Goodspeed's
History of
Campbell
County, Tennessee
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Goodspeed's
History of Tennessee Counties
J.
H. Agee M. D., is one of the prominent citizens of
Jacksboro, Tenn., and was born in Campbell County, February
14, 1827, and is the son of James
and Elizabeth (Tudor) Agee. The father was a native
of Virginia and was born in 1789. He served in the war of
1812 under Gen. Cocke and his widow received a land warrant
in recognition of his services in that war. He was the son
of Isaac Agee one of the pioneers
of Tennessee. His mother was born in Virginia, in 1792,
the daughter of Harris Tudor.
The father died in 1844, and the mother in 1865. Both were
members of the Baptist Church. Our subject was reared on
the farm, and acquired his education in the neighboring
schools and in Union County, finishing his education at
Clinton. He began life at the age of sixteen years, working
on the farm. He followed farming as a vocation, reading
medicine at the same time, up to the breaking out of the
late Rebellion. He began practicing medicine in about 1853.
At the breaking out of the war, he removed his family to
Pike County, Ind., where he farmed and taught school until
January, 1865, joining Company I, One Hundred and Forty
Third Regiment of Indiana Infantry, of which he was orderly
sergeant, and served guard duty on the Nashville, Chattanooga
& St. Louis Railway, and at Fort Donelson, Tenn. At
the close of the war he returned to his home in Indiana,
and in the latter part of 1865 returned to Campbell County,
Tenn., where he followed farming until 1867. He entered
politics in 1867; became the Republican candidate for the
Legislature to represent Campbell County, and was elected.
He was re- elected in 1869, serving through the years of
1867-70. He then retired from office, but continued in active
politics. In 1880 he was elected to represent the counties
of Campbell, Scott and Union in the Legislature, and in
1881 was elected to represent the counties of Campbell,
Claiborne, Grainger, Scott and Union in the State Senate.
At the close of his term in the Senate he was appointed
to the office of clerk and master of the chancery court
of Campbell County, which position he holds at the present.
His official life has been characterized by ability, integrity
and justice, and gave satisfaction to the public in general.
He has, to a great extent, retired from the practice of
medicine. He is a member of Milton L. Phillips Post, G.
A. R. He was married November 22, 1848, to Mary
Comer who was born in Campbell County, Tenn. To this
union eleven children have been born, ten of whom are living.
Both parents and two daughters are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church.
William
Allen circuit clerk, was born in New York January
13, 1844, entered the Federal Army, and served in the scouting
force of the Department of the Ohio until the close of the
war. He was captured several times, held as prisoner, and
also slightly wounded. He then followed farming a year or
more in this county, and since April, 1868, has held his
present office by re-election, and excellent indication
of his fitness for the position. He is now commander of
Milton L. Phillips Post, No. 27, G. A. R., of which he became
a member since December 23, 1884.
James
F. Archer a farmer in the Tenth Civil District, of
Campbell County, Tenn., and a native of this county, was
born April 24, 1847. He is the son of James
and Nancy (Stanfill) Archer.
The father and the mother were both natives of Kentucky.
The father was a farmer and merchant, and one of the well
respected citizens of Campbell County. He died at the age
of fifty-two years, in July of 1862. The mother was the
mother of a family of four sons and nine daughters; of these
children there live twelve. Our subject is the second son,
was reared on the farm, and has devoted most of his life
to farming. He commenced the occupation for himself at marriage,
which time was 1869. He was united in marriage with Jane
Perkins daughter of William
Perkins of Campbell County. Five sons and four daughters
have blessed the marriage. Mr. Archer
had been a successful business man and farmer. He now owns
and cultivates a farm of 250 acres, and is a well respected
citizen. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster for Jellico,
Campbell County, and had managed the office skillfully.
He is engaged in merchandising in Jellico, and is a member
of the Baptist Church.
Jesse
Baird farmer, was born in Whitley County, Ky., November
24, 1826, the son of Lewis M.
and Elizabeth (Woosley) Baird.
The father, a native of North Carolina, was of Irish origin,
and left fatherless when a child. He was born August 22,
1795, and farmed nearly all his life, coming to Kentucky
soon after his father's death. In 1862 the Confederate soldiers
took him from his home, in Tennessee, and tried, in vain,
to make him take the oath of allegiance, and consequently
imprisoned him, and he died in a North Carolina prison,
in May, 1864. The mother of our subject was a Virginian,
born of English parents December 28, 1797. She bore eleven
sons and three daughters. Our subject, the sixth child,
was reared on a farm in Kentucky, and since twelve years
of age has been in Campbell County, Tenn. His country school
education enabled him to teach, when of age, for two terms,
and then after some employment in a distillery, he began
his career as a farmer, in Campbell County, on his present
homestead, in Elk Valley. In 1853 he married Louisa
a daughter of John Smith. She
was born in Whitley County, Ky,, (sic) November 9, 1836.
Nine sons and four daughters have been born to them, but
one of the former deceased. Our subject has been successful
in life, and is a member of the United Baptist Church.
S.
C. Baird county clerk, was born November 16, 1841,
in Campbell County, the son of William
and Nancy (Barron) Baird; the
former born in Whitley County, Ky. October 19, 1819, and
deceased in April, 1886. He was a farmer, and Lewis
his father, was a native of North Carolina. The mother,
born in 1821, in Campbell County, was the daughter of Joseph
Barron a Virginian, who removed to Tennessee, and
finally to Texas. She died in December, 1861. Both parents
are Baptists,(sic) Our subject grew up with country school
advantages, and when nineteen years of age went to Williamsburg,
Ky., where, August 2, 1861, he joined Company A, First Tennessee
Infantry (Federal), and served with that regiment, until
mustered out at Nashville, September 29, 1864. For two or
three years he farmed, and in March, 1868, he became trustee
of Campbell County, and in 1870 was re-elected. He then
farmed, at the expiration of that term, and dealt in stock
until 1878, since which time he has held his present office
with characteristic efficiency. He is a member of the G.
A. R., Milton L. Phillips Post, No. 27, of which he is Senior
Vice-Commander. December 17, 1865, Sarah
Bowman became his wife. She was born January 9, 1844,
in Campbell County, the daughter of Elias
Bowman. They had six children: Synthia
E., Winston, Calaway, H. Maynard, Annie J. and Jimmie
N.
Lewis
Bowman trustee of Campbell County, and a farmer,
was born in that county January 16, 1855, the son of Elias
and Nancy (Douglass) Bowman.
The father was born in Virginia, in August, 1814, the son
of Sherrod Bowman who was killed
Elias was a child. He came
to Tennessee about 1824, and settled in Union and afterward
in Campbell County, where he has farmed up to the present
time, and for some time served as deputy sheriff. The mother
was born in the county in 1812, the daughter of William
Douglass a native of Tennessee. She was a member
of the Baptist Church, and died March 9, 1877. Our subject
was educated in the Jacksboro schools, and afterward taught
about ten years, devoting his vacations to clerking. He
was elected trustee of Campbell County August 5, 1886, and
is the youngest of the county officials, and one of the
most efficient. December 15, 1878, Martha
Smith became his wife. She was born in Campbell County,
December 11, 1858, and died September 26, 1879. They had
an infant, Martha deceased
March 25, 1880. February 22, 1883, he married Susie
Stanfill born in Campbell County July 25, 1865. She
is a member of the Baptist Church. He mother died when she
was three years old. Elias Bowman
is now and has been a citizen of Campbell County since about
1830. He has been partly blind for six years, caused be
detached retina of the eye. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have two
children.
G.
W. Crawford was born in Carroll County, Ohio, January
26, 1858, and is the son of Nicolas
and Catharine (Marshall) Crawford.
The father is a native of Ohio, and is now a resident farmer
of Columbiana County, Ohio. The mother is also a native
of Carroll County, Ohio, and of German descent. Our subject
was reared and worked on the farm until twenty-one years
of age. He was educated in the common schools of his native
county, and attended for two terms the Augusta Normal School.
When he reached his majority he went to Indiana, and remained
for a short time, when he returned to his parental home
and here remained for less than one year; then went to Indiana
a second time, in which State he was united in marriage
with Miss Zaidee Shutts September
5, 1880, at Noblesville. In 1881 he returned to Ohio, and
there remained about one year, working in the machine shops
of the Buckeye & Sharps Engine Manufacturing Company.
Again he went to Indiana, and here was born to him, November
28, 1882, Elsie May who died
July 20, 1883. At the death of this child our subject and
wife removed to Elk Valley, Tenn., where he remained about
one year, engineering, and then returned to Noblesville,
Ind., engaging in farming for one season; then finally came
to Tennessee, where he has been ever since. He is now engaged
in the hotel and livery business at Careyville, Campbell
Co., Tenn. August 28, 1886, was born his second child, Goldie
Newman. Our subject is an enterprising young man,
and has a bright prospect before him. He is an ardent worker
in the Republican party.
Alfred
Dossett was born in Campbell County January 18, 1813,
and is the son of Robert and
Elizabeth (Willoughby) Dossett.
The father was born in North Carolina in 1787, and was the
son of William Dossett a native
of North Carolina, who immigrated to Tennessee in 1804,
and settled in Powell's Valley, Campbell County, at a time
when the Indians were in full force. At that time the county
was a vast cane brake and forest, and the life of the hardy
pioneers was full of trials and tribulations. Robert
the father, followed in the footsteps of his sire, and was
a farmer. He served in the war of 1812, under Gen. Jackson.
He was an honest upright citizen, a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and was highly esteemed and respected
by his neighbors. He died May 12, 1879, in his one hundred
and first year. The mother was the daughter of John
Willoughby of Campbell County. She was a pious Christian
lady, and died June 19, 1836. Our subject was reared on
the farm, and acquired his education in the neighboring
schools. His education was limited, as the schools of his
boyhood were poor, and the opportunities for attending them
very poor. He has a good practical education. He was chosen
lieutenant of a company organized for the Florida war in
1836, and also of a company organized for the war with Mexico
in 1847, neither of which was accepted. He has made a success
of life. He was elected justice of the peace in 1882, and
holds that office at present. He was united in marriage,
February 1, 1838, to Julia A. W. Elliot
who was born April 10, 1819. To this union ten children
were born, eight of whom are living. The wife was a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died May 1, 1867.
He was married a second time, July 2, 1878, to Martha
J. Smith who was born in Campbell County, September
13, 1835, and died March 18, 1875. He was again married,
November 17, 1878 to Rhoda Bowls
nee Kitchen. Our subject and
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John
Jones, M. D. probably the oldest physician in East
Tennessee, was born in Wilkesboro, N. C., August 9, 1803,
the son of Thomas Jones a poor
but honest man, who was unable to give his children the
school advantages then destined only for those with larger
purses. A short time after our subject's birth his father
came to what is now Unicoi County, Tenn., then Carter County,
and to Greasey Cove, but about his tenth year his father
returned to Buncombe (now Yancy) County, N. C. Four years
later, however, they returned to Greasy Cove, and there
remained until after our subject had married and moved to
Embreeville. In 1822 our subject's residence burned, and
in it perished a six year old sister of his wife, and a
young man -- William Wood.
Then until about 1825 he worked for Mark Reaves & Sons,
at his trade of iron maker, and then went to Roane Creek,
Carter (now Johnson) County. Since 1827 he has lived in
Campbell County. In 1850-52 he studied medicine, and for
twenty years followed its practice in Campbell County. In
the year 1861 he was elected as a Union delegate to represent
the counties of Campbell and Anderson in a constitutional
convention, but as the convention was voted down by the
people, he could not serve, In 1868 he became county clerk,
and continued so for ten years, and for six years served
as justice, making such an excellent record that there was
never an appeal from his decisions. Elizabeth
a daughter of Benjamin Mosly
of Virginia, was his faithful wife for thirty years, who
died in 1851, and of their four daughters and two sons,
all have died. Some of the daughter's children are now living
in Campbell County. Although Dr. Jones
has long been retired from active practice, no physician
is more widely and favorably known in his region, both for
his excellencies as a man and a doctor, and though his advantages
were limited, he has, since he learned to read in his tenth
year, been a close and faithful student, so that he is now
not only one of the leaders in his profession, but in general
culture has reached broad ground, and his experience has
led him to be one of the most earnest and aggressive champions
of popular education supported by public funds. He is an
advocate and friend of active progressive Christianity,
and in his personal relations he is a rare man, kind and
generous to the weak and erring, yet ever point them to
the pure and noble. His long and useful life is now nearing
its end, to leave a record of well done when it is closed.
He has published a valuable professional book, "The Midwife,"
which has a very high standing, and embodies his professional
view and learning.
J.
S. Lindsay one of the oldest citizens and most extensive
farmers of the Fourth District, was born in Carter County,
September 28, 1823, the son of William
Lindsay a native of Virginia, and who was born July
4, 1762, a son of Matthew Lindsay
of Scotland. April 12, 1824, William
removed to Campbell County, and engaged in farming and building
iron forges, of which he erected fourteen during his life.
He was a major of militia in the early days, and died in
1848, a highly respected man. The mother, Mary
a daughter of Cornelius and
Nancy (Hall) Storm was born
in 1772, in Virginia. Her parents came to Carter County
at an early day, and afterward moved to Kentucky. They both
lived to be over ninety-five years of age. The mother died
in 1863, a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was
educated, chiefly, in the Jacksboro schools, and for several
years after leaving school he worked at his father's trade,
and rebuilt Lindsay Forge. He also built a forge for Laban
Sharp, at Big Creek Gap. After his marriage he began his
present career as a farmer, in which has so well succeeded.
In 1851 he became a justice, and, in a new district formed,
was re-elected. Since 1852 he has been a trustee of Jacksboro
Academy, and in 1870 he became clerk and master of chancery,
and held the office twelve years. In 1884 he was elected
justice, without an effort on his part, and his official,
as well as his private life, has been marked by the highest
characteristics. October 3, 1850, he married Catherine
Keeney born in Anderson County, April 12, 1827, the
daughter of Michael Keeney.
Eight of their twelve children are living. Both our subject
and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
He has served on the building committee of the academy,
jail and courthouse, of which latter he was superintendent.
He owns a farm of 500 acres. In 1863 he was ordained, and
now is, pastor of the Jacksboro Baptist Church, and has
also filled the office of deacon for many years.
W.
R. Mars was born in Campbell County, March 26, 1832,
the only son of James J. and
Maria L. (Maupin) Mars. The
father was born in Virginia, in 1803, and was the only son
of an only son, who was born in England. He came to Tennessee,
in 1828, and settled in Sequatchie Valley, where he remained
for two years, and then removed to Campbell County, where
he settled permanently, and followed farming as a vocation.
He was a public-spirited and enterprising man, and served
as a justice of the peace of his county for over eighteen
years. He was a brick mason by trade, and erected a large
number of brick residences in Powell's Valley. He was a
member of the Methodist Church, and died August 8, 1886.
The mother was born in Albemarle County, Va., in 1800, the
daughter of John Maupin. She
was also a member of the Methodist Church, and died July
25, 1882. Our subject was reared on the farm, and acquired
his education at the Fincastle schools. He began life as
a farmer, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his
life. He now owns a fine farm near Fincastle. Though frequently
solicited to seek office, he never aspired to the same,
and consequently has lived a retired and quiet life. He
was married September 25, 1860 to Jane
Owens who was born in Campbell County, Tenn., in
1841, the daughter of Daniel Owens.
To this union five children were born, as follows: William
B. born September 17, 1861; James
J. born August 14, 1864; Elizabeth
Y. born March 16, 1879; Daniel
E. born April 14, 1867 (deceased May 2, 1868), and
Franklin born July 19, 1872.
The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and died July 26, 1872. Mr. Mars
was married, the second time, March 17, 1875, to Emma
Myers who was born September 6, 1849, daughter of
Jacob Myers of Greene County,
Tenn. To this union six children have been born as follows:
Jacob T. born January 8, 1876;
Florence B. born October 12,
1878; Charles W. born January
25, 1880; Leslie M. born October
8, 1881; Mary L. born May 1,
1884, and Samuel E. born June
2, 1886. Both our subject and wife are members of the Methodist
Church, he of the Methodist Episcopal, and she of the Methodist
Episcopal South.
W.
J. McGee superintendent of public instruction of
Campbell County, Tenn., and one of the leading farmers and
citizens of the Seventh Civil District, was born in Middle
Tennessee, April 5, 1829, and is the son of George
W. and Rebecca (Young) McGee.
The father was born in Anderson County, Tenn., November
11, 1800, and was the son of James
McGee a native of Ireland. The father was a farmer,
and died in 1870. The mother was the daughter of Joshua
Young a native of Tennessee, and was born in Roane
County, October 13, 1808. She died January 7, 1877. The
parents were Christians, the father being a member of the
Baptist and the mother of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject was reared from his sixth year on the farm in
Campbell County, and acquired his early education in the
old field schools, and later finished his education at the
Jacksboro Academy. After finishing his education he returned
to the farm and began the life of a farmer, and has followed
that life up to the present, making a decided success, and
now owns and cultivates a fine valley farm of 160 acres.
He has always taken a decided stand for education and progress,
and in 1885 was elected superintendent of public instruction
of Campbell County, by the county court. So well did he
discharge the responsible duties of that office that he
was indorsed by re-election in 1877, and is now the incumbent
of that office. He is a man of progressive ideas, and under
his superintendency the schools of the county have made
great headway and progress. He was married in 1860 to Susan
Richardson who is the daughter of Daniel
Richardson and was born in Campbell County January
30, 1837. To this union eleven children have been born,
ten of whom are living as follows: Mary
J. born October 11, 1861; Annie
born October 13, 1863; W. H.
born December 24, 1864; D. P.
born November 14, 1866; died April 12, 1868; Sarah
E. born October 20, 1868; James
A. born September 24, 1870; J.
F. born September 12, 1872, L.
C. born July 6, 1874; R. T.
born August 19, 1876; H. H.
born September 14, 1878; and C. B.
born August 6, 1882. W. H.
is a farmer of Knoxville, and graduated from the University
of Tennessee in 1883. Our subject, wife and children are
members of the Methodist Church.
John
Myers was born in Campbell County, Tenn., August
17, 1829, and is the son of Isaac
and Margaret (Lindsay) Myers.
The father was born in Grainger County, Tenn., August 31,
1801, and is the son of John Myers
a native of Virginia. The grandfather immigrated to Grainger
County in about 1790, and removed to Campbell County in
about 1826. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 under Gen.
Cocke. The father is a farmer by vocation, and is
one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of
Campbell County. The mother was born in Carter County, Tenn.,
and is the daughter of William Lindsay
and a sister to Jonathan Lindsay
of Campbell County. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended the schools
of his neighborhood, and of Jacksboro. He began life as
a farmer, and has continued up to the present, and is now
one of the most prominent farmers of his district. During
the militia days he was an officer, and for twenty-four
years was justice of the peace of Anderson County, two years
of which time he served as chairman of the county court,
and discharged the duties of that responsible office with
credit to himself and the county. He is now and has been
since 1867 one of the trustees of Franklin Academy, at Jacksboro,
and is an advocate of education. He is energetic and enterprising,
and is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens. He was married
in 1853 to Martha Miller who
was born in Campbell County, in about 1833, and was the
daughter of John Miller. To
this union one child was born. The wife died September 11,
1854, and in October, 1857, our subject married Sarah
J. Delapp who was born in 1842, and is the daughter
of George Delapp (deceased)
one of the wealthiest and largest land holders of the county.
To this union eight children have been born, seven of whom
are living.
Capt.
A. Myers is a native of Campbell County, Tenn., born April
30, 1837, and is the son of Isaac and
Margaret (Lindsay) Myers. The father
was born in Grainger County, Tenn., in 1801, and is the son of John
Myers a native of Virginia. The father removed to Campbell
County when about twenty-two years of age, where he began farming,
and has continued up to the present, and now lives in the Fifth
Civil District. The mother was born in Carter County, Tenn., and
is the daughter of William Lindsay
and a sister to Jonathan Lindsay of
Campbell County. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
Our subject was reared on the farm of his parents, and attended
school at Big Creek and Fincastle. He worked on the farm until the
breaking out of the late war. In 1862, fired by patriotism and loyalty,
he organized a company of soldiers, of which he was elected captain,
and, March 10, 1862, he enlisted in the Federal Army. His company
was assigned a position as Company F, in the Sixth Regiment of Federal
Tennessee Infantry. He served throughout the war, and was in the
battles of Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Strawberry Plains, Resaca,
Lookout Mountain, Pumpkin Vine, Stone River, and was in thirty-three
heavy engagements in the Georgia campaign, during part of which
time he commanded a regiment, and distinguished himself for ability
and bravery. He was but slightly wounded, and never captured, meeting
with almost phenomenal success. From the Georgia campaign he returned
with his command to Tennessee, and on December 15 and 16, 1864,
was in the battle of Nashville. From that place he went to Washington,
and at Alexandria, Va., embarked on the iron clad "Matansus," and
conveyed to Wilmington, N. C., the trip occupying four days and
nights. He was in the successful engagement at that place, and was
then sent back to Nashville, where, March 24, 1865, he was mustered
out and honorably discharged from the service. He returned to farm
in Campbell County after the war, and in 1867 was elected revenue
collector for Campbell County, with no opposition, and was re-elected
in 1869, this time against opposition, which he overcame by a majority
of twelve to one. Retiring from the office in 1871, he resumed his
farming, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He is Post
Commander of Meador Post, No. 19, G. A. R., of Fincastle, and always
attends the district encampments. He was married November 22, 1867,
to Nannie E. Cross who was born in
Anderson County, Tenn., in about 1849, and was the daughter of John
and Elizabeth Cross both deceased.
To this union seven children were born, five of whom are living.
The wife was a Christian and worthy lady, a devoted wife and fond
mother, and died June 16, 1883, being a member of the Missionary
Baptist Church at the time of her death. In 1885 he married Ollie
Irwin who was born in Campbell County in about 1858, and
was the daughter of James P. Irwin
of Campbell County. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and died March 10, 1886. Our subject is a member of the
Missionary Baptist Church.
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