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.
Bromley, William L.
Capt William L. Bromley, postmaster and early citizen of Waynesboro,Tenn, was born in Wayne County June 26, 1827, and is one of seven children born to the marriage of John Bromley and Edith Hurst, natives respectively, of Virginia and North Carolina. John Bromley, grandfather of our subject, located in Wayne County in 1818, having located in Giles County the previous year. His son John, married and reared his family in Wayne County, and followed a farmer’s life, being one of the successful agriculturists of his day. He died in the Third District July 26, 1850. The mother lived until March 30, 1884, having attained her seventy-seventh year. William L. spent his early days on his father’s farm, and secured but limited education in the primitive subscription schools of his day. At the age of twenty-two he began tilling the soil on his own responsibility, and continued that occupation until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company I, First Tennessee Cavalry. In 1862 he was chosen captain of Company F, Ninth Tennessee Battalion of cavalry, and served in this capacity until the close of the war. He resumed farming, but in 1869 engaged in the general merchandise business as clerk at Flat Woods postoffice. In February, 1876, he came to Waynesboro, where he has since been successfully engaged in the general merchandise business. The firm is composed of himself and R. C. Martin. In October, 1885, he was made postmaster of Waynesboro, and has been a competent and highly satisfactory office-holder. The captain is an unswerving Democrat in politics, and is a Royal Arch Mason.
Boyd, George W
George W. Boyd, druggist of Waynesboro, Tenn., was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, December 9, 1857, son of George W. Boyd, Sr., and came to Wayne County, Tenn., with his parents in 1868. He secured a fair education chiefly by his own efforts and afterward clerked in his fathers store. In May, 1883, he came to Waynesboro and engaged in the drug business in company with H. A. Helton. In November, 1885, his brother, Frank Boyd, took Mr. Helton’s place in the firm. They keep a stock of drugs and groceries, and control a large share of the trade, in his line, in town and country. They also have the agency for the Domestic sewing machine at this place. He is a Democrat.
Boyd, Frank
Frank Boyd, attorney at law, of Waynesboro, Tenn., was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, on the 30th of July, 1859, being a son of George W. and Ann E. (Songer) Boyd, who were Virginians. The father came to Wayne County, Tenn., in 1808, and located at Wayne Furnace, of which he was superintendent until the business there was suspended. Frank prepared himself for teaching and worked at intervals on the farm in this county. He taught in this and Shelby Counties until 1879. In the meantime he begun the study of law, and afterward studied under the direction of Howell E. Jackson in the winter of 1879 and spring of 1880. In September 1880, he entered the Lebanon law School, from which he graduated in 1881. In August of the same year he came to Waynesboro and engaged in practicing, continuing the same good success to the present. In November, 1885, he became identified with the drug business of the county, becoming a partner in the same with his brother, George W., at Waynesboro. Mr. Boyd is a Democrat and is a candidate for the attorney-generalship of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. May 22, 1883, he married Laura E., the daughter of A. T. Hassell. Mr. Boyd is one of the rising young lawyers of Wayne County, and a reliable and enterprising young man.
Biffle, Jonathan Frank
Jonathan Frank Biffle was born in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1849, His father Jonathan Biffle, was a Tennessean, a farmer, and when a young man was deputy Sheriff of Wayne County. He served in the Ninth Tennessee Regiment in the late war, under Jake Biffle, and was captured in 1864, while at home on furlough, and taken to Rock Island, Ill., where he was retained a prisoner until his death, January 23, 1864. He left a wife and three children to mourn his loss. His widow, Eliza A. (Hardin) Biffle, married George Walker, of Tennessee, and died July 14, 1885. Our subject, after his death, resided with his mother until her second marriage, when she left, giving him possession of the home-farm. He afterward inherited a portion of this farm, and purchased the remainder, in all consisting of 350 acres of fairly improved land. His principal products are corn, small grain and peanuts. Besides this, he owns sixty-four acres of land below his present farm, and a two-thirds interest in 183 acres of timber land. In 1877 he and Mary Clendennin united their fortunes. She a Tennessean by birth, born 1858, daughter of Joseph and Bettie Clendennin. Mr. and Mrs. Biffle have four children: Joe., Jonathan A. (who died 1881) Nettie E. (who died in1883) and John W. Mr. Biffle is a Democrat.
Berry, William J.
William J. Berry, retail dealer in liquors at Clifton, Tenn., is a son of Joseph G. Berry, whose sketch appears in this work. He was born in Wayne County, Tenn., February 16, 1858, and was reared and educated in the county. In 1876 he engaged in his present business in Waynesboro, and remained there till 1881, when he removed his business to Clifton. He has met success in his undertakings, and conducts a strictly first-class saloon. He keeps a fine stock of pure whiskies, wines, beer, ect. October 23, 1877, he married Lou Dora Ramsey. They have two children: Joseph C. and Ralph M. Mr. Berry is a stanch Republican, and was city recorder of Clifton two terms.
Berry, Joseph G.
Joseph G. Berry, a well known citizen of Clifton, Tenn., was born in Hardin County January 22, 1834, son of William and Sarah (Weatherford) Berry, who were born in Georgia and East Tennessee, respectively. The father came to Tennessee with his mother when a boy, and located and afterward married in Hardin County. He died in 1868. Joseph G. was three years of age when his parents came to Wayne County. He was raised on a farm, and in the fall of 1862 enlisted in the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry, United States Army, and was promoted to captain of Company H, and served two years. At the close of the war he engaged in Mercantile business at Waynesboro, and there remained until 1880, when he removed to Clifton, and conducted the hotel at that place very successfully for three years. Since that time he has been connected with the liquor business, farming, and also keeps a hostelry for the traveling public. In 1854 he married Elmyra J. Cypert, who became the mother of the following family: William J., Ada (widow of Isaac H. Old), and Joanna. Mr. Berry is a Republican, and has been a Mason since 1855, and also belongs to the K. of H.
Bell, William L.
William L. Bell was born in Wayne County in 1844, son of William R. and Elizabeth (Burns) Bell, who were born in North Carolina and Tennessee , respectively. The father came to Tennessee when a young man, and was a tanner by trade, and in connection with this followed farming. He was a Whig in politics and died in Wayne County in 1863. His wife died in 1844. The father was married four times, his first wife being a Miss Alexander; the second, our subject’s mother; the third, Adeline Stockard, and the fourth, Jane Meredith. Our subject was reared on a farm, and at the death of his mother was cared for by by his grandmother. From fifteen until nineteen years of age he resided with an uncle. He enlisted in the Confederate service, and served until the close of the war. He was in many of the principal battles, but was never wounded. He returned home in February, 1865. Shortly after his return he married Martha C. Whitaker, daughter of James and Delphia Whitaker. She was born in Tennessee in 1840, and is the mother of six children: Conly, (deceased), Elizabeth, Samuel, William H., Whittorne and Charles (deceased). Our subject farmed two years on rented land after his marriage, and in 1868, purchased his present farm of 340 acres. He is a Democrat, and held the office of deputy sheriff three years, giving good satisfaction.
Barnett, John M.
John M. Barnett first saw the light of day in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1834. His parents, John M. and Lovina (Poag) Barnett, were born in Georgia and South Carolina, respectively, and came to Tennessee at an early day and when quite young. The father was a farmer by occupation but also practiced medicine and preached the gospel, being a minister of the Christian Church. He was a Whig and died in Wayne County, in 1834, followed by his wife in 1864. Our subject has always resided on the farm where he was born. It consists of 164 acres of fairly improved land in a good state of cultivation, the principal productions being corn, small grain and stock. In 1859, he was united in marriage to Caroline Skillern, daughter of Anderson and Polly (Spring) Skillern Mrs. Barnett was born in 1833 and died in 1863, having borne two children Joseph B. (who died in 1861), and Sarah C. In 1865 Mr. Barnett married Lillie A. Thompson, who was born in 1842, daughter of Jackson and Mary Thompson. This wife died in 1873, leaving one child, Martha J. In 1877 MR. Barnett took for his third wife Senith Welch, daughter of James and Senith Welch. She was born in 1835, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject belongs to the Christian Church and is a Republican in Politics.
Wayne County, Tennessee Death Records 1881 – 1883
These records are found in a bound volume in the County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse in Waynesboro. The records were kept as a result of an act of the Legislature in 1880. It appears that some counties kept the records, while others ignored the law. Wayne County is lucky to have these records, although they do not record the deaths of all the people who died in the county for the years covered.
The headings at the top of the pages are as follows: No., Date of Death, Full Name of Death, Sex, Color, Married or Single, Age, Place of Death, Disease or Cause of Death, Nativity, Occupation, Name and Residence of Parents, Relationship of Parents if any, and the date the notice was recorded. For the purpose of this book only the following heading have been extracted. Date of Death, Full Name of Deceased, Sex, Color, Married or Single, Age, Place of Death, Nativity, Occupation, Name of Parents. Abbreviations are used for Sex, Color and marital status. Ages are given in years-months-days.
FITES, Mary L., died 30 Aug 1881, F-W-S, 0-4-5, died Wayne Co. TN, born Wayne Co. TN, John & Margaret A. FITES, Wayne County, TN
STAGGS, Infant, died 02 Aug 1881, M-W-S, no age, died 14th District, Wayne Co. TN, born Wayne Co. TN, G.W. & Sarah E. STAGGS
GOBBLE, Emma, 02 Sep 1881, F-W-S, 2-9-0, 14th District, Wayne Co. TN, born TN., Harrison and Sarah E. GOBBLE.
POAGUE, Infant, died 31 Aug 1881, F-W-S, 0-0-6, 14th District, Wayne Co. TN, born TN, James & Laura POAGUE.
HENSLEY, Henry R., died 27 Oct 1881, M-W-S, 3-16-13, died Wayne Co. TN, born TN, Taylor HENSLEY, Wayne Co., Martha L. HENSLEY.
SHULL, Edward F., died 28 Sep 1881, M-W-S, 4-4-12, died 8th District, born TN, Parents: B H & Elizabeth SHULL.
FOWLER, Amanda, died 25 Aug 1881, F-W-S, 13-10-11, died Wayne Co. TN, born Wayne Co. TN, Parents: John and Clemy FOWLER. Occupation: Seamtress.
WALLACE, Martha, died 10 Oct 1881 , F-W-S, 30-5-13, died Wayne Co. TN, born Wayne Co. TN, Parents: Jacksom & Elizabeth WALLACE.
COPAS, Mahala M., died 12 Nov 1881, F-W-S, 1-11-23, died Victory, TN, born TN, Parents: William & Sarah COPAS.
PIGG, James Henry, died 09 Jul 1881, M-W-S, 0-0-7, died 10th District, born TN, parents names not given.
PIGG, John A. , died 15 Aug 1881, M-W-S, 0-0-17, died 10th District, born TN, parents names not given.
SCOTT, Charlie, died 01 Oct 1881, M-W-S, 1-11-2, died 10th District, born TN, parents names not given.
HUNT, John, died 27 Sep 1881, M-W-S, not given, died 10th District, born TN, Parents: John and Martha HUNT.
WALLACE, Elizabeth, died 21 Jul 1881, F-W-S, 0-4-11, died Wayne Co. TN, born TN, Parents: Isom & Laney WALLACE.
FOWLER, Pashcal, died 06 Jan 1882, M-W-S, 25-2-22, died Wayne Co. TN, born TN, Farmer, Parents: John & Hannah FOWLER.
PERRY, Nancy E., died 17 Aug 1881, F-W-M, 56-0-0, died Martin Mills, born AL, Housekeeper. Parents: J. L. & N. NICHOLS.
PACK, Alex J., died 30 Aug 1881, M-C-S, 1-4-0, died Martin Mills, born TN, Parents: Monroe & Belle PACK
PORTER, Mahala, died 25 Aug 1881, F-C-S, 3-0-0, died Houston, born TN, Parent: Emily PORTER.
KOUNTS, Thomas, died 12 Oct 1881, M-C-M, 26-2-2, died Martins Mills, born AL, Parents: Richard & Susan P. KOUNTS.
MAJORS, Markwell H., died 20 Sep 1881, F-W-S, 2-7-4, died Martin Mills, born TN, Parents: J. M. & M. MAJORS.
ATKISSON, Infant, died 13 Jan 1882, F-W-S, born dead, not given, not given, Parents: James P & Rachel E. ATKISSON.
EDMISTON, Eli, died 06 Jun 1881, M-W-S, 71-0-0, died Clifton, born not given, Farmer, parents not given.
_________, infant, died 10 Aug 1881, M-W-S. 0-3-10, died Eagle Creek, nothing else listed except that parents lived on Eagle Creek.
JOHNSON, Dorca, died 25 Aug 1881, F-W-S, 12-0-0, died Eagle Creek, place of birth and parents not given.
MIDDLETON, Jack, died 04 Sep 1881, F-W-S, not given, died Clifton, TN place of birth and parents not given.
WILLSON, ________, died 14 Sep 1881, F-W-S, 1-0-0, place of death and birth, names of parents not given.
JUSTER, _________, died 14 Sep 1881, F-W-S, 1-6-0, place of death, birth and names of parents not given.
WOLF, Julie, died 01 Sep 1882(1?), F-W-S, 18-0-0, died Clifton, place of birth and names of parents not given.
HOBS,________, died 02 Sep 1882(1?), M-W-S, age not given, died Tennessee River, place of birth and names of parents not given.
SCOTT, Sallie, died 01 Mar 1882, F-W-M, 67-0-0, died 14th District, born TN Parents: John & Pollie JACKSON.
HUGHLING, John G., died 11 Mar 1882, M-W-M, 72-0-0, died Martins Mills, born not given, Farmer, parents not given.
PACK, Augustus, died 13 Feb 1882, M-C-S, 20-2-23, died Martins Mills, born TN, Farmer, parents names not given.
GRIMES, Charlotte, died 30 Apr 1882, F-C-M, 23-0-0, died Houston, born TN, Keeping House, Parents: Willis & Mahala SESSUM.
DUREN, Porter, died 07 Jul 1881?, M-W-S, 29-10-24, died 6th District, born U.S., Laborer, parents unknown.
CRAIG, T. D., died 16 Feb 1882, M-W-S, 0-3-21, died 6th District, born U.S., parents not given.
THORNTON, M. P., died 11 Mar 1882, M-W-S, 20-2-3, died Houston, born TN, Farmer, Parents: J. W. & E. J. THORNTON.
SYNCLAIR, H. J., died 13 Mar 1882, F-W-S, 48-11-1, died at M. H. SYNCLAIR’s, born AL, Keeping House, Parents: George & Louisa ROACH.
RUTLEDGE, John C., died 22 Jun 1882, M-W-M, 58-6-17, died 5th District, born not given, Farmer, parents not given.
MORROW, Elias W., died 02 Jun 1882, M-W-___, 52-0-0, died 5th District, born TN, Farmer, parents not given.
EVANS, Irena, died 22 Dec 1881, F-__-S, age not given, died 5th District, place of birth and parents not given.
DIXON, John B., died 06 Aug 1882, M-___-S, 26-2-20, died 12th District, born TN, Farmer, Parents: Fountain DIXON.
DIXON, Rebecha, died 11 may 1882, F-____-M, 48-8-15, died 12th District, born IL, Keeping House, parents not given.
GALLAHER, Joseph G., died 17 May 1882, M-___-M, 52-8-0, died 12th District, born TN, Farmer, Parents: John & Ibie GALLAHER.
GALLAHER, Emly, died 27 May 1882, F-___-M, 41-8-20, died 12th District, born TN, Keeping House, Parents: William BARNETT.
HARDIN, Manny A., died 26 Aug 1882, F-?-?, not given, died 12th District, born not given, Parents: Joel John & Sarah L? HARDIN.
STOOKSBERRY, Sophrona, died 14 Aug 1882, F-W-M, 23-10-14, died Victory, born TN, parents not given.
CURTIS, George T., died 18 Jul 1882, M-W-S, 2-1-15, died Victory, born TN, Parents: W. H. & S. C. CURTIS.
WEAVER, Jane, died 07 Aug 1882, F-W-M, 64-5-25, died Victory, born TN, parents not given.
SCOTT, Sallie, died 01 Mar 1882, F-W-S, 67-0-0, died 14th District, born TN, parents not given. [This appears to be a second entry for this death.]
ACKLIN, James Madison, died 05 Aug 1882, M-W-S, 13-5-7, died 14th District, born AL, parents not given.
TOLLE, Elizabeth, died 11 Aug 1882, F-W-?, 1-1-21, died 14th District, born TN, parents not given.
SHIPMAN, Eula, died 12 Aug 1882, F-W-S, 5-7-7, died 2nd District, born TN, Parents: David H. & M. E. SHIPMAN.
PAWLEY, M. S., died 18 Sep 1882, M-W-M, 64-?-?, died 12th District, born TN, Mechanic, parents not given.
MILLER, Harry, died 13 Sep 1882, M-W-?, 3-?-?, died 2nd District, born TN, Parents: R. & Mishey MILLER , Cousins.
WOLF, W. P. M., died 23 Aug 1882, M-W-M, 45-?-?, died 2nd District, born not given, Physician, parents not given.
SMITH, Peggie, died 22 Aug 1882, F-W-M, 67-?-?, died Hardins Creek, place of birth and parents not given.
THONBURGH, S. M., died 25 Sep 1882, M-W-S, 34-9-14, died Eagle Creek, born GA, occupation Farmer, parents not given.
OAKLEY, William E., died 12 Sep 1882, M-W-S, 0-10-0, died Eagle Creek, born TN, farmer ??, Parents: W. S. & Mary OAKLEY, Eagle Creek.
MOSER, Elizabeth, died 31 Aug 1882, F-W-M, 88-1-12, died Victory, born TN, parents not given.
PARKER, E. J., died 20 Oct 1882, F-W-M, 37-11-5, died Houston, born TN, parents not given.
CORBIN, Bell, died 27 Sep 1882, F-W-?, ?-11-20, died Victory, born TN, parents not given.
STRIBLING, Elizabeth, died 1882, F-W-M, age not given, died at Joseph STRIBLING’s, born TN, Keeping House, Parents??: Benjamin & Sarah G.? NOWLING.
NOWLING, Angela, died 07 Sep 1882, F-W-S, 3-3-?, died at James BEKHAM’s, born TN, parents not given. [believe parents for this child are listed as parents of Elizabeth STRIBLING.]
NOWLIN, Sarah, died 20 Oct 1882, F-W-M, 24-0-0, died at James BEKHAM’s, born TN, parents not given.
RILEY, A. M., died 01 Nov 1882, F-W-M, 40-6-23, died Wayne Co. TN, place of birth and parents not given.
OWEN, William, died 07 Oct 1882, M-M-M, 25-?-?, died near Clifton, born TN, parents not known.
CRISTON, James, died 06 Jan 1883, M-W-S, 54-?-?, died 2nd District, born TN, Farmer, parents not known.
HORTON, Sarah J., died 07 Dec 1882, F-W-S, ?-?-17, died Victor, TN, born TN, Parents: Sarah J. HORTON, Victor, TN.
LAWSON, Martha, died 08 Feb 1882, F-W-S, 2-6-?, died Waynesboro, born ??, Parents: Joseph & Mary LAWSON.
CLAYTON, Misses M., died 02 Aug 1882, F-W-S, 3-3-?, died at D. S. CLAYTON’s, place of birth not given, Parents: D. S. & Minerva?? CLAYTON.
BRADY, Antonetta, died 03 Aug 1882, F-W-S, 0-3-17, place of death and birth not given, Parents: Jack & Elvira BRADY.
CUMMINGS, Mary, date of death not given, F-W-S, 21-?-?, place of death and birth not given, Parents: Jerry & ______? CUMMINGS.
HUCKUBA, _________?, died 05 Jan 1883, born dead, place of death and birth not given, Parents: B. G. & Eliza HUCKUBA.
HUCKABA, Robert, died 01 Jan 1883, M-W-S, 0-0-4, died Waynesboro, born TN, Parents: T. J. & M. S. HUCKABA, Waynesboro, TN.
This is the last entry in the book. The remainder of the pages are blank.
Transcribed by Edgar D. Byler, III , input by John H. Scott, III