VAUGHT, Joseph L.

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Joseph L. Vaught, son of John S. and Rebecca (Shoun) Vaught, was born in Johnson county, Tennessee, March 4, 1838. At the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Federal army, serving as sergeant in Company M, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and when victory had crowned the Union arms he resumed his agricultural pursuits in Johnson county. He also manufactured wagons, farming tools and implements, supplying the people of his community and surrounding districts. He served as justice of the peace and was on the school board for a number of years. He belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities and he took an active interest in the welfare and upbuilding of the community, while of the Pleasant Grove Baptist church he was a faithful and devoted member from December 24, 1853, until his death. He is survived by his widow, who is living, at the age of eighty-five years, in Vaughtsville, Tennessee, a place named in his honor. It was on the 29th of December, 1855, that he wedded Louise Mast, who was born in Johnson county, January 20, 1838, a daughter of Joseph C. and Celia (Campbell) Mast. She traces her ancestry in direct line back to John and Barbara Mast. The former was born in Switzerland in 1740 and came to America with his uncle, four sisters and his elder brother, Jacob Mast, who later became a bishop in the Amish Mennonite church. The party sailed from Rotterdam in the ship “Brotherhood,” John Thompson, captain, and landed at Philadelphia, March 3, 1750. Soon after reaching the age of twenty John Mast left his brother Jacob, then married and living near Elverson, Pennsylvania, and started out to find a suitable location. He wandered as a pedestrian through lonely forests and at length settled in Randolph county, North Carolina, in 1764. Tradition says that he never communicated with his relatives and it was not until 1898 that the relationship between the Masts of Pennsylvania and North Carolina was established. The North Carolina branch constitutes a large, substantial and progressive citizenship in that state and this is equally true of the Pennsylvania and Ohio branches.

Transcribed from: Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1796-1923 by John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster published by S.J Clarke Publishing Co., 1923.

VAUGHT, John S.

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John S. Vaught, son of Joseph and Nancy (Goodwin) Vaught, was born in Johnson county, June 16, 1810, and became a large landowner and slave owner, while he and his son, Joseph L., operated a forge, manufacturing “hammered” iron. A public-spirited man, he donated the land for the Pleasant Grove Baptist church, organized January 20, 1845, in Vaught’s schoolhouse. He was a prominent member of the church and provided most of the funds for the erection of a new brick church in 1853. This building was torn down in 1912 to clear the site for a larger and more modern building which was erected that year, the material in the old building being used in the new. While he owned many slaves, John S. Vaught believed in emancipation and used his influence in that direction. He married Rebecca Shoun, who was born June 4, 1813, a daughter of Leonard and Barbara (Schlemp) Shoun, the former born November 10, 1773, in Loudoun county, Virginia, and the latter in Washington county, Virginia, May 3, 1775. The descendants of Leonard Shoun have erected a monument to his memory at Shouns, Tennessee, which town was named in his honor. John S. and Rebecca Vaught had three sons and five daughters, all of [p.419] whom married and reared families save a daughter who died at the age of twelve. John S. Vaught passed away May 18, 1885.

Transcribed from: Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1796-1923 by John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster published by S.J Clarke Publishing Co., 1923.

VAUGHT, Joseph

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Joseph Vaught, son of John and Esther Vaught, was born in what is now Smythe county, Virginia, in 1773, and went to Tennessee with his father, from whom he inherited a large tract of farm land and a number of slaves. He successfully cultivated his land and operated a mill, becoming one of the wealthy men of his day and giving to each of his children a large farm. He married Nancy Goodwin and they had two sons and three daughters. The father died November 22, 1830, aged fifty-seven years, and was buried in the Roane Creek Baptist churchyard at Shouns, Tennessee. This church was organized April 20, 1794–the first established in Johnson county.

Transcribed from: Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1796-1923 by John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster published by S.J Clarke Publishing Co., 1923.

VAUGHT, William McDonald

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William McDonald Vaught, educator and business man, now in charge of the Elizabethton office of the Watauga Power Company, was born in Johnson county, Tennessee, a son of Joseph L. and Louise (Mast) Vaught. His ancestral line can be traced back through several generations to John Vaught, who emigrated from Virginia and settled on Roane Creek, a tributary of the Watauga, in Johnson county, then Washington county, North Carolina. In the land office in Virginia is a record of a land survey to John Vaught for three hundred and ninety acres on the south fork of Holston river, dated February 28, 1775. There are also deeds in Jonesboro, dated July 17, 1792, conveying to John Vaught from Thomas Payne a tract of four hundred and fifty acres on Roane Creek and another of four hundred acres located on Flannery’s Fork of Roane Creek, since known as Vaught’s Creek. These lands were granted to Thomas Payne in November, 1784. John Vaught also purchased other lands adjacent from Reuben Stringer. He built and operated the first mill in this section and the forge on his place was one of the first to be established in the county. He donated land for the first schoolhouse in the community and assisted in erecting a log school building, which became known as Vaught’s schoolhouse and in which the Pleasant Grove Baptist church was organized. John Vaught was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and his great-grandson, John L. Vaught, at the time of his death in 1907, had a part of the uniform which John Vaught had worn in the service in the Continental Line. He was a justice of the peace and member of the first county court of Carter county, which he had assisted in organizing July 4, 1796. His wife’s name was Esther and they had two daughters, Elizabeth Heaton and Barbara Howard. His will, dated June 6, 1806, is on file in the courthouse in Elizabethton.

As stated, the seventh child of the family was William McDonald Vaught, who after attending the public schools of Johnson county entered Holly Springs College at Butler, Tennessee, and was graduated A. B. in 1891, having the distinction of delivering the first graduating address for the first graduating class of that college. He was afterward professor of mathematics at his alma mater from 1891 until 1892, after which he spent two years in the state of Washington, teaching and attending the State Normal. Following his return to Tennessee in 1894 he taught in the schools of Watauga valley for four or five years and afterward at Elizabethton. In 1902 he was elected county superintendent of education for Carter county and served most acceptably and satisfactorily in that position for three years. He was then again teacher at Elizabethton from 1905 until 1907, after which he withdrew from educational work, taking up bookkeeping and office work. Since 1910 he has been connected with the Watauga Power Company at Elizabethton, first as bookkeeper and since 1912 as manager of the local office. This company owns and operates a hydro-electric power plant on the Watauga river, seven miles above Elizabethton, and furnishes electric current for lights and power for Elizabethton, Bristol and Bluff City. Mr. Vaught has proven a man of keen executive ability and his close application to the thing at hand has been a dominant factor in his continued success.

Mr. Vaught gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and although he has never sought nor desired political preferment, he is always interested in party affairs and never too busy to give his aid in furthering any movement for the benefit of the community. He served as a member of the board of aldermen from 1917 until 1919. Fraternally he is identified with the Odd Fellows and represented the local lodge in the grand lodge ofTennessee for two years. He also belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. In September, 1887, he united with the Baptist church and he has served as clerk of the Watauga Baptist Association. For a number of years he has filled the position of church treasurer and always takes an active interest in the various lines of church work.

On the 16th of June, 1896, Mr. Vaught wedded Elizabeth C. Carriger, daughter of Jackson and Edna Carriger and a descendant of Gotfried Kercher (Godfrey Carriger, Sr.). The name was originally Gotfried Von Kaercher, but afterward the “Von” was dropped and later Godfrey Carriger, Sr., dropped the “a” from the name. The German pronunciation of “Kaercher” is “Carriger” and all deeds and other written documents, including his will, bearing date March 30, 1808, are signed in his own handwriting “Gotfried Kercher,” while in the body of all said deeds, documents and will his name is written “Godfrey Carriger, Sr.” He was born March 7, 1732, in Stuttgart, Germany, and in his seventh year came with his parents, brothers and sisters to Burks county, Pennsylvania, sailing on the vessel “Friendship,” Henry Beech, commander. They landed at Philadelphia, September [p.421] 20, 1738, and at that time the father, Michael Kercher, was forty-six years of age. He took the oath of allegiance to the province of Pennsylvania and he left his native land on account of religious persecution, being a Lutheran. His son, Gotfried Kercher, signed a memorial in 1779 against calling a convention for the purpose of aiding British rule, he being strongly in favor of American independence. His wife was Margaret Hanchpaugh, or Anspaugh, a very devout Christian woman. Their children were: Johan Nicholas, who was born February 28, 1761, and married a Miss Millard and emigrated to Middle Tennessee; Johan Michael, who was born April 26, 1764, and wedded Elizabeth Worley; Johan Lenhart, who was born January 3, 1766, and who was killed by the Indians in 1780; Gotfried, whose birth occurred May 13, 1767 or 1769, and who married Elizabeth Lovelace Crawley; Elizabeth, whose natal day was May 12, 1771, and who became the wife of John Nave; Johan Henrich, who was born February 26, 1774, and died in early life; Johan, who was born February 24, 1777, and wedded Margaret Elliott; and Christian, whose natal day was July 28, 1779, and who married Levisa Ward. Gotfried Kercher bought land in Brunswick township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1760 and also in 1765. In 1779 he sold his eight hundred and twenty-five acres and the following year removed to the Watauga settlement in Tennessee, traveling with four six-horse covered wagons, bringing his family and ten negro men and their families, together with thirty-two thousand dollars in money. He brought also the first cook stove ever used in the Watauga settlement, and it was such a great curiosity that the settlers came for many miles to see it. His son Leonard, while the family were en route to Tennessee, left the camp with his gun to hunt game and was killed by the Indians. Gotfried Kercher became the owner of much land on the Watauga and built and operated the first mill in the eastern part of the settlement. Legal documents show that he and his sons owned and operated a number of forges in upper East Tennessee. The Carrigers were leaders in church and school work and after coming to Tennessee united with the Baptists.

Transcribed from: Tennessee, The Volunteer State, 1796-1923 by John Trotwood Moore and Austin P. Foster published by S.J Clarke Publishing Co., 1923.

WILLS, H.B.

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H. B. Wills, farmer, was born in Johnson County, April 4, 1857, the son of Russell B. and Elizabeth R. (Duff) Wills, the former born in this county July 7, 1820, the son of Lewis and Catherine (Winsell) Wills, pioneers of East Tennessee. The mother was born in 1828, in Washington County, Va., the daughter of David B. and Sarah Duff. Our subject is one of six sons and three daughters, and was reared on the farm be now owns and cultivates-a fine farm of 158 acres on the headwaters of the Laurel, in the First District. In 1882 he married Sarah E., daughter of James D. and Frances C. Donnelly. They now have three children-Girtie, Robert H. and Francis H. He and his wife are Methodists, and he a respected member of the I. O.O. F. lodge.

Transcribed from Godspeed’s History of TN (1896)

WILLS, James N.

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James N. Wills was born in Johnson County, November 3, 1858, the son of Peter D. and Sophia J. (McQuonn) Wills. The father was born in this county, January 16, 1816, the son of Lewis, who was of German descent. The mother was born in Washington County, Va., August 20, 1821, the daughter of Thomas McQuonn, who was of Scotch origin. Our subject was reared on the farm and attended the common schools of this county, and since early manhood has been a most successful farmer. He has served as trustee. elected by the county court in 1881, to fill an unexpired term. He is a Republican and a member of the I. O.O. F. lodge.

Transcribed from Godspeed’s History of TN (1896)

WILLS, Norman H.

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Norman H. Wills, farmer, was born in this county October 18; 1847, the son of Peter D. and Sophia J. (McQuonn) Wills, the former born January 16, 1816, in this county the son of Lewis, who in turn was son of Lewis, Sr., a native of Strasburg, Germany, and a pioneer of this state. The father was an extensive farmer, and accumulated property. His death occurred July 14, 1878. The mother was born in Washington County, Va., August 20, 1821, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wilson) McQuonn, the former of Scotch-Irish descent, born in Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas, Sr., also a farmer. The mother died March 2, 1877, and had the following children: Macon H., Norman H., Virginia C., James N., Francis C. and Sarah H. Our subject was educated at LibertyHall, Virginia, and was reared on the farm. Martha A. Hawthorn, of Washington County, Va., became his wife October 13, 1870, and died January 17, 1874. He next married Martha C., a daughter of Maj. James and Harriet M. (Farthing) Brown, December 11, 1877. She was born in this county July 19, 1852, and their children are Lura J. and Lewis Karl; the former born October 4, 1878, and the latter July 22, 1885.

Transcribed from Godspeed’s History of TN (1896)

WILLS, D.W.

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D. W. Wills, clerk and master in chancery, was born in this county March 11, 1835, the son of John D. and Mary D. (Neel) Wills, the former born in this county December 28, 1808, the son of Peter, a native of Virginia, who came to this county about 1799. He was a large land owner and farmer. The father, a successful farmer also, died December 17, 1856. The mother was born near Abingdon, Va., about 1811, the daughter of Bartholomew Neel, and was a Methodist, as was her father. Our subject grew up with rural advantages, and farmed up to the war. In 1865 he became deputy sheriff for eight years and in August, 1882, became magistrate, and in September, 1885, was appointed to his present position by Chancellor St. John. In October, 1853, he married Mary, a daughter of Samuel Cress, who died in January, 1873, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had six children. Nancy, a daughter of Moore Robinson, became his wife October 17, 17, 1875. One of their three children is deceased. His wife is a Baptist.

Transcribed from Godspeed’s History of TN (1896)

SUTHERLAND, J.A.

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J. A. Sutherland, farmer and stock raiser, was born in this county, August 7, 1841, the son of Joseph and Sarah (King) Sutherland, the former born in Grayson County, VA., July 9, 1788, the son of Alexander, a native of Scotland, who came as a British soldier in the Revolution, and first fought at Bunker Hill. After the war he left the army and settled in Virginia, where be married Margaret Bryant, of Irish descent. She was mother of two sons and seven daughters. Our subject’s father first married Susan Robinson, by whom he has six children. She died in North Carolina, and November 16, 1824, he married Sarah, a daughter of John and Nancy (Collet) King. She was born in North Carolina November 10, 1803, and was the mother of three sons and seven daughers. She died August 1, 1874, and the father January 10, 1867. Our subject was reared in the country, and, although beginning life as a poor man, he is now a prosperous farmer. He went to Indiana in 1863 and enlisted in the Federal Army, serving with Sherman on famous march. October 14, 1874, he married Sarah D. Wills. The mother died in in 1886, and their only son in 1887. Our subject is a Mason and a Methodist, and has served sheriff and treasurer of the county.

Transcribed from Godspeed’s History of TN (1896)

SMYTHE, Thomas S.

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Thomas S. Smythe, lawyer, was born in Washington County, Va., June 29, 1827, and is the son of Dr. James C. and Ann H. (Orr) Smythe, the former born in the above county July 7, 1790, the son of John A., a native of Ireland, who came to America as a clerk Lord Cornwallis’ army, and at the close of the Revolution settled in Pennsylvania, and married Caroline Hays. He then went to Virginia, engaging in boot and shoe making and afterward in farming and trading. He died, while on a trading expedition, at Natchez, Miss., in 1795. Dr. J. C. was reared where Emory and Henry College now stands, and studied law at Jonesboro with E. F. Sevier and J. A. Aiken as classmates. He then exchanged his law library for medical works, and began practice in Virginia, and in 1837 in this county, and finally, in 1854, in Henry County, where he died two years later. He was the first resident physician of this county, and was highly esteemed as a man and physician. The mother was born June 2, 1802, in Virginia, the daughter of John Orr, a native of Pennsylvania. She died in 1863. Our subject, the eldest son of nine children learned the tanner’s trsde, at which he worked until after his thirtieth year. In 1858 he became magistrate of this county, and in 1861 chairman of the county court. He was appointed magistrate by Gov. Brownlow, and in 1865 became clerk and master. He soon afterward began the practice of law, continuing until 1882, when he became a clerk in the pension department at Washington, where he remained until February, 1883, when he became special examiner to travel through Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri. On June 15, 1886, he resumed practice in Mountain City, and has succeeded finely as a lawyer. In March, 1881, he was commissioned special judge by Gov. Hawkins. On February 22, 1849, he married Margaret, a daughter of Richard Donnelly, and born near Mountain City December 2, 1828. Five sons and two daughters, of nine children, are living.

Transcribed from Godspeed’s History of TN (1896)