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 34
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the Whig party as their candidate for elector in the Fourth Congressional District (now Third) in the great political canvass, which occurred at that time, in the contest between Harrison and Van Buren for the presidency. In 1841 he was elected to represent the Fourth (now Third) District in Congress from this district. He was not in public life again until 1847, at which time, at the solicitation of a large number of his friends, he allowed himself to be a candidate for the clerkship of the House of Representatives of the United States. He was elected and re-elected the next session, then soon died, and his remains were brought to Chattanooga, where most of his family then resided, and were interred in the graveyard at that place. He was a very popular man in East Tennessee, and won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
Col. John Randolph Neal, Congressman from the Third District of Tennessee, was born in Anderson County, Tenn., November 26, 1886. He is a son of John O. and Per- melia (Young) Neal. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in Virginia Septem- ber 3, 1193, and died in McMinn County, Tenn., in 1877. He was a blacksmith and gun- smith by trade. His latter days were spent in farming. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a Whig. The mother was born in Virginia in 1808, and is still living, a highly esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Of the ten children born to her marriage three survive, our subject being the second. His early education was acquired in the common schools of McMinn County, and Hiwassee College. He then attended the Emory and Henry College, Virginia, where, after three years, he graduated in 1858. with the highest honors of his class. He at once began the study of law, and ere the outbreak of the war was admitted to the bar. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private in Company B, Sixteenth Tennessee Cavalry, of which company he afterward became captain. At the reorganization of the army in 1862 he became lieutenant-colonel of the Sixteenth Tennessee Cavalry Battalion. He was one of the bravest and most gallant officers in the Southern Army. After the surrender he was entirely without funds. He taught school in Virginia long enough to raise an amount sufficient to bring him home. He went to Paraclifta, Ark., in 1867. Failing health caused him to return to Tennessee. For two years he taught school in Roane County. He then moved to Rliea Springs, and was again instructor one year, Since that time he has been engaged most successfully in the practice of law. In 1874 he was elected to represent Rhea, James, Meigs and Cumberland Counties in the State Legisla . ture. In 1878 he was the successful candidate for the State Senate from the Chattanooga Dis- trict. He became Speaker of the Senate, when that body convened, the following January. In 1880 he was the presidential elector from the Third District on the Hancock and Eng- lish ticket. In 1884 he was elected to Congress from the Third District of Tennessee. and re-elected in 1886. He is a man of remarkable ability and honor, and a Mason. November 13, 1862, he married Miss Mary E. Brown, a lady of culture, and a native of Roane County, Tenn. She is a sincere member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. To their union seven children have been born. Those living: Amanda B., Mary P., John O., Nora K. and George F. Those deceased: Nellie and Francis.
Maj. Flavius J. Paine, a well-known citizen of Rhea County, aud a resident of Darwin, was born in Rhea County, near Darwin, May 12, 1882, and is the son of Orville and Elvira (Locke) Paine, both of whom were of Scotch descent. The father was born in Virginia in 1800, and died in Rhea County in 1860. The mother was a native of Rhea County, born in 1810, and is still living at the old homestead with her son, Alfred Paine. The parents were married in Rhea County in 1828, and passed all their lives in that county. The father was a farmer, a Democrat, and served one term as high sheriff of Rhea County before the war. Our subject is the second of ten children, and secured a a fair education in youth. He assisted his father on the plantation, and tilling the soil has been his chief occupation ever since. At the age of twenty-one he went to Washing- ton, Rhea County, and entered the store of Judge E. Locke, as salesman, and in due time, five months, became partner, and continued with Mr. Locke in that capacity for four years. In 1857, in partnership with W. N. Ault, he established a store of general mer. chandise in Washington which he continued two years. In 1859 he sold out to Mr. Ault,
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and commenced business in the same town with Darwin, Bean & Co., where he remained until the breaking out of the late war. Ile enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Battalion Cavalry, Confederate States Army, in the summer of 1863, and served the remainder of the war. He accompanied Gen. Early on his celebrated raid through the Shenandoah Valley, took part in numerous battles and skirmishes in Tennessee and Virginia, entered the army as first lieutenant, was promoted to major, was paroled at Athens. Ga., and returned home in May 1865. He then settled on the old homestead in Rhea County, and for two and a half years gave his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. In 186; he began merchandising again at Washington, which he continued up to 1875, but at the same time continued his farming interests. In January, 1877, he married Miss Amanda Loutham, a native of McMinn County, born in August, 1857, and to this union one daugh- ter, Mary E., was born October 16. 1867, and died October 26, 1863. In October, 1885, he moved to Darwin and this town is still his home. Since then in connection with farming he has been in the real estate business, and now has an office in Dayton, in partnership with D. C. Montgomery. In 1870 and 1871 he was deputy sheriff under B. F. Halloway, and in 1872 he was elected high sheriff of Rhea County, serving one term of two years. Soon after this he was elected justice of the peace, and has filled this office ever since. Maj. Paine is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church.
John E. Pyott, one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of the Fourth District of Rhea County, Tenn., was born in Loudon County, Va., December 19, 1888. and is the son of Edward and Margaret (McPherson) Pyott. The ancestors of the Pyott fam- ily came from France and settled in Virginia. Edward, the father, was born in Virginia, in 1812, and died in Rhea County, Tenn., June 8, 1879. He came from his native State to Roane County, Tenn., in 1840, and one year later moved to Rhea County, where he remained. He was a Republican and a natural politician, but never an office seeker or holder. During the war his sympathies were with the Union, but he had the confidence of both the Federals and Confederates. He was well educated, was a farmer, and his sympathies were with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was noted for his integrity and honor. The mother is, also, a native of Virginia, born in 1816, and makes her home with her son, our subject. She is of Scotch descent, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her marriage seven children were born (all sons), six now liv- ing. Our subject is the eldest. He secured a liberal education and worked on his father's farm, and for neighbors, until seventeen years of age. He then made up his mind to make something of himself. He taught school until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Forty-third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry of the Confederate service, as a private, and when the company was reorganized on May 10, 1862, he was made lieuten- ant. He was in active service until the surrender at Vicksburg, when he was paroled and returned to Rhea County, and resumed teaching school. June 10, 1866, he married Miss Barbara C. Hoyal, a native of Washington, Rhea Co., Tenn., and the daughter of John Hoyal, a prominent physician of Washington, Tenn. Five children were the result of our subject's marriage: James H., John E., Charles P., Virginia A. and Cora B. After teaching school for fifteen years, "Col." Pyott, as he is familiarly known, began the pract- ice of law, but he continues to farm. He has been superintendent of public instruction twice, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is a conservative Democrat. He is a Knight Templar, and at present is D. G. H. P. of the Grand Chapter of Tennessee, in which he has been recognized since 1870.
B. F. Robinson, an enterprising and stirring farmer of the Fourth District of Rhea County, Tenn., was born in Washington County, Tenn., September 11, 1831; he was a son of John and Hannah (Earnest) Robinson. The father was born in Washington County, Tenn., in 1799, and died in Rhea County, Tenn., in the early part of 1886. He was a successful agriculturist, and was considered, by all who knew him, to be one of the best farmers in Rbea County. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over sixty years. He was a Whig previous to the war, but after that event was a Demo- crat. He was the son of Jacob Robinson, who was born in Virginia, and died in Wash-
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ington County, Tenn. John Robinson was among the first to settle in Rhea County, com- ing here about 1840. The mother was born in Greene County, Tenn., June 8, 1809, and died in Rhea County. Tenn,, in 1871. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a daughter of Felix Earnest, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was lieutenant, and was in numerous battles. To the marriage of our subject's parents were born eight children, six now living, our subject being the eldest. He secured a lib- eral education, and was engaged in school teaching for some time. He then worked in the copper mines, and was then engaged in buying and selling stock, after which he went to Montana. Here he sold goods, farmed and worked in the mines. After remain- ing in that territory for some time he went to Texas, and engaged in the stock business there. In a short time he returned to Rhea County, Tenn., and purchased the farm upon which he is now living, which consisted at that time of ninety-two acres, but now of 230 acres. In 18:1 he wedded Miss Elizabeth G. Roddy, who was born in Rhea County, Tenn., and who is the daughter of James and Margaret (Preston) Roddy. She is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. To her union with our subject were born four children, all liv- ing: Jolm C., Maggie, James H. and Samuel P. Our subject is a man of energy and per- severance, and is a Democrat in politics.
David F. Robinson, a thorough-going wide-awake young farmer of the First District of Rhea County, was born at his present place of residence August 22, 1849, and is the son of James and Elizabeth ( Earnest) Robinson. The father was born and reared in Washington County, Tenn., and came to Rhea County. Tenn., about 1530, and purchased the land upon which the subject of this sketch is now living. He was very successful in all his undertakings, and at the time of his death was quite well off. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was well educated, and was a Democrat in politics. He died in 1881, and was seventy-five years of age at that time. The mother was born in Greene County, Tenn .. May 27, 1810, and is now living with our subject. She is a mom- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and the mother of eight children, seven now living. Our subject is next to the youngest child. He secured a fair education at Rhea Springs, and has always followed agricultural pursuits on the old homestead. He bought out the other heirs, and lived with his father and mother, at their request. He is a friend to education, and supports and advocates that cause. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and a Democrat in politics.
Jesse P. Roddy, a prominent Baptist minister and farmer of the First District, was born near his present place of residence, August 10, 1823, and is the son of Col. James and Margaret (Preston) Roddy. He secured a common-school education, and has been a close observer and reader all his life. He was seventeen years of age at the time of his father's death, and being the eldest of the family the principal part of the responsibility, conse- quently, foll upon his shoulders. February 6, 18442, he married Miss Emily McClane, a native of White County, Tenn., and the daughter of Benjamin McClane. Nine chil- dren were the fruits of this union, six now living: Robert C., Margaret, Amanda, Char- lotte, Walter B. and James M. Those deceased are William, Sarah and Mary. In early life our subject was engaged by the East Tennessee Iron Manufacturing Company, to sell goods, trade for them and to superintend the work. This firm was established by Robert Craven; this company divided their stock and retired from the iron business. He remained upon the farm and traded in stock until the fall of 1863, when he enlisted in Capt. Johnson's company of Welker's Battalion of Cavalry, and went out as forage mas- ter, and held that position while in the service. He was at the battle of Chickamauga, and in numerous skirmishes. He was taken prisoner, but ouly remained in captivity three days, when he took the oath and returned home. Since the war he has been engaged in farming, and has also administered to the spiritual wants of his fellow men. He is a stanch friend to education, and at all times supports and advocates the cause. He has held numerous offices at home, such as captain of the militia or home guards, etc. He is a Mason and a Democrat.
William G. Roddy, a well-to-do farmer of the First District of Rhea County, Tenn., was born near his present place of residence February, 25, 1825, and is the son of James
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and Margaret (Preston) Roddy. The ancestors of the Roddy family originally came from England. James Roddy was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., January 29, 1801, and died at Roddy September 1, 1840. He was a farmer and trader, and was very successful, having up to time of his death accumulated considerable property. He held different offices, the last one being colonel in the militia. He was the son of Jesse Roddy, who was the son of Col. James Roddy, who was in the Revolutionary war, and who settled in North Carolina after coming from England. The mother was born in Roane County, Tenn., February 10, 1805, and died at Roddy about 1879. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was the daughter of James and Charlotte Preston, natives of East Tennessee, who moved to Roane County, and from there to Rhea County, when Marga- ret was quite young. Of their eight children, seven are now living. Our subject received a fair education in the home schools, and has been a great reader all his life. At the age of fifteen our subject was left without a father, and he and an elder brother reared and educated the remaining children of the family. They began with 200 acres of land which was added to until they had 800 acres, Since then they divided, and owned 500 acres apiece, but met with reverses during the war. Since then our subject has, in connection with the farm, been engaged in the saw mill business. He is a Democrat in politics. Oct- ber 25, 1851, he married Amanda J. Stockton, a native of Meigs County, Tenn., born in 1837, and died in Rhea County April 9, 1874. She was the daughter of James and Nancy Stockton, and was a member of the Baptist Church. To them seven children were born, (four now living): John P., Nancy, Sarah, Jesse H., Susan, William and Victoria; Nancy, Sarah and Victoria are deceased, November 21, 1883, he married Miss Amanda E. Whittenburg, a native of Rhoa County, Tenn., and a member of the Baptist Church. One child is the result of the last union, named Rector P. S. Roddy. The ancestors of the Roddys spelled their name Roddye, but later generations have dropped .the ter- minal "e."
George M. D. Spence, a well-known and enterprising merchant of Dayton, of the firm of Ferguson & Spence, is a native of East Tennessee, born in Rhea County, four miles east of Dayton, January 16. 1844. His parents, Stephen and Martha (Hooper) Spence, were both of Irish descent. The father was a native of North Carolina, born October 29, 1800, and died in Rhea County, in August, 1882. The mother was also a native of North Carolina, born in January, 1801, and died in Rhea County in 1867. They were married in their native State about 1818, and immediately after their marriage immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Blount County, where they lived two years, then came to Rhea County, and here passed the remainder of their days. The father was & farmer, a decided Democrat, and he and wife were members of the same Church. Our sub- ject is the youngest of twelve children. He secured a good academical education in Rhea County, and assisted his father with the labor on the farm until eighteen years of age, when he enlisted (1862) in Company E, Twenty-sixth Tennessee Regiment Infantry, (Con- federate States army) with John Crawford as captain of the company, and John M. Lill- ard as colonel of the regiment. He served through the war and took part in numerous battles and skirmishes. The latter part of 1863, on account of ill health, he came home, and was captured near Dayton and sent as a prisoner of war, first to Columbus, Ohio, where he was kept four months, and then to Rock Island, Ill., remaining at the latter place until March 1, 1865, at which time he was paroled, and he never re-entered the service, but remained at Richmond, Va., until the close of the war, and returned home in May, 1865. after an absence of over three years. The same year, after reaching home, he settled four miles east of Dayton, and commenced farming again. January 21, 1866, he married Miss Martha J. Foust, a native of Rhea County, born in 1840, and the daughter of John W. and Pollie A. Foust. Our subject in 1869 established a store of general merchandise at Cotton Port, Meigs County, on the Tennessee River, and was engaged in that business for eighteen months at this place, after which he returned to the farm, and two years later, on account of poor health, abandoned the farm and moved to Rhea Springs. At the end of six years he had fully recovered his health. In 1872 he was duly elected trustee of Rhea County, and served one term of two years. He afterward engaged in the harness business
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at Hhes Springs, and followed this occupation for four years, In 1878, on account of bis father's failing health, he came back to the old home place, and remained there until his father's death. In the meantime (in 1882) he was again elected trustee, and re-elected in 1881, making, in all, six years our subject has served in that capacity in Rhea County. In 1883 he moved to Dayton, and in October, 1886, in partnership with J. H. Ferguson, he established a general store of merchandise, and this is his present business. He is a decided Democrat, and his wife and three children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church Sonth.
Halliday Spivey, & prominent citizen of Rhea County, and a resident of Dayton, is a native of Virginia, born January 30, 1819, son of Jethro and Nancy (Dukes) Spivey, both native Virginians. The mother died when our subject was but an infant. The father remarried, and our subject was partly reared by an aunt, Mrs. Mary Hosier, and by the step-mother. The father was a farmer, and was quite successful in this occupation. Our subject is the only child, and secured a good education in Virginia. He spent his boy- hood days on his father's farm, and at the age of eighteen he immigrated to Ten- nessee and settled in Knox County, where he was engaged in tilling the soil for two years. He then came to Bradley County, where he remained until about 1858, and then moved to Hamilton County, and was a resident of that county at the breaking out of the late war. Previous to the late war, in 1841, he married Miss Elizabeth S. Thompson, a native of Bradley County, and the fruits of this union are seven children, one son and six daughters, all living. MIr. Spivey remained a resident of Hamilton County up to about 1880, at which time he came to Rhea County and settled in Dayton, or where Dayton now is, and this has been his home ever since. While in Hamilton County he sold goods for two years on a flat-boat on the Tennessee River. Subsequently he was engaged in mer- chandising at Rock Creek, Hamilton County, after which he came to Dayton, and here engaged in merchandising for about five years. He is a Republican, and a wortby mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his wife and children are members of the same church. Mr. Spivey now owns about 600 acres in Bradley, and about 800 acres in Hamil- ton County; also owns two town lots in Dayton with fine brick business houses on Main and Railroad Streets.
William E. Stephens, president of the Tennessee Valley College, Darwin Station, Rhea County, was born in Bledsoe County, September 6, 1848, the son of Mark and Eliza- beth C. (Greer) Stephens, who were of English and Irish descent. The father was born in Bledsoe County, in 1808, is still living and is a resident of that county. The mother was born in Franklin County, Va., in 1823, is still living, and is also a resident of Bled- soe County. They were married in Cumberland County, in 1847, and soon after came to Bledsoe County, and made a permanent settlement in the Third Civil District. The father is a farmer, a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject is the eldest of four sons. He received his education in the schools of his native county, and completed at Burritt College, Van Buren County, and at Washington and Lee University, Virginia. He attended the latter institution of learn- ing when it was presided over by Gen. R. E. Lee, and was there at the time of the general's death. After completing his education, he returned to Tennessee, and for the past fifteen years has given his attention exclusively to teaching. For the last six years he has been president of the Tennessee Valley College, and eight years previous to his coming to Darwin, he taught in Bledsoe County, four years at the Bledsoe Institute and four years at Sequatchie College, both of which are in Bledsoe County. Mr. Stephens is a thorough scholar, and a very popular teacher. December 23. 1873, he married Miss S. Elizabeth Swafford, a cultured lady, who received her education at the Cumberland Female Col- lege, McMinnville, Tenn., and at Martha Washington College, Virginia. She was born in Bledsoe County, March 10, 1856, and is the daughter of Isaac E. and. Martha J. Swaf- ford. One son, Mark, is the result of our subject's marriage. He was born November 25, 1881. Mr. Stephens is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
James H. Storie, M. D., a well-known practitioner, of Dayton, was born in Fentress
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County, Tenn., February 19, 1838, and is the son of James and Annie ( Evans) Storie, both of whom were of German and Irish descent. The father was born in North Carolina, about 1797, and is still living, as is also the mother, who was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., about 1805. They were married in Fentress County, and with the exception of three or four years, that they passed in Overton County, at about the beginning of the war, they have lived in that county ever since. The father has followed farming, with fair success, all his life; is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are worthy members of the United Baptist Church, the father having served the same as deacon for a num- ber of years. Our subject is one of eight children. He was reared on the farm. and received a liberal education in Fentress County. He began life for himself by working at the carpenter's trade, about three years. In the latter part of 1861. he commenced reading medicine, under Dr. William Long, of Clinton County, Ky. Previous to this, June 30, 1857, he married Miss Rebecca Pevyhouse, a native of Fentress County, Tenn., born August 31, 1840, and this union has been blessed by the birth of a large family of children After marriage Dr. Storie went to Texas County, Mo., where he remained sixteen months, then returned to Overton County. He was a student under Dr. Long, several months, and after due preparation he returned to Tennessee and practiced his profession several years before he found time and opportunity to attend the lectures. In 1878 be attended his first course of lectures at the Hospital College of Medicine, of the Central Med- ical University, Louisville, Ky. The same year Dr. Storie spent several months in the Louisville City Hospital, making the study of female diseases a specialty. In February, 1881, he duly received his diploma, at the Central Medical University, of Louisville, Ky., before he took a course in operative surgery, and was engaged in the practice of medicine, in Roane, Pickett and Scott Counties, before he came to Dayton, in June, 1886. A short time after reaching Dayton he entered upon a large practice, and is a first-class physician He is a Republican, and he and wife and four children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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