HAYWOOD COUNTY TN - GOODSPEED - The Biographies of Haywood County TN D - H ********************************************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Jane N. Powell ********************************************************************************************************** Biographies of Haywood County TN D - H (Not responsible for typos and errors. Please check the original Goodspeed before adding to your genealogical record as absolute proof --- and then remember that the family only told what that wanted the public to know.) John H. DANCY residing in the Second District of Haywood County, was born in October, 1831, in Williamson County, and is the son of Isaac Dancy, who was born August 7, 1783, in Virginia, but moved at an early date to Tennessee, locating at Spring Hill, and was captain of a militia company of Williamson and Maury Counties. He moved to Haywood County in 1831, and located on the farm where our subject now lives, and established a postoffice called Dancy, that was moved in 1841 to Dancyville, still retaining the name. The first Methodist Church in this part of Tennessee, was built about 200 yards from his dwelling, and was used as a schoolhouse. John Dancy's mother's maiden named was Mary LAMB; she was born in Virginia, July 19, 1793, and died September 6, 1859. Our subject remained on the farm until his father's death, in August, 1863. February 27, 1856, he married Louisa KERR, daughter of Francis B. and Ann R. Kerr; the father was born February 27, 1801, in South Carolina, and died in Fayette County in 1885; her mother was born in Sumner County, and died August 30, 1873. Mrs. Dancy was born November 5, 1834, and they have ten children: John William, Mary F. (Wife of V. M. PATTON), Ella (wife of Absalom RUDD), Albert S., Alexander, Isaac Bradley, Lula, Lillie B., Emma R. and James H. Mr. Dancy is worth about $7,000 which he as accumulated since the war. With his wife he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South; his educational advantages were limited when he was young, but he has always manifested a warm interest in the schools of the county. He is now a Democrat, but before the was an old-line Whig. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesse T. Davis, an enterprising young farmer and citizen of Haywood County, was born in the county September 8, 1862, and is the son of John C. and Matilda L. (CORE) Davis. His father was twice married. In 1853 he married Miss Martha CORE, who died two years after she was married, and in 1855 Mr. Davis married Miss Matilda CORE, a sister of his first wife. She was born in Haywood County in about 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were both devout members of the Methodist Church, he being a steward in the same, and Mrs. Davis taking an active interest in the Sunday-school. Jesse T. Davis had fine opportunities for acquiring a good education. He was principally educated at the Vanderbilt University at Nashville. In 1881 he attended on session at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, of Louisville, Ky., but decided to make farming his work, so when twenty-one years of age he settled on the old homestead, and has since given his time to the farm. October 26, 1882, he married Miss Minnie S. SANGSTON, born in Haywood County, November 5, 1864, and they have a son and a daughter from this marriage. Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Church, and is a justly popular young man. His father was a native of South Carolina, born in 1830. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. E. DOUGLAS, a resident and farmer of the Second District, was born in 1829 in Wilson County, and is the son of Hon. Burchett Douglass, who was born October 6, 1793, and died July 31, 1849. He was one of the prominent politicians of his day; was a member of the Whig party, which he represented a number of times in the State Legislature, and was at one time speaker of the House. He was a very popular man, and during twenty years of public life never was defeated, and for many years he was president of the m\bank of Somerville, Fayette County. Our subject's mother was Martha McGEE, born in Wilson County; she was the daughter of Rev. John McGee. As his father was engaged so much in politics, J. E. Douglass remained on the farm until twenty-four years of age; he then went to Mississippi and farmed two years, when he returned and remained with his father until he died, when he bought a steam, grist and saw-mill near Memphis, which he ran until 1859, then came to his present farm, thirteen miles southwest of Brownsville, and three miles west of Dancyville, and engaged in the mill business, which he still continues. Mr. Douglass was first married, in 1859, to Sarah F. PEWETT. The three children born to this marriage are dead. March 8, 1868, he married Mrs. Martha Phillips, a widow with one son -- David C. Phillips. By this marriage were two children: Lena Lee, born in 1871, and Willis B., born in 1873. Dr. Douglass is a man trusted and esteemed by all, and is one of the most substantial citizens and business men of his county. In politics he is a Democrat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capt. Alexander DUCKWORTH, clerk and master of the chancery court of Brownsville, Tenn., and native of Haywood County, was born March 16, 1832, son of William W. and Mary M. (ALEXANDER) Duckworth, natives respectively of South and North Carolina. Robert W. Duckworth, the Captain's grandfather, came with his family to Tennessee from North Carolina early in the twenties, and settled near Knoxville. He settled in Madison County, and in, or before, 1830, located in Haywood County, where he died. Here William W. was married and settled. He raised a family of nine children -- three sons and one daughter now living: William L., Thomas N., Martha A. (widow of C. F. SMITH), and Alexander who is the eldest. The father died April 8, 1859, followed by the mother's death the following day. Capt. Duckworth's boyhood days were spent in his native county, where he secured a good academical education chiefly by his own exertions. He prepared himself for teaching, and followed that profession until 1859, then began managing his father's farm. Here he resided until 1862, then joined the Confederate Army, serving as lieutenant and afterward as captain of Company L., Seventh Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, and was seriously wounded in the right arm in a cavalry skirmish at Collierville, Tenn., and has never fully recovered. Capt. Duckworth server with distinction until the close of the war, then returned home and resumed farming and teaching, and resumed the study of law which he had begun in 1858. In 1867 he came to Brownsville and engaged in the study, and later the practice of law. November 14, 1870, he was appointed clerk and master of the chancery court, of Haywood County by Chancellor James Fentress and held the position continuously under the various chancellors to the present time. He has always been an unswerving Democrat in politics and has taken an active part in the local campaigns of the county. He is a Royal Arch Mason and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1846. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William W. DUPREE, farmer, citizen and native of Haywood County, was born August 15, 1839, and is the son of Donaldson R. and Mary E. (CLEMENTS) Dupree. The father was a native of Alabama, born near Huntsville in 1813, and came to Haywood County in about 1831; he first owned a mill, but afterward farmed very successfully, and died in November 1871. The mother was a Virginian and came with her parents to this county about 1819, and died in 1843. Mr. Dupree, Sr., was married twice; he had three children by his first marriage, and five by his second, his first wife being the mother of William W. Our subject, by his own efforts, secured at his father's fireside a good education, and all of his life has been a reading man; he owns and lives at the old homestead, and has been more than usually successful at farming. In his political views he is a sound Democrat. When fourteen years old he joined the Methodist Church, and has since been a very useful member; he prays in public and fills the office of steward in the church. January 12, 1861, he married Miss Sarah F. NOLAN, who was born in Haywood County, October 8, 1844; six sons and three daughters have blessed this marriage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Carey ESTES, attorney at law of Brownsville, Tenn., and a native of Haywood County, was born Jun 17, 1849, son of Moreau P. and Mary Quarles NOEL Estes, who were both native Virginians. (See sketch of Joel Estes, grandfather of subject.) Subject was educated in the University of Virginia, in which institution he read law and graduated from the legal department in 1871. He was admitted to the Brownsville bar in the fall of the same year and has been employed in the practice of his profession continuously ever since, having met with good and well deserved success. November 6, 1872, he married Miss Nora P. MANN, of this county and four living children resulted from this union, viz.: Fredonia, Carey, Jefferson M. and Nora P. Mr. Estes is a Democrat in politics, and has taken an active part in the political affairs of the county; was city attorney of Brownsville a number of years. In 1863 he enlisted as a private in Company D, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, and served as such in the Confederate Army until close of the war. Himself and wife are member of the Baptist Church, in which he is a deacon. Mr. Estes is recognized as one among the public spirited and reliable citizens of the county, and a legal practitioner of ability and experience. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rev. James H. Gillespie, a devout minister, and a prominent citizen of Brownsville, Tenn., was born in Blount County, Tenn., August 10. 1804. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth (HOUSTON) Gillespie, and were natives of Virginia. Rev. James Gillespie in early life was engaged with his father in the manufacturing business. In 1825 he graduated at the East Tennessee College, located at Knoxville, Tenn., at that time. He then went to Alabama and engaged in the mercantile business, but in 1827 he entered the theological college at Princeton, J. J., and prepared himself of the university, graduating from there in 1830, and the same year was licensed to preach. In 1831 he was ordained pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Somerville, Ala. He remained there until 1838, when he moved to Franklin County, Ala., where he took charge of the school and filled the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church until 1842. In 1843 he moved to Denmark , Tenn., and was pastor in the Presbyterian Church until 1868, when he was called to fill the pulpit of Presbyterian Church at Brownsville, remaining in charge until 1872. Since then Mr. Gillespie has been engaged in evangelical work in various churches. He has been an earnest worker in the church, and is perhaps the oldest minister in West Tennessee. October, 1830, Mr. Gillespie married Abigail C. Ellis, daughter of Col. Samuel and Pricilla ELLIS, of New Jersey. They had three sons and two daughters: Mary, William F. (A minister in Texas), James E., Robert A. (deceased; he was also a minister) and Martha L. Mr. Gillespie is a member of the F. & A. M. and of the I. O. O. F. In politics was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat. He has lived a long and useful, and is a consecrated man. Maj. A. J. Halliburton, a farmer and valuable citizen of the Tenth District, was born in Humphreys County, in 1814, being one of two children born to Charles A. and Jerusha Halliburton. His grandfather was born in North Carolina in l747, and lived to be seventy-three years old; he was a major in the war of 1812. The father was born in North Carolina, July, 1793; his parents came to Nashville in 1796, then moved to Dickson County, then to Humphreys; he was also in the war of 1812 and died shortly after the battle of New Orleans, March 6, 1815. A. J. Halliburton's mother was born in Wake County, North Carolina, in 1795, and died October 16, 1882. In IM Maj. Halliburton married Nancy J., daughter of F. C. and Laura (Duke) Wells. She was born in Kentucky in 1827. They have lived on their present farm since 1848, Maj. Halliburton owning 740 acres of well improved land. In early manhood he taught school for ten years; he is a man of fine business capacity and has met with marked success, and is regarded as a valuable citizen of the county. He held the office of constable until he resigned, and belongs to the Masons and the I. 0. 0. F., and with his wife belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church. He has been a member of the church at Woodville for forty-nine years. Robert W. Haralson, a citizen and energetic farmer of Haywood County, was born in the county August 20, 1845, and is the son of William H. and Isabella (McCulloch) Haralson. The father was a native of North Carolina, born in 1804 and died January 11, 1856. In early life be was engaged in the mercantile business at Ashport and Randolph, Tenn., and several years afterward engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi River, first in the capacity of clerk, then as captain. In 1847 he settled in Haywood County and spent the remainder of his life farming. The mother of our subject was born in Ireland, July 29, 1813, and came with her parents to this country when small; she died May 4, 1885. Robert W. Haralson had good educational advantages, and has since boyhood given his attention to farming; in addition to this he runs a grist and saw-mill and is a man of untiring industry, making a success of both his farm and mill. December 15, 1869, he was married to Sarah J. Barcroft, a native of Haywood County; they had nine children - six sons and three daughters - three of them are dead. He is a Democrat and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Church; he has served as steward for several years. Mrs. Haralson is a woman of fine intelligence, and exerts a good Influence in the community in which she lives. Dr. M. P. Harvey, a physician, residing in the Eighth District, was born in Westmoreland County, Va., July 17, 1830, and was one of four children born to J. P. and Pannie (Dishman) Harvey. Dr. Harvey's father was born in same county October 4, 1804; was a farmer and prominent man; he was State Senator in Virginia for many years. and died March 29, 1862. His mother was a Virginian, born February, 1808, and died in 1841. Dr. Harvey was educated at Richmond, Va., graduating in 1849, and soon after commenced the study of medicine under Dr. W. P. McKenney, at Montrose, Va., and a year and a half later entered the medical college at Richmond, and graduated in 1856 then located at Oak Grove, Va. April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Virginia Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Manassas, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Wilderness and Appomattox, and had seven days of fighting around Richmond, Gettysburg and Petersburg, and surrendered at Appomattox. In 1866 Dr. Harvey moved to Haywood County, where he has had a large practice. He is a Democrat; cast his first presidential vote for Pierce; is a Mason and a member of the Methodist Church and the Haywood County Medical Association. Dr. Harvey is finely educated and is popular both as a man and a physician. John Haywood, M. D., a retired physician of Haywood County, was born in Madison County, Ala., April 7, 1820, and was the son of Thomas J. and Susan C. (Glasgow) Haywood. His father was born in Orange County, N. C., in 1797, and in early life came with his parents to Davidson County, Tenn., and in a few years moved to Madison County, Ala., but in four years returned to Davidson County, where he died in December, 1868. The mother was a native of East Tennessee, born in 1799 and died in 1884. She was a woman of fine intelligence, and had received good advantages. Our subject came of an illustrious family; his father and grandfather were both lawyers of great fame; his father assisted Hon. Robert L. Cobb in the first revision of the statutes of Tennessee, and his grandfather, Judge John Haywood, was at one time one of the judges of the supreme court of Tennessee. Our subject is the second of eleven children. After completing his collegiate education he went, in 1843, to the medical university of New York. After finishing the course he returned home and commenced the practice of medicine, but in two years moved to Haywood County, where he established a very extensive practice and was Recognized as one of the most able physicians in West Tennessee. Dr. Haywood also practiced several years in Brownsville, and did faithful service during the fearful scourge of yellow fever there in 1878. June 25, 1879, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Boyce, whose maiden name was Reid. She died in 1883. Dr. Haywood is a Democrat and is well known as one over the county and state. He is said to be the best informed man in constitutional law in the county, and has written several able articles on the subject for the press. He is not a member of any church, but inclines to the Episcopalian. James G. Haywood, M. D., of Brownsville, Tenn., was born in Davidson County, Tenn., June 1, 1826, being a son of Thomas and Susan (Glasgow) Haywood, and a grandson of the gifted Judge John Haywood. Our subject's parents were both natives of North Carolina (see sketch of John Haywood in State history). James G. was reared in his native county until his fifteenth year, when he went to New Orleans and engaged as clerk in the mercantile business. He received a good literary education from his father in youthful days. In 1845 he came to Brownsville and began the study of medicine under his uncle, Dr. Egbert Haywood, and later attended the medical department of the University of Louisville, where he took a course of lectures. In 1847 he engaged in the practice of his profession in this county at Woodville. One year later he became a partner with Dr. A. J. Barbee in the county, and in 1850 engaged in practice in Brownsville, but some two or three years later removed to the country and did not return to town until 1867, since which time he has been engaged continuously in practice here, having acquired a large and lucrative practice and met with more than ordinary and well deserved success - In 1862 the Doctor raised a company of Cavalry from this and Lauderdale Counties and participated in the late war as captain of Company M, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, from the spring of 1862 to January, 1863. January 30, 1856, the Doctor married Miss Harriett B. Read, a native of North Carolina, who died January 25, 1871. To them were born eight children, four now living: Mary G., the wife of H. M. Stone, of this county; James G., a practicing physician in Dakota, being in the employ of the United States Government; Alfred R., a graduate of the Memphis Hospital Medical College and a partner of his father, and Wm. Henry. Dr. Haywood was a Democrat in politics, before and since the war, but belonged to the Douglas faction of the party before the war, and was strongly opposed to the war of the States, but after that sanguinary struggle came on, naturally espoused the Southern cause. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which faith his wife died. Dr. Haywood has always taken an active part and interest in laudable public and private enterprises of the county; is an ancient Mason and justly recognized as an enterprising and reliable citizen of the county, and a medical practitioner of experience and ability. John R. Head, of the firm of Head & Montgomery, liverymen of Brownsville, was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 27, 1844, son , of John R. and Eliza J. (Thomson) Head, of Mississippi and Tennessee respectively. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1863 he went to West Tennessee and engaged in stock business until 1870, when he began keeping a livery stable. He has met with fair success in all his undertakings, and as he started in life with nothing but what nature bestowed upon him, deserves much credit for his success. He owns considerable property in Brownsville, and in his political views affiliates with the Democratic party. He belongs to the K. of P. fraternity. Richard L. Hotchkiss, of the firm of Wilder & Hotchkiss, at Brownsville, Tenn., dealers in dry goods and general merchandise, was born in Madison County, Tenn., near Jackson, August 25, 1835, and is the son of Holt and Eliza Lurry Hotchkiss, natives of Connecticut and North Carolina, respectively. Our subject came to Brownsville when but ten years of age, and was educated at that place. His father dying when our subject was quite young, compelled him to make his own way in life. He first learned brick masonry, and worked at the trade for one year, after which he attended school and gained a fair business education. He then served an apprenticeship with S. W. Bearson for five years for his board and clothing, and learned the watch-making and jeweler's business. In 1856 he and his brother, Stephen Hotchkiss, engaged in the jeweler's business at Brownsville, and was thus engaged at the breaking out of the war. He then entered the Confederate service with the Sixth Tennessee Regiment, and served until the close of the war, being a participant in several of the principal battles. At the close of the war he engaged in the jeweler's business, and was very successful financially. In 1868 he and his brother purchased a farm in Haywood County, and he was for several years engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1877 he came to Brownsville and engaged in his present business. In 1858 he married Margaret J. Currie, daughter of George and Judith Currie, of Haywood County. To this union were born five children: Willie S., Judith L., Claudius P. Finis P. and Dora, both sons being dead. Mr. Hotchkiss is a Democrat, a Mason, and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Junius H. Howell, M. D., was born in Greene County, Ala., October 11, 1824, son of William and Sarah (Bell) Howell, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. The father removed to Haywood County in 1829, and practiced medicine at Brownsville a number of years, and died in 1844. Junius E. was reared and educated here, and studied medicine under his father. He graduated from the medical department of the university of Pennsylvania in 1844, and after the death of his father, began practicing in Brownsville, and continued the same until the breaking out of the war. He favored the Union cause, but did not participate in the war. In 1863 he removed to Memphis, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1870, when he returned to Brownsville, where he has since resided and practiced. He has met with more the ordinary success, and is the peer of any practitioner in Haywood County. In 1845 he married Virginia L. Scott, who bore him one daughter, who is dead. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and was formerly an old line Whig. He is a Royal Arch Mason and K. of P., and he and wife are Baptists in religious faith. Dr. Henry P. Hudson, a prominent physician and resident of Haywood County, is a native of Madison Co., and was born March 5, 1852, and is the son of Dr. James A. and Nancy (Freeling) Hudson. His father was also a fine physician, and was born in North Carolina, March 3, 1816. In 1847 he graduated at the Memphis Medical College, and located in Madison County, where he was engaged in a most successful practice until 1859, when he moved to Haywood County and continued practicing until his death, February 27,1875. The mother was born in Madison County, Tenn., in 1819, and died in 1856. Our subject was finely educated and after selecting medicine for his profession he went to the medical university at Louisville, and in the spring of 1876 returned to Haywood County and commenced practicing, soon acquiring an extensive practice, and justly winning the reputation of a skilled physician. Dr. Hudson has been married twice, first to Miss Hannah Dickinson, native of Haywood County, March 10, 1878. One daughter was born to this union. October 19, 1880, he married Miss Kate Bond. also a native of Haywood County, and they have had two children. Dr. Hudson is a sound Democrat and a deacon in the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a very generous man and a cultured, pleasant gentleman and is very popular.