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 61
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Robert S. Campbell, M. D., was born in Claiborne County April 18, 1845, the son of George and Nancy Estridge Campbell, the former of Scotch-Irish stock, and the latter probably of German origin, while both were natives of Claiborne County. the former born about 1821, and deceased at Elmira, N. Y., in prison, and the latter born about 1824 and still living. After marriage they became farmers, and the former was forced into the rebel army in 1865, and soon captured and sent to the prison where he died. Both were Missionary Baptists. Our subject, the second of nine children. was educated at Tazewell, and reared on the farm, but began reading medicine under Dr. Devine of that place, and two years later, in 1871, entered the medical university of Nashville, and also other schools there. He is the only graduate in the county. and in IS? began prac- tice in Hancock County, at Mulberry Creek, and since a year later has been at his present bome. In 1886-87 he attended a second course of lectures. July 3, 1873, Sailie R Thomas, daughter of William S. and Minerva (Ewing) Thomas, became his wife. Their children are Eddie R. and Birdie. Our subject is a Democrat and a Missionary Bapti .: , while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
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Rev. George W. Coleman, a plain, unpretending but useful preacher of the Missionary Baptist Church, of the Eighth Civil District, was born in Claiborne County, February 3. 1819, son of Thomas P. and Faster (McClary) Coleman. They were of Scotch and Irish descent. The father was born in Maryland, and at about thirty-five years of age came to Tennessee and settled in Claiborne County, where he died in 1833, at about nity years of age. The mother was born in North Carolina, and died in Hancock County in 1863. The father was a farmer, and a Democrat. Our subject is one of a large family of children. He received a good academic education in his youth. He was reared on his father's farm, an occupation he has never deserted. He has lived in Claiborne and Hancock Counties all his life. He now lives on the homestead place, and came into pos- session of it by buying shares of the other children. He now owns over 200 acres of land. In August, 1863, he entered the Confederate Army, and served until the close of the war, enlisting in Company L. First Tennessee Regiment Cavalry. He took part in numerous battles, and made a gallant soldier so say his neighbors. He returned home in May, 1865, and resumed farming. Our subject has been married twice; first in 1852, to Miss Clementine Ball. She died in 1856; second he married Miss Rebecca Bales, with whom he now lives. Both wives came from Lee County, Va. He has two children by the first union, and five by the second. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
William B. Davis, was born in this county (then Hawkins) March 6, 1827, the son of Milum and Ellen (Baldwin) Davis, the former of English-Welsh origin, born near Kings- port. April 2, 1791, and deeceased Dcember 29, 1865. The father was three months old when his father died; was taken to Giles County, Va., and when twenty-three years old came to Hawkins (now Hancock) County, where he died, the owner of 2,000 acres of land. He was a Whig. The mother, born in Wythe County, Va., February 13, 1803, was of Irish origin, and died October 31, 1865. She was the daughter of John Baldwin, a soldier of the war of 1812, the son of James Baldwin, of the Revolution, wounded at Brandywine. Our subject, the third of eight children (seven living), was educated at Rogersville, Tenn., and at Jonesville, Va. In 1845 he went to visit an uncle in Menard County, Ill., but returned and taught school, and in 1848 became circuit clerk of this county. In 1852 he came to his present farm; four years later became deputy circuit clerk, and at the opening of the war became clerk and master. In September, 1863, he joined Company E. Eighth Tennessee Federal Cavalry, as first lieutenant, and then became major. He was discharged February 16, 1865, by special order of the war department, and became circuit clerk in 1866, which he resigned to become Indian agent to the Cherokee Nation. He then began farming and trading. He had studied law under George R. Powell in 1848, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar by Judge Gillenwaters, and Chancellor Smith, since which he has had a leading practice in his county. He is a Mason, and a Republican. January 18, 1850, Sarah, a daughter of Dr. Mitchell, Sr., became his wife, having been born June 3,1830, in Hawkins (now this) County. She is well educated, and is a Methodist. Their children are Milum H., Thomas L., John R., Robert L., Huldah, Mary A., Pattie and Agnes B.
Alexander and Mary (Gonger) Davis were married in 1814, in North Carolina, and came to Hawkins County, Tenn., immediately, but afterward bought land in Claiborne County, Tenn., moved to that county, and was engaged in farming. The father was born in North Carolina about 1795, and died in Claiborne County, Tenn., about 1933. He was the son of Joshua Davis, who was a soldier in the Revolution. Mary (Gouger) Davis, the mother, was also born in North Carolina, about 1800, and died in Claiborne County, Tenn., in 1870. She was a member of the Baptist Church for many years. Her father was also a soldier in the Revolution, and in this war was in from the first to the last. By this union there were ten children. Our subject was the eighth of these. and the only one uow living. Our subject was only about three years of age at the time of his father's death. He was born in Claiborne County, Tenn .. August 12, 1829. He received a common school education, but since that time has been a great reader and student of human nature. His lot in youth was that of hardships and toil. He remained with his mother till after twenty-one years old, and improved the farm and buildings for her.
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then went to Bourbon County, Ky., and hired to work on a farm at 45 cents per day, then afterward went to work for a stock man; after remaining there some time came back to Hancock County, Tenn., and purchased 200 acres of land, since that time has added in one body of land four miles in length and two in width, and a fine body of land on Clinch River, and also 400 acres of very fine land in War Creek Valley, this was made by judicious management and industry; has also paid out a large amount of money in security. He has been magistrate for the last seventeen years, has been a member of the Baptist Church for many years, and is a Democrat, and was the first man in Hancock County to make a temperance speech. He has given land to three different churches, and money for building churches and schoolhouses. He has been a farmer and trader. is a natural mechanic, was sent off under the conscript law, was at the siege of Vicks- burg. was nine months later discharged at. Jackson, Miss., and on account of disability. he had charge of the hospital at that place. In the fall of 1863 he went into the State militia, Company E, of Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, Federal service, for twelve months. and was at the fight at Rogersville, Tenn. December 20, 1851, he was married to Nellie Brewer, the daughter of Isham Brewer. She was born in Hancock County, Teun .. July 8, 1837, and died in Hancock County, April 18, 1884. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Three sous and five daughters were the result of their union. The same year he married Elzira Baker, the daughter of William Baker; she was born in Hancock County in 1842. She has a good education, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. This union resulted in one child. She was the widow of Riley Spradlin, deceased. Our subject formerly lived in the Seventh District; moved to the Second District in 1882.
Rev. George W. Davis, of the Missionary Baptist Church, was born August 20, 1540, the son of Milum and Ellen (Baldwin) Davis. Our subject left his parents September 23. 1803, and joined Company E, Eighth Tennessee Cavalry. but was discharged at camp Nelson, Ky .. soon on account of disability. He enlisted as second lieutenant, and after the war worked for his uncle in Illinois, and then returned to his parents, after whose death he received their land. He has been largely self educated, and in 1877 became a minister. Politically he is a Republican. Junuary 20, 1861, he married Martha. a daugh- ter of William and Mary Testerman, and born in Lee County, Va., March 1, 1838. Their children are William P., Mary E., Julia C., James E., Edna D., Robert D .. George L., Charles E., and John L., deceased September 6, 1865.
Elbert T. Day, a well-to-do farmer, trader and stock raiser, of the Second District, Hancock Co., Tenn., was born where he now lives, on April 21, 1833, a son of John and Frances Holliway. His father was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., about 1794. and died in Hancock, March 27, 1853. He was a blacksmith and carpenter, doing all kinds of work, and was also a farmer; he was also a Baptist minister for forty years, and was very successful. He had a good education, and in politics he was a Whig. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-14, and also helped remove the Indians from the Ocoee Purchase in 1837. Immediately after the war of 1812 he came to Hawkins (now Hancock) County and mar- ried, making this his home the remainder of his life. The mother was born in Virginia, in the eastern part, near New River, in 1798, and her parents moved to Cocke County, Tenn., when she was a child: they married (that is John and Frances), and in a short time moved to Hancock County, and he bought land, and was major of the State militia dur- ing the time of the muster. The mother is a member of the Baptist Church, is now living, a resident of Hancock County, and is in her ninetieth year. This union resulted in thir- teen children (our subject is the ninth), seven now living. He received a common-school education, and was about twenty-one at his father's death. At that time subject and his brother bought the land. or a greater portion of it, and have continued to live on same since that time. Our subject and brother divided the land, but subject purchased other lands, has made what he has by hard work and good management. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Company G. of the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate service; went in as a private, was made sergeant by the company, and was in active service till the sur. render at Charlotte, N. C., in May, 1865; was in the battles of Chickamanga, Nashville. Tenn., and many battles and skirmishes, and was in the famous retreat from Dalton to
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Atlanta. Since the war he has been farming, trading in stock and improving the land he owns, which is over 1,200 acres of land; is a Democrat; is a very active and enterprising man ar all times; supports and advocates the causes of education and religion. February 24, 1859, he married Jane Cantwell, a daughter of Barnett and Elizabeth Cantwell; she was born in Hancock County, July 30, 1838; she has a common education, and is a member of the Baptist Church. This union has resulted in ten children: Francis, Elbert L., Sarah, Jesse, David, Mary E., Lucy, Eddie, John: Barnett is dead.
Burton J. Drinnon, bigh sheriff of Hancock County, and a resident of Sneedville, was born in Hancock County, eight miles south of Sneedville, September 15, 1853, son of Richard and Sarah (Hornsley) Drinnon; father was born in Virginia. At an early age he came to Tennessee, and has been engaged in farming. He now lives in Hancock County, Mo., was born in Tennessee, and died when subject was only eight years of age. Subject is one of eight children. He secured a common-school education in Hancock County. He was reared on his father's farm, and remained with him until he was fifteen years of age, then left his father, and spent the next five years as a farm hand, and during the time attended school. August 18. 1873, he married Miss Sarah Drinnon, of Hancock County. After marrying he settled on a farm on the south side of Clinch River, and was engaged in farming about four years. In 1877, in partnership with Thomas Green, he established a store of general merchandise at Swan Island, and continued in the mercantile business about three years. During this time he read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. About five years ago he moved to Sneedville. In August, 1884, he was duly elected high sheriff of Hancock County, and re-elected in August, 1886. He is a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two sons, James L. and William K., were born to them.
Robert D. Greene, county clerk, was born in Hancock County (then Hawkins) February 1,1841, the son of Richard and Jane (Trent) Greene, former of English and Irish origin, born in 1799 in North Carolina, and deceased in this county in 1875; latter of English-Irish and German origin, born in 1805, in Virginia, and deceased in Hancock County a few months before the death of her husband. The father was twelve years old when they came to our subject's present home, and was a very wealthy farmer. Our subject, the ninth of ten chil- dren, was fairly educated. and when seventeen began as a farmer on land, a gift from his father, but in 1876 sold that and bought his present farm. After the war he was deputy sheriff four years, and in 1879 became county clerk, serving three terms. He is a Mason, and a Republican. June 13. 1859, he married Elvia J. Cope, the daughter of Jaines Cope, and born May 23, 1839, in Hawkins County. Their children are Orlando, Elizabeth, James T., Minerva, David, Cornelia, Laura, Mattie, and George R., deceased in 1877, aged ten years.
Hiram Herd, a well-to-do farmer of the Twelfth District, Hancock Co., Tenn., was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., November 23, 1811, and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Swaine) Herd. The Herd family came to Virginia from England before the Revolution, and finally came to Hawkins County before James was born. He was born in 1782, and died in the same county June 14, 1840. He was a farmer, a member of the Baptist Church. and was a Whig. The mother was born in Ireland about the same date as her husband, and died in Hawkins County, Tenn., in 1814. Her parents came to Hawkins County, Tenn., when she was a child; by this union there were seven children, our subject being the fifth. There are only three now living. His father afterward married again, and our subject, not liking his step-mother, left home when fifteen years of age, and hired out by the day till twenty- four years of age, when he purchased land in Hawkins County, Tenn. He sold that farm in 1839, and bought land where he now lives; has since been adding land-in all 650 acres. This was made by hard work and good management. When Hancock County was organ- ized in 1846, he was elected magistrate. This office he filled for many years; is a Mason, and a Republican. He received the rudiments of a common education, which has been improved by general reading. November 5. 1837, he married Lucinda Nichols, who was born in Hawkins County. Tenn .. March 9, 1811, and is the daughter of William and Susanah Nichols. She has a good education. Our subject's union has resulted in six children, five
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living, who are Chaney. Cinthy, Lucinda, Cornelius S. and Hiram K. R. William N. died. when cight years old, December 8, 1854.
Hon. Lewis M. Jarvis, the leading lawyer of Sneedville, was born in Scott County. Va., October 26, 1829, the son of Daniel and Mary (Collins) Jarvis, of English and Irish descent, and natives of Virginia, the former of Giles County, and the latter of Botetourt County, Va. Tho father, born March 15, 1792, died near Sneedville, July 29, 1885, having been married in 1818. In 1841 they came to Sneedville, where the father was a farmer and a Whig, and a member of the Methodist Church. Our subject, one of nine children. grew up with country advantages, and was educated at Pleasant Grove Seminary, Wash- ington County. He then became a dry goods clerk in Sneedville, and two years later a partner with Isham Brewer, for the next twenty-five years. In 1877 he abandoned this. From October, 1863, to March, 1865, he served in Company E, Eighth Tennessee Car- alry, as captain. In 1865 he represented his county in the Legislature, and served three years. He began Jaw in 1866, and has made a fine reputation in his region. He is now county surveyor, and has located several roads across the mountains. He was an elector on the Horace Greeley ticket in 1812. February 16, 1854, Nancy E. McNeal, of Claiborne County, born September 13, 1829, became his wife. Of four sons and two daughters, one son is deceased. Our subject is a Democrat, and his wife is a Methodist, while he is a prominent man of his county.
Ewell and Elizabeth (McCoy) Jordan were married in Grainger County, Tenn. In 1998 they moved to Hancock County (then Hawkins County), and bought land, about 150 acres, but added the balance of 1,000 acres. This was made by their industry and good manage- ment. being rather poor when young. He had a good education, which he received by business and practice. He was a magistrate. They were members of the Baptist Church. He was born in Rockingham County, N. C., August 15, 1806, and died in Hancock County June 29, 1982. He was a child when his father moved to Grainger County, Tenn. The mother was born in Grainger County, Tenn., in 1SOS, and died in Hancock County. Feb- ruary 17, 1872. She was of Irish descent. The father was of German descent. There were by this union three children: James, Thomas and Aurena. James was born in Han- cock County (then Hawkins) March 1, 1829. IIe received a good education. He is a Dem- ocrat. Thomas was born in the same house, December 12, 1830; has the same kind of education; is a Democrat. Aurena was born at the same place. December 15, 1840. Neither of these children has been married, and they continue to live on the old farm: in their parents' old age, remained at home and took care of them. They have improved what was left them, greatly, and added over 1,000 acres of land, and have done this by what the family are noted for-industry and good management.
A. B. Kesterson, merchant and farmer, was born in Claiborne County, February 19. 1848, son of Reuben K. and Adaline (Henderson) Kesterson. They were natives of Clai- borne County, but their ancestors came from Virginia. The father was born about 1821. and died May 15, 1883; mother was about the same age as father, and died in 1861. They never lived any where except in Claiborne County. The father was an enterprising inan, and was quite successful in farming, to which calling he associated, at different times, the milling and mercantile interests. Subject is the second of six children. He was edu- cated at the free schools in Claiborne County. He was reared on his father's farm, and when about twenty-one years of age, he commenced to clerk in his father's store. who at that time had a store in partnership with E. Overton. After a clerkship of six years. in 1873 subject bought out his father, and did business up to 1879, with Mr. Overton, then sold out to Overton. In 1852 he accepted a position as traveling salesman for the whole-ale boot and shoc house of Haynes & Henson, of Knoxville, worked a few months, then returned bome. and was engaged in the mercantile business with Hugh Parkey for fifteen months, at Yellow Springs. Subject then withdrew, went to farming, and the same year he opened up a store on his home place, and in a few months he moved his stock of goods to his present location. on Big Mulberry Creek, where he also'hss a grist water mill. In I-st. he erected the building of the Mulberry Woolen Mills, and gave it out on a lease of ten years. Subject is now agent for the Arthur Mineral Company, buying mineral land in
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different sections of Tennessee. Our subject is a fine business man, and has been very successful in life; now owns two tracts of land in Hancock County, and over 3,000 acres in Texas. On September 11, 1872, he married Miss Sallie Ritchie, a cultivated lady, and the daughter of Robert and Margaret Ritchie. She was born February 21. 1852. To this union was born Charlie T., June 7, 1873. Subject is a Democrat, no. member of any church. but in sympathy with the Missionary Baptist Church: his wife is a member of the Methodist Church.
William J. K. Lawson, a planter, was born near his present home, January 12, 182, the son of Drewry and Alsie (Dodson) Lawson, natives of Claiborne, (now Hancock) County, the former born in 1814; the latter died January 5, 1855. The father is a Republican, and both were Missionary Baptists, the former having been a deacon since 1846. They were married in 1837. William J. K., the only survivor of nine children, married Louisa E. A. Barnard, December 20, 1860; the Jatter died July 16, 1871: the for- mer married Elizabeth B. Lezear, October 16, 1871. He and his wives were Missionary Baptists, the former having been church clerk every since 1865. William J. K. Lawson owns a farm on Clinch River, containing 615 acres, on which he has a corn mill, flour mill, and circular saw mill. He was elected tax collector in 1875. He was elected as a Republican, in 1876, to the office of county trustee and tax collector, and was re-elected in 1878. He has been a Republican ever since he knew of a Republican party.
Wyles L. McCoy, farmer and stock raiser, was born in his present residence February 28, 1845, the son of David and Catharine (Wolfe) McCoy, of Scotch-Trish origin, the former born on Indian Creek, Grainger County, about 1800, and deceased in this county, July 4, 1877, and the latter born in Hawkins (now Hancock) County, in 1909, and now living with our subject. Her ancestors were Germans. The father lived and farmed in Grainger County until 1844, when he moved to our subject's home. He was a Democrat. Our subject, the. eighth of nine children, farmed and attended school until 1861, when he joined Company D, Twenty-ninth Tennessee Confederate Infantry, and a year later was discharged because he was under eighteen years of age, but he next enlisted in Company G, Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, and was wounded at Dalton and taken prisoner, being conveyed to Camp Douglas, Chicago, where he remained until March, 1865. His wound caused the amputation of his leg below the knee. He was at Wild Cat and Fishing Creek battles. and at Shiloh, but not engaged. He was at Chickamauga, and in all the actions through Georgia to Atlanta. He remained in Hancock County until 1875-76, when he rented land near Mooresburg, Hawkins County. He then returned to the homestead, where he has since farmed. IIe is now chairman of the Democratic county committee. March 25, 1874, he married Kate W., a daughter of James V. and Catharine (Hyder) Jay, born " in Rutherford, N. C., in 1844. She is a Methodist of the Southern Branch. Their chil- dren are Frank M., Rose L., David J. and Lillie B.
Jesse P. Nichols, a prominent citizen and a resident of the Twelfth Civil District. Hancock County, Tenn., was born in Lee County, Va., October 23, 1838, and is the son of Parish and Frances (Wilburn) Nichols. The father was born in Hancock County (Haw- kins then) in 1810, and died in August, 1867. He was a successful farmer, a Whig before the war, and after the war was a Republican. Frances Wilburn, the mother, was born in Hancock County, Tenn .. in 1812, and is now living, and makes her home with our sub- ject, who is the fourth of fifteen children, ten now living. He remained with his par- ents until in December, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, of the Eighth Tennessee Infantry, Federal service; was in the service until the surrender at High Pines. N. C., in 1865. During this time he was in twelve regular engagements and many skirmishes. He was sergeant. In November, 1862, he was taken prisoner at home and taken to Rye Cove, Va., but escaped after a short time by running away from them. He traveled a distance of forty miles barefooted, when there was snow on the ground. After the war he returned to Hancock County, Teun., and at his father's death he purchased the old homestead of the other heirs, which he still considers his home. Since that time he has been trading, buying and selling lands, and in this has been very successful. He now owns 1,500 acres of land in Hancock County. In his youth he was very poor, and worked
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for neighbors by the day, and has made this by good management, etc. At the beginning of the war be was a recruiting officer, and in 1866 was elected revenue collector of Hancock County, and in 1868 was re-elected and held the office one more term, or two years. In 1870 he was elected sheriff of Hancock County, which office he held until 1878. In 1871 he was appointed by the county court to again collect the revenue in Hancock County. which be held until 1876, when he was again made sheriff of the County, and in 1578 -79 served as deputy United States marshal of East Tennessee. In 1882 he was appointed to office in the third auditor's office at Washington, D. C., but soon resigned on account of the illness of his mother. This shows his great popularity. He has had a liberal educa- tion, is a Mason, and a Republican, and is a bachelor.
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