TIPTON COUNTY TN - GOODSPEED - Biographies G-L Surnames
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George R. Gibbs, one of Tipton County's most enterprising business men and
practical farmers, is a son of P. H. and M. E. (Cotton) Gibbs; was born in
ownsville in 1843, and is one of eight children, two sons and three daughters
living. The father was of English descent; he was born in Wilmington, N. C. in
1802; was educated in New York, but at the age of fourteen he was called to
Augusta, Ga., to fill a clerkship, and two years later he moved to ownsville,
being one of the pioneers of the place and acted as book-keeper for Ferguson &
Co., one of the first establishments of the place. He was married in 1827, and
was for some time clerk on a steamer that ran between Memphis and Bolivar, and
he established the ownsville landing, where he was extensively engaged for years
trading in cotton; was then in the mercantile business at ownsville until 1854,
when ill health caused him to give up the business; then moved to Tipton County
and bought a farm, where he remained until 1866, when he commenced merchandising
at Covington, which he continued until his death in 1874, which occured while on
a visit to his native state. He was held in the highest esteem by his community.
His wife and himself were Methodists. The mother was born in Edgecombe County,
N. C. Her parents were Henry and Sophia (Munford) Cotton, and were among the
early settlers of the county. Our subject was educated at ownsville and Tipton
County, under Prof. P. A. Fisher. When only sixteen he enlisted in Company B,
Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Belmont, Lackage's
Mill, the capture of Holly Springs, Corinth, Greenwood, Miss., iton's Lane,
Prarie Mount, Tishamingo Creek and Harrisburg, and was one of the 625 men who
captured Union City, Athens, Ga., Sulphur Trussle and Pulaski. He remained until
the surrender at Gainesville, Ala., then returned and assumed charge of his
father's business and engaged in farming. Feuary 22, 1874, he married Martha B.,
daughter of Rev. Thomas R. and Mary Owen, of North Carolina. They have five
children, two living: Mary Owen and Thomas Owen. Mrs. Gibbs was born in
Washington, D. C. in 1842. Her father was educated at the military school at
Middleton, Conn., under Capt. Alden Partridge. He first graduated at Chapel
Hill, N. C., then took a theological course at Prince Edward, Va.; entered the
distinguished ministry, and made preaching his life work. He was a son of Gen.
James Owen, and a nephew of ex-Gov. Owen, both prominent citizens of North
Carolina. He was one of the distinguished ministers of the Baptist Church, and
died in Tipton County in 1882. He was formerly a Presbyterian, and pastor of
that church at Washington, N. C., and also at Washington, D. C., but afterward
united with the Baptist Church. Our subject has lived at his present home since
his marriage. He owns 320 acres of productive land, well improved, six miles
southeast of Covington, and besides farming is extensively engaged in milling
and ginning. Mr. Gibbs is a man of fine business capacity and general
information. He is a Democrat, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. They are both exceedingly popular in their community.

Dr. G. B. Gillespie, a physician of Covington, was born in Georgia, 1844, and
was one of nine children that lived to be grown-six girls and three boys. His
parents were G. B. and Rebecca (Poer) Gillispie. His father was born in
Spartanburg County, S. C., in 1800, and moved from there to Georgia in 1833,
where he remained until 1870, then moved to Mississippi. He was a teacher and a
farmer, and died in 1875. His wife was born in South Carolina, in 1808, and died
in 1879. Our subject received a good education at the Salacoa Academy, in
Georgia. In 1868 he began reading medicine with Dr. Howard, of Fulton Miss., and
in 1872 he entered the medical department of the Nashville University; after one
course of lectures, commenced practicing medicine at Chicasaw Co., Miss., where
he remained until 1877, then moved to Hickman County, Ky. In 1874-75, Dr.
Gillispie, attended another course of lectures at Nashville, and received a
diploma from the Nashville and Vanderbilt Universities. October, 1874, he
married Miss May, daughter of Paul and Ellen S. Tiller. Mrs. Gillispie was born
in Georgia in 1858, they have one son, Paul G. Dr. Gillispie moved from Kentucky
to Covington, in 1879, and has carried a very large practice, acquiring the
reputation of being a successful physician and surgeon, but more especially in
gynecology. Dr. Gillispie and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a Democrat and a Mason, and is highly esteemed as a physician and
a citizen.

Dr. George T. Gray, one of the best physicians of Tipton County, was born in
North Carolina, January 15, 1831, and is a son of Willlis and Elizabeth
(Morrison) Gray, both of them natives of North Carolina. The father was born in
Feuary 1, 1802, and was farmer all his life; he did not belong to any church,
but believed in Christian faith; he was a man of high integerity and kind heart,
and in politics an old line Whig. He died September 10, 1867. The mother was
born Feuary 25, 1793, and was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church.
She died November 17, 1885. Dr. George Gray was the oldest of three children,
and after completing his education, he entered the Memphis Medical College, in
1856, where he received his diploma in 1858. After graduating he located in
Fayette County, and commenced to establish himself in his profession, and soon
built up a large practice, which increased rapidly. December 24, 1861, he
married Miss Eugenia Hughes, born in Maury County, April 13, 1840, and to this
marriage eight children were born-six sons and two daughters; two of the sons
died. The names and dates of the births of the chidren are as follows: John P.,
born November 19, 1863; Warren D., born June 2, 1845; Cora L., born June 23,
1867; Mott L., born January 28, 1870; Otway, born May 27, 1872; Musette, born
November 13, 1875; George M., born August 14, 1878; Tyrrell R., born January 17,
1883. John P. died October 3, 1804, and Mott L. died September 8, 1871. Dr. Gray
gives his political support to the Democratic party. He is not a member of any
church, but is in sympathy with the Old School Presbyterian Church. He is a
kind, generous man and cheerfully responds to all charitable calls on either his
puruse or professional skills.

Col. John U. Green, a prominent citizen of Tipton County, was born in Madison
County, Ala., May 7, 2839, and is a son of James W. and Elizabeth (Bass) Green,
both natives of North Carolina. The father was born August 22, 1790. In early
life he moved to Madison County, Ala., and in 1829 to Tipton County, Tenn., and
lived at Covington a short time, then went to Texas, and lived for eighteen
years. A few weeks before he died he returned to Tipton County, and died at the
home of his other in Covington, in 1847. The mother was born July 1, 1804. She
moved with her parents to Alabama when young, was married in that state, May 20,
1819, and died in Covington in 1829. Our subject was the youngest of six
children; he had fine educational advantages. In 1846 he entered Centre College,
Danville, Ky., received his diploma there in June, 1848. After graduating he
began the study of medicine under his uncle, who was a physician. In 1850 his
uncle purchased a farm, and he superintended it for four years. Col. Green has
been married twice; the first time, October 7, 1853, to Mary J. Sanford, who was
born in Tipton County, August 9, 1835, and died May 24, 1862; two sons and three
daughters were born to this marriage. March 30, 1865, he was married to Sarah A.
Green, born January 5, 1831, and died May 15, 1871; three children were born to
this marriage, only one son living. In 1861, Col. Green entered the Confederate
Army in Company C., Seventh Tennessee Calvary, as third lieutenant, and was soon
made captain; but in the reorganization of the regiment he was defeated for
captain; he returned home and raised another company, and went immediately into
service. At first his company was connected with Richardson's partisan rangers,
but afterward consolidated with Bennett's batallion, and made the Twelfth
Tennessee Cavalry, and he was made lieutenant-colonel. For gallantry at battle
of Wyatt's Ford, across the Tallahatchee River, he was again promoted and made
colonel of the regiment, which finally joined Forrest, and remained with him
until the close of the war; they surrendered at Greenville, Ala. Col. Green then
returned home and resumed farming. He is now an enthusiastic Democrat, and a
prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. He has been very successful and has
a host of friends.

James G. Hamblet, a citizen of Mason, Tipton County, engaged in the general
merchandise business, was born in Louisana Feuary 26, 1847, and is the son of
James W. and Mary J. (oom) Hamblet. Our subject's father died in Louisana in
1849, and after his death he came with his mother to Tennessee and located in
Fayette County. He was raised on a farm, and received a common-school education.
In 1863 he entered the Confederate service as a private, and served until the
close of the war, participating in several of the principal battles. When the
war closed he returned home and spent two years farming; then attended school,
and received a fair business education; then went south, but his health failing
him he returned home and was elected district officer in Fayette County, serving
until 1876, when he engaged in the mercantile business at aden Station. In that
county, until 1880, when he moved to Mason, in Tipton County, and engaged in his
present business, but continuing his store at aden Station also until 1883. Mr.
Hamblet is a self-made man; he commenced life without money, and by his energy
and business capacity has secured his present means, and is one of Tipton
County's substantial business men. He is doing an annual business of $10,000 and
in addition to his store is engaged in milling and cotton-ginning on a large
scale. Feuary 26, 1874, he was married to Euphemia L. Exum, a daughter of
William and Martha (Ming) Exum, and six children have been born to their
marriage; William Exum, Bennie L., Jimmie L. Mary E., Burta F., and John L.
Politically Mr. Hamblet is a Democrat; he is also a member of the F. A. & A. M.
He is a man of oad ideas, true in his friendships and strictly honest in all
business matters.

J. B. Hamilton, merchant of Covington, Tenn., was born near that city in 1843,
and is now the only surviving child of James K. and Keron H. (Baker) Hamilton.
The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1791, and came to Tipton County about
1820, being among the first settlers of that county, and he and his partner, R.
W. Sanford, were the first merchants to do business in Covington. He also taught
the first school in the place, was afteward a farmer and prominent citzen of
that county. He was a man of fine education, and of good moral principles. The
mother of our subject was born in West Tennessee about 1800, and departed this
life in 1845. Our subject received his education under his father and at the
Covington Male High School. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twelfth
Tennessee Infantry, and was in many battles and skirmishes. He was never
captured, and his wounds consisted of a loss of one finger. In the winter of
1868 he engaged in the mercantile business for himself, having acted as clerk
for some time previous to that. In 1867 he married Miss Annie L. Fisher, a
native of Covington, Tenn., born about 1850, and departed this life September,
1885. She was the daughter of Dr. C. G. and Elizabeth V. Fisher. To our subject
and wife were born three children: Virgie D., Miss Charley Sue, and Lilly H. Mr.
Hamilton is a stanch Democrat in polictics, a member of the I. O. O. F. and K.
of H.

J. N. Harris, trustee of Tipton County, Tenn., was born at Jackson in the same
state, November 10, 1846, and is a son of George N. and Eliza A. (DeWitt)
Harris. He was reared at home, and received his education at the West Tennessee
College at Jackson. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate Army,
joining Gen. Cheatham's division in Company L, Sixth Tennessee Infantry, under
Capt. Robert Ford. He remained with this company until the close of the war,
participating in many battles and cavalry engagements. January 19, 1869, he
wedded A. E. Sommerville, a native of Tipton County , born in 1848, and a
daughter of Rev. Joseph J. and S. A. Sommerville, of Mason, Tenn. The marriage
of our subject resulted in the birth of two children: Lila D. and Alice R. Mr.
Harris came to Tipton County in 1869, and until 1878 was engaged in farming He
was then elected to the office he now holds. He is a good officer and a much
esteemed citizen. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The father of our subject was born in
Tennessee in 1819. When a young man he located at Jackson, and was engaged in
the mercantile business at that place until the war. He was a good business
manager, and amassed a considerable fortune. He died in 1884. The mother of our
subject died in 1850.

Simpson D. Hastings, a prosperous farmer of Tipton County, was born in Wayne
County, N. C., September 22, 1818, and is a son of Joshua and Elizabeth
(Daughtery) Hastings, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born in
1765, and died about 1827. The mother was born in 1772, and died in 1850. The
father was a man of fine reputation in his state. In early life he taught
school, and for several years was chairman of the county court; later he
represented his county for eleven consecutive years in the State Senate, being a
member at the time of his death. He was a true Democrat and an influential
member of the Methodist Church, as was his wife, who was a very poius, true
woman. Our subject was the seventh of nine children; he received a fair
education, and commenced to farm at an early age. In 1841, he moved from North
Carolina to Tipton County, and settled five miles southeast of Covington. In
August, 1814, he married Susie Ann Fortaner, a native of Wayne County, N. C.,
born in May 1824. She came with her parents to Tipton County, when young and
settled ten miles south of Covington. They had seven sons, and two daughters,
five are dead. Mr. Hastings is an active, energetic man. While he commenced life
in limited circumstances, by his own efforts he has acquired a handsome
competence, owning now 700 acres of good land and a cotton-gin. He is a Democrat
and true to his party. His wife, three children and himself, belong to the
Methodist Church. He is a liberal man and a kind neighbor, and has a great many
warm friends, who respect him for his many good qualities.

Dr. L. Hill, an old resident and physician of Covington, was born in Henderson
County, Tenn., January 1, 1825, and one of eight children, two now living. His
parents were James and Martha Hill, both natives of North Carolina. The father
was born in 1780. When they came to Tennessee, they located in Wilson County,
and soon after moved to Henderson County where they remained until they died.
The father was a farmer, and died in 1828. The mother was a Miss Jefferies; she
was about the same age of her husband and died a few years later. Our subject
completed his education at the Mountain Academy, under Dr. Holmes, and a few
years after, he entered the office of Dr. John A. Green, of Covington, and read
medicine under him for two years, then took a course of lectures at the
Louisville Medical College. In 1847 he married Miss Catharine, a daughter of
Jesse Hayme. Mrs. Hill was born in Tipton County in _____ and died in 1851.
Three children were born, only one living-Dr. L. Hill, Jr. In 1853-54, he took a
course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, where he
graduated in the spring of the latter year and has since practiced medicine at
Covington. November 5, 1855, he married Miss S. E., daughter of Jacob and Lorina
Tipton, who were early residents of Tipton County. Mrs. Hill was born in the
same county in 1834. They have seven children: Kate H., wife of John A.
Crawford; W. H., a lawyer of Covington; Emma L., wife of John A. Harrell of
Louisville, Ky.; P. A., Annie L., Eugene J. and Mary T. Dr. Hill is a man of
enterprise and marked energy, has carried a heavy practice in his profession,
and is one of Covington's leading citizens, taking an active interest in all
that advances the interests of the town and county, and is well known in
adjoining counties. He is a Democrat, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. In 1862, Dr. Hill enlisted in the Confederate Army,
Seventh Tennessee Regiment, under Gen. William A. Jackson, he being captain of
the company, but in the fall of the same year he was obliged to resign and
return home on account of ill health.

Prof. George D. Holmes, principal of Tipton Female Seminary, was born in
Mississippi, near Holly Springs, November 13, 1831, and is one of a family of
seven children, all of whom are living. His parents, Dr. James and Sarah (Van
Wagoner) Holmes, were native of Carlisle, Penn., and New Jersy, respectively.
The father was born in 1801, was a graduate of Dickinson College, Pennsylvania,
and also a student of the Theological Seminary, New Jersey. From about his
twenty-fourth year until 1832, he acted as teacher and missionary among the
Indians of north Mississippi. In 1832, he came to Tipton County, and the next
year founded Mountain Academy and conducted that school for sixteen years. He
was then elected president of the West Tennessee College of Jackson, Tenn.,
which position he filled until 1857, when he returned to Tipton County to take
charge of the Covington Female Seminary. He looked after the interest of that
institute until 1868, when he withdrew from the active duties of life. He died
in 1873. His life's work tended toward one of unifying purpose-that of combining
high moral training with intellectual development-and his memory will ever be
held dear in minds of the people as a public benefactor. The mother of our
subject was born in 1801, and died in 1886. The subject of this sketch received
his early education at the Mountain Academy, and afterward attended Princetown
College three years, where he graduated in 1849. In 1854 he married Miss Mary
Pyles, a native of Tennessee, born in 1831, and the daughter of Addison and
Martha Pyles. This marriage resulted in the birth of two children: James A. and
George W., now a resident of Kansas City, and connected with the Times at that
place. Mrs. Holmes died in 1862. When his father retired from active life, Prof.
Holmes took charge of the school and has since then devoted his time to the
management and interest of the same, and stands high in the ranks of his
profession. He is one of the county's best educators, an ardent Democrat in
politics and a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years. In 1866 he
married Sallie E. Munford, who was born May 2, 1840, and who is the daughter to
R. H. & S. D. (Morrison)Munford. By this marriage they have one son, Emy
Munford, now a student at the Southwestern Presbyterian University, at
Clarksville, Tenn. The Professor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church, he being an elder in the same.

Mead H. Jackson, M. D., is a son of Francis and Elizabeth (Hale) Jackson, and
was born in what is now Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1828. Of thirteen children
born to the parents, nine are living. The father was born in Rockingham County,
N. C., in 1804, and the grandfather in Prince Edward County, Va., in 1766. He
was a farmer, and removed to North Carolina about 1802, and to Tennessee in
1811. Our subject's parents were married in 1827, and at the eaking out of the
civil war were worth about $50,000. The father died in 1878. His widow, who is
still living, was born in Tennessee in 1809. Our subject was educated in the
common schools and at Murfreesboro, and at the age of nineteen began the study
of medicine under Dr. William T. Baskette. In 1849 he entered the Transylvania
Medical College at Louisville, Ky., and after taking one course of lectures the
degree of M. D. was conferred upon him. After practicing two years near home he
went to Arkansas, where he practiced until the year before the eaking out of
war. While there he was elected to represent Independence County, Ark., in the
State Legislature in 1856-57. In 1860 he returned to his native county, and in
1861 was made assistant surgeon of the Seventh Arkansas Regiment, under Col.
Shaver. After serving several months in this capacity he resigned on account of
ill health and returned home. He soon after went to Calhoun County, Ala., and
practiced medicine until the close of the war. Following this time he resided
two years in Hardeman County, four years in Tippah County, Miss., but again
returned to Hardeman County, and in 1876 came to Tipton County, of which he has
since been a resident. In 1883-84 he engaged in the drug business at Covington,
but in 1885 engaged in the mercantile business with E. B. Whitley. He is also a
partner of Dr. James H. Hannah in the medical practice and is the owner of 280
acres of land. In January, 1856, he married Sarah Nance, who died in 1871,
leaving one daughter, Mary E. ( Mrs. E. E. Smith). On August 6, 1872, the Doctor
married Mrs. Malletia J. Cope, daughter of Wiley and Mary Davis. They had one
child (deceased). The Doctor is a Democrat and a demitted member of the Masonic
Fraternity. He is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and in 1871 was
ordained a minister, which calling he has pursued with his usual energy and
success.

T. J. Kelly, farmer, was born in Shelby County in 1831, and was one of nine
children, four of whom are living, born to Joseph and Frances (Isom) Kelley,
both natives of South Carolina. The father was born in 1786, came to Tennessee
about 1820, and settled in Shelby County, where he was among the first settlers.
He was a farmer, and cultivated the soil at that place until 1854, when he moved
to Arkansas, and there remained until his career ended in 1860. The mother was a
few years younger than her husband. She died in 1851. The subject of our sketch
was reared at home, and received his education in the schools near home.
December 3, 1859, he married Mary McMinn, a native of Lincoln County, born in
1833, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McMinn. Her father was born and
reared in Charleston, S. C. but soon moved to Lincoln County where he remained
some time, and then came to this county. Her mother's maiden name was Patterson,
and she was also a native of South Carolina. To our subject and wife were born
these interesting children: Dora, wife of I. J. Pike; Cora, wife of A. A.
Kelley; Olia, wife of F. Cross; Ophelia, wife of J. R. Kelley; and Missouri,
wife of W. G. Harris. In 1861 Mr. Kelley enlisted in Company I, Third Arkansas
Cavalry, being a resident of that State at the time the company was called
Fifer's igade. Mr. Kelley was orderly sergeant, and practiced in the battles of
Oak Hill, Mo., Iuka and Corinth, Miss., and has the misfortune of losing an arm
in the last-named place. In 1863 he located near where he now resides. He is a
Democrat in politics, a prohibitionist, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South.

Virginius Kimough, citizen and farmer of Tipton County, was born in Shelby
County, Tenn., May 31, 1849, and is the son of Albern and Virginia (Smith)
Kimough. The father was born in North Carolina, August 11, 1812. In early life
he moved to Memphis, where he was a merchant for a number of years. He was
married twice: first, to Miss Virginia Smith, in 1844. She was also a native of
North Carolina, and was born about 1820 or 1821. This most excellent lady died
October 28, 1819. He then married Miss Mary Reed, a native of Holly Springs,
Miss. In 1856 he moved to Arkansas County, Ark., on the Arkansas River, where he
farmed very successfully. In 1869 he emaced religion, and died a triumphant
death on September 11, 1873. Our subject's mother died when he was an infant,
and he was raised by his aunt, a sister of his mother. Mrs. Agnes Coward, who
gave a mother's tender care to the orphan boy. He secured a good education at
Covington, Tenn, then went to Arkansas and took charge of his father's farm for
ten years. In 1878 he returned to Tipton County andmanaged his aunt's farm. She
died January 27, 1879, and left all of her property to her nephew, and since her
death Mr. Kimough has lived at the old Coward homestead engaged in farming and
trading in live stock and land. He now owns property valued at $25, 000. April
30, 1874, he married Miss Alleine Washington, daughter of Dr. W. B. Washington
of Somerville, Tenn. They have no children. Mr. Kimough is a true Democrat. In
August, 1866, he was an unsuccessful candidate before the convention that met to
nominate a candidate to represent the county in the legislature. He is a member
of the Episcopal Church, and contributes literally to its support, and is one of
the influential citizens of Tipton County.

B. F. Locke, of Covington, Tenn., was born in Tipton County, September 6, 1838,
and was one of eight children, five now living. The parents were James P. and
Lucretia Locke. The father was born January 28, 1808, was a native of Dinwiddle
County, Va., and moved to Tipton County in 1828, and married March 21, 1832. He
was a farmer by occupation and one of the early settlers of the county. The
mother was born in Smith County, Tenn., May 16, 1813, and her name was Miss
Moore. She was raised by Thomas Ralph, and came with his family to Tipton County
in 1824. She died December 16, 1875. Our subject was educated in the district
schools. March 1, 1860, he married Sarah, daughter of David M. and Sarah Smith.
Mrs. Locke was born in Tipton County, May 16, 1840, and died Feuary 21, 1880.
Six children of this marriage are living: Emma E. (wife of J. Munch), Ella,
Edna, Andrew Johnson, Henrietta, and Anna May. After the war Mr. Locke was
engaged for two years in the mercantile business. In 1866 he was elected
constable and served until 1870, then was elected sheriff and served six years
and a half, and soon after, in April, 1877, was elected trustee and held the
office until September, 1886. December, 1882, he married Mr. Mary J. Stone,
daughter of William Rosson. She was born in Hardeman County, August 13, 1853.
They have two children: Bessie and an infant named Gordon. Mr. Locke has always
been an enterprising business man. He is a Democrat and cast his first
presidental vote for John C. eckinridge, but was violently opposed to secession.

Robert J. Lee, dealer in boots, shoes, saddles and harness at Mason, in Tipton
County, Tenn., was born in Madison County, Tenn., September 26, 1860, and is a
son of Wm. T. and Lizzie (Stutts) Lee, natives of North Carolina. Our subject
received a common school education and in early life learned at Mason and
engaged in his present business, and is now dealing extensively in boots and
shoes and also doing a great deal of manufacturing. He started life a poor boy
with only what nature had bestowed upon him, and by his industry and stict
attention to business he has made all he has, and is now regarded as a
prosperous and industrious young man. In politics he is a Democrat and he
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a young man of excellent
character and is esteemed by all who know him.