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 47
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James A. Day, M. D., was born near his present home February 11, 1840, the son of Samuel B. and Winnie ( Evans) Day, the former of Scotch-Irish stock, born January 15, 1800, in Albemarle County, Va., and deceased December 19, 1875, and the latter born in May, 1804, in this county, and deceased August 6, 1886. They lived on Sycamore Creek as farmers all their married lives. He was a Democrat, and both were Primitive Baptists. Our subject, the ninth of eleven children, and the only living one, was educated at Taze- well College, and began the study of medicine under Dr. McNeil. of that place. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twelfth Battalion Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, commanded by his brother, Maj. G. W. Day, and became hospital steward and assistant surgeon, and served in that capacity during the war. He quit the service after Johnston surrendered in North Carolina. In 1864-65 he attended Richmond Confederate Medical College, established for under graduates, and in 1565-66 attended the University of Nashville, graduating with first honors. He then located at Tazewell, and at once got a big practice, but the country being so impoverished during the war the pay was small. Hence. in October, 1867. he moved west and located at Halleck, northwest Missouri, where he had a Inerative practice for four years. But on account of bad health he returned to East Tennessee, in 1872, and in 1876 bought the old homestead, a farm of about 1,290. Since then he has been a planter, besides practicing. He has made quite a local reputation as a surgeon and prac- titioner. In 1867 he married Sallie Eppes, a daughter of William Eppes, and has had eight sons and one daughter, two of the former and the latter being deceased. Our sub- ject is a Democrat and Prohibitionist, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. while his wife is a Methodist.
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CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
John W. Divine. M. D., was born in Monroe County, Tenn., April 17, 1836, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Avans) Divine, of Irish and Scotch-Irish stock, and natives of South Carolina. A few years after marriage they settled as farmers in Monroe County, Tenn. Our subject. the youngest of nine children, was educated at Hiwassee Col- lege, and began medicine under Dr. Bicknell, of Madisonville, for two years. In 1860-61 he attended lectures at Nashville, and began practice, continuing until 1862-63, when he became assistant surgeon of the Eleventh and the Ninth Tennessee Cavalries. In October, 1865, he located in Claiborne County and began practice at Tazewell, at which place he continued to practice until April, 1886, when he purchased the Graham farm, one mile from town, where he is now building a nice residence. On April 17, 1865. Ada MI. Newles, of this county, became his wife, and they have four children living, two sons and two daughters. He is a Republican in national affairs, and he and his wife and their three eldest children are Presbyterians.
Henry H. Friar, farmer and merchant, was born near Tazewell, July 4, 1840, the son of Thomas and Nancy Richardson Friar, natives of Kentucky and this county, respect- ively, the former born in 1807, and the latter deceased in this county in 1847. The father is a mechanic and stone mason, as well as a farmer, and is a Republican, and Missionary Bap- tist. Our subject, one of a large family, was fairly educated, and first earned $9 a month as a farm hand, in 1861. In 1863, in Kentucky, he joined Company F, Eighth Tennessee Federal Cavalry, as first sergeant, and in May. 1864, became first lieutenant. In 1865 he returned. and became a grocer at Tazewell, for two years. January 20, 1867, Minerva McVay became his wife. He then farmed, but in the fall bought a farm on which he lived twelve years. Since then he has lived at his present place, where in 1880 he opened a general store with his farming and stock dealing. His farm embraces 400 acres. Ile is a Republican, and his wife and three children, with himself, are Missionary Baptists. Hle favors Prohibition.
Peter G. Fulkerson, of the Tazewell bar, was born in Claiborne County, eighteen miles northeast of Tazewell, near Mulberry Gap, December 5, 1840, son of Dr. James and Frances J. (Patterson) Fulkerson. They were of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was a native of Virginia. born in Washington County in that State in -, and died at Taze- well in January, 1859. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, and died at Tazewell. She was the sister of Gen. Robert Patterson, of Philadelphia, who won lasting fame in the war of 1812. the Mexican war, and the "late unpleasantness." The parents were married in Claiborne County, and settled after their marriage at Tazewell, where the father was engaged in the practice of his profession. After remaining at Tazewell about six years, he moved to Mulberry Gap, and four years later he went to his farm in Lee County, Va., but subsequentis returned to Tazewell, and remained until his death. He was a success as a physician, and gave over forty years of his life to the practice of medicine. He was an old line Whig, and he and wife were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is the fourth of eight children, four of whom are still living. He secured a liberal education in his youth, which was commenced at the academy school of Tazewell, and finished at Danville, Mo. At about twenty-one years of age, in 1861, he entered the Confederate States Army, from Missouri. At first he was connected with Col. Elliot's regiment, and served one year in Gen. Sterling Price's army. He was captured at Dan- ville, within the lines of the Federal commander, who had issued orders to treat all as spies who were found on the north side of the Missouri River. After a variety of trouble, and through the influence of his uncle, R. C. Fulkerson, who was a Union citizen, our sub- ject. after being detained as a prisoner in the county jail at Danville, was released on a bond of $10,000. After the war he returned to Claiborne County, and finding all of his brothers away to escape the political prejudice existing at that time between the two par- ties, our subject took charge of his Missouri farm, and for two years he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, but farming did not suit his ambition, and he commenced read- ing law soon after his return, and was admitted to the bar in 1868. Since that time his name has been on the roll of Tennessee attorneys. He gave up the farm to a brother, Thomas Fulkerson, in 1872, and since then he has given the law his exclusive attention
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
As a lawyer his ability is acknowledged by all, and though comparatively a young practi- tioner, he is winning his way to honored distinction in his profession. In 1870 he was a member of the constitutional convention. In 1873 he was appointed by Gov. John C. Brown, attorney-general, to fill a vacancy. He filled the office the remainder of the term, very much to his credit, and in August, 1884, he was duly elected to the same office on the Democratic ticket, defeating A. S. Tate, the Republican nominee, served one term of four years, making in all nearly six years. In 1969 he married Miss Emma V. Glenn, of Johnson County, Mo., the daughter of Rev. Robert Glenn, of the Presbyterian Church, and by her has five children-two sons and three daughters, all liv- ing. In December, 1882, our subject married Mrs. Jennie E. Treece, whose maiden name was Fugate, the daughter of Jehiel Fugate. They are the parents of two children. Our subject is a decided Democrat, and an acceptable member of the Presbyterian Church. His first wife was a Presbyterian and his second is a Baptist.
Tilmon A. Hamilton, farmer, stock dealer and lumber manufacturer, was born in this county November 29, 1840, the son of Joshua and Elzira (Dobbs) Hamilton, the former born in 1798. in this county, and died in 1847; the latter born in 1800, in the same county. The grandfather came from Ireland to Tennessee, and was a surgeon in the war of 1812. The father was a farmer and stock dealer, and a magistrate for thirteen years. Our subject, the second of five children, was fairly educated, and remained with his mother on the homestead until June. 1862, when he became a teamster for the Union Army, and after- ward forage master for Gen. G. W. Morgan's command. October 30, 1866, he married Catherine R. Scott. Their children are John D., William V. and Marcellus M. Since the war he has been farming, trading, and manufacturing lumber with success. He is a Mason, a Democrat, and has been magistrate since 1876. He and his wife are Meth- odists.
James M. Hamilton, M. D., was born in Giles (now Bland) County, Va., July 1, 1851. the son of Timothy and Margaret (Moore) Hamilton, the former of Scotch-Irish origin, and born in Botetourt County, Va., in 1817, and the latter of Irish stock, born in Giles County, Virginia, in 1812, and both living in Bland County, Virginia. The father was bound out as a blacksmith, and when of age, had only his trade, a homespun suit and 50 cents in money; but he afterward bought land and engaged in farming, and is now wealthy. Both parents are Methodists. The father served two years in the Confeder- ate Army. Our subject, the youngest of five children, was fairly educated, afterward taught school, and was deputy clerk, under his brother, for several years, earning money to educate himself. In 1872 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti- more. After four years' practice at Mechanicsburg, Va., he became deputy county clerk in charge of his brother's office, the latter having gone to Florida, and shortly afterward died there. After his brother's death he served one term as clerk. In 1881 he resumed the practice of his profession, getting a large business, and continuing successfully until 1883, when he removed to this State, where he commenced a large practice in Powell's Valley, where he lives and farms, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the most successful physicians in Claiborne County. In 1873 he married Annie E. Mustard, of Giles County, Va. Their children are Emma G. and Samuel H. He and his wife are Methodists. and he is a Democrat.
Hurst & Stone, attorneys at law, Tazewell, Tenn., practice in the courts of Claiborne County, and in the supreme court at Knoxville. The partnership was formed in the fall of 1885. Members of the firm are Thomas W. Stone and E. A. Hurst, both of whom reside at Tazewell. T. W. Stone was born in the Eighth Civil District of Claiborne County, three and one-half miles southeast of Tazewell, June 21, 1844. His father. Thomas H. Stone, came from North Carolina to Claiborne County when he was quite a small boy, nearly eighty years ago. He grew up on the farm, and married Mary Harper, who was the daughter of Willis Harper, one of the oldest settlers in the county. Thomas W. Stone was the ninth child of a family of eleven all but one of whom grew to man- hood and womanbood, and all but two of whom still live and have families. He was raised on the farm, and his education was very limited. The war broke out while he was
1141
CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
yet young, and before he had gone to school exceeding eighteen months altogether. On September 16, 1862, he was conscripted by the Confederate Army, and remained with Com- pany C, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, until the fall of 1563, when he escaped from that army, and in February, 1864, volunteered in the Federal Army, Company H. Twelfth Tennes- see Cavalry. He was sergeant and clerk of his company, and remained with it until October, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. After the war he engaged in farming. married Louvina Beeler, a daughter of Daniel and Louvina Beeler, members of the old- est families of Grainger County, December, 1867. He lived in Grainger County two years, then came to Claiborne, where he farmed and sold goods until he was elected clerk of the circuit court of said county in 1874. He served in this capacity one term, during which time he studied law. He obtained a license in 1878, and has, since that time. been engaged in the practice of that profession, together with mercantile and other business. He was a member of the firm of T. W. Stone & Co., saddlers and har- ness makers, of Stone & Wall, and of White & Stone, merchants, of Carr & Stone and
of Rogers & Stone, attorneys. He was elected justice of the peace in August, 1882, and still holds that position: served as chairman of county court for the year 1885. He has acquired some property. and has real estate in and near Tazwell worth some $3,500. He has one child, a son, by his first marriage, whom he has given a very fair education. His wife, Louvina, died in April, 1877, and he married Harriet Hurt the following August, with whom he is now living. He was chairman of the Democratic executive committee of his county from 1876 to 1884, and has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church since 1872. He was made a Mason in 1874, and has been an officer in Evening Star Lodge, ever since; was Master of the lodge during the year 1883. His first wife was a member of the Methodist Church, his last is'a member of the Missionary Baptist.
E. A. IIurst was born February 29, 1856, four miles southeast of Tazewell. His father, Isaac M., was a son of Aaron and Sallie (McNew) Hurst, whose parents were among the early settlers around the "Old Garrison " on Ball Greek. Aaron owned a large boundary of land between the " Old Garrison " and Big Spring (now Springdale), where he lived, and where Isaac was born July 17. 1828. Isaac was a member of a large family. He grew up on the farm, and received a very good education for his day. He taught school. farmed, traded in stock and sold goods; was married to Fannie B. Stone, a sister of T. W. Stone, Esq., and lived on the farm till his death in December, 1862. He was a Dem- ocrat before the war, and when it broke out was one among a very few of the stanch Union men of his neighborhood, and suffered on that account; was magistrate of his dis- trict at the time of his death. When the war closed; E. A. Hurst was a small boy, the eldest of a family of four children. The property of the family was pretty well swept away by the war, but he was kept in school until April, 1868, when his mother remar- ried, and he, a few years thereafter, left home. From this time to 1878 he worked on the farm, taught school and went to school alternately, and managed, by close applica- tion, to obtain a very fair education in the English branches, mathematics, and the rudi- ments of Latin. In 1878 he went to Texas, where he remained two years, then returned and read law under P. G. Fulkerson, and was admitted to the bar October 17, 1879. He at once formed a partnership with Capt. J. C. Hodges, of Morristown, who already had a very fair practice in Claiborne County. This partnership was dissolved in 1882, and he practiced alone until the formation of the existing partnership. Qn July 27, 1882. he was married to Ollie Carr. a daughter of John H. and Mary Carr, and a sister of W. S. Carr. He is clerk of the Missionary Baptist Church at Tazewell, of which he has been a mem- ber since February. 1881. and to which his wife also belongs. He has occupied a station in the Masonic Lodge at Tazewell, ever since he joined, in October, 1881; was master dur- ing the year 1886. He is a Democrat in politics, as are the principal members of his and his wife's families. He has been engaged in some other minor matters of business other than law; was a member of the firm of Fulkerson, Carr & Hurst, and is a member of the firm of Hurst & Chance, real estate agents, at Tazewell, and of Hurst & Graves, law . yers, at Maynardville. He has some small personal property and realty worth about $2,500.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
Isaac M. Johnston was born at his present location April 20, 1838, son of James and Elizabeth (MeNew) Johnston. They were of Irish descent, and natives of Virginia, the father of Smith County, and the mother of Washington. The father was born August 30, 1789, and died, where our subject now lives, September 12, 1871; the mother born April 9, 1801, died, December 25, 1876, at our subject's present home. His grand- father, Robert Johnston, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and came to America when a young man, settling in Smyth County, Va., where he died after he had spent a long life as a school teacher. Ifis parents were married in Sullivan County, about the year 1819, and after their marriage they settled in Washington County, Va., where they lived some two or three years, then immigrated to Tennessee, and settled in Claiborne County, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father was a successful planter, and filled the office of magistrate twelve years. He and wife were worthy members of the Anabaptist Church, was deacon in the church for several years before his death. Our subject is the youngest of eleven children. only three of whom are still living. He was roared on his father's farm, an occupation he has never deserted. At his mother's death, 1876, he came in possession of the homestead by buying out the different heirs: now owns upward of 400 acres of land. March 3, 1859, he married Miss Nourvesta Southern, of Claiborne County; to their union were born eleven children -- eight sons and three daughters-two sons are dead. Our subject is a Democrat, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject entered the Confederate States Army in August, 1863, and served with credit the remainder of the war. He enlisted in Company L, first Tennessee Cavalry, connected with different commands while operating in Tennessee, and when the regiment started to Virginia, our subject was captured near Knoxville, and sent as a prisoner of war to Rock Island, Ill., where he was kept until the close of the war; reached Iowa June 27. 1865, and resumed the peaceful occupation
of the farm. He took part in the sieges of Knoxville, Bull Gap and many other battles: was in the-battle of Rogersville, Tenn. Our subject is a stanch Prohibitionist.
HI. J. Kivett, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Randolph County, N. C .. October 27, 1847, the son of Lorenzo D. and Eliza (Johnson) Kivett, the former of English stock born in the above county, in 1817, and the latter born in 1823. Both were Missionary Baptists. Our subject, the second of four children (three now living), went to Baltimore. when eighteen years old, then to Indianapolis, Memphis, Knoxville, and finally returned home and worked on the farm for $10 per month. March 8, 1868, Minerva. a daughter of Jessie and Margaret Rogers, born September 11, 1841, became his wife. Their children are James P., Margaret A., Minnie B., Jesse and Ollie, David A., and Malissa, deceased. After renting land our subject bought seventy-five acres, and three years later bought a farm in Union County, which he paid for in nine years by farming, trading, contracting. and as watchman at the zinc mines. Hc then sold and returned to Claiborne County purchasing his present farm of 700 acres, greatly improved. In February, 1869, he joined Company A, of Brownlow's militia, as third sergeant, and stationed at Pulaski, Parksville and Nashville. He is a Republican. In 1887 he went West to buy land; after looking at the western country he returned to make Claiborne County his home.
Jordan F. Lougmire, sheriff, was born on Powell River. Campbell County, March 30, 1826, the son of Elijah and Mary (Moss) Longmire, the former of English origin. born in Granville County, N. C., in 1777, and deceased in Anderson County. Tenn., February 7, 1849, aud the latter was born in the former county, about 1786, and deceased in Ander- son County, January 1. 1962. Both were Methodists. The father was a successful farmer and stock dealer, and came to this county when young, then to Campbell County, when our subject was nine years old, and finally to Anderson County. He was a Whig, and of a pioneer family. Our subject, the tenth of eleven children (four now living), worked for his father until November, 1853, when he bought, and came to his present farm. In 1883-84 he became deputy sheriff, and in 1886, sheriff, as a popalar Republican. He is a Methodist. March 9. 1849, he married Mary, a daughter of Liban and Anna (Moyers) Sharp, who was born, November, 1829, in Campbell County, and Las been a Methodist for many years, and is mentioned by her husband as the chief cause of
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CLAIBORNE COUNTY.
his success. Their children who are deceased are William II. and an infant. He has a large family.
Houston Patterson, farmer and stock dealer, was born in his present residence, the oldest brick house in the county, from which the Fourth District takes its name, on December 25, 1843, the son of James M. and Margaret P. (Fulkerson) Patterson, the former born near Philadelphia. April 18, 1798, and the latter born in Lee County, Va., in 1805, and deceased in Claiborne County in 1879. Both were Presbyterians. The father came to Tennessee at an early date, and began farming and stock raising, and his estate is the largest in this county. Our subject, the fifth of six children, remained with his father until 1861, when he joined Company C, Twenty-ninth Tennessee Confederate Infantry. He was wounded three times; was made lieutenant, put in command, and made com- mander of five companies, serving until the surrender, in North Carolina. Since the war he has been engaged in his present business. August 18, 1873, he married Emma B. Campbell, of Washington County, Va. Of one son and five daughters, one of the latter is deceased. Our subject is an influential man.
Hon. Jefferson Pursifull, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Harlan County, Ky., Jan- uary 5, 1821, the son of Mount and Mary (Colson) Pursifull, the former born in Wythe County, Va., October 14, 1795, and the latter in Harlan County, Ky., in 1800, and died in Bell County in 1874; both were Baptists. In 1854 they moved to Knox County, Ky .. and since then, Bell County, where they now live, was set off from Harlan and Knox Counties. The father is a farmer of Bell County, was magistrate, and elected sheriff. but declined serving. He is wealthy, and has aided his eleven children. Onr subject. the second child. was fairly educated, and worked for his father until he was nineteen, when he farmed for fifteen years on land in Bell County, the gift of his father, and then became a merchant at Yellow Creek, in connection with farming, but abandoned it five years later and became a merchant at Sneedville for one year. He then enlisted in Company K, First Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He then went to Boone County, Ky., and after four years moved to his present home. In 1850 he represented the Thirty-eighth Senatorial District of Kentucky, and is an influential Dem- ocrat, and an able man. He is a Methodist. In 1840 he married America Colson, who died in 1862. Of two sons and four daughters one of the former and two of the latter are living. In 1863 he married Mary Smith, who died two years later. and in 1866 he married Mary, a widow of Moses Cotteral. Their children are four sons and one daughter. The grandfather, Peter, came from England.
Hiram W. Reece, planter, was born in Carter, now Johnson County, September. 5. 1821, the son of Daniel and Lucretia (Smith) Reece, natives of Tennessee and North Car- olina respectively, and successful farmers. Our subject, the eldest of eight children, was educated near Taylorsville, and has farmed, in connection with other business, all his life, locating first in Lee County, Va., about 1846, and fifteen years later in Jonesville, and eight years later on Powell River. He was a blacksmith at the first mentioned place. and about 1867 settled in Claiborne County, in the Ninth District, and four years later in the Eighth District, and finally at his present home, where he now owns about 900 acres. In 1882 he built a saw mill, and the next year a grist-mill, and has a fine water power. He is now a merchant, having commenced when he was forty-four years of age. Decem- ber 25, 1842, he married Nancy Snyder, and they have had seven sons and four daughters. The latter deceased. He is a Democrat, and both are Missionary Baptists, of which church he has been a deacon twenty years.
David F. Rogers, farmer and stock raiser, was born near his present residence. Oete. ber 26, 1813, the son of David and Mary (Lewis) Rogers. The former was of English origin, born in 1779, in Wythe County, Va., and deceased, in this county, in 1873: the latter was of Scotch stock, born in Guilford County, N. C., in 1781, and deceased in this county, February 13, 1880, in her one hundredth year. The father came to Washington County when twelve years of age, and to this county in 1801, and was a farmer, and pow- der manufacturer. In the Indian war he was a major, and in the years 1829. 1830. 1>31. 1832, 1835 and 1836 he was in the Legislature. He was a Union Republican. The
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