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 71
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Gen. A. E. Jackson, the oldest inhabitant of Jonesboro, was born January 11. 1807, near Nashville, Tenn. He is the son of Samuel D. and Eliza C. (Woodrow) Jackson. The former was born at Carlisle. Penn., September 16, 1755, and was the son of Philip Jackson, a native of Ireland. He served as a lieutenant in Stark's regiment in the Revo- lution, and afterward became a successful merchant in Philadelphia. In 1801, having purchased from Gov. Blount 30,000 acres of land in East Tennessee, and 20,000 acres in Middle Tennessee, at a cost of $25,000 in goods. he came to Jonesboro, but soon after removed to a point midway between Morristown and Mossy Creek, where he erectedl a log house. Fearing Indian depredations, however, he removed to Middle Tennessee in a short time. He was a relative, and intimate friend of "Old Hickory " but in 1811 the general won 10,000 acres of his best land, on a horse race, and during an altercation concerning the wager, ran him through the body with a cane spear. This difficulty caused a coolness between them, which lasted for several years, but they finally became friends again. In 1811 Mr. Jackson returned to Washington County, and located on a farm ou Chucky River, bought of Gov. Sevier. Subsequently he removed to Jonesboro, and for a time was engaged in merchandising. He finally returned to the farm, and lived with our subject. He died May 2, 1936. He was an able and strong willed man, and became wealthy, but lost it all through the failure of Robert Morris, for whom he had become security, for a very large amount. His wife, the daughter of Henry Woodrow, a native of New Jersey, was born in Philadelphia, on September 22, 1764. She was an intimate
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friend of Mrs. President Madison, and was her bridesmaid at her first marriage. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died at our subjects, present home, January 8, 1844. Gen. Jackson was rcared at Jonesboro, receiving his education principally at Washington College, as a member of the family of Samuel Doak, Sr. He also attended Greeneville College, and finished his education under Henry Hoss, on Boone Creek. He was a merchant with his father, in Elizabethton, Tenn., for a short time, after which, in 1826, he removed to his farm, and later engaged in shipping produce to Alabama. In 1834 he engaged in merchandising, which business, in connection with his boating, he carried on for about twenty-two years. In 1812 he removed to Jonesboro, where four years later he established a store. At this time he agreed to take the products of the Iron Works of Elijah Emory, which, although a great risk, proved a successful one. At Mr. Emory's death, he removed his stock of goods from Jonesboro to Taylorsville, but still continued his business on Chucky River. Just before the war he engaged in copper mining, in North Carolina, and opened a store in Burnsville, that State; he also had a store in Wa- tauga County, N. C., and one at the mouth of Boone's Creek, in Johnson County. He was one of the most active organizers and promoters of the construction of the East Tenn- essee & Virginia Railway, and was one of thirty men, forming a company, which took $300,000 stock in the road to prevent a loss of its charter. He also became the financial agent of the road, and in that capacity disposed of $300,000 of State bonds, at the highest price ever paid for similar securities. He was the author of the bill making appropriations for bridges and masonry, and secured its passage by the Legislature, and on more than one occasion saved the road large amounts of money by substituting his own note in place of that of the company. In 1861 he entered the Confederate service. as quarter- master and paymaster, in which capacity he acted for the first two months without com- mission, and without giving bonds; he remained in the paymaster department until February 8. 1863, disbursing about $10,000,000. On that day he was commissioned briga- dier-general, and was soon after placed in command of a military district, including a part of North Carolina, Virginia and East Tennessee, with Thomas' Legion of 1,800 men, including 300 Cherokee Indians, the sixteenth Georgia Battalion, and Phipps' Tennessee Battalion, to which was afterward added the sixty-second North Carolina Regiment. In 1863 he cleared East Tenuessee of bush-whackers, and during that year, and the succeeding one, had several engagements with various commands. While at Wytheville, Va .. on his way to join Gen. Lee. he learned of the surrender at Appomattox, and at once disbanded his troops. After his return home he was compelled to defend lawsuits for pretended dama- ges growing out of the war, involving in the aggregate $390,000, and was indicted for treason in both Federal and State courts, but was finally dismissed. In 1864 he rented Washington Springs, Va., where he joined his family at the close of the war. In 1866 he rented a farm, and, two years later, became a commission merchant in Knoxville, but in 1871 returned to Jonesboro. In his domestic relations, Gen. Jackson has been very for- tunate. On June 8, 1826, he married Serephina, a daughter of Nathaniel Taylor, a briga- dier-general in' the war of 1812. She was a native of Carter County, and bore him seven sons and seven daughters. She was a Presbyterian, and died on October 27, 1850. Gen. Jackson is an Episcopalian, and is the oldest surviving Confederate general. He is a relative by marriage, and a personal friend, of Jefferson Davis. At the council of In- dian chiefs held for the purpose of discussing the cession of their lands in Georgia, Ala- bama and Mississippi, he was the only white person present.
Samuel Keebler, was born on Kindrick's Creek, in Washington County, Tenn., August 26, 1804. He moved with his father from Kindrick's Creek to Limestone (same county). in the year 1838; he has lived at his present home ever since. He is a well-to-do farmer, and has made farming a success. He went through with everything he ever undertook. put nothing off till to-morrow that could be doue to-day-this was his motto. He owns much fine land, has a large fine brick house on the farm he lives on. well furnished. There are about. 700 acres where he lives, besides this he has about 1,000 acres in differ- ent parts of the county ( Washington): about 700 of these are the best in the county. He began the battle of life for himself, when about sixteen years old. He belongs to the
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Christian Baptist Church. He has been an old line Whig, now a Republican. At the present writing he is eighty-three years old, and can see to read common print without spectacles (he has his second sight). He is the youngest child of nine children, four boys and five girls; all are dead but him. Jacob Keebler, son of Jacob and Catherine Keebler, was born October 22, 1765. at Marcus Hook. New Castle Co., Del. Mary Youug. danghter of James and Barbara Young, was born about one mile from Marcus Hock, Chester Co., Penn., September 17, 1765. The aforesaid Jacob Keebler and Barbara Young. were married by Edward Varnum, in Chester Town, March 11, 1785. After marriage they moved to Philadelphia, Penn. Two children were born there: Sarah and John. Thence they moved to Berkeley County, Va. Eight years later they moved to Tennessee, and settled on Kindrick's Creek. Washington County. in 1999. Jacob Keebler was of German descent, and Catharine of English descent. Jacob, Jr., was a soldier of the Revolution in the early part of his life, and, in the latter part of hislife, farming was his occupation. James and Barbara Young were of English stock. The former was born September 20, 1786, and the latter May 10, 1783.
John A. Keebler, a farmer and a stock dealer. of the Eighteenth District, was born November 9,1831, in Washington Co., Tenn., where he has since lived. He began life for himself when twenty-one years old, with $1,000 given him by his father, and the balance of what he is now worth is the fruit of his own industry and good management. He deals quite extensively in stock. in which he is very successful. He was married in August, 1854, to Miss Julie Crouch, a daughter of Joseph Couch, a native of Washington County. To Mr. and Mrs. Keebler eight children have been born: Sarah E., Florence J., Mary, Penelope, Clyses. John, Samuel and Maud. Mrs. Keebler is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. Keebler is a Democrat in politics. He is an active Master Mason. He is the third of seven children of James and Sarah (Hawes) Keebler. Mr. Keeller, the father, was a native of Rockingham County. Va., and when a boy, was brought by his parents to Washington County. Teun. He was quite an active Christian worker in the Christian Baptist Church, and was an old line Whig. He was a very enthusiastic and successful stock dealer and farmer. He was a son of Jacob Keebler, an old resident of Philadelphia.
W. C. Keezel, farmer, was born in 1842, in Rockingham County, Va., and when four- teen years of age came to this county, where he has since resided. He was educated at Laurel Ilill Academy, and in September, 1862, enlisted in Company M, First Tennessee Federal Cavalry, as a sergeant. He was captured in 1862 at Mulberry Gap, and taken successively to Knoxville, Libby Prison and Petersburg, where he was exchanged. August 8, 1864, be was captured near Atlanta, and taken to Andersonville, Charleston, Florence. S. C., and Wilmington, N. C., where he was exchanged in February, 1865. He then went to Annapolis, Md., Columbus, Ohio, and then home. He was mustered out at Nashville in 1865. In 1869 he married Mary, a daughter of Enos and Sabra McFall. natives of Carter County. She died in 1873, a member of the United Brethren Church, of which he is a steward, trustee and Sabbath-school superintendent. He is a Republican. He owns a farm of 167 acres. His parents, Enos and Eliza (Carpenter) Keezel, are natives of Rock- ingham Connty, Va., the former a minister of the United Brethren Church, and a black- smith and farmer. The mother died about 1852, and Margaret, a daughter of Peter Plecker, became his wife, and after his death. in 1881, she married again, and now lives in Kansas. Henry was the next ancestor, a native of Keezelton, Va. Our subject has one of the finest springs of water in the country, elevated by a hydraulic ram to his spring house. The spring is fifteen feet below the surface of his front yard.
Samuel Jacob Kirkpatrick. John Kirkpatrick, the great-grandfather, came from Scot- land in the year 1:50, and located in Botetourt County, Va., where he married Jennie Wilkins, of Pennsylvania. He was a pioneer of Tennessee about the beginning of the Revolution, settling in what is now Jefferson County. Jacob, his son, and grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1774. and died in July. 1846. He was a near relative of Maj. Robert Kirkpatrick, who was killed in an Indian fight near London. under Governor Sevier. Jacob married Isabella, a daughter of John White, a Baptist minister who came
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to America at a very early date. The marriage occurred in 1798. Hugh Lawson White, their son, and father of our subject, was born September 28, 1814, and died August 31, 1852. He married Mary A., daughter of Samuel Chesnutt, son of Hugh, of South Caro- lina, March 8, 1838. Samuel married Susan Lee, daughter of Thomas and Mary Lee, the former a son of Capt. John Lee. in whose house the first court of Hawkins County was held. He was a near relative of "Light Horse Harry Lee." Our subject was born in Jef- ferson County, Tenn., August 21, 1841, and attended Clear Spring Acad my, where, ou May 1, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was paroled as captain of Company E, Second Tennessee Cavalry, May 5, 1865, at Charlotte. N. C. He began reading law at Jonesboro, under Chancellor Lucky, in September, 1865, and was admitted to the bar in November, 1866, and has practiced ever since. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1810, a member of the referee court, by appointment of the judges of the supreme court, for two years. In October, 1866, he married Dora, a daughter of Henry and Anna M. Hoss, born May 11, 1547. She is the great-granddaughter of Governor John Sevier, and sister of Dr. E. E. Hoss, of Vanderbilt University. They have had nine children.
C. K. Lide, merchant, was born near Athens, Tenn., December 15, 1846, and was edu- cated at Forest Hill Academy. April 1, 1862, he enlisted in the First Tennessee Confeder- ate Artillery, and in 1864 was made captain of the ordnance department. While detailed in April, 1865, he surrendered at Jonesboro, and at the close of the war became a sales- man in Memphis for four years. Then he was in the grocery business in Baltimore for six years. After a sojourn in the West, until 1880, he moved to Knoxville, and in 1884 to Johnson City, engaging in the hardware business. March 28, 1883. he married Albina Worth, of Creston, Ashe Co., N. C., of a noted family of that State. Dr. John W.and Mary E. (Lipscombe) Lide are the parents. In 1740 the Lides (in Welsh. Lehuyd) settled on the Pedee River, in South Carolina-John, Thomas and Robert: John leaving a son, William, the father of John W. Lide, who, after his medical education at Philadelphia, came to Bean's Station, Tenn., about 1818, when he married Mary E. Lipscombe, of Richmond. He practiced near Bean's Station a few years, and between 1820 and 1830 he removed to MeMinn County, Tenn., and located at Forest Hill to educate his children. He was also called upon to assist in opening up the Tellico Iron Works, to aid the Hiwassee Railway, and in founding the branch Bank of Tennessee at Athens, and many other enterprises. He died at Athens, April 2, 1846. His children reside in various States, our subject being the only one in Tennessee.
H. G. Long, a farmer in the Tenth District. was born June 3, 1926. in Russell County, Va. He begau life for himself when fourteen years old, being the only support of bis mother after his father's death. He began life for himself with only about 8300. The balance of what he is worth is the fruit of his own industry and good management. He moved to his present location in March, 1875. He owns a fine farm of 225 acres where he resides, and besides has given considerable property to his children. He enlisted in the spring of 1863 in Capt. Dickinson's company, Twenty-ninth Virginia Infantry, Confed- erate States of America, and served until the close of the war. He was dismissed at Lynchburg in April, 1865. He was married, January 31, 1850, to Miss Synthia D., a daughter of William and Tabitha Gibson, natives of Russell County, Va. He was a sol- dier in the war of 1812, commanding bis regiment during that time. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson were of English descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Long nine children have been born: Mary T., Andrew A. (deceased), William G., Elizabeth E. (deceased), Charles N., James B .. and two died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. as also all the children. Mr. Long is a Democrat in polities. He served one term as county supervisor of Russell County, Va., polling the largest vote ever polled in the county. He has served as road overseer two years for Russell County, Va., being the most efficient overseer the county ever had. He was the youngest of five children of Andrew and Mary (Lytton) Long. natives of Russell County. Va. He was one of the most enterprising, successful farmers of his day, and was a very active Christian worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was considered a model man. His sister Anna
yours Respectfully CA. B. Bonneau
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married a Honaker, who died shortly afterward, and she lived a widow until her death. Mr. and Mrs. Long were of Dutch-English descent. Mr. Andrew Long died about 1831, aged about forty-one. Mr. Long died in 1860, aged about seventy-five years.
J. P. Lyle, farmer, was born in 1843 in Washington County, where he has since resided. He was educated in an academy, and when seventeen enlisted in Company D., Sixty third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry (Confederate), and was wounded in Virginia, and captured near Petersburg April 2, 1905, and taken to Fort Delaware, and retained until the close of the conflict. He has since been engaged in farming and brick-making. In 1870 he married Mary I., daughter of James Deakins, of this county. Their children are Rettie, Ralph D., James IL., John R., James B., Summers, Zed S. and Rosa C. He and his wife are Presbyterians, and he is a Democrat. His parents are John and Lucinda P. (Boring) Lyle, the former a brick-mason and now a man of considerable means. Joseph, the grandfather, died in his native State, Va. The mother was a daughter of Chainey Boring, one of the earliest settlers of this county, and she died in June, 1886.
J. F. Lyle, a meat merchant at Johnson City, and farmer in the Ninth District, was born in 1849 in Washington County. He was educated in the common schools. clerked in L. C. Hoss' general store at Knoxville for three years. He then engaged in farming two years, and then engaged in general merchandising at Morristown with D. Pence, the style of the firm being Pence & Lyle, where he remained three years. He sold his interest, and purchased the farm where he now resides. He opened up his meat store at Johnson City in January, 1887. He owns a fine farm of 192 acres where he now resides. He was married, in 1874, to Miss H. Bell Barton, a daughter of James and Mary (McFarland) Barton, natives of what is now Hamblen County. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyle one child has been born --- Mary L. Mr. and Mrs. Lyle are members of the Presby- terian Church, in which Mr. Lyle has been deacon four years. He is a Democrat in politics. He is an Odd Fellow. He received some property from his father, but has doubled what he received. He is the eighth of ten children of John and Lucinda (Boring) Lyle, natives of Virginia and Washington County, Tenn., respectively. Mr. Lyle came to Tennessee when thirteen years old.
William G. Mathes, cashier of the Jonesboro Banking & Trust Company, of Jones- boro, Washington Co., Tenn., and one of the most prominent young merchants and citi- zens of that place, was born at Washington College, Washington County, on October 24, 1854, and is the son of E. S. and Mary Jane (Bovell) Mathes. E. S. Mathes, the father, was born in Greenville, S. C., October 30, 1831, and is the son of Alexander Mathes. Jr. Alexander, the grandfather, was born at Washington College in 1800, and was the son of Alaxander Mathes, Sr., who was a native of Virginia, who immigrated to East Tennessee at a very early date, and was one of the pioneers of Washington County. When a young man, Alexander. Jr., removed to South Carolina, where he married O. W. Merritt, and . where two children were born. He then removed to Cocke County, Tenn., and then to Washington College, where he remained until his death, which occurred in April, 1885. He was quite prominent during his day, and filled numerous minor official positions, among which were those of county surveyor and justice of the peace. E. S. Mathes, the father, was reared at Washington College, and was educated in the college at that place. He resided at the above place until 1803, and then going through the Federal lines remained from the county until 1865; then located at Jonesboro, and filled the position of depot and express agent for the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway until 1871, and then removed to Washington College, where he now resides on the farm. He was married November 13, 1853, to Mary Jane Bovell. our subject's mother, who was born at Washington College April 9, 1833, and was the daughter of Dr. W. W. Bovell. a native of Washington County. Va. She was the great-granddaughter of Alexander Doak, the first president and the founder of Washington College, the oldest institution of learning west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was a native of Virginia, and immigrated to East Tennessee at a very early date. A history of this college may be found in another part of of this volume. The mother died in May, 1566. Our subject was reared at Washington College until 1864, when he went through the Federal lines to Knoxville, and remained
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until 1865; then returned to Washington College, and a few months later removed to Jonesboro. Ho secured a good academic education at Washington College, and in the schools of Jonesboro, and began life for himself in 1871 as deputy postmaster at Jonesboro, which position he filled until 1877. In 1874, while in the postoffice, he engaged in the grocery and produce business at Jonesboro, and is still engaged in that business, starting on $10) capital, for which he worked at $15 per month, and increasing and building up until he now has one of the leading mercantile establishments in Jonesboro, doing an average annual business of $40,000. He was one of the originators of the banking institution with which he is now connected, which was founded June 10, 1886, and of which he is a director, and was elected cashier from its organization. He is one of the most progressive and successful of Jonesboro's young citizens. He is broad and liberal in his views, always takes an interest in public affairs, and encourages all public enterprises of a worthy nature. He is full of energy and enterprise, and is universally esteemed and respected by his fellow citizens for his sterling worth and character. He was united in marriage on March 2, 1876, with Fannie C. Barrett, who was born in Richmond, Va., on August 31, 1853, and is the daughter of William S. Barrett. To this union two children have been bern, one of whom is dead. Both our subject and his wife are members of the church; he of the Presbyterian, and she of the Christian.
Ez. Salmon Mathes, farmer, was born in Greenville, S. C., October 13, 1831, the son of Alexander and Orpha Wood (Merritte) Mathes. The father was a native of Wash- ington County, Tenn., and was born August 29, 1800, the son of Alexander Mathes. Jr .. whose father bore the same name, and was born March 12, 1740, in Shenandoah Valley. Va. The last mentioned became the husband of Ann Leath, March 21, 1769, and moved to this county when it was a part of North Carolina (1782), and settled near Washington College, where he lived the life of a farmer, until his death in 1806. His wife was born March 8, 1749. Alexander, Jr., the grandfather, was born October 5, 1775, and July 16. 1790, married Isabella Ord. He was a farmer and lived near Washington College untit his death, February 12, 1865. The father was a tanner by trade and filled many positions of honor and trust; his grandfather, his father and himself, were successively ruling elders in Old Salem Presbyterian Church, and trustees of Washington College for over one hundred years; the father died February 14, 1884. The mother, Orpha ( Wood; Merritte. was born in Greenville, S. C., November 8, 1803, and was the daughter of Wheeten Merritte, whose father came to America with La Fayette. Her children's names were Alexander, Alfred H., our subject, Sarah I., William E. and John Shields. The mother died June 5, 1879. Our subject's parents were both Presbyterians. Our subject was educated at Washington College, and has followed farming and trading, and for some time was in the service of the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad Company. November 21, 1853, he married Mary J., a daughter of Dr. W. W. Bovell. She was born in this county, August 9, 1832; she died May 25, 1886. Their children are William G .. born October 24, 1854; Mary E., March 6, 1857; Jane Doak, April 2, 1853; Johu Alfred, August 20, 1861. Our subject is a Presbyterian; he is secretary of the board of trustees of Washington College, and is a Royal Arch Mason.
John A. Mathes, merchant, was born at Washington College, Tenn., August 20, 1961. the son of Ezekiel S. and Mary J. (Bovell) Mathes, who are mentioned in the sketch of W. G. Mathes. Our subject was educated at Washington College and Jonesboro, and then entered his brother's store, at the latter place. After clerking a year there. he became a merchant at Telford. He then went to California, and remained two years. but in 1885 returned, and became a partner of his brother, W. G., at Johnson City. The following year he traveled for A. J. Patterson's mills, of Bluff City, and in 1887 became a partner with Mr. Patterson in a wholesale grocery, grain and provision store, at John-eh City, the first wholesale store of the place. January 6, 1886, he married Lillie L., a daugh. ter of James M. Gentry. deceased. She was born in Ashe County, N. C., September s 1968. Her father was a prominent merchant of Johnson City from 1969 until 1950. Our subject is a Presbyterian, while his wife is a Methodist.
R. M. May, merchant, was born seven miles south of Jonesboro, February 20. 1.1.
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