|
BIOGRAPHIES OF Hickman COUNTY, TN "W"
Above Milam's Branch is Wade's Branch, known
originally as "Murray's Branch". James and Joseph Murray settled on this
branch in 1819. In 1828 they sold to Robert Wade, whose name the branch
has since borne. Wade was born in Virginia. When a young man, he went west
into Kentucky, where he married Miss Bearden. From Kentucky he and his
young wife came, in 1823, to Hickman County. Wade then owned a black mare,
a gun, and a dog. He placed his wife on the mare, shouldered his gun,
called his dog, and started on foot for Tennessee, and in this manner they
made the entire journey. They settled on Murray's Branch, and in 1828
bought the lands here from the Murray's. When Wade first came here, he
traded his mare for a still, his saddle for some corn, and commenced the
manufacture of whisky, which he continued for thirty years. During this
time he claimed that he drank one quart of whisky each day. When at home
his drinks were carefully measured, and when he was on a journey he
carried with him that quantity of whisky which his frequent measurements
had shown him he would need. Yet Wade was not considered a drunkard, but
was an energetic and prosperous citizen, who for a number of years was one
of the magistrates of this district. According to his statement, he drank
during these years nearly three thousand gallons of whisky. The place
where his distillery stood is about one mile below the location Old Etna
Furnace, at the present George Milam place. Sons of Robert Wade were
Robert and George Wade. Robert Wade, Jr., married Harriet, the daughter of
Samuel Malugin, and soon after his marriage he died. George Wade married a
daughter of Ross Breece. He died at Fort Donelson in 1862. Benjamin Harris
married a daughter of George Wade, and now owns the lands originally owned
by Robert Wade, Sr. At this place the Federal Colonel, Murphy, was
overtaken and surprised, early one morning in 1864, by the Confederate
Colonel, Biffle, during the running fight from Buffalo to Centerville. The
firing was for a time brisk, but there were no casualties, and the
Federals continued their retreat.
The History of Hickman County, Tennessee
by W. Jerome D. Spence and David L. Spence. Chapter XIV - The Eleventh
District, (1900)
John T. Walker, cashier of the First National Bank of Centerville, Tenn., is a native of Hickman County, Tenn., born September 2, 1848, and is of Scotch-Irish decent. His father, James Walker, was native of North Carolina, born in 1811, and was a farmer and cabinet-maker by occupation, and served in the Seminole and Mexican Wars. His death occurred in Hickman County, 1872. The family came from North Carolina to Tennessee, and settled in Bedford County at an early day, and became prominent and respected citizens of that county. The maiden name of subject's mother was Mary E. Cooper. She was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1827. The subject of our sketch is the second of their eight children. His juvenile days were spent in laboring on a farm and in attending the common schools, where he obtained a good English education. In 1871 he embarked in the general merchandise business at Whitfield, Tenn., and in 1872 began traveling for a Cincinnati (Ohio) business house. In 1875 he went to Nashville, but during this time retained his business interest at Whitfield. Since 1876 he has been a resident of Centerville, and ever since his location in the town has been engaged in the mercantile business. Upon the organization of the First National Bank of this place, he was chosen its cashier and has filled the duties of this position very efficiently and satisfactorily. He is a prominent business man of the county, and is respected alike for his many sterling business qualities and his personal integrity and worth. In 1874 he united his fortunes with those of Miss Mary J. Clagett, of Centerville, daughter of Horatio Clagett. Mr. Walker is a Democrat and his first presidential vote was cast of Horace Greeley. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
Dr. John Cofieald Ward was the son of David Cofieald Ward. David was born on March 2, 1802, on White's Creek, Davidson County, married Mary Bowen Moore, a near relative of Gov. William Bowen Campbell. She was born in Smith County on May 2, 1800. Dr. John Cofieald Ward was born in Smith County on February 26, 1828, and came in 1843 to his uncle, Dr. Samuel Bowen Moore, at Centerville. In 1846, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted under John W. Whitfield, captain of Company A, First Tennessee Regiment. This was the famous "Bloody First" of the Mexican War, commanded by Col. William B. Campbell, who was afterwards Governor. Dr. Ward was one of the regiment's surgeons, was present at the capture of Monterey, and, after this, was detailed for duty in the hospitals at Tampico. From Tampico he returned to Centerville, where he has since almost constantly resided, and where he has practiced his profession for over fifty years. Dr. Ward married Sarah Casandra Charter, daughter of Robert Charter, one of the pioneer merchants of Centerville. After the death of his first wife, he married Kate McMurray, of Humphreys County. Dr. Ward is justly proud of his ancestral line, which goes back to the English house of Cofieald.
The History of Hickman County, Tennessee by W. Jerome D. Spence and David L. Spence (1900)
Down on Lick Creek, from 1812 to 1815, at what was afterwards known as the "Jack Tarkington place" lived Elizabeth Berry, the widow of Humphrey Bybon Berry, who died in Maryland. She came here with her father, William Tyler, father of Wat and Parker Tyler. Her sons were William Tyler Berry and Ferdinand Berry. The former went to Nashville, where he became a prominent citizen; the latter to Memphis, where he attained equal prominence. Mrs. Berry married John I. Webb, of Williamsport, at which place they both died. They were buried in the graveyard on the "Jack Tarkington place." The name of the wife of William Tyler was Stoddard. She was a relative of William Henry Harrison. at the death of her husband she became the sole owner of his extensive property, which she in turn gave to her son, George Parker Tyler, who named Little Lot. Mrs. Berry had in her possession silver spoons upon which were engraved the name of Humphrey Bybon Berry. These spoons were among the first of the kind brought to the county.
The History of Hickman County, Tennessee by W. Jerome D. Spence and David L. Spence (1900)
S. McE. Wilson, M. D., merchant and physician, was born in Hardeman County, Tenn., March 2, 1838, son of Samuel B. and Tillissee (McElwee) Wilson, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Tennessee, and born in 1808 and 1815. After residing Tennessee for some time they removed to Mississippi, and there the father died in 1861, and the mother in 1866. Our subject spent his early days on a farm, and at the age of sixteen entered the Ripley Male Academy at Ripley, Miss., remaining until 1858, when he entered the University of Mississippi. He came to Tennessee in the fall of 1859, and began teaching school near the famous Shiloh Church, and at a later period became principal of Ebenezer Academy, in Humphreys County, Tenn. The war broke out about this time and he went to Mississippi and continued teaching until the close of the war and then returned to Tennessee. He began the study of medicine in 1861, while teaching school, and afterward read in the office of Drs. Croxten and McFarland. In 1866 he began practicing in Benton County, and later in Decatur County. In 1869 he removed to Stewart County and a year later (1870) came to Centerville, and since that time has dealt in drugs and engaged in the active practice of medicine. He married in 1861, Mary T. Moore, of Humphreys County, and by her he became the father of twelve children, six now living: Eunice, Roffie, Thomas, Jordan, Fannie and Estelle. Dr. Wilson is a Mason and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is one of the leading men of Centerville, and in 1874 was elected by the county court to fill the unexpired term of David Dean, as county trustee, and in August of the same year was elected by the people as trustee of Hickman County, and was re-elected for three successive terms, holding the office for a period of eight years. He was also a postmaster of Centerville five years, and may be said to be a thoroughly self-made man. His first vote was cast for John Bell, of Tennessee, for President, and since that time he has always voted with the Democratic party.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887) |
