JOHN V. HALL was born March 31,
1841, in Bedford County, Tenn., and is the elder of two children born to
Joshua and Margaret (Swift) Hall, both natives of Bedford County.
The father was born about 1804, and died in 1854. The mother was
born September 14, 1815, and is still living. Flower Swift, our subject's
maternal grandfather, was a native of North Carolina, born June 3, 1787,
and died in January, 1851. His wife, Catherine Swift, was also born
in North Carolina, October 16, 1791, and died in 1861. The paternal
grandparents of our subject were born about 1775 or 1776, in the State
of North Carolina, and immigrated to Tennessee at a very early date.
Our subject was reared on the farm, and remained on the same until the
breaking out of the war. He then entered the Confederate service
in Company F, Forty-first Tennessee Infantry, and was captured together
with the entire regiment at Fort Donelson. He was taken first to
Lafayette, and after remaining there about three weeks was taken to Camp
Morton, Indianapolis, lnd., where they remained about seven months.
They were then exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss. Mr. Hall was in but
two battles in Tennessee; Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. After
these battles his regiment was ordered to Georgia and Mississippi.
He was discharged at Dalton, Ga., in 1864, on account of his health.
He then came home and bought a half interest in the mill property
that he now owns, known as "Hall's Mills." In 1874 he bought the
entire interest of the mill, and since that time he has operated the mill
on his own responsibility. April 6, 1871, he wedded Ella F. Turrentine,
of this county. She was born November 24, 1854. This union
resulted in the birth of five children: William J., Emmett E., John
T., Joseph E. and Sammy B. Mr. Hall was elected to the office of
magistrate in the year 1871, and has served in that capacity for the last
fifteen years. He is magistrate at the present time, and fills the
office in an able manner. He received a comparatively good education,
and is a Democrat in politics.
HIRAM HARRIS, Esq., was born September
17, 1814, in Roane County, N. C., and is the son of John Harris, a native
of Harrisburg, Penn., born about 1775. That city derived its name
from our subject's great-great-grandfather, John Harris, who donated the
property where Harrisburg now stands to the State of Pennsylvania for the
purpose of building that city. Our subject passed his early days
on the farm, and after reaching years of discretion began farming for himself.
He also partially educated himself, and chose school-teaching as his profession.
May 5, 1842, he wedded Lucy A. Tillford, of this county. In 1850
he taught ten months in Texas, and in 1862 taught five months in the State
of Mississippi. Since then he has been teaching exclusively in this
State. In 1844 he was elected to the office of magistrate in
the Sixth District, but resigned the office at the end of two years, and
was elected magistrate of the Eighteenth District in 1873 and re-elected
the following term. In 1880 Mr. Harris was one of the delegates to
the convention in Nashville, to nominate a candidate for governor.
He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members in good standing
in the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
JOHN HART is a son of James and
Sarah (Fossett) Hart, who were born in North Carolina, and became the parents
of nine children: Stephen, Thomas, Susan, Rachel, John, Lucretia,
Nathaniel B., Mary A. and William G. Mr. Hart came to Rutherford
County, Tenn., in 1816, and in 1827 moved to Bedford County, where he died
December 10, 1856. Mrs. Hart died August 30, 1860. She was
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was born
April 29, 1819, in Rutherford County, and the major part of his life has
been spent on a farm. He began doing for himself as a merchant, and
clerked in the store of William G. Cowan, of Shelbyville. He was
married in December, 1842, to Virginia Holder, daughter of John W. Holder,
and by her is the father of four children: James H., Catherine E.,
John W. and Carrie B., all of whom are dead save one. For his second
wife Mr. Hart took Narcissa (Phillips) Jennings, daughter of Garrett Phillips.
They have one child, Lillian C. In 1847 he removed to his present
place of abode, on the Murfreesboro Pike, five miles from Shelbyville.
Mr. Hart served in the United States Army for about one year in the late
war. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. Both he and Mrs. Hart are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
W. R. HAYNES, furniture dealer and
undertake, was born June 29, 1844, in Williamson County, Tenn., being a
son of R. R. and Sarah A. (Merritt) Haynes. The father was born in
Rutherford County, Tenn., about 1808, was a cabinet-maker by trade and
died in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1867. The mother was born about
1810 and is yet living. The subject of this sketch was reared at
Triune, Williamson County, and learned his father's trade. He served
throughout the war in Company F, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry and received
a wound at Wartrace in a skirmish. He was in all the important battles
of the southwest with Forrest's brigade. For a time he then earned
his living at manual employment and then for two years he conducted a furniture
and undertaking business at Triune. In October, 1872, he came to
Shelbyville and opened up his business and has been very successful ever
since. He was married May 31, 1876, to Mollie E. Summers, the result
of this union being four children: Mary B., Kate S., Sadie and William
R., Jr. All the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South, Mr. Haynes being a steward in the church. Politically he is
a Democrat, and he is an enterprising citizen of this county.
W. G. HIGHT, proprietor of the National
Livery Stable, was born March 27, 1845, in Bedford County, being a son
of W. G. and Naomi (Patterson) Hight, both natives of Bedford County.
The father was a farmer; he was born in 1818. He was a successful
farmer and trader, and was prominently connected with public affairs of
the county. He died in 1881 in Arkansas, where he had moved in 1867.
The mother died about 1875; now but two of the family are living in the
county. Our subject was reared on a farm; at the age of twenty he
married and began farming, and continued to farm till 1871. He then
engaged in merchandising at Rover, Bedford Co., Tenn., till 1878, and also
owned an interest in a mercantile trade at Wartrace from 1876 till 1878.
He then ran a mill and stock business at Rover till 1884, when he went
to Bell Buckle, and for a short time sold goods there. He then engaged
in the livery business in Shelbyville, now doing an extensive trade.
He also owns a farm of 140 acres and a saw-mill. He was married in
1865 to Miss Lucy J. Taylor, the result of this union being six children,
five of whom are now living, viz.: Eula R., Naomi E., Mary N., William
E. J., Alice (the one who died) and Nola P. Mr. Hight and family
are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the
F. & A. M. Politically he is a Democrat. He is one of the
enterprising citizens of Shelbyville, and takes special interest in securing
to his children good educational advantages.
J. H. HIX was born August 15, 1855,
in Bedford County, being a son of J. L. Hix, a retired farmer, living in
Shelbyville. The father was born and raised in Bedford County, as
was the mother, nee Hulda Holt, also. She died in 1883. The
subject of this sketch was reared on a farm to the age of fifteen, when
he began clerking in the grocery business. In 1880 he opened up the
bar and confectionery business, which he has ever since very successfully
continued. He was married, January 27, 1881, to Miss Ada Harmon,
a native of Warren County, Tenn., then living in Nashville. One son,
John, has been born to this union. Mr. Hix is a member of the Republican
party. He has never aspired to any public office, but he does a thriving
business in his line.
WILLIAM S. HIX, farmer, was born
May 14, 1825, and is the son of Demarcus D. and Malinda (Stewart) Hix.
The father of our subject was born in Halifax County. Va., in 1801, and
when only five years of age he, with his father, immigrated to Tennessee
and settled in Bedford County. He was a farmer and stock raiser,
and was married when quite young. He was the father of twelve children,
all of whom were reared to maturity. He died September 19, 1872,
a pious member of the Primitive Baptist Church. His wife followed
him April 30, 1874, and was a member of the same church. Our subject
has always been a farmer, and in 1847 was married to Miss Martha A. Word,
a native of Bedford County. The result of this union was twelve children,
viz.: John A. (deceased), James H. (deceased), Benjamin F., Asenith M.
(deceased), Demarcus D., William W., Martha W. J. (deceased), Ailsey C.,
Louisa F. (deceased), Mary E., Joseph J. and Lillie A. Mr.
Hix owns 474 acres of land in the Twenty-third District of Bedford
County, is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and a leading citizen.
BERRY D. HOLT was born March 4,
1824, in Bedford County, Tenn., on a farm adjoining the one where he now
resides. His father, Henry Holt, was a native of Orange County, N.
C., and immigrated with his parents to Tennessee when a small boy.
He was born in 1792, and married Miss Elizabeth McGuire, a native of Kentucky,
who came to this State when a child, and who was of Irish descent.
Henry Holt was of German descent, and a farmer by occupation. He
died in 1864. The mother still survives. Our subject was educated
in the country schools of his native county, and lived with his parents
until reaching his majority. For a number of years after this he
followed farming and trading in stock. About 1860 he began railroading
as a train conductor on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, and on
the accommodation train between Nashville and Wartrace for about fifteen
years. After that, and up to the year 1885, he ran a through train between
Hickman and Chattanooga, and superintended his farm. In 1885 he quit
railroading on account of failing health, and now devotes his attention
principally to farming. In 1848 he married Miss Lucretia Hart, a
native of this county, and to them were born five children: Bettie,
William T., John W., Mattie and James B. The mother of these children
died May, 1863, and in 1869 their father married Mrs. Mary Roundtree, formerly
Mary Kubley, a native of Switzerland. She is the mother of one child
-- Maggie -- by her first husband, Maj. William Roundtree. Our subject
was a colonel of the militia during the fifties, and during the late war,
while acting as railroad conductor, his railroad was held by the Federal
Army. He is one of the trustees of the Wartrace Male and Female Institute,
and owns a fine farm of 290 acres. He and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South.
JOHN W. HOLT was born February 22,
1855, in Bedford County, Tenn.; son of B. D. and Lucretia (Hart) Bolt,
natives also of this county. The father is one of the prominent farmers
of the county. The mother died in 1863. Our subject was educated
at the Wartrace High School, and lived with and assisted his father on
the farm until he was about seventeen years of age. He then took
a course in the telegraphing department of the Cumberland University at
Lebanon, Tenn. In 1875 he took charge of the telegraph office at
McEwen, Tenn., and remained there seven months. He was then assigned
the office at Johnsonville, which he declined, and in 1877 took charge
of the office at Christiana and remained there three years. He then
took charge of the agency of the railroad and telegraph office at McMinnville,
where he remained but a short time. He then went to Nashville and
entered the general bookkeeping office, where he remained eight months.
He then took charge of the Western Union telegraph office at Bowling Green,
Ky.; in five months he left, and in 1880 took charge of the ticket, telegraph
and Southern Express office at Wartrace, where he now resides. In
1882 he married Miss Blanch Halbach, a native of Virginia, and this union
was blessed by two children: Cecil R. and Herbert F. Our subject
is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and he and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South.
JAMES HOOVER was born July 29, 1814,
in Rutherford County, Tenn., son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Lotspeech)
Hoover. The father was born about 1776, in Germany, as also was the
mother of our subject. James Hoover was the eleventh of thirteen
children born to his parents. He worked on the farm until he was
twenty-three years of age after which he engaged in farming for himself.
He has lived in this and the two adjoining counties (Rutherford and Coffee)
all his life. December 26, 1837, he was united in marriage to Susan
Moore, a native of Virginia, born about 1820. This union resulted
in the birth of nine children: Robert W., Clementine F., Calladona
J., Martha A., Mary E., Elizabeth E., Susan O., Charles M. and Hugh L.
The mother died about 1859 in the full fruition of the Christian's hope.
In February, 1862, Mr. Hoover was married to M. J. Winn, of this county.
This union resulted in the birth of eleven children: Alice D., Effie
M., George C., Edward O., Harvey F., Cleopatra, James F., Benjamin, Nancy
E., Albert A. and Anna M. Mr. Hoover was elected to the office of
magistrate several years ago, but only served a short time. He is
a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and is politically a Democrat.
SYD HOUSTON, mayor of Wartrace,
was born January 18, 1850, in Bedford County, Tenn. His father, C.
P. Houston, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1809, and immigrated
to this State when about twenty years of age. Here he married Miss
Jane Worke, who was also a native of North Carolina. To this union
nine children were born, of whom our subject is the sixth. The parents
of our subject are still living and his father is one of the leading farmers
of the county. Our subject lived with his parents until he was sixteen
years old, and then went to Shelbyville and clerked in the store of his
brother, C. P. Houston, Jr. He attended school at this place for
three years and then taught school for twenty months. He then read
medicine and took a full course of lectures in Louisville, Ky. In
April, 1878, he opened a drug store in Wartrace, where he still continues
the business, and has a large and successful trade. In 1881 he married
Miss Lilian Shealey, a native of Georgia. Our subject is a member
of the K. of H., and is serving his first term as mayor of Wartrace.
In politics he is a stanch Republican.
GEORGE C. HUFFMAN, farmer, born
April 13, 1830, in Bedford County, Tenn., son of John and Mary (Cortner)
Huffman, natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1800 and
moved to Tennessee in 1819. He was of German descent and one of the
best farmers of the county. He died in 1877, and his wife preceded
him in 1875. Our subject received the rudiments of his education
in the county schools, and subsequently at Fairfield. He began teaching
at the age of twenty-one and taught two sessions. He then bought
a farm near where he is at present living. In 1858 he married Miss
Eliza Phillips, a native of Bedford County, and the fruits of this union
were Mary A., Mattie J., Sallie A., Thomas L. and Alice, all living.
The eldest, Mary A., is now Mrs. William Bennett, and they reside in California.
He owns a large farm of 480 acres of as good land as lies in the county.
It is in a most excellent state of cultivation and is known as Adams' Bottom.
He has most excellent buildings, well located, and his house, lawn and
premises are kept in a neat and tasteful manner. He is of the Cumberland
Presbyterian faith and his wife is a member of that church. In politics
he is a Democrat.
JAMES B. HUNTER, farmer and teacher,
of Bedford County, Tenn., is a son of E. W. Hunter, who was born in North
Carolina, and came to Tennessee with his father when a mere lad.
He was married in 1880 to Susanna Wilson, and by her is the father of six
children: Sarah M., Robert P., Emily, Margaret M., Thomas H. M. and
J. B. Mrs. Hunter's death occurred in 1848, and in 1849 Mr. Hunter
wedded Margaret B. Jones, and to them were born three children, only one
of whom is living. Mr. Hunter died in 1876 at his residence in Marshall
County. James B. Hunter was born April 27, 1838, and was reared on
a farm and educated in the common schools. He began teaching when
quite young, and then clerked in a dry goods store until the breaking out
of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company F, Seventeenth Tennessee
Infantry. He was lieutenant of his company and acted about half the
time as adjutant of the regiment. In 1862, when the army was reorganized;
he enlisted in the Twenty-second Tennessee Cavalry and was captured near
Montgomery, Ala. He was a participant in the battles of Murfreesboro,
Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Franklin and numerous lesser engagements.
At the close of the war he returned home and in 1867 was married to Mary
C. Cooper, who bore him the following family of children: Ida L.,
Sarah E., Frank W. and Charles P. Mr. Hunter resides near Bell Buckle,
and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.