Sketches of prominent Tennesseans. Containing biographies and records of many of the families who have attained prominence in Tennessee, Part 52

Author: Speer, William S
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Nashville, A. B. Tavel
Number of Pages: 1278

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Maj. Folsom was married at Elizabethton, September 30, 1854, to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Berry, who was born in Carter county. She is the daughter of John Berry, a soldier of the war of 1812, one of the defenders of Fort Mellenry, near Baltimore, upon the storming of the fort by the British- in 1814. He was a printer by

trade and a native of Virginia, and came to Tennessee with his wife, whom he married in Shenandoah county, Virginia. His wife, are Catharine (Kitty) Shryock, now living in Bristol at the age of ninety years, is the sister of United States Senator Riddleberger's mother, so that Mrs. Folsom and the senator are first cousins.

Mrs. Folsom was educated at Rogersville Female College, and has the reputation of having done her whole duty as a Christian lady in all the reiations of life. She is a woman of fine practical sense, patient, gentle, affectionate, and commands the love of all who know her. In her girlhood, she was somewhat noted for her personal beauty and sweetness of disposition, but her highest enconium is to be found in the fact- which both husband and wife concern -- that during the thirty years of their married life, not a cross or harsh word from either side has passed between them.

Maj. Folsom and wife have had four children : (1). John Malcolm, born January 5, 1857 ; was educated at Bristol and Athens, Tennessee ; now a druggist at Eliza- bethton ; married,. March, 1884, Miss Amelia Stover, daughter of Dr. S. M. Stover, of Garter county ; they have one child, Henderson Matson, born July 19, 1885. (2). William Berry, born November 17, 1859; edu- cated at Morristown and at home under private teach- ers; died May 5, 1878. The morning before he died he said to his father at his bed-side : " I have been thinking over my whole life, and I cannot remember an unkind word you ever said to me." It is a comforting remem- brance of the son, to the parent, that he never tasted strong drink nor swore an oath in his life. (3). Ida, horn August 21, 1862; was educated at Sullins College, Bristol, but after going through the entire course, she declined the diploma offered her. (4). Minnie, born January 1, 1867; graduated June, 1885, at Sullins College. In her junior year, she won the reader's medal from the senior class.

Of the southern Folsoms, Col. Folsom, of Gordon, Georgia, commander of the Fourteenth Georgia regi- ment, Confederate States army, was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. A commission promoting him to the rank of brigadier-general reached army headquarters the day after his death Col. James M. Folsom, brother of the last-named, was adjutant general of the State of Georgia during the war, and is now a commission mer- chant at Gordon, Georgia. He is the author of the " History of the Georgia Regiments in the Confederate Service." Capt. W. W. Folsom was in the Confed- erate service, and after the war edited a paper in Ar- kansas, where he still lives.

Nathaniel Folsom, a great -great unele of Maj. Fol- som, when about twenty years of age, left home and took up his residence with the Choctaw Indians. He married a daughter of the Choctaw chief, and by her had a large family of children, the descendants of whom, some two hundred in number, live now in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory. Of these there have been

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quite a number of men distinguished among the In- dians, notably Hon. Israel Folsom, who, for many years, was agent of the Choctaw tribe at Washington, and also acted as government agent in its dealings with the tribe.

Enough has been said, probably, to carry a pretty clear idea of Maj. Folsom's character as a man and lawyer. If anything be lacking in this regard, however, the opinion of one of the judges of our Supreme court, before whom Maj. Folsom has practiced for many years, may well round up this sketch. The distinguished jurist - says: " Maj. Fol om is a man of more than ordinary modesty, but calm and self-possessed in debate, always having perfect command of his faculties. Within the range of his investigation, he is one of the most accu- rate and thorough lawyers in our State.] [ His prepara- tion of his cases is thorough-his mastery both of details and the principles governing them, always full. His briefs are among the best in form, neatness of ar. :

rangement and precision of statement, that come before our court. He is always clear and understood at once, and at times rises to the height of a chaste and well- tempered eloquence. If he had a larger field, with his habits of thorough mastery of all he undertakes, he

would rise to the front rank of useful men in the State. His eminent fairness and truthfulness of statement, as well as argument, always give him command of the earnest attention of the court. He is incapable of any trickery or cunning. All he does is the work of a man who seeks to win his cause by manly grapple. What cannot be done by fair argument and the force of truth, would not be sought by him, for either himself or cli- ents. Take him altogether, he is an ornament to the bar of his section, and he would grace any court in our State, as a judge, by his fine judicial qualities, both of head and heart, especially the latter. His nice sense of right is the equivalent of a large share of simple intel- lect. He is emphatically a specimen of God's noblest workmanship-an honest man."

The ordinary language of panegyric could add noth -? ing to such a testimonial as that. That it is deserved is abundantly proven by the success that has attended Maj. Folsom's professional labors. And he is yet, in reality, a comparatively young man. Though fifty-four years of age. there is not a silvered hair on his head, and he seems to be yet in his physical prime. He may well still look ahead and aloft, for there are no doubt greater triumphs yet awaiting him.

HON. GEORGE K. FOOTE.

JACKSON.

T NIE Footes came originally from England before the revolt of the colonies, and settled first in Con- necticut. Thence most of them moved south, some taking up their abode in Virginia, and others settling in North Carolina. From the Virginia branch of the family was descended the late Hon. Henry S. Foote, for many years a conspicuous figure in politics. From the ; North Carolina branch, the subject of this sketch is descended. His grandfather, George Foote, was born in North Carolina and became a farmer in that State. He was a soldier of the Revolution and fought with distinction in the battle of Guilford Court house. He removed at an early day to Kentucky, being one of the first settlers in that State. About the year 1818, he pushed still further west, locating in Indiana, not far from the residence of Gen. William Henry Harrison. Here he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He was a man of solid character ;- a true type of the old school gentle- man. His wife was Lucretia Nance, daughter of Thomas Nance, of South Carolina, a relative of the Ruffin family of North Carolina. She was a worthy helpmeet to her husband, whom she outlived, having died at the extreme age of ninety years. She left four children surviving her: William, Kinchloe, George and John Foote.

Rev. William Foote, father of the subject of this sketch, and a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, was born at Guilford Court-house, North Carolina. He was a farmer as well as preacher. He was married in Indiana, where the greater portion of his life was spent, and where he died in 1846, in the forty-sixth year of his age. In politics he was an ardent Whig. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Naomi Bell, daughter of Samuel Bell, of Kentucky. She was born near Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Her mother was a Ross, and became noted as one of fourteen women who volunteered to venture out of the fort near Harrodsburg, to get water for the famishing garrison when it was sur- rounded by Indians, knowing it would be certain death for the men to expose themselves within range of the savages' rifles. She lived amid the tragic events that gave to the soil of Kentucky the name of "the dark and bloody ground." Her father was Judge Ross, one of the most noted of the blue-grass pioneers.

Judge Foote's mother lived but about a year after the death of her husband. She was a woman of much fortitude and energy, a devoted wife and mother, and exceedingly careful in the training of her children. She died at Corydon, Indiana, November, 1817, at the age of forty-six, leaving three children : (1). George K., subject of this sketch. (2). Robert, now in Memphis,

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(3). Jabez, who lost his life by the explosion of the stramer "Andrew Jackson," on the Ohio river, near Shawneetown, Illinois.

Judge Foote grew to manhood in Harrison county, Indiana. He was a farmer boy, and learned to lay brick and plaster when a youth, and was especially fond of feld sports, hunting, fishing and fox-chasing, though he was free from the too common vicious habits of youth. He was educated in the old Corydon University. When twenty-one years of age, he married, settled in Corydon and engaged in general speculation, In 1847 he removed to Leavenworth, Indiana, where he began the practice of law. . He remained there but two years, however, when he removed to Cannelton, Indiana. Here he practiced his profession about eighteen months, when he moved to Golconda, Illinois, where, in addi- tion to the practice of law, he engaged in the real estate business and lead-mining for ten years, doing a very prosperous business. In 1866 he removed to Decatur- ville, Tennessee, where he remained about eighteen months. Next he moved to Lexington, Tennessee, and thence, in 1873, to Jackson, where he has resided ever since, engaged chiefly in the practice of law.

In politics, Judge Foote was a Whig until the disin- tegration of that party. In 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and has been a Republican ever since. The first office he ever held was that of constable, in Can- melton, Indiana. In 1879 he was appointed special com- missioner of the Southern Claims Commission, and dis- charged the duties of that position some four years. In June, 1881, he was appointed by President Garfield postmaster at Jackson, and on the 14th of October fol- lowing, was reappointed by President Arthur to the same position, which, at the time this sketch is pre- pared, he still holds.

In June, 1863, Judge Foote was mustered into the United States volunteer service, as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois infantry, but on account of his business qualities he was assigned to permanent duty in the commissary department and was not engaged in battle afterward. He remained with the army in Kentucky and Missouri until 1861.

Judge Foote was an alternate district delegate to the

national Republican convention at Chicago, in 1884, and favored the nomination of President Arthur by that body. He became a Mason in Cannelton, Indiana, in 1851. He is also an Odd Fellow.

In 1846, October 16, Judge Foote was married, in Harrison county, Indiana, to Miss Mary Falkenburgh, who was born and reared at Cape May, New Jersey. She is a member of the Christian church, and is a lady noted for her piety and charity to the poor and dis- tressed. Mrs. Foote's father was a captain in the war of 1812. Her mother was Elizabeth Sullivan, also a na- tive of New Jersey.

There were born to Judge Foote and wife the follow- ing children, none of whom are now living: (1); Sammel, who was in the gunboat service during the war. He married a Miss Clore and died in 1868, aged twenty- four. (2). William, died February, 1874. (3). Mozella, died the wife of William Wilson, a merchant, of Lex- ington, Tennessee, leaving 4one child, George. (4). George, died March, 1884, at the age of twenty-three. (5). Ada, died in 1884. This daughter contributed to various periodicals aud was remarkably gifted. Three children died in infancy.

Judge Foote began life with no resources but his own talents. He had plenty of pluck, however, and struck boldly out into the world with the determination to succeed. The first money he ever earned was as a hired plow-boy, at eight dollars a month. Being paid off at the end of three months, he went proudly home and laid his twenty-four silver dollars in his mother's lap. He was never after that either ashamed or afraid of work. Whenever the practice of the law became a dragging business (as it will periodically in nearly all communities), he did not sit down, fold his arms and wait for business to come to him. He turned his hand at onee to whatever honorable enterprise promised rea- sonable profits. His first substantial profits were real- ized as contractor in brick-laying and plastering in the town of Cannelton, Indiana. Industry and economy have ever been his leading characteristics, and these constitute the secret of his success. He is now in quite independent and comfortable circumstances, and is reckoned one of the solid men of his county.

CAPT. WILLIAM STOCKELL.

APT. WILLIAM STOCKELL, the veteran " fire chief," the successful merchant and business man, and one of the most popular citizens of Nashville, whose face and form have long been familiar to almost every man, woman and child in that city, well deserves a place n these pages. He was born in Malton, Yorkshire,

England, October 17, 1815. His grandfather, William Stockell, born at Malton, sprang from an old English family that lived for many years in that vicinity. He raised a large family of sons and daughters, the sons being chiefly distinguished as successful merchants, One of his daughters. Margaret Stockell, married a Mr.

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Jewett, and lived to the good old age of eighty-four years.

Capt. Stockell's father, also named William Stockell, was a son of William Stockell, of Malton-thus grand- father, father and son being born in the same town, Capt. Stockell's father was a seafaring man, came to America, bringing his family with him, in 1824, and set- ted in Baltimore. In 1829 he moved to Cincinnati, where he remained three years, then purchasd a farm in Brown county, Ohio, and lived there until 1839, In the latter year he removed to Nashville, Tennessee, and took charge of the construction of the buildings and grounds of the University of Nashville, then under the presidency of Rev. Dr. Philip Lindsley. In 1845, while walking through the grounds, he accidentally stepped on a rusty nail, which penetrated his foot, produced lock - jaw, resulting in his death. He was one of those ener- getic, pushing, go-ahead men, who build up society, and leave the world better for having lived in it. He was a bountiful provider for his family, and gave his chil- dren the best educational advantages for those times.

Capt. Stockell's mother, nce Miss Jane Gray, was born in Pickering, Yorkshire, England, daughter of William Gray, a merchant miller. She was a member of the Methodist church, a lady of great piety, and re- markable for her energy, industry and domestic man- agement. She died in Nashville, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Carrie Hight, wife of Capt. O. H. Hight, now secretary of the Nashville Merchants' Exchange. She was the mother of five children: (1). William Stockell, subject of this sketch. (2). Elizabeth Stock - ell, died the wife of George W. Lincoln. (3). Mary Ann Stockell, who also became the wife of George W. Lincoln, and after his death, married Howell Huddles- ton Averitt. (4). Jane E. Stockell, died the widow of David (. Love, for a long time circuit court clerk at Nashville. (5). Caroline Stockell, now wife of Oliver 11. Hight, above mentioned.

Capt. Stockell in his boyhood had but limited educa- tional advantages, but having learned the bricklayer's and plasterer's business in Cincinnati, and carried it on there until 1846, at odd moments and during leisure time, he applied himself closely to such books'as would qualify him in making calculations for a business of that description. He also studiously and diligently ap- plied himself in learning drawing, designing and mod- eling ornaments of every conceivable pattern for the interior decoration of churches, public edifices, and fine private buildings. To the latter particular he was eminently successful, producing numberless exquisitely beautiful and refined specimens, wonderful both as to their great variety and finished work manship. The fin- ishing and interior decoration of the State Capitol at Nashville, the Masonic Hall, the Maxwell House, the Tennessee Hospital for the Insane, and numerous other public and private edifices in Tennessee are specimens of his superb handiwork. There was a time when he

was the only decorator of the interior of buildings in stucco work at Nashville, and all of the parties now engaged in that business in the city learned their trades with him, and are recognized as master workmen in their lines. The house in which he now lives, No. 63 South Cherry street, was one among the first mod .rn houses in the city of Nashville, the interior finish of which would do credit to any city in America, and is recognized by architects who come to see it as of supe- rior finish and original design. During Capt. Stockell's entire business life in Nashville, his relations with all he ever worked for or with, have been of the most pleasant character. To a man doing so heavy a business for so many people over so long a period of time, it must be a most happy reflection that he has never had to sue for his collections, and that his social relations are not marred or embittered by unpleasant memories. Every- body knows Capt. Stockell ; even the children cannot meet or pass hing on the street, without giving him that hearty salute that only kindly natures and long estab- lished characters can command; an incident recalling Homer's lines :

"'Till late in life, descending as to rest, Ilis people blessing, by his people blest."

But it is perhaps chiefly from his honorable record as a fireman, and as chief of the fire department of the city of Nashville for many years, Capt. Stockell is best known by the general public. His gallantry and bravery on trying occasions ; his cool-headed wisdom and ex- ecutive ability in hours of peril; his many sacrifices of personal comfort to save the lives and property of others; his promptness in responding to the first tap of the alarm bell-in rain or shine, night or day, winter or{ summer -- these have been themes of praise for two gen- erations past, and must bring to the fearless "old chief" many pleasant recollections of good service, well and faithfully done. In 1840 he became president of the Independent Western Fire Company of Cincinnati, and filled that position until November 12, 1846, when he left Cincinnati to make his home at Nashville. Just before his departure, the members of his old company each took from their pockets a silver dollar and had them melted into a beautiful and heavy silver speaking trumpet, which they presented to him " in remem- brance of his services." It is a souvenir which the Captain shows with much pride, and regards as an heir- loom money could not buy.

He connected himself with the volunteer fire de- partment of Nashville in 1847, soon after his arrival in Nashville, joining " Broad-street Fire Company, No. 2," and a few months thereafter was elected its president and remained as such until 1859, when the paid steam fire department was organized. Being in a lucrative business which he could not sacrifice, he retired at that time from the department, having been requested, how- ever, at all times to attend fires and give his counsel, which he did, always having the confidence and good

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will of the chief in charge and of the firemen. He was appointed by the city council December 28, 1866, to go East and purchase steam fire apparatus for the city, a letter of credit being given him by the city authorities for the purpose to the amount of twenty thousand dol- lars. He made the purchase, which resulted in a large saving'to the city, the apparatus then bought being still in use and in good condition.

In July, 1869, Hon. John M. Bass having been ap- pointed by the chancery court receiver of the city of Nashville, called to his aid and counsel the wisest men of undoubted character and standing highest in public esteem, among them Anson Nelson, whom he appointed treasurer, and Capt. William Stockell, whom he placed in charge of the fire department, Capt. Stockell accept- ing the position at the urgent request of leading citi- zens, and especially of the insurance companies. His appointment by Mr. Bass, dated July 28, 1869, empow- ered him "to organize the fire department as his agent and conduct the same on the most economical plan, having a due regard to efficiency." From that date until his final retirement in 1883, he was elected by the city council from time to time, and served altogether in that capacity fourteen consecutive years. During this time he was also secretary of the board of building commissioners, making annual reports of the lumber business, buildings erected, and progress of the city in general, many of his reports having been commended very highly by the press.

lle was one of the organizers of the national conven- tion of chief fire engineers of the United States at Baltimore ; has been president of that body, and is now chairman of its finance committee. At the meeting of the association at Chicago, September 9, 1884. Capt. Stockell read two remarkable papers, one " an essay on the best methods of supplying cities with water for fire purposes," and one "on the importance of introducing fire drills into all the schools."

En 1884, by request of the Tennessee Historical So- ciety, of which he is a member, he prepared and sub- mitted an elaborate " history of the fire department of Tennessee," which was replete with many pleasant reminiscences and practical suggestions, and was re evived with great favor.

lle is a member of the A. O. M. C., now styled the Robertson Association, and in 1884, in connection with Anson Nelson, Esq., and Dr. John Berrien Lindsley, revised its constitution.

Capt. Stockell was made a Mason in Claiborne Lodge in Nashville; is now a member of Cumberland Lodge, No. 8, and is president of the board of trustees, having charge of the property of that lodge. On October 21, 1882, he was made a 32° Mason by Gen. Albert Pike. He is also a Knight of Pythias of the endowment rauk ; was one of the organizers of Myrtle Lodge, and ! is a member of the Grand Lodge of that order. He is ' a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in

politics he was a Whig till the Know-nothing issue came up. when he voted. for Andrew Johnson for gov- ernor, and has been a Democrat ever since. In 1850 he was elected from a Democratic ward-the Sixth-a member of the city council, and re-elected in 1852-3. He was a member of the city board of education with such men as Francis B. Fogg, Return J. Meigs, Col. M. H. Howard and W. F. Bang, in the early organiza- tion of the public schools of Nashville. He was for a long time a director in the State Bank of Tennessee, appointed by Gov. Johnson and afterwards by Gov. Harris. He was also a director and one of the organ- izers of the Mechanics National Bank of Nashville ; also a member of the State Agricultural Bureau, ap- pointed by Gov. Johnson and also by Gov. Harris. He was one of the organizers of the first mechanics' fairs ever held in the city of Nashville. The first fair was held in a store on the Public Square . He has also been connected with all the industrial expositions that have been held in the city of Nashville, being president of the exposition in 1873, and chairman of the Nashville Centennial Exposition in 1880. In 1885 he was assist- ant commissioner for Tennessee at the Cotton Centen- nial Exposition and World's Fair held at New Orleans.

Capt. Stockell married first in Brown county, Ohio, in 1838, Miss Gelina Records, daughter of Josiah Records. She died June 11. 1839. He next married in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 3, 1810, Miss Rachel Wright, daughter of Joseph Wright, formerly from New Jersey, Her mother, Sarah Bowers, was also a native of New Jersey. Mrs. Stockell was born, raised and educated in Philadelphia, and moved to Cincinnati, in 1839. Her father was a farmer, who lived to be eighty-three years old, active to the very last. She is a devoted and active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Nashville.

By his marriage with Miss Wright, Capt. Stockell had nine children, four of whom died in childhood. Those who reached maturity were : (1). Charles Henry Stockell, born in Cincinnati, April 8, 1841 ; was a mem- ber of the Rock City Guards, and afterward an officer in the Tenth Tennessee, and served in the Confederate army four years; married December 19, 1875, Miss Winnie Hollis, of Louisville, Kentucky, and has one child, Dake; now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, and connected with an extensive commercial firm. (2). Louisa J. Stockell, born in Cincinnati, June 14, 1811; graduated at Loretta and at Nashville ; married W. R. Rankin, an attorney at law, July 18, 1865; has five chil- dren, David, Charles, Mary, Albert and Turley. (3). William Franklin Stockell, born in Cincinnati, March 7, 1846; enlisted in the Confederate army and was drowned while crossing a river, December 25, 1863. (4). Albert W. Stockell, born in Nashville, August 8,-1818; graduated from the literary and law departments of Cumberland University; practiced law successfully at Columbia, Tennessee ; married. January 4, 1876, Miss

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Sketches of prominent Tennesseans. Containing biographies and records of many of the families who have attained prominence in Tennessee, Part 52

Author: Speer, William S Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Nashville, A. B. Tavel Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Speer, William S
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Nashville, A. B. Tavel
Number of Pages: 1278