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Col. Thomas H. Reeves, attorney at law and farmer, near Jonesboro, was born February 24, 1843, in Iredell County, N. C. At the age of fifteen he came to Tennessee, and located at Fall Branch, fifteen miles northwest of Jonesboro, and entered the Fall Branch Seminary, at that time one of the best schools in the country. This school was broken up by the war in 1861, and having secured a copy of "Scott's Military Tactics," he soon displayed such knowledge of the military art, as to cause a demand for his services as "drill master" for the home guards organized by the Union men for home protection. November 15, 1861, several hundred Union men of East Tennessee assembled at Chimney Top Mountain, in Greene County, to organize a regiment for the Federal Army, then in Kentucky. In this organization he was elected captain of a company of eight-six men. This command being without arms, equipments or communication with the Federal Army was soon dispersed, and he made his way through the rebel lines to Kentucky, where he entered the Union Army as a private soldier, in which capacity he rendered service until February 19, 1863, when he was promoted to first lieutenant of Company D, Fourth Tennessee Infantry Volunteers. May 29 he was promoted to captain; August 10, 1864, to major; June 5, 1865, to lieutenant-colonel; and July 29, 1865, to colonel of his regiment, at the age of twenty-two years, being one of the youngest men during the war who passed through all the grades from a private soldier to colonel of a regiment. He was honorably mustered out of service with his regiment August 2, 1865, and studied law with Judge A. J. Brown, being admitted to the bar in August, 1866. On reorganization of the regular army in 1866 he was tendered the position of captain, which was accepted November 23, and he went on duty at New Orleans. From there he went to Ship Island, Miss., as commander of the post, at which place he contracted disability, upon which he was retired from active service June 5, 1868. March 2, 1867, he was brevetted major and lieutenant-colonel in the regular army for faithful and meritorious services during the war. He resides one mile east of Jonesboro on a fine farm of 275 acres, with a magnificent residence surrounded by a beautiful grove of trees. His family consists of wife, three sons and two daughters. His father, Ira Reeves, died in Iredell County, N. C., July 19, 1844; his mother is living in Jonesboro. He has been Master of the Masonic Lodge, Dictator of the K. of H. lodge, Commander of the G. A. R. post, justice of the peace, chairman of the county court, county attorney, mayor of Jonesboro, assistant clerk of the Legislature, and United States marshall for East Tennessee. He is now president of the Jonesboro graded school board, superintendent of the Baptist Sunday-school, and devotes his time and means to promote the interests of both. Col. Reeves is a Republican, and served eight years as chairman of the congressional district committee for his district, and for the same length of time, as a member of the Republican State committee. In 1876 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Cincinnati. He was president in 1886 of the Republican State Judicial Convention, and has the reputation of being one of the best parliamentarians in the State. He started in life without a dollar or an influential friend to help him--working at the blacksmith's trade from the age of eight years until fifteen, but now enjoys the comforts of life, and attributes all his blessings and success to the Bible promise, "That all things work together for good to them that love God,"
W. R. Reeves was born June 20, 1850, on the farm, where he has since resided when permanently located. He received an academical education, and attended school at Emory and Henry College, Virginia, one term; was thrown upon his own resources when of age, and has always followed farming. He owns a fine farm of upward of 200 acres, where he resides. He was married in 1881 to Miss Mary, a daughter of John A. and Ellen (Teeter) Murphy, natives of Pennsylvania and Washington County, Va., respectively. They were of Scotch-Irish and German descnt. Her father was a prominent and successful physican. To Mr. and Mrs. Reeves two children have been born: Edward Murphy (dead) and Mary Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Lutheran Churches, respectively, and Mr. Reeves is a Democrat in politics. He has served as recording steward and steward of his class, and has also served as Sunday-school superintendent, and in various ways has taken quite an active part in church work. He was the youngest of eight children of William P. and Mary (DeVault) Reeves, natives of Washington County, Tenn. He was a carpenter by trade, and was one of the best house carpenters of his day. He built the hotel at Limestone Springs, S. C. a very fine building, composed of 110 rooms. He was a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was recording steward about forty yearas. Mrs. Reeves was a member of the same church. Mr. Reeves died August 29, 1885, aged about eighty-two years. Mrs. Reeves is still living, and makes her home with her son, our subject. Mr. W. P. Reeves was a son of Edward and Nancy (Miller) Reeves, natives of North Carolina, and Washington County, Tenn., respectively. He came to Tennessee when about twnety-five years old, where he married. He was drowned in Wolf Creek, Ky., when about forty-eight years old. Mrs. Mary Reeves was a daughter of Valentine and Susanna (Range) DeVault. Mr. William Reeves began life for himself a poor man, and accumulated considerable property by his industry and good management.
Edward Rogan, farmer, was born September 3, 1843, in Sullivan County. He went to Knox County when about thirteen, and attended East Tennessee University. When the war began, he enlisted in Capt. Blair's Company, of the Sixty-third Tennessee Infantry, in April, 1862, and was paroled at Montgomery, Ala., in April, 1865. He then became a clerk, and in 1868 engaged in business for himself in Sullivan County, Tenn. He continued merchandising until 1878, since which date he has been on his purchased farm. He was also traveling salesman for Lee, Taylor & Co., wholesale grocers, at Lunchburg, Va., in 1884-85, and then for a season he was in the same capacity for Hoar, Morgan & Co., wholesale shoe dealers, at Philadelphia. He now owns a good farm of 265 acres. In May, 1872, he married Isadore, a daughter of John F. Deaderick, a native of Washington County. Their children are Rosa D. (deceased), Carrie L. and Sue D. His wife died November 30, 1883, and January 6, 1886, he married E. R. Deaderick. Both are Presbyterians, and he was a ruling elder one year at Blountville. He is a Democrat. His parents, C. H. P. and Caroline (Powell) Rogan, were natives of Sullivan County. His mother was born in Washington, D. C. His father was notary public at Knoxville, where he was engaged in merchandising up to the time of the capture of that place, when it was confiscated. He became general bookkeeper for the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad, and also acted as paymaster for eleven years, and is now assistant bookkeeper for the company. Daniel and Catherine Rogan are the next ancestors, and were natives of Scotland and the United States, respectively. He died about 1842, ages about eighty-one years, and the mother died about 1846, aged about eighty-two years.
Henry Hunter Ruble, farmer, was born in Washington County, June 23, 1828, being the son of Henry E. and Pheba A. (Hunter) Ruble, the former born in this county June 6, 1797, the son of John Ruble, a native of Pennsylvania. John's father, Mathias, was born in Germany, probably Bavaria. Henry E. was a teacher and farmer, and died December 2, 1868, in Washington County. The mother, a daughter of Jacob Hunter, was born in this county December 8, 1796. Our subject and two sisters are the only living children of three sons and two daughters. She died August 9, 1876. Both parents were Cumberland Presbyterians. Our subject was reared on the farm, and educated at Washington College, and has long been a successful farmer. On September 14, 1849, he was married to Elizabeth J., a daughter of Edward West. She was born May 26, 1827. They have five sons and six daughters. He and his wife are Presbyterians.
Edward A. Shipley was born in Washington County, eleven miles from Jonesboro, February 18, 1849, the only child of Nathan and Mary (Jones) Shipley, the former born in Washington County, in November, 1822, the son of Enoch, a native of the same county, and in turn the son of Nathan, a native of Baltimore. Nathan was a member of the Legislature, and a surveyor of Washington County for several years, which office the father also held from 1865 to 1881, when he resigned, and now lives in the suburbs of Jonesboro, a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families. The mother was born in this county in October 1827, the daughter of John Jones, a prominent advocate of the Methodist teaching, although not a minister. Our subject was the only child, and attended school at Fall Branch and Jonesboro until 1869. He entered the Federal lines early in 1865, joining Company I, of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, but was not mustered on account of ill health. After the war he farmed and attended school until 1868, when he clerked for J. D. Cox, of Jonesboro, but soon farmed again. In 1870 he became a partner of Dr. M. S. Mahoney, as merchant at Jonesboro, under the firm name of Mahoney & Shipley. In 1874 Dr. Mahoney became a silent partner in the firm of Shipley, Smith & Co. For two years our subject had been deputy circuit clerk, and in 1875 took charge of the office in connection with Mr. Luttrell, the clerk. In 1876 the firm was dissolved, and Mr. L. C. Peoples took Dr. Mahoney's place. In 1877 our subject became claim commissioner at Washington also, but resigned the same year on account of his home business. In 1878 he was elected county clerk, and re-elected in 1882, and retired voluntarily in 1886. He abandoned merchandising in 1880, since when he has been farming and raising stock near Jonesboro, on a good farm of about 450 acres. He is now secretary of the Jonesboro Board of Education, and is an able financier, whose services vastly improved the finances of the county when he was its clerk. December 4, 1873, he married Jennie R., the daughter of Shelby T. Shipley, born in Jonesboro in 1850. Five of their six children are living. Both are Methodists.
Wendell D. Snapp was born in Washington County, August 27, 1830, and was reared on the farm. He was educated at Washington College and at the law school of Lebanon, Tenn., but, being the only child of an aged father in charge of a large farm, he then remained at home, and has always devoted himself to agriculture, and with marked success. October 15, 1868, he married C. L. Snapp, daughter of John P. Snapp, of Greene County, Tenn. She was born in Greene County June 28, 1844. Their children are Abraham L., John P., Hawkins W. and Rhea McE., born on the following respective dates: June 20, 1870; March 17, 1872; January 30, 1875, and July 22, 1880. He, his wife and eldest son are Presbyterians. He is a trustee of Washington College, and is postmaster ar Brownsboro. Lawrence Snapp and wife, the great-great-grandparents, natives of Germany, came to America, to Shenandoah County, Va., in the early part of the eighteenth century. Their son, Lawrenace, Jr., was born about 1732, and married Mary G., to whom was born Abraham, the grandfather. He married Mary Foglesong, of German lineage, and settled in Washington County, about 1801, on the land our subject now owns. In 1797 Abraham, the father, was born, one of six sons and eight daughters: Lawrence, George, Peter, Joseph, Abraham, Jacob, Catherine, Sallie, Lena, Betsie, Flora, Mary, Patsey and Peggie. The father was a farmer, and October 10, 1826, married Mary Patton, to whom was born Dr. S. T. Snapp, deceased. She died October 30, 1827, and November 3, 1829, he married Matilda Wendell, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Hawkins) Wendell, and born at Lexington, Va., November 17, 1804. Our subject was their only son. The father died March 31, 1875, and the mother November 8, 1872, both devoted Christians.
G. W. St. John, was born in Smyth County, Va., July 29, 1832, the son of Berry and Hannah (Dungan) St. John, the former born in Campbell County, Va., December 18, 1793, the son of George St. John, of Scotch-Irish origin. The father was an extensive farmer, and died at the age of seventy-six, a member of the Baptist Church. The mother was born in October, 1800, in Smyth County, Va., the daughter of John Dungan; she died at the age of seventy-six years, also a Baptist. Our subject is one of eight sons and five daughers. He was reared in Smyth county, Va., with country advantages, and has always been a succaessful farmer. He lost much that he had gained by trading, through the war, but has since recovered all. He now lives near Carter Depot, Tenn. May 10, 1866, he became the husband of Mattie A., a daughter of John Blair, at Loudon, Tenn. Their children are Frank B., James T. and Lena M. He and his wife are Methodists of the Southern branch.
Benjamin F. Swingle, farmer, was born in Washington (now Unicoi) County, May 11, 1816, the son of George and Mary M. (Haynes) Swingle, the former born in Maryland, in 1779, the son of Leonard Swingle. George is supposed to be the name of Leonard's father. Our subject's father was a millwright, and came from Maryland about 1800, and married the daughter of George Haynes in 1807. Their children are Sarah, Leonrad M., George W., our subject, Mary M., Eva E. and Margaret H. The mother, born in 1787, was of German blood, and died april 27, 1844. The father died June 20, 1836. He was a Lutheran and the mother a Methodist. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated at Holston Seminary, New Market, Tenn. He has been a farmer, but has devoted some years to merchandising and milling, as he is a millwright by trade. In 1870 he became clerk and master in chancery and seved two terms. During the war he was in the quartermaster service in the Federal Army. November 13, 1838, he married Margaret L., a daughter of James Cochran of Irish lineage, who was born September 11, 1822, in Greene County, Tenn. Their children are George W. (March 11, 1844), William C. (March 27, 1850), James F. (April 29, 1859) ____, J. J. C. (February 3, 1861), Mary J. (December 1, 1839), and Margaret E. (March 26, 1848). The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George W. Swingle is a son of B. F. Swingle, whose sketch may be seen above. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated in rural schools . For eight years in early life he was merchandising in Johnson City and with marked success. He has since been as successfully devoted to agriculture. September 12, 1876, he was married to Elizabeth Cornelia, a daughter of Franklin and Evaline (Vincent) Hunt, who was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., July 10, 1854. Their children are Eva B. (June 21, 1877), Hugh F. (August 21, 1879), Alvin E. (July 4, 1882), and Charles W. (September 27, 1885).
William Tyler, one of the oldest farmers in Washington County, was born there August 5, 1813, the son of William and Nancy (Phillips) Tyler. The father was born and reared in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., and in 1803 settled on the farm once owned by Gov. Sevier. He died in 1820, at the age of seventy-two. His father came from Scotland. The mother was a native of North Carolina, and a daughter of Robert Phillips, of English stock. She was twice married, but our subject was the only son by her first marriage. She died in her ninetieth year, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated in Washington College, and has since been a successful and able farmer. In 1842, he married Martha, a daughter of Allen Gillespie. The children are Robert, born December 9, 1843, and deceased in the late war; Minerva , born June 17, 1846, the wife of Rufus Claud, farmer, in Washington County; Isabel, born July 21, 1852, the wife of T. A. Kerr, farmer in Colorado; and Madeline, born May 1, 1855, the wife of Ferdinand Ruble, a farmer of Washington County. November 23, 1879, his wife died, and in 1880 he married Cordelia Crumbly, nee Rose. William and Nathaniel T. are their two sons. She died in 1885. In 1886 he married Martha Broyles nee Bitner. Our subject now resides on the old homestead of his father, and is an earnest man whose union feeling makes him hope that the sad experience of the war may perpetuate our Union, and that christianity may Christianize our Government.
G. W. Walter, farmer and merchant, was born in Washington County, on his present farm, November 15, 1844, the son of John and Margaret (Kyker) Walter, the former born in Washington County, Tenn., in 1800, the son of Peter Walter, a native of Washington County. Peter was the son of English parents. The father died in 1862, and the mother, born in 1802, died in 1864. She was a devoted Christian of the Methodist faith, while her husband was a Lutheran. Our subject had the advantages of country home and school life, and has devoted himself to farming and merchandising. He is a self-made man and has been generally successful. In 1866 he married Rebecca J., a daughter of Thomas Ellis, of Greene County, and their children are Catherine L. and William S. The mother died in 1871. Our subject then married Manda, a daughter of Jackson and Lucinda Broyles. Their children are Daniel A., Dorotha A., Marion R., Isaac P., Virgie E., Leona M. and Mary E. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Fourth Tennessee Infantry, United States Army, and served at McMinnville (skirmish) where his companay was captured by Wheeler's brigade, and was also in the Paint Rock campaign. He was mustered out as sergeant. He has since been a merchant and farmer, and is also postmaster at Pilot Hill.
Niles N. Warlick, M.D., was born in Henderson County, N. C., August 28, 1856, the son of Andrew and Lou (Spann) Warlick, the former born in Catawba County, N. C. in 1818, the son of Solomon Warlick, of Pennsylvania, born in 1787, and latter of North Carolina. Andrew is now a successful and respected farmer in Henderson County, N. C., and the mother born in the county in 1828, is the daughter of James Spann. Both parents have been Methodists for over forty years. Our subject grew up in the country and attended Mill's River High School, and in 1873 began medicine under Dr. J. H. Sinasabaugh in Haywood County, N. C. In 1875-76 he attended the college of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, and engaged in practice in Washington County, until 1884, when he attended and graduated from Baltimore University (medical department). He had located at Jonesboro and has had a splendid practice, and made a high standing in his profession. July 1, 1886, he also engaged in the drug business, the firm being (Dr. D. J.) Gibson & Warlick. they have a fine stock and prescription department. He has been remarkably successful in both. September 6, 1877, he married Ella, a daughter of William Powell, and born in Hawkins County February 14, 1856. Opie P. is their only child, born June 12, 1878. He and his wife are Methodists.
E. H. West, farmer, is the grandson of Edward West, a native of Virginia, and of English lineage. Edward came to Grainger County, when a young man, and married Elizabeth Humphreys. Of their seven sons and two daughters, Edward, the father of our subject, was the eldest but one, and was born in Grainger County, in October 1797, but when he was eleven years old, his father moved to Washington County where in December, 1880, Edward died. He was a prosperous farmer. In 1824 he married Isabelle Rankin, a daughter of David Rankin, of Greene county. They had five sons and two daughters. Our subject, the third eldest, was born in this county, December 16, 1831, and was reared with the usual country advantages. He began merchandising, when he was twenty years old, in his father's store, but with the opening of civil war, he went to the Northern and Western States. After the war he settled up his former business, and has since been farming successfully. December 31, 1868, he married A. Eva, a daughter of Col. G. W. Telford, of Washington County, Tenn. She was born in Washington County, February 20, 1839. They have had nine children. Those living are Samuel T., Clara B., Edward T., Mary I., George W. and William A. Our subject is an aggressive worker, and he and his wife are Presbyterians. He is a royal Arch Mason, and a Republican.
James A. West, farmer and trader, was born in Washington County, Tenn., September 9, 1846, the son of Edward and Isabelle (Rankin) West. The father was a native of Washington County, Tenn., born in the year 1798, and was of English descent. He was a successful farmer and merchant, and died in 1880, at the present home of our subject, full of years and honors. The mother was a daughter of David Rankin, and was born in Greene County, Tenn., in 1810, and died in 1883. She was a most exemplary Chrisian woman. Both parents were old school Presbyterians. There were born to them six sons and three daughters, of whom there are now living only three sons and one daughter. Our subject was raised on a farm, and finished his education at Tusculum College, near Greeneville, Tenn., graduating with honor in 1868. Since reaching manhood, he has devoted his life chiefly to farming and trading. He has represented his county in the Legislature twice, with high credit to himself, being elected in 1873, and again in 1883. At present he is chairman of the county Republican executive committee. The county has no better citizen. He is related, on his mother's side, to Gov. John Sevier. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Emma C. Glaze, daughter of W. B. Glaze. They have two daughters, named Blaine and Belle. Mr. West now owns a farm on 100 acres, near Conkling, Washington Co., Tenn., and is engaged in farming and trading in stock.
Landon White was born July 10, 1844, in the locality where he has since resided. He received a good common-school education. In 1861, when sixteen years old, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-ninth Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States Army. He served for some time as assistant quartermaster. He was captured at Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862, and detained as prisoner of war until December 12, 1862, when he was paroled, and afterward exchanged. He began life for himself in only moderate circumstances, and the most of what he is now worth is the fruit of his own practical business ability. He gave his attention principally to farming until June 5, 1886, when he purchased a saw mill in Mitchell County, N.C., which he has since managed in connection with farming. He owns a fine farm of 335 acres of land where he resides. He was married January 5, 1870, to Hannah E., a daughter of James and Mary (Kitzmiller) Hodges. Mr.Hodges is still living, and is in his eighty-sixth year. Mrs. Hodges is still living, and is about seventy-nine years old. The Hodges were of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. White seven children have been born: Cleopatra, Lula A. and John, Jr. (twins), James L. (deceased), Bessie O., Frank M. (deceased) and Boneta. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. White is a Democrat in politics. He is a Master Mason. He is the eldest of five children of John and Catherine (Walters) White, natives of Washington County, Tenn. The father was justice of the peace six years, and was one of the directors of the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad from the time it was built until he was physically incapacitated for the duties of the office. He was a man of untiring industry and great energy, and was successful in everything he undertook. He was quite an active Christian worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church about two years, the he joined the Missionary Baptist Church, to which he belonged until his death, which occurred March 9, 1866, aged seventy years and eleven months. Mr. White was of Irish and Mrs. White was of German descent. He was a son of James and Anna White, natives of Virginia, and Washington County, Tenn., respectively. Mr. White came to Tennessee when two years old--about 1873. He was justice of the peace for upward of twelve years, and gave universal satisfaction in the discharge of the duties of his office. When he first settled here the only cleared spot of land in this part of the country is now a part of Mr. Landon White's farm. He was one of the pioneer members of the Baptist Church in this whole country, being a very active and devoted member of that church. When he died he willed $300, the annual interest of which was to go toward the support of the pastor of the church to which he belonged. He died January 1, 1866, aged eighty-four years. Mr. Landon White has for several years taken quite an active interest in the development of the educational advantages of his locality, and has served as school director for several years.
Thomas J. Wilson, one of the oldest citizens of his native county, was born in Washington County May 24, 1811, the son of William and Abbey (Waddill) Wilson, the former a native of Greene County, and the son of William Wilson, a native of Ireland. He was a farmer and trader. The mother, a daughter of John Waddill, was born in this county. Of her nine sons and one daughter, five of the former are deceased. Our subject was reared on the farm, and educated at Old Salem, and for twenty years he was in the iron business, in the employ of Elijah Embree, of Wahsington County, and afterward manufactured edge-tools at his present homestead, up to the time of the war. Aside from that he has been devoted to agriculture. October 3, 1833, he married Eliza, a daughter of Elihu Embree, a gentleman of English origin. Their children are Elihu E., William, Elijah E., James M., Susan M., Ester E., Thomas J. and Albert W. Mrs. Wilson died February 15, 1887. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is also a Methodist, and a highly respected man.
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