Adams, G. J.
Algae, W. W.
Belew, John G.
Blount, John G.
Bramley, J. H.
Briant, Alfred
Bryant, A. D.
Burrow, John J.
Canon, E. M.
Carnal, M. DeWitt
Carson, William M.
Cooper, A. E.
Cox, James B.
Curtis, W. E.
Denney, B. A.
Dickens, J. L.Eason, W. H.
Falkner, E.
Gilbert, J. M., Sr.
Goodloe, Granville
Guin, R. D.
Hastings, Andrew E.
Hawkins, Alvin
Hawkins, Albert G.
Hawkins, Samuel W.
Hilliard, Albert
Hilliard, W. H.
Humble, G. W.
Johnson, William
Jones, B. F.
Keaton, J. H.
Kilmer, AdamKyle, Robert G.
Lawhon, H. C.
Laws, Dudley
Manning, T. B.
McCall, Joseph W.
McCall, George T.
McCollum, J. C.
McCracken, Joseph
Mebane, Harris B.
McGill, H. D.
McNeill, A. C.
McMackin, David
Moore, J. D.
Murray, W. W.
Newsom, W. R.
Palmer, W. AlbertPhillips, Charles F.
Pritchard, Benjamin S.
Propst, A. G.
Ridgley, E. G.
Sanders, Furmon C.
Sloan, James F.
Stofle, Robert M.
Teachout, E. B.
Thomas, Haywood B.
Townes, Henry C.
Tucker, Alexander C.
Williams, E. W.
Williams, Sanford N.
Williams, Lorenzo F.
Wright, W. M.G. J. Adams
G. J. Adams was born in Halifax County of the Old Dominion, in December, 1826, one of four children born to Meads and Jane (Irby) Adams, who were born in Virginia, in 1799 and 1807, respectively. They were married and reared their family in their native county. The father was a stone mason by trade, and died in 1832. The mother departed this life in 1858. Our subject was reared by his relatives and was educated in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he began working in the foundry of Geo. Avery. October 23, 1850, he married Armon E., daughter of Joseph and Mary Fuqua. Mrs. Adams was born in Halifax County, Va., June 12, 1833, and became the mother of six children: James A., Joseph M., George W., William E., T. H. and C. D. After his marriage, Mr. Adams and J. P. Fuqua, his wife’s brother, built the first foundry ever erected in Carroll County. They continued to do business together until after the war, then our subject disposed of his interest to Mr. Fuqua, and began farming. He owns about 700 acres of very fine land, 500 acres being under cultivation. Mr. Adams is a good business man, and is well respected by all who know him. He is a Democrat but was formerly a member of the Whig party. He is also a Mason.
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W. W. Algea
W. W. Algea, farmer, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1847, and is one of a family of three children. He was reared under the parental roof and received his education mostly at McLemoresville. September, 1873, he married Caroline Williamson, a native of Carroll County, born in 1852 and the daughter of Samuel and Mary Williamson. To our subject and wife were born four children: James A., Mary F., Grace E. and Peter. In 1880 Mr. Algea located where he now lives, two miles northeast of McLemoresville, and has a fine farm of over 400 acres all well improved. He is a Democrat in politics and he and wife are worthy church members. His parents, James and Sarah (Wilson) Algea, were natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively. The father was born April 6, 1815, and came to Tennessee when quite young being one of the early settlers of the county. He was a farmer by occupation and died in Dyer County, October 30, 1854. The mother was born September 23, 1821 and is now residing with her son, W. W. Algea.
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John G. Bellew
John G. Belew, farmer and machinist, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., 1830, and is one of seven children, four of whom are living. The father, Jacob Belew, was born in South Carolina in 1796 and had very meager advantages for an education. He was a saddler by occupation in his younger days and when about twenty-two years of age, married Sarah Wilburn. In about 1819 they emigrated to Carroll County, and purchased land in the Thirteenth District on which he passed the remainder of his days. He was one of the very early pioneers of Carroll County having settled there when the county was a vast wilderness. He died in 1855. The mother was born in South Carolina about 1794, and died about 1869. Our subject was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the old log schoolhouses of that period. He learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed exclusively till about 1860. In October, 1858, he married Adaline Parker, of Henderson County, and then located in Clarksburg, where he has since resided. By-this union they had one child deceased. In June, 1859, Mrs. Belew died and in October, 1860, he married Miss Mitchell, a native of Kentucky, born about 1840 and the daughter of Scott Mitchell. This union resulted in the birth of eight children—seven now living: William E., Ludie, James S., Robert L., Mettie, Ada and Thomas. Mrs. Belew died in 1880. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the late Civil war, Mr. Belew, in August, 1862, enlisted in Company G, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate Army, and was captured in December of the same year, taken to Camp Chase where he was held on parole till September, 1863. He then returned to Salisbury, Miss., and rejoined the service. At the end of fifteen months of hardship and suffering he returned home. Previous to the war, in 1860, he engaged in the milling business, manufacturing both lumber and flour, which pursuit he has since continued with evident success. His mill is situated two and a half miles northwest of Clarksburg. He also owns about 700 acres of land, the most of which is producing and in a high state of cultivation. Th& home farm consists of 158 acres at Clarksburg. In politics Mr. Belew was formerly a Whig and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Scott, Since the war he has affiliated with the Republican party. He is a Mason of long standing, and an advocate of universal education and is a liberal supporter of charitable, religion and all public enterprises.
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John G. Blount
John G. Blount, farmer and cotton dealer of the Fourteenth District, and son of Isaac and Lovey Blount, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1821, and is one of a family of ten children, six of whom are living. The father was born in North Carolina about 1781, and was of English lineage. At the age of eighteen he commenced the life of a sailor, and followed this for about twenty-five years. When thirty-five. years of age he married, and in about 1815 immigrated to Carroll County, being one of its very early settlers. He established a grist-mill in what is now Benton County, and afterward built one on Blount’s Creek, named in his honor. He assisted in building the first courthouse in Carroll County, and was one of the very first magistrates of that county. At the time of his death, which occurred about 1871, he was ninety sears of age and the owner of a good farm. The mother was also born in North Carolina, about the same time as her husband, and died soon after his death. Our subject received a fair education, and at the age of twenty-five years married Miss B. Brewer, by whom he had three children: Wiley W., Larcena (Mrs. M. A. Sanders) and Aquilie (Mrs. C. J. Bruce). Mr. Blount then settled in the Fourteenth District on a farm of about 200 acres, where he has since resided, and which he has increased to 1,400 acres. He is now one of the most extensive landholders in the Fourteenth District. Mrs. Blount died about 1856, and in the following year Mr. Blount married Miss Keziah A. Brewer, sister of the first wife. By this union they had four children—three now living: Josephine (Mrs. Paley Rosser), Frances Elizabeth (Mrs. James Rosser) and Lovey L. (Mrs. Barney Bruce), deceased. Mrs. Blount died about 1868, and in 1870 our subject married Mrs. Winnie R. King, daughter of Noah Hampton, by whom he had two children: Isaac C. and Rosena. Soon after the war Mr. Blount was elected to the office of constable, but soon after resigned. He was formerly a Whig in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844. He is a Mason, and Mrs. Blount is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
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J. H. Bramley
J. H. Bramley, a merchant of McLemoresville, Tenn., was born in Carroll County of that State, in 1858, and is one of a family of seven children born to J. P. and S. D. (Smith) Bramley, both natives of Tennessee, and both born in 1831. The father was educated in Bethel College, and came to this county about 1852. He is now a resident of this county, living in the Twentieth District. The mother was also educated at Bethel College. Our subject was reared at home, and received his education mostly at Trezevant. In 1880 he married S. A. McKinney, a native of Tennessee, born in 1856, and the daughter of Ralph and Mary McKinney. This union resulted in the birth of one son, Dossie P. Until 1882 Mr. Bramley was engaged in tilling the soil; he then went to McLemoresville and engaged in merchandising, which occupation he still follows. He keeps a general stock of groceries, hardware and drugs, and has a good and increasing trade. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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Alfred Briant
Alfred Briant, farmer and old resident of Huntingdon, was born in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, 1809, and is the son of Reuben and Nancy (Tolerson) Briant. The father was of Irish descent; he was born in Virginia, and followed farming. In his youth he went to South Carolina, where he married and remained until his career ended. He died at the advanced age of one hundred and three years, about 1870. His wife, Nancy Tolerson, was born in South Carolina; she died in 1813, at the age of about thirty-five. By this union they had ten children. Mr. Briant was married three times, and was the father of fourteen children. Alfred is the youngest child by his first wife; he was reared at home, receiving a common school education, and made his home with his father until he was nineteen years of age. January 18, 1831, he married Miss Polly Stone, daughter of Aaron and Susanah Stone. Mrs. Briant was born in 1810, in the same district and State as her husband. By this union they had these children: Gardner M., who lives in California; Thomas J. (who in died May 15, 1886, at the age of forty-one; he was town marshal of Huntingdon for twelve years and occupied that position at the time of his death); Sarah A., widow of R. J. Johnson; Aaron R., Reuben A., Albert D., David B.; William H., who was killed by a falling tree near Huntingdon, at the age of sixteen years, and an infant (deceased). In 1838 Mr. Briant left his native State and immigrated to Carroll County, W. Tenn. He bought 400 acres in the Second District, and lived there until 1858 when he came to Huntingdon, bought 152 acres on the outskirts of the city, where he located and now resides. Mr. Briant is one of the substantial and influential citizens of Carroll County. Previous to his coming to Tennessee he was constable for several years. In 1841 he was elected magistrate and served for six years; was deputy sheriff several years previous to the year 1852. In 1852 he was elected tax collector of Carroll County, and served two years; in 1858 was elected sheriff of Carroll County, and 1860 was re-elected and served until the breaking out of the war, when he became one of the "boys in gray." He organized Company H, Fifty-fifth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry and Mr. Briant was elected captain of the company. He led his men at Island No. 10, and numerous severe skirmishes. At Island No. 10 he was captured and made prisoner of war. He was taken to Camp Chase, Ohio, thence to Johnson’s Island where he was retained until September 1862, when he was taken to Vicksburg, exchanged, and being honorably discharged returned home. In 1870 he was again elected as sheriff and held the position two years. Capt. Briant is highly esteemed for his sterling qualities and honesty of purpose. During the many years he has been a resident of the county he has always proved to be a man above reproach, and his character without blemish. He is well to do financially, owning 360 acres in the county, and several houses and lots in Huntingdon. In politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for H. Clay in 1832. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and lie and wife are members of the U. O. of G. C. and Methodist Episcopal Church South.
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A. D. Bryant
A. D. Bryant, proprietor of the Quin House, and city marshal of McKenzie, Tenn., was born September 15, 1842, in Carroll County, and is one of six sons and one daughter, surviving members of a family of ten children born to Alfred and Polly (Stone) Bryant, both of whom were of Spartanburg District, South Carolina, where they were raised together in the same vicinity; were schoolmates, and were married in the same district, and he engaged in farming until 1830, then moved to Carroll County, Tenn., locating at Huntingdon in 1859, where they now reside. Alfred Bryant, the father, was at one time tax collector of Carroll County, also sheriff one term before the war, and two terms since the war, and is at present county coroner; he was born in 1809, and his wife in 1810. Our subject remained with his parents until the commencement of the war, then enlisted in the Twenty-second Tennessee Confederate Infantry, remaining three months; he was then transferred to the Fifty-fifth Infantry, with which he remained until it was consolidated with the Forty-second Regiment, and was then color bearer of the consolidated regiment until December, 1864, when he returned home, and in October, 1866, married Aletha M. Quin; from this marriage were born four daughters and one son; three daughters are still living. He resided in the vicinity of Trezevant, Tenn., for two years after the war and then moved to Huntingdon, and from there to McKenzie in 1884. March, 1884, he was elected to his present office, but soon resigned and moved to Oxford, Miss., but after a few months returned to McKenzie, and was re-elected. He has recently taken charge of the Quin House, and by the hospitality of himself and wife have gained for the place considerable popularity. Mrs. Bryant’s parents, S. R. and Emily (Harvey) Quin, are both natives of South Carolina, but were married in this State in 1842, and followed farming in Carroll County until 1884, when they moved to Lafayette County, Miss., and engaged in the hotel business; then they returned and are still living in McKenzie. They had four sons and eight daughters; one son and seven daughters are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Quin are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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John J. Burrow
John J. Burrow, farmer and one of the pioneer settlers of Carroll County, was born in North Carolina, November 22, 1806, and is one of a family of eight children. The father, Banks M. Burrow, was born in North Carolina, January 4, 1781, was reared and married in his native State, and then moved to Georgia, where he remained until 1812; at that time he came to Tennessee, located in Bedford County, and in 1821 emigrated from there to Carroll County. He came to this county at a very early date, even before the county was organized, and engaged in farming. He was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was magistrate and a trustee of the county for a number of years; he died in 1851. The mother, Mary (Blanchard) Burrow, was born in Gates County, N.C., in 1786 and died in 1856. Our subject was reared at home, and received most of his education in Bedford County, at the district schools, but afterward completed his education at the University of Nashville. In 1832 he married Eliza Snell, a native of Rutherford County, born in November, 1808, and the daughter of Roger Snell. By this union were born two children; George H., who died February 4, 1880, and Harriett E. (Mrs. J. W. McKelvy). After marriage Mr. Burrow located near McLemoresville, and remained there until 1845, when he moved to the place where he is now residing. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years, and he and Mrs. Burrow are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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E. M. Canon
E. M. Canon, citizen and farmer of the Twenty-first District, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., June 1, 1826, and is one of eight children, five of whom are living, born to John and Elizabeth (Dickson) Canon. The father was born in 1791, in North Carolina, and came to Tennessee when eleven years of age, located in Rutherford County, was married, and in 1832 went to Henry County, and five years later came to Carroll County; he followed agricultural pursuits, and died January 5, 1865. The mother was born in North Carolina in 1794, and died September 1, 1874. Our subject received a good practical education in the country schools, and in the year 1849 wedded Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Carroll County, born in 1823, and the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hamilton. The father of Mrs. Canon was born near Nashville, Tenn., about the year 1787, in the blockhouse, which was a protection against the Indians at that early day. He came to Carroll County about 1822, and died at the advanced age of ninety years, three months and eighteen days. The mother was born in North Carolina about two years after the birth of her husband; she died when about sixty years of age. To our subject and wife were born five children: R. F., a merchant at Atwood; T. W., a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, and a resident of McKenzie; Emma E. (deceased), J. M. (deceased), and A. H., a farmer, residing with his father. In 1856 Mr. Canon located where he is now residing, on an excellent farm of 184 acres. He has been a life-long Republican in politics, and he and wife and entire family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an elder for nearly thirty years.
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M. DeWitt Carnal
M. DeWitt Carnal, farmer, was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1837, and is the third in a family of six children born to Joshua and Sarah W. (Dunn) Carnal. The father was a native of North Carolina; born in 1808; he received a fair education, and followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1832 he removed to Henderson County, Tenn., and about 1844 came to Carroll County, where he purchased land in the Thirteenth District; he remained here until his death, which occurred in 1850. The mother was born the same year, and in the same State as her husband; she died in December, 1885. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm and received a good practical education; he taught several terms of school and in December, 1863, enlisted in Company G, Second Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Confederate Army. He was at Paducah and in several sharp skirmishes, but was principally engaged in guarding the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, between Huntingdon and Nashville. At the end of thirteen months’ hard fighting and suffering, he returned home. In 1865 he began clerking in a mercantile house, where he remained two years; he then, in company with W. P. Smith, established the firm of Smith & Carnal, and engaged in the mercantile business. This firm continued until 1875, when they disposed of their stock, and in 1878 he and P. E. Parker, Jr., formed a partnership and continued the business in the building where Mr. Parker now is. In 1879 Mr. Carnal purchased the stock and engaged in the business on his own responsibility; in December, 1883, he sold his stock and since that time has been farming. He has several farms in Carroll County, considerable town property, and some land in Kansas. In December, 1875, he married Martha A. Johnson, daughter of A. J. Johnson, and to this union were born five children: William, Martha D., Fannie L., Lizzie P. and James E. Mrs. Carnal was born in Carroll County, about 1853. Mr. Carnal has been a Republican since the war, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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William M. Carson
William M. Carson was born April 5, 1834, in Carroll County, Tenn., and is one of six children—three sons and three daughters—born to Wm. H. and Sarah H. (Dinwiddie) Carson; himself and a sister Mrs. Dr. Curtis, of McKenzie, Tenn., are the surviving members. The father was born in Butler County, Ky., January 30, 1806, and lived there until 1826, having served an apprenticeship in the tanning trade; then moved to Carroll County, and married, in 1827, our subject’s mother, she being also a native of Kentucky. His father continued the tanning business alone until 1850, then combined cotton spinning with it, until 1856, then also embarked in the mercantile trade in the county, which he continued until 1860; then farmed a few years, but re-engaged in the cotton and leather manufacturing until about 1864, when he gradually retired from business, still residing in the county until his death, January 12, 1882. His wife died October 26, 1843, and after her death, in 1845, he married Elizabeth M. Reed, nee Dinwiddie, who also died before he did. Our subject stayed with his parents, working at the cotton factory until 1856; he then assisted his father in his mercantile business four years; then he returned to the old homestead and farmed, in connection with the tanning business, until 1865, and in three years closed out the business, after which he accepted a clerkship in McKenzie; then superintended the Shiloh Cotton Mills, of the county until 1872, when he moved to his present residence, a farm of 165 acres two miles southeast of McKenzie. January 15, 1862, he married Sarah A. Ridley, who is still living. The farm is known as the old Pigeon Roost, so called from wild pigeons congregating there formerly in sufficient numbers to break down timber. Mr. Carson and family are Cumberland Presbyterians and he is a member of the F. & A. M.
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A. E. Cooper
Rev. A. E. Cooper was born in Halifax County, N.C., October 12, 1803, and was one of seven children, two now living, of Isles and Nancy-(Edwards) Cooper. The former was of Scotch origin, born in 1767, and reared his family in Halifax County, N.C. He died about 1812. The mother was born in North Carolina, and was a few years younger than her husband. Our subject was taken to South Carolina when a small boy and was educated in the common schools of the Palmetto State. In December, 1839, he married Mary H., daughter of Hon. Robert Clendening of York District, South Carolina. Mrs. Cooper was born near Yorksville, S.C., December 11, 1811, and has the following living children: S. C., a farmer living in Henry County, Tenn. ; William F., a professor of music and a resident of McLemoresville; Mary A. (Mrs. J. J. Wingo); Martha L. (Mrs. William Fuqua); Robert A., a farmer residing near McLemoresville; Eliza A. (wife of George Ferrell, who is a lawyer by profession and is now editor of the Humboldt Weekly Messenger). In 1830 Mr. Cooper located at McLemoresville, where he has since resided. Mr. Cooper began his ministerial labors in 1846 and has since been actively engaged in preaching the doctrines of the Cumberland. Presbyterian Church. He assisted in establishing Bethel College and was president of the board of trustees when the school was organized, and with the exception of a short time has since held the position. About 1870 the college was moved to McKinzie, and about one and a half years Mr. Cooper devoted his time and interest to the endowment fund of the college, the same being raised to nearly $50,000. He has always been an energetic worker, and although eighty-three years of age, preaches at three regular appointments.
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James B. Cox
James B. Cox, M.D. was born in Carroll County, Tenn., near Hollow Rock, December 20, 1856, son of Green D. and Mary P. (Williams) Cox who are natives of West Tennessee. Our subject is the fifth in a family of ten children and his early years were spent on the farm and in attending the country schools, and West Tennessee Seminary at Hollow Rock. He began the study of medicine in 1876 at Hollow Rock under the direction of W. A. McCall, who died in 1879. He also attended medical lectures at the University of Tennessee, and graduated in 1878. The same year he located at Hollow Rock and there practiced his profession until 1885 when he came to Huntingdon and formed a partnership with Dr. J. W. McCall. In 1882 and 1883 he attended lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College at New York City. He is an uncompromising Republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the prominent and successful young physicians of West Tennessee.
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W. E. Curtis
Dr. W. E. Curtis, was born March 27, 1833, in Henry County, Tenn., and is one of seven children born to John and Sarah (Sessams) Curtis, two daughters and our subject being the present surviving members of the family. The father was born in North Carolina, moved to Humphreys County, Tenn., when young, married there, then moved to Marengo County, Ala., about 1815, remained there engaged in farming two years, then moved to Stewart County, Tenn., and in 1826 to Henry County, being one of the early settlers in both counties. He resided in Henry County, farming, till his death in 1872. His wife died in 1854. Our subject remained with his parents until he attained his majority, then accepted a clerkship in a store at Paris, Henry Co., Tenn., remaining there until 1856, when he embarked in the drag business at the same place, which he continued a few years, when he commenced the study of medicine, attending the medical university at Nashville, during the sessions of 1859-61, and graduated. He began the practice of medicine in Carroll County, locating at McKenzie in 1878. During the war he was surgeon in 1861. Dr. Curtis married Harriet Looney, daughter of Dr. J. D. Looney, now deceased. From this union were born two daughters: Harriet Ella, and Alice, both living. Their mother died in 1865, and in 1866 Dr. Curtis married Ann E. Carson; from this marriage resulted these children: two sons and a daughter—John William, Lillian Howard and Thos. C., deceased. On Dr. Curtis’ father’s old place in Henry County is a very large Indian mound forming a perfect square and containing one and a half acres; the elevation is about seven feet and is used as a building site. The Doctor has two farms in Carroll County of 100 acres each; on one is located a grist-mill; also has a residence in McKenzie. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of the F. & A. M.
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B. A. Denney
B. A. Denney, farmer, was born in Smith County, Tenn., July 8, 1824, and is one of a family of four children, all living, born to George and Mary (Winfrey) Denney. The father was born in North Carolina, October, 1800, and came to Tennessee with his parents when but six years of age. They located in Smith County, where he lived until about thirty-five years of age, and then moved to Alabama. He acted as overseer here and died in 1865. The mother was born in Virginia about the same year as her husband. She died in 1833. Our subject received n rather limited education in the Alabama schools, and in October, 1866, married Martha J. Utley, a native of Carroll County, Tenn., born January 16, 1835, and the daughter of Green and Elizabeth Utley. Four children were the result of our subject’s marriage: James T., Robert C., Maggie M. and John D. April, 1856, Mr. Denney located where he now lives, and owns, in all, about 1,600 acres of land. He has nearly 500 acres in the home place, all well improved, and about seven miles nearly east of Milan. In 1882 he was elected magistrate, a position he continues to hold. He is a life long Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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J. L. Dickens
J. L. Dickens, A. M., B. D., was born March 3, 1853, in Gibson County, Tenn., and is of a family of seven children born to Robert G. and Mary M. (Dickey) Dickens, of which our subject and two sisters are surviving members. The father was born in North Carolina and moved to Gibson County, Tenn., when thirteen years of age; that is also the native county of his wife, and they were married there in 1846, farming until 1862, when they moved to Marion County, Ill., continuing farming until the father’s death, December 27, 1864. The mother then returned to Gibson County with the children, and afterward married G. W. Dickey, and they are at present residing on a farm in Dyer County. Our subject remained with his parents until he was nineteen years of age, then attended Newbern Seminary two years, acquiring the necessary means by the assistance of friends, added to his own industry and economy. He was then licensed to preach in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in 1876 was ordained to the ministry. He did mission labor until November, 1874, then entered Bethel College, which he attended until he graduated in the classical course, in 1879, then he continued in the ministry in Tennessee until November 1880, accepting at that date a call to become pastor of the Cumnberland Presbyterian Church at Fayetteville, Ark., which he filled until the spring of 1882, then he responded to a call from a church at Biggsville, Ill., which terminated abruptly, owing to throat disease that caused him much trouble. In September, 1882, he entered Lane Theologica1 Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained two years, then entered the theological department of Cumberland University, graduating June, 1884, with the degree of B. D., and accepted the position of professor of belles lettres and moral and mental science in Bethel College, McKenzie, Tenn., of which he was elected president June 1, 1886. August 21, 1879, he married Miss Mattie J. Tiner, of Gibson County. Her parents, J. A. and Mary J. Tiner, are still residing in Gibson County. Mr. and Mrs. Dickens are Cumberland Presbyterians, and he is a member of the F. and A. M.
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W. H. Eason
W. H. Eason, proprietor of the Eason House at Huntingdon, Tenn., is a son of Stephen and Rittie Moore (Trice) Eason. The father was born in Green County, N.C., in December, 1800, and in 1832 came to Carroll County, Tenn., and purchased 160 acres of land. He died in 1870, and was the father of nine children, five of whom are living. At the time of his death his possessions amounted to 600 acres of good and well improved land. His wife was born in North Carolina in 1807 and died in 1879. Our subject, W. H. Eason, was educated in the common schools and at Bethel College and McLemoresville, Tenn. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-second Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and was elected sergeant and first corporal of his company. He was at Belmont, Shiloh, Richmond, Ky., Perryville and Murfreesboro. He was wounded in the head by a ball at Belmont, and in the left arm at Murfreesboro, the wound being so severe that amputation of his arm between the elbow and shoulder was found necessary. He was in the hospital at Chattanooga from January until May, 1863. He then rejoined the army, and until July was forage master. After his return home he erected a still-house and made apple and peach brandy during the summer of 1864. In 1866 he began teaching and taught ten months. The following fifteen months he attended school at McLemoresville, and was assistant teacher in the college the following seven months. In 1868 he began working with a firm of marble dealers at Evansville, Ind., but in 1870 was elected clerk of the Carroll County Court by a majority of 197 votes, being re-elected in 1874. In 1871 he bought the livery and feed stable of J. E. Southerland & J. R. Johnson, and continued in the business until 1885, with the exception of from 1874 to 1878 when he had it rented. In 1885 the barn burned. Since 1881 he has kept hotel. He owns 1,068 acres of land and five houses and lots in Huntingdon, and an interest in two others. Since 1883 he has been engaged in the retail liquor business. In December, 1877, he married Beverly A., daughter of Beverly S. and Lizzie Allen. Mrs. Eason was born November 28, 1857, in Carroll County. They have two children: Stephen Allen and William Howard. Mrs. Eason died January 1, 1885. Mr. Eason is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. fraternities.
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E. Faulkner
E. Falkner, ex-county court clerk, was born November 22, 1846, in the Thirteenth District of Carroll County, and is the son of G. J. and Jane (Tosh) Falkner. The father was of Scotch descent. He was born in 1806, in Anson County, N.C., and was a farmer by occupation. In 1826 he left his native State and immigrated to Carroll County, Tenn. In 1830 he married Miss Nancy Sellars. She died the following year. In 1833 he married Miss Jane Tosh, who was of Irish extraction. She was a native of Christian County, Ky., born in 1804. Mr. Falkner bought 250 acres in the Thirteenth District, where he settled and lived until 1860, when he moved to the Twelfth District and remained until 1875, when he broke up housekeeping and he and his wife went to live with their son, E. He died December 1, 1884, and his wife five days subsequently. He was the father of six children, four by his first wife and two by his second, only two of whom are living, one by his first wife (Nancy, wife of E. P. Philips,) and Mr. Falkner, our subject. He was reared at home, receiving his education in the native county, making his home with his parents until he was nineteen years of age. After becoming his own master be hired to P. E. Parker as clerk in his dry goods store, and worked for him two years, and the following year, or 1870, he was appointed as census taker of Carroll. In 1871 he clerked for Jo. McCracken & Co. In 1872 he was appointed as assistant assessor in the United States revenue department for a part of the Eighth District, or three counties, Benton, Henry and Weakley. He served two years. In 1874 he commenced merchandising on his own responsibility in Huntingdon and continued three years. In 1878 he was elected as county court clerk on the Republican ticket. In 1882 he was re-elected, and in 1885 he resigned. February 13, 1873, he married Miss Bettie Scott, who was a native of Carroll County, and was born in September, 1846. They have five children: Lula, Joe, Birdie, Elijah J., Wayne. Mr. Falkner resides one mile southeast of Huntingdon, and is the owner of 360 acres. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 106, and himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.
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J. M. Gilbert
Hon. J. M. Gilbert, Sr., was born in Hancock County, Ga., June 17, 1800, and is the only surviving member of a family of four sons and five daughters born to Benjamin and Amelia (McKenzie) Gilbert, both of whom were of Virginia, where they were married, and directly after moved to Georgia and raised their family there, and followed farming until 1811, then moved to Livingston County, Ky., continuing farming until 1826, then moved to Weakley County, Tenn., where they died. Our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty years old, and was appointed constable at the early age of nineteen, and at twenty was appointed deputy sheriff of same county. October 9, 1821, he married Frances W. Busey, of Kentucky; they followed farming there until 1823, when they moved to Carroll County, locating near the present site of McKenzie. The whole county at that time was barrens, covered with wild grass, there being then but very few families in the county. He began farming, and was one of the pioneer farmers of the county. About 1834 he, with several others, made the old Paris and Huntingdon road. He built the first house on the present site of McKenzie, but the town did not commence building until many years afterward. Mr. Gilbert knows of but three men living who were in Weakley, Carroll and Henry Counties at the time he came. They are William Hamilton, Reuben Edmonson, and Tilman Johnson, all of Weakley County. He was engaged in the commission business at Memphis in 1867-69, and during the same time was engaged in the mercantile business in Weakley County. The town of McKenzie began to build in 1857, at the building of the Louisville Railroad. Mr. Gilbert was coroner of Henry County about 1876. Although temporarily out of the county a few months at a time, he has made his permanent home in Carroll County since first settling there. From his marriage with Miss Busey he had four sons and five daughters, five of the latter and two of the former are now living; their mother died July 4, 1867, and in 1870 Mr. Gilbert married Mrs. Louisa Dumas who is still living. In 1885 Mr. Gilbert was elected mayor of McKenzie, and still fills the office. During the first of the war he was employed by the Confederate Government to furnish labor and provender until the evacuation of Columbus. He then went to Texas, where he remained until the close of the war. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, also of the F. & A. M., of which he is Knight Templar, and has filled all of the prominent state offices of the fraternity.
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Granville Goodloe
Granville Goodloe, M. A., was born at Tulip, Ark., January 23, 1857. He was the eldest of twelve children of the Rev. Dr. A. Theodore Goodloe and Sallie Louise, daughter of Granville La Force Cockrill and Louise M. Turner. Dr. Goodboe was a native of Maury County, Tenn.; was educated at the University of Virginia, took the degree of M.D. at Hampden Sidney College, Virginia, and practiced two years in Bellevue Hospital. Just before the war he settled with his brother in St. Francis County, Ark., and engaged in farming. He entered the Confederate service in April, 1862, as third lieutenant in the Thirty-fifth Alabama Regiment; the same year he was promoted to first lieutenant, for gallantry; he served through the war, and in 1868 entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, as an itinerant preacher, in which he is still engaged. His wife is a native of Tuscumbia, Ala., and a relative of the Cockrills and Hardings, of Nashville; her great-grandfather, John Cockrill, was the first white man married in Middle Tennessee. His wife was a sister of Gen. James Robertson. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Granville Goodloe, was a pupil of the Culleoka Institute (Webb. School) for three and one-half years. In 1873-75 he was a student of Emory and Henry College, Virginia, and from 1875 to 1879 of the Vanderbilt University, where he was the first to take the degree of M. A., May 30, 1879. In 1879-80 he was principal of the Black River High School in Smithville, Ark. In the summer of 1880 he became associated with his classmate, the Rev. E. R. Chappell, as joint principal of McKenzie College, as McTyeire Institute was then called. He still presides over this institution. He is a member of the Methodist Church.
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H. D. Guin
Dr. H. D. Guin was born in October, 1829, in Carroll County, Tenn., and is one of two sons and one daughter, surviving members of a family of five children, born to Edward and Margaret (Bowden) Guin. The father was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in February, 1799. The mother was from North Carolina. Both moved to Carroll County when young. The mother taught school in the county before they were married, in the old primitive school building with dirt floor. They were married in 1824, and kept a hotel at the present site of Huntingdon, from 1824 to 1827, it being the first hotel of Carroll County. He was also first county court clerk of the county, holding the office a number of terms. In 1832 he located on a farm in Carroll County, and remained there until their death, the mother dying in 1873, and the father in 1874. Dr. H. D. Guin graduated at Princeton, Ky., and then graduated in medicine at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and practiced his profession at his father’s residence, from 1856 until the commencement of the war. He then enlisted in the Twenty-second Tennessee Infantry, and at the organization was appointed assistant surgeon, remaining in this position until the disorganization at the battle of Shiloh, when he was detailed to hospital service for six months; he was then assigned the duties of surgeon in the Thirteenth Tennessee Infantry, and was afterward surgeon of Johnson’s brigade, with which he remained until the close of the war, when he returned to his home, and in 1866 embarked in the drug trade, and resumed the practice of medicine at McKenzie, Tenn., which he still continues. He has a good stock farm of 600 acres, five miles south of McKenzie, well supplied by several good springs of freestone water; there are also Indian mounds on the place. In September, 1877, Dr. Guin married Sarah E. Bomac, by which marriage he had three sons and one daughter, all now living.
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Andrew E. Hastings
Dr. Andrew E. Hastings, trustee of Carroll County and native of Marshall County, Ky., was born September 9, 1855, son of John and Diana (Francisco) Hastings, who were Tennesseans, born January13, 1831, and April 22, 1833, respectively. The family came originally from North Carolina and settled in Henry County. Dr. Hastings’ boyhood days were spent on his father’s farm. He attended the common schools, and for some time was a student of the West Tennessee Seminary, at Hollow Rock. He came to Carroll County in 1876, and the following year began teaching school, which he continued until 1880. In 1881 he began the practice of dentistry in Hollow Rock, but in 1884 came to Huntingdon, where he resided until August 5, 1886, when he was elected to the office of county trustee on the Republican ticket. He is an ardent Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Hayes. He was elected circuit court clerk. of Carroll County in 1884, and in October, 1881, was married to Miss Zoe Martin, who was born in Carroll County October 8, 1862. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have two children: Rufus B. and Guy M. January 1, 1887, Mr. Hastings assumed the editorship of the Tennessee Republican, and continued in that capacity for one year.
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Alvin Hawkins
Hon. Alvin Hawkins, ex-governor of Tennessee, like his two immediate predecessors, is a native of Kentucky. Mr. Hawkins was born in Bath County, of that State, December 2, 1821. His father, John M. Hawkins, was the descendant of an ancient English family, and quite a number of his early ancestors were prominent in English history. The mother of our subject was Polly G. Ralston, whose mother was a Neely, a family prominent in Indiana and other Western States. Alvin Hawkins is the eldest of thirteen sons, eleven of whom reached man’s estate, and eight of whom are now living. All of them have held important public positions. When Mr. Hawkins was about five years of age he with his parents removed to Maury County, Tenn., and there remained two years. The family then came to Carroll County. The father of our subject died in Carroll County in 1852, greatly respected. The boyhood of Mr. Hawkins was spent assisting his father in the gun shop and attending the country schools, although his mother was his principal teacher at home. Later in life he engaged in farm labor, and at the age of eighteen became a student at McLemoresville Academy. When twenty years of age Mr. Hawkins entered the law office of Hon. Benjamin C. Totten, and studied under his direction. One year later he was admitted to the bar and became a co-partner in the law practice with Isaac R. Hawkins, and soon gained prominence in the legal profession. He had for his colleagues such men as Parvatt, Allen and James, of Huntingdon; Isaac B. Williams and the Harrises, of Paris; R. P. Raines, of Trenton; McCorry and the Browns, of Jackson, and others. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican. In 1845 he made the race for the Legislature for Benton and Humphreys Counties, but was defeated, owing to the counties being largely Democratic. In 1847 he was married to Miss Justinia M. Ott, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., by whom he had seven children, but two of whom are now living. In 1853 he was elected to the Legislature, but declined a re-election, and continued his law practice until 1860, when he was nominated presidential elector on the Bell and Everett ticket for his district. In 1864 he was appointed by one of the justices of the supreme court of the United States to the office of district attorney for West Tennessee, and was reappointed in 1865 by President Johnson to the same office. In September of the same year he resigned, and was appointed to a position on the supreme bench of Tennessee, but resigned in 1868 and returned to private life. President Johnson appointed him consul-general of the United States at Havana, but he soon resigned, and in 1869 was elected judge of the supreme court of Tennessee. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1875, and has held some important positions in that church. In 1880 he was elected governor of Tennessee on the Republican ticket, and was a candidate for re-election in 1882, but was defeated by Gen. William B. Bate. Mr. Hawkins is now engaged in the practice of law at Huntingdon, Carroll Co., Tenn. He made a good governor and judge, and as a lawyer is one of the most prominent in West Tennessee. He is one of the leading citizens of the State, a man of the highest character, and a prominent leader of his political party.
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Albert G. Hawkins
Hon. Albert G. Hawkins, judge of the Ninth Chancery District, was born near Huntingdon, Carroll Co., Tenn., April 24, 1841. (For early history of the family see sketch of Alvin Hawkins, a former governor of Tennessee.) He was reared to man’s estate on a farm and was educated in the early country schools and at Huntingdon Male Academy. In January, 1861, he went to Shreveport, La., and for five months was engaged in teaching school. After his return to his native county he enlisted in Capt. Briant’s company, Fifty-fifth Tennessee, Confederate States Army Infantry, and served until 1862, when he came home on account of illness. Recovering, he joined Forrest’s cavalry and in that capacity served until the close of the war. He was wounded at Brice’s Cross-roads in 1864 and surrendered at Gainesville, Ala., May 11, 1865. He began studying law in 1861 and resumed it in 1865. He was admitted to the bar in 1866 and since then has been engaged in the practice of his profession, and is one of the able lawyers of West Tennessee. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1876 he was elected to represent the counties of Carroll and Gibson in the Tennessee Senate. In 1880 he was the Democratic elector for the Eighth Congressional District, and in August, 1886, was elected chancellor of the Ninth Chancery Division. He is one of the popular men of West Tennessee and is a Mason and K. of H. In 1869 he married Ellen Prince, of Carroll County, born in 1849. They have three children: Prince A., Clarence M. and Leslie O. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
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Samuel W. Hawkins
Capt. Samuel W. Hawkins, attorney at law, was born in the town of Huntingdon, Carroll Co., Tenn., January 6, 1844. His father was Hon. Isaac R. Hawkins, born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1818, and was a son of Samuel Hawkins, a native of Bath County, Ky., born about 1793. His wife was Nancy Roberts, daughter of Gen. Roberts, extensively known in Tennessee history, The father of our subject came to Carroll County in 1828. He was by profession a lawyer, and in politics was formerly a Whig. He was a Union man during the war, and since that conflict, to the time of his death in 1880, has been a leading Republican. He was a Mexican soldier. In the Rebellion he was colonel of the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry. He was a member of the Peace Congress, which sat at the city of Washington in 1860. The same year he was elected circuit judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, but on account of the war did not accept the office. In 1860 he was elected to represent the Eighth Congressional District in Congress, and was re-elected to the same office in 1865 and in 1867. He was the man, perhaps, above all others, that saved the State of Tennessee from reconstruction. He was a profound lawyer, an eminent statesman, a true and brave soldier, and one of the early settlers and benefactors of Carroll County. An omission of his name would leave the history of Carroll County incomplete. The mother of Capt. Hawkins was Ellen A. Hawkins, whose maiden name was Ott, a native of Rutherford County, Tenn., born in 1822, and died in Carroll County in 1884. Our subject is the oldest of three children, two surviving. He attended school at Huntingdon Male Academy. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, United States Army. The same year he was commissioned second lieutenant. He afterward raised Company I, of the same regiment, and was mustered in as first lieutenant and later commissioned captain. He was taken prisoner in 1865, and held as a prisoner of war for some time. During a portion of 1863 he was with the Eighty-eighth Ohio, and later had charge of the Third Infantry. He was a true and brave soldier, and was discharged at Nashville in 1865, and the same year began the study of law under the direction of his father in Huntingdon. Since then he has been engaged in the practice of his profession, practicing in the courts of Carroll and surrounding counties. He is without question one of the best informed men of this section. Politically, he is a Republican, and for many years has been prominently identified with the interests of that party. He was married in 1867 to Miss Hester B. Gardner, a native of Humphreys County, born in 1847. They have three children, viz.: Hugh R., William W. and Isaac G. Mr. and Mrs Hawkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a leading citizen and an active man.
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Albert Hilliard
Albert Hilliard, farmer of the Twelfth District, and son of William and Elizabeth (Shelley) Hilliard, was born in Carroll County in 1829, and is one of a family of eight children, six of whom are now living. The father was born in North Carolina about 1816, and immigrated to Carroll County with his parents when a young man. At the age of about twenty he married and settled in the Twelfth District, where he remained till his career ended, about 1839. The mother, Elizabeth (Shelley) Hilliard, was born in Virginia about 1814, and died January 10, 1884. Our subject was reared on the farm and had little or no advantages for an education, as he was obliged to stay at home and assist in the maintenance of the family, his father having died when Albert was quite a child. When about twenty-two years of age he married Irene Milam, of Henderson County, by whom he had one child (deceased). After spending a short time in Henderson County, he removed to the old home farm and about eight years after came to the farm on which he now resides, which consists of 400 acres of valuable land and is situated four miles south of Huntingdon. Mrs. Hilliard died about 1853, and January 8, 1857, Mr. Hilliard married Emily Holladay, daughter of George and C. Holladay. This union resulted in our subject’s becoming the father of the following children: John B., William S., Minnie Lee, Albert E., Richard H., Walter G., Linnie E. and Arthur. Mr. Hilliard in politics was formerly a Whig but is now a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Scott. He is a long standing and prominent member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
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W. H. Hilliard
W. H. Hilliard, farmer of Huntingdon, was born in 1834, in Carroll County, Tenn. He is the son of Rightmon and Delany (Jones) Hilliard. The father was born in 1800 near Raleigh, N.C., and was a farmer by occupation. When a young man he went to Alabama, near Huntsville, where he married a Miss Jones, by whom he had one child. Mrs. Hilliard died, and he afterward married Delany Jones. She was born in 1803. About 1820 Mr. Hilliard came to Carroll County and located in the Twelfth District He was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. He bought 300 acres, settled, and where he always remained. He died in 1856 and his wife in 1867. They had ten children who lived to be grown, six of whom are now living—Eliza, widow of J. P. Johnson; W. J., Emma, wife of Joel A. Watson; Delia, wife of John D. Crider; Fannie, wife of A. C. White, and W. H. He was reared at home receiving his education in the schools of his native county, making his home with his parents until he was twenty-one. November 30, 1856, he married Miss Cordila Johnson, daughter of James M. Johnson. Mrs. Hilliard was boin in 1829, in Carroll County. They had one child, Sebron J., who resides in the Twenty-fourth District and is a farmer. Mr. Hilliard lost his wife in September, 1874, and December of the same year he married Miss Louisa E. Johnson, sister of his first wife. Mrs. Hilliard was born in 1842, in Carroll County. They have two children—Eddie May and Louisa Essie. After marrying, Mr. Hilliard bought 118 acres in the Twelfth District, and began his career as a farmer on his own responsibility. In 1883 he moved to Huntingdon, where he has since resided. Mr. Hilliard now owns 850 acres, and is a well-to-do farmer. He commenced in life as a poor boy, but by his energy, industry and close application to business he has succeeded nicely, and is now in easy circumstances. In politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Fillmore in 1856. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his oldest son of the Christian Church.
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G. W. Humble
G. W. Humble, judge of Carroll County, Tenn., was born in Henry County, September 20, 1827, son of Jacob and Jane (Nesbitt) Humble, and is of Dutch-Irish lineage. His father was born in Georgia in 1798 and his mother in Middle Tennessee in 1806. His paternal grandfather, George Humble, was a North Carolinian born about 1772. He died in Middle Tennessee in 1827. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and participated in the battle of New Orleans. Jacob Humble came to West Tennessee in 1822 and was the second man who was married in Carroll County, the event occurring in July, 1822. He resided in Henry County from 1823 until 1831 and at the latter date came to Carroll County. He died in Huntingdon in 1884, his wife dying in 1864. G. W. Humble is the younger of two children and was reared on a farm. He received a common school education and at an early day engaged in farming, continuing until 1874, when he moved to Huntingdon and here has since resided. Politically he was formerly an old line Whig. He was a Union man during the war and since that time has been identified with the Republican party. In 1860 he was elected justice of the peace and has since been an incumbent of that office. In 1872 he was elected judge of Carroll County and served by re-election up to the present time. December 28, 1853, he married Caroline Pinson, who was born August 21, 1837. They have one child—Benjamin. Mr. Humble is a Mason and a prominent old citizen of West Tennessee.
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William Johnson
William Johnson was born in 1830, about two and a half miles from where he now lives; son of James and Margaret (Mebane) Johnson. The father was born in Johnson County, N. C., in 1806, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to Carroll County, Tenn., about 1825, and became one of the well-to-do farmers of the county. He died in 1876. His wife was born in Orange County, N.C., in 1803. She is yet living and resides with her son William. The latter was educated in the common schools of Carroll County and made his home with his parents until he was twenty-seven years of age. November 27, 1857, he married Sophia Britt, daughter of John Britt. Mrs. Johnson was born in Carroll County in 1840 and became the mother of the following children: James Clarence, Annetta D. and Dora, who is deceased. Mr. Johnson owns 800 acres of land in the county and a saw and grist-mill, which he purchased in 1880 for $1,600. He has the respect and esteem of all who know him, and in his political views is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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B. F. Jones
B. F. Jones, citizen and farmer of the Twenty-first District was born in South Carolina in 1825, and is one of eleven children, eight of whom are living, born to the union of John and Austocia (Floyd) Jones. The father was a native of South Carolina, born in 1774, was a cabinet workman and also a gunsmith. He was married in his native State and remained there till 1835, when he went to Gibson County and lived there till his death in 1852. The mother was born in Virginia in 1784 and died in 1860. Our subject was reared at home and received a good practical education in the Gibson County schools. In 1847 he married Sarah Moore, who was born in Virginia in 1829 and who is the daughter of Yancy and Mary Moore. Eleven children were the result of our subject’s marriage, nine of wham are living: Mary C. (deceased), J. H., C. C., R. L., Laura (Mrs. T. B. Buff), C. F., W. B. (deceased), Annie, S. L., B. B., and R. R. Soon after marriage Mr. Jones located in the First District of Gibson County and began farming, which occupation he has continued to follow up to the present time. In 1857 he came to Carroll County and located where he now lives, four miles due south of Trezevant. He owns 181 acres of very desirable land and is one of the county’s best farmers. He is a stanch Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James K. Polk. He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and all the children except two who are members of the Baptist Church.
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J. H. Keaton
J. H. Keaton, farmer of the Twenty-first District, and a native of Carroll County, Tenn., was born May 30, 1831, and is one of a family of nine children born to C. W. and Mary (Hays) Keaton, natives respectively of Virginia and South Carolina. The father was born in Patrick County, in 1797, and when about ten years old came to Tennessee, located in DeKalb County, where he was married, and remained there till 1819. He was a farmer by occupation and was magistrate of his district for twenty-five years. He died in 1871. The mother was born in 1799 and died in 1873. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm and received his education in the schools near home. December 29, 1851, he married Martha M. Leach, a native of Carroll County, born in October, 1832, and the daughter of Abner and Sallie Leach. Seven children were born to our subject and wife by this union: Laura A., Mary, Elizabeth, Emma, Ella, Beatrice and John D. Mr. Keaton owns 500 acres of well improved land situated one mile east of Atwood, and also about the same number of acres in Arkansas. In 1871 he began the milling business, by sawing lumber; this he continued until March, 1885, when he built a saw and grist-mill combined, at Atwood, and is now engaged in doing a good business. He is interested in a saw and grist-mill in Gibson County, at Cade’s Switch, on the Illinois Central Railroad. He is a Republican in politics, a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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Adam Kilmer
Adam Kilmer, M.D., homoepathic physician at Clarksburg, was born in Essex County, N.Y., 1847. The father, Daniel Kilmer, was of Dutch ancestry, and was born about 1825. He married Cornelia Ray, and afterward settled in Essex County, N.Y., where at the early age of twenty-seven he was killed, by the accidental breaking of a large wheel belonging to some machinery. Mrs. Kilmer, a native of Essex County, N.Y., was married the second time about 1877, and is now living in Saratoga N.Y. Our subject found parental care and protection with his aunt, who was living in Bouquet, N.Y., with whom he remained until he was twelve years of age, when his aunt died and he was again left without a home. He was soon apprenticed to learn the wagon and carriage trade, which he followed for several years. His educational interests had been very much neglected, and he soon saw the benefits an education would bring him, and began to occupy his spare time in the improvement of his mind. He attended school in winter and worked during vacation until he acquired sufficient knowledge to enter the ministerial profession, under the Methodist Episcopal doctrine. About 1860 he began the study of medicine in connection with his duties as minister. In 1866 he took a practical course in his medical studies at Philadelphia, and the rest of his study was at St. Louis, Mo. In April, 1877, he married Miss Gertrude, daughter of Minor Felt, of New York, and by this union became the father of several children, only one of whom is living, Mabel. In 1878 he removed to Savannah, Tenn., where he spent a portion of his time practicing. Our subject is now living in Clarksburg, where he has made his profession a complete success, having secured an extensive and lucrative practice. Mr. Kilmer and wife are both prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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Robert G. Kyle
Robert G. Kyle was born December 7, 1813, in Williamson County, Tenn., and is a farmer by occupation. He is of a family of eight children—four sons and two daughters still living—born to Barney C. and Elizabeth (Gilbert) Kyle, both from Georgia, his father of Irish descent, and his mother of Scotch-English; they were married in Georgia, and about 1812 moved to Williamson County, Tenn., remaining a few years, and then moved to Madison County, Ala., for a short time, and then located in Giles County, Tenn., remaining there six years, and moved to Weakley County, Tenn., in 1827, and followed farming until 1839, when they moved to Panola County, Miss., where his father died in 1861, his mother in 1873. Mr. Robert Kyle remained with his parents until of age, then attended and taught school one year in Weakley County, after which he spent one year in Georgia, then returned to Weakley County, and was elected constable in 1839, serving eight years; then he engaged in stock trading two years, and in 1849 embarked in general merchandising at Caledonia, which occupied, his time for four years, when he returned to stock trading a few years, and in 1855 began farming on a tract of land he had previously purchased in Weakley County. He filled the office of county trustee in 1856-57, and in 1858 married Flora Elizabeth Crittendon, and continued farming until 1872, when they moved to McKenzie, Tenn., where they have since resided. By his marriage he has four sons and two daughters: Jno. S., William M., Emma D., Robert B., James D. and Mora. His farm in Weakley County contains 570 acres. He is a member of the F. & A. M., and himself and family belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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H. C. Lawhon
H. C. Lawhon, the editor of the Tri-County News, was born March 21, 1850, and is one of a family of six children born to F. E. and Miranda (Martin) Lawhon, our subject and a sister being the only surviving members. His father was a Virginian, and his mother a North Carolinian; both moved to Sumner County, Tenn., when young, were married there, and soon after moved to Weakley County in about 1838, his mother dying there in 1850, his father then moving to Arkansas, where he followed farming, and where he died in 1856. Our subject after his father’s death lived with his brother in Dyer County, Tenn., and had the benefit of limited educational advantages. In 1863 he enlisted in the Twelfth Kentucky Confederate Cavalry, with which he remained until the close of the war; he then engaged in mining in Colorado until 1880, when he returned to Arkansas, and embarked in journalism, continuing in the business there until 1884, when he moved to McKenzie, Tenn., and succeeded J. B. Gilbert in the publication of the Tri-County News, which he has since edited and controlled. In 1884 he married Miss Ella Allen, daughter of Rev. W. J. F. Allen, and has had three daughters, two of whom are living. Mr. Lawhon is an Episcopalian and Mrs. Lawhon a Baptist.
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Dudley S. Laws
Dudley S. Laws, M.D., of Clarksburg, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1829, and is the second of six children, three of whom are living. The father, Hiram Laws, was of English ancestry, born in Orange County, N.C., November 17, 1803. His father, George Laws, is supposed to be a son of one of three brothers, John, George and James, who emigrated from England about 1620, and settled in Maryland, where they figured quite prominently among the business men of that State. Hiram was reared by a mother’s tender care, his father dying while he was quite small. He acquired sufficient education to enable him to enter the teacher’s profession, which he followed for a number of years. About 1825 he married Jincey Ann Sims, and immediately started for Maury County, Tenn., where he remained one year. He then came to Carroll County and settled in the Twelfth District, and in 1834 removed to Alabama, but in 1836 returned to Carroll County, where he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1879. Mrs. Laws was also a native of North Carolina, born May 2, 1807, and died in 1878. Our subject was reared under the parental roof, and received his education in the country schools and in Huntingdon, but acquired the most of his knowledge and ability through his own application. He possesses an intellect of extraordinary brilliancy, and soon became master of all the mathematical branches, and had a good knowledge of the languages. He afterward spent twelve years teaching, and was one of the most successful and popular educators of this portion of the State. In 1861 he commenced the study of physic, and two years later entered Rush Medical College, and at the close of the Rebellion entered as a partner with his former preceptor, and began the practice of his chosen profession. In 1871 he entered the medical department of the University of Nashville and Vanderbilt University, and graduated in 1873. He then returned to Clarksburg and continued his practice with well-deserved success. He was for eight years school commissioner of his district, which position he declined to hold longer. He is at present one of the trustees of Clarksburg Male and Female Academy. He is a Republican in politics, a Mason and the owner of 700 acres of land.
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T. B. Manning
T. B. Manning, farmer, of the First District, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1840, and is one of a family of three children, he being the only surviving one. His parents, Alfred and B. Manning, were both natives of North Carolina, the former born in 1805, and the latter in 1807. The father came to Tennessee at an early day, and settled in the middle part of the State, where he remained a short time. He then came to Carroll County, and remained there until his death in 1856. The mother died in the fall of 1877. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm, and received his education in the schools in his neighborhood. In 1869 he married Martha, daughter of Abraham and Pernelia McLemore, and a native of Franklin County, Tenn., born in 1847. This union resulted in the birth of seven children: Pernelia, Alfred, Lucy, Mike, Beulah, William and Thomas Edward. After marriage Mr. Manning located on the old home place, and began tilling the soil, an occupation he has since followed. In 1882 he located where he now lives, two miles west of Lavinia, and has been quite successful in business. He is one of the county’s best men and a Republican in politics.
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Joseph W. McCall
Joseph W. McCall, M.D., is a native of Henderson County, Tenn., born January 20, 1832, son of Andrew McCall, who was born in South Carolina, September 2, 1790, and is a descendant of some of the immigrants who came to the United States in the Mayflower. He was one of the early schoolmasters of Tennessee, a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and was an old line Whig in politics. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in about 1830 or 1831 came to Tennessee, and located in Henderson County, where he died October 11, 1841. His wife was Jane Todd. She was born in Ireland, March 4, 1795, and was brought to America in 1798. She died in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1875. Our subject is the ninth of ten children, six of whom are living. He was raised on a farm and attended the early schools of the county. He began the study of medicine at Clarksburg, Tenn., in the office of his brother, Dr. Henry McCalL He graduated from the medical department of the University of Nashville in 1857. In 1862 he became assistant surgeon in the United States Army for the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry. Since 1865 he has been a resident of Huntingdon, and is the oldest physician in the town; in 1869 graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New York. June 16, 1858, he married Victoria A. Wilson, who was born in Henderson County, Tenn., October 15, 1841. They have four children: Lenora J., Emma J., Fannie J. and James H. Mrs. McCall died August 24, 1884. Dr. McCall is a Republican, and for the last eighteen years has been local examining surgeon of pensions. His most important case, perhaps, was the first authenticated case in Tennessee of trichinosis. He successfully treated the family of James Espey, seven in number, in 1885.
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George T. McCall
George T. McCall, a leading member of the Huntingdon bar, was born at Clarksburg, Carroll Co., Tenn., October 21, 1854, son of Dr. Henry and Frances (Bowlin) McCall, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was born in South Carolina in 1817, and his mother, who was a Virgin-. ian, was born in 1827. Dr. McCall came to Carroll County about 1845, and for thirty-seven years was a successful physician of the county. He died May 2, 1880. George T. McCall is the third of their eight children, and was educated at Bethel College and McNairy Institute. He began his legal studies in 1876 in the office of Judge L. L. Hawkins, and July 4, 1877, was admitted to the Carroll County bar. Since then he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is an ardent Republican, and in 1880 was elected mayor of Huntingdon, and was re-elected. in 1886, and also in 1887. As a lawyer he has been prominent and successful, and as a citizen is well known and esteemed.
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J. C. McCollum
J. C. McCollum, prominent citizen and successful farmer of the Twenty-first District, was born in South Carolina in 1828, received his education in the schools near home, and in 1852 married Mary E. Chements, a native of South Carolina, born in 1839, and the daughter of Calvin and Cynthia Chements. Mrs. McCollum died August, 1871, leaving a family of seven children: A. C. H., D. A., R. G., Lucus B. (Mrs. J. M. Roberts), M. I. (Mrs. Dr. G. W. McKinney), C. C. (Mrs. W. R. Crossett) and M. L. D. Mr. McCollum lives at the old home place where his father settled in 1839. He owns 300 acres of. very desirable land quite well improved, and one and a half miles south of Atwood. In 1873 Mr. McCollum married M. C. Giles, a native of Carroll County, Tenn., born January 10, 1842, and died April 6, 1885, leaving five children: Hugh L. W., C. C., S. F., E. C. and Jo. Our subject has given his children the advantages of a good English education, and has always been one to aid and support all laudable public enterprises. He is a Democrat in politics—was formerly a member of the Whig party—a Mason and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His parents, Aaron and Sarah (White) McCollum, were both natives of South Carolina, born in 1778 and 1788, respectively.. The father was married and reared his family in his native State. In 1839 he came to Carroll County, and engaged in farming. He died here in 1853. The mother died in 1865.
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Joseph McCracken
Joseph McCracken, merchant of Huntingdon, Tenn., began business in 1868, with Frank Travis as partner. The firm, for sixteen months, was known as McCracken & Co., and the following four years Isaac R. Hawkins was Mr. McCracken’s partner. Since 1876 Mr. McCracken has been in business by himself. He was born in Huntingdon in 1845, and is a son of Robert and Cynthia (Lashlie) McCracken. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent and was born in North Carolina in 1783, and was a hatter by trade. He came to Tennessee in his youth, and married Jane Priest, who afterward died. His second wife, Cynthia Lashlie, was born in North Carolina in 1801 and was of Welsh extraction. She died in 1877 and Mr. McCracken in 1865. He was the father of nine children—six by his first wife and three by his last. The following are living: William, Licurgus and Joseph (who was educated in Huntingdon). At the age of thirteen he began clerking in a general store for A. C. McNeill, with whom he remained until the breaking out of the war. November 27, 1862, he joined Company F, Seventh Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, United States Army. He was captured and taken to Andersonville Prison, where he was kept thirteen months and seven days. He weighed 150 pounds when captured, and only seventy-five pounds when released. He served until the close of the war; then returned home and resumed work for Mr. McNeill, with whom he remained until 1868; then engaged in business for himself. May 28 of that year he married Bettie McEwen, who was born in Henderson County, Tenn., May 80, 1852. They have one child, Linnie. In March, 1885, Mr. McCracken established a livery and feed stable, and is now keeping one of the best establishments of the kind in the city. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for A. Lincoln. In 1868 he was elected county register, and served two years. He is a Mason (Huntingdon Lodge, No. 106), and is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a man of good business capacity, and is a successful dry goods merchant of the town. His wife died June 4, 1886.
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Harris B. Mebane
Harris B. Mebane is a farmer and was born in Carroll County, Tenn., June 19, 1883. He is the sixth of ten children born to William and Elizabeth Mebane. His father was also a farmer, and held the office of magistrate in his district a number of years, and he was born in Alamance County, N. C. He was reared and married in his native State; he settled in Carroll County, and remained there until his death, which occurred at his home in 1883. The mother of our subject was born in. North Carolina and died at the homestead about 1875. Harris B. Mebane was raised on the farm and received a limited education, and has made farming his chief occupation. He was married in Carroll County January 11, 1854, to Miss Martha J. Fields, daughter of Alexander Fields. Of this union there were thirteen children, nine of whom are now living: Newton H., Vandela (Rogers), Lon F., Maranza D., Mattie S., Sarah E., Mary B., Pitt and Yancy. William A. died March 17, 1873, and the other three died in infancy. Mr. Mebane enlisted in the Confederate Army and belonged to the Twenty-second Infantry, under Col. Freeman. He was at the battles of Belmont and Shiloh, and served until the fall of 1862, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. Mr. Mebane is a Democrat and a Mason, also a member of the Wheel. His wife and all of the family are church members, Mrs. Mebane belonging to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the children to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a man of broad views, strict integrity, and of a generous disposition, readily responding to all calls made upon him for charitable purposes, so far as his means will justify. He has 287 acres of land, on which he raises stock, cotton, tobacco, and the cereals in about equal proportions. The farm is situated about eight miles east of Huntingdon, Tenn., near the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad, and the residence is well located and surrounded with numerous comforts and conveniences.
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H. D. McGill
H. D. McGill, M.D., was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1858 and is one of a family of eight children born to E. T. and Sarah (Meals) McGill. The father was born in Giles County, October, 1825 and was of Scotch-Irish extraction. He was reared on a farm by a Mr. William Legg, of Alabama, and had no advantages for an education. In 1849 he was married and December of the same year removed to Henderson County. He was engaged in the mercantile business for many years at Metropolis, Huntingdon and other places and also dealt somewhat largely in cotton. In 1870 he went to Nashville and engaged in the cotton business there for McCray & Co. He is now acting as traveling salesman for a firm in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our subject received a good academia education and finished at Nashville. In 1875 he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. B. Stephens, of Nashville, and in 1877 entered Nashville Medical College and graduated from this institution in 1878. He soon located at McLemoresville and practiced there two years, after which he came to Clarksburg and has continued there ever since. In 1884 and 1885 he attended a course of lectures at the University of Tennessee where he graduated in 1885. Since his residence at Clarksburg he has established an extensive and lucrative practice and is fast becoming one of the most popular and successful physicians of the county. January 12, 1881, he married Gracie McDowell, daughter of Rev. J. L. and M. S. McDowell. Mrs. McGill died September 29, 1885, leaving three small children: Arthur, Maggie May and Gracie M. Mrs. McGill was a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a fond parent and a true companion. Our subject is a Republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Garfield.
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A. C. McNeill
A. C. McNeill, merchant of Huntingdon, Tenn., began business in 1851. He was born in 1821 in Fayetteville, N.C., and is a son of William L. and Rachel B. (Clark) McNeill, who were natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1787 and in 1826 came to West Tennessee and after residing one year in Weakley County, came to Carroll County and purchased land and erected a grist-mill and cotton-gin and in connection followed merchandising. He died in 1837 and his wife in 1862. Of their eleven children, eight are now living. A. C., the fourth child, was reared at home and at the age of fourteen began clerking for his brother James at Paris, Henry County. He remained with him four years and the following two years clerked for Mr. Crawford at the same place. In 1841 he came to Huntingdon and clerked for his grandfather, Col. John Clark. The Colonel died in 1850 and A. C. succeed him in the business. March 8, 1854, he married Sarah W. Murray, daughter of Robert and Mary (Gwin) Murray. Mrs. McNeil, was born in Carroll County in 1835 and died in 1859 leaving one son, William L. In 1862 Mr. McNeil, married Mary E. Baker, daughter of Rev. Robert Baker. She was born in Carroll County in 1841 and is the mother of five children: George H., Robert B., Kate, Addison W. and Maggie E. Mr. McNeill keeps a fine stock of general merchandise and is noted for his honesty. He is a Democrat and a member of the G. C. and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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David McMacken
David McMackin, a farmer by vocation, was born in North Carolina February 14, 1821. He is the second of five children—three sons and two daughters—born to James and Elizabeth (Frick) McMackin, and of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was born in North Carolina in 1791, and was raised and educated in his native State. On attaining his majority he married and soon after immigrated to Tennessee. He lived one summer in Humphreys County, not far from Waverly. At the end of this time they moved to Carroll County and settled on the homestead now occupied by our subject. The father of our subject was an early settler of this county, and one of the prominent and respected citizens of the locality in which he lived. He aided in cutting out the first road in this part of the county, now known as the Huntingdon and Camden road, extending from Sandy River to Huntingdon, the county seat of Carroll County. He died at his home September, 1864. The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina and died at the homestead in 1858. David McMackin was raised on the farm, receiving the usual education afforded by the common school in the country, and has given his time to agricultural pursuits. He was married in Carroll County in 1844 to Miss Mintie Rogers. Six children resulted from this union, of whom four were raised to maturity: James William, Nancy E., Eli A. and Mary A. James W. died August 23, 1876, and Eli A. died December 29, 1878. The mother of this family was also born in Carroll County, and died July, 1857. Our subject was married the last time September 11, 1860, to Miss Sarah E. Driver, daughter of William Driver, a farmer. This lady was born in North Carolina June 20, 1834. Mr. McMackin is a zealous Republican, and Mrs. McMackin is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He has nearly 700 acres of land, about 400 of it being in the home place. He raises stock to some extent, but devotes his chief attention to cotton and grain. The farm is situated two miles east of Hollow Rock, on the line of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad, and is pleasantly located with the best water in this part of the county. The residence is well located, and is in every respect a most desirable home. Mr. McMackin is highly esteemed by all who know him as a man of fine char.. acter and sterling worth.
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J. D. Moore
J. D. Moore, an enterprising farmer, was born in North Carolina in 1840, son of A. W. and Nancy Moore. The father was born in North Carolina in 1813, and followed the occupation of an overseer. In the spring of 1844 he came to Tennessee and located in Carroll County. He died in 1852. The mother was also a native of North Carolina and a few years younger than her husband. She died in 1844. Our subject was reared by his grandmother Moore, received his education in the schools near home and at the Caledonia Institute, Henry County. April, 1866, he married Mary Townes, who was born in 1843, and who died in 1873, leaving four children: Stephen H., James A., Robert S. and Mary A. In 1874 Mr. Moore married Mrs. Mattie A. Henderson, who was born in 1841. By this union they had three children: Eliza B., A. R. and Dennis V. In 1872 Mr, Moore located at the place where he is now residing. He owns 100 acres of excellent land, situated two miles southwest of Lavinia. He is a Democrat in politics, a Mason, and he and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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W. W. Murray
Gen. W. W. Murray, a prominent lawyer of West Tennessee, was born at Blairsville, Ga., on the 27th of June, 1838, and was educated in the common schools. When a small lad he was taken by his parents to Arkansas, and at an early day became a citizen of Carroll County, Tenn., where he has since made his home. Having a predilection for the medical profession, he began studying and became a graduate of two of the leading medical colleges of the country, Rush Medical College at Chicago, Ill., being one of them. During the late war he espoused the Union cause and in September, 1862, joined the Federal Army as a private and was soon raised to the rank of second lieutenant, and was afterward captured with his regiment, the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, at Union City, by Gen. Forrest’s command, and was taken south as a prisoner of war. He made his escape at Macon, Ga., by digging a tunnel under the prison walls, and after suffering many hardships, finally reached the Federal lines at Pensacola. He was then promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and soon after to adjutant, holding the position until the close of the war. He commenced the practice of law in 1868, and the same year was elected to represent Carroll County in the State Legislature. In 1872 he was the Republican candidate for Congress in the Eighth Congressional District, and on June 27, 1873, was appointed United States District Attorney of West Tennessee, by President Grant. He was re-appointed by President Hayes in 1877. During his official career he became an eminent lawyer and his speeches were noted for their power and logic. In 1884 he was elected railroad commissioner of Tennessee, and in 1885 he was one of the Republican nominees for supreme judge. In 1887 he received the unanimous vote of his party in the Legislature for the office of United States senator. January 1, 1869, he married Mary H. Strange, born in 1853, and daughter of Henry and Lucinda Strange. Mr. and Mrs. Murray have three children: Joseph, born in 1871; Eddie, born in 1873, and Charles H., born in 1878. In 1860 Mr. Murray was married to Mary Cox, of Mississippi, who died in 1861, leaving one son—Dr. Robert M. Murray. Our subject’s early ancestors were from Perth, Scotland. He is a son of Rev. James W. and Amelia Murray, whose maiden name was Reid. Her parents were Jesse and Elizabeth Reid. James W. Murray was born in Georgia, in 1813, and died in 1860. His wife was born in North Carolina, and died in 1863.
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W. R. Newsom
W. R. Newsom, M.D., physician of McLemoresville, Tenn., was born in Springfield, Robertson Co., Tenn., February 14, 1831, and is a son of Green B. and Malinda (Dickerson) Newsom, natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee. The father was born in 1796, and came to Tennessee when a young man. He was in the war of 1812 and filled the position of regimental quartermaster. He was a teacher by profession, having taught in Columbia, Franklin and Lebanon, and died in 1859, after a long and well spent life. The mother was born in 1798, and died in 1845. Our subject received the rudiments of his education in the schools near home, but subsequently attended Andrew College, Trenton, Tenn., where he graduated in 1856. He then entered the University of Nashville, and graduated from that institution in 1859. July 7, 1859, he married Mrs. M. A. Roach, a native of Jackson, Tenn., born in 1825, and the daughter of Jones Newsom; this marriage resulted in the birth of two children: W. B. and Dr. N. D. After graduating, the Doctor located at McLemoresville and began practicing medicine, which he has followed with evident success ever since. In 1858 he was elected trustee of Bethel College and held the position until 1872, when the school was removed to McKenzie. He was also school director for many years of the public schools at McLemoresville. Dr. Newsom is a life member of the Tennessee Historical Society, from which he holds a diploma; he is also director of the Tennessee Central Railroad. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. He is a Mason. Mrs. Newsom has one daughter, Eliza J., by her former husband, Rev. J. N. Roach, who was the founder of Bethel College, its first president, and filled that position until his death, which occurred in 1852.
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W. Albert Palmer
W. Albert Palmer, farmer, and prominent citizen of the Thirteenth District, was born in Carroll County in 1845, and is one of a family of six children, three of whom are living. The father, William Palmer, was born in Anson County, N.C., in 1808, and his father, Marcus Palmer, was also a native of the same county, and was of English descent He was magistrate in his native county thirty-six years, and died in 1828. William was married in 1829 to Nancy Harris, and in 1830 he, in company with his mother and one brother, came to Carroll County and settled in the Twelfth District, where the mother died about 1842. In 1837 he settled on the farm where our subject now resides, and here ended his days. He died in 1876. The mother of our subject was a native of the same State and county as her husband, and was born in the same year. She is still living with her son, W. A. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm and received a good practical education. In October, 1868, he married Martha Belew, who died four months after her marriage. In March, 1875, he married Susan Hart of Henderson County, and the daughter of James and U. Hart, also of Henderson County. Our subject has always lived on the farm where he was born and reared, and has been so far successful in the management of it as to increase the number of acres to 274. Mr. Palmer is a man of considerable information and good judgment, fully understanding the true method of farming. In politics he is a Democrat, but cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Grant, in 1868. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Palmer was born in Henderson County, in 1855, and is an active and devoted member of the Christian Church.
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Charles F. Phillips
Charles F. Phillips was born in McMinn County, Tenn., November 27, 1830. He is the third of ten children born to William and Mahala (Davis) Phillips, who were of Irish and Welsh descent. William Phillips, his father, was a farmer, and was born in East Tennessee, where he was raised and married; when his son Charles was ten years old he moved to West Tennessee, and settled in Henderson County, remaining there eight years, and then removing to Carroll County, where he lived three years, dying in August, 1849. The mother was born in East Tennessee also, and died in Henderson County in 1846. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a common school education. In 1855 he went into the family grocery business at Marlboro, Tenn., and continued the business until the war. March 4, 1853, he was married to Miss Cynthia A. Roberts, daughter of R. W. Roberts, a promising farmer and mechanic. Mr. Phillips had twelve children, eight of whom are living, and are named Rosalinda A. (Watkins), Mahala P. (Horn), John W., James M., Robert P., Edgar, Marina T. and Claude. The mother of the first five children above mentioned was born in Rutherford County, N.C., and immigrated to Tennessee with her parents at an early age, and died at the homestead November 24, 1874. Mr. Phillips was married the second time in Carroll County, February 27, 1876, to Mrs. Mary Martin, and from this marriage was one son, Edgar. Mrs. Martin was born in Carroll County, and died February 13, 1879. He was again married February 28, 1882, to his present wife, who was Miss Alice A. Cook, daughter of John Cook, of Nashville, Tenn. She was born June 27, 1849, and they were married in Nashville, February 28, 1882. Of this union were two children: Marina T. and Claude. Mr. Phillips is a stanch Republican, and takes pleasure in the success of his party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife and himself are members of the Missionary Baptist Church; he is liberal in disposition, conservative in politics and upright in business and aids in all laudable enterprises, such as will benefit schools, churches and public and private charities. He has been in the mercantile business since 1868, always carrying a good stock of general merchandise. He has 750 acres of good land, eighty acres of which is in the home place at Hollow Rock, on the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad, ten miles east of Huntingdon, Tenn. He devotes his farm to raising stock, and, to some extent, cotton, but gives chief attention to the cereals. The home place is nicely located, within a quarter of a mile of the station. The residence is commodious and comfortable, the location elevated and healthy, and with the convenient surroundings is one of the pleasant homes of the county.
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Benjamin S. Pritchard
Benjamin S. Pritchard, farmer and stock dealer of the Thirteenth District, was born in Carroll County in 1835, and is one of a family of ten children, only three of whom are living: Martha J. (Mrs. Henry Cox), B. S. and Susan (Mrs. Thomas L. Key). The father of our subject, Charles Pritchard, was born in Anson County, N.C., in 1797, and his father, Jesse Pritchard, immigrated from North Carolina to Carroll County in 1834, where he passed the remainder of his days. In about 1817 Charles was married to Martha Williams, and in 1833 came to Carroll County, where he settled and engaged in farming. He died March 4, 1872, and at that time was the owner of 3,000 acres of land. The mother of Benjamin was also a native of North Carolina, born about 1800 and died in October, 1883. Our subject grew to manhood under the parental roof and received a common-school education. In February, 1860, he married Amanda Philips, and by this marriage had five children, two living: J. Homes and Sherad. After marriage Mr. Pritchard located in Henderson County, where he remained till 1882 and then removed to the farm on which he now resides. This consists of 323 acres of excellent land about three miles south of Clarksburg. He also owns 800 acres of land in other tracts, 325 of which is in Henderson County. He is one of the most extensive and enterprising farmers in the county. Mrs. Pritchard died January 7, 1874, and in November of the same year he married Lou Parker, who was born in Carroll County in 1833, and who is the daughter of J. C. and Elizabeth Parker. Previous to this, in April, 1864, Mr. Pritchard offered his services in defense of his country by enlisting under Capt. James Gooch and served under Gen. Forrest’s command. He was at Harrisburg and Brice’s Cross-roads, and returned home in August of the same year. He is a Democrat in politics; was formerly a Whig and cast his first vote for John Bell. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and a liberal supporter of religion and charitable institutions.
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A. G. Propst
A. G. Propst, is the proprietor of Beechwood farm, six miles east of Milan, breeder of blooded stock, such as shorthorn Durham cattle, Southdown and Cotswold sheep and fine mules; any of the above stock is on hand and for sale at all times. Mr. Propst was born in Catawba County, N.C., in 1838, and was one of a family of five children born to the union of John H. and Susan (Peacock) Propst. The father was born in Catawba County, N.C., in 1810. He was a farmer and resided in his native county. The mother was born in North Carolina and was ten years younger than her husband. She died about 1876. Our subject was reared at home and received his education in the common schools of North Carolina. When nineteen years of age our subject learned the carpenter’s trade in South Carolina, and was engaged in this capacity at the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted in Company F, Twenty-third North Carolina Infantry, and was made sergeant; participated in the battles of Seven Pines, Chancellorsville, where he was severely wounded in the head. He was at Fredericksburg and around Spottsylvania Court House where he was twice badly wounded. He was captured at Winchester, September, 1864, and taken to Point Lookout, where he was confined six months. He was then taken to Camp Lee, paroled and allowed to return home. He was a brave soldier and rendered valuable service to the Confederate Army. November, 1866, he came to Tennessee, located and remained in Gibson County until January, 1876, when he came to Carroll County, where he located and now resides. He has about 800 acres of fine land especially adapted to stock farming. November 3, 1876, he married Sarah A. Cunningham, a native of South Carolina, born October 6, 1836, and the daughter of John and Amanda Cunningham. Three children were born to our subject by this union: Nena, Joseph and Mary. Mr. Propst is a man well known and much esteemed throughout the county, both as a citizen and neighbor. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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E. G. Ridgley
E. G. Ridgley, editor and proprietor of the Tennessee Republican, was born near Olney, Ill, September 7, 1848, son of Daniel and Sarah (Ingman) Ridgley, and is of German-English lineage. His father was born in Maryland, and his mother in Ohio; the former died in Illinois in 1882 and the latter in 1861. At the age of eleven our subject began learning the printing business in the Olney Times office. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry and served twenty-one months; was discharged in Springfield, Ill., in 1865. He was wounded at the battle of New Hope Church in 1864, and after the war resumed the printing business in Olney, Ill. April, 1868, he came to Huntingdon, and in March, 1870, he established the Tennessee Republican. November 28, 1869, he married Mollie Denman, a native of Hamilton County Ohio, born July 7, 1848, and by this union had one child—John D. Mr. Ridgley is a Republican in politics, a member of the I. O. O. F. and he and wife are members of the Methodist Church. In 1878 he was elected register of Carroll County, and held the office one term. March, 1885, he engaged in the grocery, book and stationery business. He is one of the leaders of the Republican party in this part of Tennessee, and was one of the famous "306" at the Chicago convention. He was a member of the National Republican Convention in 1876 and in 1880.
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Furmon C. Sanders
Furmon C. Sanders, sheriff of Carroll County, Tenn., was born in Anson County, N. C., August 6, 1837, son of James and Martha W. Sanders. His parents were born in North Carolina, the former in 1812 and the latter about 1814. The family came to Carroll County about 1841, and here the father died in 1854 and the mother in 1883. Our subject is the second of seven children and was raised on a farm. He received a limited education and in 1862 enlisted in Company D, Seventh Cavalry, United States Army, for twelve months. He was taken prisoner at Trenton, Tenn., December 20, 1862, and was paroled and came home. Since the war he has farmed; he is a Republican in politics but was formerly a Whig. In 1876 he was elected justice of the peace of the Fourteenth Civil District, and was re-elected in 1882. In 1884 he was elected sheriff of Carroll County, and was re-elected in 1886. In 1859 he married Elizabeth McCauley and five children have blessed their union: James B., Ollie P., Elias C., Lavisa V. and Furmon A. Mrs. Sanders died in 1879, and in 1881 Mr. Sanders married Mrs. Susan Weake, formerly a Miss Garrett, born in Benton County in 1856. They have three children: Nancy O., Lutie L. and an infant yet unnamed. Mr. Sanders is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O .F. and K. of H. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and his wife of the Primitive Baptist Church.
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James F. Sloan
James F. Sloan was born in South Carolina December 2, 1825, and was one of five children (two of whom are living) born to William and Mary Robertson) Sloan. The father was born in Ireland in 1786. He was married on the "old sod" and there remained until 1819, when he came to America, locating in South Carolina. In 1827 he came to Carroll County, Tenn., and followed farming until his death in June, 1870. His wife was also born in Ireland in 1789 and departed this life January, 1862. Our subject was educated in the schools near his home, and in January, 1870 married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Swinney. Mrs. Sloan was born near Trezevant in 1846 and died August 20, 1874, leaving two children: Oliver Cromwell and Minnie. Previous to his marriage Mr. Sloan remained at home and took care of his aged father until his death. Mr. Sloan is a good financier and has been quite successful in his business enterprises. He owns 400 acres of valuable land and is conservative in politics although formerly a Whig. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
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Robert M. Stofle
Robert M. Stofle, was born in Weakley County, Tenn., April 16, 1850, and is one of two sons and eight daughters, surviving members of a family of twelve children born to Thomas and Frances (Hoggard) Stofle. His father was of Henry County and his mother of Weakley County, Tenn. They were married in 1849, and engaged in farming in Henry County until his death in 1885. His mother still lives in Weakley County. Our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, and October 9, 1873, married Johanna Johnson. Three children have been the issue of this union: John Thomas, deceased; William and Robert. In 1874 Mr. Stofle was elected constable of his district, in Weakley County, serving four years; he then removed to McKenzie, Tenn., and engaged in the mercantile business, under the firm name of Gilbert, Stofle & Co., which copartnership was continued three years, when he embarked in the livery and live stock trade, which he still continues, supplying McKenzie with first-class livery stock, carriages, buggies, etc.
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E. B. Teachout
E. B. Teachout, ticket agent, express agent and telegraph operator of Huntingdon, was born July, 1845, in Ohio, and is the son of S. M. and C. A. (Bolton) Teachout. The father and mother were natives of the Buckeye State and he was a farmer by occupation; for the past few years have been living in the city of New York. They have three children living; Frank, who resides in Memphis, railroading; Clara, wife of Joseph Payne, who lives in New York, and E. B., our subject. He was educated in the schools of his native State, remaining with his parents there until he was fifteen years old. The first year after leaving home he worked on a farm. In 1863 he enlisted in Company I, Ninth Regiment Ohio Cavalry, United States Army. He took an active part in the battles at Decatur, Florence, Nashville and numerous minor engagements. After the battle at Nashville, and while on his way to Athens, he injured his right heel, as the result of which a surgical operation was performed. He has never fully recovered from the wound, receiving $4 per month as pension. He was honorably discharged six months previous to the surrender, on account of disability. During his illness he commenced the study of telegraphy, at Brownsboro, Ala. In 1866 he assumed charge of an office at Tantallon, Tenn. While there he was attacked by a catamount while seated in his office. A long and bloody hand to hand fight ensued. As Mr. Teachout was about to get the better of the animal an assistant entered, and the animal was soon dispatched. In 1867 he went to Dresden, Weakley County, and was railroad operator at said place six or seven years. He then went to New York City and was proprietor of a hotel for eighteen months. In 1877 he came to Huntingdon and entered upon his duties at this place—the railroad office, which position he has since held with good satisfaction. In July, 1868, he married Miss Addie Ross, daughter of W. R. and Adeline Ross. Mrs. Teachout was born in 1846, in Weakley County. They have four children: Charles, Olla, Stanley and Alva. Mr. Teachout is a man of good business capacity, courteous, obliging and very popular as a railroad official. He has a nice home and a beautiful residence. In politics he is a Democrat, voting for S. J. Tilden in 1876; and is an ancient member of A. O. U. W. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
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Haywood B. Thomas
Haywood B. Thomas, a farmer by occupation, was born in Carroll County, September 10, 1832, and is of a family of five sons and eight daughters, born to Luke and Elizabeth (Burradelle) Thomas, himself and four sisters being the surviving members of the family. Both parents were born in Burke County, N.C., and moved to Trigg County, Ky., when young, and were married there; moved to Carroll County, Tenn., in 1825, and remained there farming until his father’s death in 1862. His father was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years. His mother remained in the county until her death in 1870. Our subject, Haywood B. Thomas, attended Bethel College a few terms after his majority, then taught school one year in Carroll County, after which he was engaged in the marble trade until 1858, in the interest of a firm in Hickman, Ky. He was then employed in the construction of the Northwestern Railroad until 1862, when he enlisted in the Fifth Tennessee Confederate Infantry, remaining a year, and was then transferred to the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry as first lieutenant, and held this position until Capt. Falkner’s death at Dresden, when he returned home, and remained until he married, November 7, 1867, Miss Ann Roach, the issue of this union being four sons and five daughters, all living but one son. After the war, he purchased a farm in Carroll County, which he still owns, but in June, 1885, he moved to McKenzie. On his farm, which contains 250 acres, are Indian mounds, and a number of fine springs of freestone water. Mr. Thomas is an extensive cotton grower, paying but little attention to the cultivation of the cereals. He and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. He is also a member of the board of aldermen of McKenzie and board of trustees of Bethel College, and vice-president of the State Agricultural Wheel, and president of the Carroll County Agricultural Wheel.
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Henry C. Townes
Hon. Henry C, Townes, attorney at law, and native of Carroll County, Tenn., was born June 10, 1840, son of Col. James and Julia B. (Clark) Townes, and is of Welsh-English lineage. His father was born in Virginia in 1788 and his mother in North Carolina, 1795. The Townes family came to Tennessee about 1828 and here James Townes died in 1858, and his wife in 1870. The Clark family located in the county about the same time. They were among the early settlers. Our subject is the youngest of seven children and was educated at Huntingdon Male Academy and at Hamden Sidney College in Virginia, where he was attending school at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in the Hamden City Company Twentieth Virginia, Confederate States Army, and was captured at the battle of Rich Mountain. He was subsequently exchanged and then joined the Third Virginia Cavalry and with this continued until the close of the war. He was in many important battles and in 1865 came home and began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and from that time until the present has been engaged in practicing his profession, with Albert G. Hawkins as his partner since 1874. He is a Democrat and was married in December, 1868, to Alice Crockett of Carroll County. She was born in 1847. They have five children: Eva, Charlie M., Cora, Lida and Herbert C. Mr. Townes is a K. of H., and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Townes was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1884, and is now a member of the Senate of Tennessee, having been elected in November last to that position.
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Alexander C. Tucker
Alexander C. Tucker, farmer of the Twenty-fourth District and son of Joseph and Nnaommaah (Johnson) Tucker, was born in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1837 and is one of a family of ten children, eight of whom are living. The father was born in Raleigh, N.C. about 1817 and is of Irish extraction. He emigrated to Carroll County, with his parents when a child and was married at the age of twenty. He settled in the Twelfth District, where he still resides. In 1862 he married his second wife, Caroline Black. He is a Christian and a much respected citizen. Our subject was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the country schools. Soon after reaching his majority the main support of the family devolved upon him, as he was the eldest boy, and as a result his education was rather neglected. In December, 1864, he married Martha Bell, a native of Carroll County, Tenn., born in 1849 and the daughter of William and Nancy Palmer. By this union our subject became the father of eight children, six now living: Nancy B., Percy Alex., S. Y. (deceased), Minnie Belle, Emma L., L. M. (deceased), Marietta and William Albert. Soon after marriage Mr. Tucker settled on the farm where he now resides, which then belonged to the family. He is now the owner of about 368 acres of productive and valuable land. He has always been a hard working, industrious man and has accumulated his fine property by his own efforts and good business management, He was formerly a Whig in politics but since the war has affiliated with the Democratic party. He is a Mason of long standing and he and Mrs. Tucker are prominent members of the Christian Church. The mother of our subject was born in 1819 and was a devoted member of the Christian Church. She was a kind parent, a true companion and a woman who was worthy the title of wife and mother. The children are all members of the same church.
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E. W. Williams
E. W. Williams was born in Carroll County, five miles east of Huntingdon, April 17, 1832. He is the sixth of seven children—six sons and one daughter—born to Rowland and Mary (Mills) Williams. His father was born in North Carolina, where he was raised and married, and soon after this he moved to Tennessee and settled in Carroll County, where his family was reared. He died at his home in 1836. The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina, and died at the homestead in 1841. Mr. Williams was raised on the farm, having the benefit of the schools in the county, and has made farming his business. He served as constable of his district in 1865, and also served as deputy sheriff of the county from 1866 to 1870. He was in this year, after the expiration of his deputyship, elected as magistrate for six years, but resigned to accept the office of sheriff, tendered him by the voters of the county. He served as sheriff three terms, which is the constitutional limit. In 1881 he was elected notary public by the county court, and has served in that capacity ever since; he is also magistrate of his district, and has served three years in this office. Mr. Williams was married in Carroll County July 30, 1850, to Miss W. J. Edwards, daughter of Nathaniel Edwards, a farmer. From this union were nine children, of whom eight are living: Sarah A. (Rogers), William A., John B., James N., Elizabeth J., Washington H., Loruza M. and Ella Alpine. Rowland N. died July 30, 1880. The mother of this family was born in Carroll County in 1829. Mr. Williams is a firm Republican, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is exceedingly popular in his county, possessing the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, being a man of liberal ideas and correct principles. He has 360 acres of land on which he raises cotton and tobacco and large quantities of the cereals. The farm is two miles east of Hollow Rock, and with its comfortable dwelling house is a desirable home. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, as does his wife and all of the children, except one.
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Sanford N. Williams
Sanford N. Williams, general merchant, is a native of Madison County, Tenn., and was born June 8, 1842, son of B. T. and Margaret (Longmire) Williams, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father was born in North Carolina in 1811, and his mother in Alabama in 1805. The family came to West Tennessee about 1837, and settled in Madison County. The father died in Carroll County in 1870, but his widow is residing in Huntingdon. Mr. Williams is the second of six children, six children and is self educated. He continued to reside on the farm until 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, United States Army, and served fourteen months. In 1867 he began clerking in the store of E. T. McGill in Huntingdon, and from 1868 until 1870 was deputy revenue collector for what was then the Seventh District. In 1875 he engaged in general merchandising, and is now one of the leading business men of Huntingdon. Fredonia Adams became his wife in 1868. She was born in Henderson County, Tenn., in 1847, and is the mother of two children: Benjamin J. and Thomas N. Mr. Williams is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for A. Lincoln. He joined the Masons in 1865, and became a Royal Arch Mason in 1867. His wife belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Williams is not a member of any church, and is rather liberal in his religious views.
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Lorenzo F. Williams
Lorenzo F. Williams, farmer and citizen of the Twenty-fourth District, was born in Carroll County in 1843, and is the ninth in a family of ten children, six of whom are now living. The father, Thomas Williams, was born in North Carolina about 1795, and was of English ancestry. He received a good common-school and business education, and in 1817 married Harriet Blair. In about 1832 he immigrated to Carroll County and settled in the Thirteenth District, where his career ended. He was an active, industrious man, and at the time of his death, which occurred about 1848, was the owner of about 450 acres of land. The mother was also a native of North Carolina, born in 1809 and died about 1857. The father having died when Lorenzo was but a child, he was reared under the tender care of a mother’s watchful eye. He received his education in the neighboring schools, and partly at Parker’s Cross Roads in Henderson County. November, 1866, he married Caledonia McCall, a native of Carroll County, born in 1849, and the daughter of Dr. Henry and Frances McCall, of Clarksburg. Eight children were the result of our subject’s marriage: Thomas H., Sidney H., Lorenzo P., Lizzie Frances, George W., Marietta, Bertha Mabel and John H. After marriage our subject settled in the Thirteenth District for one year and then removed to the farm on which he now resides, having owned it three different times. He was in the mercantile business for some time and also lived in Kentucky a year. He is now the owner of 160 acres of valuable land all well improved, three and a half miles northeast of Clarksburg. He is a liberal supporter of all charitable and religious institutions and a Democrat in politics, casting his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour. He was formerly a member of the Masonic fraternity but is now demitted. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are both prominent members of the Christian Church and are much esteemed citizens.
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W. M. Wright
W. M. Wright, M.D., was born in DeKalb County, Tenn., November 6, 1838, son of Dr. Ebenezer Wright, who was born in Massachusetts in 1800. He came to Tennessee when a young man, and in 1841 removed to Huntingdon where he was engaged in the practice of medicine for twenty years. He was a man of extended learning and a prominent physician of his day. He died in Huntingdon in 1860, lamented by all who knew him. The mother of our subject was Olivia A. Wright whose maiden name was Moore. She was born in 1812, and died in 1841. She was a daughter of Col. William Moore, who was editor of one of the first newspapers of Tennessee. He was a man of distinction, and died in Carthage, Middle Tenn. The subject of this biography is the youngest of three children and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. He has one sister, Mrs. E. M., wife of Judge L. L. Hawkins, of Huntingdon. The only brother of our subject was Col. Moses H. Wright, who was born in Dekalb County, Tenn., in 1836. When only a few years of age, he was brought by his parents to Huntingdon and here he passed his early life and received an academic education. In 1854 he was appointed by Hon. Emerson Etheridge (then a member of Congress) to a cadetship at West Point where he graduated with high honors in 1859 in the class with such men as Gen. Horace Porter, of the Federal Army and Gen. Wheeler, of the Confederate Army. During the war he served in the Confederate Army with the rank of colonel in the ordnance department, and gained a high degree of prominence, ranking second only to the chief of his department. In 1863, near Atlanta, Ga., he married Miss Sallie Lehon, of Nashville, daughter of Rev. E. W. Lehon, who was a prominent divine of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. At the time of Col. Wright’s death, January 8, 1886, he resided in Louisville, Ky., and was a member of the firm of J. Balmforth & Co., of that city. He and J. Balmforth, one of his partners, were killed on the day above stated, by the falling in of their business house. He was an earnest Christian and one of the most prominent business men of Louisville. Dr. W. M. Wright received an academic education at Huntingdon and began the study of medicine in 1859 under the direction of his illustrious father. During the war he was assistant surgeon in the Confederate Army and was commissioned such in 1862. He was graduated from the Mission Medical College at St. Louis. Since 1865 he has been located at Huntingdon, and is one of the leading physicians of West Tennessee. He is a Democrat politically, and for quite a number of years has taken an active part in politics. He was a member of the constitutional convention, which met at Nashville in 1870. In 1871 he was appointed superintendent of prisons four years and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis in 1876. Dr. Wright was married in 1870 to Erin Hanna, of Paris, Tenn., born in 1850. They have four children: Jamie McNeill, Charles Hanna, William Eben and Thomas McNeill. Dr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and are among the prominent people of the county.
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