WOODSONS, KINCAIDS, AGEES TRACE THEIR HISTORY IN CAMPBELL COUNTY AREA BACK TO MID-1800S

By Dallas Bogan

Reprinted with Permission from Dallas Bogan.  This article was published in the LaFollette Press.

The following biographies were taken from "Goodspeed's History of Campbell County," dated '1887.'

A. D. Woodson was born in Lee County, Va., November 13, 1846, and is the son of William and Annie (Pebly) Woodson. The father was born in Russell County, Va., in 1801, and was the son of John Woodson, a native of Virginia. The latter was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and was quite prominent in his day. He removed to Claiborne County, Tenn., where he followed farming, and died after a long and useful life.

William, the father of our subject, removed to Campbell County early in life, and farmed in Powell's Valley for a number of years, and then returned to Lee County, Va., where he followed farming until his death in 1884. The mother was born in Campbell County, Tenn., in 1811, and died in 1884. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and were religious, plain people, respected and esteemed by all who knew them.

Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended school at Fincastle, Clinton, and Tazewell, securing a good practical education. He has followed farming as an occupation, and has made a decided success of the farm in Powell's Valley, embracing about 600 acres. He is a liberal-minded and progressive citizen, and has always been a warm friend and advocate of education is better than riches. He stands high in the estimation of his fellowmen, and, though frequently solicited to seek public office, has always declined to do so, preferring the quiet life of a farmer. He was married on March 12, 1867, to Mossie Kincaid, who was born in Campbell County, Tenn., in 1851, and is the daughter of the late Col. John Kincaid, one of the most prominent citizens of the county. To this union eight children have been born, one of whom is dead, having met his death accidentally while hunting. Both our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

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.