Category: Biographies

(original source unidentified)

Thomas J. Austin, and industrious and thrifty farmer residing in the Ninth district of Bledsoe Count, is a native of Tennessee, born in Sequatchie County August 4, 1849, and is a son of Elijah F. and Phoebe (Minton) Austin. The father was born in Powell Valley, Claibourne County, TN, in 1818, and was a son of Jonathan Austin, who was very likely a Virginian by birth. Our subject’s great-grandfather was an Englishman, who came to America and joined Washington’s army, serving through the Revolutionary war, after which he located in Virginia and there spent the remainder of his life. Elijah F. Austin was the owner of a fine farm in the Ninth District of Bledsoe County, just above Mt. Airy, and was a most successful farmer and stock raiser. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat in political sentiment, and both he and his wife were earnest and faithful members of the Primitive Baptist church. She was born about the same year in which her husband’s birth occurred, and is still living.

(listed on the 1880 Bledsoe County Census as: Elijah Austin 64, farmer; Phebe 60, Joseph B 36, James H. 25, John B 22, Joel B. 21, John L. 18)

In their family were nine children, namely: Joseph B., a farmer living in the upper part of Sequatchie County; Rebecca, wife of Henry Cagle, of the Ninth district of Bledsoe County;

(listed on the 1880 Census of Bledsoe County: Henry Cagle 39, Rebecca A 38, Phebe E. 18, William J. 14, Lenora J. 11, Elijah A. 8, Henry L. 3)

William T., of the upper part of Sequatchie County; Thomas J., of this review; John B., James H. and Joel B., all farmers of the Ninth district of Bledsoe County; and J.L., who was born in 1861, and died at the age of twenty-nine years.

Reared upon the home farm, Thomas J. Austin received his education in schools of the neighborhood, and early in life became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On the 22nd of July, 1869, at the age of twenty years he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Hale, who was born near Pikeville, in Bledsoe County, October 17, 1849, and is a daughter of Reverend James Hale. Of the ten children that blessed this union, eight are still living. They are as follows: J.L., a successful teacher of Johnson County, Texas; E.F., a merchant and barber of the same county; Frances A, wife of J.t. Southerland, a farmer of the first district of Bledsoe County; O.S., who died at the age of fourteen years; Leona E., Walter Cleveland, Melvine, Mabel and Monroe; all at home; and Joseph, who died in Childhood.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Austin commenced farming upon his father’s place, and in 1885 removed to his present farm, where he has two hundred acres of valuable and well-tilled land, under a hight state of cultivation and improved with an elegant residence and substantial out buildings. By his Ballot he always supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and is one of the most public-spirited and progressive citizens of his district. His estimable wife holds membership in the Missionary Baptism Church.

Listed as follows on the 1880 Census of Bledsoe County:
Thomas J. Austin, 30 farmer; Sarah E. 30, James L. 9, Elijah F. 7, Frances A. 5, Opha S. 3

(original source unidentified)

Leander T. Billingsley is a well-known and respected citizen of Bledsoe County, whose home and base of operations is situated not far from the village of Billingsley. His principal occupation is that of a farmer, although he has taught a few terms of school since locating at his present home. He was born October 20, 1843, the son of John Billingsley.

The father of our subject was a son of Captain Samuel and Mary Billingsley. The Captain was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was once wounded during that struggle. He afterward moved to the Sequatchie Valley and died in Bledsoe County. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and a charter member of the first Masonic lodge in Bledsoe County. He died in the year 1816, at the age of sixty-nine years, and his wife passed away in 1838, at the age of eighty-five years. John Billingsley was first married October 10, 1802, and the same year he and his bride started from North Carolina on a blind pony to find for themselves a home. They finally reached the Sequatchie Valley with a cash capital of one dollar and twenty-five cents. The valley was then one large cane brake, but the located on the farm which Mrs. Harris now makes her home, cleared a strip of ground, and put in and cultivated a crop with their pony. During the spring of the following year this animal fell and broke its leg, so the second crop was put in and cultivated with a young bull. Arising from these humble circumstances under which he began life, he become on of the wealthy and prominent men of eastern Tennessee, and at his death John Billingsley’s property was valued at eighty-five thousand dollars, an example of what can be accomplished by push and energy and an immoderate amount of patient, persistent effort. For forty years this gentleman was a member of the county court, and a part of this time he was chairman of this body. He also represented his county in the state legislature. He died in the Sequatchie Valley, Mary 25, 1856, at th age of seventy-six years, and his first wife died in 1829 at the age of forty-three years. To this first marriage were born ten children, nine of whom lived to rear families, and one of whom, Elizabeth, wife of James Rankin, is still living. Of the sons, Samuel was a Baptist preacher, Calvin was a farmer, and A.B. Billingsley and J.D. Billingsley were very prominent Christians.

(1880 Census of Bledsoe County lists: A.B. Billingsley 66, farmer; Susan J. 52, Thomas S. 21, Dora 15, Tecora 13, all born in TN)

September 13, 1831, John Billingsley was married to Jane Hoodenpyle, daughter of Phillip Hoodenpyle, born in Raleigh, NC, April 21, 1812.

(1880 Census of Bledsoe County lists: Jane R. Billingsley age 66 widow, housekeeper, b. TN, parents born in Holland)

She died in Bledsoe County, TN in September 1894. To this last union were born nine children, all of whom lived to rear families, and eight of whom are now living: Mary T., widow of Reuben Rankin; P.M., a farmer of Marshall County, TN; Amanda, wife of John Rankin of Pikeville;

(Listed on the 1880 Census of Bledsoe County as Amanda Rankin, 40, mother-in-law, in the household of James and Gertrude Barnett)

Hixey, wife of Jesse Hall, died in Pikeville;

(listed on the 1880 Census of Bledsoe County: Jessey Hall, 42, Grocer, Hixey 41, wife, Henry 18, Laura 16, Marshall 14, Austin, 9)

Viola, widow of William Farmer;

(listed on the 1880 census of Bledsoe County: W.W. Farmer 44, Viola 39 wife, Pehiah 17, Rodia 15, Lucusia 13, Thomas 11, Wade 9, Elizabeth 7)

Leander T., the subject of this sketch, owns the old home, is farming and trading in stock; the wife of T.A. Reynolds; Sarah, wife of Frank Hutcheson;

(probably listed on the 1880 Census of Bledsoe County as: F.J. Hutcheson 50, N.A. Hutcheson 48, T.A. 18, son; D.L. 15, son; N.S. 13, dau; A.C. 10, son; S.E. 9, dau)

and Eva J., wife of John Swafford.

Leander T. Billingsley attended the Sequatchie College eight months after the war. June 16, 1861, he joined Branham’s battalion of cavalry, and one year later he joined Company F, Second Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate. He participated in the battles of Fishing Creek, Stubensville, KY, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and several other battles; and his command was in Kentucky to relive Morgan, when our subject rode eleven days and nights. Mr. Billingsley’s clothes were cut several times by passing bullets, but he was never wounded. He was taken prisoner by Michigan troops at Smith’s Cross roads, now known as Dayton, TN, and was taken to Sale Creek, Chattanooga, Nashville, Louisville, Camp Morton, Indiana, and Camp Delaware, and from the latter place he was released at the close of the war. He then returned to his home in Bledsoe County, TN, and began farming on the old Billingsley farm but later he moved to his present home. December 23, 1873, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Worthington, daughter of James Worthington. Mrs Billingsley was born May 27, 1849, and died April 1, 1890. To this union were born seven children, five of whom are still living: Samuel W., now a United States soldier in Cuba; Flora, deceased; John, Lula, Grover and Leander S., all living at home; and Mary Della, deceased. Mr. Billingsley was married again February 9, 1898. The family is connected with the Christian Church. Politically Mr. Billingsley is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic Party, and for twelve years has held the office of justice of the peace.

Listed on the 1880 census of Bledsoe County as follows: L.T. Billingsley 37 Farmer, Mary E. 31, Samuel W. 5, Flora Jane 3, John M. 8/12 son b. Nov

(original source unidentified)

Jesse Carroll Worthington, a prominent and well-to-do citizen of Bledsoe county and one of the leading farmers of the Fourth district, was born at Big Springs, in the Fourth District of Bledsoe County, January 30, 1831.

Mr. Worthington is a son of William and Margaret (Brown) Worthington. The family settled in the Sequatchie Valley in the year 1800, when the Indians still inhabited it, and made their home on the cast side of the valley on the land now owned by Jane Worthington. William Worthington, soon after he was married, moved on to the farm now owned by Robert Worthington, which was formerly owned by a cousin, John Worthington. He was twice married and reared a very large family. His second wife was, in her girlhood, Miss Mariah Hutcheson, of Jackson county, and is still living on the old farm. By the first marriage were born twelve children, of whom five; Jesse Carroll, John, William, Rubin and Sarah are still living. Of the children born to the second marriage, five are now living: Mart, Tom, Frank, Eveline and Robert. William Worthington died at Big Springs, in November 1896, at the age of ninety-two years, and is buried near Big Spring on the farm.

Our subject spent his school days in, Sequatchie Valley. At the age of twenty-one he went to Union Point, Ala., where he was employed in laying track on the Union Point & Columbus railroad. From there he went to Hamilton county, Tenn., and after following the vocation of a farmer for two years, entered the employ of the East Tennessee & Georgia railroad, working on the Dalton branch of that road, and hauled much of the lumber for the bridge across the Chickamauga. He next returned to Bledsoe county, Tenn., and lived for a time on the farm his brother John now occupies, after which he moved to his present farm. Of the four hundred and fifty-three acres it comprises, two hundred acres is cleared and in a high state of cultivation, and altogether is a very pleasant and attractive home and profitable farm.

In 1854, Mr. Worthington was united in marriage to Margaret Seagraves. She was born in Bledsoe county, Tenn. and died January 8, 1856, leaving one daughter, Mar- garet, who is deceased. Our subject subsequently married Sarah Shirley, who was born in Bledsoe county, Tenn., and died in 1862. To this union were born five children, three of whom are now living: James, in Kansas; Thomas, in Idaho; and William, in Missouri. The two now dead were Samuel, who died when quite young, and Jennetta became the wife of James Sampson, and died in Arkansas. In 1867, our subject was united in marriage to Mary Jane Shutters, also a native of Bledsoe county.

In 1861, Mr. Worthington joined Company F, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry (Confederate), and was with it when it became a battalion. He was in the battle of Perryville, and was with Hood in Kentucky, and at Cumberland Gap. His only wound while in the service was in his hand which resulted in the loss of a finger.

(original source unidentified)

John R. Annis is one of the popular and well-to-do citizens of Bledsoe County. He is a man of much energy and ambition and in the various lines of business in which he has been engaged he has invariably met with at least fair success, and has become well and widely known and made many friends. He was born in Kingston, Roane County, TN, August 8, 1850, the son of Robert R. and Martha (Love) Annis.

It is not known whether Robert R. Annis was born in Scotland or in Virginia. He removed with his mother to White County, TN, in the year 1810, or when he was fifteen years of age. His mother died soon after, and Robert, as soon as he became old enough, secured a position as stage driver, and followed that occupation for forty years, working on different lines. when he married he was living in Kingston but at the time of his death, which was in the year 1865, he was making his home in White County. His father was a Scotchman by birth, and his mother was Irish. He had one sister, who emigrated to Missouri before the war. His wife who was a native of Hawkins County, TN, died when quite a young woman. They were the parents of a family of six sons and two daughters, of whom we have the following record: William F., who was a soldier in the Northern army, in Kilpatrick’s command of Walford’s cavalry, and is now living in Henry County, KY.; John R., the subject of this sketch; Fannie E., who is in San Francisco, CA; Daniel C.; Henry, who was a union soldier in Blackburn’s regiment, and was killed after the war; Elizabeth died at the age of two years; George died in childhood; and Sam was a printer at Louisville, KY at the time of his death.

John R. Annis spent the greater part of his boyhood with his father on the mail route, and learned to read from the placards along the route. After arriving at manhood he, also, was a stage driver for several years. He spent four years on the route from Kingston to Sparta, over the Cumberland mountains. He then made a trip to Indiana, Arkansas and Texas and returned to eastern Tennessee and located in Washington. He next made his home for a time in Kingston, and from that place moved to Sparta, but in 1877 or 1878 he located in Pikeville. About the year 1885 he opened a blacksmith shop in the latter place, and has since operated that business. In connection with it, however, he has had several mail-route contracts, one of which is the one from Lafayette, GA, to Chattanooga, TN, and he now has the contract from Pikeville to Cross, S. C. and one from Crossville to Rockwood. He has also had charge of the Bledsoe County poor farm fro four years. In all of his various lines of work Mr. Annis has been very industrious, progressive in his ideas, and ready to take advantage of every turn of the tide to improve his circumstances. Politically he is a Democrat.

April 12, 1885, Mr Annis was united in marriage with Miss Laura White, daughter of William White, and granddaughter of Daniel White, and the family circle has been completed by the presence of a family of four children, upon whom they have seen fit to bestow the names of Robert R., Alfred H., Martha and Ethel.

John Annis is listed on the 1880 census of Bledsoe County prior to his marriage as:

Sarah Thompson  40      widow   		
William         15      son                     
Jerry           13      son                     
John Annis      28      boarder mail carrier    
William Jones   15      boarder mail carrier    
						

(original source unidentified)

The gentleman whose name introduces these few brief paragraphs is a respected and prosperous citizen of Pailo, Bledsoe county, and was born and spent the greater part of his life in this county.

Mr. Clark was born about six miles above Pikeville, February 21 , 1819, the son of Charles and Hannah (Denton) Clark. Charles Clark was a son of Norris Clark, and moved to the Sequatchie valley from Sevier county, and settled where L. T. Billingsley now lives. Norris Clark was a native of County Down, Ireland, and died in Bledsoe county, Tenn., at a very old age. Charles Clark, our subject’s father, was among the first blacksmiths to locate in the valley and operated a shop there for many years. He died there at a very old age. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark were the parents of a family of thirteen children, four of whom are now living: Jonas, the subject of this sketch; Francis, a blacksmith of Warren county, Tenn.; Bird is a farmer and blacksmith on Rocky river, in Warren county, Tenn.; and Bird’s twin brother, Jacob, on the west side of Waldens Ridge, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. The deceased are: Jonathan, who died in the vicinity of his birthplace; Isaac N. died on Brush creek, Sequatchie county; James died at Tanbark, Bledsoe county, Tenn., and was postmaster at that place at the time of his death; William died in Missouri; Nancy first married Larkin Swafford, and after his death, she was united in marriage to Thomas McKinney, and both died near Tanbark; Tobitha went west with her husband soon after their marriage; Jerusha died at the old homestead; Clarrissa was the wife of James Clendennin, and died in Van Buren county; and the other died in infancy.

Jonas Clark, the subject of this sketch, began to learn the blacksmith trade in his father’s shop when he was so small that he had to build a scaffold to stand on in order to reach the anvil, but learned the trade perfectly in all of its branches. Later he conducted a shop six miles above Pikeville, until 1860, when he moved down the Valley, nearer to the city. One year later he bought his present home and since that time has worked at his trade in connection with farming, milling, stock-raising, etc., and has also done some gunmaking. Our subject taught his brother, Jacob Clark, the trade of blacksmithing, and also his sons, Joseph and Charles E., who now have charge of the business. Mr. Clark was county sealer of Bledsoe county before the war, and for most of the time since the war he has been a member of the county court. Since the establishment of the post office at Pailo in 1875, he has been its postmaster.

May 25, 1850, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Mary B. Acuff, who was born February 15, 1825, a daughter of James Acuff, and died March 11, 1896. To this union were born seven children, three of whom are now living, and of whom we have the following record: Sallie, born April 14, 1857, is the wife of John McReynolds a farmer living near Chickamauga Station; Annie Jane, born November 17, 1858, and died August 8, 1880: Joseph, born December 16, 1860; James H., born December 29, 1862, and died January 29, 1863; Charles E., born November 28, 1864; and lda E., born February 24, 1870, and died March 16, 1888. Joseph Clark married Ader, the daughter of Jacob Clark, who was born in Bledsoe county, Tenn., and they have become the parents of five children: Ethel, Dallas, Robert, Hettie and Mabel. Charles E. married Florence Merriman, also a native of the Sequatchie valley, and a daughter of Margaret Merriman. They also have a family of five children: Pearl, Cleo, Clyde, Charles and Sallie Popy. Politically our subject is identified with the Democratic party, and some of the members of his family are members of the Christian church.

Jonas Clark is listed on the 1880 census of Bledsoe County as follows:

Clark, Jonas	61  h Farmer			TTT
Mary		56  w Keeping house		TTT
Anna J.		20  d 				TTT
Joseph		19  s works farm		TTT
Charles		15  s works farm		TTT
Ida		11				TTT						

(original source unidentified)

The men who belonged to the generation that preceded and included the period of the Civil war in the border states, have strangely interesting memories of that stirring time. Mr. Taylor was but a mere lad when it broke out, but he was old enough to serve in the home guard, and in these far away times he has valuable and instructive recollections of that great struggle.

Charles P. Taylor was born January 14, 1845, at Parker’s Ford on the Obed river. He was a son of Isaac N. and Elizabeth (Vickery) Taylor, both natives of Kentucky. The senior Taylor was born in 1812, and brought his family into Bledsoe county in 1845, settling first at Brown’s Gap, upon a farm now belonging to Major Tallett. He removed to a place now owned by W.B. Swafford, and from there to the farm now the property of Samuel Swafford, where he died in 1882, surviving his wife one year. He was a saddler and farmer, a hard working man, moderately successful in a financial way, and sustained a good reputation throughout his part of the county. He was a Democrat, and with his wife was a member of the Methodist church. In his family were nine children, six of whom are still living. Mary is the widow of J.P. Swafford, and lives in the valley. Eliza J. is the widow of Aaron Swafford, and also has her home in the valley. Charles P. is the subject of this writing, and Salina, the wife of Benjamin Franklin, has her home in Dayton, Tenn. Amanda married William Day, a farmer of Rhea county, where W. G. is also engaged in farming. John A. died in 1867 at the age of twenty-five years. Stacy died at the age of eighteen, and Virginia died after she had become the wife of Thomas Swafford.

Charles P. Taylor spent his boyhood days in this county attending school, and when the war broke out was enrolled in the home guard. After the war was over, he set up for himself on the Millard farm, with an old sway-back horse for his entire capital. Pluck and energy did wonders. and in the intervening years he has been very successful. For a time he was on the William Wood farm, and in 1893 located where we find him. Here he has a fine farm which is well stocked and thoroughly improved.

April 12, 1885, Mr Annis was united in marriage with Miss Laura White, daughter of William White, and granddaughter of Daniel White, and the family circle has been completed by the presence of a family of four children, upon whom they have seen fit to bestow the names of Robert R., Alfred H., Martha and Ethel.

Mr. Taylor was married December 31, 1878, to Miss Emetine Swafford, a daughter of William Swafford. She was born in Hamilton county, August 24, 1855, and belongs to one of the oldest families of the valley. Her parents spent some years in Arkansas, but returned to Hamilton county, where he spent the earlier years of her life. She is the mother of seven children, Eliza, William T., Cleurta Anna, Amanda E., Charles G. Gailaird V., and Celia E. She is a lady of many excellent traits, and commands the esteem of those who know her best. She is an active and devoted member of the Methodist Church, where her presence and assistance are much appreciated. Mr. Taylor is a Mason and is affiliated with the order at Melvine. He was in business in the years from 1892 to 1895 at Litton and had at first a partner by the name of C. Thurman. Later on the partnership was dissolved and our subject is now in business at Nine Mile. He is an affable gentleman, and is highly respected by a wide circle of acquaintances.