J. C. Biles, clerk and master of the chancery court of Warren County, Tenn., and resident of McMinnville, was born in this county June 27, 1843, the third of nine children born to Robert B. and Nancy (Ramsey) Biles, both natives of Warren County, where they were married in 1838. The father was born in April, 1810, was a farmer and stock raiser. He was A heavy loser by the war, was an old line Whig in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He died in his native county in April, 1873. The mother was born in September, 1816, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is now living at McMinnville, Tenn. The paternal grandfather of J. C. emigrated from North Carolina and settled in Warren County in 1806. J. C. received a practical education and in the spring of 1861, when but seventeen years old, he enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Tennessee Regiment Infantry, with D. M. Donnell as captain of the company and John H. Savage, colonel of the regiment. The regiment at first united with the forces of General Zollicoffer, but in July, 1861, was transferred to Lee's army and remained with him until the following December, when it was sent to the coast of South Carolina. After the battle of Shiloh the regiment joined the Army of the Tennessee, where it remained throughout the war. Mr. Biles participated in the battles of Perryville, Ky., Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and all the battles of Johnson's retreat from Dalton to Atlanta. He was captured after being wounded at Perryville, Ky., and sent as prisoner of war to Chicago, Ill., where he was kept until April, 1863, when he was exchanged and rejoined the army at Tullahoma, Tenn. July 22, 1864, at Atlanta he received a severe wound, and after his recovery, when on Hood's raid into Tennessee, he was again captured and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was held a prisoner until the close of the war. In the spring of 1865 he returned home and in August of the same year was appointed deputy clerk and master of the chancery court of Warren County, which position he held until 1871. In 1867 he in partnership with Charles R. Morford established a grocery and hardware store, in which he still owns an interest. January, 1877, he was appointed clerk and master of the chancery courts of his county and in 1883 was re-appointed and still holds that office. In 1884 Mr. Biles was made a member of the State Democratic executive committee and was re-appointed in 1886 and is now an honored member of that body. June 27, 1867, he married Miss Jane Morford, born in Warren County in July, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Biles are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Thomas Black, M. D., was born in McMinnville, June 13, 1837, the son of Alexander and Mary A. (Smith) Black. The father was of Scotch origin, was born in Kentucky in 1804, and died in 1859 in Orange County, Virginia., while on a tour to Virginia. The mother, probably of English ancestry and born in Kingston, Tenn., about 1810, died in Nashville in 1873. Soon after their marriage in Kingston they moved to McMinnville, where the father was in mercantile business during his life. One of nine children, our subject received a good education in his youth; in 1868 he entered the medical department of the University of Nashville, Tenn., attending one course of lectures. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Sixteenth Tennessee Regiment Infantry, colonel, John H. Savage, and served in the medical department during the war, having charge of various hospitals. He returned home in 1865, located near McMinnville, practiced his profession, and after attending, lectures as before in 1867-68 he graduated. He then practiced in Nashville up to the fall of 1874, when he came to McMinnville where he has since controlled probably the largest practice in the county, with the experience gained also in the cholera epidemic of 1873 in Nashville. February 13, 1867, he married Emma J., daughter of Dr. .J. S. Young, secretary of State of Tennessee, and born in the old Campbell house on the site of the capitol building at Nashville. Of their three sons and seven daughters, two are dead. Mr. Black is a Democrat and is a prominent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member also.
Thomas F. Burroughs, a prominent citizen of McMinnville, is a native of Tennessee; was born in what was then Franklin County, but is now Coffee County, November 25, 1831, the eighth of ten children born to Dr. Peter and Elizabeth P. (Atkinson) Burroughs, both natives of Amherst County, Va., where they were married November 26, 1816, and in 1825 they immigrated to Tennessee and settled in what was then Franklin County, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father was born April 11, 1796; he served in the war of 1812, a volunteer at the age of sixteen years; was a practicing physician and made life a fair success. He was a Whig in politics and died in 1840 in Coffee County. The mother died in the same county in 1837. Thomas F. secured a good education and after its completion was for seven years engaged in the mercantile business at Livingston, Overton County. In 1859 he moved to Increase, Warren County, and here he established a store of general merchandise in connection with farming. In 1870 Mr. Burroughs came to McMinnville and opened a grocery and hardware store and continued in this until 1881. In the meantime in 1875, in partnership with Charles Ohlenmacher, he established a spoke and handle factory at McMinnville and later another partner, J. E. Hughes, was added to the firm, but in August, 1881, Mr. Burroughs became sole owner of the factory, which is valued at $45,000, and is now running it with good success. He also owns a fine house and lot in McMinnville. November 5, 1857, he married Miss Nancy A. Smallman, a native of Warren County, born June 27, 1838. To this union have been born three children: John S., born September 16, 1858; James M., born August 14, 1862, and Mattie E., born January 12, 1865. Mr. Burroughs is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South for about twenty-two years and a steward in the church for the last twelve years. Mrs. Burroughs is a member of the same church.
H. J. Cardwell, a well know planter of Warren County, was born near Cumberland Gap, Claiborne Co., Tenn., in 1825. He is the son of Francis and Judy (Lebow) Cardwell. The father was of English descent, born in Virginia, and in about 1806 immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Warren County. He was a farmer by occupation, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and died in 1844. The mother was of German French origin, born in Claiborne County, Tenn. She was a member of the same church as her husband and died in 1867. H. J. received only limited education advantages in youth, but has greatly improved his education by select and extensive reading. Early in life he began farming and now gives his time and attention principally to fruit raising. October 15, 1847, Mr. Cardwell married Louisa, daughter of Jeremiah and Annie (Boyacin) Jaco. This union resulted in ten children - six sons and four daughters, two sons and one daughter deceased. He was commissioned militia officer by Aaron V. Brown and held this office at the beginning of the late war. He has several times been solicited to represent his people in the State Legislature, but has always declined. He is a liberal supporter and contributor to all educational and religious institutions. He has given each of his children a good academic education and has one son who is a successful teacher, and one in the mercantile business at Shell's Ford, Warren County. Mr. Cardwell is a stanch Democrat in politics, and he and wife are firm believers in the Christian religion.
B. M. Coulson, a well known and enterprising farmer and native of Warren County, was born April 11, 1809, the fifth of eleven children born to David and Sarah (Cox) Coulson, who were of Irish ancestry and natives of Virginia. The father immigrated to Kentucky about 1800, where he remained a few years and then moved to White County (now Warren County), Tenn. He was a farmer by occupation and made life a success. May 26, 1836, our subject married Mary Hammons, a daughter of Leroy and Mary (Hampton) Hammons, who were of Dutch descent. Mr. Coulson received a good education, and when twenty years of age he, with his brother James, took charge of his father's farm, which they conducted twelve years with good success. In 1845 he moved to the home of his wife's parents, and remained there about thirteen years, when he came to his present home in Warren County. Mr. Coulson is a stanch Democrat and was elected constable in 1860, which office he held ten years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which his wife, who died in June, 1881, was a member.
George W. Cunningham, farmer and merchant of the Fifteenth Civil District of Warren County; was born in that county June 16, 1821, and is the son of John and Sarah Cunningham. The father was born in Virginia about 1792, and died in Warren County, Tenn., about 1857 He was of Scotch Irish descent. His father, our subject's grandfather came to Tennessee in 1810), and located near the celebrated falls of Caney Fork, being among the first settlers of Warren County. He was in the war of 1812, and his father was in the Revolutionary war. John Cunningham was a farmer and tanner by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. The mother of our subject was born in Hyde County, N. C., October 25, 1799, and is now living with her son, George W. She has a limited education, but has a very strong mind for one of her age. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject is the fourth of six children born to his parents, and now lives on the farm where he was born. His occupation in life has been that of a farmer until 1885, when in connection with his farm he engaged in the mercantile business at Rock Island, Tenn. He formed a co-partnership with his grandson, Willie A. Moore, under the firm title of Cunningham & Moore. They carry a stock of goods valued at $2,500 and Mrs. Cunningham also owns 215 acres of land in Warren County, with the principal part under cultivation. This is the result of economy and judicious management. In August, 1842, he married Miss Sarah A. Hennessee, a native of Warren County, born about 1823, and the daughter of A. W. and Jennie (Neal) Hennessee. To them was born one child, a daughter, named Amanda.
G. H. Etter, farmer, of Warren County, Tenn., and now a resident of the Seventh Civil District, was born near Irving College, Warren County, February 8, 1831, and is the son of George and Harriet (Rowan) Etter. The father was born in Greenbrier County, Va., January 8, 1794, and was of German lineage. He followed the occupation of a tanner up to the late war, since which event he has tilled the soil. The mother was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., about 1809, and was of Irish descent. She died August 10, 1884. Our subject was the fifth of fifteen children. He remained under the parental roof until 1856, when he and his brother formed a partnership and engaged in the tanning business. His brother died in 1860, and he continued the business by himself until 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth Tennessee Infantry (Confederate Army) He remained in the infantry three years and then enlisted in the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, and was in service until the close of the war. He was captured four times but was never in a prison. He received a wound at Buck Run, and while on his way from Dublin Station to Lynchburg, Va., with his regiment, the train ran off the track and he was severely injured. At the close of the war he came to his present location and began the life of a farmer. January 3, 1867, he married Mrs. Woodlee (wife of the late Elijah Woodlee). To them were born six daughters: Mary M., Lillie L., Georgia, Myrtle, Cleopatra and Harriett B. Mrs. Etter is a worthy member of the Christian Church.
Capt. W. Etter, merchant and farmer, was born near Irving College, Tenn., August 21, 1841, and is the son of H. R. and Jane Etter. The father, born in Hawkins County, Tenn., January 6, 1818, died January 6, 1880. He came to Warren County in 1887 and engaged in merchandising in connection with farming. He was successful although broken up by the war. The mother was born near Trenton, Ga., and died in Warren County, September 20, 1859. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject, the third of ten children, lived at home until May 18, 1861, when he enlisted in the Sixteenth Tennessee Infantry, Col. J. H. Savage, Company H, Capt. Meadows. He was first lieutenant, but after Chickamauga, was made captain. He was slightly wounded at Perryville and Chickamauga, and was at Chilton Hill, Cheat Mountain, Port Royal, Murfreesboro, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Pilot Knob, New Hope, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Beech Tree Creek, Stone Mountain, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Bentonville and the surrender at Greensboro, N. C. He then returned to Irving College, where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1871 he and his father engaged in the mercantile trade with a $4,000 stock, which, after his father's death, he conducted alone. From May until September, 1883, the business was owned by C. R. Martin, but afterward J. J. Meadows bought an interest with our subject. He has a good education and would have had better but for the war. He is a member of the Christian Church, and is a decided Democrat. December 19, 1867, he married Charlotte, daughter of J. W. and Mary Hill, and who was born October 1, 1843. She was a member of the Christian Church and died September 19, 1876. Three of their four children are living: E. Bruce, Lemma, Charlotte B. and Mary J., who was born May 1, 1871, and died November 12, 1883. February 17, 1880, he married Electra, daughter of W. and Sarah J. Meadows, and born in Warren County September 27, 1854. She was educated at Burritt College and is a member of the Christian Church. Their two children are Cecil and Alda.
David Fairbank, farmer, was born in Knox County, Tenn., September 1, 1829, and is the son of John and Sarah Fairbank. The father, of English ancestry and born in North Carolina about 1807, died about 1857. He came to Tennessee about 1829, and settled in Ray County. He was a farmer and a Democrat. The mother, born about 1808, was of English origin, and died about 1840. Our subject, the youngest of three children, lived with his parents until fourteen years of age, and then with an uncle, W. Lovry. In January, 1851, Julia A., daughter of W. J. and Malinda Cartwright, and born in Warren County, Tenn., January 25, 1830, became his wife. She is a member of the Christian Church. Seven of their eight children are now living: William W., Arminta M., Sarah L., John P., Levy L., Nancy A., Emery L and Andrew J. (deceased August 2, 1886, in his twenty-second year). Our subject has had a life of hardship, but has succeeded, although limited in education. He is a Democrat, and is a member of the Christian Church. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Fifth Tennessee Infantry, Confederate, and served under Col. Ben Hill in the battles of Shiloh, Shelton Hill, Richmond and numerous skirmishes, but was soon after discharged on account of ill health.
Thomas H. Faulkner, manufacturer, was born near McMinnville, Tenn., April 19, 1842, the son of Asa and Anis Faulkner. The father, born July 16, 1802, in Edgefield District, South Carolina, of German descent, came to Hickory Creek, Tenn., in 1808, and was apprenticed to Mr. Biddleman, a machinist. With little education he learned the manufacture of wool cards. His first venture was a mill on Hickory Creek in 1830. In 1846 two others joined him in building the cotton factory, two and one-half miles from McMinnville, called the Central Factory. In 1861, with S. B. Spurlock, he erected on Barren Fork, near McMinnville, a cotton factory named in honor of his wife, and which had a capacity of 2,500 yards of cotton goods daily. In 1863 this factory was used by the Confederates, who took possession of the products, and gave Gen. Rosecrans excuse for destroying it April 21, 1863. They were rebuilt in 1866 with a capacity of 24,000 yards daily, and is still in operation. February 19, 1827, he married Anne Wolfe, born in Scott County, Va., about 1804, and who died March 25, 1851. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject, the tenth of fourteen children, left home in 1861, and enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Tennessee Confederate Army, under Col. Savage, and after seventeen months on account of ill health received a furlough and returned home, remaining there until his marriage, October 10, 1866, to Mary, the daughter of Judge Robert and Martha C. Cantrell, and, born in Smithville, Tenn., November 26, 1847. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was educated at the Baptist Female College, and Minerva College, Nashville, and finally graduated from Corina Institute, Lebanon, then under Dr. Kelley's control. Their eight children are Robert A., born May 23, 1871 and deceased September 7, 1878; Carrie L., born February 5, 1875, and deceased March 30, 1877; Mattie L.; Charles H.; Kate C.; Thomas H.; William P. and Maryetta. Our subject began life for himself by manufacturing wool cards, his present business, but in connection with this he and his brother Clay became partners in manufacturing woolen goods two and a half miles from McMinnville, and in 1877 they also formed a partnership in a wool factory two miles from McMinnville with Robert Cantrell. In 1879 he dissolved partnership with his brother, and the firm is now Cantrell & Faulkner. Seventy-five thousand dollars in the capital invested in this factory, with a capacity of 1,000 yards of woolen goods daily, and a force of sixty-two men. Our subject never finished his education on account of the war. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and also of the K. & L of H.
Clay Faulkner, owner of the Mountain City Woolen Mills, was born near where he now lives April 11, 1845. He is the son of Asa and Annie (Wolf) Faulkner, of German and Scotch descent respectively, the former born in South Carolina July 16, 1802, died in Warren County July 22, 1886, and the latter born in Scott County, Va., February 24, 1806, died tn Warren County March 25, 1851. The father lived in Warren County after the eighth year, and was a great builder of cotton and woolen mills on the various rivers in Warren County. Our subject, one of fifteen children, eleven of whom are living, and all but one of whom reached their majority received an academic education, and in 1866 with his brother J. J., took charge of the Butler Flouring Mills on Charles Creek in addition to his farming. In 1873 his present mills came into his and his brother, Thomas H.'s, possession, and new machinery was put in, and in the spring of 1879 Mr. Faulkner became sole owner, since which time his entire attention has been given to their interest. They are mentioned elsewhere in the history of Warren County. October 22, 1873, Mr. Faulkner married Mary E., a cultured lady and daughter of David Saunders, of Carthage, Tenn. She was born September 23, 1848. Their three children are Margie, born August 8, 1876; Herschel C., born March 2, 1878, and Daisy, born June 10, 1880. Mr. Faulkner and his wife are members and supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W. J. Fuston, farmer and miller, was born at Gath, Tenn., June 26, 1838, and is the son of Samuel and Nancy (Mullican) Fuston. The father was born near Knoxville, Tenn., November 8, 1807, and by occupation a farmer, is still living at Gath, Tenn., where he came in 1833. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and is very quiet and reserved in his habits. The mother was born in Warren County, Tenn., in 1802 and died in 1863. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Our subject, the fourth of five children, left home at the age of eighteen, and settled where Gath now is, and largely made Gath what it now is. Besides his occupation as farmer, in 1879 he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Gath, and was appointed postmaster there. In September, 1886, he moved to his present location, and built his mill, and now besides this business, he contemplates going into mercantile business at his home. He is a self-made man, beginning with nothing, but now owning 250 acres in Warren County, his mill costing $4,100, and $1,000 worth of stock in the Tullahoma National Bank. He is a member of the Christian Church. March 5, 1855, he married Catherine, daughter of Hamilton and Sallie Neal, and born in Warren County August 20, 1839. She is a member of the Christian Church. Their six children are Mary E., Samuel, Hamilton T., William N., Bell D. and Arthur. Mr. Fuston is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge.
John P. Gartner, a well known citizen of McMinnville, Tenn., was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, October 15, 1838, and is the son of Leonhardt and Anna Gartner, both natives of Hesse Darmstadt. The father was born about 1780, and was a farmer by occupation. He died about 1854. The mother was born about 1800, and died about 1880. John P. is the youngest of ten children. In 1856 he immigrated to the United States with very little means at his command, and settled in Ohio, where he remained three years. He then traveled over the South and West. While in Ohio he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed after locating at McMinnville, Tenn., in 1867. He is also engaged in the manufacture of wagons and buggies. He has a German education and is a good citizen. He has been elected alderman several times, and is now school trustee. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, I. O. O. F. and the K. & L. of H. December 25, 1867, he married Missouri Polk Hoodenpyl, a native of McMinnville, Tenn., born in November, 1844, and a daughter of Philip and Hyxsy Hoodenpyl. Five children blessed this union, all living: Leonhardt P., Alline, John W., Henry and Florence. Mrs. Gartner is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
A. J. Gribble, an enterprising and well known farmer of Warren County, and a resident of the Third Civil District, was born March 12, 1815, in Warren County, Tenn., and is the son of Thomas and Hannah (Shanks) Gribble. Thomas Gribble was born about 1777 in North Carolina, and died in Warren County, Tenn., August 12, 1849. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and came to Warren County about 1814. He was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over forty years, and was a member of the Democratic party. The mother of the subject of this sketch was also of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born about 1778 in North Carolina, and died in Warren County, Tenn., August 3, 1868. She was also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The subject of this sketch was married October 18, 1834, to Miss Mary P. Randolph, who was born October 18, 1814, in Warren County' Tenn. She was the daughter of Rev. John and Polly Randolph, and died January 26, 1844. This union resulted in six children, four of whom are now living. The two who have died were John T. (who was born October 10, 1830, and was killed December 31, 1862, while fighting for the South, at Murfreesboro, Tenn.), and an infant, who died eight days before its mother's death. Mr. Gribble was married August 6, 1844, to Miss Catharine H. Bristow, who was born in Warren County, Tenn., April 26, 1825, and who is a daughter of James and Nancy Bristow. This union resuIted in twelve children, five of whom are dead: Hannah P. (born September 4, 1852, died October 16, 1852), Lovia T. (born January 19, 1866, died January 22, 1875), James B. (born February 22, 1849, died an infant), Henderson C. (born December 28, 1850, died November 25, 1851), and Robert L. (born August 10, 1868, and died an infant). When our subject began life for himself he moved to the Fourth District, Warren County, living there two years, when he changed to his present location, where he has a farm of 300 acres. He had nothing when he commenced; and his experience in youth was one of hardship and toil, but by a life of industry and economy he has accumulated a comfortable competence. He is a stanch Democrat and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Joseph R. Grove, a farmer and fruit distiller of the Fifth Civil District of Warren County, Tenn., was born May 23, 1843, at Robertson Springs, Van Buren Co., Tenn., and is the son of Wm. M. and Peggy (Robertson) Grove. The father was born in Warren County, Tenn., December 10, 1809, and passed his life there. He was sheriff of the county for eight years, a Democrat in politics and a member of the Christian Church. The mother was born in Warren County March 10, 1809, and is still living. She is also a member of the Christian Church. Wm. M. and Peggy Grove were married February 3, 1831. Our subject was the seventh of ten children. After remaining with his parents until August, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate Army in Company L, commanded by Capt. Brewster, but afterward by Capt. Rust, of the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, commanded by Col. D. W. Holdman. He was in active service for three years, and received a very severe wound. He was elected orderly sergeant when he enlisted, which position he held up to the surrender. He was in all the battles in which Forrest's command was engaged, and was a brave and gallant soldier. After returning home he remained with his parents until June 3, 1866, when he married Mary E. Forrest, a native of Warren County, Tenn., born September 12, 1848. This excellent lady has been well educated and is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Capt. C. M. and Annie Forrest. Her father, Capt. C. M. Forrest, was born in Warren County, Tenn., January 21, 1817, received an excellent education, and is a minister in the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1877 he moved to Bell County, Tex. He was captain in the Fifth Tennessee Regiment Confederate Army, and is a Democrat in politics. The mother of Mrs. Grove was born in Warren County, Tenn., in 1817, and is a member and an active worker in the Missionary Baptist Church. The result of our subject's marriage was the birth of six children, four of whom are living: William, Charles F., Flora J. and Minnie. The two deceased are George D. and Albert. George D. was born in April, 1874, and died in July, 1874. Albert was born in November, 1875, and died in December, 1875. Our subject began business for himself as a farmer and was also engaged in trading in stock, which he continues up to the present. In 1872, in connection with farming he engaged in the fruit distillery business, which he also continues. He is a Democrat in politics and an active and enterprising man.
J. S. Harrison, M. D., a well known physician of McMinnville, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., May 8, 1831, the second of five children born to Edmond R. and Rebecca M. (Hawkins) Harrison. The father was born March 1, 1807, was a successful farmer, and died in 1881. The grandparents were natives of Virginia, and were of English ancestry. The mother was born May 1, 1805, in Virginia, but immigrated to Tennessee at an early day, and is still living. J. S. was reared on a farm, and his early education was obtained in the common schools, and he finished his literary course at Alpine College, Overton County, after which he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. L. Thompson, of Smith County. In the fall of 1854 he entered the old medical college of Nashville, from which he graduated in the spring of 1856. He then began the practice of his profession at Liberty, DeKalb County, and continued there until the breaking out of the war, when he entered the Confederate service, enlisting in Company C, Second Tennessee Cavalry. He was appointed sergeant in 1862, and later elected lieutenant. He was wounded in the right arm at the battle of Harrisburg, and was disabled for service for five weeks. At the close of the war Dr. Harrison returned home, and engaged in the practice of his profession at Smithville, DeKalb Co., Tenn., and continued there until November 1, 1883, when he moved to McMinnville, where he has built up a good practice. December 23, 1856, Dr. Harrison married Julia E., daughter of John and Mary West. She was born February 1, 1834. Dr. Harrison is a self-made man, and by economy and judicious management has accumulated a fair competency.
J. W. Hash, a wide-awake farmer of Warren County, Tenn., was born November 24, 1818, near Rock Island, Warren County, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Hash, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born in Ash County in 1783, was married about 1808, and immigrated to Tennessee about 1810. He was an old line Whig in politics, and he and wife were firm believers in the Christian religion. He died October 1, 1851, and the mother died about 1872. Our subject was the fifth of eight children born to his parents, and remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when he began for himself. October 13, 1842, he married Nancy Franks, a native of Tennessee, born in 1822 in White County, and the fruits of this union were eleven children eight of whom are living: Elizabeth, born May 6, 1843, and died May 25, 1862; Mary, born January 18, 1845, and died June 24, 1867; James H., born August 3, 1851, and died November 5, 1866. Those living are William H., Margaret L., Lean, Tabitha, John W., Jefferson D. and George W. Henry. They have also one grandson named Monroe G., son of Mary. Our subject and wife are members of the Separate Baptist Church. Mr. Hash now owns 200 acres of good land, the principal part of which is under cultivation. Before the war he was an old line Whig, but since that event has been a decided Democrat.
Hon. George H. Hash, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Warren County is a resident of the Third District. He was born December 16, 1839, and is the son of Thomas and Drucilla (Howell) Hash. Thomas Hash is a native of Virginia, having been born there April 2, 1792. He came to Warren County, Tenn., about the year 1810, settling where the subject of this sketch now lives. He married Miss Drucilla Howell who was born in Grayson County, Va., about 1794. About the year 1815 Thomas Hash was an enterprising and successful man. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-fifth Tennessee (Confederate) Infantry, under Col. S. S. Stanton, and remained in the service until the surrender of Gen. Lee, having been engaged in numerous heavy battles and having received several severe wounds. Previous to his discharge from the army he was promoted to the captaincy of his company, in which capacity he was serving when he surrendered with the rest of the army at Appomattox C. H. He then returned to Warren County and engaged in teaching school about eight years, being at the same time engaged also in farming, the latter occupation having ever since occupied his time. In January, 1887, he became interested in a broom manufactory at Rock Island. In 1880 he was elected as a Democrat to, represent his county in the Legislature. He has always been an ardent and devoted member of that party. In early life he acquired a good education, being a member of the senior class at Burritt College, at the breaking out of the war. He was married September 5, 1866, to Miss Sophia Mauzy, who was born in February, 1843, in Bledsoe County, Tenn. She is a daughter of Dr. Thomas and Jane (Floyd) Mauzy, is a graduate of Burritt College, a lady of refinement and a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hash have four children: Victor H., Charles M., Jane L. and Ella D.
Hon. H. L. W. Hill, one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of Warren County, now living in the Sixth District, was born March 1, 1810; son of Henry J. A. and Susannah (Swales) Hill. The father was of English-Irish descent, born in Edgecomb County, N. C., February 7, 1774, and died in Warren County, Tenn., August 1, 1825, from the result of an amputation of a limb that was injured in childhood. He moved to Georgia in 1800, and two years later came to what was then White County. A few years later he was a member of the Legislature and voted for the act separating Warren County from White County. While living in Georgia he was a member of the Baptist Church, but after moving to Tennessee he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject was born in St. Mary County, Md., December 31, 1767. She was also a member of the Baptist Church while in Georgia, but joined the Methodist Episcopal Church after coming to Tennessee. Her marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, of whom our subject is the youngest. He was born and has lived ever since where he now resides. After his father's death he continued to still live with his widowed mother till her death in 1846. He received his rudimentary education in the schools of the neighborhood, afterward taking a thorough course under Dr. F. H. Gordon and James B. Moore, at Porter's Hill, Tenn. After that he studied under Dr. Lawrence, at Carroll Academy, McMinnville, and then at Cumberland College, Nashville, of which Dr. Phillip Lindsley was president. After leaving Nashville he returned to McMinnville and taught school at Carroll Academy five months; then returned home and began farming and cultivating fine fruits, and distilling fine fruit brandies for medicinal purposes, which pursuits he continues to the present time. He began life with very little, but now owns considerable property. He has some very good farm lands in the valleys of Collins River and Hills Creek, some of which and some rich north mountain sides are in orchards, mainly apple. He also owns a considerable tract of mountain land, valuable for its deposits of iron ore, stone coal, timber and wild meadow and grazing grasses. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1837, and re-elected in 1839 and 1841. He was elected to the Lower House of the XXX Congress in 1847, and represented the people in the State Constitutional Convention, in 1870. May 14, 1840, he married Miss Virginia A. Dearing, who was born July 3, 1823, and who is the daughter of Col. W. L S. and Mary T. Dearing. This union resulted in the birth of ten children. Those living are Bertha born June 18, 1842; Virgil, born March 2, 1851; Susan, born April 19, 1853; Franklin, born July 20, 1855; Eliza, born January 23, 1858; Athelia, born December 29, 1859; Octa, born March 7, 1862; Mary D., born September 28, 1866. Two children, Dearing and Livingston, are dead. Col. Hill is a Democrat; has constantly maintained a first-rate character as a moral and most excellent citizen. He has never professed religion, been a member of any church or secret society. He firmly believes in the existence of and omnipotent, eternal living God and he hopes for immortality.
Franklin Hill, farmer and stock raiser of Warren County, and now a resident of the Sixth Civil District, was born near his present home July 20, 1855, and is the son of Col. H. L. W. and Virginia (Dearing) Hill. The father was born in the Sixth Civil District of Warren County, Tenn., March 1, 1810, and is of English descent. His principal occupation has been that of a farmer, fruit raiser and distiller. In 1837 he was elected to represent Warren County in the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1839 and 1841. He was elected to the XXX Congress in 1847, and represented the people in the Constitutional Convention which met at Nashville in 1870. He has been a close student all his life, and is one of the influential citizens of the county. He is a Democrat and a Master Mason. The mother was born July 3, 1823. Our subject is the sixth of ten children. He lived with his parents up to the time of his marriage, which occurred June 24, 1875, and then moved to his present location. His wife, Leanora Myers, is a daughter of J. N. and N. Myers. She is well educated and a member of the Christian Church. To their union were born five children: Oscar, H. L. W., Virginia, Beatrice and Walter, who was born July 11, 1876, and died July 24, 1876. Our subject has a good education, which he secured at Water's & Walling's College, McMinnville, Tenn. He began life for himself by purchasing 400 acres of land of his father, which by hard work and good management has increased greatly in value.
I. P. Hill, farmer and stock raiser, was born near Irving College, Tennessee, January 19, 1825, the son of Isaac and Eliza Hill. The father was of English origin and born on Tar River, North Carolina, December 20, 1797, and came to Tennessee in 1800 with his parents and settled at Hill Creek, Warren County. He was a Democrat. His death occurred October 6, 1872. The mother, born February 4, 1800, in Jasper County, Ga., died in Warren County, Tenn., November 8, 1859. She was of English descent, and married August 20, 1818. Our subject lived at home until September 19, 1850, when he married Catherine, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Daniels, and born in Fairfax County, Va., October 10, 1830. She is of English descent and well educated. Five of their seven children are living: Isaac, Adia G., Ella M., E. Elizabeth and Andrew P. Melchisedec, born July 12, 1857, died December 16, 1857; Lillian L., born January 1, 1865, died April 2, 1882. Our subject was educated at Irving College, Tennessee, and is an active and enterprising man. When he began for himself his father gave him 300 acres of land, which he has increased to double its former value. He is a decided Democrat in politics.
Isaiah T. Hillis, an enterprising and well known farmer of the Fourth Civil District, Warren County, was born in the county October 23, 1839, and is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Drake) Hillis. Isaac Hillis is of Irish descent, and was born in Warren County, Tenn., in 1806. He had a good education and was a successful man, and died in 1877. His father was a native of North Carolina, and went from that State to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, but came to Tennessee and settled on Rocky River in 1804, thus being one of the first settlers of Warren County. The mother of Isaac T. Hillis was born in Carter County in 1808, and was of English descent. She was a well educated woman, and died in 1878. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Tennessee (Confederate) Infantry, and was in active service four years and seven days. He was at the battles of Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Corinth, and numerous smaller battles and skirmishes. During the first two years he was in feeble health, and in different hospitals - Huntersville, Va., Rockbridge, Va., and Columbus, Miss. After his return from the war he lived with his parents until December 23, 1869, when he was married to Miss Maranda J. Moore, of White County, Tenn., a most worthy and well educated woman. She is the daughter of Alexander and Mary Moore, and is herself the mother of five children, all living: Charles M., Mary M., Ransom M., Isaac H. and Maranda J. When married, Mr. Hillis moved to his present location. In his youth he secured A collegiate education at Burritt College, situated at Spencer, Van Buren Co., Tenn. He is a very active and decided man, and a Democrat dyed in the wool. He has been elected by that party to the office of justice of the peace and other offices.
William Houchin, one of the proprietors of firm of Houchin & Biles' livery stable, is a native of McMinnville, born January 21, 1843, and by his own efforts secured a good education. He has nearly all his life been engaged in the livery business. Early in the year 1805 Mr. Houchin went to Nashville and for six months worked at the mechanic's trade but in July of the same year returned to McMinnville and in partnership with G. W. Hoodenpyl opened a livery stable, which they continued until 1869. In the meantime they had admitted another partner, J. D. Marshall. In January, 1869, N. W. Griswald entered the firm by purchasing the interest of Mr. Hoodenpyl. Mr. Houchin and Mr. Griswald then bought out J. D. Marshall and the firm was changed from G. W. Hoodenpyl & CO. to Griswald & Houchin. In September, 1878, Mr. Griswald died and Mr. Houchin closed out the property at public sale. The following November he opened another stable, having for a partner Mr. William Biles, and since then the firm has been very prosperous. They deal quite extensively in mules shipping from Warren and adjoining counties to the Southern States. January 18, 1886, they suffered a heavy loss by thirty-six mules being burned at Selma, Ala. Mr. Houchin is one of the rising business men of McMinnville and has a fair competency of this world's goods. He is an Independent in politics and although not a member of any church is a firm believer in Christianity.
W. D. Hughes, farmer and distiller, was born near Irving College, Warren County, Tenn., November 7, 1858. He is the son of J. C. and Elizabeth Hughes. The father, of Irish descent, was born near the same place in 1831. He has been a farmer all his life, but for the past twenty years has been connected with a brandy distillery. He is a Democrat and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother was also a member of this church, and was of English descent. She was born in North Carolina in 1827 and died August 1, 1877. Our subject, the fourth of nine children, began life for himself when twenty-one years of age, by becoming a partner of his father in the farming and distilling business. After four years he purchased his father's interest and continued the business in his own name. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the I. O. O. F. order. Politically he is a Democrat and was educated at Burritt College, Spencer, Tenn.
Dr. E. H. Jones, a prominent physician and surgeon of Viola, was born near Murfreesboro, Rutherford Co., Tenn., and was the eldest of three children born to James and Cecilia (Overall) Jones. The father died in 1857. E. H. Jones, grandfather of our subject, an extensive planter and stock raiser in Rutherford County, reared and educated him, giving him a university education. At an early age he chose the medical profession, and in the spring of 1870 he entered the drug store of H. J. White of Navasota, Tex., as clerk, in which business he remained until 1875, when he returned to Tennessee and began the study of medicine under Dr. G. W. Overall of Murfreesboro, now of Memphis. In 1876-77 he attended the medical college of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., and in 1877-78 he attended the medical college at Philadelphia, where he graduated with the highest honors. In 1878 he began the practice of his profession at Jacksboro, Tenn., where he remained one year, and in 1879 moved to Viola, at which place he has been very successful up to the present time. He was postmaster at Jacksboro, Tenn., for one year, and assistant postmaster at Viola three years. He was married March 11, 1886, to Fannie Potter, daughter of Thomas and Samantha (West) Potter of Smithville, Tenn. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church in good standing. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and is highly respected in the vicinity both socially and as a physician.
James E. Jones is a native of Warren County, born near McMinnville, March 3, 1843, the third of eight children born to Zachariah B. and Eliza J. (Biles) Jones, both of English descent and natives of Tennessee. The father was born April 12, 1812. He was a farmer, a Republican and a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His death occurred in Warren County in 1879. The mother, who is several years younger, is living a resident of Warren County. James E. secured a good education and early in life began farming. In 1870 he purchased a farm of 100 acres in the Tenth Civil District, where he soon after settled. The celebrated Nicholson Springs are situated on this farm. In 1872 he disposed of this farm and after making several changes in real estate, he purchased the farm he now owns in the Ninth Civil District. Mr. Jones has been successful in acquiring this world's goods, owning at present 200 acres of land, besides an improved lot in McMinnville. In February, 1877, he received the appointment of United States gauger and held this office ten years. He was assigned the section of country principally about McMinnville, and was a popular officer with both political parties. October 4, 1866, Mr. Jones wedded Miss Elizabeth T. Heneger, a native of Warren County, born April 9, 1849, a daughter of Geo. W. Heneger, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of six children one son and five daughters, the son and one daughter deceased. Mr. Jones is a Republican, and he and wife and three children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Robert Keaton, a resident of the Fifteenth Civil District of Warren County, was born near Liberty, Wilson Co., Tenn., December 25, 1830, and is the son of William and Susan (Hollandsworth) Keaton. The father was born near Richmond, Va., and the dates of his birth and death are unknown. He came to Wilson County, Tenn., after his marriage and remained in that county until his death. He was a farmer by occupation, a member of the Baptist Church, and a Whig in politics. The mother was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1867. Our subject was the ninth of ten children; at the age of eighteen he left the parental roof and went to Mississippi, where he remained two years; he then came back to Wilson County, where his mother was living, and August 30, 1852, he married Miss Louisa Reider, who was born May 24, 1833, and who died April 1, 1862. To them were born five children, three of whom are living, viz.: Sarah A., Harriett A. and Mary M. Those deceased are William T., born June 1, 1853, and died March 1, 1856. Phoeba P. died in infancy. Mr. Keaton remained in Wilson County until 1855, when he came to Warren County, settled on his present location and engaged in farming. In 1864 he married Miss L. M. Wilson. a native of Wilson County, born May 24, 1843, a member of the Baptist Church, and the daughter of Allen and Elizabeth Wilson. In 1869 Mr. Keaton began preaching the gospel in the Missionary Baptist Church, which he continues to the present day. His last marriage resulted in the birth of four children. three of whom are living: Charles L., Parthenia A., Allen D., and one died in infancy. Mr. Keaton is well known and very much respected throughout the county.
William H. Magness was born in Warren County, Tenn., February 15, 1824. Being reared on a farm his education was limited to the meager advantages of the free schools. At twenty he was engaged as salesman in a dry goods store at Smithville, DeKalb Co., Tenn. In 1845 he commenced business at the same place on his own account, continuing at this with much success until 1881 when he moved to McMinnville. With the profits of his trade together with valuable tanning interests he was enabled to invest largely in the stock of several of the leading banks in the State. In 1874 he established the National Bank of McMinnville. At the organization be was elected president which position he has held with honor ever since. On the 25th of June, 1845, he was married to Miss E. J. West of DeKalb County, and it is to her habits of industry, prudence and economy that he attributes much of his success. There were born to them seven children, four of whom are now living: W. H., Edgar, Ella and Cordelia, wife of Judge Smallman. Strict habits of exercise and temperance have given him a robust constitution and his general health is good. His sons are connected with the national bank, W. H., Jr., being assistant cashier and Edgar bookkeeper. The father of our subject, P. G. Magness, was born in Spartanburg, S. C., in 1796. He moved to Warren County when twelve years of age and at eighteen was married to Mary Cantrell. The result of the union was twelve children. His father was a farmer, merchant and trader and secured a fair competency of this world's goods. He was remarkable for his unexampled energy and perseverance. He was a thorough Democrat and a strict member of the Baptist Church. His death occurred on March 1, 1884. It was quite a pleasure to this exemplary man to watch, in his old age, the multiplication and growth of the large family he had founded; and it was truly an object of gratification for there were born in direct line from him over 600 children, grandchildren, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Magness is a Democrat in politics and an influential member of the Missionary Baptist Church; he is also a Past Master Mason. He wishes particularly to exhort the young men to be temperate. Then he thinks it will be revealed to them more clearly the wise words: "Do justice and love mercy."
Phillip H. Marbury, planter, was born in Buncombe County, N. C. April 24, 1810. He is the son of Benjamin and Mary (Hoodenpyl) Marbury, of English and Dutch descent respectively. The father was born in North Carolina in 1784 and died of small-pox in Arkansas in 1836; the mother was born in Warm Springs, N. C., in 1795, died in Arkansas about 1840. They were married in Greenville, Tenn., about 1808. The father, a successful farmer, and Democrat, was a personal friend of Andrew Jackson. Both parents were Baptists. Our subject the oldest child, with exception of the time from 1820 to 1827 in Rhea County has since six years of age lived in Warren County. After completing his academic education he studied medicine one year under Dr. Hill, but abandoned it and in January, 1829, began a four years' clerkship for John Cain; then for twenty years after the spring of 1833 he was in partnership with Alexander Black as merchant at McMinnville. In 1852 Mr. Marbury was elected president of a railway stock company to build a road to McMinnville, and the road was built under his financial management, and as it was destroyed during the war, he, with the assistance of others, secured a grant of $400,000 in bonds and rebuilt the road. In 1844 he became a planter near McMinnville and now owns 700 acres of good land and 400 under cultivation. Before the war he was connected with the bank of Sparta. He has been married three times: first in September, 1833, to Rebecca Mercer, a descendant of Gen. Fenton Mercer; second, to Mrs. Mary E. Scott, whose maiden name was Grundy, a granddaughter of Felix Grundy of State farm: third, to Mrs. Liley T. Garner, whose maiden name was Estell, a descendant of ex-Governor. Thomas of Maryland. Mr. Marbury was an old line Whig before the war, but has since been a Democrat, and always a liberal public worker. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
E. G. Mead, of E. G. Mead & Co., barrel factory, McMinnville, was born in Warren County, Penn., February 3, 1824, the son of David and Climena (Owen) Mead, the former of English-German, and the latter of English French descent, and both natives of Warren County, Penn., in which county the father was the first white male child born, the birth occurring June 16, 1800. He died in his native county in the fall of 1862. The mother, born about 1802, died in that county on July 3, 1825. They were married about 1822, after which he was a lumber dealer and in his later years also engaged in farming. The grandfather Mend built the first grist-mill in Warren County, Penn. The parents of our subject were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the father a Jackson Democrat in politics. Having acquired a good education, our subject has been engaged in the lumber business most of his life. In 1868 he came to Warren County, and with his brother's assistance built the well known mills at Shellsford, in the spring of 1869. After running these mills successfully for fourteen years, he sold them in 1883, and in 1884 established his present prosperous manufactory. He is a liberal man, a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Mead is his third wife.
William M. Meadows, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Warren County, was born near Sparta, White Co., Tenn., August 28, 1822, and is the son of V. and E. (Lawrence) Meadows. The father was born in North Carolina the 14th of February, 1800, and died the 25th of December, 1886. He was of English descent, a farmer, and after the war a Democrat in politics. The mother was born in Warren County, Tenn., and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was the eldest of six children; at the age of eleven he was bound out to James Woodlee, of Warren County, Tenn., and lived with him eight years. He then went to Cannon County, and worked on a farm for one year after which he returned to Warren County, and lived with George Etter, Sr., for six years. May 29, 1816, he went to Mexico with Col. Campbell's regiment and Capt. Northcutt's' company, and was gone four months. In January, 1849, he purchased his present farm, containing about 190 acres, but has since purchased 75 acres joining his land and 250 acres in the mountains. January 2, 1850, he married Miss Sarah J. Moffitt, a native of Warren County, Tenn., born January 15, 1831, and the daughter of Aaron and Harriet Moffitt. Mrs. Meadows is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has a good common education. To them were born twelve children, nine of whom are living: J. J., E. Carlie, Ida E., Parizaide, Thulah B., Minnie L., William D., Aubrey D. and Francis M. The three children deceased are Virginia A.; born in 1850 and died in 1856; Augustus F., born in 1859 and died in 1860; and Deborah, born in 1863 and died in 1863. During the war our subject was elected captain of the Home Guards, first by the Confederates and afterward by the Federals. He is a decided Democrat and is a self-made man in every respect.
L. D. Mercer, retired merchant, was born in Wayne County, Ky., November 23, 1810, the son of Richard and Mary (Mercer) Mercer, both of Scotch-Irish descent. The father, born in North Carolina about 1780, died in Wayne County, Ky., about 1855, and the mother, native of North Carolina, died about 1815 in Wayne County, Ky. They were married in Kentucky, and the father successfully passed his life as a farmer. He was a Democrat. Our subject was educated at Winchester Academy under Mr. Witten and his son and daughter. In 1827 he entered the firm of Bleck & Mercer, at Cedar Bluff, Ala., as a salesman, and after two years he spent one year in Kentucky. In 1881 he came to McMinnville, and with Alexander Blake established a store of general merchandise and for the next forty years in successful operation. Since 1879, when he closed out his business, as one of the most successful business men of the county, he has lived a retired life. June 2, 1840, he married Annie E. Hord, born in Hawkins County, Tenn., in 1821, and educated at McMinnville Female College. She died in 1851. Their only son, Foss H., born in 1847, is now a prominent member of the Pikeville (Tenn.) bar. Mr. Mercer is a decided Democrat, and a member of the Christian Church, to which his wife belongs.
W. H. Moore, M. D., a leading physician of Warren County, is a native of Cannon County, Tenn., a son of T. W. and Nancy (Ashly) Moore. The father was born in Indiana in 1823, of English-Irish descent. He is still living and resides at Beech Grove, Tenn. The mother was of English-French origin, born in Tennessee in 1828 and died in 1884. W. H. was reared on the farm and received a good academic education in youth and in 1875 began reading medicine with Dr. A. Norville, and in the fall of 1876 attended the medical department of the Vanderbilt University at Nashville, after which he began the practice of his profession at Hillsboro, Tenn., remaining there two years. He then moved to Viola where he has been very successful in his practice. March 10, 1881, Dr. Moore wedded V. J. Witherspoon, daughter of A. B. and Jane (Neely) Witherspoon, of Beech Grove. To this union three children have bees born: Ores, born May 10, 1882; Lillie, born May 11, 1884, and W. H. born April 1, 1886. Dr. Moore is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Old Presbyterian Church.
J. F. Morford, merchant, is a native of McMinnville, born August 9, 1829, a son of J. F. and Jane B. (Taylor) Morford. The father was born in 1799, in Princeton, N. J., where he received a collegiate education. In 1820 he immigrated to Tennessee, and settled in McMinnville, where he began the practice of law, and was soon appointed clerk and master of the chancery court and served in this capacity thirty-five years. His death occurred in 1869. The mother was a native of Warren County. J. F., the subject of this biography, was reared and educated in his native county, securing an academic education, after which he entered the clerk's office and acted as deputy twelve years. In 1859 Mr. Morford established a mercantile store, but at the beginning of the war suspended business until 1865, when he reopened his store and has been very successful in acquiring a competency. He is director and vice-president of the Peoples Bank and a worthy and influential citizen. In 1854 he wedded A. E. Lusk, a daughter of J. D. and Pauline Lusk of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Morford are the parents of three children: Josiah J., Florence M. (Mrs. D. B. Caraon) and C. M., of the firm of Morford & CO. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a Democrat, but prior to the war was an old time Whig.
Ed W. Munford. The Munford family came from England, were early settlers in Virginia, and trace their lineage back to Simon De Montfort of Henry III time, of whom Green in his history of the English people thus speaks: " His life was pure and singularly temperate; he was noted for his scant indulgence in meat, drink or sleep. Socially he was cheerful and pleasant in talk, but his natural temper quick and ardent, his sense of honor keen, his speech rapid and trenchant." He also records an anecdote which displays this high sense of honor and promptness to repel any assault upon it. Green says that having for four years been seneschal of Gascony (one of the kingly provinces on the continent) and in that service advanced a large sum of money on the king's promises to repay it; upon reminding the king of this promise " Henry hotly retorted that he was bound by no promise to a false traitor. Simon at once gave Henry the lie " etc. (Vol. I, paragraphs 221, 223. ) It is not known when or why the spelling of the name was changed into its present form of Munford, but the original " Montfort " is still adhered to by collateral branches whose blood relationship is known. Born near Danville, Ky., on the 16th of October, 1820, the subject of this sketch was the youngest child of William Munford, a "blue-grass farmer," and received at Centre College a classical education, but did not graduate. His father was the son of Thomas Bolling Munford, of Amelia County; Va.., who on account of his high personal character was elected to a position of public trust by his fellow citizens without his ever having been a candidate for office. That, however, was in the good old time when "office sought the man," an amiable state of public sentiment which has long since been swept out of existence with other political excellences which had they been pursued might have prevented demagogues from supplanting the statesmanship of the country. A near relative of Thomas Bolling was the State reporter, William Munford, a ripe classical scholar who has enriched our literature by a translation of Homer's "Iliad," which critics, both American and European, have pronounced to be the most accurate and faithful in the English language. George Wythe Munford, the librarian, and secretary of the commonwealth for so many years, and the late excellent William T. Munford were his sons. Thos. Bolling Munford invested in lands in Kentucky, for his sons, and four of them, James, Thomas, Richard and William, when quite young men settled upon their respective plantations in that State when it was still called the wilderness. William removed toward the latter end of the last century and the others not long after, Richard giving the name to Munfordville on Green River. William married Lettice, a daughter of Thomas Ball, a prominent citizen of the vicinity of Danville, and for his young wife's sake purchased a farm adjoining that of his father-in-law, and removed to it. Here his family of nine children were born and only after the mother's death was the farm sold. This was while Edward was a very little boy, so young that while he remembers his mother's habit of taking his brother Richard, his little sister and himself to secret prayer three times every day and other evidences of her deep piety, he has only a dim recollection of her features or appearance. Through her he is related to the Marshall and Breckinridge families of Kentucky. His father brought Edward with him in 1835 to Tennessee on a visit to his daughters, Mrs. Dr. McCorkle and Mrs. James C. Jones (afterward governor), and his two sons, Thomas and William, who lived at Lebanon and in the immediate vicinity. He died there in the following spring, leaving his young son to the guardianship of his brother William. At Lebanon he completed his interrupted studies under the late Rev. Thos. R. Anderson, who after its establishment became president of Cumberland College. Anderson was a famous educator, stern in appearance and bearing he was the terror of all bad boys, a number of whom were sent to him to be " broken in." To well inclined boys, however, no man could be more fatherly and kind. When the course of his studies ended and Edward was about leaving with his books Prof. Anderson called him back and said: "You are about to leave me; before you go I want to say something to you to be remembered. I am a judge of boys and you will make a man who will have a good deal to do with the world and the world with you. Now remember this in all your after life. 'If a man looks mean he is mean' and this he never forgot. At the age of sixteen years he began the study of his chosen profession, the law, under the late Judge Robert L. Caruthers, but after one year so spent removed with his guardian to Clarksville, Tenn., where for two years more he prosecuted it under the accomplished lawyer, George C. Boyd. The Late senator, James E. Bailey, and himself were the only students Boyd would at that time accept saying that "most of the young men choosing the profession have no appreciation of its important and dignified duties and adopted it merely in the hope of leading lives of genteel vagabondage without labor." He had the spirit of the true lawyer, and inspired his two chosen protégés with his own aversion to pettifoggery, trickery and chicanery. Taking license at twenty at Mr. Boyd's earnest solicitation, he soon became involved in active practice. This so interfered with his regular studies that he adopted the plan of admitting no one to his office at night so that while the world slept he could dedicate the undisturbed hours to the acquisition of knowledge. For a long time 4 o'clock in the morning was his hour for going to sleep, and most dearly has he paid the penalty of this violation of the laws of health. Let all young men and women too be taught physiology and anatomy, and the great fact impressed upon them that not only is sound health the greatest of earthly blessings to its possessor and nothing can compensate for its loss, but that permanent success is more surely won by living in all respects according to enlightened rules of hygiene. In this particular there is great room for reformation and improvement in the method and matter of instruction in our schools. The Romans regarded the perfection of education to be attained only in "Mens sana in corpore sano," a sound mind in a sound body, and our boasted civilization has not yet attained this height of practical wisdom in the training and enlightenment of youth. The world would be made much happier by it, and it is now an accredited fact that much of the so called vice of the land originates in bodily disease rather than original depravity of heart. In 1849 he married Amelia A., daughter of Paul J. Watkins, of Alabama, wound up his business at Clarksville in 1850, and opened a law office in Memphis early in 1851, where he at once found full employment. Although his health was delicate his professional employment was such that his labors were unremitting and in 1853 he was advised by his physicians that he had but two choices, viz.: "go off to the country where neither books nor courthouses are, take all the outdoor exercise you can, or stay here and die." He went upon a farm, did his own overseeing and in less than two years was restored to health. In the winter of 1854-55, being strongly urged to return to the city and this accompanied by the offer of a most advantageous partnership, his craving for mental occupation became irresistible and he resumed his practice there. In 1855 his young wife died leaving him a son and daughter, the latter following her mother in a few months. This was a blow almost too hard to be borne, for though books have always been a source of inestimable happiness to him yet his sweetest or his tenderest joys were found in the endearments of home. He now lived for his boy, and his profession, which he pursued till 1860, when having amassed a sufficient fortune, he retired from business that he might devote himself to the education of his son. It was his purpose to take him to Europe where he could learn the languages, more especially of France and Germany, from the lips and thus acquire their correct pronunciation whilst the vocal organs were yet flexible. The year 1860 was devoted to closing up, his affairs and the spring of 1861 fixed as the time of his departure. By that time, however, the political troubles of the country, he saw must result in a sectional war, and under an imperious sense of duty, he remained to share the fortunes of the South. Nothing but a sense of duty could have compelled this course, for in all the steps up to that time he had opposed secession. He honestly believed the questions at issue should be settled by statesmanship and not the sword, and until Mr. Lincoln issued his proclamation for 75,000 men to invade the Southern States, he clung to the hope that some masterly genius in state-craft might, even amidst the wild confusions of the hour, devise some plan by which war might be averted and the true interests of the country subserved. When that proclamation appeared he saw that "the time for debate was ended and the time for action had come" and at once devoted his energies and much of his means to assist the South in the coming struggle. When Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston assumed command of the Western Department he was announced in orders as a major on his staff and served by his side till his death on the field of Shiloh. Starting with the army of Bragg into Kentucky from Chattanooga in the fall of 1862 he was prostrated by disease and did not recover sufficiently to appear again in the field till the Dalton-Atlanta campaign under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. Lying sick in bed in southwestern Georgia a paper brought into his room announced the evacuation of Dalton without a battle. realizing that Gen. Johnston was short of men he started next day to rejoin the army and was so feeble that at about six miles on his journey, he was taken from his horse whilst in the act of falling off and laid in a roadside cabin for several days unable to rise. However he finally met the army below Resaca and served as well as his enfeebled condition permitted till after the battles of the 22d and 28th of July in defense of Atlanta when at the urgent solicitation of his superior officers he went to the city of Macon where all that kindest friends could do to alleviate his sufferings was done. His condition and positive refusal of an honorable discharge from service were represented to the president, who nominated him as one of the judges of Gen. Richard Taylor's Departmental Military Court with the rank of colonel of cavalry. The senate confirmed the appointment, and he served in that capacity till the surrender. On being asked one day long since about his services during the war he laughingly replied: "Well, sir, since it now is all over I look back with pleasure upon the fact that I never killed more of the Yankees than they did of me, and as judge, never had a man either shot or hanged." His services, however, were more highly appreciated by others than they seem to have been by himself. Returning to Memphis after the war with a feeble frame, he eschewed all business and devoted himself to the restoration of his health and the care of the orphaned children of his brother, William, and their own and his sons' education. In the fall of 1867 his health was so far restored as to justify his marriage, and in November of that year he espoused Mrs. Mary E. Gardner, widow of Lieut. William Ross Gardner of Augusta, Ga., formerly of the United States Navy. She is a lady of rare grace and culture, the model, as he says, for a gentleman's wife. Once more blessed with love and home his health grew gradually stronger, and in 1872 he was offered and accepted the presidency of A company composed for the most part of Northern men who purposed investing large sums of money in mineral interests in Tennessee. This led him to remove to McMinnville, where he has since resided. In that bracing and invigorating climate he has built up and now enjoys comparatively good health, but does not hesitate to say that to his gentle, affectionate and intelligent wife he is more indebted for this blessing than to all else besides. They are possessed of ample fortune for their wants, and in the midst of picturesque scenery, friends and books, the evening of their lives is being passed with more than the usual amount of human happiness. Col. Munford's conversation abounds in reminiscences of what he has read and whom he has known. He says that beyond doubt Albert Sidney Johnston, take him all in all, was the greatest man he ever knew, and he means true greatness, that rare and harmonious union of sound intellect, incorruptible integrity and large-hearted goodness, enlightened by culture and perfected by experience. He tells that since the war while he was a director in the Carolina Life Insurance Company, of which Hon. Jefferson Davis was president, one day in conversation he remarked that he believed Gen. Johnston was the ablest general the Confederacy had, when Mr. Davis with great animation, replied: "Ah, sir, he was the greatest man we had in or out of our army, the very greatest." Col. Munford retains as one of his most cherished memories that of the confidence and friendship with which Gen. Johnston honored him up to the hour of his lamentable death.
W. T. Murray, attorney at law, was born January 18, 1854, in Sparta, White Co., Tenn. He is the son of Thos. B. Murray, who was born in Jackson County, Tenn., and who was an able and successful attorney. The father died at McMinnville January 15, 1878. The mother, Mary Murray, daughter of William P. and Jane (McKinney) Goodbar, is a native of Tennessee. Our subject is of Irish ancestry. He was reared in McMinnville, and on account of delicate health was unable to attend school closely, so he received but a limited education. He read law in the office of his father, however, and began practice at McMinnville, in May, 1872, and has acquired the leading practice of this bar. November 3, 1883, he married Fannie L. Snodgrass of Sparta, Tenn. the daughter of Jos. and Lue Snodgrass. Our subject is a self-made man, and is now worth about $15,000. He is a member of the Methodist Church, of the F. & A. M.., K. of H., and K. & L. of H. orders. Politically he is a Democrat.
Hamilton Neal, farmer of Warren County, and now a resident of the Fourth Civil District, is the son of William and Hannah Neal. The father was a native Virginian, born November 10, 1777, and of English extraction. His parents immigrated to Tennessee when William was quite young, and here he married Hannah Jones, a native of Virginia born September 17, 1773. They came to White County, Tenn., in 1806, and were among the first settlers of the county. They were both members of the Baptist Church, and died in 1865 and 1860 respectively. Our subject was born in the Fourth Civil District of Warren County, Tenn., September 20, 1812, and was the eighth of ten children. He married Sallie Forrest, a native of Warren County, born April, 1806. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and died April, 1853. Their family consisted of the following children: Elizabeth, Hannah, Martha, Katherine, O. D. and John M. Those deceased are Mary Martha, and 0. D.; the last named was born September 2, 1842, and in the spring of 1861 enlisted in the Confederate service, Sixteenth Tennessee Infantry, under Col. Savage. He died at Huntersville Hospital, September 3, 1861. December 11, 1854, our subject married Nancy Ann Burnett, a native of McMinn County, Tenn., born September, 1827, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This marriage resulted in the birth of these children: Jennie, Nancy Ann, Hamilton, Lula, Jesse E., P. L., Joseph B. and Robert L. Our subject is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a good citizen and a Democrat in politics.
A. Northcutt, planter of Warren County, was born in this county, April 9, 1837, the fourth child of James and Susan (Hammons) Northcutt, both natives of Tennessee. The father was born about 1810, was a successful farmer, owning before the war fourteen slaves. He began life poor, paying for his first horse, by picking cotton in Mississippi. At the time of his death his property was valued at $16,000, although he had lost considerable by trusting his friends, and on this account at one time was in debt $4,000. Very little was known of his parents, but they are supposed to have come from England. He died in 1866. The mother's death occurred in 1868. Our subject was reared on a farm and at the age of twenty-one years began farming on his own resources and is now an extensive stock raiser. In January, 1867, Mr. Northcutt wedded E. W. King, a daughter of Wilson and Elizabeth (Cellers) King, of Warren County, and to them have been born two children: Sanford, born March 16, 1868, and Susan A., whose birth occurred June 28, 1878. Father, mother and children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Northcutt served three years as school director and is much interested in educational institutions. His son is attending the Southern Normal at Bowling Green, Ky., and his daughter, the Viola Normal College. He is a stanch Democrat in politics.
Daniel Osborn, a prosperous planter of this county and a resident of McMinnville, was born October 6, 1822, in Wayne County, Ind. His father, Daniel Osborn, Sr., was born about the year 1792, at Long Island, N. Y., engaged during life at the different occupations of teaching, merchandising and farming, was a Universalist in religion and died in 1849, in Sioux County, Wis. Mary Washington, his wife and the mother of our subject. was a native of England, came to the United States with her parents when fourteen years old, and at an early day settled in Indiana, where she became Mrs. Osborn about the year 1820. She was a Baptist and died in Iowa, in 1876. Our subject is the eldest of twelve children. He obtained a fair education in youth, worked at the mechanic's trade for a time, but in 1852 began merchandising in Richland County, Wis., where he remained eight years. He then moved to Grant County, where he sold goods about four years, then went to Dexter, Iowa, and still later to Des Moines. He remained in the latter city five years as merchant, and in 1876 moved to McMinnville, Tenn., which has since been his home, and near which he owns a farm of 176 acres. He also owns two farms of 250 acres near McMinnville, and two fine residences in town. A large portion of his fund are in bonds. He wedded Miss Mary, daughter of Abraham Heed, March 31, 1858, and by her is the father of four children, only one, Daniel, now living. The mother was born in Belmont County, Ohio, December 28, 1836, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Osborn is a Universalist in belief.
P. G. Potter, farmer and merchant of Warren County, and now a resident of the Thirteenth Civil District, is the son of Watson and Harriett (Magness) Potter, both natives of DeKalb County, Tenn. The father was born In 1817, of English lineage, and is now a resident of DeKalb County. He has followed the occupation of a farmer and mechanic all his life. He is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church And a Democrat in politics. His wife was born in 1819 and died July 6, 1866. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church also. Our subject was born near Smithville, DeKalb County, September 27, 1842, and was the sixth of fourteen children. He lived with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he moved to Warren County, where he remained two years engaged in farming. He then moved to the mouth of Mountain Creek, at Jessie, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits for six years, when he moved to his present location and followed the same business. He is a man of great energy and enterprise. Although he started with a very light capital, and was burned out once, he now carries a stock of $3,500 and owns 260 acres of land worth $7,000, with a good portion under cultivation. In the fall of 1863 he enlisted in the Twenty-Third Tennessee Regiment (Confederate Army), and was in service about one year when he came home on account of ill health. He was in the battle of Murfreesboro and numerous skirmishes. May 9, 1865, he married Miss Melvinia Webb, a native of Warren County, Tenn., born June 15, 1843, and the daughter of James and Mary Webb. To our subject and wife were born six children; only two are now living: Osee and Clyde. Those deceased are Ella, born in 1868 and died in 1883; Minnie, born in 1871 and died in 1884; James, born in 1873 and died in 1876, and Arthur, born in 1876 and died in 1878. Mr. Potter is a member of the Christian Church and a Democrat in politics. In 1878 he was appointed postmaster at Dibrell, which position he has held ever since; has done as much as any man of his means to build up schools and churches, and to advance the general interests of those he is intimately associated with; is a man of good moral habits and is an active worker in the church to which he belongs.
J. R. Ramsey, of Gwyn & Ramsey, merchants, was born in Warren County May 3, 1862, the son of William and Mary (Taylor) Ramsey, both of Irish origin. The father, born March 9, 1832, in Warren County, was a very extensive stock raiser. The mother was born February 22, 1841, and both were members of the Christian Church. Reared on the farm, our subject in February, 1885, engaged in merchandising at Viola, Tenn., a member of the firm Bonner & Ramsey, the former of whom sold his interest to a C. R. Gwyn in March, 1886, when the present firm was formed. February 10, 1886, our subject married Mattie S., daughter of Col. Porter and C. S. Floyd, and of Irish extraction. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and among our best citizens.
R. H. Reams, editor of the Southern Standard, was born at Spring Hill, Maury County, June 20, 1857, a son of Joshua M. and Hattie (Haley) Reams. When eleven years old Mr. Reams went to Tuscumbia, Ala., and served three years' apprenticeship in the printing office of the North Alabamian. In the summer of 1876 he came to McMinnville, Tenn., and worked for six years in the New Era office, and was joint publisher of that paper with Mr. D. F. Wallace during the year 1880. In the fall of 1882 he, in partnership with Dr. J. B. Ritchey and H. P Newton, purchased the Southern Standard, and under the style of the Standard Publishing Company they published this paper until the spring of 1884, when Mr. Reams purchased his partners' interests and has since been sole editor and proprietor of this journal. The Southern Standard is purely Democratic. It is one of the leading papers in this section of the country and has a large circulation. Mr. Reams is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Cyrus Richmond, a prominent citizen of McMinnville, was born at Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 29, 1815. He is the third of five children born to Job and Ruth (Barrett) Richmond, both of English descent. Cyrus secured a good academic education in his youth, and early in life began the cultivation of the soil. He was engaged in farming until he immigrated to Tennessee, and for the past ten years has led a retired life. He spent the first thirty years of his life in his native county, and the next ten years in Niagara County. In 1860 Mr. Richmond went to Wisconsin, and settled in Sheboygan County, where he lived sixteen years. In 1876 he immigrated to Tennessee, and settled in McMinnville, where he now lives. He has been an enterprising and energetic man all his life, and has been very successful in accumulating this world's goods. In 1842 Mr. Richmond wedded Miss Caroline Willey, a lady of excellent worth, and a native of Berkshire County, Mass., born in 1822. Mr. Richmond is not a church member, but is a firm believer in the Bible and the Christian religion; Mrs. Richmond is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
George M. Smartt, an enterprising farmer of Warren County, is a native of the county where he now lives. He was born February 24, 1814, the fourth son of William C. and Peggie (Colville) Smartt. The father was a native of Virginia, born November 13, 1785, and of English descent. He immigrated to North Carolina in 1804, and September 13, of the same year, married his wife, who was a daughter of Joseph and Martha Colville. The father of our subject was a farmer and extensive stock raiser of Warren County, Tenn., to which State he moved in 1806. He was prominently connected with all enterprises that had a tendency to build up his county, and was a liberal supporter of religious institutions. He was the first Sheriff of Warren County, and was several times solicited to represent his county at the State Legislature, but always declined, and was in the convention of 1834 that framed the first constitution of the State. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his death occurred June 18, 1863. The mother was of Irish ancestry, and died February 22, 1827; they were both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. George M. was married December 22, 1840, to Ann Waterhouse, a daughter of R. G. and Elizabeth (Hackett) Waterhouse, of Rhea County. Mr. and Mrs. Smartt were the parents of nine children - three sons and six daughters all living. The wife died December 2, 1870; she was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church September 3, 1872, Mr. Smartt married Cornelia, a daughter of O. W. and Ann (Zachery) Smartt, of Alabama, and to them have been born three children, two sons and one daughter.
W. H. Smartt, a well-to-do farmer of Warren County, was born this county February 14, 1832, and was a son of William C. and Elizabeth (Hackett) Smartt. (For a brief sketch of the father, see biography of George M. Smartt of this county.) The mother was of Irish descent, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and died in June, 1864. W. H. was reared on the farm, and in 1865 purchased the home place and engaged in farming, and has made this occupation a success. In connection with farming he turns his attention to stock raising. September 15, 1809, Mr. Smartt wedded Mary J., daughter of David M. and A. E. (Martin) Bell, of Hamilton County. Mr. and Mrs. Smartt are the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters, one son deceased. Mr. Smartt is a stanch Democrat in politics, and he and wife and four children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Rev. George T. Stainback, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of McMinnville, is a native of the Old Dominion, his birth occurring April 4, 1829, in Brunswick County, where he remained until about the age of six years. His parents, George W. and Lucretia T. (Eppes) Stainback, were both born in Virginia in 1795, the former in Brunswick County and the latter in Sussex County; they were of German and English descent respectively. Marrying in 1818, they immigrated to Limestone County, Ala., in 1835, thence to Memphis, Tenn., in 1842, where Mr. Stainback died two years later. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, was an honest, upright man and with the exception of being in the livery business at Memphis, he followed farming through life. His widow died at Columbus, Miss., in 1874. The subject of this biography, George T., is the fifth of eleven children, and the only one now living. After attending lesser educational Institutions he entered the University of Mississippi, which, after four year' attendance, graduated him with the degree of A. B. in July, 1854; two years later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him, and in 1867 he was further honored with the degree of D. D. In 1855 and 1856 he acted as assistant professor of Latin and Greek in his alma mater. He continued in charge of his pastorate at Columbus, Miss., thirteen consecutive years, and in 1872 removed to Huntsville, Ala, where he followed his calling two years. In 1874 he accepted a call from the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Memphis, remaining there four years, but in 1879 returned to his old charge at Columbus. Four years later he came to McMinnville, where he has since attracted much attention by his ability, eloquence and piety. Dr. Stainback not only preaches true Christianity but practices it as well, and is today recognized as one of the leading divines of the South. Miss Clara B. Grady, a native of Gibson County, Tenn., became his wife October 19, 1854, and died December 5, 1864. He wedded Miss Mary Gibson of Columbus, Miss., January 4, 1871. To his first marriage four children were born, and to his present one three children.
Jacob Stipe, a prominent minister and farmer of Warren County, a resident of the Fourth Civil District, is a native of Tennessee. He was born March 20, 1834, and is the son of John and Glaphrey (Bowmen) Stipe. John Stipe was born in Tennessee April 19, 1811, was of German descent, and was by occupation a farmer. Politically he was a Democrat. He was married, in 1830, to Miss Glaphrey Bowmen, a native of Sparta, White County, who was born in 1811. They were both members of the Baptist Church. He was killed by guerrillas in Arkansas in 1863. She died in 1869. Our subject was the third of eleven children. He married Miss Angeline Hawkins, a native of Illinois, whose parents moved to Pikeville, Bledsoe County, when she was quite young. In youth she secured a good education. By her marriage with Mr. Stipe she has had eight children, all of whom are living and are members of the Baptist Church. Their names are Lucy E., Glaphrey O., Mary F., James P., Sarah M., George S., Dameris N. and John M. When the subject of this sketch left his father he began to farm in Bledsoe County, and remained there until the fall of 1870, when he removed to his present location. In 1860 he began life as a minister of the gospel. In 1875 he engaged in merchandising at his home, which he continues to the present time. His lot has been one of hardship and toil, but he has made life a success, as he now owns 600 acres of land on Rocky River, and 5,000 acres in the mountains. Politically he is a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and he is a Mason in good standing. In his youth he secured limited education, but since then he has been a great student, and is on the whole a self-made man. Knowing the value of education he has always sustained the cause to the extent of his ability.
A. M. St. John, a leading merchant and senior member of the firm of St. John & Stubblefield, was born September 22, 1861, in Warren County, a son of John and Fatina (Sewell) St. John. The father was born in Tennessee September 21, 1829, and his ancestors are supposed to have come from England. A. M. was reared in Warren County, and received only a limited education in the country schools of his neighborhood. At the age of twenty-one years he began clerking in the mercantile business, which he continued until 1885, when he began business on his own resources. October 6, 1886, Mr. St. John wedded M. B., daughter of J. T. and Sarah Merritt. Mr. St. John is a man of high standing as a citizen of Viola, and is strongly in favor of all educational improvements, and is a liberal contributor to all such institutions. His views politically are Democratic, and he is an influential and worthy member of the Christian Church.
Oliver Towles, farmer and merchant, is a son of John W. and Lucinda (Wilson) Towles. The father was born in Culpepper County, Va., March 30, 1819, and is now a resident of Warren County, Tenn. His parents came to Tennessee when John W. was quite young and settled in McMinnville, which was a very small place at that time. John W. has followed the occupation of a farmer, though at one time he was engaged in the mercantile and milling business. He has been a very successful man although he met with reverses during the late war. He is a member of the Christian Church, and a Democrat in politics. His wife was born in Warren County, Tenn., and although not a member of any church believes in the teachings of the Bible. Our subject was born near McMinnville, Warren Co., Tenn., March 14, 1856, and is the third of four children. In 1877 he and his brother formed a partnership and engaged in merchandising at Jessie, Warren Co., Tenn.; at the end of two years our subject sold his interest and moved to Daylight in the same county, where he formed a partnership with W. A. Robinson, and continued in business for one year. He then purchased the whole stock and continued by himself for two years, when his father purchased a half interest. At the end of one year he purchased his father's interest and came to his present location at Gath. In connection with his store he is also engaged in farming, and owns 153 acres in the Thirteenth District of Warren County, Tenn. March 11, 1880, he married Miss Isabel Wheeler, a native of Warren County, born about 1861 and died in 1881, leaving no issue. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. December 24, 1885, he married Miss S. L. Womack, a native of Warren County, born September 15, 1866, and to them was born one son, John W. Towles, Jr. Mr. Towles is a member of the order of I. O. O. F. and is a young, wide-awake business man.
James Webb, farmer and stock raiser, is the son of James and Mary (Webb) Webb, and was born in the Fifteenth Civil District of Warren County, Tenn., December 25, 1818. The father was born in North Carolina about 1790, and was of English descent. He came to this county about 1813, and was one of the first settlers. He was a farmer, a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. He died in April, 1877. The mother was a native of North Carolina born about 1796, and also of English descent. She died about 1867. Our subject lived with his parents until the time of his marriage, which occurred August 25, 1842. Miss Mary Byars, a native of Warren County, Tenn., born in March, 1828, became his wife. She is the daughter of H. and J. Byars and by her marriage became the mother of sixteen children, eleven of whom are living: Malvina, Jane, Ascenith, A. J., H. B., Isham, G. H., James, Robert L., Mary E. Dovey and Joseph L. Those deceased are Thomas, Didama and three children that died in infancy. After marriage our subject began farming and now, by his good and judicious management, owns 1,200 acres of land. He has been elected constable of his district, also tax collector and justice of the peace at different times. At present he is tax assessor. He is a decided Democrat in politics and an excellent citizen.
B. C. Wilkinson, farmer, miller and merchant, was born in DeKalb County, Tenn., December 11, 1836, and is the son of George W. and Mary Wilkinson. The father was born in South Carolina about 1815, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a farmer, a Democrat in politics, and died in Smith County, Tenn., about 1847. The mother was born in South Carolina about 1817, is still living and is a resident of southwestern Missouri, and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Our subject is the eldest of five children. He remained at home until after his father's death when he came to Warren County and lived with an uncle - C. A. Cantrell. He remained with his uncle until nineteen years of age when he returned to De DeKalb County and attended school for one year. He married Miss Elizabeth Potter, March 24, 1859. She was born May 13, 1844, and is the daughter of Thomas and F. Potter, of French descent. Nine children were the result of this union, seven of whom are living: Thomas B., William D., John F., George L., A. L., Cleveland L., and Bell; those deceased are Mary, born in June, 1863, and died when an infant, and Fatima, born in January, 1881, and died when an infant. After marriage our subject began cultivating the soil and this he has continued up to the present time. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the Sixteenth Tennessee Regiment (Confederate Army) commanded by John H. Savage, and in Company A, commanded by L. H. Savage, and was in the battle of Perryville and many skirmishes. At the battle of Perryville he received a wound. At Ringgold, Ga., in 1863, he was taken prisoner and remained in prison at Rock Island, Ill., until the close of the war. After his return from the war he again engaged in farming. In 1873, in connection with his farming interest, Mr. Wilkinson engaged in merchandising at Bare Branch. In 1881 he closed out his business at the latter place and came to his present location where he followed his former occupation, but also engaged in the milling business. He has 250 acres of land well cultivated and is succeeding quite well in life. He is a Master Mason, a member of the Christian Church, and a decided Democrat in politics.
E. H. Williams, a prominent farmer of Warren County, was born in Onslow County, N. C., February 28, 1836, the third of a family of seven, born to N. W. and E. N. (Cox) Williams. The parents were married in 1830 in North Carolina, and in 1837 came to Tennessee, where the father engaged in farming until 1851, when he established a mercantile store at Tullahoma. Soon after his location in that town he was appointed postmaster and held that position until his death in 1853. He was of English descent, his wife of Irish. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and at an early age chose as his occupation, the carpenter trade. He worked at this trade until 1853 when he turned his attention to farming and has farmed very successfully until the present time. He has in connection with farming traded in stock very extensively and in 1883 and 1884 sold goods in Viola. April 29, 1861, Mr. Williams' marriage with Fannie Cunningham was solemnized, and to this union one child was born, W. E., born July 14, 1865. Mrs. Williams died in 1867. January 15, 1874, Mr. Williams married Janie Albritton, of Snowhill, Ala. This union resulted in the birth of two children: Charley, born February 14, 1876, and Frank, born March 29, 1878. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and died March 18, 1880. Mr. Williams married Nannie M. Finch, of Warren County, January 8, 1883, and to them one child has been born, Alice, born September 8, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is a Democrat in politics. In 1876 Mr. Williams was elected justice of the peace and has held that office to the present time.
P. H. Winton, farmer, was born in Coffee County, Tenn., August 13, 1841, the sixth son of Stephen and Susan (Sayne) Winton, who were both natives of Tennessee. The father was of Scotch descent, born in 1791, was a life-long farmer, and a member of the Christian Church. He died March 1, 1878. The mother was born in 1801 or 1802, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Her death occurred January 11, 1864. P. H. was reared on the farm and received but a limited education. In 1858 he was engaged by G. Braly as salesman at a small salary and remained with him eighteen months, when he began as salesman for Dr. Davis and after one year with this employer he engaged in various occupations until April 27, 1861, when he enlisted in P. Turney's regiment, First Tennessee. In June, 1862, he was discharged on account of ill health, and in 1864 he began farming, which he continued until 1867, when he established a mercantile store in Viola, and one year later returned to the farm. For one year he farmed in connection with his father-in-law and then began farming on his own resources. In 1882 he raised 1,600 bushels of wheat on 100 acres of land, and has made farming a success. September 10, 1873, Mr. Winton wedded Lillian Ramsey, a daughter of S. M. and O. (Smart) Ramsey, and to them have been born three children: McRamsey, born July 8, 1874; Harris S. (deceased), born January 12, 1876, and Emma O., born September 26, 1877. Mrs. Winton died September 17, 1881, a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Winton is a member of the same church, and a Democrat in politics.
Col. Edmund J. Wood, a well know and enterprising planter of Warren County, is a native of Tennessee, born May 15, 1828, in what is now Cannon County, but at that time was a part of Warren County. He is a son of John H. and Roxanna P. (Sutton) Wood. The father was of English descent, born in North Carolina in 1803, and while a child came with his parents to Tennessee. He was a farmer and merchant by occupation, a Democrat in politics, and died in Cannon County in 1879. The mother was of Scotch-English ancestry, born In Kentucky in the year 1806. Edmond J. secured a good education in youth and was principally educated at Irvin College, Warren County. After completing his education he was for three years engaged in the mercantile business at Woodbury, Cannon County. In 1853 he was sent to the State Legislature and represented Cannon County for two consecutive terms. In 1859 he was elected to the State Senate, representing the counties of Cannon, Warren, Grundy, Coffee and Van Buren one regular term and two extra sessions. In 1861 Mr. Wood moved to Warren County, and in September, the same year, enlisted in Company F, Fifth Confederate Regiment, with B. J. Hill as colonel. He was elected captain of the company, and at Corinth, Miss., was made lieutenant colonel, but on account of ill health, caused by rheumatism contracted during the services, was not able long for active service. He spent his time as his health would permit with the army, but in 1864 returned home, and after the close of the war settled on his plantation, and has since been a successful planter. In the bloody and hotly contested battle of Shiloh he took an active and conspicuous part, and in the report of his commanding officer, was complimented for his gallant conduct upon the field, and referred to as the "bravest of the brave." In 1886 Col. Wood was defeated for the State Legislature by, Col. John H. Savage, though he controlled a large vote of the citizens of Warren County. In March, 1887, he was appointed by President Grover Cleveland, postmaster at McMinnville, Tenn., which position he is now filling to the satisfaction of the public and the department. In 1854 he married Miss Lizzie Thompson, a most excellent lady, a native of Rutherford County. To this union have been born three children. Col. Wood has done much in supporting the interest of the Democratic party in this part of the State, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
William T. York, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Warren County, residing in the Fifth Civil District, was born in the county July 9, 1849. He is the son of George W. and Martha (Lurk) York. George W. Lurk was born in North Carolina September 20, 1810, and died in July, 1876. He was of English descent and came to Tennessee when quite young with his parents, who settled on Rocky River. He was a successful farmer, was well educated, was a member of the Christian Church and of the Democratic party. Mrs. York was born in Warren County, Tenn., December 19, 1810, and died October 25, 1851. She was a well educated member of the Christian Church. William T. York
Paulette Carpenter, Project Coordinator
Jerry L. Butler, Project Coordinator
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