Rives
Rives was known as Troy Station during the years of 1859-1876, but as early as 1825, South Carolina pioneers settled the area but it was after the M&O Railroad came through in 1858 that the town began to flourish.
One of the first was William Nelms who settled two miles west of Rives in 1821. Then in 1824 Joel S. Enloe located three miles west of Rives. About the same time, 1824-1825, James Harper and a caravan of pioneers arrived from South Carolina and settled on the road leading west, four miles from the Obion River – later known as the Rives-Troy road. James’ son, Ben K. Harper, was then 13 years old and about fifteen years later Ben married Margaret Smith. They settled on a farm south of the Rives-Troy road that Ben had cleared. In 1828, I. N. Farris, son of Wilford Farris, settled on the same road. Also in the same community were: H. I. Wade who married Jane Harper, eldest daughter of Ben Harper. This neighborhood centered around Pleasant Hill church and school.
West of Pleasant Hill was FAIRFIELD, one of the oldest settlements in the county, located on old 51 highway half way between Troy and Union City. Some say the first session of the County Court was held at Fairfield, but this is difficult to establish. A Mr. Calhoun built a race track and a cotton gin on the land, known as the Pleasant Farm. It was called Fairfield and was the gathering place for pioneers when they had barbecue.
Early Businesses: T. B. Moffatt and Sons General Merchandise; Shore and Phebus Building, housing dry goods, groceries and hardware; Chester’s Saw Mill; T.H. Bonner & Sons Drug Store. The Post Office was established in 1866 and Charles McAlister was the first postmaster.
In the early days, Isham Wallace operated a four mill by water power and Calvin McCaw a steam saw mill.
Other settlers before 1900 were the families of: Waller Caldwell, T. B. Moffatt, J. H. Scoggin, T. J. Bonner, George Botte, Sam Dickey, E. B. Chester, Silas Preuett, T. C. Cummings, Lon Wright, Dr. E. H. White and Dr. T. P Callicott, John and Jane Faulks Dickey, Caudle family.
Rives was incorporated in 1905 and Holland Bittick elected the first mayor. Aldermen: J. H. McCaw, J. E. House, D. W. Bone, S. H. Dickey, W. L. Clemmons, G. F. Botts.
The Hauser/Houser (pronounced who-sir) family settled a 5000 AC land grant that was near Rives The land was granted to George Hauser for his service in the Revolutionary War. The land became known as Houser (who-sir) Valley. Anthony Augustus Hauser SR. migrated from North Carolina with his family before 1840; however due to hostile Indians they were forced to move; later returning to settle the land in 1841. Based on sparse information the land grant was located South of Union City and North of Rives. Anthony Hauser SR. and his descents played a significant role in the history of Rives and Obion County. Edward Lee Houser (my grandfather) inherited part of the original land grant which was located just 2/10 miles north of Rives with the M&O RR track running through his property.
Who is the town of Rives named after? Thanks
According to Alberta K. Allen’s book, it was named for the supervisor of the local district of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. It only refers to him as “Mr. Rives.” It was originally known as Troy Station until March 12th, 1877.