OBION COUNTY TN - GOODSPEED - The Goodspeed Biographies of Obion County TN M - P ********************************************************************************************************** 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 M - P Thomas E. Marshall, M. D., is a son of Moses S. Marshall, who was born in Wilson County. He married Mary Cloar of Obion county, and by her became the father of twelve children, nine of whom are still living. The father is a farmer and stock trader, and he and his wife are still living in the county, on the farm they first cleared and settled. Their son, Thomas E., was born in Obion County, September 30, 1850. He was educated in the Troy High School and the Clinton College, Clinton, Ky., and taught several terms of school in Obion County. He entered the Vanderbilt Medical College, attending the sessions of 1880, 1881, 1882 and 1883. Since that time he has practiced at his present home place, a farm of 120 acres, on which there are several large Indian mounds. In January, 1882, he married Etna Caldwell, and their union has been blessed in the birth of two children: Mamie and Roberta. The Doctor is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and his wife of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William J. Mathes, miller and farmer, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., May 10, 1840, son of W. T. And Eliza (Ramsey) Mathes. His father was born in Kentucky in 1818 and died in Obion County in 1880. The mother was born in 1824. Our subject is the seventh of nine children, and was raised on a farm, and at the breaking out of the was enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Tennessee, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Franklin and many others, and was wounded at the latter battle. He also served with the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry. He came to Obion County in 1865 and began farming and has continued that and the milling business up to the present time. He began milling in 1877, and in 1861 was married to Miss Emily Parks, of Calloway County, Ky. Their children are Ida, John, Lulu Elizabeth (deceased) and William C. Mr. Mathes is a Democrat in his political views , and belongs to the Masonic and I. O. O. F. Fraternities. He has been quite successful through life, and is one of the highly respected citizens of the county. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. F. McAnally's birth occurred in Lawrence County, Tenn., March 15, 1861. Both of his parents were Tennesseans, his father, William McAnally, being born in the same County as our subject. C. F. McAnally served a two year's apprenticeship under C. C. Jackson, learning the mechanic's trade. He began work on his own responsibility in 1882 at Palestine, Tenn., and continued there about three years. At the expiration of that time he came to Hornbeak, where he has been doing a good business. June 3, 1883, he married Maggie Green, daughter of Benjamin and Mattie Green. They have one child, Willie P., born April 30, 1884. Mr. McAnally's early educational advantages were very good and he always gives his support to worthy enterprises. He is a Democrat and a Prohibitionist. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert H. Mitchell was born in Robertson County, Tenn., January 8, 1844, the third of four children born to Robert B. And Margaret C. (Linebaugh) Mitchell, and is of Scotch-Irish and German descent. The father was born in Kentucky January 5, 1798, and moved to Tennessee with his father when about twelve years of age. He received little or no schooling, but by his individual efforts in study made himself proficient as a scholar. He was a fine mathematician, and served as surveyor for many years. He lived successively in Robertson, Weakley and Obion Counties, Tenn., coming to the last county in 1849. He was magistrate of Robertson County for twelve years and was also postmaster at Mitchellville, and was a member of the Weakley County Agricultural Association, and received the premium on agricultural essay in 1860. His farm took the premium for best cultivation the same year. He owned the first portable thresher in either Robertson or Weakley counties, and also the first steam-mill in the latter county. He operated a distillery for nearly thirty years in Robertson county, and in connection with this, a water flouring-mill. During the latter part of his life he gave up distilling and became an active and liberal church worker. His wife was born in Russellville, Ky., December 23, 1815 and died in Robertson County, Tenn., April 15, 1846. Our subject was educated in the common schools and in Andrew College, Trenton, Tenn. He enlisted in the Confederate Army at the age of eighteen, joining Company H., Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, under Col. afterward Gen. W. H. Jackson. He served during the entire war, and was in thirty-three engagements. He was wounded at Sulphur Springs, Ala., and took the oath of allegiance at Paducah, Ky., under the terms of the general surrender. November 24, 1865, he wedded Margaret O. Major, daughter of Rev. J. M. Major. To them were born four children: Maggie J., Bertie E., Lizzie H., and Ophelia Major, born October 11, 1866; August 3, 1868; December 27, 1869; and January 11, 1872, respectively. Maggie J., died October 14, 1884. She was a pupil in the M. C. F. Institute at Jackson, Tenn., and but for her death would have graduated the following June. She was a fine musician. Bertie E. Has lately graduated from the Wesleyan Female Institute at Staunton, Va. She shows great proficiency in oil painting, and many specimens of her work hang in the family parlors. Lizzie H. Is attending the same school as Miss Bertie. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Graves County, Ky., July 18, 1844. Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat and belongs to the K. Of H. He owns 647 acres of land, on which is erected a commodious and beautiful residence. He and wife are among the prominent families of the county. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Capt. T. B. Moffat, general merchant and ex-Confederate soldier, was born in Chester District, S. C. , August 4, 1835, son of William F. And Jane (McDill) Moffat, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were born South Carolina, both about 1799. The father died in his native State and the mother at Troy, Obion Co., Tenn. At about the age of thirteen years our subject began clerking in a store, and in 1858 came to Troy, Tenn., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued with success up to 1861, when he joined Company A. Forty-seventh Tennessee, as orderly sergeant. He was commissioned second lieutenant in 1862, first lieutenant in 1863 and captain in 1864. He was in many important and hotly contested battles, and was one of the true soldiers of the Confederate Army. While in the front of the column at the battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864, he was wounded by a minie-ball, and lost his right arm. He came home in the spring of 1865, and the following year removed to Rives and resumed mercantile pursuits, and is one of the thorough business men of the county and a true gentleman. In 1861 he married N. A. Hamilton, who was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., in 1843, and seven children have blessed their union: Mary I., Anna H., Luther G., William M.,Robert, Walter and Greer. Capt. Moffat is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James S. Moffatt, general merchant, is a native of Chester County, S. C., born on the 10th of March, 1808. His father, John Moffatt, was born in the Palmetto State in 1786, and was the son of William Moffatt, who was a native of Ireland, and came to America in 1772, and served in the Revolutionary was. He died in Chester County, S. C. The Moffatt family came to Obion County, Tenn., in 1839 and here John Moffatt, the father of our subject died in 1857. He was a farmer, and was married to Elizabeth Strong, who was born in South Carolina in 1786, and died in her native State in 1819. Of her eight children our subject is the third, and is of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock. His early years were spent on a South Carolina plantation, and at the age of sixteen he began clerking in a store, which occupation he continued until he had attained his majority. He then engaged in the mercantile business for himself at Greenville, S. C., and there continued the business for five years. From that time until 1842, he carried on merchandising in his native county, and then came to West. Tennessee, settling at Troy, where he opened a general store, and continued business with much success until 1862, when he was compelled to leave Troy by the Federals, who took possession of his goods. His losses during the war amounted to about $150,000. In 1866 he again opened a mercantile establishment, and has been doing an extensive and lucrative baseness. His stock at the last invoice amounted to $20,000. His store house is 56 x 100 feet, and a two-story building. Mr. Moffatt owns 3,000 acres of land in this county, and his success is due to his unceasing energy and devotion to business life. He was married in 1829, to Miss Martha Moffatt, of South Carolina, and by her is the father of six children: Mary L., Augustus, Rev. William S., Elizabeth, Israel P. And Jennie B. Israel P. Moffatt received a wound at Perryville, under Gen. Bragg, of which he eventually died. Mrs. Moffatt died in 1859 and in 1860 Mr. Moffatt took for his second wife Mrs. M. J. Williamson, of Marshall County, Tenn., born in 1827. Both are members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and Mr. Moffatt is a Democrat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William A. Montgomery, druggist, of Kenton, Tenn., was born in Iredell County, N. C. August 28, 1849. His parents, David and Rebecca F. (Montgomery) Montgomery were born in North Carolina, the father in 1812 and the mother in 1810. The former died in Obion County in 1883. Our subject is the youngest and the only living one of four children. The family came to Tennessee at an early day, and located first in Dyer County, later in Gibson, and 1866 came to Kenton, and here the subject of our biography has since resided, with the exception of a few years spent on a farm. He was educated at Yorkville Academy, in Gibson County and Bethel College, in Carroll county. Subsequently, for several years he clerked for his brother, John M. Montgomery, who died in 1868. During 1869 Mr. Montgomery sold drugs for R. W. Powell & Co., and in 1873 began farming, continuing the same till 1861. He now owns 185 acres of land near Kenton. At the last named date he engaged in the drug business at Kenton, and has continued the same up to the present with marked success. In 1869 he married Lou. A. Wade, who was born in 1852 in Obion county. They have four children: Beulah B., Charles M., Fannie T. and Ellen Inez. Mrs. Montgomery died March 14, 1881, and in 1884 Mr. Montgomery married Mrs. Della (Penn) Mitchell, born in 1856. Mr. Montgomery is a Democrat in politics and his first presidential vote was for Greeley. In 1885 he was elected recorder of Kenton, and is now a member of the town council. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alex N. Moore, attorney at law, is a native of Maury County, Tenn., born May 21, 1848, son of James A. and Eliza A. (Hanks) Moore, and of Scotch-Irish descent. James A. Moore was born in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1816 and removed to Obion County in 1869. He died at Palestine in 1879. The mother was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1820. Our subject is the fourth of their nine children. He received a common school education and served an apprenticeship at bridge building, and continued to work at this trade until 1870, when he came to Obion County and engaged in farming. He began teaching school in 1876, and at the same time studied law. He was licensed to practice in 1880, and was admitted to the bar the same year. He came to Union City in 1882, and formed a partnership in the law practice with his brother, J. M. Moore, and continues to the present. He was married in 1874 to M. F. Fitzpatrick, who was born in Maury County in 1850. They have two children: Maggie L. and Ben Floyd. Mr. Moore is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Horace Greeley. He belongs to the K. of P. And I. O. O. F., and is one of the leading attorneys of Obion County. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. M. Morris is the fourth of ten children born to William B. And Harriett B. (Morris) Morris who were natives of Virginia. The former was reared in his native State, and was married in Rutherford County, Tenn. He removed to Obion County in 1838, where he remained about ten years, and then moved to Fulton County, Ky., where he resided the rest of his life, and died November 12, 1854. The mother died in Obion county, August 8, 1877. Our subject was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., February 16, 1832, and received a limited early education. He has made farming his chief calling through life, and now owns 330 acres of land, on which is erected a beautiful residence, furnished with many modern appliances. Mr. Morris began farming on his own account at the age of twenty-four. He was married in Obion County, February 14, 1859, to Mary A. Ligon, daughter of Henry A. Ligon. They have three children: Willie C. (Mrs. S. McCall), Napoleon B. and Charles L. Mrs. Morris was born in Virginia, May 1, 1844. She and Mr. Morris are members of the Christian Church and he is a stanch Democrat in politics. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. B. Morris, liveryman and farmer, at Obion Station, Tenn., is a son of T. O. Morris, who was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in October , 1829. He married Elizabeth R. Buckley, and by her became the father of six sons, our subject, who was born in Obion County, Tenn., October 14, 1848, being the eldest of the family. His early days were spent on a farm, and February 22, 1878, he married Ela C. Wilson, daughter of W. M. And N. A. Wilson. Their union resulted in the birth of two children: Tom Overton and William M. About four years after his marriage Mr. Morris came to Obion Station, and engaged in the livery, grocery and blacksmith business, and now farms in connection with the former business. He has prospered in his undertakings , and is now worth about $8.000, the most of which he has earned by good management and industry. He belongs to the Christian Church, and his wife to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In politics he is a Democrat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N. B. Morton, editor and proprietor of Morton's Advance, was born at Hillsboro, Williamson Co., Tenn., April 3, 1853, son of Jacob H. and Susan P. (Mayberry) Morton, and is of Irish descent. Mr. Morton was reared in Franklin, Tenn., and came to Union City in 1867 and established the Reveille, and continued this paper during 1874, 1875 and 1876. From the latter date until 1877 he resided in Johnson county, Tex., and published the Cleaburn Tribune. He then returned to Tennessee, locating at Dickson, where he established the Dixon County Independent. In 1879 he returned to Union City and published the Anchor, but is now editing Morton's Advance. His business life has been that of a newspaper man, and his political opinions are Democratic. In 1876 he was married to Mrs. Victoria I. Nash, who has borne him two children: Nettie N. and Pearl. His parents were natives of Williamson County, and did much to settle and advance the county. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. L. Moultrie was born in North Carolina September 29, 1816, and is a son of William Moultrie, who was also born in North Carolina in 1787, and died in Obion County, Tenn., in 1842. His wife, Unica Batcher, was born about 1792 in North Carolina, and came to Tennessee in 1835, and in 1836 came to Obion county. J. L. Moultrie was reared on his father's farm and worked on the same until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began following the same business for himself. He also ran a fishery at Reelfoot Lake for a number of years, and made the business quite a success. In October, 1875, he engaged in the general mercantile business, and has continued the same up to the present time. April 28, 1838, he married Louisa Barker, of Tennessee, daughter of Allen Barker. This union resulted in the birth of six children. Mrs. Moultrie died February 25, 1853, and Mr. Moultrie then married Mrs. Nancy (Hampton) Cashion, who died in October, 1854. He married his third wife, Harriett Watson, December, 1854. They have four children. This wife died in 1864, and he took for his fourth companion Mrs. Rebecca Miller, nee Summers, with whom he is still living. Mr. Moultrie is a self-made man, and is a man of influence where he resides, and has been quite successful in his business transactions through life. He was elected to the office of magistrate in 1848, and served twelve years. He has also been county trustee six years since the was, and, as his father died insolvent, he took the responsibility of paying his debts, and has done so, and is now worth about $15,000. He is a Democrat, but up to the date of the late was an old line Whig. Henry H. Naylor is the fourth of ten children born to Woodfin and Ellen (Nelson) Naylor, and is of Irish and English descent. He was born in Bedford County, Tenn., November 25, 1841, and his boyhood days were spent on his father's farm. He acquired a common school education, and has made farming his chief business through life. At the breaking out of the war he joined the first Mississippi Cavalry, Confederate States Army, for eighteen months, and was then transferred to Capt. Henderson's scouts, serving in this command until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg and Jackson, besides many other battles and skirmishes of less note. He served three years and nine months and was paroled at Gainesville, Ala., May 12, 1865. September 24, 1868, he wedded Cynthia A. Mansfield in the house where he now lives. They have four children, three living: Hallie L., Charles Bell and Maria Kate. Mrs. Naylor was born in Obion County August 12 1842, and died November 11, 1883, being buried within fifty yards of the place where she was born, raised and lived all her life. Mr. Naylor is a Democrat, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and has held the office of constable. His father is a Tennessean, born August 12, 1812. He was reared and educated in Bedford County, and after his marriage moved to Fulton County, Ky., where he remained two years, and is now practicing law in Union City. His wife was born in Virginia September 17, 1817. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alfred Naylor may be mentioned as one of the prominent farmers of Obion County, Tenn. His birth occurred in Pulaski County, Ky., December 8, 1807, the eldest of a family of ten children -- seven sons and three daughters -- all of whom are living. His parents, John and Sarah (Woodfin) Naylor, were born in Maryland, and North Carolina, respectively, and after their marriage in the latter State, moved to Kentucky. After residing in Pulaski County a few years, they came to Bedford Co., Tenn., and followed farming until the father's death in 1854. From that time until her death, in 1856, the mother, was a resident of Obion County. At the early age of twenty-one, Alfred Naylor began merchandising in Rutherford county, continuing about two years. He then moved to Fulton County, Ky., where he was engaged in wool carding and farming, about eighteen years, and in 1850 came to Obion County, Tenn., and located on his present farm of 200 acres of fine land, near Union City, along the line of the Mobile & Ohio R. R. In 1842 he married Sarah Day, and by her became the father of twelve children, six of whom are still living. Mr. Naylor was an old line Whig, but of late years has been identified with the National Greenback party. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew J. Nelms, farmer, was born September 8, 1833, in Obion county, Tenn., and is a son of William and Anna (Sykes) Nelms. The father was born in Northumberland County, Va., in 1775, and the mother in North Carolina. They were married in the latter State, and moved to Davidson County, Tenn., where they remained until 1821, then came to Obion county, locating four miles east of Troy, there being but three families, at that time, in the county. The father died in 1851, and the mother in 1855. To them were born nine children, four of whom lived. They resided on the farm after their parents' death, and at the commencement of the war, Andrew J. enlisted in the Forty-seventh Tennessee Infantry, and served until February, 1863, when he returned home, and married Elisa Whitesides in November of that year, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He owns a farm of 416 acres, near the old homestead. He and wife are the parents of eight children: William J. (deceased), James H., Margaret Ann, Thomas M., Nancy Ann, (deceased), Elizabeth, Belle and Andrew J. . H. Olive was born in North Carolina, October 10, 1824, and was brought to Tennessee, when about three years of age. His father died in 1859. His mother, whose maiden name was Holland Bowden, was also born in North Carolina. J. H. Olive assisted his father until he was twenty-one years of age. He at that time began farming, and by his energy and perseverance is worth about $3000. June 5, 1851, Mary Blake became his wife. She was a daughter of James and Martha Blake, and is the mother of three children: Martha Ann (Mrs. William Stovall), James E. and John Clinton. Mr. Olive is upright and honest in his dealings with his fellow men, and has been a consistent member of the Primitive Baptist Church for forty-five years. He is a Democrat politically, and has always been a law abiding citizen, and a man of his word. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James M. Ownby, of the firm of Ownby & Co., founders and machinists, was born in Robertson County, Tenn., May 20, 1850, son of James P. And grandson of Roland Ownby, who was born in Virginia. He came to Robertson County, Tenn., as early as 1812 and died in Missouri. James P. Ownby was born in Robertson County, Tenn., in 1825, and served in the late war in Company C, Forty-ninth Tennessee Confederate States Army and was commissioned captain in 1864. He was captured at Fort Donelson and taken to Camp Douglas, where he was kept a prisoner of war for seven months. He was paroled at Houston, Texas, in July, 1865. The mother of our subject, Carrie A. Ownby, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1826. Her father, Jos. R. Boyles, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject is one of eight children and was educated at Liberty Academy in Robertson County. In 1869 he began learning the boiler-maker's trade and in 1868 the family came to Obion County, and here our subject has since resided. He began his present business in 1879 and is doing well financially. He is a fine mechanic, and in 1872 was married to Tabitha E. Green, who was born in Carroll County, April 11, 1852, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They have four children: Ethel, Max P., Mabel, and George S. Mr. Ownby is a Democrat and belongs to the K. Of P. And K. Of H. Luke Palmer, farmer, was born in Wilcox county, Ala., August 14, 1843, and is one of four children born to the marriage of Chillian Palmer and Phoebe D. Watkins. The father was born in Caswell County, N. C., and went to Alabama about 1840 where he married Miss Watkins, who was born in the State. He was a graduate of a Philadelphia medical college and practiced that profession in several different counties in Alabama. He came to Obion County, Tenn., in 1866, and remained until his death, in 1867. The mother is still residing in the county. Their son, Luke, resided with his parents until 1862, then enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Alabama Infantry and served until the cessation of hostilities. He returned home and in 1868 married Eliza J. Catron, a native of Perry County, but reared in this. Of eight children born to them seven still live. Mr. Palmer became possessor of his present farm of 95 acres in 1871. He and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and he belongs to the Central Baptist Association. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John D. Palmer was born in the balmy State of Alabama, Dallas County, March 6, 1848, and is one of a family of six children born to Chillian and Phoebe (Watkins) Palmer. [See Luke Palmer's sketch.] He has always resided on the home place, with the exception of a few years spent in Texas in 1872. In 1879 he married Mary E. Herring, who was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., and is the mother of three children: John C., James Howell, and Angeline Irene. Being a true farmer and wishing to possess more land, Mr. Palmer, in 1871, purchased out the other heirs to the home farm and is now the owner of 100 acres of well improved and fertile land in that tract and 135 acres in another. On his home farm are mounds which are supposed to be relics of the Mound Builders. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hardy L. Park, M. D., is a Marshall County Tennessean, and was born April 15, 1855, and is one of six surviving members of a family of eight children born to George W. And Harriett (Brown) Park, who were born, reared and married in Marshall County, and there followed the occupation of farming until 1856, then came to Obion County. The father died in 1873, and the mother in 1880. At the age of twenty-four Hardy L. Park, entered the medical department of the Vanderbilt University, attending one term, and then began practicing his profession at his present place of abode. During the sessions of 1885-86, he attended the college of physicians and surgeons at Baltimore, Md., and graduated from the same. He came into possession of his present residence, a farm of twenty-five acres, in 1884. The same year he married Emma Lewis, who has borne him one child - Vera. The Doctor is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and his wife of the First Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David M. Pearce, M. D., was born in Carroll County, West Tenn., August 18, 1836, son of Stokley D. And Mary S. (Killough) Pearce, and is of Irish-English descent. His father was born in North Carolina in 1790, and his mother in Georgia in 1795. Arthur Pearce, grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died in West Tennessee about 1825. The family came to Tennessee about 1800, and settled in Rutherford County. Stokley D. Pearce was a soldier in the was of 1812, and died in Carroll County, Tenn., in 1855. His wife also died there in 1845. Our subject is next to the youngest of twelve children- four of whom survive. He was raised on a farm and continued to "till the soil" until he attained his majority. He began the study of medicine in 1858 in the office of Dr. Joel P. King, in Gibson County, Tenn. He attended the medical department of the University of Nashville, and came to Union City in 1862, where he has since made his home. He graduated from the Bellevue Hospital, N. Y., in 1870, and is one of the best posted and successful physicians of the county. In 1860 he married Margaret R. McDaniel, of Gibson County, born in 1844. They have three children: Muller, Bookie and Ethel L. Dr. Pearce is a Democrat, and since 1860 has been a Mason. He and Mrs. Pearce belong to the Christian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William C. Pharr, a North Carolinian, was born in Moore County, August 12, 1850, son of Augustus B. And Jane L. (Hancock) Pharr, who were born in Cabarrus and Moore Counties, N. C. , in 1821 and 1825 respectively. The father was a lieutenant in the Mexican war. His death took place in 1859, while making a visit to the old homestead in North Carolina. His wife died the same year. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Hon. Roland Pharr, a North Carolinian, who at one time was a member of the State Legislature. He died in his native State. Our subject was educated in the schools of Concord, N. C., and came with his people to Tennessee to 1854, locating in McNairy County. In 1866 William C. came to Kenton and entered the employ of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, as agent at Kenton, continuing until 1884. He was train dispatcher at Mobile, Ala., for some time, and served that company in different capacities and in different places, begin a competent railway man. For some years he has been engaged in the real estate business and is meeting with good success. In 1872 he married Miss Belle Wade, of Obion County, daughter of W. B. Wade. She was born in Gibson County, June 29, 1853, and is the mother of three children: Ella, Maggie B., and Augustus W. Mr. Pharr is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pharr was the first mayor of Kenton and served in that capacity for six years. He is a man of splendid general information and one of the best citizens of Kenton. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lankford Phebus, was born in Perry County December 28, 1835, and is a son of Leonard Phebus. [See sketch of Jefferson Phebus.] He made his parents' house his home until the breaking out of hostilities between the North and South, when he enlisted in the Forty-second Tennessee Infantry, and served until he was captured at the fall of Fort Donelson. He was taken to Johnson Island and was exchanged after seven months' captivity. He immediately enlisted in the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry. In 1863 he returned home and remained until the father's death. In 1871 he led to the hymeneal altar, Anna Brown, a native of Williamson County, Tenn. She died the same year (September 11). In 1877 Mr. Phebus united his fortunes with those of Miss Helen Brown, who has borne him three children: Robert Enloe, Lois and George Elmo. Mr. Phebus has resided on his present farm, of 220 acres, since 1874. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jefferson Phebus, farmer of Obion County, was born on the 3d of March, 1825, in Perry County, and is one of four living children, born to Leonard and Sinah (Morris) Phebus, who were born in Georgia and North Carolina respectively. They were married in Perry County, where the mother died. Leonard Phebus died in Humphreys County. After residing with his parents until 1852, Jefferson Phebus married Sarah Christian, a native of Hickman county. In 1854 Mr. Phebus went to Missouri, where he remained one year. He then returned and purchased a farm in Humphreys County, and in 1874 came to Obion County, where he owns a farm of about 400 acres. To his marriage two children were born: Sinah and Margaret Ann, deceased. Mrs. Phebus died in Humphreys County in 1858, and in December, 1861, Mr. Phebus married Martha Ann Tase, who bore him four children, and died in October, 1873. He joined the Southern Army in 1862, enlisting in the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, with which he remained until the winter of 1863, when he returned home. He is a Democrat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas M. Pierce, railroad agent, postmaster and farmer at Pierce's Station, Tennessee, was born in Southampton County, Va., April 14, 1810, and he is the eldest of twelve children born to the marriage of Rice B. Pierce and Elizabeth Cook, both of whom were born in the same State and County as our subject. The were married in their native State, and Mr. Pierce was chairman of the county court for over forty years. He represented his county in the State Legislature two terms, and was captain in the war of 1812, stationed near Norfolk, Va. He died at the homestead in North Carolina at the advanced age of nearly ninety years. His wife was born in 1791, and also died at the homestead at the age of sixty-five years. Our subject received a liberal education; at the age of twenty years became salesman for Kyle & Caperton, at Petersburg, Va., remaining with them two years, and then began business on his own account at Halifax, N. C. He was married in Lewisburg, N. C., May 24, 1834, to Margaret J. Blacknall, daughter of William Blacknall, farmer, a native of North Carolina, and of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce became the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Harriett E. (Gibbs), T. Deveraux, Henry H., Rice A. And George J. Those deceased are William B. And an infant son. Mr. Pierce is a conservative Democrat and owns 100 acres of land, on which is erected a beautiful and commodious residence. His youngest son owns a fine farm of 300 acres adjoining the homestead. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon. Rice A. Pierce, ex-member of Congress, was born in Dresden, Weakley Colk Tenn., July 3, 1847. His father, Thomas M. Pierce, is a native of Buckingham County, Va., and was born in 1807. He went to Halifax County, N. C. in his boyhood and came to Tennessee in 1845, and settled in what was then Weakley County (now Obion). His wife's maiden name was Margaret J. Blacknall. She was born in North Carolina in 1813. Our subject's grandfather was Capt. R. B. Pierce, of the regular United States Army, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in Halifax County, N. C., in the ninety-first year of his age. Rice A. Pierce was raised on a farm, and attended the common schools. In 1862 he joined the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate States Army, and in 1864 was captured at Bolivar, Tenn., and held as a prisoner of war for nine months. After his return home he entered school at London, Canada, where he remained some time and then began the study of law at Halifax, N. C., under the direction of Judge Edward Canigland. He was licensed to practice in 1868, and the same year came to Union City and engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a leading lawyer of West Tennessee, and has gained prominence as a criminal lawyer. In 1874 he was elected attorney-general of the Twelfth District and was re-elected in 1878. In 1882 he was elected to the Forty- eighth United States Congress. He is a Democrat and belongs to the K. Of P. And I. O. O. F. In 1872 he was married to Miss Mollie Hunter, of Scott County, Mo., She was born in 1853, and is a daughter of Hon. Isaac Hunter. They have one child, Thomas M. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William C. Pressly, M. D. Was born October 23, 1857, in Oktibbeha County, Miss., and is one of five surviving members of a family of seven children born to David and Sarah (Paden) Pressly, both of whom are natives of the Palmetto State. At the age of sixteen the father went to Alabama, and soon after entered college at Oxford, Ohio, where he graduated four years later and then returned to South Carolina. He attended the Presbyterian Seminary in Oktibbeha County two years, and then accepted the pastorship of the Presbyterian Church at Starkville, Miss., which he filled forty three years. Soon after locating in the latter place, he married Letha Fair, who bore him five children, two now living. The mother died and he afterward married the mother of our subject, who died January 17, 1883. David Pressly is now residing in Tipton County, Tenn. His son, Dr. Pressly, made his home under the paternal roof until he attained his majority, when he entered Erskine college, South Carolina, graduating from the same in 1882. He attended three sessions in New York City Medical College, and located in Marshall County, Miss., where he practiced until January, 1886. Since that time he has resided in Obion county, Tenn., where he is doing a good business. December 4, 1884, he married Maud Moffatt, who has born him one son, S. J. Moffatt. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rev. Thomas P. Pressly, pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church at Troy, Tenn., was born in Oktibbeha County, Miss., January 15, 1853, son of Rev. David Pressly, of South Carolina, born January 8, 1820. His father, Dr. Samuel Pressly, was also a native of South Carolina, and died in Alabama. Our subject's mother was Sarah (Peden) Pressly. She was born in Chester County, S. C., in 1827 and died in Mississippi in 1883. Rev. Thomas Pressly is the eldest of their seven children. His juvenile days were spent on a farm. He first attended the Starkville (Miss,) schools, and in 1868 entered Erskine College at Due West, graduating as a B. D. The following year. He came to Troy in October, 1875, and has since been the regular pastor of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He joined the above named church in 1870, and is an earnest and active minister. December 25, 1877, he was united in marriage to Dora A. Smith, who was born in Troy, September 20, 1860, and is a daughter of Maj. James G. Smith. They have three children: James W., David P., and Sarah B. Rev. Pressly is a Democrat and cast his first Presidential vote for Tilden. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- J. A. Prieto, M. D., a resident and practitioner of Obion County, Tenn., was born April 16, 1820, in Cienfuego, Cuba, his father being an attorney of that place forty odd years before his death. Our subject graduated from the literary department of a college at Havana, Cuba, at the age of seventeen and entered the medical university of the same place in the fall of the same year, and graduated January 12, 1842, with the highest honors the university conferred. He was immediately appointed to practice in the navy by the governor of Cuba, and held the position four years , practicing in the meantime in Asia, Africa, Russia, on the Red Sea, South America, California, Mexico, Porto Rico, and many of the islands of the Atlantic, successfully treating the diseases small-pox, measles, erysipelas, typhoid malaria, Panama fever, cholera Asiatico, yellow fever, etc. He returned to Cuba in 1847, where he practiced until 1852. He then joined Gen. Laupes' expedition, and was captured by the government officers March 4, 1854, but made his escape March 15, 1854, and embarked for the United States, landing at New York City April 1, 1854. He went to Boston, Mass., but soon went to New Orleans and practiced there in the hospital during the yellow fever epidemic of 1855. In 1856 he was appointed by the President of the United States to practice in the United States Army, as assistant surgeon, serving in that capacity about ten years on the plains. During the late war he practiced in the hospital at Memphis, and after the close of the war came to Obion County and practiced in the county four and a half years. In December, 1869, he went to Mississippi, where he remained eight years. His wife died of yellow fever while there and he, shortly after, visited his old home at Cienfuego, Cuba, and afterward traveled over the whole of Europe. He returned to Obion County, in 1881, where he has since practiced. He is a member of the board of health at Nashville, and practiced during the small-pox epidemic of 1885. His first wife was Mary Shearon, of Obion County. She died November 30, 1878, leaving one child, Jose. After his return from his European travels he, October 5, 1881, wedded Mollie Rivers. He is worth about $7,000, all of which he has made since 1881. He is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church, and is a very skillful and able practitioner.