OBION COUNTY TN - GOODSPEED - The Goodspeed Biographies of Obion County TN C-E ********************************************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Jane N. Powell ********************************************************************************************************** GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES C - E Waller H. CALDWELL, farmer, was born in Adair County, Tenn., February 5, 1817; one of three surviving members of thirteen children of William and Rebecca H. (Edmond) Caldwell. Both were born in Kentucky and married in Adair County. In the spring of 1823 they came to Henry County, Tenn., where they remained until 1840, when they came to Obion County, and resided by themselves until 1863, then spent the balance of their days with their children. The father died July 4, 1870, and the mother May 24, 1884. Our subject began doing for himself in the spring of 1838 and came to Obion County, where he worked as a general laborer until 1841, when he was appointed deputy surveyor of Obion County, and continued the same ten years. In 1842 he purchased a farm on which he resided until 1853. In 1857 he came into possession of his present farm and has resided on the same until the present, with the exception of two years spent in the tanning business at Trenton. His home place consists of 180 acres. Besides this he owns two other farms; one containing 250 acres and the other 100 acres. In 1843 he married Elizabeth B. Morgan, and six children were the result of their union, three now living. Their mother died in 1864, and February 13, 1867, he married Elizabeth T. Owen nee Humphrey, who bore him two children: Frank W. and Ora. Mrs. Caldwell died September 15, 1878, and in January, 1880, Mr. Caldwell married Elizabeth Evans, whose death occurred November 20, of the same year. His fourth and last wife was Elizabeth (Sterling) Reaves, whom he married May 17, 1881. They have one child, Mattie. Mr. Caldwell belongs to the Baptist Church and the F. & A. M. Mrs. Caldwell is a Presbyterian. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William H. CALDWELL (dec'd) was born in Henry County, Tenn., on the 16th of December, 1826. He was one of four children, and is of German descent. At the age of twenty-five years he began merchandising near his present home, in this county, and in 1870 he began farming, becoming the owner of 392 acres of land about six miles from Union City. He also has four other tracts of land, aggregating 500 acres. From one of his farms he cut a poplar tree in 1879, and from four different forks cut seventeen 12 and 14 feet logs, averaging twenty-five inches in diameter. April 24, 1861, he married Jane Park, of Giles County, and by her became the father of the following children: Albert, James, Mary, William, John and Charles. His parents, James and Mary (Bushart) Caldwell, were born, respectively, in Adair County, Ky., and Cabarrus County, N. C. They came to Henry County, Tenn., in 1824, and were soon after married. They became residents of Obion County in 1832, locating three miles west of Union City. Mr. Caldwell has served as magistrate of the county for fifteen years and as chairman of the county court several years. He died April 14, 1872, and the mother July 11, 1881. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs. Addie M. CALDWELL was born in Obion County, Tenn., and is one of four surviving members of a family of twelve children born to David and Mildred HUBERT. Her parents came to Tennessee at a very early day and settled in Obion County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1872, and the mother in 1882. David HUBERT was in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of New Orleans under Jackson. His daughter, Addie M., married Robert Caldwell in 1858, and since his death, in 1879, has resided mostly with her children, and is a present living with her son Jake. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell became the parents of three children: John (whose sketch appears in this work), Etna (Mrs. Dr. Marshall), and Jake D., the youngest, who was born in Obion County September, 1865, and is an enterprising young farmer. He attended the common schools and the Union City High School two terms, and 1884 came into possession of his present farm of 100 acres near Union City. On this farm was cut a mammoth oak, said to measure nine feet in diameter at the stump. Mr. Caldwell and her son are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Caldwell, farmer, first saw the light of day in Obion County, Tenn., on the 1st of February, 1859. His father's family consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter. John remained with his parents until his father's death, then remained with his mother until 1882. His father, Robert D. Caldwell, born in Weakly County, in 1828, and came to Obion County, and married Addie M. Hubert, who was born in the county. He died in 1879, being one of the esteemed old pioneer farmers of Obion County. In connection with agriculture he worked at the brick mason's trade at time. His widow is still living, and is a resident of the county. John Caldwell came into possession of sixty acres of his present farm, of 120 acres, in 1883. The land is situated about three miles west of Union City. In 1882 he wedded Mattie M. Marshal, of Obion County. They have two children: Etna and Verna. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William W. CASEY, was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., December 6, 1834, son of Jacob D. and Charity (Whitmire) Casey, who were born in South Carolina in 1800 and 1808, and died in 1853 and 1838, respectively. The family is of English descent, and removed to Alabama in 1833. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Hon. Levi Casey. He was a brigadier-general in the Revolutionary was, and was afterward a member of Congress from South Carolina. He died in Washington City. Our subject is the third child born to his father's third marriage. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He began farming for himself in 1853, and later began merchandising in Alabama, following the same until 1862, when he joined the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry. He was captured near Florence, Ala., in 1863, and was help prisoner of war at Fort Delaware until the final surrender. In 1866 he removed to Perry County, Tenn., and two years later came to Obion County, and there farmed and sold goods for six years. He located in Kenton in 1875 and here has since resided. During his life time he has been engaged in merchandising, milling and farming. In December, 1857, he was married to Josephine A. Westmoreland, who was born in Alabama in 1838. They have two children: Thomas O. and Mary M. Mr. Casey owns 350 acres of land in Obion County, and is one of the prominent men of Kenton. He is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesse B. CAUDLE was born in Decatur County, Tenn., March 1843, one of twelve children of Absolom and Mary (Hainey) Caudle, who were born, reared, and married in North Carolina, and after the latter event came to Tennessee, locating for a few years in Coffee County, and about 1825 moved to Decatur County, where they resided until their deaths in 1848 and 1849 respectively. Both our subject's grandfathers were in the Revolutionary was. Our subject was eared by a Mr. Lee in Decatur County, from the time of his parents' death until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Tennessee Infantry, remaining with that regiment throughout the was. He then returned to Decatur County, and attended the common schools a short time, and in the fall of 1865 came to Obion County, and October 2, 1867, married Jane Riley who was born in Kentucky. They became the parents of eight children, six now living. Since 1867 Mr. Caudle, has resided on his home farm of seventy-seven acres, besides this he owns 400 acres adjoining and two other farms in the county, one containing sixty-nine acres, and the other sixty-four acres. Mr. and Mrs. Caudle are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the F. & A. M. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John W. CLAYTON is one of eight children born to the marriage of William G. Clayton and Jane S. Bachman, who were born in Lincoln County and were married in Marshall County, where they yet reside. The father was born in 1817 and is one of the old citizens of Marshall County. John W. was born in that county December 19, 1849, and resided with his parents until 1870. He began attending commercial college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1869, and at the former date accepted a position in a wholesale and retail grocery store in Nashville, where he remained three years. December 23, 1874, he married Elizabeth Bradberry, who was born in Illinois, and their union resulted in the birth of four children: Fannie (deceased), Bradberry (deceased), Gatty Louise, and John Orin. In September, 1882, Mr. Clayton came into possession of his home place, a farm of 150 acres, near Kenton, and since that time he has been engaged in farming. From 1874 to 1882 he was engaged in improving Kenton by erecting good, substantial residences. He was also engaged in millinery in connection with Wilson Flowers for about one year. Husband and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a member of the Democratic party. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Washington B. CLOYES' birth occurred in Henry County, Tenn., April 14, 1831. His parents, were born, respectively, in Marblehead, Middlesex Co., Mass., in 1782, and in North Carolina, in 1794. From seventeen up to twenty-five years of age the father traveled, and at the latter date settled in Christian County, KY., were he married, and after the birth of most of his children, moved to Henry County, Tenn., thence to Hickman County, thence to Obion County, where he died in September, 1852. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife died in the same county in February, 1870. Our subject is the tenth of their eleven children. He received the rearing and education of the average farmer's boy and has made agriculture his chief business through life, owning at the present time 120 acres of good land. December 7, 1851, he was married, in Fulton County, Ky., to Martha E. Hanberry, daughter of C. W. Hanberry. Mrs. Cloyes was born in Fulton County, Ky., February 4, 1831, and became the mother of nine children: Margaret T. (Mrs. Jerome Kelley), Matilda J., Laura I. (Mrs. J. F. Bloodworth, Job, John C., Thomas S., Noah W., Robert L. and Samuel B. Mr. Cloyes was an old line Whig, but has voted the Democratic ticket since the was. He is a Mason, and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon. Solomon W. COCHRAN was born in Aurora, Portage Co., Ohio, on the 20th of March, 1808, son of John Cochran, and grandson of John Cochran, Sr., both born in Massachusetts, the former, Jun 6, 1778. The latter died at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1805. Our subject's father was a farmer, and in 1804 removed to Portage County, Ohio, where he lived until his death, May 31, 1818. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife's maiden name was Clarissa CANNON; she was born November 13, 1782, and died in Michigan in August, 1863. Of eight children, our subject is the fourth, and is of Scotch-Irish and English descent. He was eared on a farm, and attended the early schools of Portage County. At the age of eighteen years we went to live with an uncle, and worked at the miller's trade some two years. He then attended, and taught school until 1832, when he began the study of law at Cleveland, Ohio, in the office of Hon. Samuel STARKWEATHER, who was United States collector of customs, at Cleveland. Mr. Cochran was appointed deputy collector and inspector under Mr. Starkweather, and remained in that city until 1835. In August of that year he was licensed to practice law at Cleveland, by the Ohio Supreme Court, and returned to his native county the same year. In January, 1836, he located in Franklin (now Kent), Ohio, and began the practice of his profession, continuing until 1840. He, at this time, removed to Henry County, Tenn., and for two years was engaged in pedagoguing. At the end of this time he moved to Troy, where he has since continued to live, practicing his profession until 1882. He was one of the leading lawyers of West Tennessee, for forty years, and has served as special supreme judge of Tennessee, by appointment. In February, 1874, he was appointed circuit judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, and served until September of the same year, and was twice appointed commissioner of arbitration, and 1875 was associated with Howell E. JACKSON and L. D. McKISSICK. In 1877 he was appointed to the same office, his associates being John L. T. SNEED and Joseph B. HEISKELL. In November, 1880, he was elected on the Democratic ticket, to represent Obion and Lake Counties in the State Legislature, and was an active worker in the General Assembly. He was a member of the Democratic National Convention, which met in Baltimore, Md., in 1848, and member of the convention that nominated TILDEN at St. Louis in 1876. He was appointed brigadier-general by Gov. HARRIS, in 1861, and raised a number of companies, and mustered them into service. He was married on the 28th of December, 1834, to Miss Olive RILEY, born in Ohio, on the 18th of February, 1814, and died in 1861. She bore our subject one child, named Edmond, who died in Troy, October 13th, 1843, in his seventh year. Mr. Cochran married Mrs. Ruth D. (WILSON) CLARK, in 1861. She was born in Obion County, March 31, 1830 and died September 13th, 1883, and was the mother of three living children: Walter W., Laura and Samuel D. Mr. Cochran belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Western Sun Lodge, No. 88, and was Grand High Priest of Tennessee for two years. In 1840 he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio, and after coming to Troy, joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he remained a member until 1879, when he again joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife is a member of the same. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marcus W. CORUM was born in Cairo, Sumner Co., Tenn., October 15, 1825, and is the seventh of a family of thirteen children of Robert and Deborah (BEASLEY) Corum, and is of English descent. Robert Corum was born in North Carolina, and came from his native state to Middle Tennessee at an early age. After marriage he located near Dickson's Springs. He served in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. The Government recognized his services by granting him a pension. He died in Obion County, to which he had moved in 1832, about the close of the late war. The mother was born in Virginia, and died at the old homestead in 1872. Marcus W. has always followed the occupation of farming. He was married in Obion County, in February, 1851, to Mary C. HALE, daughter of Cage Hale, Sr. To them were born the following children: Lewis Cass, Andrew J., Leonidas A., Henry C., Mary Belle, Sam. B., Don Dixie and Marcus L. Don Dixie died at the age of twelve years. Mrs. Carum was born in Sumner County, Tenn., June 7, 1833. Mr. Corum is a Democrat, and owns 120 acres of land near Union City, which he devotes chiefly to the cultivation of the cereals. He and wife are member of the Missionary Baptist Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- George H. CRAFTON was born in Williamson County, Tenn., October 30, 1847, son of Alphonso J. and Nancy A. (CROMER) Crafton, and is the second of their ten children, and of English descent. His father was born in Gibson County, Tenn., March 11, 1824, and was left an orphan by his father when he was nine years old. His mother died when he was but three years of age. He was taken to Williamson County, Tenn., where he was reared by an uncle, Dennis M. CRAFTON. He married and remained in the county two years, then moved to Rutherford, thence to Obion Counties, where he died on the farm now owned by our subject, march 12, 1875. The mother was born in Williamson County, December 13, 1825, and died February 14, 1877. Our subject received a common education, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in the Confederate Army, in Company C, Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry. He was paroled May 9, 1865, at Gainesville, Ala. October 2, 1879, he married Fannie P. RAMSEY, who was born in Obion County Tenn., March 14, 1859. To the were born three children: Jasper, born July 14, 1880; Bertha, born Jun 13, 1882; and Ora Alice, born January 22, 1886. The mother is still living. Mr. Crafton is a Democrat and a member of Methodist Episcopal Church South. He has a farm of 129 acres, and a cosy and cheerful little home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cave J. CROCKETT, general merchant, was born in Troy, Tenn., September 11, 1852. His father, John Crockett, was born in Humphreys County, Tenn., in 1810, and was a son of John Crockett, who was born in Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River, and who came to Tennessee about 1800, settling in Humphreys County, where he died in 1826. The father of our subject left his home in Humphreys County when about eighteen years of age and went to Mississippi, where he lived for several years among an Indian tribe, at, or near where the city of Oxford is now built. Later he went to what is now Texas, and in 1836 came to what was then a part of Obion County (now Lake County), Tenn., and settled west of Reelfoot Lake, where he resided two years. From that time until 1846 he resided six miles west of Troy, the county seat of Obion County, then moved to one mile south of that place, where he resided until two years before his death, and where his children were born and reared. He died in Troy in 1878. He was a farmer and merchant, and held quite a number of county offices being a leading man of the county. His wife's maiden name was Louisa McALISTER. She was born near Jonesboro, Tenn, in 1816, and died in Obion County in 1854. Our subject is next to the youngest of five children, and was reared on a farm. He received a common school education in Troy, and a business education at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and at the age of sixteen entered his father's general merchandise store, where he remained until 1875. Since that time he has been engaged in the same business for himself. He is a leading merchant of Troy, and is a successful business man. He was married in 1874, to Miss Bidie EVANS, of Obion County, born January 1, 1855, daughter of John E. Evans. Mr. and Mrs. Crockett have had three children born to them: Lida McAlister (deceased), Charlie John and May. Mr. Crockett is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden. He belongs to the A. O. U. W., and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. CRITENDON, farmer of the Seventh District of Obion County, Tenn., was born December 1, 1827, in Henry County. His parents, John and Leomie (BROOKS) Crittendon, were born in North Carolina and he is the eighth of their nine children. His early days spent on a farm and since his twenty-first year he has farmed for himself and has been very successful. He was engaged in the mercantile business at Rives and after on year (in 1884) sold out. November 16, 1848, he wedded Elizabeth CALLICOTT, of Henry County, and by her is the father of ten children: Mary Caroline (Mrs. Richard ALEXANDER), William S., Leonard B., Wesley D., Milton F., Minnie Cora (Mrs. Erasmus BOWERS), and James Edgar. Mr. and Mrs. Crittendon are members of the Missionary Baptist Church and he belongs to the Masonic order. His early educational advantages were somewhat limited but the has remedied this considerably by reading and contact with business life. He is a Democrat in his political views. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert F. CUNNINGHAM is a native of Lincoln County, Tenn., born February 27, 1839; one of six living children of a family of nine born to the marriage of Robert Cunningham and Elizabeth COLLINS. The father was the first white child born on Swan Creek, Lincoln County, Tenn., and always made that county his home. He died about 1874 and his wife in 1867. The father was a cabinet-maker and farmer. Robert F. Cunningham resided with his parents until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Ninth Tennessee Infantry, with which he remained until severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh. He was taken to the hospital at Memphis, where he remained about two months and then returned home and in 1869 came to Obion County and followed farming and conducted a cotton-gin and saw-mill until 1876. Since that time he has followed farming exclusively. February 5, 1874, he married Cordelia REVELLE, of Haywood County. Of five children born to them three are living. In 1869 Mr. Cunningham became the owner of 240 acres of land. He also has three other farms in the county, aggregating about 285 acres, and belongs to the Democratic party. D. H. DALBY, liveryman and farmer, was born in North Carolina February 8, 1840; son of John A. and Louisa W. (DAVIS) Dalby and is of Scotch-English descent. His parents were born in North Carolina and came to Henry County, Tenn., in the fall of 1840. Mrs. Dalby died in 1885. D. H. Dalby, our subject, came to Obion County in 1857, and the greater part of his life has been spent in farming. August 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Tennessee Infantry, and served nearly four years. He was kept a prisoner of war at Camp Morton for seven months. He was wounded twice, first at Perryville, Ky., and then at Chickamauga. He came home in May, 1865. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1880 and was re-elected in 1882. He is a Democrat and was married February 26, 1866, to Mary Frances JACKSON, of Obion County. She was born September 22, 1848, and became the mother of seven children: Eudora A., Jenniti B., Leona F., Will U., Richard A., Thomas J. and Howard. Dr. Dalby has been a member of the Western Sun Lodge of Masons since 1883. He engaged in the livery business in Troy in 1884 and there now continues. He owns 80 acres of land. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Herman DIETZEL, hardware merchant of Union City, Tenn., was born in Germany, September 1, 1848. His parents J. H. and J. S. (PLARRE) Dietzel, were born in Germany in 1800 and 1817 respectively. The father died in his native land in 1862. Out subject is the sixth of sixteen children and was educated in the Hohenluben schools in Germany. When thirteen years of age he began learning the blacksmith's trade and came to America in 1869 and soon afterward settled in Union City, and here carried on his trade for nine years. Since 1876 he has been engaged in the hardware business and is the oldest hardware merchant in the city. By many years of patient labor and economy he has built up an extensive trade. He is a thorough business man and is connected with some of the leading manufacturing interests of the city. In 1878 he was married to S. B. CLOYES, who was born in 1862. They have three children: Charley, Herman and Edward. Mr. Dietzel is a Democrat and a member of the city council. He is also a member of the K. of P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas W. DICKENSON is a Virginian, born January 26, 1816. He was brought to Sumner County, Tenn., by his father when only two years of age, and after a residence of about eight years in the county came to Obion County, were he yet resides. His parents were both Virginians and of English descent. He worked on the farm with his father until about twenty years of age, when he began "tilling the soil" for himself, and by industry, economy and honesty is now worth about $15,000. He is a Mason - Mount Pelia Lodge No. 177. He is a Democrat and served about nine years as magistrate prior to the war. He was re-elected to the office in 1868, and after serving one term of six years, was deposed by the Federal court because he favored the South during the late rebellion. In May 1837, he married Hannah C. Cunningham, who died in December, 1943, leaving on child, Sarah Elizabeth (Mrs. George CATHEY). In August, 1845, he wedded Elizabeth RIVES, who bore him ten children, five now living: James C., Robert W., George L., Calvin C., and Maude Caroline. Mr. Dickenson and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and he is a Democrat in politics. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. A. DONNELL, M. D., a resident and practitioner of the Twelfth District of Obion County, Tenn., was born on the 1st of August, 1831, in Middle Tennessee, Marshall County. His father, Archibald Donnell, was a native of North Carolina, born January 17, 1784. He came to Tennessee at an early day and died in this State in 1841. The mother's maiden name was Martha RUSSELL. She was born in North Carolina, February 23, 1788, and died January 15, 1873, in Obion County. After finishing his education, Dr. Donnell began teaching school and followed that calling about eight years. In January, 1864, he began the study of medicine under Dr. L. J. RICE, of Marshall County, and entered on the practice of his profession in the county in January, 1868, continuing very successfully up to the present date. Susan Mary KIRK became his wife February 28, 1868. She is a daughter of Anderson and Julia Kirk and is the mother of four children: Thomas Jefferson, Victoria, Clara and Lillie. The Doctor has made his own way in life and may be considered one of the self-made men of the county. He is a stanch Democrat in politics. Rev. W. C. Easterwood is a Gibson County Tennessean, born July 16, 1831, son of John and Mary Easterwood. The father was born in Georgia and died in 1846. The latter died in 1865. Rev. W. C. Easterwood is of English descent. He worked on a farm for the support of his mother until he was twenty-five years of age. He followed agricultural pursuits in Gibson County until 1858, when he came to Obion County, settling on his present farm. He has been a minister of the Gospel since 1869, being licensed to preach July 31 of that year. He was ordained elder October 20, 1878, and January 10, 1856, married Silvinie, daughter of Archie and Rebecca Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Easterwood became the parents of eight children: Mary Elizabeth (widow of Silas Cruse), Rebecca A. (Mrs. George Molom, Francis Silvinie (Mrs. William Bertrum), Harriett Angeline (Mrs. William Robinson), Emily Catherine (Mrs. Robert Fields), William Thomas, Charley Curby and Lillie Bell. Mr. Easterwood's early educational advantages were limited, but his education has been obtained by dint of hard study. He is politically a Democrat, and up the date of the late war was an old line Whip. He joined the Confederate Army in 1861, serving in the Thirty-third Tennessee Infantry, Company I. He was captured at Shiloh and taken to Camp Douglas, Chicago, but was afterward exchanged at Vicksburg. He returned home in December, 1862, and has since followed the pursuit of farming. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas J. Edwards, M. D., of Union City, is familiarly known throughout the South as one of the most eminent oculists of the day. He was born on his father's farm in Obion County, this State, three and one-half miles east of Union City, November 17, 1833, and was there reared to early manhood. Hugh H. Edwards, his father, was of Scotch lineage, and was born in North Carolina in the year 1801, his father being William Edwards, also a native of North Carolina and a soldier of the war of 1812. Hugh H. Edwards was on of the pioneers of Obion County. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a man who commanded the esteem of all by reason of his upright conduct through life. He wedded Judith Hill, an estimable lady, born in Virginia in 1807, and a member of one of the first families of that State. Their respective deaths occurred in this county in 1865 and 1882. The Edwards family immigrated from North Carolina to Tennessee about the year 1823, first settling in Wilson County. Two years later the family removed to Obion County, which was ever afterward the home of our subject's parents. Dr. Thomas J. Edwards' boyhood was passed in assisting his parents on the farm, and during a portion of the winter seasons he was accorded the privilege of attending the country schools. Here the rudiments of a common school education were acquired, which only created in his mind the earnest desire to greatly better it. Obtaining the consent of his father, he left home at th age of seventeen years and began the battle of life upon his own responsibility. He was a student at the Dresden Seminary for some time, and afterward taught school about one year. In 1853 he entered Andrew College, of Trenton, Tenn., where he remained until nearly the completion of his junior year; but afterward completed his literary schooling at McKenzie Institute, near Clarksville, Tenn. Previous to this time (in 1854) he had begun the study of medicine, and while in attendance at the last named school was enabled to defray his expenses by the proceeds derived from the practice of his chosen profession. He attended the St. Louis (Mo.) Medical College, from which he graduated with honors. He practiced at Salem, Mo., for some time, then took another course of lectures at the University of Nashville to better fit himself for his specialties. After graduating at the latter institution he moved to California, where he practiced surgery with marked success until 1863. While at San Francisco he was made professor of Institutes of Medicine at Toland Medical College; but, owing to being absent on a professional trip to Mexico, where he was taken ill, he was unable to fill the chair, as he was compelled to return to the Atlantic States. In 1863 he visited Europe, and while there studied at the ophthalmic hospitals of London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna. He made a complete tour of the continent, spending considerable time in the Holy Land, and then returned to America, where special degrees were conferred upon him by the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Bellevue Hospital of New York, and the New Orleans School of Medicine. He located at Union City, and has since made it his home. For the past twenty years Dr. Edwards has made diseases of the eye a special study, and so eminent has he become in this particular field of science, that his fame and practice are not confined by State lines, but extend all over the South and throughout many States of the North. Dr. Edwards is a Democrat in politics and an Episcopalian in religion. He is an honored member of the Masonic, I. O. O. F. and K. of P. fraternities. In 1872 occurred the solemnization of his marriage with Miss Clara Bird, daughter of John Bird, of Missouri, and two sons and one daughter have blessed their union, who names are Dick A., Birdie K. and Harry T. In every sense of the word Dr. Edwards is a self-made man. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas D. Edwards, M. D. (A nephew of Dr. T. J. Edwards, the well and favorable known oculist), was born in Obion County Tenn., May 12, 1856, son of J. R. and Nancy J. (Curlin) Edwards. His father was born in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1828, while his mother is a native of Obion County. Our subject is the eldest of eight children, and was reared on a farm. His first schooling was acquired at the country winter schools. At an early day he was compelled to make his own way in life, and at the age of seventeen began teaching school and continued the same four years (two years in Kentucky and two in Tennessee). He began the study of medicine in 1878 under the direction of Dr. T. J. Edwards, of Union City. He attended medical lectures at the medical department of the University of Tennessee, at Nashville, from which he graduated in February, 1884. He immediately located in Union City and is now associated with Dr. T. J. Edwards in the special treatment of diseases of the eye and ear. He is a successful and skillful practitioner and is a hard student, losing no opportunity of better preparing himself for his profession. He is a Democrat in politics, a Methodist in religion, and a member of the K. of P. November 25, 1885, he married Ella Sacra, who was born in Trousdale County, March 2, 1866. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John H. Ekdahl, of the firm of Beck, Bransford & Ekdahl Furniture Co., was born in Christianstad, Sweden, June 17, 1851, son of P. J. and Botilda (Erickson) Ekdahl, both of whom were born in Sweden, the father in 1825 and the mother in 1830. Our subject, the eldest of their seven children, received his education in the English and German and his native language. He was quite young when apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's and machinist's trade, but abandoned it after a short time and learned the cabinet-maker's trad. After visiting the principal cities of Europe he came to America in 1870. He employed by Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company as house and car builder for seven years. He then came to Union City, Tenn., and for three years contracted for cabinet work. In 1882 he established the Ekdahl Furniture Co., which, in 1885 was consolidated with Beck and Bransford, and since that time Mr. Ekdahl has been the superintendent of the Beck, Bransford & Ekdahl Furniture Co. He is a practical mechanic and an enterprising man. He was married in 1877 to Miss Mollie Cherry, born in Tennessee in 1855. They have two children, Harry and Carl. Mr. Ekdahl and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. R. Ellington's birth occurred in Marshall County, Tenn., in February, 1844. His parents were natives of North Carolina. He was reared on a farm, and, as his father died when he was quite small, he was reared by his stepfather, with whom he remained until twenty-seven years of age. Since that time he has been a tiller of the soil on his own responsibility. He is a thoroughly self-made man and has accumulated the greater part of his property by his own unaided efforts and is now worth about $5,000. He was married in August, 1870, to Lovie Ann Barnett, of Obion County, the daughter of William and Ruth Barnett. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellington were born four children: William P., Isaac Almon, James C. and Robert D. Mr. Ellington is a man of influence in his section of the county and thoroughly honorable and upright. His early educational advantages were somewhat limited owing to the breaking out of the civil war, but he has always manifested an interest in and desire to aid all enterprises for the advancement of educational interests. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon. A. B. Enloe, attorney at law, was born five miles southwest of Troy, April 6, 1827, son of Joel S. Enloe and Mary (Winters) Enloe. Joel S. Enloe was born in South Carolina in 1795, and when a small boy emigrated West with his parents. He came to Obion Count, Tenn., in 1824, where he farmed and resided until his death in August, 1880. His wife died in Arkansas about 1864. Our subject is the second of eight children, was raised on a farm, and educated in the early schools of the county and at Westbrook Academy. He began the study of lay in 1851 under the direction of Judge S. W. Cochran, and was licensed to practice in 1853. A year later he formed a partnership with his former preceptor, which continued until January, 1882. Mr. Enloe has always been a Democrat in his political views, and 1876 was elected to represent Obion and Lake Counties in the General Assembly of Tennessee. He has for many years been one of the leading lawyers of West Tennessee. May 1, 1856, he married Margaret E. Hutchinson, of Obion County, who died June 18, 1863. January 9, 1872, he married Amanda Brice, of Fairfield District, S. C. They have three children: Robert C., Walter and Mary F. Mr. Enloe has been a Mason since 1854, Western Sun Lodge, No 88. From 1863 until the close of the war, he was in the commissary department of the Confederate Army. His wife is a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Samuel T. Evans, M. D., is a Floyd County Virginian, born January 9, 1847, son of Dr. S. A. J. Evans, who was born in Rappahannock County, Va., in 1811. He married Sallie Jackson, who was born in Fairfax County, Va., in 1813, and is yet residing in her native State. She is a sister of Capt. James W. Jackson, who killed the celebrated Col. Ellsworth at Alexandria, Va., in 1861. The father died in 1855. Samuel T. was educated in the schools of Virginia, and 1866 began studying medicine in the office of Dr. W. B. Hines. He first attended lectures at the University of Virginia, and subsequently at the Washington University at Baltimore, Md., and graduated from the latter institution February 22, 1869. The same year he came to Tennessee, and located at Bean Station, where he remained only a short time. Since that time, with the exception of 1872, when he served as acting assistant surgeon in the United States Navy, he has been a resident and a successful surgeon and physician of Union City, Obion Co., Tenn. In 1878 he was president of the Board of Health of Union City, and demonstrated the fact that yellow fever could be kept out by quarantine. In 1861 he joined Pelham's battery of Stuart's horse artillery, with which he served until after the battle Fredericksburg, Va. (Where he was severely wounded), when he was made special courier of Gen. R. E. Lee, and served in this capacity until the close of the war. In 1867 he married Sue A. Coffin, who was born near Knoxville, Tenn, in 1850. They have three children: Samuel T., John C. and Robley D. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion is a Presbyterian. He is a member of the State Medical Society, K. of P., A. O. U. W. and K. of H. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James A Everett is one of two surviving members of a family of three children born to William and Frances (Brooks) Everett, and was born in Maury County, Tenn., May 17, 1836. William Everett was born in North Carolina and came to Tennessee in 1833, locating in Maury County. Here he farmed until 1859, then came to Obion County, where he died in 1878. The mother died in 1846. James A. Everett learned blacksmithing when about fifteen years of age and followed that occupation two years. The following thirteen years he was engaged in grist-milling. In 1866 he married Miss P. Dodson, of Maury County. To this union five children have been born, four of whom are still living: Fannie D., Olivia (deceased), James K., Erma and Charles. Mr. Everett purchased his present farm, of 140 acres, in 1865, and located on it in 1873. Besides this he has another farm on 100 acres in the county. He is a member of the K. of H. and is identified with the Democratic party. Mrs. Everett's mother was born in Virginia in 1801, and has never missed a meal of victuals for the want of appetite, has never drunk a cup of coffee nor used tobacco.