Conatser Family
George W. (Old Hickory) Conatser
These excerpts from the History of Fentress County, Tennessee, published by the Fentress County Historical Society in 1987, were transcribed by Michael Allen in 2000. See notes at the end.
George W. (Old Hickory) Conatser
by Buddy Conatser and Brian Franklin, York Elementary School
George W. (Old Hickory) Conatser was born in August of 1840 and died September 2, 1920. His parents were Philip Conatser and Peggy Cooper Conatser. Philip was of German descent and Peggy Cooper was of Scott-Irish.
Old Hickory’s grandfather, John Palser Conatser came to the Watauga with Major Anderson, a great grandfather of Judge C.E. Snodgrass, and was one of the first settlers in the Mississippi Valley. He moved from Watauga to Wayne County, Kentucky and Philip Conatser moved from there, here, soon after Fentress County was organized. John Palser worked for General Greene about the time of the Revolutionary War. He was a soldier at the battle of King’s Mountain. The powder horn that he used at this battle was presented to William McKinley while he was President of the United States by Uncle Hickory. McKinley wrote a nice letter, expressing his appreciation of the gift, and claimed he prized it more than anything he had received, on account of its association with the great and decisive battle. During the Civil War, Old Hickory served in Company D., 2nd Tennessee Infantry and was with Sherman’s Army in its march to the sea. He enlisted in 1861 and was discharged November 6, 1865 at Knoxville, Tennessee. His father, Philip Conatser died in the Confederate prison at Andersonville, Georgia on March 28, 1864. He is buried in grave No. 216 at Andersonville, according to military records.
G.W. Conatser, Old Hickory or Uncle Hickory (as he is familiarly called) served as Justice of the Peace, Sheriff of Fentress County for eight years and Deputy United States Marshal for four years. In politics he was a Republican. He was perhaps the best known man in the County and wielded a wide influence among his friends. He owned a large farm in the Poplar Cove and lived upon it. A coal mine operated upon it for some years to supply Local trade.
This story was taken from two books: Mark Twain’s Obedstown and Knobs of Tennessee and History of Fentress County, by Albert Hogue. It was combined by Mrs. Phillip Brannon.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/conatser.htm
James Hiram And Mary Ann Beaty Conatser
by Judy Moulton
James Hiram Conatser was born in Fentress County Jan. 1, 1870, the first child of George “Duke” Conatser and Rebecca Mathews (1841/1845-?). His grandfather was David Conatser (1804/1808-?), born in either KY or TN, both states are given on the census. His grandmother was Sebretta Beaty born 1813 in TN.
Mary Ann Beaty, born 1874 at Little Crab was his first wife. Mary Ann was the daughter of Isaac “Tobe” [“Toke”?] Beaty (1852-1821/22) and Margaret Jane Hinds (1852/56-1898).
Their children were Laura Belie born March 14, 1891 and Epsie A. born Jan. 1894. Mary Ann died 1892-98 and is buried in the Dr. Chism or old Elias Bowden Cemetery in West Fentress County.
Jim then married Martha Elizabeth Irving born 1862/64 in Fentress County. She was thought to be the niece of Wade Irving. Upon her marriage, Wade gave her a farm located on the curve of the Round Mountain Stockton Road where the old Round Mountain School was located. The farm was considered to be “the richest in Fentress County at one time”. It obtained this description due to the meadows that were used for growing hay. At the time, only wild hay was grown so farmers used cane or corn fodder for hay. The farm was also well known because of the large bluff from under which many Indian relies were dug. Because of the location of the farm, on Yellow Creek, Jim came to be known as “Yellow Creek Jim” to distinguish him from other Jim Conatsers in the area.
Two children were born to the couple. They were Effie (1899-1937) and Maude A. (19041909). Both are buried in the City Cemetery with their mother, who died Nov. 24, 1924, buried between them.
After Martha’s death, Jim married Fannie Copley (1880-1945). They had no children. Fannie is buried in the Copley Cemetery near East Jamestown.
Jim was a small frame man known as a “real hard worker who didn’t stop even when it rained”. At one time, he was “a wealthy man” but died a near pauper on May 13, 1947. Jim was almost buried in the Stockton Cemetery but, on the morning the grave was to be dug, a grandchild told the others that “Grandpa Jim had wanted to be buried at Allardt Cemetery”. Welter Gernt was contacted and the plot chosen by Jim at Allardt was used.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/maryann.htm
Osco and Ada Conatser Family
by Clella Conatser
Osco Conatser was born in Fentress County on September 28, 1895. He was the son of Phillip Andrew and Emaline King Conatser. Osco’s brothers and sisters were: Cordell, Arizona, Athel, Ada, Allie, Reba and twins Dock and Martha. Osco married Ada Jane Sewell on October 4, 1922. Ada was born in Picket County on April 24, 1901. She was the daughter of Alvin Marion Sewell and Zelpha Emaline Winningham Sewell. Ada’s brothers and sisters were: Arthur, Ollie and Hila. She also had five half-brothers and sisters: Rhode, Nancy Ann, Dillard, Porter and Laura. Their mother was Mary Smith Sewell, Alvin’s first wife who died April 18, 1894.
Osco and Ada had four sons: Troy Osco, Doyle Clinton, James Dowe and Shelby Wayne. They were all four born in Fentress County.
Troy Osco was horn July 2, 1923. He attended school at Stockton Valley Academy in Helena, York High School and graduated from Tennessee Technological University. He married Irene Peavyhouse, the daughter of Welter and Elsie Peavyhouse and they had four children: Dyke Reed born 9/15/51 and died 9/16/51, Lyle Cleston born {redacted on this site}, Edwin Troy born {redacted on this site} and Connie Sue born {redacted on this site}.
Troy spent almost three years in the U.S. Navy. He is retired from carrying U.S. Mail and now enjoys working on the farm where he lives in Allardt.
Doyle Clinton was born February 9, 1926. He attended school at Stockton Valley Academy, York High School and graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 1951. He spent two and one-half years in U.S. Air Force. He married Clella Fay Rogers, daughter of Joe and Mary Rogers, and they live on a small farm in the Helena Community in Fentress County. Doyle is a teacher at York High School. They have no children.
James Dowe was born July 15, 1933. He attended school at Stockton Valley Academy and York Institute where he played basketball. He married Corinne Choate who was born May 7, 1934. She is the daughter of Eliza and Freela Choate. They live in Muncie, Indiana where he works at Chevrolet. They had four sons: Douglas Hugh born {redacted on this site} in Fentress County, Michael Keith born {redacted on this site} in Fentress County, Kevin Craig born {redacted on this site} in Anderson County in Oak Ridge and Kent David born {redacted on this site} in Morristown, Tennessee.
They also have three grandchildren: Wendy Lynn horn {redacted on this site}, the daughter of Michael and Marilyn Christy Conatser; James Jared born {redacted on this site} and Jonathan Doyle born {redacted on this site} both sons of Kevin and Julia Wright Conatser.
Shelby Wayne was horn July 21, 1936. He attended school at Stockton Valley Academy and York Institute. He spent about three years in the U.S. Army. He is married to Delia Bell, daughter of William Edward and Zona Alice Phillips Bell of Wayne County, Kentucky. They live in Muncie, Indiana and he works at Chevrolet.
Osco and Ada lived in the Helena Community of Fentress County. Osco died November 16, 1976 and is buried in the New Hope Cemetery at Helena. He was a member of New Hope Church. Ada is a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Little Crab.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/osco.htm
Phillip Andrew Conatser
by Becky Hyder
Phillip Andrew Conatser was born May 11, 1865, the son of John (Broke-Leg) Conatser and Elizabeth Reagan. John was the son of David Conatser and Jenette Beaty. Jenetta was the daughter of David Beaty born in 1783 and Sarah Stephens. David was one of the three Beaty brothers Hogue’s book states came here early in the 1800’s. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Miller Stephens. Phillip’s brothers and sisters were Jay H., Jane, Samatha (Mance), Ellen, Jim, Bates and Caldona who married Sim Hinds.
Elizabeth Reagan was born in 1836 or 37. She was the daughter of John Reagan born 1802 or 03 and Nancy Finley. John Reagan was the son of Peter Reagan born in 1779. Peter J. was the son of Peter, Sr. who cane to America from Ireland and served under Washington in the Revolutionary War. Elizabeth Reagan’s grandfather, James Finley, was at least one-half Cherokee Indian.
Phillip Andrew married Nancy Emaline King who was born December 25, 1873 and died March 11, 1938. Her parents were William G. (Witt) King and Jane Hinds. William G. was born April 22, 1844 and died October 27, 1902. He was the son of James (Silver Jim) King and Elizabeth (Betsy) Beaty. Elizabeth’s parents were Col. Thomas Beaty and Jane Mullinix. Elizabeth was born April 23, 1822 in Kentucky and died January 25, 1888. They are buried at the Joel Beaty Cemetery in Riverton, Tennessee.
Jane Hinds was born April 22, 1844 and died April 17, 1897. She was the daughter of Joel Hinds who was born about 1792 in Tennessee and Nina Mullinix born about 1805 in Tennessee.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/phconatser.htm
Transcriber’s note: Most, but not all, [transcribed] excerpts relate to Beaty families. Don’t forget the first rule of genealogy — everything should be backed by primary documentation — This book was written by the Fentress Co. Historical Society. It’s mainly a collection of personal histories told from memory and family tradition with little documentation, and should be taken as such.
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