USA > Tennessee > Notable men of Tennessee. Personal and genealogical, with portraits, Volume II > Part 6
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HUNSDON CARY, lawyer, of Memphis, Tenn., is a son of Col. Miles Cary, a native of Fluvanna county, Va., and his wife, Susan Wheatley, of Memphis, Tenn. Mr. Cary was born on his father's plantation, in Marshall county, Miss., on Aug. 3. 1842. There his father died, in 1843, and while yet an infant Mr. Cary re- moved with his mother to Memphis, and has resided there continuously for more than sixty years. Educated in the public and private schools of that city, Mr. Cary en- listed as a private soldier in Capt. John F. Cameron's com- pany, the "Young Guard," in April, 1861, and his company became a part of the Third Confederate infantry, whose first colonel was John S. Marmaduke, afterward a major-general in the Confederate service. Mr. Cary was promoted to be junior second lieutenant in Capt. Tom Newton's company of this same regiment. He was serving in this capacity at the battle of Shiloh, and was there seriously wounded, and sent to his home, at Memphis, for treatment. As a result of this wound, Mr. Cary was in very delicate health for a number of years. and did no active military service after that time, being hon- orably discharged. In 1866 Mr. Cary formed a partnership with John F. Cameron, his old captain, and engaged in the
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brokerage business for about a year. In 1867, he was ap- pointed deputy clerk of the United States district court for the district of West Tennessee, and so remained until 1869, having charge of the bankruptcy branch of the clerk's office. In 1869 he secured an appointment as notary public for Shelby county, and was appointed by the governors of a number of the states as commissioner of deeds, at Memphis, and for a number of years enjoyed a large and lucrative business along these lines. While so engaged Mr. Cary took up the study of law in his spare moments, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He then began practice as an attorney, and so continued until 1895, when he was elected cashier of the German bank, an institution having a capital stock of $600,000. Mr. Cary actively participated in the management of the bank's affairs until 1897, at which time the bank's charter expired, and he was selected by the board of directors to wind it up. He soon resumed his law practice, and, because of his aptitude and capacity in the line of commercial law, has drawn a large clientele to himself, and is now the attorney for a number of corporations, including three of the Memphis banks. Mr. Cary is vigorous and active, though sixty-two years of age, and no man in the community enjoys in a higher degree the affection, respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. In May, 1866, Mr. Cary was married to Miss Ellen Preston Rhea, a daughter of Matthew Rhea, of Fayette county, Tenn., and his wife, Mary Looney. From this union has sprung a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. One of these sons. Rhea Preston Cary, is, like his father, a lawyer, and now one of the most prominent of the younger members of the bar in Tennessee. Mr. Cary's family enjoys a large share in the esteem of the social world at Memphis. Mr. Cary comes from the noted Virginia family of that name, and is connected by blood with most of the historic families of that old common- wealth, including the Jeffersons. He is a Democrat in politics. and a member of the Church of the Strangers (Congrega- tional), being a deacon in that church.
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JOHN MANOGUE, president of the Manogue-Pidgeon Iron Company, has been a citizen of Memphis, Tenn., for nearly forty years, going there in 1866 to take a part in the develop- ment of the iron and steel industry, and making himself a part of Men- phis from his first introduction to the city. He was born in Ireland, in 1843. When twelve years of age he came to America, and located in Cin- cinnati, O. When sixteen years old, he entered the employ of the Swift Iron and Steel Company, of that city, then one of the largest firms of its kind in the West. By strict attention to business, he raised himself to positions of trust and honor while yet a young man. He was made the company's purchaser, and he never ceased his efforts until he had thoroughly mastered that branch of the business. to its smallest detail. When the war broke out, he entered the service, returning at the close of hostilities and resuming his work with Swift & Co. Foreseeing the possibilities of the iron trade in the South, the company decided to establish several branches in that section, and selected Mr. Manogue as the man- ager of the Memphis house. With characteristic energy, he pushed the business and made a successful establishment of the Memphis branch. After seven years' close attention to the affairs placed in his hands, Mr. Manogue purchased the in- terests of Swift & Co., and continued the business alone until 1886, when he disposed of the stock and interests and de- voted four years to travel and to the restoration of his health, which had become greatly impaired. In 1890 he formed the present company, associating with himself Mr. Pidgeon, who had been a valuable employe, and for fourteen years the firm has continued to grow and prosper, until it now ranks high among the iron concerns of the South, and as one of the solid manufacturing enterprises of Memphis. Mr. Manogue has given his undivided attention to the growing demands for iron products, and has had but little time to devote to politics,
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which have but small attraction for him beyond the point of urgent public interest.
WILLIAM MACON SMITH, at- torney, of Memphis, Tenn., was born near Boydton, Mecklenburg county, Va., May 8, 1830. His father, Rev. James Smith, a native of Georgia. was a minister of the Methodist church. His mother was Martha Ma- con, of Warren county, N. C. She was a niece of Nathaniel Macon, of North Carolina. In 1831 Mr. Smith's parents moved to Haywood county, Tenn., where his father died in 1837, but his mother lived to a good old age, dying in 1879. He was educated in the schools of Haywood and Madison counties, and at LaGrange college, Ala., entering the latter institution in 1845 and graduating in 18.48. Returning to Tennessee, he studied law with his brother, Thomas G. Smith, of Browns- ville, the county seat of Haywood county. In 1850 he entered the law department of Cumberland university, at Lebanon, Tenn., and graduated with the degree of LL. B. in June, 1851. Entering into partnership with his brother, he practiced law at Brownsville until 1860. In June, 1853. he was elected as a Whig to the legislature, being the youngest member of that body, and served one term, not seeking a re-election. In June, 1860, he was elected chancellor of the sixth chancery division of Tennessee, composed of the counties of Henry, Weakley, Obion, Gibson. Dyer, Lauderdale, Tipton, Fayette and Hay- wood. Judge Smith's opponents were Thomas J. Freeman, of Gibson county, afterward one of the judges of the supreme court of the state; John Somers, of Weakley county, then chancellor by appointment ; John W. Harris, of Fayette county, afterward chancellor; S. W. Cochran, of Obion county, and T. M. Steele, of Lauderdale county -- all able lawyers. Judge Smith he'd the courts until their suspension by the Civil war. In 1862 he was offered the appointment of judge of the com-
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mon law and chancery court at Memphis, by Andrew John- son, military governor of the state, but declined it. In 1864 he was again offered this appointment and accepted, holding it until 1867, when he was appointed chancellor of the chancery court. Later he was offered the appointment of judge of the supreme court, but declined the office. In 1869 he resigned the chancellorship and resumed the practice of law in Mem- phis. His firm, Smith & Trezevant, is one of the most prom- inent in the state. In 1880 Judge Smith was elected to the state senate as a Republican, with which party he is identified, and when the legislature met he was the choice of his party as their candidate for the speakership. During the contest for United States senator, he received the votes of the Republican members on several ballots, coming within a few votes of being elected. The Democrats held the legislature by a narrow mar- gin, having been seriously divided upon the question of the state debt. In JSS2 he was the Republican nominee for Con- gress in the Memphis district, but was defeated; and in 1890 was nominated as the party's candidate for judge of the su- preme court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Folkes. In early life Judge Smith was married to Miss Julia Taylor, of Fayette county, who died in 1894. Of the six chi? dren born to their marriage, but two are living, both resi- dents of Memphis. He subsequently married Miss Mattie Rives, who is now his wife. Judge Smith took no part in the Civil war, but was opposed to secession and continued a Union man to the end. Since the war he has been a Republican, politically, but of late years has not taken an active part in politics. In religion, he is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church South, of Memphis. Col. Josiah Patterson, one of the leading lawyers of the Memphis bar, says of Judge Smith: "When on the bench he gave satisfaction. He is a man of high personal honor and integrity, and a lawyer of great learning and discrimination. He is not an advocate, but a modest, unassuming gentleman, who enjoys the confidence of all, especially the bar in Memphis."
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JOHN T. FARGASON has been a wholesale grocer and cotton factor in Memphis, Tenn., since 1859. and is one of the substantial citizens of the city. He commenced trade at 328-330 Front street, and in 1872 erected the large building at 369 . Front street, extending through to Clinton, in which he has since con- ducted his business. He is essentially a business man, and his trade has steadily increased since he opened his doors. His house is one of the largest of its kind in the South, but he has found time to interest himself in numerous institu- tons, financial and industrial. and takes great interest in the agricultural possibilities of the state. He is one of the few who, looking back over a long commercial life, can say he never had an account passed or a note renewed. His house has formed connections all over the cotton country, of which Memphis is the center, and the supplies shipped from the im- mense warehouse of this firm go to feed an army of people. Mr. Fargason has been connected with the National Bank of Commerce ever since its organization, in 1873; has been a director and is president of that institution. He is the resi- dent vice-president of the American Surety Company, of New York, a director of several other concerns, and is and has been president of the Memphis Trust Company since its organiza- tion, in 1892. In addition to his commercial affairs, he is heavily interested in real property, owning large plantations in Mississippi and Tennessee. One of these is Clover Hill, in Mississippi, seventy miles south of Memphis, a cotton planta- tion of 3.200 acres. He feels a laudable pride in the perfec- tion to which he has brought all the arrangements of this place, it returning a profit on the money invested at times when other planters are complaining of hard times and no returns, the high state of cultivation and system in vogue proving winning Methoals. Some ten miles from Clover Hill is another cotton plantation, the Richland place of 3.000 acres, which is con-
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ducted on the same business principles. But the place in which Mr. Fargason finds special pleasure is the Eylau stock farm, 2,700 acres in extent, located in Lauderdale county, Tenn., fifty-eight miles north of Memphis, on the Illinois Central railroad, and devoted exclusively to the breeding of blooded stock. The land is adapted to the growth of grasses and grains, and large herds of pure-bred Hereford cattle and fine trotting and pacing horses range over the great pastures. There is a three-quarter mile training track on the place, one of the fastest and best-equipped in the South. The most modern improvements and methods have been introduced here, and it is a model stock farm in all respects. Mr. Fargason was born in Chambers county, Ala., Jan. 29, 1835, and was edu- cated in the common schools of his native place. His father was prominent as a planter, and all his ancestors were planters. In 1859 he was married to Sarah A. Marsh, of New York city, and they had four children: William, now dead; Mary, Edward, now dead. and John T .. Jr., the latter of whom is interested in many of the enterprises built up by his father, and is an able assistant to his father in the general conduct of business.
- HU L. BRINKLEY, who passed away Jan. 7, 1904, in the fulness of his years, was one of those men who helped to give to Memphis, Tenn., the proud place which she holds in the commercial world. He was born in Davidson county, near Nashville, in 1842. The same fall his parents re- moved to Memphis, where the son was educated and passed his life, cx- cept for a few years devoted to travel. His primary education was supplemented by a course at Charlottesville, Va. Having in- herited ample means to enable him to take hold of large enter- prises, Mr. Brinkley took a large contract, in 1870, for com- pleting the Little Rock & Memphis railway, on the line of
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which there was a gap between Duvall's Bluff and Brinkley. Ark., the latter place being named for his father. That was Mr. Brinkley's first venture. It was largely due to his efforts that the Memphis. Choctaw. Oklahoma & Gulf road, as it was called at the time, was built into the city. He was a sub- scriber to the stock, and in other ways aided in the success of the enterprise. He organized the Belt Line road, which has proved very beneficial to the city, interesting the Gould in- terests in the plan when it seemed it must fail. In 1894 he built the Lyceum theater, in Memphis, and was its controlling spirit. He figured prominently but unselfishly in politics in his city and state. In 1867 he was elected to the city council, and in ISTS was sent to the legislature as an independent. favoring the repcal of the Memphis city charter, at the time of the city's darkest days, when such a course proved the solu- tion of as intricate a problem as ever vexed a municipality. In 1895 he was elected to the senate, and while serving there he offered a resolution submitting to the people a vote on the question of holding a constitutional convention. The resolu- tion carried, but the people declined to vote in favor of it. In 1894 he was appointed a member of the fire and police com- mission, of Memphis, serving part of a term. afterward being twice chosen and serving until 1902. He was a promoter of big undertakings. At the time of his death he had it in mind to erect a large hotel, at the corner of Second and Court streets, and it was his ambition to finally put up a "sky- scraper" for an office building, at Madison and Main streets, an architect being at work on the plans at the time. For forty years he had occupied an office at 38 Madison street, where his father in his time conducted a law office. Mr. Brinkley was one of a prominent family. His father was R. C. Brink- ley, and was a prominent attorney of the city for many years. He was twice married, the mother of Hu L. Brinkley being Anne Overton, the daughter of Judge John Overton, the founder of Memphis, and sister of the late Col. John Overton. of Nashville, one of Tennessee's most prominent men. In July. 1889. Hu L. Brinkley was married to Miss Lucy V. Mosby. of Memphis, who died the following year. He remained
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true to her memory, never having remarried. Of him the Commercial-Appeal, of Memphis, said: "In the death of Hu 1 ... Brinkley, which occurred yesterday, Memphis sustains the loss of one of its most public-spirited citizens, his family a kind and loving member, and his friends one whose loyalty never flagged and whose companionship was delightful at all times. He was one of the stanchest champions in the state of a constitutional convention, and probably gave more money to the campaign of education on that subject than any man in the state. Hu L. Brinkley was a large and constant giver to charities, both private and public. Money had not made him sordid nor chilled the genial currents of his soul. His car was ever attuned to the pleading voice of distress, and out of his plenty he gave liberally. His private charities were numerous ; his larger beneficiaries are the Anne Brinkley home and the Lucy Brinkley hospital, the former named for his mother and the latter for his wife. His private charities cover an area of distress too great to be particularized here, but suffice it to say that if every heart made glad by the benefactions of Hu L. Brinkley could be turned into stone there would be enough to erect an enduring monument to his memory. In him there was indeed a singular blend of the dreamer and the prac- tical man of affairs. He had his weaknesses, as other men have, but nothing small or mean could ever be attributed to him. He was happy in the love of his friends. Sorrow came to him, and he went in spirit through the Valley of the Shadow, but the larger hope of which his favorite poet speaks always visited him in his dark hours and gave him glimpses of the light shining beyond. Firm in the Christian faith, he was ready to meet the last summons and pass through the 'Gate of Dreams.'" He was named for Judge H. L. White. an uncle of his mother, who was United States senator from Tennessee prior to 1836. Judge White was the Whig candi- date for the presidency in 1836, at the time Van Buren was elected. Mr. Brinkley was a member of the Episcopal church. and belonged to the Tennessee club and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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WEST J. CRAWFORD, president of the- Commercial Publishing Com- pany, of Memphis, Tenn., was born in Madison county, Miss., in Novem- ber. 1844. He lived in Vicksburg until fifteen years of age, attending the schools of that city, and prepar- ing for the duties of life. When about fifteen his parents removed to Memphis, in which city he has since lived, except during his term of serv- ice in the army. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Fourth Tennessee infantry, and served with his regiment until paroled at Meridian, Miss., on May 12, 1865. He was in the engagements at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dalton, New Hope, Marietta. Kenesaw Mountain, Pineville, Peach Tree Creek, and at Atlanta on July 22, 18644. After the war, he returned to Memphis and went into the cotton business, and was so engaged from 1865 to 1900, rising from cotton shipper to one of the most prominent cotton firms in the state. He is a director in the Phoenix Fire and Marine Insurance Company, of the Merchants' Cotton Press and Storage Com- pany and the Manhattan Savings Bank and Trust Company. From 1885 to 1887 Mr. Crawford was president of the Mem- phis Cotton Exchange.
WILLIAM CARROLL, one of the early governors of Ten- nessee, was born near Pittsburg, Pa., March 3. 1788. Op- portunities to acquire an education in his youthful days were somewhat limited, and at the age of twenty-two years, with a meager education and a small capital. he went to Nashville. where he opened a nail store, the first in Tennessee. The undertaking proved a success, and in a comparatively short time he was on the high road to prosperity. Young Carroll had a decided inclination toward a military career, and there- fore became a member of the state militia, of which Andrew Jackson, afterward president of the United States, was com-
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mander-in-chief. In 1812 Carroll became captain of the Nash- ville Uniform Volunteers, and shortly afterward General Jackson appointed him brigadier-inspector and a little later major of militia. When Jackson was made a general in the regular army, in 1814. Carroll succeeded him as major-general of the militia. While serving as major he got into a difficulty with Jesse Benton, and the result was a duel, in which Gen- eral Jackson acted as Major Carroll's second. Benton was wounded, and the affair led to another duel, with Thomas H. Benton. This second duel resulted in a coolness between Car- roll and Jackson, who had been such warm friends. But when Carroll distinguished himself by his bravery in the Creek war, and his gallant conduct in the battle of New Orleans, the old amicable relations were renewed, for it was not in "Old Hickory's" nature to hold malice against a brave and honor- able man because of some personal matter. After the war of 1812 was over, General Carroll became the owner of the first steamboat ever registered at Nashville. This boat was named the Andrew Jackson, a fitting tribute to his old friend and comrade in arms. In 1821 he was elected governor of Ten- nessee, and was re-elected in 1823 and again in 1825. Hav- ing held the office for three terms, he was ineligible for the candidacy in 1827, but two years later he was again elected governor, and was again twice re-elected, making six terms in all that he held the office. In spite of the constitutional provisions, he allowed himself to be nominated for a fourth term, in 1835, but the people would not endorse such a viola- tion of the organic law, and he was defeated by Newton Can- non. During his administration the state made rapid strides forward. Important changes were made in the judiciary; a court of chancery was established; the militia was reorganized on a firmer basis; brutal punishments for petty crimes and mis- demeanors were abolished, and a system of state internal im- provements was inaugurated. It was during his administra- tion that the second constitutional convention was called. Gov- ernor Carroll died March 22, 1844. Carroll county, which bears his name, and the inscription on his monument, tell the story of his life and character : "As a gentleman he was
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modest, intelligent, accomplished; as an officer he was ener- getic, gallant. daring; and as a statesman he was wise and just."
ALBERT S. CALDWELL, senior member of the firm of Caldwell & Smith, investment bankers, of Mem- phis, Tenn., is one of that city's busy men. He was born in Washington, D. C., in 1854. When he was about seven years of age his family removed to Indianapolis. Ind., where he made his home until 1882, receiving his early education in the public schools of that city, followed by a course at Racine college. graduating from the latter institution in 1874. He then took up the study of law; was admitted to the bar in 1876; commenced its practice in Indianapolis, where he remained until June, 1882; then re- moved to Vicksburg. Miss., and engaged in investment bank- ing as a member of the firm of Francis Smith & Co. This firm's name was subsequently changed to Francis Smith, Cald- well & Co., and was removed to Memphis in January. 1886. and was succeeded by the firm of Caldwell & Smith, which has continued in business to the present time. Mr. Caldwell is an active man, and has identified himself with a number of companies and industries. In 1892 he organized the Delta Cot- ton Company, of which he is, and has been from the first, the president and chief stockholder. This company has built up one of the greatest cotton trades in Memphis, handling in the neighborhood of 50,000 bales in a season. He is president of the Rosedale Compress Company, operating at Rosedale, Miss .. one of the most complete compress plants in the state. He is interested in and vice-president of the Memphis & Arkansas City Packet Company; president of the Ashley Company, of Louisiana. dealing extensively in real estate; is president of the Tennessee Granite Brick Company, which manufactures sand-lime brick in Memphis. Tenn .; is a director in the Mer-
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cantile bank, of Memphis, and the Factors' Insurance Com- pany. The Ashley Company ( limited), of which he is presi- dent, owns nearly 70,000 acres of land in Louisiana. Mr. Caldwell is individually engaged in cotton growing as well. With all these interests in hand. Mr. Caldwell finds time to devote to social duties and entertains extensively at his home named "Baldaur," one of the largest and most elegant homes in the South. He was for some years president of the Ten- nessee club, the leading social organization of Memphis, and also for some years president of the Country club. He is now president of the Memphis Driving Park club, a country club. at which are.located the golf links. He belongs to no secret order, but is a member of the Episcopal church. In politics, he is a Democrat, takes an active interest in the welfare of his party, and is ever ready to advance the principles which that party advocates.
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