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 39
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Maj. William A. McTeer, a prominent attorney of Maryville, was born in Blount County, September 16, 1843. The great-grandfather, Robert McTeer, came from Ireland. and located first in Mifflin County, Pa., but about 1780 came to Blount County. He served through the Revolution, and died in the eastern part of Blount County, about 1824. William, the grandfather. was born June 14, 1780, in Blount County, served in the war of 1819, and died May 29, 1862. Andrew B., the father, was born in Blount County, Sep- tember 5, 1820. He was a farmer, and blacksmith, and was quartermaster in the Third Tennessee (Federal) Cavalry, and also adjutant, major and colonel in the State militia. He died June 14, 1885. The mother. Nancy (Gamble). a native of Blount County, still lives on the old homestead, originally consisting of 600 acres. entered by Robert McTeer,
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part of which was entered from the North Carolina government. Our subject bas many family relics in his possession, including a watch of English make, held by the family since 1750, and carried through the Revolution by Robert McTeer. William A. was reared on a farm, was in a country store, and also learned the blacksmith's trade. He was the first of his regiment, the Third Tennessee (Federal) Cavalry, sworn in, enlisting in Com- pany A. He was made second lieutenant, then adjutant, and at the close held a major's commission. He also served on the staff of Cols. Thornburg and Prosser. After the war he attended Maryville College until 1867, and a year later was made clerk of the circuit court, in which capacity he served from 1868 to 1878, when he was admitted to the bar. He served in the Legislature in 1881-82. He is a director of the Bank of Maryville; is a director and also treasurer of Maryville College. Since 1878 he has been United States commissioner. In 1876 he married Mary T. Wilson, daughter of Rev. D. M. Wilson, a Presbyterian missionary, now of Spring City, Rhea Co., Tenn. She was born in Beyroot, Syria. Our subject is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and for several years has been superintendent of the New Providence Sabbath-school. He was president of the East Tennessee Sabbath-school Convention in 1886-87, and is vice-president, for East Tennessee, of the Tennessee State Temperance Alliance.
J. D. Miller was born July 31, 1827, in Blount County. He is the seventh of nine children born to Andrew and Sarah (Scott) Miller. Mrs. Miller was born and raised on the farm where J. D. Miller now resides. Andrew Miller was born in Virginia, and when about six years old was brought to Tennessee; settled first in Washington County, after- ward in Greene County, and then in Blount County. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Miller were of Irish descent. The former was a saddler by trade, and also managed the affairs of bis farm in connection with his trade. Andrew Miller, Sr., grandfather of J. D. Miller, was a native of Ireland, and immigrated to America before the Revolutionary war, settling first in Virginia. When of age, J. D. Miller began business for himself with some property he inherited from his father, and by his industry and good management has added con- siderable to what he at first received. He now owns a good farm of 260 acres of splendid land under a high state of cultivation, and located on the Big Springs and Montvale Springs Road, eight miles west of Maryville. Mr. Miller is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has been a ruling elder in the church ten years. He is a Republican in pol- itics, and cast his first presidential ballot for Martin Van Buren. James Scott. maternal grandfather of J. D. Miller, was a native of Ireland, and immigrated to Virginia, where he married, and soon immigrated to Blount County, being among the first there. He was a soldier in the Indian excursion of about 1790 or 1796, and commanded a regiment during that war, and was wounded at the battle fought on the Little Tennessee River.
Gen. A. J. Neff, is a native of Proble County, Ohio, his birth occurring November 30, 1825. His parents were Virginians, the father from Botetourt and the mother from Greenbriar. When our subject was twelve years old. he removed to Indiana, where he lived until 1884, when he came to Blount County, Tenn. From 1851 to 1855, he served as prosecuting attorney of the circuit court, and in 1856 and 1857 was a member of the Indiana Legislature. In 1862, he entered the Union service as major, and for meritorious conduct, was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and colonel by Gov. O. P. Morton of Indiana, and to brevet brigadier-general, by President Andrew Johnson. From 1871 to 1875 he was a member of the State Senate of Indiana, and for twelve years has been engaged in journalism, first with the Manchester (Indiana) Journal, and second with the Greencastle (Indiana) Timex, and lastly, in June, 1884, he established the Maryville Times, of which he is yet owner and manager. For twenty-five years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1852 he was united in marriage with Miss Ann H. Chaffee, whose father came from Connecticut, and mother from New York. She has presented her husband with seven children-six boys and one girl. Two sons are the proprietors of a daily paper in Kansas City: one is a minister in Missouri, and has been stationed two years in Kansas City, and four years in St. Louis: one is a professor of modern languages in the De Pauw (Ind. ) University, and one is city editor of the Moryrille Times. Three yet reside with their parents. Mrs. Neff has long been connected with a
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number of benevolent institutions, such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Women's Foreign Missions, etc.
W. T. Parham, proprietor of the Maryville Woolen-Mills, was born in Knoxville, Tenn., in February, 1833. Since September, 1865, he has been in Maryville, first in the mercantile trade; but after his purchase of the grist and woolen-mills, in 1876, he has. since April, 1877, been sole manager of the same. They have three looms, one set of forty- inch cards, and 260 spindles, but he now has forty-four looms and 908 spindles, using both steam and water-power, manufacturing jeans, linseys, cassimeres, flannels, blankets and yarns-the first mentioned being a specialty; and with such a reputation that his sales are now a year in advance. The first year of his management he consumed 7,000 pounds of wool; the second year, 13.000 pounds; in 1886, 120,000 pounds, and in 1877 about 150,000 pounds, the carding and spinning departments being operated day and night. He employs about sixty hands. From 1848 to 1853 he worked at the bar- ness trade in Knoxville, and until 1861 in mercantile life in the same place. He then conducted a store at Danville, Ky., and one at Clarksville, Tenn. for two years. He then sold goods at Knoxville until he came to Maryville. In 1858 he married M. J. Snoddy, a native of Knox County. Seven of their nine children are living. She died in December, 1882. His father. E. N., resides in Knox County, and is a native of North Carolina. From his youth he has followed merchandising in Knox County, but retired from active business in 1878. The mother, Mary (Dunn), is a native of Sevier County. Our subject is the eldest child of one son and four daughters, two of the latter being deceased. His ancestors are of English descent.
Sam P. Rowan, attorney and counselor at law, was born in Blount County, in 1838, and raised on a farm five miles east of Maryville. He was educated principally in Porter Academy and Maryville College. He read law from 1860 until 1862, when he entered the Federal Army and served as captain in the Second Tennessee (Union) Cavalry until the spring of 1804, when, on account of bad health, he resigned. He was admitted to the bar in 1865, at Maryville, Tenn., and has practiced his profession there ever since. He was a member of the Legislature of 1885-86 as senator from the Sixth Senatorial District. His ancestry is of the old Scotch-Irish stock which first settled in Virginia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. His two grandfathers, George Berry and Samuel Rowan, came from Virginia, the former about the year 1792, and the latter a few years after. They both died in Blount County.
A. J. Taylor, a physician and farmer, was born January 3, 1831, in Washington County, Tenn., but from his infancy until 1853, he was partly raised in Greene County and partly in Cocke County. He came to his present home in 1853. He studied medicine with his brother, Dr. A. L. Taylor, and in 1856 began the practice of med- icine where he now lives, and always with splendid success as a physician and financier. His years and susceptibility to exposure have compelled him to strive to withdraw from practice as much as possible. In 1862 he entered the First Tennessee Cavalry (United States army), and was afterward transferred to the Third Tennessee. He served until the summer of 1863, when, on account of ill health, he was forced to with- draw from the army. He was engaged during all his service as contract surgeon. December 28, 1870, he married Martha J., daughter of John and Anna (Thomas) Break- bill, both of Dutch origin. She was born and reared in Blount County. Their chil- dren are Nancy A. (now Mrs. Bogle), John S., Ira A., Andrew J., Mary J. and Clifford A. The family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Doctor is a Repub- lican, and cast his first vote for Pierce. He was school commissioner two years, and is a prominent man in his community. He is the youngest of nine children of John W. and Mary (Britt) Taylor. both born on the Nero River, West Virginia. the former of English and the latter of Irish-English origin, and residents of Washington County, Tenn., from a very early age, but moved to Greene County when our subject was an infant. The grandfather's name was William Taylor. Beginning in very limited circumstances, Dr. Taylor now owns 316 acres, part of which is highly cultivated, and located eleven miles east of Maryville.
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F. P. Toof, manufacturer of cotton goods, Rockford. Blount Co., Tenn., was born April 2, 1857, in Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., and when nine years old moved to Slat- ersville, R. I. He worked in various cotton factories throughout New England until nineteen years of age. He then went to Nashville, Tenn., and became overseer of several factories there. In the spring of 1880 he went to Atlanta and had the supervision of the Atlanta Cotton Mills' weaving department for a year; then, after a short vacation in visiting throughout the United States and Canada, he took charge of the weaving depart- ments of the Lehman and Abraham Cotton Mills, of New Orleans, for three years. From that time until June, 1885, he superintended the Nashville Cotton Mills' weaving department, when he then bought a half interest in the Rockford Cotton Mills, in partnership with H. M. Wilson. of Knoxville, under the firm name of F. P. Toof & Co. Since March. 1887, he has been sole owner. He has more than doubled the capacity of the mills and increased their business. February 18, 1880, he married Mary White, of Nashville since her infancy, but born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their children are Edward and Catherine E. Mrs. Toof is a Catholic, and of Italian descent, while our subject's ancestors are of Hol- land stock, and have been residents of New York State for over two centuries. He is a Knight of Pytbias and a Mason. He is a self-made man, who has educated himself by home reading and study. He began work, when nine years old, in the famous Forestdale Manufacturing Company's factory at Slatersville, R. I., and he has gained his all by his own energetic efforts and abilities. He is a stanch Democrat, so reared from the cradle. Hle was made postmaster in the fall of 1885.
R. F. Walker, a retired farmer and respected citizen of Maryville, was born in Blount County, February 25, 1818. He was reared on a farm and educated in the country schools. He left home in 1858, and married Margaret Euphemia McConnell, a native of the county. Their children are Laura (now Mrs. McBath, of this county), Robert Sanford and Jennie, the last mentioned of whom is an accomplished artist of considerable talent. Several of her painted landscapes would do no discredit to a master hand. After marriage he farmed the home place, which he and his mother had purchased, and after they sold that, he bought a farm near Maryville, in 1872. Since March. 1986, he has lived in town. He is a trustee of the Maryville City Mills. His grandfather, John Walker, came to North Car- olina from Ireland, and served in the Revolution. The father of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, and the family moved to Blount County, where the grandfather soon died. David, the father, married Jane Johnston, a native of South Carolina. They died in this county about 1804 and 1855, respectively. The father was a farmer. Our subject was the fifth child of five sons and five daughters, of whom, three of the former and one of the latter are living.
SEVIER COUNTY.
John W. Andes, a son of John and Letty Andes, was born and raised in Sevier County, Tenn. He was a farmer's son, and was reared and educated in Sevier County. He was in his twenty-second year when the war broke out, and he took sides with the Union. In October, 1862, he, in company with hundreds of other East Tennesseeans, went to Kentucky and joined the Federal Army, being compelled to steal away from East Tennessee after nightfall. After traveling about 200 miles, and crossing mountains and rivers on foot, he arrived at Louisville, Ky., where the Tennessee Cavalry were armed and equipped. in December, 1862. He was then ordered to Nashvillle. Tenn., and thence to Murfreesboro, Tenn .. where the memorable battle of Stone River was fought under Gens. Rosecrans and Bragg, participated in the battle until victory was won, and had the honor of witnessing Gen. Rosecrans' gallant march into the city. on Monday morning, January 2, 1863. During the spring and summer of 1863 he did scouting in
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various portions of Middle Tennessee. He was with Rosecrans' army, and took part in driving Braggs' army into Georgia. He was in many hard battles, but the most promi- nent was that of Chickamauga, on September 20, 1863. Mr. Andes was then ordered on scouting duty, along the Tennessee River, until after Burnside's victory, at Knoxville. He was then sent to Nashville, Tenn., where the Tennessee Brigade was mounted on fresh horses, and on the 25th of December was ordered to Mississippi by way of Corinth, and down as far as West Point, under the command of Gen. Smith, at which place Gen. Forrest attacked Smith, which resulted in a hot battle. From here the forces returned by way of Okolona and Pontatock to Memphis, when the Tennessee Brigade was ordered back to the Department of the Cumberland. It returned to Nashville the 1st of March, and, after remaining there awhile, was sent to Decatur, Ala., at which point the regi- ment did a great deal of hard duty and fighting, the most important engagement being with Gen. Hood, at Decatur, Ala. While at Decatur, the subject of this sketch, in a ught with the Confederates, in a charge made by the Union troops, had his horse become excited and run away, carrying him into the midst of the enemy, both sides being engaged in a fierce conflict. His horse became entangled in a fallen tree top, and fell. At the same time and place a Confederate major and his horse fell by his side. The major sprang to his feet first, and placed his pistol at our subject's breast, snapping it and burst. ing all the caps, but none of the loads were discharged. He then ran, after receiving a severe blow on the head from the hands of bis antagonist. Many in the passing columns of the Confederates snapped their pistols and guns at him, but luckily none were dis- charged. After the columns had passed, two Confederates turned their horses, rode back, and swore they would " kill the d ---- rascal," and, riding within ten steps of him, both drew their pistols, took deliberate aim at him, as he stood alone in the mount- ains, holding himself up by the side of a small sapling, it being his only shield, and snap- ped their pistols the full round, neither exploding. At this juncture about ten of his comrades came to his rescue, assisted him on his horse, and returned to their command. He was also present at, and participated in, the capture and burning of Gen. Hood's pon- toon and wagon train, in Mississippi, on the 30th of December, 1864, after Gen. Hood bad been routed at Nashville, Tenn. Hood's train consisted of about 300 pontoons, and about the same number of supply wagons, making about 600 teams in all, eight mules to each team. These were principally all captured, the wagons and pontoons burned, and the mules killed. at Russellville. Mr. Andes participated in many other engagements, in Alabama, all of less importance. He was then ordered to Eastport, Ala., where Gen. Wilson was concentrating his cavalry forces for the Mobile campaign. Leaving there in March, he was ordered to New Orleans, by way of the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, passing Cairo, Ill., Memphis, Tenn., Vicksburg, Miss., and thence to New Orleans, La., where he remained until April, at which time he was ordered back to Vicksburg, where the army was, and where the great army of the East surrendered to Gen. Grant. He was then ordered to Nashville, Tenn., where the army was disbanded, in July, 1865, and was mustered out as captain, July 14, 1865. Mr. Andes retired from the military service to private life, and since the war has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits.
R. H. Andes, one of the representative citizens of Sevier County, and a leading farmer of the Fifth Civil District, was born in Sevier County, Tenn., on December 21, 1835, and is the son of John and Letty W. (Murphy) Andes. John, the father, was born in Virginia in 1798, and was the son of Peter Andes, who was a native of Virginia. Peter removed to Tennessee and settled in Sevier County in 1803. He was one of the pioneers of the county, and cleared the river bottoms in which our subject's home is located. He was s farmer by vocation, and was quite successful and popular. John, the father, also fol- lowed farming and was a man who was respected by all who knew him. He was a mem. ber of the Methodist Church, and died June 5, 1880. Letty Murphy was born in Sevier County in 1799, and was the daughter of Robert Murphy, a native of Ten- nessee. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died November, 1886. To the parents twelve children were born, of which our subject is the
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sixth. He was reared on the farm, and acquired his education in the Sevierville schools. He remained on the farm until the breaking out of the war, and in November, 1862, enlisted in the Federal Army, having refugeed to Louisville, Ky., joining the Second Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry. At the time of enlistment he was appointed commissary sergeant, and May 27, 1864, was promoted Lieutenant and R. C. S. of the same regiment. He served throughout the war, and was mustered out of service on July 21, 1865, at Nashville. At the close of the war he returned to "the farm, and has devoted his time to agriculture exclusively. He now owns and cultivates a fine river farm of about 230 acres, upon which he has a good residence, within a mile of Sevierville. He was married on March 15, 1866, to Rebecca Rimel, who was born in Sevier County, Tenn., on August 22, 1838, and is the daughter of George Rimel. To this union one child has been born-Sallie L., born September 18, 1867. Our subject, wife and daughter are mem- bers of the Methodist Church. The daughter, Sallie L., was married to Prof. J. W. Trotter, June 22, 1887. Prof. Trotter is principal of Porter Academy, Blount County, Tenn.
William Catlett was born in Sevier County, June 3, 1817, the son of Benjamin and Nancy (Lovelady) Castlett, the former born in Virginia, April 29, 1797, the son of Reuben, who was of English birth. The mother was born in this county, in January, 1795, and reared three sons and two daughters. Our subject was educated in Sevierville, and began with no capital, having been left fatherloss when fourteen years old. He worked on a farm and has followed farming and stock dealing through life. He is now one of the most exten- sive land owners and ablest financiers of the county. The war caused him a loss of from $40,000 to $50,000. He is a Master Mason, and politically is a Democrat, while he is a broad and public-spirited citizen.
John Chandler, Jr., was born in this county, July 2, 1848, the son of William and Mary E. (Smith) Chandler, the former born in 1822 in this county, the son of John, Sr., who was a native of Wilkes County, N. C., and a pioneer of East Tennessee. The latter was born in 1785, and deceased in 1875. He began as a poor boy, but became a wealthy farmer. The father, also a farmer, died in 1852. The mother was a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Smith, born at Pikeville, Tenn., in 1831, and now lives in this county. Our subject, the second child of two sons and three daughters, was educated at Sevierville. He began farming with no capital, and has acquired a fine estate of 600 acres. In 1867 he married Martha T., a daughter of S. O. Dickey. Their children are Nellie M., Willie Kate and Verdie B. He and his wife are Baptists; he is a Master Mason, and politically a Republican.
J. D. Davis, an aged citizen, was born in Blount County, May 17, 1836, the son of William and Jane (Cusick) Davis, the former a native of Carter County, the son of James, who came from North Carolina, and was a pioneer of Carter and Blount Counties, his death occurring here. The family are of Irish origin, and have been farmers. The mother was born in this county, the daughter of Samuel Cusick. Our subject, one of four sons and four daughters, now living, was educated in the schools of Blount and Sevier Coun- ties, and has always clung to the rural life of his youth. He now owns an estate of 300 acres, which is well improved. In October, 1857, Mary J., a daughter of Samuel Pickens, became his wife. They have had three sons and three daughters. Our subject is a Bap- tist, and votes with the Democratic party.
J. C. Ellis, M. D., was born in Sevier County, January 17, 1832, the son of James W. and Jane (Randles) Ellis, the former born in 1800, of English lineage, and in this county, and the latter born in 1810, and still living, as a devoted Christian. The father was an extensive farmer, and became a member of the Baptist Church, at Boyd Creek, when thirty years of age, and after a devoted Christian life, and a married life of sixty-three years, he died at the age of eighty-six. the first death in his family. Our subject was educated at Maryville College, and after attending Louisville Medical College, in 1854, he graduated at Bellevue Medical College, New York. in 1868. He has been a successful man in his profession, in this county, for thirty years. In 1871 he represented Sevier County, and in 1874 was made State senator for the Third Senatorial District. He was a member of the board of examining surgeons for pensions, at Knoxville, Tenn., during
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President Arthur's administration. In 1854 he married Mary A., daughter of Armstrong Ervin.
J. J. Ellis, county clerk, was born August 15, 1858, in this county, the son of W. R. and Mary (Johnson) Ellis; the former was born in 1827, the son of James W., who was a child of Christopher, a native of England. and who became a pioneer of this county, after the Revolution. James, the grandfather, and his son W. R. engaged in farming, the latter's present employment. The mother was born in 1827, in Knox County, the daughter of Jonathan Johnson. Both were Baptists. Our subject, the second of eight children. was educated at Carson College, which he entered in 1680. He became a merchant after leaving school, for a few years, and then returned to his farm. He was elected county clerk in 1886. January 31, 1883, he married Belle M., a daughter of John Kelley, and born in 1864, in this county. They have two chil- dren. Both parents are Baptists.
J. M. Fagala, farmer and merchant, was born in this county, June 25, 1827, the son of Michael and Nancy (McCallie) Fagala, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the son of Adam Fagala, who became a pioneer farmer, of East Tennessee. The father was a farmer, and wagon-maker. The mother, born in Sevier County, was the daughter of Alexander MeCallie. They have two sons and two daughters, as follows: J. M., A. A., Emily C. and Hettie A. Our subject, the eldest child, received a fair educa- tion in the country, and always followed agriculture. Since 1865 he has been a merchant also, and has succeeded in both, and now owns a fine farm of 400 acres, in the Fourteenth District, which is his home. In 1883 he married Maggie (Gilmore), a daughter of William McNutt. M. D. Our subject is a Mason, and politically a Republican.
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