James A. Holt’s birth occurred in Tennessee in 1852, and he is a son of Israel and Mary J. (Davis)Holt, who were also Tennesseans. The father was a farmer, and served in the Confederate Army during the late war. He died in Wayne in Wayne County in 1866. James A. Holt’s early days were spent on his father’s farm, and after the latter’s death he made his home with his widowed mother until his marriage, in 1876, when he began life for himself as a farmer. In 1875 he began merchandising on Beech Creek, and has been quite successful. His store is superior to those generally kept in the country, and is liberally patronized by the surrounding neighborhood. The farm on which he lives was inherited by his wife from her father’s estate, and consists of about 250 acres. In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace, and has faithfully discharged the duties of this office up to the present time. In 1882 he erected a cotton-gin on his farm, and has kept it in good working order. He is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for S. J. Tilden. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was married, in 1876, to Louisa J. Tumbo, daughter of Hugh and Mary Tumbo. Mrs. Holt was born in Tennessee in 1860, and is the mother of three children: Hugh I., Dora Lee, and an infant deceased, not named.
Category Archives: GoodspeedBiography
Hollis, James P.
James P. Hollis is a son of William and Sarah (Moore) Hollis, who were born in Tennessee in 1802 and 1809 respectively. The father was a farmer in Wayne County in 1804. His wife, who bore him four children, died in 1834, and he then wedded Sarah Kilburn, who was born in 1814, and who became the mother of five children. She died in 1854, and his third wife Jane Yaw, bore him five children. He lived in Wayne County until his death in 1875. His father, James Hollis, was was born in 1759, and married his second wife, Sarah Choete, in 1794, she being born in 1772. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was a prosperous farmer of Wayne County. He died in 1844. Our subject, James P., lived with his father until 1853, when he married Sarah R. Dixon, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Boyd) Dixon. She was born in 1835, and is the mother of fourteen children: John D., Sarah E., (who died in 1856), William P. (who died in 1859), Mary M., Martha F., Nancy P., Joseph B., Columbus F., James M., Ada R., Fountain J., Arthur T., and one infant deceased, not named. Mr. Hollis has a good farm of 170 acres, on which he raises principally corn. he has held the office of deputy sheriff, constable, and in 1870 was elected justice of the peace, and yet holds the office. He is a Mason and Republican, and he and Mrs. Hollis are members of the Baptist Church.
Hollabaugh, Jacob
Jacob Hollabaugh, a pioneer of Wayne County, Tenn., was born in 1822, son of George and Catherine Hollabaugh, who were born in North Carolina, and came to Tennessee about 1818, locating in perry County, where the father resided until his death in 1824. The mother died in 1856. Jacob resided with his widowed mother until after his marriage, which occurred in 1842, to Rosanna Harvey, daughter of James and Rachel Harvey. She was born in Tennessee in 1824, and became the mother of the following family: Mary J., James C., Rachel A., Elizabeth C., George T., John T., Frederick W., Buchanan B., Madison J., Isham G. Harris, Midda V., Joseph B., Luther W., and Jacob S., Elizabeth C., John T. and Joseph B. are dead. Our subject resided on the home farm until 1864, when he sold out and purchased the farm on which he is now residing, consisting of 314 acres, well improved. He has a fine variety of various fruits, and gives considerable attention to bee culture. He has always been industrious, and accordingly has prospered. He and wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1842. Mr. Hollabaugh is a Mason, and always has been a stanch Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk.
Helton, Henry A.
Henry A. Helton, clerk of the circuit and criminal courts at Waynesboro, Tenn., was born in Wayne County on the 11th of January, 1846, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Morgan) Helton, natives, respectively, of North and South Carolina. Jesse Helton, our subjects grandfather, came to Tennessee with his family about 1819 or 1820 and located on the head waters of Indian Creek in Wayne County. He was a hatter by trade, also a mill-wright, and gave the most of his attention to the latter occupation. He was one of the successful men of his day, and died in Hardin County about the beginning of the late war. Our subject’s father spent the greater part of his life in Wayne County and is now residing a short distance south of Waynesboro. Henry A. received a common school education in his boyhood days, and in December, 1862, enlisted in the Federal Army in Company F, Sixth Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. In 1867 he engaged in the liquor business in Waynesboro, but at the end of two years converted the business into a family grocery and general merchandise store, which he conducted until 1872. Since that time he has been almost constantly engaged in the mercantile and drug business, being a member of the firm of Turman, Helton & CO. Mr. Helton was a Republican from the time of the war up to the Kuklux troubles in this section, in 1870, and postmaster here three years under Grant’s administration. He was elected register of the county in 1869, serving until 1873. May 18, 1876, he was appointed by Judge T. P. Bateman to the office of the circuit and criminal court to fill a vacancy, and the following August was elected to the office, and has filled it very efficiently, by re-election, up to the present time. January 21, 1869, he married Samantha C. Christie, and four children have blessed their union: Lemuel L., Walter A., Charles J. and Serepta. Mr. Helton is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the K. of H. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Hassell, Amos T.
Amos T. Hassell is a son of Enoch and Joanna (Ensley) Hassell, and was born in Tyrell County, N. C., August 15, 1814. His parents were also natives of North Carolina. His father came to Tennessee in 1834, locating in Perry County (now Decatur County), where he followed farming, being a justice of the peace until his death, which occurred about the beginning of the war. He had been quite a distinguished politician in former years, and represented Tyrell County in the North Carolina Legislature. Amos T. Hassell came to Tennessee with his father and at the age of twenty-one left home to do for himself, having little or no education. Later he acquired a good business education by his own exertions, and soon after leaving the paternal roof he began life as a clerk and soon engaged in the mercantile business for himself at Carrollville. In 1844 he came to Waynesboro and continued the same business until 1860, when he sold out and repaired to his farm in the Fourth District until 1871, when he returned to town and built his present large commodious hotel and business house, and conducted both in his usual successful manner. In August, 1885, he retired from the management of the hotel, but still conducts his mercantile establishment. Mr. Hassell was engaged in the mule trade, both before and after the war, and also managed a tannery, saddlery and shoe manufactory. He has in all probability contributed more to the business industries and prosperity of Wayne County than any other one citizen. April 30, 1846, he married Mary Ann Biffel, a sister of Col. Jacob Biffel. She died in 1860 leaving three children: Ella Ann (wife of Dr. Buchanan), Mary C. (Mrs. J. W. Montague), and Joanna (Mrs John F. Montague). August 22, 1861, he married Mrs. Eliza Jane (Heron) Jones. They have one daughter. Laura E., the wife of Frank Boyd. Mr. Hassell is and always has been an unswerving Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren. He served six years as clerk and master under Chancellor Stephen Provat, before and up to the war, and also under Judge R. H. Rose after the war. He is a Mason, Royal Arch and Council degrees, and is one of the leading and enterprising business men of Wayne County.
Hartwell, Egbert T.
Egbert T. Hartwell, of the firm of Hartwell Bros., of Delphos, Ohio, and Clifton, Tenn., manufactures of handles, neck-yokes, singletrees, ect., was born in Denmark, of the Empire State, January 26, 1846, and is the son of Morris and Louisa (Taylor) Hartwell, who were born in New York and Ohio, respectively. Egbert T. was reared on a farm and received a liberal education in the common schools of New York. After attaining his majority he began life for himself, and after visiting various parts of the West, located at Delphos, Ohio, in 1872, and engaged in his present business there, remaining until 1881, when he came to Clifton, tenn., and started his present business, which is a branch factory of the one in Delphos, Ohio. Mr. Hartwell was married, October 4, 1882, to Laura A. Taylor, daughter of William H. and Melissa Taylor,of Chardon, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell have one son, Charles E., born October 7, 1883. They are members of high standing in the church, and our subject is a member of the F. & A. M. fraternity and is a Democrat in his political views, and of English descent.
Haggard, Robert A.
Robert A. Haggard, attorney at law of Waynesboro, Tenn., is a native of Wayne County and son of James Haggard, Esq., whose sketch appears in this work. Robert A. was educated in the common schools and was reared on a farm. At the age of twenty-one he became a disciple of Blackstone, with the view of making law a profession, and entered the law department of the State University of Iowa in 1880, and graduated in June, 1881, with the degree of LL.B. He returned home and began practicing in October, 1881, and has continued to the present time, with good success. November 29, 1883, he married Annie C. Norman, a native of Lawrence County.. They have one child named Nona. Mr. Haggard is a Republican in political views, and is a candidate on that ticket for county clerk, subject to the August (1886) election. He is among the successful and enterprising young lawyers of the county, and bids fair to rank among the first in his profession in the State.
Grimes, Harold A.
Harold A. Grimes, of the firm of Hughes & Grimes, is a Wayne County Tennessean, born October 16, 1853, son of Elihu S. and Nancy Malissa (Keaton) Grimes, who were born in this county. Wilson Grimes, our subjects grandfather, was one of the very earliest settlers of the county. Harold A. was reared on a farm in this county. His father dying in 1855, he was obliged to begin earning his own living early in life. In 1870 he began life as a salesman, but soon relinquished this occupation to complete his education. He attended andtaught school until 1873, and the following year went to Texas and clerked in a mercantile establishment in Dennison three years, and the same year returned home and married Emma L. McDougal, of Savannah, Tenn., who died four months after their marriage. In 1879 Mr.Grimes removed to Clifton and followed clerking until 1882, when he accepted a position as traveling salesman for a wholesale dry goods house in Nashville, remaining such about six months. He then accepted a similar position with a boot and shoe firm, of that city, at which he continued until January, 1885, when he engaged in his present business as above stated, and has contributed largely to the success of this well known firm. March 20, 1884, he married his present wife, Annie O. Chappell. They have one child, Bettie Elsie. Mr. Grimes is a Democrat, and wife are members of the K. & L. of H. He is president of the Clifton Temperance Alliance, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Grimes, John
John Grimes is a Williamson County Tennessean, born in 1811, son William and Sallie (Little) Grimes. The father was born in South Carolina and came to Tennessee when quite young, locating in Nashville. He was a farmer and one of the Rangers who, during the war of 1812, assisted in keeping the Indians within their boundary, and for his services drew a land warrant. He was a member of the church from early manhood. His wife died in 1817, and he then married Martha (Akins) Roah. She died in 1841, and the father in 1855. At the early age of sixteen our subject began doing for himself. He did farm work for several years, and made his first purchase of land on Hardin Creek. After living on this, and another farm which he had purchased, he removed to Arkansas, but returned after a short time. In 1860 1860 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, containing 800 acres, 100 being in a fine state of cultivation. He has served the people as magistrate almost continuously since 1836, making a good and efficient officer. He is a Republican, and was a strong Union man during the late Rebellion, furnishing three sons for the Federal Army. In 1836 he married Elizabeth M. Stubblefield, daughter of Peter and Sallie (Harris) Stubblefield. Mrs. Grimes was born in Georgia in 1817, and is the mother of thirteen children: William P., who died in 1838; Sarah A. E., who died in 1859; James G.; Robert N., who died in 1863; John M.; Martha E.; Mary J.; Amanda C.; Millard F.,; Henry C., who died in 1882; Benjamin F.; Eliza F., and an infant deceased, not named. Mr. Grimes is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist Church. The Grimes family is of Irish decent.
Gobbel, Isaac H.
Isaac H. Gobbel is one of eleven children and was born in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1833, son of John and Ruhama Gobbel,who were born in North Carolina, and came to Tennessee about 1820. They lived in different counties in Tennessee until 1853, when they located on a farm in Wayne County, and died in 1871 and 1866 respectively. They were church members and the father was a Democrat. After working for his father until twenty years of age, Isaac H., our subject engaged in tilling the soil on his own responsibility. In 1852 he married Eliza Murphy, who was born in balmy Alabama, in 1837, daughter of George Murphy. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gobbel all are living, except John W., the eldest, who died in 1882. The rest are William R., Sarah C., Nancy C., Isaac H., Mary, Rebecca, Paraletha, Martha J., Joseph E. and Benjamin P. In 1862 Mr. Gobbel joined the Federal Army and served until Lee’s surrender. He was captured in 1863, while at home on a visit, but after being in captivity one month, made his escape and returned to the army. In 1873 he purchased the farm on which he now lives, consisting of 198 acres of fairly improved land. He is a stanch Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Gobbel has lived in this vicinity all his life, and is a good neighbor and honest and prosperous citizen.