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 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
1105
ANDERSON COUNTY.
He lived with his parents until 1839, and has always been a most successful farmer. He took the census of Anderson County, in 1850. In 1839 he married Elizabeth Earley. who was born in Knox County, in February, 1819, the daughter of John Earley, of that county. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and died August 25, 1886. Two of their eight children died young, and those living are Samuel, born March 29, 1840; Matilda, born October 7, 1842; Mary J., born March 93, 1848; Joseph, born May 17, 1851; James H., born April 14, 1854, and William C., born December 31, 1856, John Black is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Samuel Black, one of the leading farmers of the Ninth Civil District of Anderson County, was born March 29, 1840, and is the son of Jolin Black, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He was reared on the farm now owned by the widow Eliza- beth Black, and was educated near Clinton and in its own school's. He worked on the farm until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company HI, of the First Tennessee Federal Infantry, in which he served until the organization of the Third Infantry, when he was promoted lieutenant of Company C, and served as such for three years. He was dis- charged February 28, 1865, at Nashville, and began farming again, and has continued with decided success up to the present. He now owns 300 acres on Clinch River, and is one of the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of his district. He was married October $1, 1867, to Nancy Freeles, who was born in 1845 in Anderson County, and is the daughter of W. S. Freeles of that county. Their five children are as follows: Joseph MeDanel Black, born in 1869; John Black, born in 1871; William F. Black, born in 1813; Maria T. Black, born in 1815: Bettie T. Black, born in 1876. Our subject's wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Gideon H. Blackburn, merchant at Coal Creek, Anderson County, was born in Jeffer- son County, Tenn., October 20,1820. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (McGirk) Black- burn. The father was born in Smith County, Va., and the grandfather, Blackburn, was born near Belfast, Ireland. The mother of Gideon H. was born in Greenbrier County, Va. Our subject received a limited education in the country schools, was reared on the farm, and followed farming till he was twenty-five years of age, when he began dealing in live stock. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army. At the close of the war he engaged in farming, and managed the farm of David Isam, in Virginia. Later he went to Griceville, Va., and managed for one year the farm of W. A. Jones. Then he came to Tennessee and went to railroading for contractors of Bristol, for five years. Then he went to Tazewell, Va., and engaged in the tin and stove business for one year; then removed to Coal Creek, and began selling dry goods. October 20, 1877, he married Miss Margaret Briton, a native of Pennsylvania. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for forty years. He had accumulated considerable wealth before the civil war, but during that period he sustained heavy losses, and at the close of the conflict commeneed business with a very small capital. Since then he has become the owner of 200 acres of land in Jefferson County, and holds real estate in Coal Creek. He has had many obstacles to surmount in life, but he has been successfull over all. He is not a political worker, but is an ardent Democrat.
A. H. Bowling, book-keeper and clerk for the Coal Creek Coal Company, was born January 18, 1857, the son of Joel and Adaline (Carroll) Bowling, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina. Our subject in his home farm life secured a common school education, and when fifteen attended his father's water mill for a year. Then for six or seven year she clerked for his father at Coal Creek, in the general merchandise business. The father then abandoned it, and he took it up for himself. for about three and a half years. In September, 1884, he came to his present em- ployment. He is a Democrat, and a Knight Templar. He began without capital, and has been very successful, now owning three houses and lots in Coal Creek, His ances- tors are Virginians.
Hon. J. A. Brown, the subject of our sketch. was born in Anderson County. Tena., June 20, 1842. His father was William Brown, of Kentucky. His mother was Malinda Over- ton, of Tennessee. The father was of Scotch descent, the mother of Dutch. About the year
1106
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX. .
1828, the father immigrated to the State of Tennessee, and here married the mother of our subject. Unto the marriage were born seven sons and two daughters. Our subject is the fifth of these children. He was reared on the farm, and, in the main, farming has been his occupation throughout life. He was educated in the country schools, and though his school days ended leaving him possessed of a limited education, he has applied himself to indi- vidual study, and has acquired considerable learning. When the civil war broke out. his patriotic spirit prompted him to the defense of his country, and at the age of twenty years he enlisted in the United States army in Company B, Third Tennessee Infantry, He served throughout the war as a private; was in many of the hottest contests of the struggle, was in the battle of Nashville, and in the Georgia campaign. At the close of the war he went to Indiana and Illinois, and farmed for nearly three years. In the year of 1868, he returned to his native State, and was united in marriage with Miss Talitha Duncan, daughter of Alfred Duncan. Two sons and three daughters have blessed the marriage. Their names are William A., Elgar, Ida F., Lelia G. and Sarah A. Since Mr. Brown's return to Tennessee, he has followed farming a portion of the time; first suspending farm work in 1878, in which year he was elected register for the county of Anderson. As register he served four years, and then was elected sheriff of his county, in which office he served the constitutional period, and then returned to farming. In 1886, he was elected representative for the counties of Anderson and Morgan. His whole life has been an example of toil and perseverence. He commenced without capital, and besides being successful in his pursuit for the necessaries of life, he has filled many positions of trust and honor. Heis a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is an ardent Republican.
W. E. Brown, a leading farmer living just across the river from Clinton, was born in Knox County, September 12, 1845, the son of R. H. and Mary A. (Parker) Brown. The father was also born in Knox County, in 1822, and was a son of William Brown, who was a native of North Carolina, and of German origin. The father was a mer- chant and died during the cholera epidemic in Knoxville in 1873. The grandfather is still a citizen of Knox County, in which county the mother also was born in 1821, a daughter of Jesse Parker, a Tennesseean of Scotch-Irish stock. She is now a resident of Knox- ville, where our subject was educated in the public schools and Butler's Academy. At fourteen years of age our subject entered the machine shops, and for four years worked there, and fired an engine on the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. After the war broke out he traveled from point to point in the North, and in 1862 was given an engine on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad in the employ of the Federal Govern- ment. For eighteen years of age the trust was a responsible one, but he remained until the close of the war in governmental employ, and until 1866 in the employ of the rail- road company. In 1866 he entered the service of the Knoxville & Ohio Railroad. tak- ing out the first engine on that road, it burning the first coal used on an engine in East Tennessee. After three years he returned to the service of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad Company, running an engine for a year, and then on the Selma, Rome & Dalton Railroad, in Alabama, where he remained five months, and then returned to the East Tennessee Railroad. In January, 1874, he went to Rogersville, Tenn., where he was a general manager of a branch road to Bull's Gap. Five years later he retired from rail- roading to his present farm, of about 400 acres, 130 of which lie on the river. In Janu- ary, 1868, he married Nancy A. Longmire, of Anderson County, who was born in 1843, the daughter of Moss Longmire (deceased). They have six children. He and his wife are Methodists. He is a Mason and an Oddfellow, and a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
J. M. Carden, M. D., was born in Union County, Teun .. January 23, 1852. His parents were Goldman B. and Rosa (Monroe) Carden, the former a native of North Carolina, of English stock, and the latter of Tennessee of German origin. Our sub- ject had the meager advantages of country education, but while working on the farm he so persisted in study, even by the light of the fireside, that when he reached his majority he was prepared to teach. His first school was in 1872, but he continued in that work
காப்பல
1107
ANDERSON COUNTY.
until 1878, studying medicine in the meantime. He now continued studying medicine. and during 1879-80 he attended lectures at the medical department of the University of Tennessee, at Nashville. He practiced from 1880 to 1886, when he became the Republican' nominee for State senator, for the Fifth District, and was elected in the fall of the same year. He became a member of the State Senate in January, 1887, and spent his leisure hours in lecture attendance at the University of Tennessee, and finished the course he had begun in 1879, and received his diploma, and now is in the practice of his profession. In 1870 he married Martha E. Carns, a daughter of Capt. W. C. and Mary (Adkins) Carns. Their children were Annie C., U. S. G., Ina E. (deceased), W. A. Wheeler, Robert L. and Susan Vestal. Our subject, his wife and eldest daughter are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, he joining in 1869. He is a self-made man of consider- able promise, who has never had any of the advantages of wealth, but has made good use of the spurs of poverty.
Rev. J. M. Carter was born in Claiborne County, Tenn., December 9, 1842, the son of Josiah P. and Catherine (Harrell) Carter. The father was born in Claiborne County, in 1822, and was the son of Thornton Carter , a native of North Carolina. He was a farmer. and died when our subject was ten years old. The mother was also born in Claiborne County, the daughter of D. Harrell, a native of North Carolina. She was born in 1827, is now living in Claiborne County, and attended the common schools at home. He enlisted in Company H, First Federal Tennessee Cavalry, in June, 1862. He served throughout the war, and from the fall of 1863 to the fall of 1864, he was on Gen. McCook's staff. He was mustered out at Nashville, June 5, 1885, and returned to Claiborne County. He fol- lowed farming and school teaching for four years, and then began fitting himself for the ministry, and in the fall of 1870 was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church by Elders P. A. Morton, John D. Acuff, Simeon Acuff and J. N. Yaden. Since the above date, be has been laboring in the churches of East Tennessee, in Evangelistic work. He is a self- made man in every sense of the word, having educated himself under the most adverse · circumstances. He is a man of unusual eloquence and ability, and is considered one of the best pulpit orators in East Tennessee. In 1882 his health failed him, and for a year be was under medical treatment. He moved to Clinton in September, 1886, and became a member of the Baptist Church of that place, and also fills the pulpit in part. He is the author of several popular sermons, among which are "The Resurrection." "Faith," and "The Great Hereafter." In July, 1885, he married Nannie Staples, who was born in 1865, the daughter of Col. William Staples. She died March 12, 1886, and September 16. 1886, he married Mrs. Emma L. Warwick, nec Galzon, of Knoxville, who was born Deto- ber 14, 1851. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
John Chumbley, superintendent of the Knoxville Iron Company, at Coal Creek. Anderson Co., Tenn., was born in Nottoway County, Va., July 29, 1824. He is the son of James and Lucretia (Pully) Chumbley. Both parents were natives of Virginia; the father was of Dutch descent. and the mother of Irish. Mr. Chumbley was reared on a farm. and was educated in the country schools. When about thirteen years old he removed with his parents to Maury County. Tenn. February 15, 1849, he married Miss Virginia E. Davis, daughter of John Davis, of Kentucky. Two sons and four daughters blessed the mar- riage. Only one son and one daughter are now (1887) living .! They are John F. Chumbley (traveling salesman for John Wannamaker & Co .. of Philadelphia, Penn.), and Lilia Brandau (wife of Alex. L. Brandau, clothing merchant, of Knoxville). In 1854 our subject removed from Columbia, Maury Co., Tenn., to Nashville, and entered the employ of Housten. Campbell & Co .. wholesale grocers. He quit their employ in 1858. and was elected city marshal of Nashville, in which capacity he served for three years, suspending the service at the outbreak of the civil war until its close. when he was re-elected. He served as city marshal until 1868, when he was appointed warden and agent of the Ten- nessee Penitentiary. He served in this capacity nearly four years, and since then has been superintendent of various public works and private companies. At present he is the superintendent at the branch prison in Anderson County. He commenced business pur- suits without capital, and his efforts have been crowned with success. He is not a politi- cian, but, in the political canvass, lends his influence to the Republican party.
1108
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Henry Clear, Jr .. was born in Anderson County, January 8, 1846, and is the son of Caperton and Elizabeth (Jones) Clear. The father was born in Anderson County, Tenn., in 1816, and was the son of Peter Clear, a native of Virginia. He was a farmer and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died December 28, 1875. The mother was born in Anderson County, in 1826, and is the daughter of William Jones, a native of North Carolina. Our subject was reared in the county of his birth, and edu- cated in its schools. In October, 1863, he left home, saying he was going on a fishing picnic, but, with a party of boys, went to Knoxville where he enlisted in Company C. Ninth (Federal) Tennessee Cavalry, serving throughout the war, and was twice wounded. the first time in the right arm at Greeneville, Tenn., and next in the left side at Bull's Gap. Tenn. Ile was mustered out September 11, 1865, at Knoxville, and returned home. In September, 1867, he engaged in merchandising at Andersonville, and so continued for several years; then sold his stock, and was out of active life for three years, when he again began merchandising at bis old stand. In 1885 heremoved to Clinton, and in November he engaged in merchandise on a large scale, in one of the largest stores to be found out- side of Knoxville in that region. He is one of the leading merchants of Clinton, and does an annual business of about $40.000. December 31, 1885, he married Martha E. Wallace, who was born January 26, 1850, the daughter of Col. William Wallace of this county. Two of their eight children are deceased. He is a member of the F. & A. M. order, and the G. A. R., and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
H. C. Coward, a leading citizen of the Fourth Civil District, was born in that district March 13, 1846, the son of Isaac and Margaret (Young) Coward. His father was born in the Camden District. South Corolina, in 1791, and was the son of Benjamin Coward. He went to Tennessee in or about 1805, and was one of the pioneers of Anderson County. He served in the war of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, and died October 30. 1815. The mother was born in Tennessee in 1800, and is now a resident of the Fourth District. The parents were members of the old Baptist Church. Our subject was reared on the farm until seventeen years of age, and was educated in the neighboring schools. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in June, 1863, joining first the Seventeenth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry, Bushrod Johnson's brigade, and in August joining the Fourth Regiment, Tenn- essee Cavalry (Confederate States Army), commanded by Paul Anderson. He was cap- tured on March 3, 1861, near Ringgold, Ga., and on being taken before the provost-mar- sbal and given his choice of imprisonment or taking the oath of allegiance to the Fed- eral Government, he wisely chose the latter, and went to Nashville, where on March 9. 1861, he joined the Federal Army under the assurance that the war was about over, and he would have little or no fighting to do. Contrary to his expectations he was at once sent to the front with the Fourth Regiment, Tennessee Federal Cavalry, and in Heard County, Ga., was captured by the Confederates August 3, 1864, and sent to Anderson- ville prison, remaining about thirty-two days, andjwas then removed to Charleston, and finally to Florence, S. C., and in 1865 was paroled after seven month's imprisonment. He remained at home a year, after the war, and then traveled from State to State until 1872. and in 1882 purchased the McBath Mills on Bull Run Creek, which he has operated up to the present. June 4, 1871, he was married at Cartersville, Ga., to M. F. Vaughn, who was born there December 31, 1853, the daughter of David A. Vaughn. They have had seven children. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
D. R. Coward a prominent young lawyer of Clinton, was born in Clinton, March 13. 1864, the son of Dr. T. J. and O. (Young) Coward. Dr. Coward is the son of Isaac Coward, a native of Tennessee, whose ancestors were of English birth, and came to America, landing at Charleston, S. C., and working his way across the mountains of Tennessee. He began the practice of medicine in Anderson County, at an early date. and continued with slight intermissions, until about 1574, when he retired from active prac- tice. He is now a resident of Clinton, and is the oldest and best known physician in the county, having a reputation second to none in this section of the county. During the gold fever he went to California where he remained for awhile, and then returned by
1100
ANDERSON COUNTY.
way of the Isthmus. The mother was born in Anderson County in 1833, and is the daughter of Samuel C. Young and wife (nee Hall) both natives of Tennessee. of Scotch- Irish origin, and among the oldest families of the county. Our subject was reared and partly educated at Clinton, and spent three years in the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He then began the study of law with Messrs. Young and Sawyer of Clinton, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1886, and at once began practice. Upon the retirement of Judge D. K. Young from the circuit bench, he formed with that gentle- man their present co-partnership. In November, 1885, he married Minnie Jarnagin, who was born at Knoxville, Tenn., in 1864, and is the daughter of Richard and Ada (Sneed) Jarnagin. Her grandfather, Maj. John Jarnagin, was one of the most prominent citizens of Anderson County. Thomas J. is their only child, born August 1, 1886.
William Cross is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Anderson County, Tenn., and the largest farmer and stock raiser of the Ninth Civil District of that county. He was born in the same county March 3, 1812, the son of Britton and Mary (Parks) Cross. The father was a native of Virginia, born April 20, 1776, and early became a pioneer of Sullivan County, Tenn., where he first settled. He subsequently removed to Anderson County, where he was an extensive farmer. He died in 1826, after a long and useful life. The mother was born in Greene County, Tenn .. April 15, 1718. Our subject was reared on the farm, and acquired a limited education at the old field schools of his neighborhood. The advantages were meager, but his great natural ability supplied these defects so that he was fitted for his prominent career. The farm was divided, upon the death of his father, and he began for himself as a farmer and stock raiser. He was elected in 1837 as county clerk, which office he held for eight years, filling the office with credit to himself and the county. In 1848 he represented Anderson and Campbell Counties in the Legislature, and in 1875 was elected to represent Anderson and Knox Counties, serving in both with distinction. He has also served several years as jus- tice. His official career has been characterized throughout by ability, justice and honor. and no man in the county enjoys a better reputation for honesty, integrity and enterprise than he, or stands higher in the esteem of his neighbors. He was married in 1836 to Jane Black, who was born in 1818, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Black. Their seven children are Mary C., John II., Joseph B., George W .. James F., S. L. and Samuel A. (deceased). The wife died April 2, 1885. She was an excellent woman, a kind mother and a devoted wife, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Elijah Cross. This farmer was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., December 24. 1823. David and Polly (Himes) Cross, his parents, were natives of this State, the one of English - German, and the other of pure German blood. The country schools and the farm nurtured our subject in his youth, and although he has carpentered, bored for and manu- factured salt, and boated, handling coal, iron, bacon and flour on flat boats, he has always given his chief attention to the plow and fork. Ellen A. Kington, of Morgan County. became his wife July 8. 1855, and the twin sons born to them are now dead, and with their mother, who died in 1856. In 1872 he married Mrs. Sarah A. Smith (nee Reed), and Flora T. and Laura are their daughters, who are striving to educate themselves. A little clothing and $6.50 was the stock with which our subject began life, but that stock has reached large and comely proportions. He is a Baptist, and a respected man. He is a quiet Democrat, who argues with the ballot. On Thursday, February 13, 1856, his wife was placed in her grave, leaving an infant babe, and but a few days later his home was ran- sacked and burned, leaving him pocket money only, with which to support his child. Such is fate!
Capt. Charles W. Cross was born in the house in which he now lives, three miles south west from Clinton, July 23, 1845, and is the son of John Cross, who was born in the above county September 15, 1803. and died June 5, 1851. He was a son of Britton Cross, a native of Virginia, who imigrated to Sullivan County, Tenn., at a very early date, and from that county removed to Anderson County. He was married January 25, 1818, to Polls Parks. Both father and son were farmers. John, the father, was a justice of the peace for a number of years. The mother was also born in Anderson County, May 11, 1804, was
1110
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
named Mary, and was the daughter of Charles Shinlirer, a native of Germany, who immigrated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, and from that State came to Tennes- see, and settled in Powell's Valley, in Anderson County, at a very early date. She died September 9, 1872. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended the Clinton school. He enlisted in the Federal Army in the fall of 1863, joined Company F Seventh Tennessee Regiment of Mounted Infantry, which company he raised, and was elected captain. He served all through the war, par- ticipating in the many engagements of the regiment, and was mustered out July 27, 1865, at Nashville. After the war he returned home and engaged in farmimg, and has con- tinued at the same up to the present. He was clected register of Anderson County in 1868, and served four years, and has also served a similar number of years as justice of the peace and member of the county court. He was married November 6, 18:0, to Mollie Worthington, who was born June 20, 1851, and is the daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Black) Worthington, both natives of Anderson County. To this union seven children have been born, as follows: Ella E., born September 7, 1871; John M., born January 8, 1873; Samuel W., born November 28, 1877; died June 23, 1832; Mary C., born August 10, 1874; died July 6, 1845; N. J., born December 1, 1819; Charles F., born September 3, 1883: Kemmie C., born September 25, 1885; died September 28, 1886. Our subject is a member of Moore Post, G. A. R,, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church South.
J. F. Cross is a native of Anderson County, and was born in the Ninth Civil District, on Clinch River, March 4. 1851, the son of William amd Jane (Black) Cross. The father was born in Anderson County, Tenn., and was one of its leading citizens. The mother, also a native of this county, died in 1885. Our subject attended Tennessee University at Knoxville, and also the school at Salem, Franklin County. He was reared on the farm, and has continued that life up to the present with decided success. He now owns and cultivates a farm of 300 acres on Clinch River, in the Eighth District. In 1875 he married Mary McCallum, of Knoxville, was born in 1852, the daughter of Daniel McCallum, of that city. Their children are Clifton, born September 24, 1876; Clarence July 21, 1878; Mary, September 30, 1879 (deceased September 1, 1881); McCallum, July 7, 1881 (deceased in October, 1882); Lola, April 14, 1883, and Dixie, April 12, 1886. The mother is a member of the Baptist Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.