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 64
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William S. Phipps was born in Hawkins County, July 17, 1848, son of Wesley A. and Eliza (Hale) Phipps. Both were of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Hawkins County. The father was born September 16, 1816, in the Eighth Civil District, at the place where he died, October 16, 1882, aged sixty-six years. The mother was born about 1820, and died in 1865. They were married in Hawkins County, and lived and died where the father was born. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was very suc- cessful. His father, William Phipps, was a native of Botetourt County, Va., and was among the early settlers of Hawkins County. Our subject's father was a stanch Demo- crat, and he and his wife were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. The father served the church as an elder over thirty-five years. Our subject is the third of ten chil- dren. He secured a liberal education in his youth. which was commenced in the country schools of Hawkins County, and finished at King College, Bristol. His first industrial employment was in agricultural pursuits on his father's plantation, and farming has been his chief calling ever since. In 1870, and for the next few years up to 1873. he was yaged in the mercantile business with his father at Stony Point. Since that time he 3 given his attention exclusively to the farmning interest. March 26. 1878, he married Miss Sallie Carmack, of Hawkins County, born in November. 1852, daughter of Dr. JJoho and Matilda Carmack. On marrying, in 1873, he settled where he now lives as a renter, and continued as such up to 18$3, at which time he moved to the old homestead and lived three years. in the meantime he wound up his father's estate as administrator. In 1955 he purchased the farm he now lives on, and moved to it in the spring of 1886. Our sub - ject has been a live, active man, all of his life. He began life rather poor, but now owns upward of 600 acres of land on the Holston River, in the Eighth District. Our subject is a decided Democrat, and he and his wife are worthy members of the Presby-
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terian Church. The subject of this sketch is the father of six intelligent children -- four sons and two daughters. The father was also engaged in the mercantile business from 1866 to 1873. first at Lyons Store. then at Stony Point.
J. M. Phipps. an enterprising planter, of Hawkins County, was born where he now lives, thirty-four years ago, February 25, 1853, son of Joshua and Ann P. (Bachman) Phipps. The father was of English and Scotch descent; the mother of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was born in Hawkins County in 1801, and died in Hawkins County in 1861. The mother, born in Sullivan County in 1827. is still living, and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. The parents were married in Sullivan County, and settled por- manently in Hawkins County. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was known as the most extensive and successful planter in upper East Tennessee. At one time he owned over 11, 000 acres of land in Hawkins County. He was an old line Whig before the war, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. The mother is a member of this church. Our subject is the only child. He received a liberal education, which was commenced in the country schools of Hawkins County, and finished at Hamilton College, New York, though, before entering college, he attended some preparatory schools at Lookout Mountain and at Leroy and Clinton, New York. He left college in 1872, and since that date he has given his attention to farming. In due time he came in possession of the homestead. On June 4, 1873, he married Miss Mollie Mckinney, a cultured lady, and educated at the Rogersville Female College. She is the daughter of Maj. C. J. Mckinney, deceased. There were born to this union seven children-four sons and three daughters; three are dead, one son and two daughters. Our subject is a Democrat. and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
William H. Price, merchant and planter, was born near Lynchburg, Va., March 10, 1825, the son of Joseph H. and Lucy (Stone) Price, the former born in England in 1295. and died at Kingsport, Tenn., about 1857, and the latter, of about the same age, born in Virginia and died about 1868. The parents lived about sixteen years in Virginia after their marriage, and then settled in Kingsport, Tenn. He was a painter, who had learned his trade in London. Our subject, the eldest of four children, was educated in Kings- port, and began as a farmer, but afterward traveled for the cotton factory of Wall & Simpson, Kingsport. He was a salesman there and at New Canton also, and in 1865 he and Daniel Rogan established a general store. continuing for eighteen months, when the firm became W. IL. Price & Co. instead of D. Rogan & Co. Mr. Price conducted it alone for about thirteen years. In December, 1881, he moved his store to Church Hill, his pres- ent location, where he has also been engaged in farming. He has acquired now over 000 acres of land, and controls a trade of from $12,000 to $15,000 annually. In 1862 he mar- ried Lou Smith, who died in 1866, and in 1867 Mary Shaver, of Sullivan County, became his wife. They have one son, John W., born in 1868. Our subject is a Democrat. and in religion a Methodist, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
William T. Robertson, proprietor of the Rogersville Recien, established that paper July 23, 1885, and after a struggle through the consumptive years of a new paper, he has. through all obstacles, placed it on a sure footing. The Recier is a supporter of the Demi- ocratie party, and is largely circulated throughout the East Tennessee region and vicin- ity, and among the Hawkins County people who have immigrated to the West. The Recien has advocated the development of the marble and mineral resources of this region. and favored railroad extension, and a line from one end of the State to the other, for the completion of which there are well-founded hopes, and that in the near future. Mr. Robertson was reared in Greene County, and when a boy entered and served in Lynch's Confederate Battery three years, being captured at Vicksburg. After his exchange he served in the army of southwestern Virginia and East Tennessee. Since the war be bas lived in the Carolinas until he established the Revive at Rogersville. The Rector, in July last, closed its second volume, and entered upon its third year with brighter prospects than at any time since it was established.
Andrew D. Simpson, an enterprising merchant of Rogersville, of the fine of A D. Simpson & Co., was born at Rogersville. August 26, 1854. the son of William and
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Mary T. (Davidson) Simpson. The father was of Irish descent, and was born at Rogers- ville in 1823, where he died Jannary 23. 1886. The mother was born at Abingdon, Va., in 1833, and died at Rogersville in the fall of 1854. The parents were married at Rogers- ville about 1852. The father remarried about 1857 to Miss Lou Potter, of Manchester, Ky. The father was engaged in the mercantile business all of his life at Rogersville, and was very successful. He was a Democrat. Subject is the only child. He secured a good education in his youth at Rogersville, and began life (1870) by clerking in his father's store, and he has been engaged in the mercantile business ever since. He is now, in con- nection with his step-mother and a half brother, R. E. Simpson, engaged in an extensive mercantile interest-one store at Rogersville and one at New Canton, eighteen miles north- east of Rogersville. Both houses do a business of between $75,000 and $100,000 a year. Subject is not a member of any church, but is in sympathy with the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat.
Alexander Smith, farmer, was born in Hawkins County April 28, 1843, the sou of Campbell and Maria J. (Alexander) Smith, the former of Scotch-Irish stock, and the latter of German, and both natives of this county. They lived to past middle age. Our subject, the youngest of five children, secured an ordinary education, and worked on his grand- father's farm until he entered the Confederate service in 1861, joining Company E, See- ond Tennessee Cavalry, operating in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. He participated in the actions at Fishing Creek, Murfrees- boro, Chickamanga, and others in Georgia. In 1865, after an absence of four years, he returned to the farm. He lived on the farm until the fall of 1866, then clerked in a store until the summer of 1867, then traded in grain and stock until 1868, after which he farmed in Mecklenburg County, N. C., until 1870, then again traded in stock until 1875, when he bought the farm where he now lives and has farmed and traded in stock ever since. He has acquired about 1,000 acres of land, 700 of which is on the Holston River. Besides this he owns over 500 acres of Bay's Mountain land. October 19, 1871, Ollie M. Hamilton became his wife. She was born January 24, 1851, in Hawkins County. They have five sons and two daughters. Our subject is a Democrat, and favors prohibition. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Christopher C. Spears, coroner aud ex-sheriff of Hawkins County, was born four miles cast of Rogersville August 17, 1840, son of D. A. and Mary (Parks). The father was born in Hawkins County about 1811, and died in Hawkins County in 1800. The mother was born in Maryland in 1814, and died in Hawkins County in March, 1887. They were married in Hawkins County and settled permanently in the county. The father was a farmer, and was an old line Whig. The father and mother were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Subject is the third of eight children. He received a good education in his youth, which was finished at MeMinn Academy, aud located at Rogersville. His education was interrupted by the breaking out of the civil war between the States, and in the spring of 1861 he entered the Confederate States service, enlisted in Company K. Nineteenth Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and was received into the western army. Subject took part in the battles of Shiloh Church, Murfreesboro, Baton Rouge, La., and from Dalton to Atlanta, etc. He returned home in May, 1865, after an absence of four years. Upon reaching home he commenced to engage in the farming interest, and continued up to 1870, at which time he was duly elected high sheriff of Hawkins County, and was successively elected to the same office in 1872 and 18;4. In 1872 he was an independent candidate, and defeated the nominee of both political parties. He was also an independent candidate in 1874. It seems that about this time there was a change in his politics. for in 1878 he was the nominee of the Republican party for circuit court clerk. and was elected. He served one term of four years, and was re-elected to the same office in 1882. January 1, 1887, he was elected coroner by the county court, and still holds this office. September 27, 1820, he married Miss Sideria M. Bean, born at Abingdon, Miss., in 1849. They bad no children. Both are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
John E. Starnes, farmer, was born in Hawkins County. August 2. 1.37, the son of
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John Starnes, Sr., and Elizabeth Starnes, formerly Elizabeth Pearson, both born in that county, the former born on March 8, 1807, and still living with his son, and the latter was born on May 1, 1817, and died February 10, 1582. Both were members of the Meth- odist Church, South, and had been for several years ; they had a large family of chil- dren, eleven in number, six boys and five girls, two sons and two daughters dead. John E. Starnes followed school teaching for some six years. He has since turned his attention to trading and farming exclusively. In 1875 he was elected in a Republican county by a majority of twenty-six votes for representative to serve in the Lower House of the Gen- cral Assembly for two years. On May 18. 1876, he married Willie Denny, of Sullivan County. She was born May 27, 1857. She is a member of the Methodist Church South. They have had four children, one son and three daughters ; the eldest daughter is dead. John E. Starnes is not a member of any church, but is a sympathizer with the Methodist Church South, of which his wife is a member.
David C. Tunnell, farmer and lumber manufacturer, was born near Van Hill post- office in this conuty. October 20, 1847. the son of Wesley and Rebecca (Ball) Tunnell. the former born about 1807, and died in February, 1879. The father was a successful and wealthy farmer, and for several years was magistrato and deputy sheriff. He was well educated, and was a Republican and a Baptist. The mother was born in Russell County. Va., March 10, 1810, and now lives at Van Hill, also a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject, the ninth of eleven children, worked at home, and went to school at Fall Branch until twenty-two years of age, since when he has been at his present location, ex- cepting three years in the Eighteenth District where he owned 300 acres. He now owns 400 acres and a flour and saw mill at Slide post-office. Ile succeeded in establishing the post-office in 1883, and was made Postmaster. He has been a magistrate, and in polities is a Republican. He has been in the mercantile trade the last four years. Mary E., # daughter of Edward and Mahala Ball, became his wife in August, 1869. She was born in ` this county March 31, 1850, and educated at Goldshill, and is a member of the Camber- land Presbyterian Church. Ella C., Joseph O., Charles E. and Maggie are their children.
Edward Watterson, farmer, was born at his present home July 25, 1824. the son of James and Sarah (Galbraith) Watterson, who lived their whole lives in Hawkins County, and were of Irish and English stock. The father, born about 1800, was a farmer, and in pol- itics a Democrat. He died in 1833, while the mother was born about 1802, and died about in 1877. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject. one of eight chil- dren, was educated in the common schools, and grew to be a farmer and settled since 1845 on his present farm-the old homestead. About 1838 his father moved to another place near by, where he still lives, and at the division of the land our subject drew bis present home, to which he has since added until he now owns about 1,200 acres in Hawkins County. In 1816 he married Minerva E. Carmack. Of their four sons and six daughters. one of each sex are deceased Our subject is a Democrat.
William H. Watterson, clerk and master of the chancery court of Hawkins County. was born in this county in what is now the Ninth Civil District. November 19 1836. He is the son of Henry and Lydia (Hutchison) Watterson. His father was of Irish descent, and was born in Ireland. His mother came from Tennessee to North Caro lina, and was of Scotch and German descent. Her ancestors came from Maryland 10 "Tennessee at an early date. The father was born in Hawkins County before it became one of the United States, in 1795, and died in Hawkins County February 12. 10 The mother was born in Hawkins County, July 22, 1799, and died in the same coutstr February 28, 1876. They were married in this county about 1833. The father was a farmer, though he was engaged in teaching school in his early life. He was educated at Greeneville College. He was third or fourth consin to Henry Watterson, of the Louisville (Ky. ) Courir-Journal. Our subject is the second of four children. He secured a col legiate education in his youth, which was commenced in the common schools of the country, and completed at Emory and Henry College, Virginia, which college he entered in August, 1855, and continuell his studies until June. 1959, at which tim . he received his
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
diploma. He then read law two years under Hon. L. C. Haynes, of Knoxville. In May 1861, he entered the Confederate States service, enlisting in Company K, which was the first company from Hawkins County, and served until July, 1862, at which time he. received a discharge, on account of ill health, and, after an absence of two months, he re- entered the service at Knoxville. Tenn., and afterward was with the Cavalry in Virginia. He surrendered in North Carolina in 1865, lacking only two days of being out four years. One year after the war he commenced the practice of law at Rogersville, and was thus engaged up to 1884, when. on account of ill health, he retired. In October, 1885, he was appointed by Chancellor C. J. St. John, and now holds his present office. Ou September 15, 1870, he married Miss Minerva B. Riley, daughter of Jobn D. and Alice MI. (Kyle). Riley. She was born April 5, 1849. This union has resulted in eight children. Our sub- ject is a Democrat, and he and his wife and two daughters are members of the Presbyte- rian Church.
James White, a prominent lawyer and planter of Hawkins County, was born in Rogersville, June 12, 1828, being the son of Rev. George and Sarah (Snodgrass) White. They were of Scotch and Welsh descent. The father was born in Botetourt County. Va., in 1751, and died in Hawkins County, January 1. 1849, and the mother was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., being four years younger than the father, and died in Hawking. County in April. 1867. The father was a tanner by trade. He was among the first settlers of Rogersville, and established the first tannery in the county -- at Rogersville. He after- ward entered the Methodist ministry, and was a local preacher in that church for over thirty years. The mother was the daughter of Col. William Snodgrass, who distinguished. himself at the battle of King's Mountain. Our subject is one of a large family of chil- dren. Hle secured a good education in his youth at Rogersville, and began life as a tan- ner and farmer. In 1853 he was elected as a Whig to represent Hawkins County in the House of Representatives. In 1868 he was appointed special agent of the postoffice department of Tennessee, and in the latter part of the same year he was appointed. United States consul to the post of Matamar, Mexico. He resigned on account of change of administration, and returned to Tennessee in 1869. In the same year he was again elected to the House of Representatives to represent Hawkins County, and in 1972 he was elected to the State Senate from what was then the First Senatorial, but now the Second, District, and was composed of the Counties of Sullivan, Hawkins, Hancock. Hamblen and Claiborne. He was twice (1876 and 1886) nominated for Congress, and, though his party was defeated, he beat its ticket several hundred votes, the Republican party having the majority. In October, 1852, he married Miss Margaret McClure. of Hawkins County. This union resulted in seven children, five sons and two daughters He is not a member of any church, but is a Methodist in faith. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1865 our subject secured a license to practice law, and since that date his name has been on the list of Tennessee attorneys.
James Wright, of Mooresburg, was born at Waltham Abbey, Essex County, England November 5, 1813, and is the son of James, Sr., and Lucy (Campbell) Wright. The father was also born at that place, and died at Gravesend, England. in 1853. at the age of eighty-one. James, the father, was store-keeper of the Royal Gunpowder Works, at the above place, a position also held by the grandfather. Both father and mother were Episcopalians, and the mother, born in Epping, near Epping Forest (made famous by Thomas Hood) about 1777, died at Waltham Abbey in 1855. Our subject, the seventh and only living one of nine children, was educated in Hartfordshire. England, and, when twenty-two, went to South Australia, exploring and surveying in that then savage country for five years. He had also traveled extensively in South America, and after a short sojourn in England, came, in 1837. to Baltimore County, Md., and engaged in the mer- cantile trade. In 1858 the Dougherty Marble Quarry Company, of Hawkins County. Tenn., gave him charge of their works, which he has successfully managed up to the pres- ent time. From after the war, and until 18-3, he was engaged in merchandising, with an annual trade of from $20.000 to $35,000. On coming to America, he borrowed money of his brother to go into business, but during the war lost all. but, since, has succeeded well
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lle is in belief an Episcopalian, and politically a Democrat. Caroline, a daughter of Jesse Ritter (now living with our subject, at the age of eighty-four), became his wife in 1888. She was born in Baltimore County, Md., 1822, and is a Methodist. Alice is the only living child, and those deceased are W. F., Emily M., Laura J., James C. and Robert H.
GREENE COUNTY.
J. C. Ayres, farmer, was born near Warrensburg, Tenn., April 16, 1830, the son of Samuel O. and Hannah (Bewley) Ayres, the former born on the James River, in Virginia, and serving in the war of 1812, and on the lakes at the last of the war. whence. in returning to his home in Alabama, he was led to locate in Greene County, where he became a miost, successful farmer. The mother, a daughter of Anthony Bewley was born in Washington County; the father was a Baptist and the mother a Methodist. Our subject left the farm and school and, in 1862. joined the (Confederate) Thirty-first Tennessee Infantry, and after the fall of Vicksburg, was paroled and returned home, but six months later went to Knoxville, and remained within the Federal lines until the close, yet did not enlist. He has farmed ever since the war, and now owns a fine farm of 245 acres, divided into two farms really. For twenty years be traded extensively in stock, but has now abandoned it almost. He donated a lot for the Masonic Hall and public school at Warrensburgh, and also the lot for Mary's Chapel Methodist Church there. December 28, 1871. he married Mary D., a daughter of Daniel Jones, of Cocke County. In 1815, her birth occurred. Their children are Daniel. born February 13, 1843; Samuel C., born September 15, 1875; Thomas D., born April 10, 1878; Nancy J., born September 21. 1880: and Mary D., born April 18, 1883, and died the same day. He and his wife are Methodists.
Marion L. Bailey, a farmer of the Eleventh District,, was born in 1827, in Greene County, where he has since resided. He began life for himself when twenty-one years old, in only moderate circumstances, and the most of what he is now worth is the fruit of his own industry and good management. He owns a farm of 200 acres. He was married December 9, 1847, to Miss Sarah H. Williams. a daughter of Rev. Benjamin and Nancy Williams, natives of Pennsylvania and Greene Counties, Tenn., respectively. Nine children have blessed their union: Alexander H., Elizabeth A., Nancy P., Thomas M., Henrietta M., John M., Caroline M., Joseph B. and Lyvia S. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Bailey is a local minister. Mr. Bailey is a Republican in politics. He is the eldest of nine children born to Thomas aud Hen- rietta (Keel) Bailey, natives of Greene and Jefferson (now Hamblen) Counties, respect- ively. Mrs. Bailey was a daughter of William and Lyvia A. Reel. Thomas Bailey was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bailey, natives of Londondery, Ireland, and North Carolina, respectively. Thomas Bailey, Sr., immigrated to America, about 1775, with: his brother, Cloud Bailey, who went to Middle Tennessee, and raised a family, and died there. Thomas Bailey, Sr., settled in East Tennessee, where he lived and died.
G. N. Bailey, M. D., was born October 9. 1831, in Greene County, where he has since resided. He received an academical education, and read medicine with Dr. J. R. Young. He began practice, and since 1860 has been at his present location. with marked success, professionally and financially. He owns a fine home. In September, 1854, he married Sarah, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah MeAmis, of this county, and of Irish descent. Their children are James A., Thomas Y .. Rufus K., Martha 1., Ella C., B. K .. G. N., Mary H., Benson M. and John V. He is a Methodist. and his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a Republican. He is the fourth of nine children of Thomas and Henrietta (Keel) Bailey, natives of Hamblen County. the former a justice for about eighteen years, and an excellent farmer. Thomas Bailey, of Ireland, was the next ancestor. He moved to near Chapel Hill, N. C., and entered land in our subject's locality about 1775.
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George A. Bailey, merchant, farmer and stock dealer, was born July 4, 1816, on his present farm. When eighteen he began for himself, and now owns 280 acres. besides other lands, and a stock of goods. November 8, 1866, he married Mary A .. a daughter of William and Eliza ( Armitage) Reed, natives of Greene County. Their children were Ninnie L., Willie R .. Thomas K. (deceased), Florence B., Alexander H., Martha H. (deceased) and Carrie E. (twins), John M., Bessie M., Lura L. and George B. Both are Methodists, and he is a Republican, and a Master Mason. He is the youngest of nine children of Thomas and Henrietta Bailey, the former a justice for many years. For a sketch of the parents see above.
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