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 49
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A. L. Leinart. merchant, was born near Clinton, Tenn., January 16, 1829, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Queener) Leinart, the former of German descent, born January 25, 1805, in Anderson County, and deceased in 1887, and the latter of like origin, born in Campbell County, and deceased in Anderson County, in 1847, a member of the Baptist Church. The father was a successful farmer. Our subject, the second of ten children.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
was educated at Clinton Academy, and Strawberry Plains College, and faught school for four years. When eighteen years old he joined Company D, Fourth Tennessee Volun- teers, and was one year in the Mexican war. In 1856 he erected the first house in May- nardville, and became a merchant until 1861, when he entered Brazleton's battalion, as second lieutenant in the Confederate Army, and remained for a year. He was wounded while on picket duty near Pinesville, Ky. After the war he became a merchant, as at present. In 1885 he became postmaster. He is a Democrat. March 10, 1837, he married Mary, a daughter of Mark Monroe, who is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Of four sons and four daughters, three of the former and one of the latter are living.
James H. Roberts, tanner and farmer, was born in Knox County, October 25, 1832. the son of Henry G. and Rebecca (Harris) Roberts, the former of English-Irish stock. born in Knox County in 1808, and deceased in 1866, and the latter born in Raleigh, N.C .. in 1810, and still living, a member of the Presbyterian Church. The father was a farmer. Our subject, the eldest of eight children, received a common education, and when fourteen became a clerk at Woodburn, Knox County, and ten years later entered the stocke trade at Chester, S. C., where he had a livery and sale stable, to which he brought stoek purchased at home. In 1861 he also engaged in tanning, and was post- master at Woodburn until 1868, first under the Federal and then under the Confederate Government. In 1863 he also engaged in farming, and is now a magistrate. He lost very much during the war, being twice burned out. January 30, 1852, he married Saphrona. a daughter of Lewis M. Ellis, of Grainger County. They have a large family. Both are Methodists, having joined in 1853. Our subject is a Mason and a Prohibitionist.
Josiah Russell, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Claiborne (now Union) County, April 8, 1833, the son of Edward and Barbara (Graves) Russell, the former born in Vir- ginia, and deceased in 1857 in this county, aged sixty years, and the latter born in North Carolina, now over eighty-five years old. The father came to Claiborne County with his parents, and became a wealthy blacksmith and farmer, and was a major of militia, and a Democrat. Our subject, the second of seven children, remained on the homestead. and helped to educate the children after his father's death. He dealt in stock first, and after the war bought land, and became a farmer, but since 1877 has lived on his present farmn. which he has greatly improved. In 1860 he married Sarah A., a daughter of William Johnston, and of five sons and five daughters two sons are deceased.
Josiah Smith, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Grainger (now Union) County. in his present residence July 10, 1826, the son of Josiah and Nancy (Stonely) Smith, the former of Scotch-Irish origin, born in Virginia, and deceased in this county in 1837. aged sixty years, and the latter, born in Pittsylvania County, Va., and deceased in this county. in 1847, aged about sixty-four years, and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. She was first the widow of William Condray. The father came with his parents when young, and was in the war of 1812. Our subject has been largely self-educated. and January 15, 1846, married Almeda, a daughter of William and Phoebe (Woolsey) Hubbs, and has five sons and three daughters. Her father was born in Virginia. and served in the Indian removal from the Ocoee Purchase, and died in 1877. aged eighty- three. Her mother was born in Virginia, and is now ninety-one years old. Both were Missionary Baptists. Our subject continued to live on the homestead, to which he has added much. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a Mason and a Republican.
William E.Smith, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Grainger (now Union) County, January 27, 1844, the son of John A. and Emily A. (Buckner) Smith, the former, born in Grainger County, now a resident of Knox County, aged sixty-five years, and the latter. born in Knox County, now aged sixty-three. Both are Baptists, and the father a successful farmer. Our subject, the eldest of a large family, received a common-school education, and remained with his father until November 16, 1865, engaged at that time as a clerk. Ile then married May J., a daughter of John Miller, of this county. Of eight sons and one daughter, two sons are deceased. Our subject bought his present home after his marriage, and now is store-keeper and guager, for the Government, and has been since March, 1886. He is a Democrat, and his wife a Methodist.
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UNION COUNTY.
Charles H. Smith, leather manufacturer, was born in Jefferson County, Ky. February 20, 1844. Our subject, the second of three children, is largely self educated, and, in 1861, he joined Gen. Morgan Confederate Scouts, and was taken prisoner on a raid in Ohio, and imprisoned at Camp Douglas, Chicago, eighteen months. He then became a scout in Gen. Forrest's cavalry, receiving many wounds, and now carrying & bullet imbedded in his hand. He traveled after the war considerably, and, in 1869 came to Union County and purchased a tannery. Ile now has $20,000 invested, and with a capacity of $15,000 worth of leather annually, giving employment to many hands con- stantly. In 1872 he married Mary F. Floyd, who is a Methodist. Our subject is a Mason, a Democrat, and a prominent man of his region.
John Stooksbury, farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Anderson (now Union) County, born September 24, 1830, the son of Isaac and Sarah (Loy) Stooksbury, the former born in Tennessee, of Virginia parents, and deceased in this county in 1868, aged sixty- six years, and the latter born in Anderson County, and deceased in this county in 1867. at the age of sixty-four. The Loy family were pioneers from North Carolina. The mother was a Methodist. Our subject, the eldest of e'even children, grew up in the country. at his father's farm until March 20, 1856, when he married Sarah, a daughter of William Sharp. They have nine sons and two daughters, one of the former deceased. After two years farming his father's land, he purchased part of his present land, and has since enlarged it considerably. His wife is a Methodist, and he a strong Prohibitionist.
Tho mas B. Walters, farmer and stock dealer, was born where he now lives, February 10, 1851, the son of Thomas S. and Sarah S. (Wadon) Walters, the former born in Pittsylvania County, Va., October 17, 1804, and the latter born in this county January 25, 1808, and deceased January 23, 18:9. Both members of the Baptist Church. The father was a successful farmer, and quite young when they came to Tennessee. Our subject, the ninth of ten children, is largely self educated. September 8, 1872, he married Perlina J. Hamilton, of this county, daughter of William and Nancy B. Hamilton, and their children are H. Ramer, Cleopatra, Samuel J. T., Frank and Oscar. Our subject has been farming and stock dealing, and has bought all of the old homestead (except his share) and has just completed a fine residence. In 1880-81 he was a merchant at Effie, the firm being Walters & McDowell (J. C.). He has been very successful, is a popular man. and a decided Democrat. His wife is a Missionary Baptist.
Capt. John Wilson, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Anderson County, October 28, 1813, the son of Augustus and Barbara (May) Wilson, the former a soldier in the Revolution, a farmer, and a noted hunter, who is said to have killed deer on the site of Knoxville. He went to Knox County, a young man, and afterward to Anderson County. He was born in the Potomac Valley, Md., May 4, 1:59, and died February 28, IS51. while the mother was born in Virginia, and died in the same county. They had two children, our subject and a sister. The former was fairly educated, and remained on the homestead, caring for his parents, until about 1855; then bought a farm in Anderson, thow Union) County, but in 1884 moved to his present farm. He was a recruiting officer, and in September, 1863, was made captain of Company M, but afterward Company L, Eleventh Tennessee Federal Cavalry, serving until June, 1865. April 27, 1837, he married Lydia. a daughter of Isaac Wilson. and born in Campbell County, in May, 1816. They have five sons and two daughters. For seven years our subject was postmaster at Hurricane Branch, and for twelve years was magistrate. He is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R.
Rev. John N. Yadon, a prominent minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, was born where he now lives, May 3, 1823, the son of Joseph and Phoebe ( Cabbage) Yadon: the former was born in 1799, and deceased in 1873, and the latter was born in 1800. also deceased in 1873, and both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Joseph Yadon. the grandfather, came from Ireland, as a British soldier, in the Revolution, but afterward joined the Americans, and was at the battle of Stillwater, and was a drum-major. He afterward moved to Virginia, and then to Tennessee. The father was a farmer, and post- master at Haynes, for twenty-four years. Our subject, the eldest of seven children, was
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
fairly educated. and March 28, 1841, married Salena Condry, who was born in August, 1820, in Grainger (now Union) County. Of two sons and seven daughters, six daughters are liv- ing. He has bought half of his father's estate, aud is a successful farmer. In 1858. he was ordained a minister, and preaches at Hickory Valley, Staight Creek, Spring Dale and Head of Barron, Churches. He is a strong Prohibitionist.
GRAINGER COUNTY.
William H. Cadle, circuit clerk, was born near Cumberland Gap, Tenn., January 15, 1848, the son of Mark and Mary (Covey) Cadle, of French and Scotch origin, and natives of Claiborne County and Lee County, Va., respectively. The father was born March 31, 1810, and died near Cumberland Gap, May 15, 1887, and the mother was born November 8, 1812, and is still living. They were married in Lee County, and settled in Claiborne County, as farmers. He was a Republican and an Abolitionist, and both were Meth- odists. Our subject, the fifth of seven children, grew up with country advantages. and after the war attended the public school. He went to Kentucky when fifteen, and served in the quartermaster's department during the war. He then engaged in tanning with his brother-in-law, W. R. Otey, two years, and then served as deputy sheriff the same length of time, and then spent a year as salesman for an iron foundry at Cumberland Gap, during which time he had an interest in a tannery there. On August 23, 1876, he married Sarah . E., a daughter of Jacob and Nancy Beeler, and came and settled as a farmer in Grainger County. In 1862 he was elected justice of the peace for Grainger County; in January, 1865, he was elected judge of the probate court for Grainger County, re-elected in January, 1886, and in August, 1886, was elected to the office he now holds. In December, 1886. he moved from his farm; and settled in Rutledge, but still has farming carried on. He is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Their children are Newton P., born September 11, 1881; Albert R., born November 25, 1883; Maud B., born October 10, 1885, and died June 1, 1887.
Rev. John H. Carmichael was born in Grainger County, February 2, 1833, son of Daniel C. and Prudence (Howell) Carmichael. They were born in what at that time was Grainger, but now Hamblen, County. The father was born in 1800, and died in Grainger County in 1860. The mother was born in 1807, and died in Grainger County in 1867. Both died at the age of sixty. The father was a very successful farmer, and was a Dem- ocrat. He and his wife were worthy members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our sub- ject is the third of six children. He received a liberal education in his youth at the com- mon country schools, and at the Morristown High School. He was reared on his father's farm, and has never deserted the occupation. Upon his marriage, in 1858, with Miss Mary E. Grove, of Grainger County, he settled where he now lives, and has never lived any- where else since that time. He is a progressive man. He began on rather a small capi- tal, but now owns upward of 800 acres of land in Grainger County, in the Fourth Civil District. In 1865 he was duly ordained to the ministry in the Missionary Baptist Church, and since that time he has served as pastor at the following charges: Liberty Hill. which name has been changed to County Line, six years: Kidwell's Ridge, Hamblen County, nine years; Prospect, Grainger County, fifteen years; Head of Richland Creek, fourteen years; Beech Grove, four years; Cedar Grove, Hamblen County, four years; Blackwell Branch, three years: Buffalo, Grainger County, two years; Oakland, Grainger County, one year. Five children-one son and four daughters-were born to our subject and wife. Our subject is a Democrat, a. worthy man, prominent citizen, farmer and preacher.
William Clark, merchant and farmer, was born at Clarkstown, Grainger County. April 2, 1839, the son of Joseph and Martha (Grove) Clark, the former of English parent- age, and born August 18, 1800, in Virginia, and died in this county October 2, 1865. He
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GRAINGER COUNTY.
came to this county when a child, and became a farmer and magistrate, and postmaster at Clarkstown, then at Red Hill, which Jatter position he held for thirty years. August 19, 1812, the mother was born in this county. and with her husband belonged to the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject, the seventh of eight children, was fairly educated, and on August 18, 1861, he married Ermin C., a daughter of John Northern, born in New Mar- ket. Tenn., November 16, 1842. Of their three sons and four daughters, one son and one daughter are deceased. November 2, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, and was in active service until captured at Lancaster, Ky., and detained at Camp Chase, Ohio, seven months; then at Fort Delaware for nearly two years. He was at Murfreesboro, and other places, and wounded at Somerset, Ky. Hle rented land of his father after marriage, and has since purchased the portion belonging to the heirs. In 1884 he became a merchant and farmer, and has made his property all since the war, which conflict left him in debt. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He began life with a vim, determined to come to the front, and his efforts were crowned with success, and he stands to-day in the front ranks. He is liberal, generous, enterprising, and is always ready to donate to any worthy enter- prise that tends to build up and benefit the community where he lives.
N. G. Dail, M. D., a prominent practicing physician of the Fourteenth District, was born in what was then Grainger County, but now Union County, Tenn., May 28, 1830, and is the son of Abner and Jane (McDonough) Dail. The Dail family is of En- glish origin; the father was born in Virginia, and died where our subject now lives. He was quite young when his parents came to Tennessee from Virginia. He was a success- ful farmer, He was a soldier in the war of 1812-14. The MeDonough family are of Scotch descent. The mother was born in Knox County, Tenn., and died in Grainger County; both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were sixteen children, our subject being the seventh, only four now living. He received a liberal education in Tennessee till he was nineteen years of age, and then he engaged in teaching school in Georgia and Alabama for three years; then engaged in the mercantile business as a sales- man; after about one year, went into business for himself, two years; then began the study of medicine at the medical college of Atlanta, Ga, in 1859, where he remained till the breaking out of the war. when he returned to Grainger County, Tenn., where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine. December 24, 1865, he married Elisabeth Haun, of Union County, and a daughter of Adam and Mary (Aus- tin) Haun, born April 10, 1836; his wife was born in Jefferson County, Tenn. By this union there are five children-two sons and three daughters -- all living. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Subject is a decided Republican; has made what he has by industry, judicious management, etc .; is a very active and enterprising man at all times: supports the cause of education and religion, as well as all other charitable objects.
James S. Gill was born at his present location twenty-nine years ago, on October 12. 1857; son of Samuel and Diana Y. (Cobb) Gill. They were of English descent. and natives of East Tennessee; the father of Grainger County, and the mother of Knox County. The father born April 19, 1812, and died where our subject now lives, January 29. 1854. The mother born in 1818, and is still living and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. The grandfather of our subject, on his father's side, was Thomas Gill. He was born in Yorkshire, England, December 20, 1774. He came to America and settled in Bertie County, N. C., where he lived some ten years, then came to Tennessee and settled in Grainger County, coming in a wagon and bringing with him several slaves. He was among the first settlers of Grainger County, and must have made a settlement in the county as early as the year 1800. Upon settling in the county, he bought a large tract of land, about 1,300 acres. He was an extensive farmer and an influential citizen; was married for seven years. Subject's parents were married in Knox County on September 10, 1833, and settled, after their marriage, down to agricultural pursuits, where subject now lives, where the father died as above stated. He was an extensive planter. an influential citizen, a Democrat, and died a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; mother a member of same church. Subject is one of a large family of children.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
He received a liberal education in his youth, which was commenced in the public schools of Grainger County, and finished at the High Schools of Morristown and Emory an d Henry College, Virginia. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, an occupation he has been engaged in all his life, making the raising of live stock rather a specialty (the father also was engaged in stock raising and merchandising). Subject married on September 4, 1878, Miss Sallie B. Morgan, a cultured lady, and born in Knox County in February, 1863. They have three children, John, Carrie and Jessie. In 1883 he came in possession of the homestead; now owns upward of 1,800 acres. Subject is a Democrat, and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is in sympathy with the Prohibi- tion move; has served the church as steward.
George II. Grove, planter. audl clerk and master of chancery court, was born March 19, 1832, the son of Reuben and Nancy (Mayes) Grove, natives of Loudon County Va., and Grainger County, Tenn., and the former born March 19, 1777, and deceased Septem- ber 16, 1866, at our subject's present home. The mother, born October 13, 1788, died at the same place in April, 1852. The father in 1801 came with his parents to Grainger County. and after marrying in 1806 and living at various places, settled at our subject's home in December, 1810, as a farmer. He was an old line Whig, and both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject, the youngest of the eleven children, grew up with the country advantages, and has always devoted himself to agriculture, coming into possession of the homestead at his father's death. December 14, 1958, he married Susan E., a daughter of Gen. P. M. and Adaline E. Senter. Of four sons and three daughters, Nannie M. died October 26, 1835, born September 27, 1863. Besides other property our subject now owns about 500 acres. On April 11, 1877, he was appointed clerk and master of chancery court, by H. C. Smith, and reappointed in April, 1883. He was from 1860, for fifteen years, a magistrate, and in 1875 became chairman of the county court. In August, 1865, he was elected as representative of Grainger County. He is a Republican and & Prohibitionist, while in religion he is a Baptist, and his wife a Methodist. He is also a postmaster at his home. Daisydell.
WV. J. Heacker. M. D., a German physician and proprietor of Mineral Hill Springs Sanitarium, Bean's Station, Tenn., was born in Westphalia, Germany, March 26, 1832, the son of Prof. Joseph Heacker and Frederica Von Losse, the former an educated man who was a high school teacher, and came to America about 1855, locating at Louisville, Ky., as a merchant, for some five years. He died at Mineral Hill Springs about 1884. and the mother died about 1883 in St. Louis. Our subject was educated at Frederick William's Gymnasium, Cologne, Prussia, and afterward graduated from the Medical University of Bonn. He then became assistant surgeon of cavalry, at Paris, serving nine months. and was then placed in the hospital department, Hotel Dieu, Paris, serving three months, when . he resigned and came to America about 1855. This was done to avoid German military service. He practiced at Louisville, Ky., until 1861, when he became a Confederate sur- geon, and after the war began penniless in Illinois. He was so successful, with an exten- sive practice, in chronic diseases, that he built what is known as the Illinois Infirmary. and built a branch office at Vincennes, Ind., in charge of Prof. E. A. Arnold, M. D. He had'to hire medical assistance, and work night and day. His success caused consider- able jealousy among his competitors. He speaks five languages, and is skilled as a musi- cian on several instruments, and as an artist. In 1878 he traded his Illinois property for a farm near Morristown, and so succeeded here that physicians attempted "to boycott" him, and they even formed a medical society, whose purpose was to destroy his patronage. The Doctor's sanitarium at Mineral Hill Springs, ten miles fom Morristown, is well and favorably known; the waters contain red, white and black sulphur, chalybeate, epsom, alum, and black water, and are highly recommended and extensively used for very many diseases. The place is excellent as a summer resort, with fine views and a charming cli- mate. The hotel has a capacity for 200 guests.
Joseph Hoffmeister, M. D., was born in Rogersville, January 15, 1825, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Whitsel) Hoffmeister, of German descent and natives of Shenan- doah County, Va. They were married in 1809, and came to Rogersville, where the
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GRAINGER COUNTY.
father, a cabinet maker and carpenter died at the age of ninety-two years. The mother died at an advanced age also, and both were Presbyterians. Our subject, the eighth of ยท twelve children, was educated at Rogersville and worked in his father's shop, but taught school when of age. He was connected with the postoffice, and afterward read medicine under Dr. H. Walker. He assisted in the academy in 1851 and 1852. In 1849 and 1850 he attended Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio; in 1833 located near Rutledge, and two years later became a prominent and successful physician at that place. He also is engaged in farming. In 1857 he married Virginia, a daughter of S. B. Tate, founder of Tate Springs. Eight months later she died, and afterward he married Nancy B. Hud- dleston. Their only daughter, Mary E., is the wife of Hon. G. Mc. Henderson. Our sub- ject is a Democrat. and & Presbyterian.
Thomas J. Jarnagin, merchant, of the firm of Jarnagin & Nicholson. was born in Grainger County, January 20, 1835, being the son of Chesley and Martha (Gill) Jarnagin, residents of Grainger County all their lives, except temporarily (a few years) of Clinton and Knoxville, while educating their children. The, father, a planter, died at Tate Springs, in March, 1979, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother died in 1878. aged sixty seven. The father was, in politics, a Democrat, and, though noted for his piety and honorable bearing, was not a member of any church; the mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; South. Our subject, the third child of a large family, was educated at Clinton High School, and the University of East Tennessee, at Knoxville. He clerked for a time at Fair Garden, Sevier County, for his brother-in-law, Henry Harris. Eighteen months later he came to Clinton, Tenn .. and clerked for W. H. Whit- con, some two years. He then worked for C. H. & D. L. Coffin & Co., merchants in Knox- ville, and then for about two years was salesman and bookkeeper for Samuel Gill. at Beau's Station. Iu 1857 he formed a copartnership with his brother, John J., and opened a general store in Rutledge. taking charge of the business. His brother, Chesley G., some years afterward, took the place of John J., and the business was continued up to the war. Four years later. October, 1865, he came to Tate Springs. For two years he was engaged in farming, then in 1507, with his brother, Spencer C., opened up their general store. His brother, Henry T., after some years, took the place of Spencer C., and the partner- ship was continued for several years. Since 1867 he has been a merchant at Tate Springs, doing a business of $15,000 to $25,000 per annum. The present firm was established in October, 1886, and does a $20,000 business. He married Kate M., a daughter of Hughes O. and Frances Taylor, February 15, 1859. They have four sons and two daughters, one son being deceased. Our subject is a Democrat and Prohibitionist, and he and his wife are Methodists.
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