one year. In 1873 he went to Chattanooga, and for two years was engaged in keeping a hotel, the Ferguson House, on the corner of Second and Market streets. In the fall of
1875 he entered the store of J. N. Ferguson as a salesman, and remained until the latter part of the year, at which time he left Chattanooga and came to Rock Creek, Hamilton County, and opened up a store of his own, and continued in the mercantile business at that place until the fall of 1877, at which time he came to what was then Smith's Cross Roads, but what is now Dayton, and followed the same occupation there until 1879. In 1880 he purchased a small farm, and settled upon it the same year. He then followed farming for one year. In the early part of 1882 he moved to Darwin, and opened up the first livery stable in the county. After remaining at that place six months, he moved to Washington, and again engaged in merchandising, but in connection with this kept & hotel. In the fall of 1885 he came to Dayton and opened a livery stable, and here he has remained ever since. He is a Democrat; his wife is a member of the Missionary Bap- tist Church. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been a member of the fraternity for the past twelve years. Our subject has been a thorough-going business man all his life, and now owns valuable improved property in Dayton. He also owns a good farm in Rhea County, on the Tennessee River.
Capt. James Howe, an enterprising miller of Rhea Springs, was born in North England, July 1, 1823. He is a son of Joseph and Jane (Lennox) Howe. Both parents were natives of North England, and died there. The father was a miller. He was killed by a horse while on his way home from market. Of the seven children born to them our subject is the third. He learned the miller's trade in his native country. July 13. 1850, he landed in New York city without friends or funds. He went to Dutchess County, N. Y., and worked at his trade long enough to get sufficient money to bring him to Blount County, Tenn., at which place he expected to join a fellow countryman, Robert James. Upon his arrival at said county, James had broken up. Again our subject was amid strangers and penniless. He made his way afoot to Lenore, Roane County, where for six years he was employed as a miller. He then went to Athens, McMinn County, and had charge of the Athens Mills until the spring of 1863. He enlisted in Company B, Seventh Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Union Army. He was elected captain, and served with credit until the surrender. After the war, in partnership with Charles L. King, he purchased the Harter (named for his wife) Mills, on Sewee Creek, Meigs County. Four years later he sold his interest in the concern and returned to McMinn County. He bought a mill. which he operated one year, then sold out. He then purchased a half interest in the mill which he now owns. Later he bought the remaining share. It is a large mill, costing $10,000. In 1867 he was appointed deputy revenue collector, and held the office seven years. He was postmaster at Hestor, also at Rhea Springs. He has been president of
the Tennessee Central Railroad for two years. In 1879 he was president of the Tennessee Valley Agricultural and Mechanical Association. Since that time he has served either as treasurer or director. He is a stanch Republican, and a Mason. He has had a good. practical education, secured by reading and close observation. March 13, 1854, he married Hester A., daughter of Spencer Hand. She was born in Knoxville, Tenn., in June, 1833. Eight children were born to their marriage. Those living are William L., Thomas C., Anna and James F. The deceased are Jaue, Ida, Joseph and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are sincere and highly respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
James Johnson, a well-known farmer of the First District, was born in Rhea County, Tenn .. May 27, 1818. He is the youngest of nine children (four now living) born to Will- iam and Sarah (Forbish) Johnson. The father was born in Virginia in 1766. He was a tin- nerby trade. About 1803 or 1801. he immigrated to Rhea County, Tenn., being the seventh man who settled there. He purchased land and became a successful farmer. His death
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occurred about 1843. The mother was born about 1769 on New River, S. C., and died in Rhea County about 1845. For forty-eight years she was a devout member of the Primi- tive Baptist Church, to which her husband belonged fifty-four years. The paternal grand- father was a native of Ireland, who settled in Virginia. Our subject has had but meager educational advantages, but by observation and reading has become possessed of a vast amount of practical knowledge. He remained with his parents until his majority. He then rented a farm in Meigs County. After raising one crop he returned home and remained until the death of his parents. January 1, 1849, he moved to Bledsoe (now Cum- berland) County, and bought a farm. He engaged in the mercantile business about 1853 in Grassy Cove, Bledsoe County. In 1857 he sold his farm and bought 200 acres of land. Since that time he has been trading. He now owns 320 acres in Rhea County and 200 in Cumberland County. July 4, 1859, he entered the store of Dr. D. M. Roddy, at Preston- ville Postoffice. He remained there until July 2, 1861. He then enlisted in Company G, Twenty-sixth Tennessee (Confederate Army), under command of John M. Lillard. Cap- tain of the company was Crawford. Our subject went out as orderly sergeant, and two months later was made quartermaster. He resigned after the battle of Fort Donelson. He was the only man who brought his stock through to Murfreesboro. He was elected captain of a home company, and entered a battalion of cavalry commanded by Maj. B. F. Walker. He was discharged January 6, 1864. He was in the battle at Fort Donelson, and at Beans Station, and near Chickamauga. He was never wounded nor taken prisoner. His accumulations were lost during the war. Since that time he has been successfully engaged in farming and trading. He was justice of the peace of the First District twenty-seven years. He has served as chairman of the county court. He was a dele- gate to ths convention which nominated President Cleveland. For fifty-one years he has been a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He is a stanch Democrat, an enterpris- ing citizen, and firm advocate of educational interests. December 28, 1840, he married Mary J., daughter of John O. and Jane (Simcox) Thompson. She was born March 12, 1824, in Roane County, Tenn., and died in Rhea County December 20, 1857. She was not a church member, but a believer in religion. This union resulted in eight children. Those living are William H., Calvin G., Sallie, Nettie and N. B; those deceased are Eliza- beth, Jane, and.W. W. September 15, 1864, our subject married Amy, daughter of M. C. Clack. She was born in Meigs County, Tenn., February 20, 1829. She is a lady of culti- vation and a member of the Baptist Church.
Christopher Jones, a citizen of Dayton, and proprietor of the Bull Head Saloon, was born at Pontypool, in Trevatham Parish. Monmouth County, South Wales, February 20. 1829, and is the son of John and Mary (Richard) Jones. The father was a sinker of shafts in mines, and a believer in the doctrine of the Baptist Church. The mother was an Episco- palian in belief, although neither were members of any church. Our subject is one of fifteen children. He first began working at the roller mills in South Wales, a calling which he followed for thirty consecutive years in Wales, England, Scotland, France. Prussia, Belgium, Nova Scotia and the United States. Our subject has been married twice, the first time to Miss Mary A. Jones, of South Wales. She lived but nine months. His second marriage was with Miss Eliza Hampton in 1860. She was born in England September 8, 1836. The last union resulted in the birth of four children: Mary A., born in England, April 19, 1861: Christopher J., born in France, August 2, 1862; Ellen, born in England August 4. 1863: and Rosetta E., born in Chattanooga, Tenn., July 29. 1870. Ellen died in South Wales October 11, 1864. In the summer of 1863. our subject came to the United States, landing at Boston, and spent several years in working at the roller mills in Rhode Island, Ohio. Tennessee. West Virginia. Kentucky, Wisconsin and Indiana. In 1869 he came to Chattanooga and was a butcher in that city up to 1824, at which time he came to Dayton, and after engaging in the butchering business for some time, opened up the Bull Head Saloon. Mr. Jones is a Democrat in politics, and an excel- lent citizen.
Arch McCaleb, a well-known farmer of the Second District, was born in Koox County, Tenn., near Campbell Station, November 11, 1818. His parents were Andrew
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and Ann (Boyd) McCaleb. The father was born December 25, 1788, in the Fonts Camp- bell Station. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and 1814; he was in the battle of Horse Shoe. He moved to Roane County about 1828. Five years later he settled in Rhea County, where he died July 9, 1860. He was a successful farmer, and a Whig. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, and came to East Tennessee with her parents when eight years old. She died in Rhea County, April 30, 1853, a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Nine children were born to their union, of whom our subject is the third. He is the eldest of the two now living. The paternal grandfather, Arch McCaleb, was a native of South Carolina. He settled in Knox County at the close of the Revolutionary war. He died in 1813, at the head of Turkey Creek, Knox County, while on his way with the army to fight the Creek Indians. In the war of 1812, fifteen members of the McCaleb family participated. Our subject received such education as the schools of that day afforded. He has gained considerable knowledge by continued reading and close observation. In 1837 he was engaged by the Government to assist in removing the Indians to Arkansas. He is a Mason, and a Democrat. Fifty-five years he has resided at the same place. He is an enterprising, prosperous farmer, and has improved and added to the property which he inherited. November 2, 1818, he married Nancy J., daughter of Hiram and Mary (Stockton) Gibson. She was born June 11, 1826, seven miles south of Decatur, Meigs Co., Tenn. Two children were born to this union, both deceased. Mrs. McCaleb is a member of the Baptist Church.
Rowland F. McDonald, an enterprising planter of the Tenth Civil District of Rhea County, was born near the Hiwassee Garrison. on the Tennessee River, Rhea County, November 12, 1824, son of William and Nancy (McDonald) McDonald, both of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Virginia. The father was born July 5, 1795, and died in Rhea County May 6, 1858. The mother was born January 5, 1804, and died in Rhea County in February, 1883. The parents were married in Montgomery County, Va., in 1823, and soon afterward immigrated to Tennessee and made a permanent home in Rhea County. The father, in his early life in Virginia, was engaged in the tannery business, but gave his atten- tion exclusively to the farming interest after coming to Tennessee. He was an old line Whig. and he and wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject. the eldest of six children, secured a good education, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He is a surveyor by profession, and since the war he has served one term as county surveyor, and has been justice of the peace twenty years of his life. May 27, 1852, he married Miss Virginia Brown, a native of Bledsoe County, Tenn., born September 23. 1833, and died October 31, 1862. His second marriage occurred October 16, 1866, with Miss Orpha J. Paine, a native of Rhea County, born June 19, 1834. Four children were born to the first marriage. one son and three daughters, two of whom are deceased. By the second marriage six children were born, one son and five daughters, one daughter being deceased. Our subject is a Democrat, and he and his present wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His first wife was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church South.
Lewis F. McDonald. a well-known and enterprising planter of Rhea County, Tenn., was born near his present place of residence September 3, 1826. His parents. Bryant R. and Elizabeth (McDonald) McDonald, both natives of Virginia, and both of Scotch-English descent. The father was born about 1798 in Botetourt County and died in his native county February 7, 1874. The mother was born in Montgomery County in 1804, and died May 19, 1871, in Rhea County, Tenn. They were married in Montgomery County, Va .. August 17, 1824, and soon afterward immigrated to Tennessee, and located in Rhea County. where they spent forty-seven years in happy and prosperous wedlock. The father was a successful planter, a decided Democrat, and died a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother was a member of the same church. Our subject is the second of a large family of children. He received a common-school education in Rhea County, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. In 1857 he settled where he now resides, and has been rather successful in life's occupation. . He now owns upward of 550 acres of land, well cultivated and well improved. February 7, 1857, he married Miss
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Nancy McDonald, & native of West Virginia, born in Wyoming County August 2, 1838. The fruits of this union were eight children, four sons and four daughters. Our subject has always been an active industrious man, and as a result now enjoys the comforts of a good home. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
George C. Mckenzie, B. S., a prominent citizen of Dayton, and professor of mathe- matics in the Dayton Masonic College, is a native of East Tennessee, born in Meigs County, January 14, 1861 ; son of Col. G. W. and Susan (Keenan) MeKenzie, both of Scotch- Irish descent. The father was born in Virginie about 1821, and is now living in Meigs County. The mother was born in Meigs County, about 1832, is still living in that county, and here her marriage occurred. The father was a tiller of the soil, which occupation he followed with fair success. He was captain of a company in the Mexican war, and was among the first to respond to the call of the Confederate States, and served about four years in the Rebellion. He entered the service as captain and was soon promoted to the rank of colonel. He took part in the battle of Chickamauga, and others. He is a Demo- crat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject received a liberal education in his youth, which was commenced at Decatur and completed at East Tennessee Wesleyan University, Athens. While in the senior class of the above named institution he received an appointment at West Point, but did not enter the school. In 1885 he received a complimentary diploma from Hiawassee College, Monroe County. After completing his education our subject commenced teaching in James County. This was in 1882, and since that time he has given his attention exclusively to teaching. In the spring of 1883 he went to Texas and taught eighteen months in Van Zandt and Hender- son Counties. On February 6, of the same year, he married Miss Nannie N. Harden, s native of Monroe County, born June 19, 1859, and the fruits of this union were two children, a son and daughter, viz .: Charlotte, born December 21, 1885, and George A., born March 20, 1886. In the fall of 1884 our subject returned to Tennessee, located in Dayton, and has remained here ever since. He is now associated with the Dayton Masonic College, being professor of mathematics. He is a Democrat in politics, and a worthy mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
D. C. Mc Millin, Sr., cashier of the Dayton City Bank, was born April 10, 1826, son of Robert W. and Rachel (Caldwell) MeMillin, both of Scotch descent. Our subject is the eldest of two children. He lost his father when a child, and at the age of twelve he found himself forced to make his way in life by his own unaided efforts. In 1839 he went to Chattanooga, where he and his brother, J. P. McMillin, engaged in merchandising for several years. He was among the first settlers of that city. In 1846 he married Miss Mary L. Campbell, youngest daughter of Hon. Thomas J. Campbell. of Athens, Tenn. After retiring from the mercantile business, he was for a time bookkeeper in the branch of the Union Bank at Chattanooga. In 1858 he reinoved to Cleveland. Tenn., and was cashier of the Ocoee Bank up to the breaking out of the late war. After that event he acquired the capital. went to Washington, procured the charter and organized, opened, and ran the Cleveland National Bank for four years. In 1870 he returned to Chattanooga, and with his son-in-law engaged in the mercantile business. In 1885 he was appointed by the governor a member of the board of railroad tax assessors for the State. Subse- quently he came to Dayton, and is now cashier of a nice little private bank, $75,000 capital. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and has filled several offices in the same. He is a Democrat in politics. Hon. Thomas J. Campbell, father-in- law of our subject, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., February 22, 1793. He was the eldest son of Hon. David Campbell. at that time a territorial judge under appointment of President Washington. At the session of the State Legislature of Knoxville, in 1815-16. T. J. Campbell was chosen clerk of the House of Representatives, and held that position so long as he would accept it. being repeatedly elected. In the meantime his father had moved to Washington. Rhea County, where he died in 1912. Subsequently T. J. Camp- bell had commenced the practice of law at Washington, but afterward moved to Athens. He was elected representative in 1833, and re-elected in 1835. In 1840 he was chosen by
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