WEAKLEY COUNTY TN - GOODSPEED - The Biographies of Weakley County TN K-O ********************************************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Jane N. Powell ********************************************************************************************************** Biographies of Weakley County TN K - O (there are no N's) (Not responsible for typos and errors. Please check the original Goodspeed before adding to your genealogical record as absolute proof --- and then remember that the family only told what that wanted the public to know.) B. B. KING, register of Weakley County, Tenn., was born in Mecklenburg County, N. C., in 1826. His father, J. W. King, was born in 1793 on the Atlantic Ocean, while his parents were crossing from Belfast, Ireland, to America. He was a farmer and while in North Carolina, married Margaret S. Rogers, who was born in 1793 and died in 1836. At the latter date he came to Tennessee, locating in Weakley County, where he died in 1872. He was twice married, his second wife being Nancy B. Rochelle, who bore him three children. Seven children were born to his first marriage. He served as sheriff and magistrate while in North Carolina, and also filled the latter office while in Weakley County, Tenn. Our subject resided on a farm until twenty years of age. He then worked as clerk about six years, at different points and then returned to the farm. In December, 1860, he wedded Jennette Lesieur, who died in 1862. In 1864 he married Melissa Delisle, who died the same year, and in 1868 he wedded Angeline (Johnson) Neill, daughter of Thomas Johnson. Mrs. King was born in Calhoun, Ky., in 1844, and became the mother of the following children: Bertie, Beulah B., Joseph Andrew, John Robert, James Shannon, Victor Czar and Jeb. Stewart. Mrs. King had two children by her first husband: Thomas L. and Mary. In 1862 Mr. King enlisted in Company I, First Missouri Cavalry Regiment, and was at the battle of Frederickstown. His principal duty was scouting and he remained in the service two years. He resided in Missouri until 1869, when he returned home. In 1880 he was elected county register to fill the unexpired term of W. T. Cardwell, who died in office, and in 1882 was re-elected for four years. He has been faithful in the discharge of his duties and is an efficient officer. He is a Democrat and belongs to the Masonic and I.O.O.F. fraternities. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Edmon P. LATHAM was born in Beaufort County, N. C., February 8. 1808, where he married Sabina Daniel in 1830 and moved the following year the rugged trip over the mountains to West Tennessee, and located on the North Fork of the Obion River in Weakley County, nine miles north of Dresden on the Dresden & Mayfield road. Here, with his indomitable energy and under embarrassments that few would have overcome, he erected an extension to the successful mills, the first established in the county, and operated them with great success until the date of his death on the 8th of November, 1862. He was, also a most successful farmer, having one of the finest farms in that section of the county. By great industry and business capacity, he accumulated a handsome estate. In 1857 he lost his faithful wife, no less noted in the field of her action than he. They were the parents of four children -- Thomas J., James F., John D. and Fannie B., all of whom are now dead except the oldest two, Thomas and James. Thomas J. is at present living in Memphis, Tenn., where he is highly esteemed, and has accumulated a handsome fortune, being the owner of large real estate, besides a large interest in the water works, of which he is president, and is said to have the finest mansion in the city. James F. is engaged in orange culture in Florida. Few men are more highly esteemed than the subject of this sketch. He was an old line Whig in politics, though living in a county overwhelmingly Democratic. He was, without his solicitation, elected sheriff, and to the mortification of all, refused to be a candidate for re-election. His memory is still retained by his old neighbors and all who knew him as the charitable friend of the poor and needy. No worthy applicant ever left his mill without bread. Though a quarter of a century has closed since he passed away, his old neighborhood and a new postoffice, recently established, bear his honored name. W. T. LAWLER, M. D., of Martin, Tenn., was born in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1838. His parents, Martin and Nancy Lawler, were born in Virginia and Tennessee in 1786 and 1802 and died in 1851 and 1885, respectively. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and came to Tennessee about 1823, locating first in Henry and later in Weakley County. He was surveyor of the latter county thirty years and was well known throughout this and the adjoining counties. Our subject was educated in the schools near his home and in 1865 entered the office of Dr. D. W. Dibrell, of Mt. Pelia and remained with him two years. He then took two courses of lectures at the Nashville Medical University and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1868. He practiced in Mt. Pelia until 1880, building up a large practice. At the latter date he moved to Martin, where he has a drug store, the cash sales of which amount to about $9,000 per year. He has an interest in the planing-mill at Martin, and is president of the company. He has a fine stock farm of 400 acres which is also adapted to growing grain. Dr. Lawler is a man of fine business qualities and has acquired all his property since the late war. Fannie McCain became his wife in 1871. She was born in Trigg County, Ky., in 1850, and is a daughter of John and Carrie McCain. The Doctor and his wife became the parents of six children, only four of whom are living: Herbert, Mommie (sic)*, Johnnie and Carrie. The Doctor moved to Martin in order to give his children better school facilities. He is a Democrat and Mason and a member of the Christian Church. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Tennessee Infantry, and upon the reorganization he was made second lieutenant of the company. He then served in Company I, Twenty-second Tennessee Cavalry, and was promoted to first lieutenant. He was at Shiloh and many other hard-fought battles. He was wounded September 24, 1864, so severely as to necessitate the amputation of the arm. He returned home in November, 1864. (*"Mommie" is in the original Goodspeed. A descendant says her name was Mamie Trigg Lawler.) Robert LEWIS, editor and proprietor of the Enterprise at Dresden, was born in 1856, in Chattanooga, Tenn. His parents, P. E. and Harriet N. (Rawlings) Lewis, were born in Virginia and Tennessee in 1824 and 1827, and were married in 1835. The father learned the brickmason and plasterer's trade when a boy, but on coming to Tennessee, in 1851, engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1868 he moved to Union City, Tenn., where he now resides. Of their four children, our subject is the only surviving member. His sister Emma (Mrs. H. L. Park) died quite recently. The mother had three children by a previous marriage, Victoria (wife of W. B. Giddings) being the only one now living. Mrs. Lewis' father, Reason Rawlings, was a pioneer settler of Chattanooga, being a resident of the place when it was known as Ross' Landing. He was also the founder of Rawlingsville, Ala., now known as Fort Payne. Mr. Rawlings was appointed Indian agent of the Cherokees by the United States Government, acting in that capacity at the time the Cherokees were removed west of the Mississippi. Our subject was educated at Union City, Tenn., and made his parents' house his home until twenty-one years of age. He taught school a short time and then began learning journalism. He entered the office of N. B. Morton, editor of the Union City Reveille, remaining six months. He continued that work, however, in Fulton, Chattanooma, Gadsden, Atlanta and Nashville. In April, 1882, he came to Dresden and became editor and proprietor of the Dresden Democrat. In 1888 he established the Enterprise which is the leading paper of the county, having a circultion of 600 weekly subscribers. November 3, 1881, he married Addie Cardwell, daughter of M. D. and P. A. Cardwell, and by her is the father of the following children: Ida Belle, Hugh Barr and Roberta (deceased). Mr. Lewis is a Democrat and his first presidential vote was east for Hancock. He has fought manfully for the suppression of the liquor traffic and was one of the leaders in banishing it from Dresden. He is a member of the Presbyterian and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Thomas I. LITTLE, clerk of the Weakley County Court, was born in Graves County, Ky., on the 15th of November, 1835, son of James M. and Nancy G. (Mobley) Little, who were of English and English-Irish descent, born in Tennessee and Kentucky in 1815 and 1817, and died in 1865 and 1846 respectively. Isaac Little, grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina, and was a very early emigrant to Tennessee. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. James M. Little came to Weakley County, Tenn., in 1833, but moved to Graves County, Ky., where he was married in 1834, and there spent the remainder of his days. He was twice married, and was the father of three children by his first marriage and two by his second wife, whose maiden name was Winiford Ann Barton, who is now deceased. Thomas I., our subject, was educated in the schools of his neighborhood. At the age of nineteen he entered a dry goods store at Dukedom as clerk and remained about twelve years. In 1870 he became a resident of Dresden, and in January of that year he was elected county surveyor and served by re-election eight years. In 1882 he was elected to his present office and has proved to be an able and efficient officer, giving entire satisfaction to his constituents. He has been a life-long Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for John C. Breckenridge. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 95; I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 5, and A.0.U.W. May 22, 1860, he married Sarah L. Roberts, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann (Clemons) Roberts. Mrs. Little was born February 4, 1844, and is the mother of the following family: Jefferson D., Thomas McEwen, John W., Koskiusko, Maud, Maggie, Richard M. and Mary Gray. (NO N'S) Hon. G. W. Martin was born within one mile of the present village of Martin, Tenn., on the 16th of October, 1839, and was one of a family of nine children. His parents, William and Sarah Martin, were born in the State of Virginia, the former in 1806. They were married in their native State, and soon after moved to Weakley County, Tenn., where they ever afterward made their home. The father at the time of his death, in 1858, was the owner of 2,500 acres of land on a part of which the town of Martin is located, taking its name from the owner of the land. Mr. Martin was the first and most extensive tobacco grower in Weakley County, and also did a mammoth business in buying and shipping the same. He was an ardent Whig in politics, and was a man well known and universally esteemed by all his acquaintances, and was a great factor for good in Weakley County. His wife died about 1852. Our subject's rudimentary education was obtained in the schools near his home and Bethel College, which he attended two years. He was graduated from Union University at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in 1860, and in 1861 volunteered for one year in the service of the State of Tennessee, and belonged to the company known as the "Old Hickory Blues," his captain being Bradford Edwards. After his term of service had expired he took a trip to Europe and spent three years in visiting places of historic note and interest. He farmed two years after his return home, and the following four years was engaged in milling at Gardner's Station. He also had a steam cotton-gin and a factory for wool carding. In 1873 the Mississippi Central Railroad crossed the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad on a part of the homestead farm, which he then owned, and in May of the same year the town of Martin was laid out. He soon located in the town, and for six years was engaged in the flouring and saw-mill business. In the year 1883 he took an active part in or. ganizing the bank at Fulton, Ky., and was chosen its first president. In June, 1886, the bank at Martin was established, through his instrumentality, with a capital stock of $50,000, and he is now its president and one of its largest stockholders. In 1873-74 he represented Weakley County in the State Legislature, and in 1877-78 served as State sena- tor, and again in 1881-82 was in the House of Representatives. In 1884 he was called once more to the State Senate, which office he now holds. In 1873 he introduced the first meas- ure for the regulation of the railroad system and also took an active part !D forming laws to govern the present public school system. He was a strong advocate in favor of settling the State date, and in the excitement of the election of 1880, he was elected (though a candidate against his will) as a "State Credit Democrat " defeating J. M. Tout, a II low tax Democrat" by a majority of 650 votes. Mr. Martin is a man of excellent business principles, and by his honesty and respect for the feelings of others has gained tile esteem of all. He is noted for being the first to advocate political measures that were first unpolitical but gradually grew into favor and afterward became law. Thomas D. Martin is one of nine children of William and Sarah Martin (For parents biography see sketch of G. W. Martin.), and was born in Weakley County, Tenn., April 27, 1835. He was educated in the schools near his boyhood's home, and Dresden Academy. April, 1863, witnessed his marriage with Cornelia, daughter of A. and Elizabeth Cother. Mrs. Martin is a native of Weakley County, born in 1887. She was educated at the Fe- male academies of Dresden and Paris, Tenn., and is the mother of one daughter, Florence E., the wife of Walter W. Morris, a farmer and resident of Obion County. When a young man, Mr. Martin was engaged in the mercantile business in Hickman, Ky., for about three years. He was then engaged in ministerial labors until the second year of the war, when he engaged in farming and the leaf tobacco business. He owns a valuable farm of 400 acres near Martin on the North Carolina & St. Louis Railroad, which is well adapted for raising all kinds of grain, also for raising stock. He has a fine residence and the grounds are neatly laid off in walks filled with shells brought from New Orleans. It might be of interest to add that Mrs. Martin has the largest collection of choice house plants of any lady in the county. Mr. Martin is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He is a man ever ready to support worthy enterprise and is much respected by his neighbors and friends. J. M. Meadows, general merchant of Dresden, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1834 and is a son of E. G. and Jane (Thompson) Meadows. The former was born in North Carolina, in 1813, and came to Tennessee in his youth, locating in Bedford County, where he followed farming for some time. After marrying in Rutherford and residing in Dickson County, he finally located in Weakley County, where he now resides. He became the father of eight children, all of whom are living: Caroline (wife of W. C. Hicks, who resides in Obion County); J. M., our subject; Sabrina (Mrs. Bryant James), James P., Ann (Mrs. Thomas Hatcher), Nancy (Mrs. Benjamin Bowers), William (who resides in Fulton, Ky.) and Thomas. Their mother was born in Virginia, in 1816, and died in 1881. J. M. Meadows was educated in Dickson County, Tenn., and after attaining his twenty-first birthday, hired out as clerk in a dry goods store in Dresden, and worked for J. W. Hays & Bro. for about six years. During the late war he bought a stock of goods and began business for himself at Locust Grove (now Greenfield) Tenn., but soon came to Dresden, where he has since resided. He has followed merchandising the greater part of the time since the war, and since 1881 has been located at his present place of business. In November, 1861, he married Miss A. A. Thompson, a native of Weakley County, They have three children: Emma (Mrs. T. A, McElwrath), Charles P. and Nettle. Mr. Meadows is an energetic and honest business man of Dresden and has been a life-long Democrat in politics. His wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Peter B. Moseley was born in Virginia, June 6, 1812, son of B. and S. Moseley. The father was born in 1772, and was married when about twenty-one years of age, and in 1827 sold his property in his native State and came to Tennessee, locating in Wilson County, where he resided until his death in 1868. He owned 5,040 acres of land besides a hotel and several lots in Dresden. His wife was born in Virginia, in 1778, and died in 1865. Peter B. Moseley was married in March, 1841, to Eleanor Priestley, who bore him eight children, five of whom are living: J. Robert, John R., Thomas J., Susan V. (Mrs. Alvin Foster), and Lillie, (Mrs. Samuel McAdams). Mr. Moseley owns 1,200 acres of land given him by his father. He has been a life-long Democrat, and resides on the old home farm with his son, Thomas J. His wife was born in Springfield, Tenn., in 1821, and died in 1865. Their son, John R. Moseley, was born in Weakley County, May 7, 1843. He was educated in the neighboring schools and the Caledonia College, which he entered at the age of sixteen years. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Tennessee Infantry, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Belmont, Corinth and at the end of one year joined the cavalry under Gen. Forrest, and was in the battle of Thompson's Station. He was with Gens. Wheeler and Dibrell, and afterward re-joined Forrest's command. He was wounded at Memphis and retnrned home a short time prior to the surrender. He was paroled at Paducah and returned home after an absence of four years. September 20, 1865, he married Mollie E., daughter of Josiah and Frances Thornton, natives of South and North Carolina respectively. The father died in 1875 and the mother in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley are the parents of the following children: James T., John W., Joe Edward, Josephine Ella, Ida Pearl and Mary Althea. Mr. Moseley owns 300 acres of land and is a thorough business man. He is a Democrat and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Mosely was born in 1844. Prof. W. A. Muse, superintendent of the Dresden Academy, was born in Henderson County, Tenn., near Mifflin, in 1852. His parents, D. C. and Eliza (Stone) Muse, were born in Pittsylvania County, Va., in and , and died in Tennessee in 1865 and 1876 respectively. Soon after their marriage, which occurred in their native State, they came to Tennessee. They became the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living. Our subject was academically educated at Lexington, Tenn., and in 1869 entered the High School at Ann Arbor, Mich., and remained one year. The following year he entered the literary department of the university of the same place, and attended that institution for some time. In 1874 he was elected to the principalship of the Big Spring Academy, in Madison County, Tenn., and held the position four sessions. In 1882 he became connected with the I.O.O.P. college at Humboldt, and remained as instructor in the same six months. The following three years he was principal of the schools of Rutherford, Tenn., and in 1886 was elected to his present position, and has given universal satisfaction as adninstructor and disciplinarian. June l7, 1885, he married Viola Edmundson, of Rutherford, Tenn. Prof. Muse is one of the leading educators of West Tennessee, and the school at Dresden was never in a more prosperous condition than at the present time. J. W. Myrick, a well-to-do farner of the Seventh District, was born in 1838, a son of J. and L. Myrick. The father was born in South Carolina in 1809, and removed to Tennessee in 1834, locating in Weakley County. He died an honored and respected citizen in 1884. Mrs. Myrick died in 1865 at the age of forty-six years, after bearing a family of ten children, eight of whom are yet living. The subject of this biography was reared at home on the farm, and received his schooling from the neighborhood schools. In June, 1882, his patriotism and devotion to the -nion caused his enlistment in the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry, Company B - his company afterward being merged into Company O. He remained on active duty until the close of the war, when he returned home. January 22, 1867, Mr. Myrick wedded Miss Frances Campbell, who was born in Christian County, Ky., in 1843. Three children have been born to them: Alvis U., William T. and John B. Since that time Mr. Myrick has been engaged in farming, and now owns a valuable tract of land, upon which are fine improvements. Mr. Myrick cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. He is now a Republican, and is one of the most enterprising and foremost men of the county. Robert A. Orrell's birth occurred in King William's County, Va., March 30, 1836. His parents', Thomas and Mary Ann (Tuck) Orrell's, family consisted of four children, two of whom are living: William J., and our subject, who were reared under the paternal roof, and received little or no early educational advantages. In 1856 Robert united his fortunes with those of Margaret Rasdal, who was born in Gibson County, October 5, 1836, and died February 27, 1886, leaving the following family: William Thomas, George M., John F., Fannie Bell, Elizabeth Ellen, Rufus E., Arminta G., Marion V., Jeff Davis, James K. and three other children deceased. Mr. Orrell farmed in Arkansas about six years and then came to Weakley County and purchased fifty-eight acres of land, on which he located and has since resided. By skillful management and industry he now owns 220 acres. In 1862 he joined Company E, Fourth Arkansas Battalion, and participated in some of the principal battles of the late war. He was captured at Perryville, Ky., and taken to Louisville, but was paroled after one week. He is a Democrat in politics, and James Buchanan received his first presidential vote. His father was born in King William's County, Va., in 1775. He married Elizabeth Taylor when about twenty two years of age. She died in 1834, and he then married Mary Tuck. The father came to Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1842. He made farming his calling through life, and died in 1857. His wife was born in 1816, and is now living with our subject.