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THOMAS, Nathan O. (1845-1922)

Nathan O. Thomas, a very prominent merchant of Erin, was born August 20, 1845, near Erin. He was the second of a family of ten children of John H. And Nancy (Allen) Thomas, both natives of Houston County. Both grandfathers were among the very first settlers. The father was a farmer and one of the prominent men of the community. He died in 1855. The mother survived him for about ten years. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The immediate subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and secured a common school education. He remained with his mother till she died, and he then carried on farming for three years. In 1869 he came to Erin and engaged in general merchandising, which he continues very successfully with a full line of mercantile articles. In 1870 he was appointed postmaster at Erin and held it till 1881, when on account of political caste he was deprived of it, but has been reinstated under the present administration. From 1880 till 1885 he was engaged in the lumber trade and saw-milling. He was married in 1872 to Jennie M. McAuley, the result of this union being six children, three of whom are living, viz.: Flora, Vida and Clatie; and three have died, viz.: Helen, Clara and Willie. Mr. Thomas is a member of the F. & A. M. organization. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics and always has been. He is one the prominent men of the county and has been officially interested in town affairs.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

Source: Goodspeed, Weston A, and John Wooldridge. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Montgomery, Robertson, Humphreys, Stewart, Dickson, Cheatham and Houston Counties. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1886.

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SKELTON, James M. (1834-1927)

James M. Skelton, merchant, was born in Dickson County, Tenn., December 23, 1834. His father was born in South Carolina, in 1806, and when two years old was brought to Dickson County by his parents. J. M. was the second of a family of ten children, of whom seven are living. He was reared on a farm with his parents to the age of twenty, when he engaged as a dry goods clerk till May, 1861, when he entered the Confederate Army in Company C, Eleventh Tennessee Volunteers, and remained in the service till the spring of 1864, when he resigned his position as third lieutenant on account of bad health. In 1865-66 he worked on the farm and then engaged in general merchandising at Omega, and continued the business four years there. In the fall of 1870 he went to Howell County, Mo., and vended merchandise till the fall of 1872, when he returned to Tennessee. In January, 1884, he again opened a general merchandise trade which has ever since successfully continued. He was married, February 15, 1865, to Miss Lenora Shelton, of Houston County. Six children have been born to this union, viz.: William A., Joseph J., James L., Morris T., Mary S. and Bettie Lou. Politically he is a firm Democrat. He is one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of Houston County.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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SIMPSON, George W. (1833- )

George W. Simpson was born in 1833, in Southbridge, Mass., being one of the family of Pearley and Hannah (Harwood) Simpson. The father was a merchant, and died in 1867. The mother still lives at the old homestead at the age of eighty-seven years. Our subject was reared at home and received a common school education, and attended an academy one term. He left his parents at the age of twenty-two and went to Warren County, Ill., and engaged at merchandising there till August, 1862, when he came to Fort Donelson and sold goods under military permit. He then pursued merchandising at Clarksville two years. From 1866 till 1876 he served in the internal revenue department. Thence he went to Benton County and sold merchandise till 1884, when he came to Erin and was connected with the Arlington Lime Company. He also held an interest in the Stewart Manufacturing Company from February, 1883, till March 1, 1886. He was married in 1867 to Gertie Bradley, who bore him a daughter, Carrie H., and died in 1868. In June, 1876, he was united in marriage to Margaretha Rauscher. This marriage was blessed in the birth of a son, George M. In November, 1878, this wife died of yellow fever. His last marriage, in January, 1883, was to Miss E. F. Thompson, of Wilson County, Tenn., the result of this union being two children, one of whom is living, Lillian G. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches, respectively. He is a firm Republican in politics, and a valued man of Houston County.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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SHELTON, G. W. N.

G. W. N. Shelton, proprietor of a grocery store in Erin, was the oldest of ten children of J. W. and Martha (Lewis) Shelton, who were born in raised in Dickson County. The father was a merchant and stock dealer, and was successful till the war, when he became somewhat involved. He died in August, 1875, and the mother died in the same month, 1881. Our subject was raised in Dickson County, on a farm and in his father’s store. He remained with his parents to the age of twenty-nine, having, however, been engaged away from home three years at mercantile clerking. At the age of twenty-nine he married and engaged in farming. He has continued farming to the present time. He came to Erin and followed farming and butchering two years, and then engaged in his present business on a borrowed capital of $150, and has been successful. He was married October 2, 1873, to Miss E. A. Links, a native of Montgomery County. Five children have been born to them, viz.: Marshal M., Annie T., Landy H., Lillian M. and an infant. The wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Politically Mr. Shelton is a firm Democrat.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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SHELTON, W. C. (1857- )

W. C. Shelton, one of the prominent attorneys of Houston County, was born August 28, 1857, and is one of M. F. and W. F. (Pope) Shelton’s family, who was born in Dickson County. The father is now retired from active business life, but was formerly a merchant and trader, being very prosperous in his business enterprises before the war. Both parents are now residing in Erin. Up to fifteen years of age our subject’s days were spent on a farm. He worked in a blacksmith shop six months, and then became salesman in general merchandising stores in New Providence, and also clerked in other stores in Montgomery County for three years. His early educational advantages were limited, but by application at night he secured a very good education. After his eighteenth birthday he was for three years with D. G. Beers as surveyor for county maps and atlases. He read law at different times, and read “Blackstone” in the office of H. H. Buquo, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1881. October 10, 1883, he wedded Alice Amos, of Warren County, Ky. One daughter, Lillie A., has blessed their union. Mr. Shelton is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the most highly respected and popular young men in this section of Tennessee. He is thoroughly self-made, and has been eminently successful in the practice of his profession. He is candidate for the office of attorney-general of his district, and, owing to his ability, his many excellent qualities and hosts of friends, bids fair to be elected.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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SALISBURY, Barton V.

Barton V. Salisbury is a native of New York State. He was of a family born to the marriage of Russell Salisbury and Mary Downer. The parents lived in New York till B. V. was about five years old, when they moved to Wisconsin, where the father died in 1867. In 1868 our subject came to Houston County, and in about 1872 the mother and her youngest daughter came to the same county. The father was a cabinetmaker. The immediate subject of this sketch was born September 14, 1848. He received but a common school education. Upon coming to Houston County he worked for his brother in the manufacture of lime. After four years he engaged on a railroad, and was conductor of a freight train for about nine years. In 1883 he engaged as a partner in the Stewart Manufacturing Company in the manufacture of cooperage, lumber, lime, etc. His marriage ceremony was solemnized in 1878, uniting him in matrimonial bonds to Miss Martha Rauscher. A family of two children has blessed this union. Their names are Frank and Ethel. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Salisbury has always been a Republican. He is one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of Stewart and of Houston County.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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RICE, William H. (1844- )

William H. Rice, a prominent farmer of Houston County, was born February 29, 1844, at Gallatin, Sumner Co., Tenn. His father and mother were natives of Memphis and Clarksville, Tenn., respectively. They moved to Gallatin in about 1838. While in Montgomery County the father vended merchandise and was sheriff of the county. He died in 1848; the mother
died in 1849. William H. followed farming till 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Second Tennessee Cavalry, and was in the service till May 25, 1865. Returning from the army he again resumed farming, which he has ever since continued. He was married, December 12, 1867, to Anna Parrish, the result of this union being five children, two of whom are dead. Their names are Walter J., James (deceased), Callie, Grace (deceased) and George E. Mr. Rice is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife being a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Rice is a firm Democrat, and takes active interest in public affairs. Ever since the organization of the county he has been a justice of the peace, and has twice been chairman of the county court. He bears the reputationof an honorable, upright and enterprising citizen.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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RAUSCHER, George E. ( 1845- )

George E. Rauscher, one of Houston County’s most prominent business men, was born December 23, 1845, in Beaver County, Penn., being the third in a family of eleven children born to the marriage of George Rauscher and Caroline Goehring, natives of France and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was a merchant and farmer. He came to America about 1820, and married the mother in Pennsylvania, where he lived and died. The mother is now living in Erin. Our subject was reared on a farm and secured a fair business education. He remained with his parents till attaining his majority, and then he came to Erin, Tenn., where he engaged in saw-milling for one year successfully. He then began general merchandising in 1869, and has ever since continued in that business very successfully. In 1883 he connected himself with other parties in organizing the Arlington Lime Company, the manufacture of lime. He is the secretary of that company. He is also a member of the Stewart Manufacturing Company, at Stewart, in this county, in the manufacture of staves, heading, lumber and barrels,and in merchandising also at Stewart. October 1, 1872, he was married to Lizzie Campbell, a native of Pennsylvania. Five children have been born to this union, all of whom are now living. Their names are as follows: Ira W., Arthur C., Callie E., George and Bertha. Mr. Rauscher, his wife and eldest child are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Rauscher is a firm Republican. He was the first mayor of Erin, and held the office several terms. He is one of the prominent men of the community, and as a citizen of Houston County he is very highly respected as a moral, honorable and very successful business man.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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RUSHING, R. C. (1831- )

R. C. Rushing, trustee of Houston County, was born July 4, 1831, within four miles of Erin. He was the third of a family of seven children of Mark and Margaret (McDonald) Rushing. The father was born in Anson, N.C., and the mother in Moore County, N.C. They came to Tennessee at a very early day and settled within the present limits of Houston County, where they lived and died. The father was a farmer and died in 1859; the mother, who was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, having preceded him to her long home about two years. R. C. was reared on a farm and secured a limited education. At the age of twenty-four years he married and began farming on rented ground. In two years he bought land where he now lives, and ever since has successfully continued agriculture. He has been identified with public interests several times, having been an officer in Stewart County and was the first sheriff of Houston County. In 1878 he was elected to his present trust, having filled the same office one term before. He also owns an interest in a saw-mill. He was married, march 15, 1858, to M.J. Lockhart, a native of Houston County. Both Mr. Rushing and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is an elder in the church. He is one of the prominent and self-made citizens of Houston County.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore

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POPE, A. B. (1848- )

A. B. Pope, a leading business man of the county, was born November 26, 1848, in St. Lawrence County, N.Y. H. G. and Eleanor (Pohlman) Pope, his parents, were natives of New York, where the father followed farming. The mother died about 1851, when our subject was quite young. The father is still living in Nebraska. A. G. was reared on a farm in Wisconsin and secured but a limited education. He remained with his parents until fifteen years of age, when he enlisted in Company B of the Twenty-second Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers and remained in the service until 1865. He received a wound in the ankle at Robertsville, S.C. He then engaged in vending drugs in Wisconsin for one year and in Iowa for three years. He was then engaged on railroads and filled the different positions of brakeman, baggage master, freight conductor and passenger conductor, being on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad from 1870 to 1879. He then engaged in the stave trade at Stewart for two years. He then began general merchandising and has very successfully continued that trade ever since. He is postmaster, railroad agent and express agent at Stewart. He chose and wedded, June 8, 1876, Jennie R. Salisbury, the result of this union being two children: George A. And Henry B. Mr. Pope is a Republican in politics and a very prominent citizen of Houston County.

Transcribed by Susan Knight Gore