Hamilton and James County Biographies C - D

---

Cahill, John T.

         John T. Cahill, proprietor of Cahill's Architectural Brass and Iron Works, was born in Lynchburg, Va. in 1855, and is the son of William and Margaret (Maher) Cahill, natives of Ireland. Our subject removed to Chattanooga with his parents before the war, and here he was reared, learning the molders trade. In 1875 he established his present business on a capital of $3,000 but has increased the business from time to time. In 1880 he erected his present foundry on the corner of Boyce and Hook Streets. The dimension of this immense structure is 200 x2l8 feet. They make a specialty of architectural work (building castings) and also do a general foundry work, handling and manufacturing grates and mantels. They employ eighty men on an average, and the business sales amount to $100,000 per annum. Mr. Cahill is a stockholder and director of the Dowling Furnace Company. In 1881 he married Miss Ellen Burchell, of Knoxville, Tenn. He is independent in politics, and he and his family are members of the Catholic Church.
Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

Caldwell, James A.            

          James A. Caldwell, attorney and president of the Chattanooga Gas Light Company, is a native of Hamilton County, but was reared principally in Monroe County, Tenn. He was educated in the University of Virginia and served four years in the Fifty-ninth Tennessee Infantry (which was mounted part of the time). After the war he came to Chattanooga in 1867, and practiced law alone until 1870, when he was elected clerk and master, and held this position until 1876, after which he resumed the practice of law alone.  In 1873 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth S. Gillespie, a native of Roane County, Tenn., and the daughter of Gen. George L. Gillespie. The fruit of this union were four children, three of whom are living. In 1884 Mr. Caldwell formed a partnership with H. L. Turney, whose death occurred in 1885, since which time our subject has conducted the practice alone. He has been president of the gas company since 1873, and was director of that company previous to that date. He assisted in the organization of the Forest Hill Cemetery Company, being at different times director, secretary and treasurer of the same. Mr. Caldwell and family are members of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. His parents, O. H. P. and Jane (Johnston) Caldwell, are natives of Monroe County, Tenn. The father's death occurred in Georgia in 1854. The mother, now Mrs. William M. Stately, is living in Alabama. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887  

Campbell, William A.          

           William A. Campbell, of the firm of Ristine, Campbell & Co., was born in Meigs County, Tenn., February 3, 1843, and is the son of Andrew and Sarah (Shiflett) Campbell, natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Virginia. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, and in 1862 enlisted in the Federal Army, Company G, Third Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry, and served through the grades of private, lieutenant and captain of his company until the close of the war, after which he engaged in merchandising in his native county until 1871, when he went to Charleston, Tenn., and followed the same pursuit, in connection with the grain business, until 1884. He then went to Sweetwater, Tenn., and organized the Bank of Sweetwater, of which he was cashier until November 1886. He then came to Chattanooga, and became connected with the present business, although still connected with the bank and other enterprises at Sweetwater, Tenn. April 20, 1869, he married Miss Mary J. Henninger, of Pikeville, Tenn., who bore him four children. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, a Royal Arch Mason, council degree, a member of the American Legion of Honor, and also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. John A. Campbell, a brother of William A. Campbell, also a member of the firm of Ristine, Campbell & Co., of Chattanooga, was born in Meigs County, Tenn., August 3, 1848, and in this county was reared and educated. In 1871 be engaged in merchandising with his brother, William A., in his native county, and also engaged in business in Loudon County, Tenn. In September 1885, he became a member of the firm of Ristine, Campbell & Co., and has continued as such up to the present. He removed to Chattanooga in April 1886. December 10, 1875, he married Miss Mollie B. Boggess, of Meigs County and to them were born three children. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat and a Royal Arch mason. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

Carey, Aaron C.           

         A. C. Carey, city engineer, was born in the Keystone State, but was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his education in the public schools of that city. While in the city of Cincinnati he practiced civil engineering for several years prior to coming to Chattanooga and was well qualified to fill the position of city engineer in this city. He accepted his present position February 1, 1881. He has stock in several business enterprises of Chattanooga. His father, E. H. Carey, was also a native of Pennsylvania, where he followed the harness-maker's trade.  He afterward came to Cincinnati and superintended the construction of several different street railroad lines until his death, which occurred in 1883.  The mother, A. M. (Juvinal) Carey, was also born in the Keystone State, and is now a resident of Cincinnati. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887 1880 US Census, District 5, Hamilton, Tennessee; Page 57C.

Carpenter, David T.           

          D. T. Carpenter, farmer and molder in the Ninth District, was born July 9, 1827, in Grafton County, N. H. When twenty-six years of age he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained one year, and then went back to New Hampshire and married Miss Miranda Parkhurst, of Andover, Vt., daughter of John and Hannah (Johnson) Parkhurst. Mrs. Carpenter was born in Vermont in 1831, and by her marriage became the mother of nine children, viz.: Ella (Mrs. W. S. French), Clarence A., Clara E., Flora B., George E. (deceased), Grace L., Jettie A. and George E. Mrs. Carpenter is a member of the Presbyterian Church. D. T. Carpenter is a son of Asa and Anna (Turner) Carpenter. The father was born in New Hampshire and died in 1863. The mother was also a native of New Hampshire and died in 1843. They were both of English descent. The father was a descendant of one of three brothers who came to Connecticut from England about the time of the revolutionary war. He was a captain of State militia for many years, and he and his wife were zealous Christian workers in the Congregational Church. After marriage our subject moved to Chicago, where he worked at molding in a foundry for three years. In 1856 he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was foreman in a foundry for the next sixteen years, after which he moved to Columbus, Ohio. He came to Chattanooga in 1873 to look for a suitable place to locate, and in 1874, moved his family down, settling in Chattanooga, where he secured an appointment as foreman in a foundry, in which capacity he continued until 1883. Here he with others organized what is known as the " Phoenix Foundry Co., " of which Mr. Carpenter is president and his son, C. A. Carpenter, and Mr. French are managers. They have enjoyed excellent success, continuing to run during the entire time of the stagnation in business of the past three or four years, Mr. Carpenter began life in very limited circumstances, but by economy and judicious management is now in a very comfortable condition. Besides the interest he owns in the Phoenix Foundry he has a fine farm of 100 acres, nicely located on Mission Ridge near East Lake Station, on the Belt railroad. He enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio National Guards in 1864, and served as one of the 100 days' men. He was fifth sergeant of his company, and at the end of the 100 days was brought home sick. Mr. Carpenter's grandfather, Jesse Carpenter, was a soldier in that mighty struggle for independence. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887  

Carroll, John Wesley & Elizabeth Ann (Parks)         

           It is common knowledge that the origin of the surname “O’Carroll” is Ireland. Apparently when my forefathers reached American soil, they chose to drop the “O”. John Wesley Carroll, JR was the seventh generation from the Emerald Isle. His G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather arrived in the New World in or prior to 1638. He was patented 700 acres of land in James County, Virginia. Apparently, they were Irish rovers for they soon migrated to North Carolina and Tennessee. Some continued westward but J. W. Carroll, SR chose to remain in McMinn County, Tennessee. Both Ireland and Britain may lay claim to the Parks families. How our Parks came to be Cherokee Indians is a mystery, but Native Americans did take European names. When almost all of them were rounded up in 1838 for the forced march, called the “Trail of Tears”, to Oklahoma, some escaped and hid for years. Without a doubt they are our ancestors and chose the name Parks. It is also possible that a “Parks” was accepted into the tribe as a Cherokee. Many, many Scot Irish married the Cherokee and were counted in the Indian census. Anna Elizabeth Parks was born in 1852, only 14 years after the “roundup”. It is not known how Annie and John JR met but they were wed in 1873; he was 24 and she was 21 years of age. At some point after 1880, they settled in Sale Creek with at least one daughter, Florence, who was affectionately called “Flossie. She was joined in the next several years by “Emmie” (Emma), “Lepty” (Lepta), “Bessie”, “Dot” (Asbury Dodson-I don’t blame him for wanting to be called Dot), “Lillie”, Anna Mae, and Burke Prady.  I have given up trying to make sense in the naming pattern. Apparently, the mother was called “Ma” so I think it a safe assumption that John was called “Pa”. How do I know she was called “Ma”? I have a postcard, dated 1915, from “Emmie” to Annie Carroll and it began “Dear Ma”. Since John worked in coal mines, I believe it was that industry that brought them here. It was hard, back-breaking work but it was available. In later years, John lost a hand in a mining accident. You don’t get rich mining coal unless you own a mine, and it is doubtful that he ever owned one. All family pictures indicate that they were not poor by any means. The children were well dressed in nice shiny shoes, pretty dresses, and the outlandish large hats. Dot enjoyed his hats, wore neck ties, and owned a watch. In addition, many photographs were taken of the children; only one family photo has John Wesley in it. Most folks could not afford them. Where the money came from is anyone’s guess. The house they lived in was painted white. As of the early 1920’s they lived on the east side of what is now US Highway 27 about three quarters of a mile south of the center of Sale Creek. In 1905, tragedy struck the family. Dot took his own life with a pistol. He and other family members are buried in the Patterson Cemetery. Why there? We don’t know but it must have been by invitation from the Patterson’s. They lived nearer to the Welsh Cemetery. One by one the siblings went their way. Bessie married an Allen; Lepty married Jack Suggs and eventually moved to Bay City, Michigan. Emmie married Willie Hawkins; Lillie married an Adams, Mae married Logan Alexander, and Burke went into the Army in WWI. He later married Minnie Rash. My father remembers his grandmother faintly. He remembers three distinct things about her. One, she dipped snuff, and two, she did not like kids. When he reflected on her, he said, “She was a mean old woman”.  The third thing was she had a letter from Burke while he was in the war; after reading it, she declared, “Little Burky got his hell-e-meter shot off”.  (Helmet, Ma, h-e-l-m-e-t!) She didn’t want kids around her and apparently, she didn’t want J.W. around either. She was one tired old squaw, and he was a tired old tinker. She raised so much cane that John W. packed up and left; he stopped in Hazard, KY and remained there until he died. No one knows when. Annie later packed up and was headed somewhere but word was reported back to Mae that she died in enroute while in Knoxville, TN. End of story. We know no details. I wonder! I wonder if she missed old John Wesley and just wanted to be near him or-did she know she was going to die and just wanted to aggravate him one last time. Either way, both reached the end of their trails around 1925 and I have been unable to locate any record of their deaths or burials. No matter what they were I’m still very proud of my Irish and Indian heritage-and them

. Compiled and submitted by Rexford C. Alexander rexcalex@bellsouth.net 

Cary, M.          

           M. Cary, manufacturer of carriages and spring wagons, 812 Cherry Street, and 813 Georgia Avenue, was born May 21. 1844 in Bucyrus, Ohio. He is the second of four children born to Aaron and Nancy (Myers) Cary. Aaron Cary was born in 1814, in Bucyrus, Ohio, and is of Scotch descent. His ancestors came to America at the time the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, and his father, Lewis Cary, was the first settler at Bucyrus, Ohio, having built the first house at that place. The mother of our subject was born in 1821 in Carlisle, Penn. Her great-grandfather came from Holland about the time the Hollanders settled on the Hudson River. Mr. Cary was reared in the Quaker Church, but at present he is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. His son, Dr. Cary, was appointed medical missionary to Siam, by the board of missions of the Presbyterian Church. M. Cary, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the graded schools of Defiance, Ohio. At the age of eighteen he went to Monroeville, Ind., and bought staves for his brother. The following year he accepted a position as general agent for Reiley & Robertson, of Allegheny City, Penn., and Cleveland, dealers in oil barrel cooperage. He had the supervision of thirteen points throughout Indiana and Ohio. The firm failing in 1869 threw Mr. Cary out of employment but he secured a position as drummer from Carnahan, Hannah & Co., wholesale dealers in boots and shoes, at Fort Wayne, Ind., where he remained two years. He then took charge of a general store at Maples, Ind., which he had previously owned. The style of the firm being M. Cary & Co. He was also engaged at the same time in the stave business and in manufacturing patent barrel hoops. At the end of six years he moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., and traveled one year for Burgert & Hart, of Toledo, Ohio, wholesale boot and shoe dealers. In 1880 he purchased and ran the mayor House, at Fort Wayne, Ind, a short time, and then began setting up his business preparatory to coming South. In the fall of 1881 he moved to Chattanooga, and followed various occupations until the fall of 1886, when be purchased an interest of the M. F. Drake Carriage Manufactory, and afterward purchased the whole business. He married Miss Nancy Simpson in the winter of 1867 and the fruits of this union were five children: Alberta (deceased), Arthur M., Estella B., Winifred Alice and Hugh Aaron. Mr. and Mrs. Cary are members of the Mission Ridge Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Cary is an elder. He is a Republican in politics and an excellent citizen. Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887 

Cash, J. B.          

           J. B. Cash, principal of high school and Second District of Chattanooga, is a son of Henry and Eunice (Brown) Cash, both natives of the Buckeye State. The mother died in 1854, but the father is still living in Ohio, engaged as a farmer and stock grower. He has been married twice since the death of his first wife. Our subject is the eldest child by the first marriage, and was born in Belmont County, Ohio, January 16, 1849. He was educated in the common schools and at Mount Union College, located in Mount Union, Ohio, having graduated from that institution in 1880. By teaching and going to school alternately, he worked his way through college, and is considered a first-class educator. Previous to coming to Chattanooga in 1886, he was principal of the Bellaire, (Ohio) High School and also of the high school at Atchison, Kas. He is an excellent citizen and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887 

Caulkins, Wilford         

           Wilford Caulkins, A. M., late professor of ancient languages in Chattanooga University, is a son of John G. and Nancy (Lee) Caulkins, both natives of New York. The mother was a cousin of the noted philanthropist, George I. Seney, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and also a cousin of Mary Ingraham, wife of the late Bishop Gilbert Haven. After her marriage to Mr. Caulkins, they lived in their native State until 1869, when they moved to Knox County, Tenn., where the mother died in 1877. For a livelihood the father followed merchandising and farming. He has been a life-long worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife.  He is now living in Knoxville, Tenn., and is seventy-four years of age. Their family consisted of six children. Dr. Douglas Caulkins, of Knoxville, is one of this family. Our subject was born July 30, 1852, in Duchess County, N. Y., and was the oldest child born to his parents. His preparatory education was received in a private school in his native State. At leisure hours he assisted his father in the store, and, after coming to Tennessee, he worked on the farm and was also clerk in a store in Knoxville for a number of years. He entered the East Tennessee Wesleyan University in 1876, from which institution he graduated in 1880 with the first honors of his class. Rev. Richard J. Cooke, D. D., author of a celebrated theological work on the "Doctrine of the Resurrection," was a member of the same class. While in college he was tutor in Latin and Greek, and after graduating was elected professor of Latin in his alma mater. Later he was also placed in charge of the department of Greek. In May 1886, he resigned at that place to accept the chair of ancient languages in Chattanooga University. In January 1887, after the inauguration of Gov. R. L. Taylor, Prof. Caulkins' name was urged for the position of State superintendent of public instruction by several of the leading journals of the State, including the Chattanooga Times, the Knoxville Journal, the Knoxville Tribune and the Athens Post. He was not, however, an applicant for the position and made no effort to secure it. In 1877 Miss Laura D. O'Brien, a native of Greenville, Tenn., became his wife, and to them were born three daughters. Both Prof. and Mrs. Caulkins are Methodists. The Professor is a man of superior endowments and culture and one whose services the university was considered fortunate in securing. His professional services were eminently satisfactory to the authorities of the university, but in March 1887, finding himself not in harmony with the proposed policy of the institution in educating white and colored students together, he resigned his position. He is now conducting a private school in Chattanooga.

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887 

Chadwick, William O.            

          William O. Chadwick enlisted as a private in the 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry Company B. organized at Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 20,1864. Attached to district of Etowah Department of Cumberland to February 1865. 1ST Brigade 2ND separate Div., District of Etowah to June 1, 1865. William O. Chadwick was 22 years old when he joined. He was in the Indian War. His wife claimed his pension under act of July 27,1892. He was in the Union. He joined at Ross’s Landing.   He also served as a Private in the 7th TN Infantry Company H, organized in Tennessee to June 1, 1863. Attached to District of Jackson, Dept, of TN to November 1862. District of Jackson 13th Army Corp (OLD) to 1862.  Dist.  Of Jackson 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to July 1863.Service duty to Jackson and Bolivar, TN.  Grant’s Central Mississippi Campaign November 1862, Expedition against Forest December 18, 1862 to January 3, 1863. Skirmish at Huntingdon December 30, 1862. Engagement at Parker's Crossroads December 30, 1862. Duty to the District of Jackson until July 1862. mustered out July 31,1863 at Baton Rouge, LA,. William O. Chadwick was married three times He married a Aggy Chadwick and had four children - John, Jane, Harden and Malinda. I come through John Chadwick and Prudence Jane Shaw. William O. Chadwick died in Marion Co, TN, Inman Route #5. He was 76 years old. Born in Tennessee around 1810. His records state he was born in Roane Co., TN. He married 2nd to Elizabeth A. McDaniel's. 3rd married Rachel K. Chapman and they lived in Marion Co. until his death. Rachel applied for his pension May 1895 in Sequatchie Co, TN..This was my Great-grandfather. In some of his papers it states Chadwick spelled 3 ways... 

.. Submitted tn_nanny@bellsouth.net 

Chamberlain, Hiram S.           

          Hiram S. Chamberlain was born at Franklin, Portage Co., Ohio, August 6, 1835, the fourth in a family of eight children born to Leander and Susanna (Willey) Chamberlain. The parents were natives of Vermont, the father's birth occurring in Addison County, April 16, 1804, as were also his father, Leander, born in 1766 and his grandfather, Peleg, who was born in 1736. The mother was a native of New Haven; she died in March 1887. In the year 1840 the family moved to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where the father died in August 1884. Hiram S. received his education at what is now Hiram College, attending that institution during President Garfield's tutorage. He taught school winters during his stay at Hiram but left college in order to go to the front to fight for the preservation of the Union. In July 1861, be enlisted as a private in the Second Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and remained at Camps Chase and Dennison until December of that year, when his regiment was ordered to the front. The first month after his enlistment he was appointed quartermaster-sergeant; in October 1862, was commissioned second lieutenant, and February 26, 1863, he was promoted to first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster. He was quartermaster of Carter's cavalry division under Gen. Burnside at Knoxville, when it was captured from the Confederates in September 1863. May 24, 1864, he was commissioned captain and assistant quartermaster by President Lincoln, and during the remainder of the war served in that capacity. At the close of the war, Capt. Chamberlain engaged in the iron business, to which he has since chiefly devoted his attention. He resided at Knoxville until 1871, then removed to Chattanooga, and is at present president and manager of the Roan Iron Company, also president and leading stockholder of the Citico Furnace Company and vice-president of the First National Bank. Capt. Chamberlain is one of the best posted men on mineralogy in the South, and it is to his knowledge of this valuable science that his present financial prosperity is largely due. September 4, 1867, he married Miss Amelia I. Morrow, who was born at Knoxville, December 3, 1841. Six children have been born to them, all at Knoxville except the youngest two, who were born at Chattanooga: Minnie Morrow, born January 28, 1869; Mary Hattie, born July 9, 1871, died November 9, 1873; Susie Willey, born June 4, 1874, Louise A., born May 23, 1877; Morrow, born December 12, 1879, and Hiram Sanborn, born June 26, 1882. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887 

Chapman, Milton L.             

         Milton L. Chapman, a native of Elyria, Ohio, was born February 3, 1853. He was reared and educated in the Buckeye State. In December 1870, he came to Chattanooga, and engaged in the milling business with his father, Henry Z. Chapman, until February 1874, when he engaged in the real estate business at this place, which he has continued successfully to the present time. He is president of the Chattanooga Chair Company and was secretary of the Iron & Coal Association of Chattanooga for four years, and at present is one of the board of managers of the same. He is now one of the directors of the Gadsden (Ala.) Land & Improvement Company and is also identified with other enterprises in the city. He is manager of Spring Lake Improvement Company. This lake is situated four miles southeast of Chattanooga, in Georgia. The object of the company is to make the lake a pleasure resort, and supply Chattanooga with water in the future. In 1871 Mr. Chapman married Miss Carrie B. Gibbs of Ohio, and three living children are the result of this union - one son and two daughters. Mr. Chapman is a Republican in politics, and a wide-awake businessman. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887  

Cheek, Thomas H.            

          Thomas H. Cheek was born in Rappahannock County, Va., October 20, 1836, and is a son of Elijah and Mary (Holtzman) Cheek, both natives of Virginia. The subject of this sketch removed with his parents to Memphis, Tenn., in 1848, where he resided until 1861, and then entered the Confederate service, being in the ordnance department under Col. Hunt for four years. After cessation of hostilities, he established a flourmill in Macon, Ga., and also followed the same business in Marietta until May 1886, when he came to Chattanooga, but is still interested in the flour business in Georgia. In 1859 he wedded Mary M. Reid, a native of Courtland, Ala., who presented him with three children, only one, a daughter, living. Mr. Cheek is a good citizen, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887  

Chesnutt, John C.          

          John C. Chesnutt, a thrifty and enterprising farmer of James County, and now a resident of the Eighth Civil District, was born at his present place of residence, October 6, 1851. He is the son of John and Matilda (Cleveland) Chesnutt. (For the sketch of parents see the biography of J. D. Chesnutt.) Our subject was the eighth of nine children; he secured an academic education at Blue Springs, Bradley Co., Tenn. After his education was received, he worked on his father's farm until in 1880, then went to Texas and Indian Territory. After five years he returned to James County, and turned his attention exclusively to the farming interest at his present location. March 16, 1882, he married Miss Eva Shugart, who was born in Bradley County, Tenn., October 30, 1854, and died in James County, Tenn., September 6, 1884. She had a good education. Though not a member of any church, she was a firm believer in the Christian religion. She was the daughter of Lemuel and Eliza Shugart. The result of this marriage was one child, Mary E. Our subject received as a present from his father of 225 acres of land, his present place, which by judicious management and industry he has increased in value to a great extent. He always supports the cause of education, good morals, and all public enterprises, and is a Master Mason, and a Democrat.

 "Goodspeed’s History of East Tennessee,” James County, 1887. 

Chesnutt, Joseph D.          

           J. D. Chesnutt, a well-known and enterprising farmer of James County, and now a resident of the Eighth Civil District, was born near his present place of residence, August 30, 1845, and is the son of John and Matilda Chesnutt. John Chesnutt, the father, was of Irish descent, and was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., December 3, 1802, and died in James County, Tenn., December 8, 1886. He was a successful farmer. He had a good education and was a member of the Baptist Church. The mother was born in Monroe County, Tenn., February 11, 1811, and died in James County, Tenn., May 28, 1876. She also had a good education and was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was the seventh of a large family of children; he secured a good education in his youth and worked on his father's farm until one year after marriage, which occurred October 26, 1872. He married Miss Mary Jones, who was born in Bradley County, Tenn., November 2, 1852. She has a good education and is a member of the Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Crawford and Elisabeth Jones. This union has resulted in the birth of six children, all of whom are living, named Arthur L., Eli M., Matilda E., Claude, Joseph E. and Pearl. He then moved to his present location, where he began for himself. His father gave him the farm he now lives on, which by perseverance he has improved to a great extent. Though not a member of any church, he is a believer in the Christian religion. He is a Democrat. “Goodspeed’s History of East Tennessee,” James County, 1887. 

1880 US Census, District 8, James Co., TN; Page 345. 

Childers, James C.           

          James C. Childers, a well-known farmer of the Fifth District, (James County) was born in Cook County, Tenn., April 28, 1830. He is the seventh of eleven children born to John and Mary (Campbell) Childers. The father was of Irish-English descent, born in Virginia about 1780, and died near Little Rock, Ark., October 1859. He was a successful farmer, and a Whig. The mother was born in Cook County, Tenn., and died at Harrison, Hamilton Co., Tenn., in August 1860. They were married in Cook County about 1810. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The subject of our sketch received a good academic education. He began farming at an early age. In 1872 he moved to his present place of residence. In 1871, at the organization of James County, he was appointed by the Legislature as county commissioner. The same year he was elected county court clerk and held that office until 1874. He was then made deputy county trustee, under S. J. Blair. In August 1878, he was elected to this office for one year, to fill the unexpired term of J. W. Smith, who had resigned. Our subject is a decided Democrat and worthy citizen. January 7, 1852, he was married to Miss Rebecca A. Reynolds, who was born near Greeneville, Green Co., Tenn., January 2, 1825. This union resulted in the birth of six daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Childers are earnest members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Later: Since the above was written and set in type Mr. Childers died, May 6, 1887

.“Goodspeed’s History of East Tennessee,” James County, 1887. 

Chunn, Gustavus Adolphus            

          Gustavus Adolphus Chunn was born of English descent in Falkville, Blount County, Alabama, on July 23, 1838, to Lancelot Chunn IV and Lucenda Ann H. Yeager. Attending Blount College in Blountsville, Alabama, G. A. was a very distinguished-looking young man and was short in stature. In Cullman County, Alabama, on December 1, 1878, he married Martha Ann Oaks, daughter of Joshua and Mary E. A. J. Holmes of the Morgan and Cullman County areas of Alabama. Gustavus and Martha had a large family of children including James Lawson, Alvis Walker, Charles Walter, Dora, Benjamin, Mary R., Frederick, George Washington, Mary Alice, Claude E., Hattie, Crawford Alex, Floyd Hebron, Allen, and Horace E. Rev. Chunn was an ordained Baptist minister whose ministry included several area churches. He ministered in Trion, Georgia, in 1905. Then in 1908, he took the part-time pastorate of the newly organized East Lake Baptist Church. G. A.'s picture hung in the library at East Lake Baptist for many years along with its various other pastors who served over the years. In 1910 he added a second part-time pastorate, Ridgedale Baptist Church, which was located further down Dodds Avenue near the McCallie campus. During this time Ridgedale had 52 members, and Rev. Chunn's salary there was $360 a year. In the following year, the well-respected pastor left East Lake to lead Ridgedale full-time. In 1911 the church had 82 members, and his annual salary of $760 was partially paid by the Home Mission Board. In 1912 Rev. Chunn took a pastorate in Rockwood, Tennessee. Two years later, he pastored in Monterey, Tennessee, and in 1916 he retired from active church work. The Rev. Chunn died on December 29, 1928, and he and Martha are buried in Chattanooga Memorial Park on Memorial Drive in White Oak.  Several of their descendants remain in the Chattanooga area. 

Submitted by Lona Brannon cbrannon15@comcast.net 

Cleage, J. H.          

          J. H. Cleage, manager for A. G. Rhodes & Co., furniture dealers, 111 and 113 West Eighth Street, Chattanooga, is a native of McMinn County, Tenn., and was reared and educated at Athens, Tenn. He followed agricultural pursuits until he came to Chattanooga in 1880. He then engaged in the grocery trade at this place until he accepted his present position in 1882. In 1875 he was united in marriage to Miss Tipton Bradford, a native of Jefferson County, Tenn., and the fruits of this union were four children, only two of whom are living. Alexander and Jemima (Hurst) Cleage, the parents of our subject were natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The father died at Athens, McMinn Co., Tenn., in 1875; the mother is now residing in Chattanooga. The individual members of, the firm of A. G. Rhodes & Co. are A. G. Rhodes, Atlanta, and A. C. Scuddy, Nashville. They began business in Chattanooga in 1881, and handle furniture on the installment plain. They are live, wide-awake men, and are doing a good business. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887. 

Clift, J. J.          

           J. J. Clift, farmer, and clerk in the Soddy Coal Company's store, was born May 28, 1838, in Hamilton County, where he now resides. He is the youngest of seven children born to William and Nancy A. (Brooks) Clift. William Clift was born December 5, 1795, in Greene County, Tenn., and came to Hamilton County about 1828. He organized the Seventh Tennessee Regiment, of which he was colonel, enlisted in the fall of 1861, and was a very warm supporter of the stars and stripes. Hearing that they were threatened by the Confederates, this regiment disbanded and fled to Kentucky. He was captured while returning from carrying some dispatches from Gen. Burnside to Gen. Rosecrans. He was taken to Atlanta, where he was retained in captivity about four mouths. He then made his escape in February 1864 and reached home the same month. He was magistrate of his district eighteen years and was also colonel of the State militia. He was greatly harassed by the Confederates during the late war, but to the last remained a stanch Union man. He was also a very fine businessman, and when he died his effects were estimated to be worth $1,000,000. He died February 17, 1886, aged ninety. Mrs. Clift was born February 22, 1795, in East Tennessee; she died August 17, 1847. Our subject received a fair education in the common schools of Hamilton County and finished at Sale Creek Academy. He married Miss Elizabeth L. Reveley, of Dayton, Tenn. Mrs. Clift was born February 12, 1843, and died February 12, 1870, leaving three children: Nancy A., W. Robert, and Elizabeth J., now attending the Female College, at Rogersville, Tenn. Mr. Clift and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Clift is a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for John Bell. He was elected justice of the peace in 1876, and still holds that office. He has given universal satisfaction in the discharge of the duties of this office. He has been deacon of the church to which he belongs for the past eight years. 

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887 

Dewees, Warren A.        

        Warren A. Dewees, agent of the Southern Express Company, is a son of Thomas and Wilhelmina (Pennypacker) Dewees, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Virginia. After marriage they settled in Ohio, where the father followed the bricklayer's trade. Of their family of seven sons, our subject is the fifth. He was born January 27, 1853, in Stark County, Ohio, was educated in the public schools, and while growing up learned his father's trade. In 1869, he came to Chattanooga, and worked at his trade until 1872, when he engaged as driver for the Southern Express Company, and has held all the positions in the office up to the highest, having fourteen men under his supervision. He is a Mason, a Knight Templar, a Knight of Honor, and is an excellent citizen.   

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887

DeWitt, William Henry          

          Hon. William Henry DeWitt, whose name and fame are alike familiar to all residents of Hamilton County and to a large portion of the State, and whose portrait adorns this work, is a native Tennessean, born in Smith County October 24, 1827. His father, Rev. Samuel DeWitt, was born in South Carolina in 1792, and was an officer in the war of 1812 under Gen. Jackson. His mother was a McWhirter, and both branches of the family were of old Revolutionary war stock. The early years of the subject of this sketch were passed upon the farm, his few hours spared from work being employed in the laudable effort of trying to secure an education. So limited were his advantages that he had to master the lower branches of mathematics and the first books of Latin without the aid of an instructor. For ten months be attended Berea Academy, near Chapel Hill, Tenn., under the tuition of Rev. John M. Branes, one of the old time educators of the State. After attaining manhood he resided at Gainsboro for two years as an instructor in the Montpelier academy. The succeeding two years he passed in Jackson County as teacher, and from 1850 to 1856, he lived at La Fayette where he taught school one year and practiced law five years, having acquired the latter profession entirely by his own exertions. For about one year be practiced his chosen profession at Lebanon, and from 1858 to 1875, continued the same at Carthage, in his native county, where he achieved much success. Both before and since the war some of the most able men of Tennessee have been made lawyers under his instructions, and for which he never asked compensation. In 1855-56 he was the representative to the Lower House of the State Legislature from the counties of Smith, Macon and Sumner, a position for which he declined the re-nomination. In 1861 he was an opponent of the constitutional convention of the State which was defeated, and the same year was elected to a seat in the Confederate Congress. Gov. Brown, in 1862, appointed him special chancellor of the Fifth Chancery Division of Tennessee pending an election contest. In politics he was a Whig, faithful and ardent, but when the war came on, he espoused the cause of the Confederacy and has since affiliated with the Democratic party. At Nashville, in 1876, he was chairman on resolutions in the State convention which sent delegates to the National convention at St. Louis, which nominated Gov. Tilden for the presidency, and in 1878 was a member of the State Judicial Convention.  May 30, 1847, Miss Emilia, daughter of Thomas Price, became his wife, and to their union five children have been born, two dying in infancy and only one now living. His second marriage occurred May 30, l867, to Miss Elizabeth Wilson, a direct descendant of Daniel Boone, and two children are the fruit of their marriage. Mr. DeWitt is a Mason, an Oddfellow and a Methodist. He is justly regarded as one of the ablest lawyers of the State and is possessed of the highest sense of honor and justice. His friends are legion, his enemies few, if any 

Dobbs, J. D.               

          J. D. Dobbs, farmer, was born February 2, 1840, in Cobb County, Ga. He came to Hamilton County in 1855 and has resided here ever since. He was educated in the military school at Marietta, Ga., also at the Chattanooga High School, and was a short time in attendance at Burrell College, Spencer, Tenn. In 1858 he married Miss Nancy Roberts, daughter of Commodore and Jane (Bunch) Roberts. Mrs. Dobbs was born in October 1839, in Sequatchie Valley, Tennessee, and her marriage resulted in the birth of eight children: Joseph D. (deceased), Anna, Maria (Mrs. F. M. Gossett), James M., Minnie S. (deceased), John, Gorden, and Lewis David (deceased). Mr. Dobbs is a Democrat in politics. May 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Second Tennessee Cavalry, and was orderly sergeant of the same. He served two years. He is one of the heirs to 175 acres of land adjoining the city limits. His parents, James M. and Maria (Stanley) Dobbs are of English and Irish descent respectively. The father was a major of Cobb's company of Georgia Rangers during the Mexican war. He was a brave soldier and participated in all the principal battles of that war. He was born in Elbert County, Ga., December 24, 1818, and died September 10, 1869. The mother was born in Cobb County, Ga., and died when the subject of this sketch was but eighteen months old. His grandfather, David Dobbs, was born and reared in Elbert County, Ga., and commanded a regiment in the Seminole war. His maternal grandfather, Dr. Lewis Stanley, was born in South Carolina and was among the first emigrants to Cobb County, Ga. He was a successful medical practitioner in that county.

Dorsey, W. M.          

          W. M.  Dorsey, farmer, is the youngest of eight children, four of whom are now living, born to D. and A. (Duckworth) Dorsey. The father was born about 1776, in Burke County, N. C., and came to McMinn County in 1829, where he died about 1876 upward of one hundred years old. The mother was born in 1780, also in Burke County, N. C., and died about 1856. They were both active Christian workers in the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Dorsey's father, John Duckworth, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was wounded at the battle of King's Mountain. Her grandfather came from Ireland to America some time before the Revolutionary war. Our subject was born in 1824, in McMinn County, Tenn., and came to Hamilton County in 1869, received an average education in the schools of McMinn County, and lived with and assisted his father on the farm until thirty-five years of age, when he married Miss Barbara L. Wilkins, daughter of A. S. and Lavina (Wallick) Wilkins, both natives of North Carolina. They came to Hamilton County about 1840, where they still reside. Eleven children were the results of our subject's marriage: John and Mary (twins), Lonvina (Mrs. Varnell), Dimmon A., Hattie, Willie N., Charles S. and four who died in infancy. Mr. Dorsey is a Democrat in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1848. He began life a comparatively poor man, and what he is now worth was gotten by his own industry and good management. He owns a good farm of 160 acres on the Western & Atlantic Railroad. It is well improved and located eight miles east of Chattanooga. He is a Master Mason, joining the order in 1856, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Goodspeed's "History of East Tennessee" 1887 

Drake, G. W.             

          G. W. Drake, M. D., a successful practitioner of Chattanooga, is the son of Samuel B. and Sarah J. (Ball) Drake, both natives of Virginia, where they were reared and married. In early life the father was a lawyer, afterward a merchant and lastly a farmer; he died about 1848. The mother is still living and is about seventy years of age. Of their family of five chil4ren, three of whom are living, our subject is the eldest. He was born April 4, 1842, in Powhattan County, Va., and received a classical education in Richmond College of the same State. In 1861 he enlisted in Powhattan Troops Confederate Cavalry, being the first troops at Manassas Junction. In 1864 he was wounded in the right arm near Spotsylvania which disabled him from further duty. After the war he taught school and studied medicine, graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1876 as M. D. Soon after this he came to Chattanooga. He is vice-president of the State Medical Association, having held that position two years, and was vice-president of the Chattanooga Medical Association. By his union to Miss Elmira Wood be became the father of two children-one son and one daughter. His first wife died, and in 1873 be married Miss Laura Whitehead, who bore him two children, both deceased. Dr. Drake is a successful physician and has practiced his profession for about eleven years. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a man 

Dunlap,  Margaret Steward 

        Librarian (Carnegie); born Ohio; daughter Geo. M. and Frances (Alexander) Dunlap; Scotch-Irish descent; educated institutions of learning at Springfield, Ohio; graduate of Amherst College Library School 1899; honorary member of Kosmos and Woman’s Club of Chattanooga; completed course at Amherst and Columbus Institute in literary work and returned to Chattanooga 1902; 1904 appointed Librarian of Carnegie Library; under Miss Dunlap’s horarian ship size of library increased from 300 volumes to 20,000 in five years; member Second Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga.

Source: Who’s Who in Tennessee, Memphis: Paul & Douglass Co., Publishers, 1911

Dunlap, A. S.            

           A. S. Dunlap, M. D., is a son of James and Margaret (Stewart) Dunlap, who were born, reared and married in the State of Ohio. The father was a Presbyterian clergyman. The Dunlaps came from Scotland at an early day, and settled in Virginia, and removed from there to Kentucky; a branch also settled in Ohio. Our subject, the eldest of a family of seven children, was born in Madison County, Ohio, May 7, 1836, and graduated from Miami University in 1857, with the degree of A. B., and five years later with the degree of A. M. Previous to entering the university he attended Salem Academy, South Salem, Ross Co., Ohio, to prepare for college. In 1867 he graduated in medicine from the University of Michigan, having taught in the meantime, and read medicine with Dr. A. Dunlap of Springfield, Ohio. From 1870 to 1886, he held the position of first assistant surgeon of the National Military Home near Dayton, Ohio, and from 1871 to 1885 was United States pension examiner and secretary of the pension board. He has been a member of the American Medical Association since 1869 and was also a member of Clark & Montgomery Counties (Ohio) Medical Societies. In December 1886, he came to Chattanooga to enjoy a milder climate, he is having become acquainted there some six years ago. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and is esteemed by all who know him. 

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee 1887. 

Dumbell, George W.           

          Rev. George W. Dumbell, rector of the Episcopal Parish, has three churches under his charge, namely: the Parish Church, St. Paul's, St. John's, West Chattanooga and the Grace Memorial Church, in South Chattanooga. He was born in the Isle of Man, and educated at Rugby and Trinity College, Cambridge, England. Dr. Dumbell, previous to coming to Chattanooga, was successively rector of Jackson, Tenn., and St. James', Milwaukee. He married, in 1857, Georgiana Mary, @daughter of Hon. Austin Cox, one of the Puisne judges of British Honduras, by whom he has had fifteen children, eleven of whom are living. The eldest son, George William, is a banker at Los Angeles, Cal., and the second son, Howard Murray, is in holy orders, and one of his father's curates. 

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee 1887 

Dunscomb, John McK.           

          John McK. Dunscomb, manager of the telephone office at Chattanooga, is a native of New York City, born November 15, 1860. He was educated at St. Aloysius' Academy and at Xavier College. At the age of fourteen he engaged in the harness business with his father. Having taken a trip to the Northwest, he returned and kept books. He organized the United States Disinfectant Company, becoming vice-president of the same. In 1884 he engaged with the East Tennessee Telephone Company, and in 1886 took his present position, in which he has proved very efficient. Our subject was the eldest of four sons born to Alexander H. and Anna M. (Shelley) Dunscomb, both natives of Now York City, where they passed their days. The father followed the occupation of a harness manufacturer. He died in 1880, and the mother previous to this, in 1871. 

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee 1887   

Durand, Harry W.            

          Harry W. Durand, attorney and counselor at law, is a native Hoosier, Jackson being the county of his birth. He received his early education from the excellent system of public schools for which Indiana is noted, and later attended the graded schools of the city of Bloomington, in Monroe County. He thus acquired an uncommonly good academical education which he still further bettered by a course at the State University, situated at Bloomington, which graduated him in 1876. Later he studied law in that city and practiced his chosen profession there until 1881 when he came to Chattanooga, and until 1886 was connected with the firm of Wheeler & Marshall. Since that time he has prosecuted his profession alone and is justly regarded as one of the brightest attorneys at the bar of Hamilton County. October 3, 1883, he united in matrimony with Miss Jessie Lee Vincent, and their union has been blessed with the birth of one daughter. The father of the subject of this biography, Dr. J. J. Durand, is a native of Ohio and is a successful practicing physician of this county. His mother, whose maiden name was See, is a native Indianian. 

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee 1887 

Dyer, C. H.            

          C. H. Dyer, justice of the peace, is a native of Maine, but was reared and educated at Boston, Mass. At the commencement of hostilities between the North and South he enlisted in the Boston Light Artillery, and was mustered out at Burlington, N. Y. In the year 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Adda Francisco, a native of New Orleans, to whom four children have been born. In the year 1870 our subject and family removed to Tennessee and settled in Chattanooga, where Mr. Dyer followed his trade, being a mechanic and builder. During the years 1876 and 1877 he was engaged in the coal trade, and later was in the agricultural implement trade until his election to his present office in 1880. He was a member of the board of mayor and aldermen in 1883. His parents, David B. and Catherine (Bryant) Dyer were natives of Maine, but the father was reared in Vermont. They afterward moved to Massachusetts, where the mother's death occurred in 1876. 

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee 1887