MY RIVERSIDE CEMETERY TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS
SCRAPBOOK PART VII
By Jonathan K.T. Smith
Copyright, Jonathan K. T. Smith, 1995

(Page 11)

NOTES BY LOT

LOT 78, PERSON
[Lot 78, NEILL-GATES in Tombstone Inscriptions]

north to south:

HIBERNIA NEILL
Born Oct. 1, 1847
Died June 14, 1909

G. F. NEILL
Died February 5, 1885

EMMA NEILL GATES
Died June 6, 1932

HUNTER GATES
1870-1894

Double tombstone:
B. R. PERSON, Father
Oct. 23, 1810-Feb. 24, 1881
EMILY GREER, His Wife
Nov. 21, 1824-Oct. 3, 1915

  1. FORKED DEER BLADE, Jackson, Tenn. Feb. 5, 1885:

    2. A Prominent Citizen Kills Himself.
            The sad death by suicide of Mr. G. F. Neill, Thursday, cast a gloom over the whole city. Mr. Neill had once been a prosperous merchant of our city, but was unfortunate and lost all he had, was out of employment and in consequence very much depressed. He had brooded over his financial condition, and the fact that he could get no employment, until his mind had given way. Mr. Neill made his home with his mother-in-law, Mrs. B. R. Person. About 1 o'clock he went into the coal-house, where he fired the fatal shot. The ball penetrated his heart. The report of this pistol was not heard, and it was some time before the family knew what had occurred. Mr. Neill left a wife and two interesting children, and scores of friends to deplore the loss.

     

  2. JACKSON DAILY WHIG, August 11, 1893:

    3. B. Hunter Gates
            Is one of the live young business men of Jackson who belongs to "the Eli Brigade." He was born in Rome, Ga., in 1870, and not being satisfied with the situation there, he migrated to this city bringing the family with him. He had his little bout with school books at the S. W. B. University and in 1890 went into the confectionary and family grocery business, the firm being Gates Bros. Like Lord Dundreary's bird he concluded to flock by himself and in January '93 the firm became by purchase, H. Hunter Gates. "Gates" candies are known far and wide, from Canton to Cairo and from Memphis to Nashville. He also handles "Huylers" world renowned candies. His ice cream, soda and mineral waters are famous and have many customers. Gibson Well water just received, 25 cents a jug.

     

  3. U.S. Census, June 2, 1900, Jackson, Enumerator's District 103, sheet 2:
    Hibernia Neill, b. Oct. 1847, Tenn. N. C. Tenn. Widow
    Emma N. Gates, b. June 1871, dau., Tenn. Tenn. Tenn. Widow
    William F. Neill, b. Nov. 1879, son, Tenn. Tenn. Tenn.
  4. Griffin Funeral Home Register, 1931-1933, page 282:
    Mrs. Emma Neil Gates
    Born June 28, 1871 Died June 6, 1932

    5.  

    (Page 12)

  5. Robert H. Cartmell's "Diary," 27, page 74. June 14, 1909:

. . . and tonight at 7 o'clock Mrs. Hybernia Neill died. had been in failing health for several months. She was the widow of Gil Neill who has been dead many years. leaves 2 grown children, Falls & Mrs. Emma Gates whose husband died years ago, no children. Gilbert Neill was the son of Wm. Neill, the son of Gilbert Neill. My father's first wife Margaret was a daughter of Gilbert Neill.

 

LOT 37-S, SMITH

south to north:

Double tombstone:
J. C. SMITH, SR., 1846-1911 (Masonic emblem)
EMMA, His Wife, 1854-1919 (Eastern Star emblem)
Their many virtues form the noblest monument to their memory.

KATIE DE MAY,
Dau. of J. C. & Emma SMITH, 1885-1900
Too good for earth God called her forth

Double tombstone:
WILL C. SMITH, SR., Father
Dec. 8, 1881-Feb. 19, 1947
BESSIE E. SMITH, Mother
Sept. 9, 1882-July 18, 1968
Honor thy Father and Mother

  1. GOODSPEED'S HISTORY OF TENNESSEE (Madison Co.), 1887, pages 904-905:

    2. J. C. Smith, owner and manager of the Jackson Foundry and Machine Works, was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., in 1846, and is the son of. T. C. and C. K. (Moser) Smith. Our subject was reared to manhood in the town of Newmarket, and received his education in the Holston College of the same town. In early life he was very desirous of becoming a railroad employe, and soon obtained the position of newsboy on a railroad, selling papers to Confederate soldiers, which he followed for some time, and then was employed as conductor, of which position he well discharged the duties until 1868, when he located in this city. He then entered into the merchandise business, which proved successful until he closed out, in 1879, for the purpose of engaging in his present work. After closing in 1879, he at once purchased the old Madison foundry, and gave it a thorough reconstruction, which makes it at present equal to any similar establishment in the South, and is thoroughly equipped for executing any kind of work in his line on short notice. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wright, of Florence, Ala., daughter of James Wright. To this union have been born four children, two males and two females. Our subject's wife was born in 1854, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a Mason in good standing, and a Democrat in politics.

     

  2. Masonic Grand Lodge, Tenn.: Lodge 45, Jackson, Tenn. Annual Return: J. C. Smith died August 10, 1911
  3. The following is about Jacob C. Smith, Sr.:
    THE WEEKLY TIMES, Jackson, Feb. 13, 1891:

J. C. SMITH, JR. Our genial alderman for the Fourth ward was born in Jefferson county, East Tenn., July 18, 1845. He received a collegiate education, attending the Holston College. Completing his education he engaged in railroading and merchandizing. Jan. 1867, he came to Jackson. For the past two years Mr. Smith has represented the Fourth ward in our city council and is one of the finance committee. In the past ten years he ran the Jackson Foundry and Machine Works which has recently been incorporated as a stock company of which Mr. Smith is the secretary and general manager.

 

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