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H-K Goodspeed's
Biographical Sketches of
Dekalb County, Tennessee



William T. Hale. This gentleman is a merchant, Lawyer and litterateur of Liberty; was born in 1857 at Liberty, Dekalb Co., Tenn., and is one of three boys of C. W. L. and Malissa (Overall) Hale. He received his education at the Masonic Academy, at Liberty, and has been a close student at home. At the age of seventeen he began business life as a partner with his father in the mercantile firm of Hale & son, and has continued in the same business, in connection with his profession, which he entered in 1884, having at the same time found leisure enough to indulge his literary tastes. In 1876 he married Lula Lewis, who was born in 1860, and who was the daughter of G. W. and Sophie (Allen) Lewis, of Lebanon, Tenn. He has two children: Charles and Herbert. Since finishing his studies under James A. Nesmith he has built up a flattering practice in Dekalb and adjoining counties. He is best known as an author, being the author of "Vernon Wild, a novelette, which had a considerable local reputation, and of the two poetical volumes, "Violets," and "Swallow Flights"; while his ephemeral pennings for the press would fill volumes. His poems are dainty, finished and full of feeling, and have been praised by Joaquin Miller and Gerald Massey. Below are given a few quotations, taken at random from his poems:

"I think this thing as proper quite
As anything e'er writ or spoken-
No golden calf should loom unbroken,
When overshadowing prostrate Right!"

"And I think the prettiest thought God had
When he made all of earth but the human,
Was that which led him to brighten the world
With woman, beautiful woman."

"Am I not one who know's Love's worth?
Lo! My hands are empty, although my days
Were spent in search of the joys that seemed
Far in the front and hidden from gaze."

"While smiles of Luna from realms aloft-
Gleams they seemed from the land of bliss-
Settled down over the scene as soft
As mouth over mouth in a kiss."

In 1886 Wm. Hale was a candidate to represent his county in the General Assembly, but was defeated on account of his prohibition principles. He is a Democrat politically, and cast his first vote for W. S. Hancock for President.

D. T. Harrison, druggist, was born in 1856 in Dekalb County, the son of John and Mary (Kelley) Harrison. The father, born in Ireland, came to America with his parents when eight years old, and when eleven left home and in some way settled in White County, Ill. He married in White County and learned the tanner's trade. He was in the late war about one year, and in 1865 came to Smithville and bought a tanyard of W. H. Magness , at which he continued until 1880, when he was elected register. He served four years and in 1886 moved to his present residence near Temperance Hall. His wife was born in White County, and died in 1881. Their six children were James B., in Harrison, Ark.,a merchant; our subject, Cora, John H. (deceased), Robert S., and William (deceased). Our subject was educated in Fulton Academy and Pure Fountain College, Smithville. In 1879 he and his brother, J. B., established a tobacco factory at Smithville, and since 1882 when his brother withdrew, he has been running it independently. He manufactures about 15,000 pounds annually. In March, 1886, he bought a drug store of his brother and has since carried on both lines of business, and is a promising young business man. Politically he is a Democrat and is a member of the I. O. O. F., Pure Fountain Lodge, No. 217, Smithville, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Isaac Hayes, An enterprising farmer of the Fifteenth District, was born November 3, 1810. In Georgia, and brought when an infant to Dekalb County by his father. He is the third of nine Children born to John and Martha (Young) Hayes. The father was born in South Carolina. He was for some time a resident of Georgia, then Alabama, and finally came to Tennessee, locating where Dekalb County now is. He died when Isaac was a mere boy. Our subject was educated in the subscription schools of the county. He remained with his widowed mother until his marriage. In 1832 he wedded Miss. Elizabeth McGinniss, who bore him seven children: Mary, Lucinda, Richard, Elizabeth, Isaac, and twins, all of whom are dead. The mother departed this life Janurary 29, 1852. He married Miss. Eliza Helen Robinson, December 23, 1852. This Union resulted in the birth of eight children, of whom are living John R., Richard, Kizzie, Rebecca, Mary, Isaac, and Eliza. After farming on rented land for some time, Mr. Hayes purchased fifty acres on Holmes Creek, and now owns 500 acres of valuable land, well cultivated, located on the Lancaster and Smithville road, eleven miles from the latter place. His property was greatly damaged by the late War, almost ruined, but he now has it in fine condition, and is one of the healthiest localities in the county. Mr. Hayes is a stanch Democrat, and a worthy, respected citizen. He is interested in the advancement of educational affairs, and a generous contributor to all charitable and beneficial enterprises.

R. F. Jones, merchant, was born in 1857, in Alexandria, Dekalb County, Tenn., one of three children of Jas. and Martha P. (West) Jones, the former, probably of English origin, and born near Alexandria about 1825, and the latter of like ancestry, and born in the same vicinity about 1835. The father was engaged in merchandising the most of his married life at Alexandria. At the battle of Chickamauga he received a shot from which he died in a few hours. The mother died near Alexandria in 1884. Educated at Alexandria and Liberty, our subject began clerking in 1874 for William Vick, at Liberty. After nine years here, he established himself in his present business at Dowelltown in which he has been most successful. In 1878 he married Eliza, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Whaley, of Liberty, where she was born in 1857. Their two children are Mattie and Frank. Our subject is a Democrat, first voting for Hancock. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Prof. T. B. Kelly, A. M., LL. B., president of Pure Fountain College, Smithville, was born in Columbia, Maury Co., Tenn., in 1852. His parents were Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Hardwicke) Kelly. The father was of Irish descent, born March 9, 1810, in Dickson County, Tenn., where his father, Thomas Kelly located after emigrating from Ireland, about 1800. Thomas J. married in 1838, and about 1844 moved to Columbia, where he established a queensware store which he managed successfully until the year of his death, 1861. His first wife was of French extraction, born in 1817, in Buckingham County, Va. She died in January, 1854. There were eleven children, only two of whom are living: George M., a farmer of Maury County, and our subject. Prof. Kelly received his early education in his native county, at Jones' Academy. In 1837 he entered the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, remaining five months. In the winter of 1873 he began the study of law at Nashville, his preceptor being Hon. F. C. Dannington. He also assisted in the office of the clerk of the supreme court. In the fall of 1874 he entered the law department of Cumberland University at Lebanon, graduating the following June. He located in his native town. In September, 1876, he commenced teaching in the Lewisburg Institute. For fifteen months he was assistant principal, at the end of which time he entered upon the practice of his profession in Lewisburg. Later he became principal of the institute. In 1881 he was called to serve in same capacity in the high school at Columbia, remaining two years. In 1883 he took charge of the college of which he is now president. The attendance is an average of 150 a year. In June, 1886, Cumberland University conferred upon him the degree of A. M. He is one of the most thorough, intelligent and respected instructors in the county. He is highly esteemed by both patrons and pupils. January 4, 1876, he married Miss Ella Steele, daughter of Prof. P. W. Dodson, the efficient teacher at Dover, Stewart County. Mrs. Kelly was born in 1855 in Williamson County, Tenn., and is the mother of three living children: Pauline, Thomas B. and Inez. Prof. Kelly is a K. of H. and an F. & A. M. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His wife is a lady of superior culture and in considered one of the best pianists in the South.

Rev. Ira W. King, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a prominent citizen of Alexandria, was born December 3, 1819, in North Carolina. He is the fourth of eight children born to Prof. Tho. H. and Ann (Harris) King. The father was a native of Virginia, born about 1790, of Scotch-Irish descent, a son of Henry King, also a native of Virginia. Tho. H. was reared and liberally educated in his native State. He went to Rockingham County, N. C., when a young man, where he married about 1810. In 1820 he moved to Williamson County, Tenn., and in 1832 located in Smith County. A few years prior to his death he went to Jackson County. He died in 1865. Many years of his early life were spent as a school teacher in North Carolina and Tennessee. He served as deputy sheriff and captain of militia for several years. The latter portion of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. His wife was born in North Carolina about the same year of his birth and died in 1873, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject was mostly educated at Castalian Springs, Sumner County, and at Lebanon, where he married in June, 1843, Miss Deborah, daughter of Jackson N. and Elizabeth (Whitson) Brown. Of the ten children born to this union, four are living: Dr. Robt. W., of Gordonsville, Smith County; James D., A merchant of Wilson County; Emily C. (wife of John A. Gwaltney, of Smith County), and Mary J. (wife of A. J. Sullivan, a merchant and farmer, of Wilson County). Mrs. King was born in Wilson County in 1819 and died in 1874. February 16, 1876, our subject married Miss Tobitha L. Roundtree, who was born and reared in Rome, Smith County. Mr. King first settled in Wilson County as a teacher, two years later moved to Granville, Jackson County, where he taught about three years, after which he began farming. In 1850 he located at Gordonsville, Smith County. He spent two years in traveling for the American Tract Society, and since that time has been engaged in ministerial work and looking after his farm. In 1856 he was elected trustee of Smith, serving with so much satisfaction, that he was twice re-elected, making six years in all, and though strongly solicited to continue, declined. In 1866 he became superintendent of public instruction, which office he held two years. From 1856 to 1864 he had charge of Ebeneezer and Union Hill Churches. In 1864 he was appointed by Gov. Johnson as sheriff of Smith County to reorganize civil government. Judge McCleain appointed him clerk of circuit court but he declined to serve. All of his political positions were filled with credit and distinction. In 1875 he sold his farm and moved to Wilson County, purchasing property in the Fourth District. In 1884 he sold out and located at Alexandria. December, 1885, he assumed the pastorate of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and still holds it. For many years he has worked faithfully in this noble cause. He is greatly beloved by his entire flock. For thirteen years he had charge of a congregation in Wilson County. Since August, 1886, he has been connected with the drug business, in partnership with his nephew, Ira W. King, the firm being known as Ira W. King & Co. He owns a commodious dwelling in Alexandria, with pleasant surroundings. He is a total prohibitionist, an old and prominent member of the Masonic order, and a strong advocate of general education. His wife and three children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

James H. Kitching, a prosperous farmer and stock dealer of Alexandria, was born May 28, 1840, in Smith County. He is the fourth of fourteen children of Thomas and Mary (Davis) Kitching. The father was born in Smith County in 1809, a son of James Kitchen who was a native of North Carolina. He immigrated to Tennessee at an early date stopping first at the top of Bledsoe's Lick, Sumner County, afterward located in Smith County, near the head of Kitching Creek which was named for him. He was one of the first settlers in that section where his life was passed. Thomas was reared in his native county, where he married about 1831. He is a substantial farmer, well and favorably known. His wife was born in North Carolina about five years later than her husband. Both are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They raised a large and intelligent family; all lived to maturity. There are now three sons and four daughters. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the United States Army, in Company B, Fifth Tennessee Cavalry. He took part in the battle of Stone River and many skirmishes. In August, 1863, he was discharged on account of disability, but in the fall of 1864 enlisted in Company G, Fourth Tennessee Mounted Infantry, as a private, but soon became second Lieutenant and was detailed to take command of a force to restore order and enforce civil law in Smith County, in which capacity he served until the close of the war, when he resumed farming. February, 1870, he married Mattie E., daughter of Robert and L. D. Dowell, of Alexandria. Of their seven children, two sons and three daughters are living: Robert D., Jesse, Ella, Hallie, and Edith. Mr. Kitching remained in Smith County until 1879, when he moved to Alexandria. Farming and trading has always been his occupation. He owns a farm, and a comfortable house in town. For some time he has been trustee of the Masonic Normal School. He is a Republican; rather conservative. He cast his first presidential vote for A. Lincoln in 1864. Since 1868 he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since his seventeenth year, of which church Mrs. Kitching is also a member.

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