Sketches of prominent Tennesseans. Containing biographies and records of many of the families who have attained prominence in Tennessee, Part 98

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

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During the short time that Judge Greer has presided in the criminal court, he has made a distinct and indi- vidual impression as a judicial officer. Coming after Judge Horrigan, his career was watched with more than usual interest, and he has not disappointed his many warm personal friends and that element of the people who desire to see the fearless administration of justice. Sentiment has played too large a part in the administration of the law in the South, and the- ten- dency has been toward the exaltation of the criminal. Sympathy for a man in distress, no matter how heinous or disgraceful his offense, not unfrequently plucks the prisoner from a merited punishment, but surrounds him with a halo of glory and innocence. It is hardly

necessary to say that Judge Greer has at no time shown any inclination to yield to sentimentalion, instead of enforcing the law. The tendency of his mind and tastes is pre-eminently judicial. He is a cool, fear- less and clear-headed thinker, with one guiding star before him, and that is the conscientious and intel- ligent enforcement of the laws. When he assumed the bench, there was no laxity in the prosecutions against parties carrying concealed weapons. If any- thing, he was even stricter than his predecessor, and nothing but good character could mitigate the im- prisonment of the criminal. Men high in social posi - tion, have been sentenced to the jail, and have had to go there. It is in his stand against gambling that Judge Greer has, probably, in the most conspicuous way, earned the gratitude of the people of Shelby county. When he announced that he intended enforcing the laws against gaming, there were those who sought to ridicule him by calling him a crusader, a moral judge, a vis- ionary. But he had the consolation of knowing that the gamblers have all scattered and Hled, and that the last resorts of the guild, maintained in secret and dark places, were raided and almost broken up. This movement has been of lasting benefit to the working- men of Memphis, many of whom spent all their wages in the professional gambling hells. It is unnecessary to call attention to Judge Greer's administration of jus- tice in detail. In brief, he does not know what it is to temporize or compromise with crime, and his one con- viction is that there is no need of law unless it is to be enforced, and he has shown the requisite courage, the requisite indifference to unpleasant personal conse- quences, and the requisite intelligence to enforce it. Though some of his positions on law questions have seemed extreme, yet the results have shown that he is no legal heretic, and it can be fairly said of him that his law is as sound as his administration of justice is fearless.

HION. DAVID M. KEY.

H ON. DAVID .M. KEY, ex-United States sena- tor from Tennessee, ex-postmaster-general of the United States, and now United States district judge, was born in Greene county, Tennessee, January 27, 1824, the son of Rev. John Key, a Methodist preacher and farmer, a native of Greene county, who died in Mon- roe county, at the age of fifty-six. Rev. John Key was a man of very ardent and enthusiastic tempera- ment, rather distinguished as a revivalist, in the neigh- borhood of his operations, and of great power over the audiences he addressed, though having but a limited education. He was remarkable for his adherence to principle, and his reputation for honesty was never as.

sailed: His grandfather was a pioneer settler in East Tennessee, came from Scotland, and settled in Greene county in Revolutionary times, or before. David Key, Judge Key's grandfather, was born, lived and died in Greene county, a farmer. In politics, the family were always Democratic -Jeffersonian and Jacksonian. They were plain country folk, farmers of the middle class, none rich, none without property, and all had comfortable homesteads and lived in quiet, easy rural simplicity.

Judge Key's mother, whose maiden name was Mar- garet Armitage, was a native also of Greene county, born February 18, 1801, the daughter of Isaac Arm- itage, of an English family. Her mother was Elizabeth

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Weston, all pioneers of East Tennessee. The Armitage family came from Pennsylvania, were of good reputa- tion in the localities of their residence, but not known far from home. Judge Key's mother died April 12, 1882, leaving four children: the subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth, now wife of Dr. J. H. Brunner, president of Hiwassee College, in Monroe county, Tennessee; John F. Key, who married Miss Margaret Peace, of Monroe county, and is now farming in Texas; Summerfield A. Key, a leading lawyer of Chattanooga. The latter mar- ried Miss Mary E. Devine, daughter of John L. De- vine, a merchant and planter of that city. This younger brother, though not an aspiring man, served in the Tennessee Legislature, the session of 1877-8.

Judge Key was brought up on a farm and worked in- dustriously, a business that seemed to have begot in him those simple manners and plain tastes that have distinguished him through life. Morally, he was always exemplary and of good home habits, owing to the in- fluence of his parents. The Judge told the editor that he never swore an oath in his life. His education be- gan in the backwoods common schools of Monroe county. His father removed to Monroe county, Ten- nessee, when the son was only two years old, but he was afterward sent off to better schools, and finally be- came the first graduate of Hiwassee College, taking his degree in 1850. He had read law in the private office of II. H. Stephens, while attending school, and was licensed to practice in 1850, by Chancellor Thomas L. Williams and Circuit Judge Ebenezer Alexander, both quite distinguished in their day. In 1853. he removed to Chattanooga, where he has resided ever since, in the practice of law, in which he has been quite successful, doing a leading business.

Judge Key married in Roane county, Tennessee, July 1, 1857, Miss Lizzie Lenoir, who was born in Chat- tanooga, January 28, 1838, the daughter of Gen. Albert S. Lenoir, of a French Huguenot family, who came from North Carolina to Tennessee. On her father's mna- ternal side, she is the great-granddaughter of Waight- still Avery, who was a member of the Mecklenburg con- vention that made the first American declaration of inde- pendence ; was the first attorney general of North Caro- lina after her separation from the mother country, and noted as tien. Jackson's antagonist in the first duel he fought, though neither of the combatants were hurt, and Avery was ever after a warm political friend of Jackson. Gen. Lenoir, Mrs. Key's great-grandfather, was president of the North Carolina senate, and was a captain of a company at the battle of King's Moun- tain. Mrs. Key's mother was a Welcher, of German descent, through Henry Weleker, who came from Ger- many and settled in Roane county, Tennessee. Mrs. Key's uncle, James M. Welcker, was judge of the Knoxville circuit court, and died, about 1800, during his term of judicial office. Her unele, Albert G. Weleker, was chancellor of the Chattanooga chancery

division, at the commencement of the war, but wa ousted from his office when the Federals took possession of East Tennessee, in 1863.

Mrs. Key received a good education, and is noted for being considerate and cautious. It has been said of her that she does not rush to her conclusions as women are supposed to do, generally, but reasons her way to them. She is doubtless entitled to no small share of the credit for her husband's success. She is quite a handsome woman, tall and graceful, and of commanding presence ; a firm, resolute woman, but of a disposition so amiable that it is said all who know her are hei friends. Her principal characteristics are stability of character and loyalty to her convictions.

By this marriage Judge Key has nine children, all born during the family residence in Chattanooga: (1). Emma Key, educated at Salem, North Carolina, and afterward graduated at Baltimore. She married, June 20, 1883, to W. B. Thompson, general superintendent of the railway mail service of the United States, a native of New York. She died March 8, 1885. A correspondent of the New York World, writing from Washington City, upon the occasion of the death of this most estimable lady says: "The death of Mrs. Emma Key Thompson, which was announced here this morning, created great surprise. It was a shock to a large number of people. Mrs. Thompson was the daughter of Judge Key, postmaster-general of the Hayes administration. Miss Emna Key was the belle of that period in Washington. She was a tall, well- developed, regular-featured blonde. She had very blue eyes, the clearest of clear complexions, while her yel- low hair was slightly inclined to red. She was a very matter-of-fact young lady, without the slightest affecta- tion or nonsense. She was thoroughly well educated, and would have been at case in any society. After her father retired from the cabinet, she went back with him to Chattanooga, Tennessee. She returned here two or three years after marrying Mr. Thomp- son, who was the superintendent of the railway mail service, under Judge Key. Mr. Thompson is a capitalist. He afterwards established himself in Wash- ington, doing a general speculative business. Mrs. Thompson was one of the most conspicuous of the young matrons of Washington society. She went home for a visit early in the winter. When she went away she was apparently in perfect health. Several years ago she received quite severe injuries by being thrown from a carriage. It is probable that some latent develop- ment of the injuries at that time has resulted in her death. She has been ill nearly all of the time since she went home None of the time has her illness been re- garded as serious until very recently." (2). Albert Le- noir Key, was born July , 1861, graduated from the Annapolis United States Naval Academy, and is in the naval service now, in the Asiatic waters, (3). Kate Key, graduated at Baltimore, with her sister Emma,

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after attending with her the Salem school. (4). Sallie C. Key, educated at Salem, North Carolina. (5). Mag- gie Key, now attending school at Chattanooga. (6). John S. Key. (7). David M. Key, jr. (8). Lenoir Key. (9). Lizzie Key.

In the war of the rebellion, the first position Judge Key held was that of adjutant-general, on Gen. Cas well's staff, in the Confederate army. He afterward be- came lieutenant-colonel of the Forty-third regiment of Tennessee volunteer infantry, which office he held till the end of the war, refusing all promotion, he having loyally assisted in raising the regiment, and many fathers having sanctioned their sous going into the service be- cause he was its lieutenant-colonel, James W. Gillespie, an old Mexican soldier, being its colonel. He was with Gen. E. Kirby Smith and Gen Bragg, in their Ken- tucky campaigns, and was captured in the siege of Vicksburg. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, and was wounded by a minnie rifle ball.

Judge Key, like his ancestors were, is Democratic, but he takes no part in politics. In 1856, he was on the Tennessee State electoral ticket when Buchanan was elected, and in 1860, was on the Breckinridge ticket, but has never aspired to become a candidate for any political office. In 1870, he was sent, with- out opposition, to the constitutional convention of Ten- nesssee, from the counties of Hamilton, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe and Sequatchic. In August, 1870, after the adoption of the new constitution, he was elected chan- cellor of the Chattanooga chancery division, and served until August, 1875, when Gov. James D. Porter ap- pointed him United States senator for Tennessee, to . succeed Andrew Johnson, who died in that position. He remained in the senate until January, 1877. In March following, he was appointed postmaster- general of the United States by President Rutherford B. Hayes, and served until August 25, 1880, when he resigned to accept the office of United States district judge for

the districts of Eastern and Middle Tennessee, which office he still holds.

Neither Judge Key or his wife belong to any church, though both were brought up by Methodist parents, are orthodox in their views, and understood to be Methodistic in their leanings. As to property, Judge Key is in comfortable circumstances. From boyhood he has been a close economist, from necessity and in- clination ; was never sned on a note, except as security for others, and has never been a borrower of money. Like all Confederates, he came out of the war with nothing, and, indeed, is not believed to be very ambi- tious to be rich, but only for excelling in his profession and to discharge his duties to his clients and the public, when in public position. His methods have been to keep out of debt. Offices he has held, but he never sought one of them; he had not enough audacity. Always honest and truthful, never deceiving the public or individuals, he has so demeaned himself as to win the confidence of the people, of the governor, and the president. He was never a politician, though a party man, and often endorsed by political opponents. He has always sought to be right-never sacrificing a prin- ciple for party consistency or party advantage. In fact, as Col. Jeremiah George Harris, of Nashville, has said of Judge Key, "Put him in a company of great men, and he will be the only man present that will not know that he is himself' a great man."

Judge Key stands six feet high, is erect, and some- what corpulent, weighing two hundred and forty pounds. His silver-gray hair, which he wears roached, is luxuriant. His look is like his reputation, quiet, serene, and very benevolent. He appears, also, a large- hearted, public-spirited man. His eyes are dark, with a clear, mild expression. He is a man collected, affa- ble, approachable, and of uniform dignity. The quali- ties of his make-up are so blended in harmony, it is difficult to name the one that is his differentiation.

GEN. WILLIAM H. JACKSON.

BELLE MEADE, NEAR NASHVILLE.

T "O a phrenologist, a study of this gentleman's pic- ture reveals a neck and chin indicative of push and force; compressed lips, that speak of determina- tion ; arched nostrils, which belong to those who were born to command; eyes of a discoverer, "looking right on and thine eyelids straight before thee;" a brow of depth and breadth, showing quickness of perception ; a forehead of concentration of purpose, not given to change, and a coronal denoting dignity and clearness of character. Moreover, one would lind in him an illus- tration of the theory that justities biographical work,

to-wit : that native talent, stimulated by family pride, is the chief factor of individual excellence. Closely akin to this incentive to distinction and success in other di- reetions, is State pride, which blossoms into the activi- ties called public spiritedness, and prompts to lending a helping hand to whatever will elevate and advance one's own native State. In other words, that love of country, which men call patriotism, of the loftiest char- acter and most superb organization.

William H. Jackson was born, October 1, 1835, at Paris, Tennessee, but when four years old, his father

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moved to the vicinity of MeLemoresville, in Carroll county, Tennessee, the motive leading him there being to get near his father-in-law, Rev. Robert Hurt. Re- maining there one year, he removed to Jackson, Ten- nessee, in 1810, and in that town the subject of this sketch was raised. Of the incidents of his boyhood life, one might cull from his father's sketch of him a number of interesting facts. His life has been some what eventful. He is a man of' strong individuality, both of thought and action. By no manner of means is he a man of dash and show and light weight. His father used to compare that style of man to a "syllabub," from one of Davy Crockett's unique expressions, who, when he had taken his first spoonfull of " syllabub," remarked, "I snapped at it, but by hokey, I believe I missed it." Gen. Jackson's looks and manner make the impression that he might have adopted for his life's motto, " Festina lente." He is deliberate and slow and farmer-like, and for that reason a man of force and a good manager and marshaler of affairs,

He was reared amid good and wholesome precepts in the home circle and sound instruction in the school, ' and in the Methodist church, of which his parents were members. He gained fast friends for his high spirit and the zeal with which he espoused the cause of the weak or younger children, in his school-boy days, be- tween the age of ten and sixteen. His numerous school broils originated in his fervor in defending the weak against the strong. Naturally of a sanguine tempera- ment, in later years he strove to correct his combative tendencies, never carrying weapons, lest that dangerous temperament might impel him to the use of them, which he might, in cooler moments, regret. It re- quired the severe military training of West Point, where he graduated in his twenty-first year, to subdue this fiery spirit. The future of his manhood was carly fore- shadowed in the impetuous youth, noted more for eu- ergy of action than intensity of application. His fond- ness for field sports often conflicted with the strict discharge of the duty required in his early school days.

In the spring of 1852, being at that time a member of the senior class in West Tennessee College, at Jackson, he received the appointment of cadet to West Point from his member of Congress, Hon. Kit. Williams. This change brought about higher aspirations, stronger efforts and new associations. He had not applied him- self to books, being surrounded by clever chums who were not studious. On entering the Military Academy, he determined to stay where so many from his district had failed, the impelling motive being a desire to please his father, whom he loved devotedly while liv- ing, and whose memory is kept ever green and fresh in his mind. There was never greater congeniality in thought, language and sentiment between father and son than between Gen. Jackson and his father. At nine years of age he heard his father remark, in conversa- tion with Judge Turley, of the Supreme bench, Judge

A. W. O. Totten, Gen. William T. Haskell and Judge Milton Brown (the educational institutions of the country being under discussion), that he would be per- fectly satisfied to have one of his sons graduate at the University of Virginia, and the other at the Military Academy at West Point. . At the time of his entrance to that institution, his brother, Howell E. Jackson, late United States senator, now United States circuit judge (who was always a hard student), was progressing finely, and therefore he determined to carry up his end, of the row towards gratifying his father by graduating at West Point, which he did creditably, in 1856, in a large class, many of whom have been very distinguished, among them Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee and Gen. Lomax, of Virginia, on the Confederate side, and Gen. George Bayard, on the Federal side. . During his term at West Point, Gen. Robert E. Lee was superintendent of the academy, whom Gen. Jackson speaks of as being the grandest man, in les whole make-up, of any man he ever knew.

After the usual furlough, he went to the camp of instruction. at Carlisle barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and reported to Col. Charles May, of Mexican war fame, then commanding at that cavalry school of in- struction. While there, Gen. Jackson was detailed to conduet a batch of recruits to Fort Leavenworth, Kan- sas, and turned them over to Gen. Harney. Returning via Washington City, he spent three days in company with Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee, at Arlington, where he met and was greatly interested in old Mr. Custis, the pro- prietor.

In 1857, he crossed the plains, from Leavenworth to Fort Union, New Mexico, to join. his regiment of mounted rifles, two months en route, the trip full of nov- elty and adventure, encountering, as he did, for the first time, the buffalo, the grizzly bear and the aute- lope, just suited to his ardent temperament and love of field sports.

From 1857 to 1861, he was engaged in the principal Indian fights of that territory, with such men as Kit Carson, Larue and others, as his guides; was compli- mented several times in orders from department head- quarters, also from headquarters of the army, for gal- lantry, tact and good judgment in Indian fighting.

When war was threatened between the States, he awaited the action of his native State, subscribing to the idea that in a sectional conflict his allegiance was one primarily to his State and his people, the only con- sideration that caused him to tear himself away from the Federal flag which he had ever cherished and hon- ored, and from those social ties that bound him as with links of steel to his old army associates. He had no voice in precipitating the war, and regretted very much the outbreak of hostilities. Yet, for this act of loyalty to the State which gave him birth, and to the people of his State, whom he has always loved, he remains yet an unpardoned rebel of the government for which he once

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fought gallantly, often risked his life, and for which, if circumstances rendered it necessary, he would risk his life again, Raised under the Methodist dispensa- tion, he would never apply to the government for par don, because. under that dispensation, a condition pre- cedent was a confession of enormity of guilt and deep repentance for the humble part that he had performed, neither of which has he ever admitted. And it is a source of proud satisfaction to him that he is in a po- sition where he can stand this implied stigma as long as a great government may see fit to continue it. Of all the participants on the losing side in that great strug- gle, Gen. Jackson and some thirty others, alone. are thus under the ban.

In 1861, when the war broke out, he was in the United States regular army, stationed at Fort Staun- ton, New Mexico, with the rank of second lieutenant, in a regiment of mounted riflemen, Col. William Lo- ring then commanding the department of New Mexico, -- and Lieut .- Col. George B. Crittenden, of Kentucky, commanding the regiment. When the first shot was fired on Sumter, he tendered his resignation, turned over to the government every cent of money in his hands, as assistant quartermaster, something over twenty-eight thousand dollars, and proceeded, in com- pany with Cal. Crittenden, to Galveston, Texas, where he found the port blockaded. Together with Col. Crit- tenden, Maj. Longstreet, and Messrs. Terry and Lub- bock, of Texas, he ran the blockade and proceeded to New Orleans, from which place he sent a tender of : service to the Confederate government, through Maj. Longstreet. Previous to that time, however, he had been appointed by Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, to a captaincy of artillery. On arriving at his home in Jackson, Ten- nessee, he reported by letter to the governor, who or- dered him before the military board of the State, com- posed of Gov. Harris, ex-Gov. Neill S. Brown, James E. Bailey and Gen. William G. Harding. This board retained him a week, interviewing him in regard to cay- alry and artillery equipments, arms, etc. Thence he was ordered to report to Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, then com- manding the Confederate forces at Memphis, and served in the capacity of a staff officer to tien. Pillow, in the army of occupation in Missouri and Kentucky, with headquarters at Columbus. He organized a light bat tery at Columbus, In the battle of Belmont, which soon after followed, he was ordered with his battery to report to Gen. Pillow, but could not land his guns, by reason of the flying Confederate troops. who would have swamped the boat. But he went ashore himself, se- cured a horse, reported to Gen. Pillow, and was ordered to the duty of conducting three regiments of infantry in rear of Grant's army. While in the discharge of that duty, his horse was shot from under him, receiv- ing eight bullets, while he received a minnie ball in the right side, supposed, at the time, to be a mortal wound. The ball was never extracted, and then Jack

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son still carries it as a memento. That move, however, was a successful one, routing Grant's army and saving the day to the Confederates.

When the troops were concentrated at Corinth, Miss- issippi, under Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, Jackson's battery was ordered there. A week before the battle of Shiloh, Jackson was promoted to a coloneley in the Confederate service for gallantry at the Belmont battle, and ordered into West Tennessee to take command of all cavalry in that section. He commanded all the cavalry in the minor conflicts in West Tennessee and north Mississippi, frequently capturing trains on the Memphis and Charleston railroad, and on one occasion came nearer capturing Gen. Grant than, according to Gen. Grant himself; he ever was at any time during the war. In the fights about Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Bolivar, Tennessee, and in the vicinity of Corinth, Jackson's command frequently captured whole regi- ments. ' He was in that severest of all battles during the war, the attack of the combined forces of Van Dorn and Price on the fortified position of Corinth, commanded by Rosencrans. Subsequently Van Dorn was assigned to the command of all the cavalry in that department, and Jackson was placed in command of a brigade of cavalry under him, his command consisting of one thousand five hundred cavalry, when he moved in the rear of Grant's army and attacked Holly Springs, Grant's depot of supplies. Jackson led the charge upon that place, and with his command captured and paroled one thousand eight hundred infantry with arms in their hands. The command also captured a great many cav- alry, and destroyed all the connnissary, quartermaster and ordnance stores, estimated at six million or cight million dollars. They also secured all of Gen. Grant's private papers, maps, carriage and baggage, by sending a staff officer into the room of Mrs. Grant, who was present. This brilliant and dashing raid had the effect of changing the plan of the movements of that army, by orders from Washington, caused Grant to retrace his steps and make the river campaign against Vicksburg, his plan before being to destroy JJackson and proceed by land against Vicksburg, in the rear. For this service, Jackson was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general by President Davis, then at Jackson, Mississippi, and assigned to a division of cavalry ander Gen. Van Dorn.

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Sketches of prominent Tennesseans. Containing biographies and records of many of the families who have attained prominence in Tennessee, Part 98

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