USA > Tennessee > Sketches of prominent Tennesseans. Containing biographies and records of many of the families who have attained prominence in Tennessee > Part 48
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During the latter part of the war Capt. Bearden or- ganized a body of men and protected the cotton in a large section of the country from persons who were trying to get it away before the arrival of the Federal troops, who expecting to find it would probably have laid waste the country if disappointed in what they regarded as war booty. Hearing that the planters would be held accountable for all of the cotton that ought to be in that region, Capt. Bearden and the men whom he drew around him, protected it until the ar- rival of the Federals and thus saved many plantations from pillage and destruction. At the close of the war he went to Meridian, Mississippi, to get his parole, and was pressed into service by the Federal commander to assist in preparing paroles, and made them out for nearly five thousand Confederate soldiers. His twin brother. Edwin R. Bearden, who was a lieutenant in his com- pany, and had commanded it at Chickamauga, where he was severely wounded, was with him on this occasion, and was also pressed into the same service of paroling Confederates.
Capt. Bearden returned to Petersburg, Tennessee, after the war was over, and being in very poor health took to doing all sorts of hard work, such as cutting and hauling wood, in hope of restoring his health. In the latter part of 1866, he moved to Shelbyville and assisted Maj. Randolph in Dixon Academy several months, teaching a part of each day and spending the rest of his time reading law in the office of Samuel Whitthorne, Esq. Early in 1867 he was admitted to the bar by Judge Henry Cooper and Chancellor Steele, and at once began practice in partnership with Mr. Whitthorne, continuing with him a little more than a year, since which time he has practiced alone, always doing a large business and leading a very active life.
Previous to the war all of C'apt. Bearden's political predilections were in favor of the Whig party ; in later years he has been a Democrat, but never an "offensive partisan." He has been chairman of the Bedford county Democratic executive committee, has presided at numerous political meetings and attended various conventions, but while taking a lively interest in poli ties, and freely expressing his opinions on whatever
questions came up, he has steadily refused to become a candidate for any office whatever, though often solic- ited to do so.
Capt. Bearden became a Mason in Mississippi during the war, and was made a Royal Arch Mason, under a special dispensation from the grand Masonie bodies of Mississippi, about one month after he was twenty-one years old. He became High Priest of Tannehill Chap ter, No. 10, R. A. M., at Shelbyville, about. 1870, and held the position for ten years. He became a Knight Templar in Murfreesborough Commandery, No. 10, in 1877, and attended the Triennial Conclave of the order at Chicago in 1880. He has taken a great interest in Masonry, and has collected many rare and valuable books on that subject.
C'apt. Bearden has at different times taken a consid- erable part in newspaper work, and during 1870 and 1871, wrote for the Nashville Banner over the nom de plume of "To Date," and contributed a column or more each week, which formed a complete history of Bedford county during those years. He also took a warm interest in newspaper work in his own town, and though not officially connected with any of the papers, assisted greatly in establishing the Shelbyville Com- mercial, and wrote for it about one year during its in- fancy. He has always been esteemed a ready, pointed and effective writer.
Hle has been interested actively in fire insurance for a number of years, representing the Liverpool, London and Globe, the Home, of New York, the Phoenix, of Hartford, and for a while the old Franklin, of Phila- delphia, as well as numerous other companies, and has done a large business for them in his part of the State. He has been attorney for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad for several years. He was one of the promoters of the Sylvan mills, near Shelbyville, and has been a director in the company since its organza- tion ; is also a director of the Charter mills at Wartrace.
Capt. Bearden's father, Dr. B. F. Bearden, a native of South Carolina, came to Tennessee in his youth, Ile was a man of great breadth of mind, a leader in his pro- fession, a thinker, and a man of learning, but withal very modest. He died in 1870. All of the Beardens in this country are related, and are supposed to be de- scended from the early French settlers of South Caro- lina. As a family they have been remarkable for their sound, practical, common sense. Capt. Bearden's mother was Miss S. M. Blake, of Lincoln county, a lady of Scotch blood, and a sister of Rev. Dr. T. C. Blake. of Nashville.
Capt. Bearden married in February, 1874, Miss Mag- gie ('. Whiteside, daughter of Thomas (. Whiteside, a well-known lawyer of Shelbyville. Her mother was Miss Robinson, of Winchester, Tennessee. To this union have been born two sons and three daughters.
Capt. Bearden has been a member of the Presbyte rian church about twelve years
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He began life with nothing in the way of capital, but with a good education, backed by industry and energy, punctual attention to business and an earnest desire to succeed. He always strikes while the iron is at welding heat. His methodical arrangement of his business, as well as his information on a great variety of subjects, has contributed largely to his success. Every paper is kept in its proper place, every stray bit of information is carefully noted down. He has ever striven to check litigation. Conservative in disposition, he aims to get
the rights of his clients and then stop the case, and loves justice for its own sake. But whenever there are hard blows to be given, whenever wrong-doing is to be crushed, he goes in to deal sledge hammer blows. Striv- ing to do justice to all men, he never charges his cli- ents according to what they are worth, but for the value of his services and no more.
He is now said to be a candidate for the chancellor- ship of the Fourth chancery division of Tennessee, at the next judicial election.
GEN. JOHN FAIN.
BLOUNT VILLE.
T' HIE Fains, from whom the subject of this sketch is descended, came originally from France, being driven from that country by religious persecution. They went first to the north of Ireland, and thence to Amer- ica, settling in Virginia before the Revolution. The great-grandfather of Gen. Fain (John Fain) was killed near Lookout mountain, nearly a century ago, by an Indian's arrow. He was captain of a company organ- ized to protect the early settlements from the inroads of the savages. The grandfather, John R. Fain, was born in Sullivan county, Tennessee. He was for a time a merchant at Dandridge, and afterwards at Blountville. He married Ellen Crawford and died about 1869, leaving three sons, Thomas, Hugh C. and John H., and daugh- ters, Hannah (Anderson), Ruth (Anderson)-three sisters having married brothers-and Amelia ( Mitchell). Of the children who died before the father's death, Nancy married Henry Anderson, Elizabeth married W. B. Neil, and Ellen died ummarried. The father, Thomas Pain, was born July 31, 1809, and has been a merchant and farmer all his life. He was, for a time, justice of the peace. He has a reputation unblemished, and is noted for his charity and unostentatious benevo- lence. Although a slaveholder, he was a Union man during the civil war and is now. In politics he is a zealous Republican. He is a man of great firmness and has long been distinguished as an earnest advo- cate of temperance. lle was the principal founder of Reedy Creek Academy, and is a strong friend of edu- cation. The mother, formerly Rachel Anderson, was born in Sullivan county, February 14, 1814, and died July 10, 1884 .. Her life was devoted to her domestic duties. She was a devoted member of the Presbyte- rian church, and is remembered by her family and friends for her firmness of principle and purpose, and her uniform and unfailing kindness. She was the mother of ten children : (1). John, the subject of this sketch. (2). Ellen R., who died the wife of John G. Lynn. (3). Nancy Jane, who is the wife of Lott
Pence. (4). Wilt. II., who is a merchant, lawyer and clerk and master at Blountville. He married Alice Spurgeon and has four children, Rachel, Maggie, Sam- uel Patton and Carrie. (5). Hugh, who is unmarried and at home with his father. (G). Hannah A., who is unmarried. (7). Samuel A., who married Jennie R. Hicks and has five children, Thomas H., Ellen, Hugh Lott, Mary and Mattie Bell. (8). Belle R., who is the wife of Jolm P. Gardner, and has six children, Ra- chella, Maggie, Mattie, Thomas, Alice and William. (9). Amelia, who died in infancy. (10). George Thomas, also died in infancy.
Gen. John Fain was born in Sullivan county, Tennes- see, December 20, 1835, and grew up there till 1858, when he went to Collin county, Texas, and there en- gaged in farming and teaching school. He remained there until the breaking out of the war, when he en- tered the Confederate service (though against his will) as a private in Martin's Texas Rangers (cavalry). He saw service in the Indian Territory, in Arkansas and in southern Texas. He was in a number of battles and skirmishes, among them the fights at Elk creek and Saline river, Arkansas.
The war over, he returned to Collin county, Texas, and re-engaged in farming and teaching. In October, 1868, he moved back to Sullivan county, Tennessee. In 1870, he resumed the study of law, which he had par- tially read in early boyhood. In 1869, he was licensed by Judge Gillenwaters and Chancellor Smith to prac- tice law, was admitted to the bar and immediately commenced the practice at Blountville, where he has resided up to the present time. It should have been stated that he received his early education at Washing- ton College and Rotherwood,
In politics Gen. Fain was originally a Whig, as were his father and grandfather. Since the reconstruction of parties in the southern States, however, the old Whig party having disappeared, he has been a pronounced Republican. In August, 1878, he was elected attorney-
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general for the First judicial circuit of Tennessee, his term expiring September, 1886. His circuit comprises the counties of Johnson, Carter, Sullivan, Washington, I'nicoi, Greene, Hawkins and Hancock. In religion, Gen. Fain is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Gen. Fain married near Gladeville, Virginia, Decem- ber 17, 1857, Miss Carrie V. Bickley, who was born Feb- ruary 7, 1812, the daughter of William Bickley, a farmer and owner of mills in Scott county, Virginia. Her mother was Jane Kilgore, of a Virginia family. Mrs. Fain's cousin, George W. L. Bickley, a man of brilliant attainments and a pleasing writer, is somewhat famous as the founder of the order of the Knights of the Gol- den Circle, that had for its object the conquest of Mexico. Her unele, Hiram Kilgore, frequently repre- sented Scott county in the Virginia Legislature. An- other uncle, Dr. William Kilgore, was for many years a prominent physician at Franklin, Louisiana. He died in Milam county, Texas. Her father died while she was quite young. Her mother died in 1875, being over seventy years of age, and leaving six children, viz. : John, Joseph P., Elizabeth (wife of Judge HI. C. Bruce, Wise county, Virginia), Sallie (married John M. Ballow), Malinda (now wife of Peter Day), Hiram A., and Carrie V. Mrs. Fain was educated at Estell- ville, Virginia, and Reedy Creek Academy, Tennessee. She is a member of the Methodist church, is a lady of culture and literary taste, and is noted for her splendid domestic qualities.
Gen. Fain and wife have had born to them twelve children : (1). William Thomas, died in infancy. (2).
May R. J., educated at Blountville and married W. K. Yost, carriage manufacturer, at Blountville. They have three children, John W., Claude Henry, and Carrie Kate. (3). Belle E., educated at Blountville and Bristol ; married, April 22, 1884, Walter H. Wiley, a farmer of Fincastle, Virginia. (4). Sallie B. (" Pet"). (5). Han nah A. (6). Ellen Malinda, die.l fourteen months old. (7). Thomas J. (8). Will. Hugh. (9). Nannie E. V. (10). Carrie Amelia. (11). Alice Eugenie. (12). Florence.
Gen. Fain, since commencing the practice of law, has devoted himself to his profession. As a prosecuting attorney he is diligent, but humane. While he prose- cutes the guilty felon with all the energy of his nature, he does not seek to magnify the errors of the unfortunate, or crowd the criminal docket with frivolous cases for his own emolument in the way of multiplied fees. Gen. Fain was trained to habits of industry .. His father, being a man of fair fortune, might have raised the son in comparative idleness, but he wisely preferred to teach him the necessity of work. He put him at an early age to clerking in the store and occasionally to. work on the farm.
Gen. Fain has been a reading man all his life, keep- ing himself posted in general literature as well as in his profession. He began life with but a small outfit and now he is comfortably well off, the result of dili- genee and economy in his practice, and the good man- agement of his wife, who brought to him as her dowry a handsome sum of money. Gen. Fain is yet in his prime, and there is but little danger that he will ever retrograde, either professionally or financially.
C. B. McGUIRE, M.D.
FAYETTEVILLE.
T" CHE McGuire family are of Irish extraction, John McGuire, the grandfather of Dr. Calvin Bridges McGuire, subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland, and came, when a child, with his father to Charleston, South Carolina. He was one of three brothers, one of whom weut to Kentucky, one to Virginia, while he, John Metinire, came to Giles county, Tennessee, where he located at an early day in the settlement of that county.
Cornelius Wesley McGuire, father of Dr. MeGuire, was born in Lincoln county, January 1, 1801. He was a magistrate in Lincoln county for nearly twenty years, though his education was limited to what he acquired without going to school. He was a devoted Methodist and a moral and strictly upright man. He was also a man of fine common sense and much native talent, and was much sought after as the business man of his neigh - borhood, in such matters as making surveys, writing deeds and bills of sale. He died September 18, 1859.
Dr. McGuire's mother was Miss Sallie Meloney, of Scotch descent. Her father, John Meloney, was a manufacturer of cedar ware in Limestone county, Ala- bama, where he died. Dr. Mefinire's mother died in April, 1873, at the age of sixty-nine, having borne thir- teen children, seven sons and six daughters: (1). Elizabeth J. Mediuire, unmarried. . (2). William H. McGuire, died in 1875. (3). Sarah L. Mettuire, died the wife of J. C. Butler. (4). Nancy II. McGuire, died the wife of James N. George. (5). Calvin Bridges McGuire, subject of this sketch. (6). John P. McGuire, now a wholesale grocer and connmission merchant in Nashville. He was colonel of the Thirty-second Ten- nessee Confederate infantry regiment at the time of the surrender, and has a very gallant military record-a full account of which may be found in Dr. J. B. Linds- ley's " Military History of Tennessee." (7). James S. McGuire, died a farmer in North Alabama. (8) Robert R. McGuire, residing in Giles county, Tennessee, (9).
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Cornelius N. McGuire, who was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. Ile was first-lieutenant of company K (Turney's First Tennes- see Confederate regiment), and was commanding the company when he fell. (10). George W. McGuire, now a practicing physician in Lincoln county, Tennessee. (11). Mary D. McGuire, died the second wife of J. N. George. (12). Narcissa E. McGuire, now wife of Wil- liam S. Owen. (13). Docia A. McGuire, unmarried.
Of the seven sons, all were in the Confederate service; one was killed, and five wounded.
Dr. Calvin Bridges McGuire was born on his father's farm near Millville, Lincoln county, Tennessee, July 1, 1831, and worked on the farm till he was twenty years old, going to school meantime in a class with Dr. J. F. Grant, the two boys growing up together. Dr. McGuire and Dr. Grant both finished their education at Forest Hill Academy the same day, and both graduated in medicine in the spring of 1856, though in different. schools. (See Dr. Grant's sketch elsewhere in this volume). While in school, chemistry, anatomy and philosophy were Dr. McGuire's favorite studies, which he prosecuted mostly with a view to the future practice of medicine.
He began the study of medicine January, 1853, at Millville, in the office of Dr. M. P. Forehand, and, after reading with him two years, attended the medical department of the University of Nashville, 1854-5-6, taking two courses of lectures and graduating M. D. in February, 1856, under Profs. John M. Watson, Paul F. Eve, W. K. Bowling, C. K. Winston, W. T. Briggs, J. Berrien Lindsley and Thomas R. Jennings. After graduation he practiced medicine in Lincoln county till April, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in com- pany K, of Col. Turney's First Tennessee Confederate infantry ; was elected lieutenant soon after the regiment reached Virginia; was appointed surgeon of the regi- ment early in 1862, and soon after was appointed senior surgeon of Archer's Tennessee brigade, Army of North ern Virginia, and in this capacity served until Gen. Lee's surrender.
After the war he returned to his old location at Mill- ville, Tennessee, and there practiced till JJanuary, 1871, when he located in Fayetteville, where he has practiced ever since.
Dr. McGuire married in Lincoln county, Tennessee, January 27, 1863, Miss Lizzie P. Green, who was born in that county, October 15, 1813, daughter of A. B. Green, a successful farmer. Her mother, nce Miss Sarah O. Dobbins, now living, at the age of sixty, with
her daughter at Fayetteville, is a native of Lincoln county, daughter of Samuel Dobbins, who emigrated from East Tennessee at a very early day and became one of the pioneer settlers of Lincoln county. Mrs. Mc- Guire's brother, Perry H. Green, is a farmer near Tupelo, Mississippi. Her sister, nee Theodocia O. Green, is now wife of George E. Suttle, a large farmer in Giles county, Tennessee. Mrs. McGuire is a member of the Presbyterian church.
By his marriage with Miss Green three children have been born to Dr. MeGuire : (1). Jinnie McGuire, born October 18, 1866; graduated at the Columbia Athe- næum in 1883; married November 28, 1883, Mr. Horton C. Lamb, a merchant at Fayetteville. (2). Frank Me- Guire, born May 20, 1871. (3). Myra McGuire, born July 22, 1881.
Dr. McGuire became a Mason in 1859; is an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Honor, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and is the exam- ining surgeon for the four last named organizations. He is the vice-president of the First National Bank of Fayetteville; belongs to no church, though a believer in the Christian religion : and in politics is a Democrat, as was also his father. He served one year (1872) as an alderman of Fayetteville.
Hle began life without patrimony, came out of the war with nothing, but was free from debt, a leading trait in his character being a holy horror of owing any man anything .. By his wife he received a small estate, and is now in easy and even independent circumstances, and does not owe a dollar in the world. He made his money by saving what came to him through his profession. It is not that he has made it so marvelously fast, but that he saved what he collected in fees, has been prompt in meeting obligations, and has avoided speculation.
Dr. McGuire has a strongly marked character. ITis intellect is vigorous and healthy, with a predominant resolution and will. hence he has the surest elements of success in life. He has encountered and overcome many obstacles that laid in his path, and is now estab- lished in a well-earned practice. He has a steady nerve and great skill with the knife, hence has acquired con- siderable local reputation as a surgeon. Had he a wide field of operation, no doubt his professional character would become very extended, if not national. He is devoted to his profession and makes it alike useful and profitable. . He is a gentleman of high moral standing, agreeable manners and fine social qualities. He is a good type of a useful and honorable citizen.
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MAJOR WILBUR F. FOSTER.
W ILBUR F. FOSTER was born April 13, 1831, in Springfield, Massachusetts. His ancestors on both sides were among the early English settlers of that State. His father, Dexter Foster, originally a machinist, became a civil engineer, and was one of the leading spirits in the construction of the Boston and Albany railroad, upon which he designed and con- structed the first railroad tunnel ever built upon a curve. Ile was a son of Lewis Foster, who was born in Massachusetts in 1764. Maj. Foster's mother was Miss Allin, daughter of D. Allin, who also belonged to the Puritan stock.
While yet in his youth, Maj. Foster removed with his father to Montgomery county, Maryland, seven . miles from Washington City. Here his father soon afterward died, leaving him an orphan at the age of nine years. About a year or two later he returned to Massachusetts to be educated, and spent several years at academies in Northampton and Springfield, gradu- ating at the latter place, at the age of seventeen. He soon obtained a position under Capt. John Childe, chief engineer of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, and spent two years assisting in locating and layingout that road. Transferred, in the early part of 1853, to the Tennessee and Alabama (now the Nashville and Decatur) railroad, he was, from that time till the beginning of the war, engaged in the location and construction of the Nash- ville and Decatur, the Edgefield and Kentucky, and the Henderson and Nashville roads, and had charge, during the time, of the construction of the bridge across the Cumberland river at Nashville, the first railroad bridge constructed across that stream. Be- ginning as rodman, he had risen to the position of first assistant.
In April, 1861, he joined the First Tennessee Con- federate regiment, as a private in the Rock City Guards. About ten days after joining the service, he was detailed for engineering duty and sent to superintend the con- struction of forts Donelson and Henry. Requesting to be sent back to his regiment, after these forts were built, he was ordered with it to Virginia, but, in three weeks from the time of his arrival there, he received an appointment as first-lieutenant in the engineering corps, and was ordered to report to Gen. Zollicoffer at Cumberland Gap. When Gen. Kirby Smith moved into Kentucky, Lieut. Foster was made captain of en- gineers and assigned to duty with Gen. MeCown. After the return from the Kentucky campaign, he was made chief engineer of the department of East Ten- nessee, serving on the staff of Gen. Buckner. After the battle of Chickamauga, he was made major of engi- neers and placed in charge of topographical work with Gen. Johnston, serving in this capacity till that officer was relieved of command. He was then as-jened to
duty as chief engineer of Gen. Stewart's corps, and served as such till the surrender of the Confederate armies, at which time he was at Greensborough, North Carolina.
Returning immediately to Nashville and engaging in the practice of engineering, he was, in 1865, elected city engineer, and, with the exception of two years of Re- publican regime in 1866-67, held the position till March, 1884, engaging at the same time in engineering in various directions, and doing more or less of work for all the railroads running into Nashville, though not officially connected with any of them. He has served as a di- rector of the First National Bank of Nashville and of the Phillips & Buttorff Manufacturing Company. The latter position he now holds. .
Too young to take any part in politics previous to the war, his sympathies were all with . the Whig party. Since the war he has been a Democrat, but has taken no active part as a politician.
In Free Masonry he has taken all the degrees up to the fourteenth degree, Scottish Rite. He became a Master Mason in 1857, took the Chapter degrees in 1859, the Council degrees in 1861, and became a Knight Templar in 1865. He was elected Grand Master of the Grand Council of Tennessee in 1869; Grand High Priest in 1873; Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in 1879; Grand President of the Order of High Priesthood in 1871 -72, and Grand Commander of Knights Templar in 1878. He is one of two men in Tennessee who alone have filled all these offices. (See sketch of Hon. John Frizzell elsewhere in this volume).
Maj. Foster became a member of the First Presbyte- rian church of Nashville, in 1867. and has been chairman of its board of deacons since 1870. He takes a lively interest always in the welfare of his church.
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