Judge John H. Cole, chairman of Wayne County Court and native of the county, was born May 17, 1834, son of Bennett and Nancy (Kirwin) Cole, both of whom were born in North Carolina. The father married in his native State and came to Wayne County, Tenn., in 1825, and followed farming and stock raising until his death in 1857. John H.’s boyhood days were spent on his father’s farm, and in acquiring such education as could be obtained in the old-fashioned schools of his day. In December, 1860, he married Nancy A. Linn, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. At the breaking out of hostilities between North and South, he suspended work for a time, and in December, 1863, enlisted as a private in Company C, Second Tennessee Federal Mounted Infantry, and served with his regiment in Middle Tennessee until Lee’s surrender. He returned home and resumed farming, and that same year was elected clerk of the county court and served by re-election until 1878, with the exception of one term (1869-70) During 1879-80he served the county in the capacity of superintendent of public schools. He farmed during that time and has continued the same up to the present. In 1881 he was elected magistrate of the Fourth District, and held the position by re-election until January, 1886, when he was elected to his present position of chairman of the county court. Judges Cole’s married life has been blessed with twelve children, but four now living: Viola A. (Mrs J. C. Taylor), Jasper E., Martha V. and Mary F. The Judge is an uncompromising Democrat in politics, although he was a Whig prior to the war. He is a Mason, Royal Arch degree, and a member of the K. of H. He is an adherent of the Christian Church, and is one of Wayne County’s competent and just officials.
Category Archives: GoodspeedBiography
Choat, George T.
George T. Choat is a Wayne County Tennessean, and was born in 1845, son of Simpson and Sarah (Burns) Choat. (See sketch of Jackson M. Choat.) George T. resided with his widowed mother after his fathers death, and in 1868 was united in marriage to Margaret E. Graves, daughter of John H. and Sallie Graves. Mrs. Choat was born in Tennessee in 1847, and is the mother of seven children: Henrietta V., William S., Arthur T., Sallie L., May L., V. B. and P. B. In 1864 Mr. Choat enlisted in the Confederate service, serving until the close of the war. he surrendered at Charlotte, N. C., in May, 1865. In 1871 he located on the farm, and purchased it in 1881. It lies on Buffalo River and contains 260 acres of land, 180 acres of which are in good state of cultivation. Mr. Choat has lived an honorable life, and is one of the worthy and influential citizens of the county. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. His grandfather, Arthur Choat, was a pioneer citizen of Wayne County, having located on Buffalo River when the county was covered with canebrake.
Choat, Jackson M.
Jackson M. Choat is a native of the State born in 1847, son of Simpson and Sarah Choat, who were also born in Tennessee. The father was a tiller of the soil, and a Democrat in politics. He was prosperous and honorable citizen, and lived in Wayne County up to the time of his death. which occurred about 1858. His wife died in 1873. Jackson M. Choat resided with his parents until their respective deaths. He and his brother then purchased the home place in partnership. It contains about 700 acres of land, fairly improved, and lies on Buffalo River. he gives his attention to raising corn and peanuts. Mr. Choat is a good neighbor and a worthy citizen, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a stanch Democrat in politics. In 1879 he married Virgie Hollabaugh, and by her is the father of of one child – Isham J. Mrs. Choat is a daughter of Jacob and Rose Hollabaugh, and was born in Tennessee in 1863.
Carroll, William E.
William E. Carroll was born in North Carolina in 1827, son of James R. and Mary P. (Hubbard) Carroll. The parents, who were natives of North Carolina, came to Tennessee about 1836, and settled in Marshall County. After residing in different counties they finally settled in Henderson County, where the father died in 1868, and the mother in 1883. After attaining his majority our subject began doing for himself. In 1849 he married Anna Scott, daughter of John M. and Anna Scott. She was born in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1828, and is the mother of eight children: Mary E., born April 2, 1850; William A., born January 25, 1852 and died August 2, 1871; James R., born December 2, 1853; Sarah J., born February 2, 1859; John M., born September 27, 1861; Thomas H., born February 4, 1864; Laura A., born May 14, 1870, and Albert N., born April 8, 1874. Since 1851 Mr. Carroll has lived in Wayne County, and has resided on his present farm of 275 acres since 1866. He purchased it from minor heirs and, owing to the neglect of the administrator to comply with the requirements of law, was compelled to pay for it the second time. He directs his attention to raising corn, small grain and stock, and has accumulated some property by his energy and good management. He and Mrs. Carroll are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he was a democrat up to the Rebellion, but since that time been a Republican.
Burns, Lytle
Lytle Burns, a wealthy farmer residing in the Fourth District of Wayne County, was born where he now resides May 13, 1858, and is a son of John S. and Rebecca Burns, who were Tennesseans by birth. Lytle is the youngest of their family of eight children, and was reared on the farm and received a liberal education at Waynesboro and Clifton. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits from boyhood, and has prospered beyond his expectations. Owing to energy and perseverance he is the owner of 1,066 acres of land, about 120 acres of which are well cultivated. In 1880 he was united in marriage to Ida Rankin, daughter of James C. M. and Bettie Rankin, of Wayne County, and their union has been blessed in the birth of four children – two sons and two daughters: James R., Essie M., Margaret E. and an infant son. The family are members of the Primitive Baptist Church, and in politics our subject is a Democrat in politics, and is of Scotch-Irish descent.
Burns, Nathan
Nathan F. Burns, farmer and native of Wayne County, Tenn., was born August 1, 1856, son of Samuel L. and Sarah A. (Baker) Burns (see sketch of P. D. Burns). From birth he was raised to a farmer’s life and now resides on and owns the old homestead. His is the best farm in the county, having been kept in good repair and well taken care of by the father, who was an industrious, enterprising and prosperous farmer. The farm contains 1,375 acres of land and lies on Buffalo River. The products are corn, small grain and stock, the latter receiving Mr. Burns’ chief attention. He is a stanch Democrat, and November 7, 1875, he wedded Sallie A. Harbour, daughter of James G. and Esther J. (Lacefield) Harbour. Mrs.Burns was born in Tennessee August 20, 1854, and is the mother of three children: Nathan F.,Jr., James S., Jr., and Miles G. Mr. and Mrs. Burns are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he may truly be be said to be one of the first and best citizens Wayne County can boast of.
Burns, Polk D.
Polk D. Burns was born in 1844, in Tennessee. His father, Samuel L. Burns, was a farmer and stock raiser, and lived the greater part of his life in Wayne County, Tenn. He married Sarah A. Baker, and both were born in 1814. They married in 1830, and became the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are yet living. The father died June 20, 1880, and his widow February 24, 1874. Our subject was married in 1871 to Sallie Kelley, who was born in Tennessee in 1847, and is the daughter of Riley and Sallie Kelley. Mr. and Mrs. Burns became the parents of nine children: Lou E., Sam (died in 1881), Riley K., Thomas T., Bill B., Biffle F., Jennie P. and two infants (deceased) unnamed. Our subjects early days were spent on a farm, and at the age of twenty-six he began doing for himself. He opened a mercantile store in Flatwood in 1868, but at the end of one year sold out and resumed farming. In 1880 he purchased his present farm of 1,000 acres, on which he raises corn and stock. He also owns interest in 300 acres of land near Ashland, in this county. He served in the Confederate Army in the late war, enlisting in 1862. He served until the close of the war, and surrendered at Jonesboro, in May, 1865. He was not wounded nor taken prisoner during his entire service. He was a Mason, and a stanch Democrat in politics, and one of the worthy citizens of the county.
Burns, Jacob B.
Jacob B. Burns, one of Wayne County’s pioneers, is a son of Samuel L. and Sarah A. Burns, and was born in 1832. His parents were Tennesseans and farmers; the father being an extensive stock raiser, in which business he became quite wealthy. he was sheriff of Wayne County two terms. He died on his farm on Buffalo River (which he purchased in 1837) in 1880. His wife died in 1877. His father, William Burns, was the first man to represent Wayne County in the State Legislature. Pattie E. Johnston became our subjects wife in 1861; she was born in 1843, daughter of John C. Johnston, and became the mother of the following interesting family. Sarah A., Mattie V., Elizabeth J., Mary L., Anna L., Edna (who died in 1876), Lillie J., Carrie K., Lela K., (who died in 1883), Florence B., Willie, Myrtle R, and two infants deceased. At the age of twenty-three our subject began doing for himself on the farm where he now lives, which was given him by his father. It consists of 500 acres, 300 acres of which are in a good state of cultivation. He raises corn, small grain and cotton and has recently paid considerable attention to stock raising. In 1867 he, in partnership with J. A. Clendennin, opened a mercantile house in the village of Ashland; but at the end of ten years our subject sold out and engaged in the same business on his farm, continuing about five years. His mercantile life did not prove successful, although he is a man of good business qualifications. He joined the Confederate Army in 1862 and served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. After remaining at home about one year he re-entered the service, remaining about six months, when he again became disabled and did not again enlist. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is a Democrat. His wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Buchanan, Cicero
Cicero Buchanan, M. D., county superintendent of public schools of Wayne County, Tenn., was born in Giles County, Tenn., April 20, 1842, and is a son of Samuel G and Sarah E. Buchanan, who were born and reared in Tennessee. Dr. Buchanan was educated at State Springs Academy in Giles County, and his boyhood days were spent on his father’s farm. At the breaking out of the late civil war he, in 1861, enlisted in the Third Tennessee Regiment, serving until the close of the war and participating in many of the hardest-fought battles. After Lee’s surrender he returned to his home and began the study of medicine under Dr. A. H. Berry, of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and in 1867 entered the medical department of the University of Nashville, attending one course of lectures. In the fall of 1868 he graduated as an M. D. from the Atlanta (Ga.) Medical College, and in February, 1869, located at Waynesboro, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is regarded as a well-read and reliable physician by his patrons and brother physicians, and has been prosperous both professionally and financially. The Doctor owns about 1,500 acres of land, about 200 acres of which is in a fair state of cultivation. In 1871 Amos and Mary A. Hassell’s daughter, Ella A., became his wife. Dr. Buchanan has taken an active part in educational affairs of late years, and in 1882 was elected to the office of county superintendent, and still holds the position. He is one of the Wayne County health officers, is a Democrat and belongs to the F. & A. M.
Bromley, John J.
John J. Bromley’s birth occurred in Tennessee in 1838, son of John and E. Bromley, who were born in Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, and came to Tennessee at an early day. The father was a farmer, and served for several years as deputy sheriff. He was a stanch Democrat and died in 1846, his widow’s death occurring in 1881. John J.’s early days were spent on his father’s farm. At the age of twenty-two years he began the battle of life for himself, and lived on a farm owned by his father until 1857, when he purchased a portion of this farm, and continued buying out the heirs until he now owns all but one share; 1,200 acres constitute his farm, which is in a good state of cultivation. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served throughout the war. He returned home in the spring of 1865. He is a Democrat in politics. In 1861 he wedded Mary Belsha, daughter of Ewing and Darky (Bromley) Belsha. She was born in Alabama in 1839, and is the mother of six children: William E., Eda C., James A., John L., Richard C., and Thomas C. Mrs. Bromley died July 5, 1875, and September 10, of the same year, he married Sallie Terry, and six children have blessed their union: Charles J., Samuel B. (who died 1883), Joseph C., Amos H., Mary J., and Emma N.