Mrs. Nathaniel BAXTER, the daughter of James F. and Sarah LAVENDER of Williamson County, Tenn., comes of patriotic and illustrious ancestry. Her grandfather, Nelson LAVENDER, fought in the Mexican War under General SCOTT; enlisting at the outbreak of the war and remaining until hostilities ceased. He fought in many important battles, among the number being Chepultepec, Cherebusco, and Monterey. She is the great-granddaughter of William LAVENDER, who enlisted in Virginia in the Guards’ Corps, serving with such distinction in the Revolutionary War that he received a grant of land in recognition of his services.
Mrs. BAXTER’s mother, Sarah HORTON, daughter of William and Elizabeth Elliott KENNEDY, of Charleston, S.C., was a great belle and one of the most beautiful women of her day in a land celebrated for the beauty and grace of its womanhood.
In the military annals of the “up-country” section of South Carolina – so called from having been populated with people from the provinces of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia – the names “Elliott” and “Kennedy” have always been conspicuous. The two families have for generations been among the most prominent and influential in that portion of the country. This “up-country” section at the outbreak of the War of the Revolution was slow to take action; but when the troops of Cornwallis invaded their territory and perpetuated among their high-hauded cruelties, they rose en masse, and no people in the land gave more freely of their blood and means to the cause of American independence. With officers of their own choosing and no pay but their patriotic sense of duty done, they achieved a series of brilliant victories that did more toward securing the freedom and liberties of the American colonies than anything else, unless it was the French alliance.
Mrs. BAXTER’s maternal great-great-grandfather was the second son of Lord KENNEDY, of Ireland, who was the owner of vast estates in the “Emerald Isle.” This younger son emigrated to Virginia, and afterwards removed to the the “Palmetto Sate,” Her maternal grandfather was Rev. Henry Cato HORTON, a minister of power and influence in the Methodist Church in Virginia and Tennessee.
Mrs. BAXTER, the subject of this sketch, was born and reared in Mississippi. She was educated in Memphis, Tenn., at the Sate Female College, under the scholarly Dr. J.T.C. COLLINS. In the exclusive social coterie in which she moved, she reigned an undisputed favorite, and in her early girlhood exercised in no small degree the fine womanly influences which have been so characteristic of her. She was married December, 1868, to Mr. Nathaniel BAXTER, of Nashville, Tenn. Mr. BAXTER took an active part in the Civil War. He enlisted when a lad only fifteen years of age, and commanded a battery of artillery at the age of eighteen. He served four years with distinction, and surrendered with Gen. Joseph E. JOHNSTON’s army at Hillsboro, N.C., in May, 1865, having been in forty-one battles.
Mr. BAXTER has been eminently successful in his business, and has established for himself a most enviable reputation as a broad, conservative businessman and an able financier. The Daily News of April 27, 1902, said: “Mr. BAXTER was one of the foremost figures in the organization and development of the great Tennessee Coal, iron and Railroad Company, which blazed the way for the establishment of the iron industry in Tennessee and Alabama. For years he was its president, and directed its complex affairs with a capacity which made him one of the famous iron masters of the country. He has lately resigned that position to accept the presidency of the Cumberland Coal and Coke Company, which own vast properties along the Cumberland Plateau, traversed by the Tennessee Central Railroad.”
Since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. BAXTER have resided in Nashville. Their residence on Spruce street is noted for the elegance of its furnishing, containing as it does many fine works of art. Among them are Japanese bronzes of unusual size and rare workmanship, marbles, pictures, and plate. In the spacious hall, drawing-room, library, and dining room are antique bronze candelabra of exquisite design and great beauty; and these rooms are hung with rich draperies. One of the most notable entertainments ever given in the State had this elegant and hospitable home for its setting, when the gracious hostess celebrated “Flag Day” – June 14, 1898 – she being at that time regent of the Cumberland Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The library was converted into a picture gallery; hung with the portraits of patriots, from Washington and Lee down to those of our own time; and many pictures of the heroes of our late Spanish-American War adorned the walls. In a conspicuous place was hung a picture of Betsy Ross fashioning with deft fingers the “Star-spangled Banner.” Flags of nearly every nation were artistically draped in every available space, making a gorgeous background for the representative guests assembled there from many parts of the State. A magnificent silken United States flag of large dimensions draped the archway between the library and the dining room.
During Mrs. BAXTER’s recent regency of Cumberland Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, a very handsome sword was presented to Gen. Joseph WHEELER by this organization. The occasion was made one of importance and prominence throughout the State. The presentation took place at the State Capital in the presence of a vast concourse of people, addresses being made by the Governor of the State, Hon. Benton McMILLIN, and Hon. Joseph E. WASHINGTON. General WHEELER and his daughters were guests of the BAXTERS at their Spruce street home.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. BAXTER — Miranda Louise, Lollie Lavender, James Sharpe, and Nathaniel East. The boys died in childhood. The elder daughter married Robert F. JACKSON, youngest son of Dr. Alexander JACKSON, of West Tennessee, and brother of the late Judge Howell E. JACKSON, of the Supreme Bench of the United States. Mr. JACKSON is a prominent lawyer of the Nashville bar. Mrs. JACKSON is a beautiful, attractive, and brilliant woman. She has fine literary acumen; wields a graceful, facile pen; and is State historian of the Colonial Dames of American in the State of Tennessee. Lollie LAVENDER, the younger daughter, has a most charming presence. She married Mr. Robert F. MADDOX, a cultured gentleman and successful young banker, of Atlanta, Ga. His father, Col. R.F. MADDOX, was a public-spirited man and leading citizen of that State, having filled many positions of trust and honor. He was distinguished for positions of trust and honor. He was distinguished for bravery as a colonel in the Confederate Army. Mrs. MADDOX has a very fine musical education, and was welcomed to her adopted city as quite an acquisition in musical circles. Though a social leader in the “Gate City,” the handsome residence on Peachtree street being frequently the scene of brilliant entertainments, she engages actively in charity and church work.
Mrs. BAXTER has never been abroad. She desired first to visit the scenes and beauties of her own country. She has traveled extensively in California, Mexico, and Canada, and has spent many summers at Bar Harbor, Newport, Saratoga, Cape May, White Sulphur Springs, and other resorts. She is interested in numerous charitable organizations and does much, in a quiet, unostentatious way, to assist the needy. She is a charter member of the Tabernacle Circle, which has done so much toward building one of the largest and handsomenest auditoriums in the United States. The Vanderbilt Aid Society, of which she is an active member, was organized in her home. She also belongs to the Philharmonic Club, the Craddock Circle, the Epworth Leagues, and the Young Women’s Christian Association. Her serene, engaging manner; her culture and aesthetic tastes, secure for her hosts of friends; and one of her chief charms is her entire sincerity, which impresses all who know her. A member of the Methodist Church, she takes an active interest in the varied branches of its work, and is a fine example of the highest type of noble, Christian womanhood.
Source: Gilchrist, Annie S. Some Representative Women of Tennessee. Nashville: McQuiddy Print. Co, 1902.
