USA > Tennessee > Notable men of Tennessee. Personal and genealogical, with portraits, Volume I > Part 21
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ber of the Royal Arcanum and the Woodmen of the World. In 1876 he was married to Miss Laura Bronson, of Sparta, and nine children have been born to this union, viz .: Jessie, Bailey, Lula, Otis (deceased), Leslie E., Claude E., James R., Leon and Catharine.
WILLIAM EMMERSON DOO- LITTLE, proprietor of the East Sparta Saw and Planing Mills, at Sparta, Tenn., was born in the State of Vermont, Oct. 22, 1830. He is a son of Willard and Sophia (Babcock) Doolittle, the former born in Ver- mont, Aug. 29, 1805, the latter in Massachusetts, Feb. 24, 1803. In 1846 they removed to Loudonville, O., and in 1850 to Hayesville, O., where he died Dec. 21, 1856, and his wife died at Mansfield, O., May 13, 1891. They had four children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. The others were Lucius Onslo, born Dec. 27, 1832, a captain in the Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infantry during the Civil war, and now living in Mansfield, O .; Gilbert Willard, born Oct. II, 1834, died in Mansfield, Jan. 23, 1853; Mandana Eliza, born Aug. 27, 1840, married Aug. 4, 1869, to Rev. David Nelson Lyon, a missionary at Soo-Chow, China. The paternal grandfather, Origin Doolittle, was born at Warwick, Mass., Jan. 20, 1773. On June 19, 1796, he was married to Hannah Barber, and in 1854 removed to Lamoille, Ill., where he died, Feb. 26, 1856, and she on July 8, 1858. William E. Doolittle was educated in the public schools and at Townshend academy, in his native state. Up to 1848, he was engaged in farm- ing; then was clerk in a general store up to the spring of 1850. When the gold fever was high he went with a com- pany from Wooster, O., March II, via Wellesville, O., then on steamboat via the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers to St. Joseph, Mo., thence, April Io. crossing the river and by land via Forts Kearney, Laramie and Hall, entering into
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California June 28, at Weavertown; thence, in July, landed at Cigar Bar, on the Yuba river, eighteen miles above Marysville, and he worked in the gold mines there until November. Starting home via San Francisco, he took ship for Panama, but left the ship at Realego, thence across the country to Granada, on Lake Nicaragua; thence by boat to Greytown and Chagres, where he took steamship to New York, arriv- ing Feb. 18, 1851 ; thence home March 3, to Hayesville, O. On Dec. 18, 1851, he was married to Mary June Yarnell, born May 1, 1833, who died Jan. 26, 1879. By this marriage he had the following children: Merrick Eugene, born May 5, 1853, died Oct. 10, 1878; Eva Idella, died in infancy, and Nettie Aurella, born Nov. 16, 1858. In the spring of 1868 he removed to a point near Sumner, Ill., with a saw-mill; thence in 1871 moved into the Buchanan neighborhood, six miles south of Lawrenceville, where Merrick Eugene died, Oct. 10, 1878, and his wife also later. Nettie Aurella married James Hicks Buchanan, and they are still living in the locality in which they married. On June 10, 1880, Mr. Doolittle mar- ried his second wife, Mrs. Phoebe Ellen Passmore, born May II, 1843, and by this marriage had one child, Mattie Y., born April 6, 1881. In May, 1881, Mr. Doolittle removed to Ten- nessee, locating near Sparta, and engaged in saw-milling, where he has been engaged in the lumber trade ever since, his family following him in November of the same year; he resided in dif- ferent places in White county until 1895, when he moved to East Sparta and has since been a resident of that place. He added to his saw-mill a planing-mill, which enabled him to furnish building lumber and to do contracting on some build- ings, among which was the court house at Sparta. He has also finished many business rooms in Sparta, adding tables, book-cases and various other work called for. Mr. Doolittle has seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He and wife and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is active in church work and has been superin- tendent of the Sunday school for years. Mattie Y. is now successfully teaching elocution and physical culture.
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JAMES DIBRELL, of Sparta, Tenn., son of Gen. George G. and Mary E. (Leftwich) Dibrell, was born in White county, Tenn., Jan. 8, 1852. His father was a noted general in the Confederate army during the Civil war, and is mentioned in another part of this work. James was educated in the Nourse academy, at Sparta, after which he was a clerk for his father for four years. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1899, when he embarked in the grocery business, though he still owns a fine farm six miles north of Sparta. He is a Democrat, politically; but, although active at times, prefers his business to the chances of political preferment, and is there- fore not an office-seeker. Mr. Dibrell is a member of the Knights of Honor. He has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united in 1874, was Miss Dora Jett, and by this wife he had one child, Mary. Mrs. Dibrell died in 1881, and in 1892 he was married to Miss Anna Jett, a cousin to his first wife. To this second marriage there has been born one daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. Dibrell and his family live in Sparta. where he is recognized as one of the solid and pro- gressive business men of the city.
HON. ELIPHALET JARVIS, a prominent attorney of Sparta, Tenn., is a descendant of old and honored North Carolina families who were among the pioneers of White county, Tenn. His paternal grandparents, John and Malinda (Rose) Jarvis, settled in the county in the early part of the nineteenth century, and there followed farming all their lives. The maternal grandfather, Benjamin Sapp, married a Miss Holifield and came to the county about the same time as the Jarvises. The father of the subject of this sketch, Reziah Jarvis, was born in North Carolina before the family came to Ten- nessee. His wife, Margaret Sapp, was born in White county. He was a prominent Democrat in his lifetime, and his wife was a member of the Methodist church. He died at the age of seventy-five years, and she at the age of seventy-six. They had six children, four of whom are living. The subject was born in White county. Jan. 14. 1850; was educated in the common schools and at the Cumberland institute, studied law
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with W. J. Fariss, of Sparta, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1875. Since then he has been in constant practice at Sparta, and is one of the leading lawyers of Eastern Ten- nessee. Mr. Jarvis has taken an active part in politics for many years, as a member of the Democratic party. He has served on the school board of Sparta, and has been alder- man and mayor of the city. In 1887-89 he was a member of the state senate, and from 1895 to 1899 was a member of the lower branch of the legislature, and was a member of the committee to settle the Evans-Turney gubernatorial contest. In 1897 he was the author of the Jarvis law, regulating the payment of costs in criminal cases, and in 1899-1900 was d member of the senate committee on judicial reform. Mr. Jarvis is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the lodge, chapter and council, and has held the office of high priest. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He was married on Dec. 28, 1875, to Miss Mary E. Gilliland, of White county, and they have had born to them the following children: Alonzo E., John Z., William R., Ernest, Esten Lee and Laura Alice. All are living except Ernest.
T. J. LANCE, of Sparta, Tenn., sheriff of White county, is a native of the county, having been born there, Nov. 27, 1850. His parents, John and Polly (Hickey) Lance, were both na- tives of the county. She was a daughter of Sandy Hickey, one of the early settlers. John Lance and his wife had three sons, all of whom are living. He died in 1856, and his widow afterward married Jeff. Russell, by whom she had five children, four living at the present time. She died in 1880. The sub- ject of this sketch attended the common schools in his boy- hood and then took up the business of farining for a livelihood. Ever since he became a voter he has taken an interest in public questions and in the welfare of the Democratic party, with which he cast his political fortunes. He served several terms as constable, and in 1888 was made sheriff of the county. Since then he has been twice re-elected, and holds the office at
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the present time. Mr. Lance is one of the best-known men in the county, and owes his election as much to his personal popu- larity as to his party affiliations. His re-election is due in a large degree to his careful administration of the affairs of the office and to his courtesy to the people of the county who happen to have business with the sheriff. Mr. Lance has never married.
WILLIAM F. TITTSWORTH, of Sparta, Tenn., tax col- lector of White county, was born in DeKalb county, Tenn., Jan. 11, 1864. His parents were Frederick and America (Cantrell) Tittsworth, both born in DeKalb county. During the Civil war the father served in the Confederate army. He died in DeKalb county, June 9, 1864. The mother is still liv- ing, and now resides in Warren county. They had five chil- dren, three of whom are yet living. The paternal grand- father was Richard Tittsworth, a native of Virginia, and one of the pioneers of DeKalb county. The maternal grandfather, Watson Cantrell, was also a Virginian by birth, and came to DeKalb county at an early date. William F. was educated in the common schools, at Short Mountain academy, at Burritt college, of Spencer, and at Doyle college. He went to college when he was twenty-eight years of age, having prior to that time been engaged in farming. After leaving college he taught school for about ten years, and in 1902 was elected to the office he now holds. Mr. Tittsworth is a Democrat, politically, and is always ready to stand up for his political convictions. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belongs to the Daughters of Rebekah. He was married, in 1885, to Miss Mary Florence, daughter of John and Tabitha (Norris) Walker, of White county. Her father was a son of Samuel Walker and was born in DeKalb county, and her maternal grandfather was Avey Norris, a native of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Tittsworth have had seven children, viz .: John B., Virgil E., Ulysses (deceased), Otha, Bethel, Zettie Florence and Hattie Low. Besides his business of tax collector, Mr. Tittsworth is engaged in farming, and owns a fine farın eight miles west of Sparta.
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WILLIAM ELLISON CULLUM, of the law firm of Cullum & Kannard, Dickson, Tenn., is a native of Dick- son county, having been born there, June 2, 1863. He is a son of Dr. John IJ. and Virginia (Anderson) Cullum, the former a native of Cheatham county, Tenn., and the lat- ter of the State of Indiana. His paternal grandfather, G. F. Cullum, was born in Buncombe county, N. C., there married a Miss Hooper, and came to Dickson county about 1850. The father of the Miss Hooper mentioned was John Hooper, a native of North Caro- lina, who was one of the early settlers of Cheatham county. On the maternal side Mr. Cullum's grandfather was Dr. W. G. Anderson, a native of Kentucky, but who spent the most of his life in Davidson county, Tenn., where he was a promi- nent physician. For a time he lived in the State of Illinois, where he served in the legislature. He died in the city of Nashville, where he was a wealthy land and slave owner. Dr. John H. Cullum was one of the leading physicians of Dick- son county in his day, and at the time of his death was the company physician for the Warner Iron Company. Politically, he was a Democrat; served a number of years as school director; was nominated for the legislature but withdrew from the ticket. During the war he served in the Confederate army until sickness compelled his resignation. He was twice mar- ried. Of the four children by his first marriage, two are living. His first wife died in 1876, and he married Bettie Hamlett, a native of Virginia, and by her had seven children, three of whom survive. He died in 1892, and his second wife in 1900. William E. Cullum received his education in the common schools and at Cloverdale academy. and studied law with Col. T. C. Morris, of Charlotte, now of Dickson, and was admitted to the bar in 1882, when but nineteen years old. Since his admission he has practiced in Hickman county and at Dickson, where he resides. About eleven months were
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spent in Los Angeles, Cal., in the year 1903. He was the first city attorney of Dickson, serving two years, and is now the attorney for the Fidelity Deposit Company, a surety bond company, of Baltimore, Md., as well as several other corpora- tions. For a time he was in partnership with W. L. Grigsby, who had served on the circuit bench, and also on the supreme bench by appointment of Governor McMillin, during the illness of Judge McCallister. Later he was a partner of W. B. Leach, who for several years was one of the attorneys-general of Ten- nessee. Mr. Cullum is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a Woodman of the World, and a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. In politics, he is a Democrat, but prefers to practice his profession instead of holding public office. He was married, in 1883, to Miss Katie L. George, a daughter of Edwin George, of Dickson. He was one of the early settlers of the town, coming from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Cullum have three children living and one deceased. Their names are Gordon W., Roy C., Clinton (deceased), and Hazel L. Mr. Cullum is a Presbyterian and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM THOMAS KAN- NARD, junior member of the law firm of Cullum & Kannard, Dickson, Tenn., was born in the State of Ken- tucky, Jan. 26, 1874, and is a son of David A. and Matilda (Scott) Kannard, the former a native of Ten- nessee and the latter of Kentucky. In 1885 the family came to Tennes- see, settling first near Waverly, but later removed to Dickson county, where they still reside, and where the father is one of the prosperous farmers of the county. They have two sons, the subject of this sketch and George W., now in the furniture and upholstering business at Dickson, Tenn. Mr. Kannard's paternal grandparents were George Washington and Cynthia (Haines) Kannard. He was a native of Georgia,
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a farmer by occupation, fought in the war of ISI2, and ended his days near Chattanooga. His wife was a native of Vir- ginia and passed the last days of her life in Kentucky. The maternal grandfather was George Washington Scott, a na- tive of Indiana, but lived the greater part of his life in Ken- tucky. But little is known of his antecedents. During the Civil war the father of Mr. Kannard was employed by the Confederate government. William T. Kannard was educated at Edgewood Normal school, graduating in 1894, after which he took up the study of law in the office of W. C. Shelton and H. C. Rudolph, at Erin. Tenn. In 1898 he was admitted to the bar and for the next two years practiced at Erin. He then came to Dickson and was associated with Capt. T. L. Lanier until the death of the latter, in 1903, when he formed a partnership with W. E. Cullum, which still exists. `The firm of Cullum & Kannard occupies a high position at the Dickson county bar, some of the leading firms and corporations being among their clients. Mr. Kannard served as city attorney of Dickson for two terms, and refused a third term. He is a Democrat in politics and takes a keen interest in all questions pertaining to public policy, especially those relating to local matters. In 1902 Mr. Kannard led to the altar Miss Minnie Beasley, of Humphreys county, Tenn., and two sons, Kenneth and Carlos, have come to bless the union. Mr. Kannard is a Knight of Pythias, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His wife belongs to the Christian church. He is a Christian gentleman and an able lawyer.
JUDGE W. F. STORY, one of the leading lawyers of Sparta, Tenn., is a descendant of Sir Thomas Story, who came over to America with William Penn. He was born in Fentress county, Tenn., Dec. 20, 1846, his parents being Noah W. and Catharine ( Woolsey) Story, the former born in North Carolina, in 1809, and the latter in Tennessee. Judge Story's paternal grandfather was Joshua Story, who came to Tennes- see about 1811, settled on Wolf river, in Fentress county, and . died there. He married a Miss Lewis while living in North
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Carolina. On the maternal side the grandparents were Jere- miah and Mary ( Beaty) Woolsey, the former a native of Ken- tucky. They both died in Fentress county. Judge Story's father was a farmer, an active Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. They had eight chil- dren, four yet living. He died March 30, 1879, and his wife in August, 1885. W. F. Story was educated in the common schools and at the Nourse seminary, of Sparta. He then read law with Colonel Colis, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. He soon won a high position at the bar, and has been in active practice at Sparta ever since his admission. In Septem- ber, 1885, he was appointed the first county judge of White county; held the office until the election a year later, when he was elected for a term of eight years. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and takes an active part in the political affairs of his county and state. He is also interested in farming, owning 365 acres of land near Sparta. Judge Story has associated with him Harry Camp, born in White county in 1875, educated at Burritt college, admitted to practice in May, 1901, and one of the rising young attorneys of White county. Mr. Camp is a Mason, a Democrat, and has served as superintendent of public instruction. Judge Story was married, in 1878, to Miss Hattie E. Cole, a niece of his old preceptor, Colonel Colms, a prominent attorney and a colonel in the Confederate army. To Mr. and Mrs. Story there have been born seven children : Mary, deceased; John W., Joseph E., deceased; Mabel, Lucile. Edna and William F., Jr. The parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church until it went down, and since then Mrs. Story has been a Methodist.
JEFFERSON LEFTWICH DIBRELL, manager of the Bonair Coal and Iron Company, of Sparta, Tenn., was born in White county, of that state, April 14, 1856. He is a son of Gen. George G. Dibrell, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was educated in the common schools and at the Nourse seminary, of Sparta. At the age of fourteen years he took service with a wholesale notion house, in Nashville, and re- mained with the firm until he reached his majority. The last
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three years of that time he was employed as a traveling sales- man, and was generally known as the "Kid of the Road." When he was twenty-one he went to Texas, and remained in -- that state for two years, when he returned to Tennessee and became interested in the mining business. In 1886 the Bonair Coal, Iron and Lumber Company was organized, with John C. Brown as president and Mr. Dibrell occupying a place near the bottom. Two years later, in company with J. M. Overton, : > leased the property of the company and organized the Bonair Coal and Coke Company, with Mr. Overton as president and himself as superintendent. In 1902 a consolidation was effected with the Buffalo Iron Company, under the corporate name of the Bonair Coal and Iron Company, and Mr. Dibrell became manager. Besides his mining interests, he is president of the People's bank, of Sparta; a stockholder in the knitting mills; the Farmers' Mill and Elevator Company; the electric light company; and is chairman of the state board of examiners for mine foremen. Mr. Dibrell is a Democrat, in politics, takes an active interest in both local and state matters, and is a mem- ber of the governor's staff. He is a member of the Knights of Fythias, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Honor, the Nash- ville lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a Council Mason. He was married, Aug. 29, 1879. to Miss Anna Cora Taylor, daughter of John D. Taylor, a noted steam- boat man of Sparta. They have three children: William F. Dibrell, educated at Webb's college, at Bellbuckle, and a grad- uate of the law department of the University of Tennessee, now superintendent of the Eastland mines, Eastland, Tenn .; Frances Jane, educated at Martha Washington college, Abing- don, Va., the Randolph-Macon college, Lynchburg, Va., and married in 1904 to James M. Durrett, a banker, of Spring- field, Tenn .; and Catharine, now a student at Ward's seminary. Both parents and children are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church South, in which Mr. Dibrell is a steward.
SAMUEL L. TAYLOR, postmaster at Bonair, Tenn., was born in White county, Tenn., July 10, 1867, his parents being John D. and F. E. J. (Price) Taylor. His paternal grand-
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father, Isaac E. Taylor, was born in Virginia, Dec. 11, 1781. While still in his boyhood, he came to White county, where he held the office of surveyor some years later and surveyed nearly all the land in White and adjoining counties. He was also sheriff of the county as long as he would consent to hold the office; served two terms in the legislature, at Knoxville, one at Murfreesboro, and one or two terms after the capital was located at Nashville. He was appointed by the legislature to run the southern boundary line of the state. On Dec. 19, 1813, he was married to Margaret Gleason, a native of Alexandria, Va., and they had eight children, viz .: Louisa, Adrien, John D., Ann E., Mary Ross, Altamira, Thomas E. and Isaac. He died in June, 1854, and his wife in 1865. John D. Taylor, father of the subject of the sketch, was born Feb. 3, 1819, and died July 9, 1894. Before the war he was the owner of several steamboats, plying on the Cumberland and Mississippi rivers, and was captain of one of them. During the war he suf- fered considerable loss by the burning of some of his boats by the Federal troops. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. She died in 1876. They had six children : Isaac, John D., Margaret C., Annie C., Frederick R. and Samuel L. Samuel L. Taylor was educated in the public schools, and began his business career as clerk for the Bonair Coal Company. After being with this company for three years, he went to Tullahoma and opened a jewelry store, which he conducted successfully for about six years, when he returned to the coal company as store- keeper. Since 1898 he has held that position, and in October, 1903, was appointed postmaster. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellow's, both subordinate lodge and encampment, the Tullahoma Na- tional Union and the Knights of Pythias. He and wife be- long to the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married, Dec. 19, 1888, to Miss Mary Addie Carroll, of Sparta, Tenn., and they have three children: Carroll Douglass. Annie Dib- rell and Samuel L., Jr.
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HORATIO CLAGETT, president of the First National bank, of Cen- terville, Tenn., was born in Hick- man county, Tenn., Jan. 17, 1819, and is now one of the oldest resi- dents of the county. His parents, Horatio and Rebecca (Gantt) Clagett, were both born in Prince George county, Md., he in 1779 and she in 1786, and in 1816 they came in a wagon to Hickman county, where he died in 1866 and she ten years later. Of their ten children, five were born in Maryland, and the other five in Hickman county, the subject of this sketch being the only one now living. The father was a Whig before the war, and was firmly opposed to secession. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Horatio Clagett, Jr., was educated in the old log school-house of pioneer days, and at the age of eighteen went into partnership with his brother, W. G. Clagett, in the business of merchandizing, at Centerville. This partnership continued until 1887, covering a period of fifty years. During the war the firm suffered severe losses, but both before and since did a successful business. On Jan. 1, 1885, Mr. Clagett, in company with other promi- nent citizens, organized the First National bank, of Centerville, Tenn., and he was unanimously elected president, holding the office by re-election until the present time. In early life he was a Whig, but since the war has affiliated with the Demo- cratic party. For forty years he was coroner of Hickman county, and for over sixty years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is also a Free Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Sons of Temperance. He was married, on Nov. 1, 1846, to Elizabeth J. Montgomery, and from this marriage the descendants number nearly two score. The children of Horatio and Elizabeth J. Clagett are Matilda, Mary Jane, Laura Elizabeth, Annie Sothron, John Horatio, Robert M., William George and Rebecca Gantt, the last-named being deceased. Matilda married John P. Broom, a
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