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 46
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A. J. SMITH.
1183
CAMPBELL COUNTY.
friends to mourn his loss. He had seven sons and three daughters. Our subject, the third child, has farmed and dealt in stock much of his life, and for several years has been a successful merchant at Jellico. He owns about $15,000 in real estate in this county and in Kentucky. February 16, 1818, Charlotte, a daughter of Stephen Candell, became his wife. She was born in Georgia, December 21, 1829, and died August 6, 1862. She lind six sous and three daughters, and but one son deceased. On January 16, 1863, he married Delphia, a daughter of Aaron Hackler, of Campbell County, where she was born in 1:34. They have four sons and four daughters. Our subject was three months in Burnside's Brigade, in the late war. A zealous Baptist from a very early age, our subject was ordained in November, 1867, as a minister, in which capacity he has married about a thousand couples. He has also been a justice, and is a success as a business man.
A. J. Smith was born in Campbell County, Tenn., February 16, 1833, and is the son of James and Nancy (Meadors) Smith, whose life is mentioned more at length in the sketch of Rev. T. M. Smith. Our subject is the fifth child, and had the advantages of country schools. In 1854 he became the busband of Rachel, a daughter of Ambrose and Lucinda Parks. They have had, besides three sons and three daughters deceased. the following children: Nancy HI .. Ezriciah, Rachel, Lewis Alvine, Sarah Elizabeth, James Martin. Thomas Jesse, Emma Maria, Lucy, Flora and Hattie. Mr. Smith is one of those who have gathered strength from fighting obstacles, in his business career as a farmer, and part of his life as a merchant also, and has come out successful in the end. He is now located in the Tenth District, one of its most respected citizens, and a member of the Baptist Church.
A. W. Smith, farmer, was born in Whitley County, Ky., February 3, 1811, and moved to Campbell County, Tenn., in 1858. He is the son of James and Nancy (Meadors) Smith, who are mentioned more at length in the sketch of Rev. T. M. Smith. Our subject, the ninth of eleven children, was reared on the farm, and educated in the country schools, and has since been a successful farmer and merchant. He is now devoting his attention exclusively to agriculture. In 1860 he married Cyntha, a daughter of William Perkins. They have had, besides & son and daughter deceased, the following children: William. J. S., W. F., H. E., A. F., Scott, Susan, Nannie, Emma and Martha. Our subject now owns about 700 acres. His mercantile life lasted seventeen years, and was attended with marked success. He is now the postmaster at Newcomb, and is a member of the Bap- tist Church.
L. J. Stanfill was born in Campbell County, August 22, 1832. He is the son of Samson and Rhoda (Ellison) Stanfill. The father is a native of North Carolina, and was born January 1, 1800. He is a very old and well respected citizen of Campbell County, and has served the county as one of its officials. His wife was a native of North Carolina, and was the mother of a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Our subject is the fifth son, and was reared on the farm and educated in the country schools. He has devoted nearly all his life to farming, and recently suspended farming, and engaged in merchandising at Jellico. However he has been in the mercantile bu-i- ness for a number of years. November 19, 1860, he married Ellen Falkner. The mar- riage has been blessed by two sons and two daughters; their names are Nannie, William C., Mary Susan and Joshua F. August 18, 1868, the mother of these children died, and left the children to the care of the father, who has been a worthy father, a successful business man and an useful citizen. He commenced with capital and has been a financial success.
W. M. Stokes, farmer, was born in North Carolina May 31, 1820, the son of Thomas J. and Louisa (Donnelly) Stokes. The father was born in North Carolina in 1790, the son of Montford Stokes, who was for two terms the governor of North Carolina. The latter was a soldier of the Revolution, and was appointed Indian agent by President Jackson. M. S., his son, was a major in the Mexican war, and a colonel in the Con- federate Army, and fell before Richmond. Va. Thomas, the father, came to Carter County about 1830, came by Lee County, Va., on his way to Campbell, and remained a year, and then came to Campbell County. At Jacksboro he kept hotel, taught school,
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1134
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
and served in various county offices as deputy. The mother, born in Wilkes County. N. C., in 1809, is the daughter of Richard Donnelly, who came to Carter County about 1800. She lives with her son. Our subject is a lineal descendant of Col. Hugh Montgom- ery, one of the first settlers of Campbell County, and who donated the site of Jacksboro, for the city. After his early farm and school life, our subject began his long career of thirty-five years as a teacher, in 1848, and has now taught more schools than any man in the county, and in the list of his pupils are the father, son and grandson in a certain family. In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, Eighty-second, E. M. M. of Missouri. as first lieutenant. He served two years as county school examiner, and, in 1878, was elected superintendent of public instruction for a similar time. June 13, 1858, L. P. Jacks, of Platte County, Mo., became his wife. Her four children are E. Montford Stokes, born June 4, 1861: Mary Louisa Stokes, born July 18, 1868; Leanner Bella Stokes, born August 15, 1866; Rachel Adelaide Stokes, born September 17, 1868. The latter two died in infancy. E. M. and Mary Louisa survives, and are now engaged in teaching. Mr. Stokes is now editor of the Valley Sentinel, published at Jacksboro, Tenn. Our subject taught school the greater part of fourteen years in Platte County, Mo.
M. D. Wheeler, farmer, was born in Campbell County April 6, 1837, the son of R. D. and Charlotte (Bridgeman) Wheeler, who are mentioned in the sketch of R. D. Wheeler, Jr. Our subject grew up accustomed to the advantages and disadvantages of rural life, and served as a Federal soldier throughout the war. He then returned to his native place, and married Sarah Hunter of Campbell County. James D. and Anna B. are their only children. His wife died July 29, 1868, and September 23, 1875, he mar- ried Emma J. Hoss, a daughter of Landon C. Hoss, of Knox County. Robert L., J. H. and Richard R. have been born to them. Mr. Wheeler now owns and cultivates 360 acres, and is also engaged in stock dealing. He is a gauger and store-keeper for the Government at Distillery No. 337, owned by F. Wilson. He is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South, a Master mason and a K. of H.
E. F. Wheeler was born at Caryville, Tenn., April 21, 1840, and is the son of R. D. and Charlotte (Bridgeman) Wheeler. The father was born April 1, 1801, in Virginia, and was the son of Benjamin C. Wheeler, who removed to Knox County when the son was about six years'of age. He removed to Campbell County and settled near Caryville in about 1812, being one of the first settlers of the county. Our subject's father was a farmer, and an influential citizen. He represented his county in the State Legislature a number of years, and died in March, 1875. The mother was born in Virginia in about 1805, and is the daughter of William Bridgeman. Our subject was reared on the farm, and acquired his education in the neighboring schools and at Jacksboro. He fol- lowed farming until the breaking out of the late war, and in 1862 enlisted in Company A. First Federal Regiment Tennessee Infantry, commanded by Col. Robert Bird. He served throughout the war, and was mustered out of service at Nashville in 1865. He then returned to Campbell County, and has since followed farming, and is one of the largest farmers of the Fourth Civil District, owning and cultivating a farm of over 300 acres one mile east of Jacksboro. He was married in October, 1876, to Anna J. Sharp, who was born in Campbell County, Tenn., in November, 1854, and is the daughter of Henry Sharp. To this union two children have been born, one of whom-Ada-is living. She was born September 4, 1884. Our subject's wife is a member of the Methodist Church South.
R. D. Wheeler, Jr .. was born in Campbell County, Tenn., August 30, 1846, and he is the son of R. D. and Charlotte (Bridgeman) Wheeler. The father was a native of Vir- ginia, and was born April 1, 1801, and died in Campbell County, March 19, 1875. The mother was born in Wythe County, Va., September 23, 1807, and is in a hale old age, living with our subject (188;). These parents were married August 31. 1826, and to their marriage were born ten sons and four daughters, our subject being the twelfth child, and eighth son. Of these children, seven live (1887)-six sons and one daughter, all mar- ried, and have families. The father was a prominent citizen of Tennessee, and served seven terms in the Lower House of the Tennessee Legislature, and early in life served
1135
CAMPBELL COUNTY.
his county as its sheriff. Ile was a man of liberal and broad views, and was a man who assisted many charitable institutions. He commenced his life pursuits without capital, but by integrity and perseverance he scaled the height of want of a capital, and became one of the wealthiest men of his county, before his death. It is to his credit that, though he, at the outbreak of the civil war, owned more than a 1,000 acres of land, he tilled it, not by slave labor, but by free labor. He was a man who favored educa- tion, and accomplished, giving all his children a good education. Our subject was reared to farming, and has devoted most of his life to farming and stock raising. He now owns and cultivates a farm of more than 200 acres of land in his district. He has served bis county, as sheriff, two terms. September 29, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Sharp. To this marriage has been born one child, a son, named Charles Alexander, born May 16, 1881. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is a Master Mason.
Lewis Wilson, register of Campbell County, and one of the leading citizens of Jacks- boro, Tenn., was born in the above county, November 8, 1845, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Fleming) Wilson. The father was born in Campbell County, in October. 1821, and is the son of Jeremiah Wilson, a native of North Carolina. The father has fol- lowed farming as a vocation, and is now a citizen of the Fourth Civil District. The mother was born in December, in 1822, in Campbell County, and is still living. Both par- ents are members of the Baptist Church, and are esteemed and respected as worthy citi- zens and neighbors. Our subject was reared on the farm of his parents, and attended school in the neighboring schools, and at Big Creek school, and finished his education at Fincastle. He worked on the farm, and with his father at the iron forges, in his native county, until the breaking out of the Rebellion. In March, 1863 be enlisted in the Federal Army, in Kentucky, joining Company F, of the Sixth Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and served through the war with the same, and was discharged at Nashville, in July, 1805. He then returned to the farm, in Campbell County, where he worked faithfully and attended school. While engaged in play at school, he met with an accident. which left him a cripple for life. He has since followed school teaching, and was elected, in August, 1882, to the office of county register, and re-elected in 1886, which office he fills with satisfaction to the public and himself. He is a member of the Milton L. Phillips Post, No. 27, G. A. R., and is a man universally respected for his integrity and enterprise. He is also a member of the Baptist Church.
A. D. Woodson was born in Lee County, Va., November 18, 1846, and is the son of William and Annie (Pebly) Woodson. The father was born in Russell County, Va., in 1801, and was the son of John Woodson, a native of Virginia. The latter was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and was quite prominent in his day. He removed to Clai . borne County. Tenn., where he followed farming, and died after a long and useful life. William, the father of our subject, removed to Campbell County early in life, and farmed in Powell's Valley for a number of years, and then returned to Lee County, Va., where he followed farming until his death in 1884. The mother was born in Campbell County. Tenn., in 1811, and died in 1884. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and were religious, plain people, respected and esteemed by all whoknew them. Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended school at Fincastle, Clinton, and Tazewell, securing a good practical education. Hehas followed farming as an occupation, and has made a decided success of the same, and now owns and cultivates one of the largest and most valuable farms in Powell's Valley, embracing about 600 acres. He is a liberal-minded and pro- gressive citizen, and has always been a warm friend and advocate of education, believing that a good education is better than riches. He stands high in the estimation of his fel- lowmen, and, though frequently solicited to seek public office, has always declined to do so, preferring the quiet life of a farmer. He was married on March 12, 1867, to Mossie Kincaid, who was born in Campbell County. Tenn., in 1551, and is the daughter of the late Col. John Kincaid. one of the most prominent citizens of the county. To this union eight children have been born, one of whom is dead, having met his death accident- ally while hunting. Both our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
1136
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
Samuel Atkins, M. D., was born in Grainger County, September 1, 1831, son of Morris and Lucinda (Peak) Atkins. They were natives of Virginia; the father of Wythe County, and the mother of Roanoke. The father was born January 1, 1800, and died in Gasconade County, Mo., in 1846. The mother was born in 1801, and died in Claiborne County in 1853. They came when young with their parents to East Tennessee, and were married in Claiborne County about the year 1828, and settled after their marriage on a farm in Grainger County, on the waters of Williams Creek, where they resided some four years, then moved to Lee County, Va .; and after living in that State two years they returned to Tennessee and settled in Claiborne County ; and after living at different places in Claiborne and Grainger Counties, in March, 1846, they immigrated to Missouri, and settled'in Gasconade County, where the father died of congestion in a few months after arriving in that county. He was by trade a gunsmith, with which at different times he associated the farming interest; the mother returned to Tennessee the same year, and never remarried, but spent the remainder of her days with her children. Our subject is the second of six children. At the age of four- teen he lost his father, and the care of a widowed mother and four orphan children were left principally to his charge. The estate had suffered financially by the move to Missouri, but in a few years our subject was able to see the family in comfortable circum- stances. He remained with the family until the death of his mother and the marriage of all the children, except one sister. By pine knot torches our subject secured the rudi- menis of an English education in his youth, and rather early commenced the study of medicine, and commenced to practice in 1853. In 1856 and 1859 he attended, (each year), a preliminary course of lectures at Nashville, Tenn. On March 3, 1859, he married Miss Melissa Walker, and settled, after his marriage, on a farm in Union County on Clinch River, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine, and in farming some thirteen years, though he virtually quit the practice of medicine in 1865. In 1872 he came to Claiborne County and settled at his present location, and continued to engage in farming. From 1865 to 1871 he was engaged in the mercantile business at Walker's Ford, on the Clinch River, and during the time controlled a large interest in the produce trade on Clinch River. He is now engaged in the mercantile interest at Walker's Ford; date of commencement February, 1886. He represented Claiborne County in the Forty-Third General Assembly of the State Legislature. He was elected on the Republican ticket, though at that time Claiborne County was Democratic. His election was due to his popularity and his opposi- tion to repudiating the State debt and to the railroad commission. He is an advocate of prohibition. He has had six children-four sons and two daughters, four of whom are dead-three sons and one daughter.
Capt. William H. Barnard, farmer, was born in Claiborne County, December 5, 1836. the son of Robert and Milly (Carpenter) Barnard, the former born about 1815, and deceased in 1844, and the latter deceased about 1852. With the exception of a short time in Grainger County they always lived in this county. He was a Democrat. Our subject, the eldest of four children, and the only one living, was educated at Rutledge and Sneedville, and after teaching in Hancock County, began dealing in stock. In 1861 he joined Company B, Thirty-Seventh Tennessee Infantry, and resigned a year later on account of ill health. In 1862 he was made captain of Company B. Thirty-Seventh Tennessee Regiment, Con- federate States army, of which he had been second lieutenant. In the winter of 1864 he re-enlisted, and June 24, 1864, was captured and imprisoned at Camp Douglas, Ill., ten months. at Point Lookout, Md., two months, and released June 23, 1865. after one year's imprisonment. He resumed farming after his return. October 6, 1878, he married Martha A. E. Barnard, who was born December 20, 1858, and died May 18, 1880. Their only daugh-
1187
CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
ter, Virginia M., was born September 23, 1879. He owns the homestead, and is a Demo- crat and a Prohibitionist. He and his wife are Methodists.
Robert C. Baylor, merchant and farmer, was born at Christiansburg, Va., February 25, 1822, the son of Abram and Jane Baylor, nee Glenn, the former of English-Irish origin, and born near Crab Orchard Springs, Ky., March 13, 1785, and the latter of Ger- man-Irish descent, born near Christiansburg May 1, 1787, where she died in February. 1865. The father died in December, 1854. After his marriage in 1815, he became a farmer at the latter place. They were Presbyterians. The father was a Democrat. The subject of this sketch is one of their family of ten children. He was educated in Mont- gomery County, Va., and lived at home until twenty-nine years old. In March, 1833. Lucy O., a daughter of William and Lettie Horton, became his wife. She was born March 31, 1839, in Russell County, Va. Our subject lived one year at Christiansburg and two at Wytheville, Va., as a merchant, and in February, 1856, became a merchant at Jonesville, Va., for sixteen years. In 1872 he came to Claiborne County, Tenn., and bought a farm at Big Sycamore Creek, where he has since had a general store. Of six sons and five daughters, two of the former and one of the latter are deceased. Mr. Bay- lor is a stanch Democrat and Prohibitionist. He, his wife and most of their family are members of the Southern Methodist Church.
Andrew W. Campbell, merchant and farmer, was born in Hawkins County, November 26, 1840, the son of Joseph and Frankie ( Vermillion) Campbell, natives of Hawkins Coun- ty and Lee County, Virginia. After marriage in Lee County, they settled at Sneedville es farmers, for about eight years, and, after twenty years in Hawkins County, came to Clai- borne, where the former died in May, 1868, about seventy-five years of age, and the latter died Christmas day, 1873, aged seventy-two. The father was a Democrat, and both were Methodists. Our subject, the eighth of nine children, was fairly educated, and in August, 1869, married Julia A., a daughter of Cornelius and Sibbie Carmack. Since marriage. they have lived at their present farm, where in 1880 he opened a store, and had built a flouring mill and corn mill. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife are Methodists. Their sons are Leonidas MI. and Horace B. Our subject has Epsom Mineral Springs on his farm, said to be equal to the celebrated Tate Springs. : Their little son, Horace Byron, died August 5th, 1887. In January previous he made a bright profession of religion, and united himself with the "Church Militant on Earth," though a child of only ten summers. He loved the church and the cause of Christ, until death entered this home circle in the form of flux and took the darling boy. In their sorrow they are sustained by the hope that his freed spirit has joined the triumphant throng that sing praises around the throne of God. Byron was eleven years, one week and two days old.
John H. Carr, merchant, trader and farmer, was born in Claiborne County, Septem- ber 29, 1821, the son of Jesse and Eleanor (Hughes) Carr, who were married for over sixty years in this county. The father was born May 1, 1796, in Washington County, and. when thirteen came to this county, while the mother was born in Sullivan County in 179: and died in this county in 1882. Both were Baptists. Our subject, the second of eleven children, was fairly educated, and has the habits of a reader. He rented land when twenty-two, and afterward bought and improved the land where he now lives. Since 1972 he has also been a merchant, successfully engaged at Old Town, and also postmaster. except three years, on account of his Democratic principles. He was a magistrate twelve years, but refused re-election. He was a Whig and a Union Democrat, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1844 he married Mary Bryant, born August 5. 1526, and deceased April 27, 1865, in this county. She bore him four sous and two daughters. In 1866 he married Nancy Bartlett, born in 1838, in this county. They have two sons and three daughters.
Wiley S. Carr, lawyer, was born near Tazewell, January 2, 1848, the son of John H. and Mary (Bryant) Carr, of Irish and German origin, the former born in Claiborne Coun- ty in 1821, where he still lives, and the latter born in 1824 in the same county, .od deceased April 16, 1865. The father was a farmer and since 1807 has been connected with merchandising at Old Town, but has been at other points. He is a Democrat. He
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1133
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
next married Mrs. Nancy Venable, nee Bartlett. Our subject, the second of six children, was mainly self-educated on account of the war, and worked on the farm until of age, when he went to Millville, Mo., and read law under Col. Garner. In 1870 he returned, and in August, 1873, was admitted to the bar at Jacksboro. Since then he has been a successful and prominent lawyer. In March, 1874, he came to Tazewell. His family now consists of a wife and three sons and one daughter. He is Republican, and his wife is a Missionary Baptist. It should be stated that his grand- father, Jesse Carr, is now about ninety-six years old.
Robert F. Carr, merchant and postmaster, was born in Claiborne County, June 4, 1857, the son of James and Jane (Cloud) Carr, the former of Irish parentage, and born in Claiborne County in 1923, and deceased June 15, 1337, and the latter still living at the age of fifty-five. The father was always a farmer and stock trader, and moved about several times, but for fifteen years lived where his death occurred. Both were Mission- ary Baptists. Our subject, the fourth of twelve children, was fairly educated in this and Lee County, Va., and soon after appointed circuit clerk by Judge J. G. Rose, to fill an unexpired term, during which he read law, and in 1883 was admitted to the bar. His chief business had been as a collecting attorney, very. extensively engaged. In March, 1885, he became a partner with his brother, John C., as a merchant at Tazewell, but since June, 188;, he has controlled the business, which reaches $20,000 a year. March 1. 1881, he married Kate S., a daughter of A. H. and Henrietta Fulkerson. They have three sons. Our subject is a Democrat, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, while his wife is a Presbyterian.
Alexander M. Cloud, farmer, was born at Tazewell January 3, 1847, the son of Ben- jamin F. and Elizabeth, M. (Shultz) Cloud, of Irish and German origin, and natives, the for- mer of Hawkins County, born in November, 1802, and deceased in 1880, and the latter born in Claiborne County in 1820, and still living. After their marriage in 1845 they, began farming. The father has served as deputy and county clerk and circuit clerk, and his father, Benjamin, Sr., was the first county clerk of this county. In 1855-56 the father represented his county in the State Legislature, during which time he secured the charter for Tazewell College. Our subject, the eldest of four children, was educated at this col- lege, and up to 1876 remained at the home place, and then moved to where be now lives. Although delicate in health, he is a successful and popular farmer. June 3, 1875, he married Mary A. Johnston, of Claiborne County, a member of the Presbyterian Church. They have three sons and two daughters.
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