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 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
Christian Bible, a farmer in the Eighth District. was born in 1821 in the locality where he has since resided. He began life for himself in quite limited circumstances, and the property he now owns is the result of his own industry and good management. He owns upward of 800 acres where he resides. He was married February 6. 1842, to Miss Louisa Tucker, a daughter of Abraham Tucker, a native of Washington County. Seven children have blessed this union: Mary E., now Mrs. Mysinger; Noah L., deceased; Martha E .. now Mrs. Myers; Lydia, now Mrs. Harmon; Louisa J., deceased; Surrena E., now Mrs. Kinser. and Nathan H. Mr. and Mrs. Bible are members of the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Bible is a Republican and was a stanch Union man. He is a member of the G. A. R. He is the ninth of eleven children of Adam and Elizabeth (Neas) Bible. Adam Bible and wife were of German descent. He was a very successful farmer, and was a son of Christian Bible; one of the earliest settlers of Greene County, Tenn. Chris- tian Bible, Jr .. our subject, enlisted in 1963 in Company F, Fourth Tennessee Infantry, of the Federal Army, and served until the close of the war. He had one son, Noah L .. , in the Union Army, who died at Nashville while in the service.
Capt. John C. Bible. a prominent farmer, was born in Greene County, on his present farm, March 21. 1840, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Bible, the former born in 1797. Philip, the next ancestor, was born in Virginia, September 5, 1763, and came to Tennessee October 17, 1791, settling on the Little Chucky. The father was a prominent farmer. and a bold Unionist. He died in July, 1861, a member of the Presbyterian Church. The mother, born near Greeneville, March 27. 1798, was the daughter of John Wilson, a Greene County farmer. She was a Presbyterian also, and died March 2. 1867. Our subject grew up with rural advantages, and on June 11, 1863. joined Company A. Fifth Federal Tennessee Cavalry, afterward the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, of which he became sergeant, and afterward second lieutenant. About March 20, 1865. he was made captain of Company G, and was engaged in the second seige of Knoxville. at Morristown, Bull's Gap, Blountville, Salt Works, Va., Salisbury, N. C., Morgantown, N. C., Marion. Va., and numerous skirmishes. On September 20. 1865, he was mustered out at Knox- ville. He has since been farming, is now owner of about, 450 acres in Chucky Valley, and has always declined the solicitations of public offices. On November 14. 1866, he married Eleanor, a daughter of Samuel Steele, one of the most prominent farmers of Chucky Val- ley. She was born in Greene County, May 16, 1841. Their children are Alvin. born December 21, 1868; Flora, born May 31, 1871; Edgar, born April 3, 1813: Jesse, born Octo- ber 15, 1877; Hubert, born November 26, 1879, and Murphy, born June 8, 1883. Both are Presbyterians.
Capt. Thomas Bible. The ancestor, Christian Bible, of German descent, was born in Rockingham County, Va. He immigrated to Tennessee, was a pioneer of Greene County. and settled in Little Chucky Valley. His son, John Bible, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Virginia, in 1176, and came to Tennessee with his father, and was a second lieutenant, in Capt. Jones' Company, in the war of 1812; and he was highly es- teemed until his death. Christian Bible, Jr., (the father of our subject, and the son of John), was born on Little Chucky, March 13, 1801; he grew up in the country, is a suc- cessful farmer, and aged eighty-three years. In 1826 he married Mary, a daughter of Christian Bowers, a native of Virginia. She was born in 1805, and died in 1869; was a member of the Lutheran Church, was a faithful wife, and a devoted mother. Of the six children, our subject is the youngest, and was born on Little Chucky. April 26. 1SP ..
1211
GREENE COUNTY.
He was reared a farmer, among rural advantages. From boyhood he was a bitter opps- nent to slavery, and State rights, devoted to the union of States, the flag and our free institutions. At the age of twenty -two years he scouted through the Confederate lines to Kentucky, and ou December 1. 1862, joined Company C, Eighth Tennessee Infantry. United States Army; he was mustered as second sergeant, May 13, 1863; appointed and commissioned captain, December 3, 1863, by Andrew Johnson, military governor, of Tennessee, and served in that capacity until the close of the war, and was present and took part in the following noted battles: Siege of Knoxville, Tenn., Buzzard Roost Mountain, Resaca (May 14. 1864), Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, and a: the taking of Atlanta, Ga., at Columbia, Franklin (November 30, 1864), Nashville. Tenn. (December 15 and 16, 1864), and at the surrender of Gen. Joseph Johnston. at Greensboro, N. C., April 26, 1865. He was mustered out June 30; 1865. He served as deputy sheriff, in Greene County, in 1867-68, and was elected from said county, to a seat in the Forty-third General Assembly of Tennessee, in 1982, and served with satisfaction. In 1884 he declined re-election, and has been devoted to farming ever since, on the old homestead, on Little Chucky, Greene County. On October 26, 1876, he married Martha J., a daughter of Jonathan H. Easterly, of Greene County. She was born April 22, 1941, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Their children are Edwin A., born May 18. 1878. and Zulu Z .. born December 26, 1879.
W. C. Black. farmer, was born in Botetourt County, Va., April 19, 1826, the son of Christopher and Nancy (Good) Black, the former a native of Maryland, a carpenter, and a soldier of the war of 1812. The mother was born in Maryland, and has had six sons and four daughters. Our subject, the youngest, was reared on a farm and educated in the county schools of Roanoke County, Va. When he reached his majority he worked nine years in the wollen mills at Bonsack's, Va. He then worked at the carpenter's trade until recently, and has followed farming for the last fourteen years. Since 1860 he has lived at his present home. In 1855 he married Barbara Bair, of Virginia. Of their three sons and seven daughters, two of the former and five of the latter are living. Our subject is a Methodist, and is Postmaster at Fullen's. He is also a justice, and is a man who has become prosperous in spite of obstacles.
John R. Boyd. M. D., was born in Jonesboro, Tenn., in 1850. and is the son of Jere- miah and Mary M. (Fitzimmons) Boyd. both of whom were natives of Virginia. Jere- miah came to Tennessee when a young man, and located at Jonesboro, Washington County, where he followed the cabinet maker's trade all his life, and is at present a citi- zen of that place. The mother died in 1885. The subject of this sketch was reared in Jonesboro, Tenn., and attended Martin Academy at that place, and at the Kingston schools. After finishing school he learned the cabinet maker's trade under his father. and worked at the same for a period of seven years, and then read medicine at Jonesboro under Dr. Wheeler. He attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore. Md., from which he graduated in 1840. He then practiced his profession at Jonesboro for about a year, and his health failing him he next removed to the country. In the spring of 1874 he removed to Greenville, and began practicing, and has continued uniu- terruptedly up to the present. He is one of the most skilled surgeons in this section of the country, and as such stands at the head of his profession in Greene County, while as a physician of learning and experience he ranks with the leading ones of the country, having a large and increasing practice. In the fall of 1882 he formed a co-partnership with W. C. Brown, and engaged in the drug business at Greeneville, under the firm name of Boyd & Brown. In March, 1887, Mr. Brown retired from the firm, his successor being John Parks and under the firm name of Boyd & Park the business is now conducted. This firm's. establishment is one of the most complete drug houses to be found in the State outside of the large cities. A complete line of drugs and fancy goods is carried, and a prescrip- tion department is also conducted, being in charge of an able and competent prescrip- tionist. A large and beautiful mineral water fountain forms quite a summer feature of the establishment, and a line of fine cigars is also carried. Our subject was united in marriage in the fall of 1872 to Ellen Byrd. who was born in Washington County, Tenn .. in 1861, and is the daughter of Amos Byrd. To this union five children have been born
1242
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
James HI. Bright, a merchant and farmer of the Sixteenth District, was born in 1826. at Abingdon, Va., and when small was brought by his parents to his present location. When twenty-two years old he began life for himself, a poor man, and what he is now worth is the fruit of his own industry and good management. He has followed farming. merchan- dising and dealing in fine stock; in the latter he dealt very extensively, and was emi- nently successful. He has driven as many as 850 cattle through to Virginia markets in one drove, and has shipped as many as 1,900 in one fall season. He owns a good farm of 29S acres, and has given considerable property to his children. He enlisted in 1868. in Capt. Dodd's Company, Eighty-first Tennessee Cavalry, C. S. A., and altogether served one year's time. He was married in 1848, to Miss Nancy MeMackin, a daughter of James MoMackin, a native of Washington County. Ove child was born to this union, and died unnamed. Mrs. Bright died in January, 1850. He was married-a second time, in the fall of 1850, to Miss Matilda Tedlock, a daughter of John Tedlock, a native of Washington County. Seven children blessed their union: Sarah J., Mary E. (deceased), George W .. William D .. Jacob A., John C. Breckinridge (deceased) and James Houston (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Bright are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Bright is a Democrat in polities, casting his first presidential vote for the Democratic candidate in 1849. Hle is the first-born of twins of David and Sallie (Morelock) Bright, natives of Virginia and Greene County, respectively. Mr. Bright came to this locality when a boy. He was colonel of the State militia. Mr. and Mrs. Bright were of German descent. He was a very successful farmer all his life. He was a son of Michael and Louisa Bright. natives of Reading, Penn. He was magistrate for many years. He immigrated to Greene County. Tenn., about 1800. Mrs. Sallie Bright died, and Mr. David Bright then married Lydia Collier, by which union ten children were born.
Col. A. J. Brown, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Washington County. Tenn .. and born at Jonesboro December 16, 1831, and is the son of Eunich and Anna Rebecca (Sic- Mahan) Brown. The father was a native of Washington County, Tenn., born May 10, 1810, and died September 15, 1879. He was reared as a farmer, which together with team- ing farmed for the greater work of his life. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in Company I, Eighth Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, was made second lieutenant of his company, and served throughout the war. At the close of the war be returned to Wash- ington, Tenn., where he farmed until his death in 1879. The mother of our subject was born in Baltimore, Md., and was married twice. Her first husband was Isaac George. of Baltimore, who died in East Tennessee. Unto this first marriage were born three chil- dren. Her second husband was the father of our subject, and unto her second marriage were born three children -- two sisters and a brother. Our subject is this brother, was reared in Jonesboro, and was educated in Jonesboro Academy and Washington College. After his literary education was completed he began the study of law, under Chief Justice J. W. Deaderick, of Jonesboro, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. He commenced the practice of his profession in the same year, and continued up to the breaking out of the civil war. In 1863 he entered the Federal Army, and became lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth Ten- nessee Volunteer Cavalry; he resigned in May, 1865, returned to Jonesboro, Tenn .. and resumed the practice of law, which he continued until 1886, when he was elected judge of the first judicial circuit of Tennessee. In 1880 he was elected to the State Senate, and served one term. On September 25, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Agnes M. Wilds, daughter of John A. Wilds, and to this union have been born six sons and four daughters. Our subject is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been ruling elder for several years. He is a Master Mason, a Knight of Honor, and a member of the G. A. R. He is a self-made man. His father was a poor man, and our subject had no advantages of money to educate himself, but earned the money that defrayed the expenses of his education.
James L. Cain, one of the largest and most prominent farmers of the Fourth Civli District of Greene County, was born in Hawkins (now Hamblen) County, October 12 1833, the son of Hugh and Lucy (Holston) Cain. The father was born in Grainger mRow Hamblen) County in 1801, and was the son of Hugh Cain, Sr., who was a native of Ire-
1243
GREENE COUNTY.
land. The grandfather immigrated to America soon after the Revolution, and located in East Tennessee, where he was one of the pioneers of Grainger County. He was a con. scientious, high-minded man, and was noted for the exactness with which he meted out justice to all. The father was reared a farmer, securing only a limited education at the old field schools. He worked with his father until 1825, when he married and began for himself. He was industrious, thrifty and successful, acquiring large landed possessions, among the largest in Hawkins County. He was prominent, popular and highly respected. He was killed April 27. 1864, by a neighbor's boy, who was a Federal soldier, notwith- standing that the father was a strong Union man, though too old to serve in the ranks. The mother was born in the same neighborhood as her husband, in 1811, the daughter of William and Lucy Holston, Virginians, who were early residents of East Tennessee. She was a worthy, religious woman, and died in December, 1852. Both parents were Meth- odists. Our subject passed his youth upon the farm, attending the common schools. In his eighteenth year he entered the high school at Strawberry Plains, where he secured a good practical education. He then entered a store at Rogersville, as clerk, where he spent three years, and then engaged in merchandising at Russellville. He remained there eight years, and then. in 1863, removed to his present farm, on "Chucky" River. In 1818 he began merchandising at Riverton, Miss., and in 1885 engaged in the same busi- ness at Pine Bluff, Ark. These stores he now conducts, having a stock of about 810.000. and an annual business of about $30,000. His home, however, is in Greene County, where he carries on farming extensively, owning one of the best farms in East Tennessee, con- sisting of 395 acres. During the season of 1887 he had 150 acres in wheat, fifty acres in corn, and large fields in oats and grass. He is a progressive farmer, having all the latest improvements in farming implements and appliances. He has a large and commodious residence, with tasty surroundings, and is host of one of the most hospitable homes in the State. He is liberal, high-minded, progressive, and an ardent friend of schools and churches. His, personal honor is above reproach. He was married in 1835 to Mary Burem, daughter of A. L. Burem, a prominent citizen of Hawkins County, a lawyer and farmer. The one child of this union died in infancy. His wife died in 1856, and Novem- ber 7, 1860. he married Eliza Neilson, who was born in Greene County May 4, 1842. the daughter of Col. William D. Neilson. Her father was born in Fauquier County, Va., in 1786, and immigrated to Tennessee at a very early date. He served in the navy in 1812, as captain, and was one of the early prominent men of Greene County. He died in May, 1864. after a long and useful life. To our subject's second union eight children have been born, of whom four are deceased. Our subject and wife are Methodists.
Rev. Samuel A. Coile, pastor of the Greeneville Presbyterian Church, was born near Dandridge, Tenn., January 18, 1857, the son of John L. Coile, whose history appears in the sketch of J. J. Coile, of Jefferson County. His boyhood was spent in labor on the farm during the summer, and in attendance at the public schools during the winter. At the age of seventeen be entered Maryville College, but afterward changed to Tusculum College, where he graduated in 1819, with the first honors of his class. He was at once elected principal of the Mouat Horeb High School. After one year of successful work in this school, he entered Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati. O., from which he graduated in 1883. He immediately entered upon his duties as pastor of the Greeneville Presbyterian Church. In 1884 the board of trustees of Tusculum College elected hint professor of ancient languages, and in 1885 vice-president of the institution. He holds this position in connection with his pastorate at the present time. He is profound as a a scholar, successful as an instructor, eloquent and forcible as a pulpit orator. On the 30th of June, 1887, he was married to Miss Mary C. Speck, of Morristown. Teun., daugh - ter of T. J. Speck, D. D. S. Mrs. Coile is an accomplished and intelligent woman, a graduate of Martha Washington College, Va., and fully competent to be a helpmeet for her husband in the successful career which seems only begun.
Maj. R. H. M. Donnelly, a farmer and proprietor of the Donnelly Hotel, at Fullens. was born in Lee County, Va., January 2, 1835, the son of William and Sarah (McQueen). Donnelly, the former a native of North Carolina, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He
1244
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
died in Johnson County. Tenn., February 16, 1842, aged fifty-one, where the mother was born in 1801 and died in 1876. Our subject, the fifth of seven children, was educated at Taylorsville. but as his father died when our subject was but seven years old. he worked the farm for his mother until he was of age. He was a carpenter until he and Capt. R. H. Lutteral raised a company which became Company D, Thirteenth (Federal) Tennessee Cavalry, of which he became first lieutenant. then captain, and was mustered out as major. Ile was in seventeen battles: was with Gen. Stoneman in both of his raids from Knoxville, first to Virginia in December, 1864; second to North Carolina and Virginia in March and April. 1865. In 1850 he married Eliza J. Allen. They have had eight sons and seven daughters. After the war he moved to Rheatown, Greene County, where he began merchandising in October, 1865, but since September, 1886, he has been a farmer. He is a Methodist and a Royal Arch Mason.
James O. and William Mc. Earnest, brothers, are farmers in the First District, and were born in Greene County April 1, 1813, and May 19, 1822, respectively, and sons of Felix and Sarah (Oliphant) Earnest. The father was born in Newtown, Va., September 19, 1762, and died February 16, 1842, in Virginia. The mother was born in Pennsylvania July 16, 1784, and died in Tennessee February 10, 1874. The father was a farmer, respected of all. The brothers have farmed together since their boyhood. In 1867 William married Margaret Hunter, and their children were a daughter (deceased), Felix, George, John, James, F. B. and William Mc. The mother died in 1883, and in 1885 he married Rhoda Inman. Both brothers are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Benjamin F. Earnest, farmer and stock raiser, was born where he now lives on Nolli- chucky River, Greene County, August 3, 1821, the son of Peter and Ruth (Fain) Earnest. The father was born near Guilford Courthouse, N. C., February 27, 1777, and died Feb- ruary 17, 1862. Henry Earnest, the grandfather, came from North Carolina to where our subject now lives, in April, 1777. The mother was born in Washington County, January 23, 1784, and died July 23, 1853. Of her five sons and seven daughters two of the latter and one of the former still live. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated at the Tusculum College, and when his father died took charge of the farm, and has so con- tinued ever since, also engaged in milling. He has been successful in both. In December. 1868, he married Mary MI. Rhea, of Blountville, Sullivan County. Samuel R., Nicholas P. and Ellen L. are their only children. He is a Master Mason, and a man who has pre- ferred private life.
F. M. Easteriy, farmer and stock raiser, was born near where he now lives in Greene County, August 24, 1820, the son of Abraham and Anna (Parrott) Easterly. The next ancestors are Jacob and Mary (Bible) Easterly, and the next, George, a native of Virginia. who came to Greene County about 1812 and bought about 200 acres of Joseph and Jesse Bird, early settlers of the region. This land has continued in the family. They are of German origin. The father, a native of Greene County, died June 7, 1828, and the mother, a native of Cocke County, was the daughter of George Parrott. Her children are Frank M., Caroline, Narcissa, Sarah, Isaac and Mary A. Our subject was reared on his present farm and educated in the log schoolhouse. He was left at an early age with the care of a mother and five other children, for whom he cared, as the oldest of them, and in 1843 he married Narcissa, a daughter of Joseph Powell. Their children were Newton Y., Sarah E., Catherine A., George D., Robert F., M. Samuel (deceased); John B., Margaret, Mary E. and Narcissa I. His wife died in 1865, and in 1866 he married Mrs. Matilda A. Patty (nr( Robeson), a native of North Carolina. Their children are Harriet, Alexander, Eleura, Frank P., Jessie L. and Lelia. Our subject has been steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church South for thirty years, and has been treasurer of the Masonic Lodge. He gave $500 to the Oven Creek Church, and liberal sums to various other public enterprises.
Dr. J. P. Easterly was born in Greene County, May 6, 1839. the son of Jacob and Margaret (Whittenburg) Easterly, both natives of Greene County. the former a farmer, born in 1800, and deceased in June, 1883. Jacob, Sr., the next ancestor, a Virginian, was a pioneer of Cocke County. The mother was born in 1803 and died in 1854. the daughter
GREENE COUNTY. 1215
of William Whittenburg, of Greene County. Our subject was educated in Emory aud Henry College, Virginia, and in 1864 began reading medicine under Dr. B. F. Bell, now of Cocke County. He began practice in 1866 in the county, and has continued eminently successful. He is an extensive farmer also, owning and cultivating 750 acres. May 24, 1866, Louise V .. a daughter of David De Vault, of Greene County, became his wife. She was born April 10, 1814, in Greene County. Four of their six children are living. She died February 2, 1887, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which our sub- ject is a local minister.
Rev. J. B. Fitzgerald was born in Iredell County, N. C., September 26, 1826. and is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Starr) Fitzgerald. The father was a native of Maryland, and was a merchant and farmer. The mother was, also, a native of Maryland, and was the mother of three sons and two daughters. Our subject is the second child, and was reared in Waynesville, N. C., where he was educated in the Greenhill Academy. He is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, by profession, and a farmer by occupation. He is now living at Fullens', Greene County, and owns and cultivates a well improved farm of 200 acres. In 1845, he was united in marriage with Harriet M. Grabl, and unto the union have been born ten children, one of whom is dead. Our subject is a self-made man, a zealous Christian, a Master Mason, and a well respected citizen.
A. J. Frazier, of Frazier & Mercer, liverymen, was born in Greene County, March 21. 1840, the son of Abner and Jane (Dinwiddie) Frazier, the former a native of Greenc County, the son of Abner. Sr., a pioneer of the same, and a soldier of 1812. The mother. a daughter of James Dinwiddie, was a devoted Christian. Our subject was educated at Clear Springs Academy, and then up to the war, excepting a year in Knox County, he was a Greene County farmer. The night of March 16, 1863, he escaped to Louisville, Ky., and joined Company E. Fourth Tennessee Infantry, United States Volunteers, and was sergeant, major. and second and first lieutenant, successively. He was captured in 1863. and paroled at once, and served through the war, being mustered out at Nashville, in August, 1865. He was a merchant and then a farmer, until 1878, when he became sheriff of Greene County, and was twice re-elected. He has since been farming, and in the livery business. In 1861. Catherine Weems became his wife. She was born in Decem. ber, 1839; they have five children. She is the daughter of R. B. Weems.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.