BIOGRAPHIES

OF

TIPTON COUNTY, TN

"B"

N. W. Baptist

N. W. Baptist, a prominent citizen and attorney of Covington, Tenn., was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., October 10, 1846, and is one of a family of two children, himself and sister, now Mrs. Mary W. Wimbish, their parents being R. B. and Mary L. (Wilson) Baptist, both natives of Virginia.  The father was born in 1810, was a lawyer by profession and served as clerk of the court, also as attorney-general one term.  He died in 1868.  The mother was born in 1820, and is now residing with her daughter at Covington.  In early boyhood our subject attended the district schools of his native county, and at the age of fifteen enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth Virginia Regiment (infantry), as private, but was afterward promoted to the rank of first lieutenant.  He participated in many battles and skirmishes, and April, 1865, was captured, taken to Point Lookout, Md., where he remained until August 24, 1865.  After returning home he attended college for ten months, and read law under his father for about two years.  In 1869 he came to Tipton County, locating at Mason, and kept books for two years.  He was then elected magistrate, was chairman of the county court and financial agent of the county, serving two years.  He was then elected clerk of the county court, which position he held until September, 1886.  For four years he has been practicing law with J. C. Boals, and is one of the leading attorneys to the place.  In 1871 he wedded Belle Boyd, a native of Virginia and the daughter of Frank W. and Isabella Boyd.  To Mr. and Mrs. Baptist were born five children: Frank B., Richard B., Belle T., Mary L. and Lucy R.  Mr. Baptist is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

Richard S. Barret

Richard S. Barret, Esq., son of James and Nancy (Sanford) Barret was born in Sumner County, Tenn., January 8, 1821, and is one of a family of eight children, six of whom are living.  Our subject received his education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and in 1846 united his fortunes with those of Mary Harris, a native of Louisa County, Va., born in 1832, and the daughter of John W. and L. Harris.  This union resulted in the birth of five children:  John H., Sallie (wife of W. B. Smith), Thomas M. (engaged in the railroad business), Eugenic (deceased) and James M.  After marriage Mr. Barret continued farming and was also engaged in the milling business at Covington, until the war.  In 1866 he was appointed county court clerk, and was elected to fill the same position the three succeeding elections, continuing in office until August, 1878.  He has acted as magistrate of his district for the past five years, and has held public offices most of the time since coming to this county.  He is a man well known and much esteemed by all his acquaintances, both as a public officer and citizen.  He is a Democrat in politics and cast his first vote for Gov. Jones, who was elected on the Whig ticket.  He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  His parents were both natives of Virginia, the father of Caroline County, Va., born about 1796; he was a farmer and died in 1872.  The mother was born in Louisa County, Va., and died about 1872.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

Dr. William L. Barret

Dr. William L. Barret, surgeon and physician of Center, Tenn., is a son of James and Nancy (Sanford) Barret, and was born in Cumberland County, Ky., in 1832, being the sixth child of a family of six sons and two daughters; one son has died.  The father was of Anglo-Irish extraction, and was born in Virginia in 1792; was raised there, and received a very limited education.  When sixteen years old he moved with his parents to Kentucky, and in 1814 married, moving to Tipton County in 1834, settling three miles southeast of Portersville, where he farmed until his death in 1867.  The mother was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1797, and died in 1872.  They were both members of Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  Dr. Barret was educated at the male academy, four miles southeast of Portersville, and at nineteen began the study of medicine under Dr. Dickson, near Portersville, and continued two years.  In 1852 he entered the Memphis Medical College, where he graduated in 1854, having practiced between sessions.  He then went to Mississippi and practiced there until 1857, when he removed to Phillips County, Ark., and stayed until 1861.  Dr. Barret then enlisted in the Confederate Army, in Company C, Wilburn's battalion, under Forrest, and remained six months, when he was sent home on account of ill health.  He then returned to Arkansas, and soon after went to Texas, and in a few months returned his family near Holly Springs, Miss.  In 1864 he moved to Covington, Tenn., and practiced medicine for twelve years; then located at Center, six miles northwest of Covington.  Dr. Barret has met with marked success in his profession, and is considered a splendid physician.  He has a beautiful place.  August 31, 1854, he married M. L. Roberts, near Holly Springs, Miss., and of eight children born to them four are living:  Dr. Walter M., of Quincy, Cal., William R., of same place, engaged in mining; Edwin W., a clerk in Barretsville, Shelby County, and Charles G., sixteen years old.  Mrs. Barret died March 15, 1880, and June, 1881, he married Rebecca A., daughter of William and Frances A. Chism, of Fulton, Miss., who was born in Holly Springs in 1843.  Dr. Barret was formerly a Whig, but his first presidential vote was cast for James Buchanan.  Since the war he has been a Democrat.  He is an active and prominent Mason, and belongs to the Old School Presbyterian Church, as his first wife did.  His present wife is a Methodist.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

S. D. Beaver

S. D. Beaver, farmer and merchant of the Fourth District, is a son of Dr. S. B. and Elizabeth Beaver, and was born in Fayette County, 1853, and is one of nine children, five of them living; Mrs. Frances Freeman, Mrs. Isabella Sloop, James B., S. D. and Sarah A. Allison.  The father was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, born in Alabama.  When fourteen years of age he moved with his father to Fayette County, where the latter remained until his death.  S. B. Beaver had no advantages for educating himself, but, in spite of this, through close application to study and possessing a bright mind, he obtained a fined education and is one of the most practical business man of Fayette County.  He married at twenty-two, and at twenty-four began the study of medicine without any preceptor, and soon after commenced practicing medicine and was soon in possession of an extensive practice, proving efficient and successful as a physician.  He is a practical, self-made man, never having attended a medical college, but preparing himself for the profession by his own study.  He is still living in Fayette County, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, being a man of considerable means.  He was captured by the Federal soldiers during the war, and for several weeks served as surgeon in the hospital at Lagrange, Tenn.  The mother was born in Henderson County, in 1810, and is still living.  They are both Missionary Baptists.  Our subject remained at home until of age, was educated in the county schools, and by self study.  When twenty-two he moved to Tipton County and worked as an employee for nine years, and in this time saved $1,000.  December 27, 1880, he married Maria, daughter of William and Mary Delashmit, and has had three sons: Everett Lee, Claudus Gaston and John.  He then took charge of the Alston plantation and served as agent for three years, then purchased 187 acres of land, where he now resides, six miles west of Brighton, and in 1883 commenced merchandising in connection with his farming.  He possesses fine business capacity, and is becoming one of the leading farmers and substantial business men of the county.  When a young man he was constable for a year during an unexpired term.  Mr. Beaver is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland.  He is an active member of the L. O. O. F.  Mrs. Beaver was born in Tipton County in 1866.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

Dr. Marmaduke Bell

Dr. Marmaduke Bell, a skillful physician of Tabernacle, Tipton Co., Tenn., was born in Dickson County, Tenn., August 10, 1834, and is a son of Thomas and Mary J. (Bowen) Bell.  The father was born in North Carolina, in 1805, and died in 1867.  He moved to Dickson County with his parents when young, and farmed in that county very successfully the rest of his life.  He was a Democrat, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  The mother is a native of Tennessee, born in 1818, and is still living, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church.  Dr. Bell received a good education in his youth and in the fall of 1857 entered the medical department of the Nashville University, and received his diploma in the spring of 1859.  After graduating he located at Chulahoma, Miss., and commenced the practice of medicine.  In 1861, he entered the Confederate Army and was made captain of a Company, Seventeenth Mississippi Infantry, but on account of ill health was soon compelled to resign his commission and return home.  In 1861 he located at Tabernacle and gave his time to his professional duties, soon building up an extensive practice and making an enviable reputation as a physician.  May 17, 1865, he married Mrs. Sue H. (Foster) Ligon, a native of Haywood County, Tenn.  Two daughters and a son were born to this marriage.  Mrs. Bell died June 6, 1872, and January 20, 1875, Dr. Bell married Miss Annie E. Hunt, born in Tipton County, January 27, 1848.  They have had two sons and a daughter.  One son is dead.  Politically Dr. Bell is a true Democrat and deeply interested in his party.  He is not identified with any church, but is by preference of doctrine a Presbyterian.  Mrs. Bell is an Episcopalian.  They are highly esteemed in the social circles of their community.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

George James Bibbs

James A. Billings

James A. Billings, farmer and merchant of the Third District, is a son of David and Susan Ann (McCoy) Billings.  He was born in Lincoln County in 1830, and is the sixth child of a family of fifteen children -- seven sons and eight daughters; four sons and three daughters living.  The father was of German ancestry, born in North Carolina in 1794.  He was raised in his native State, and married when about twenty-five years old, and moved to Lincoln County in 1825, farming there until 1837, when he moved to Tipton County and located near what is now the Twelfth District, where he died in 1851, being one of the early settlers.  The mother was born in North Carolina in 1802 and died in 1858.  Our subject was raised and educated in Tipton County.  November, 1855, he married Nancy E., daughter of John and Sallie Roe.  They had sixteen children -- four sons and four daughters living: Lucy Ann (wife of M. A. Phillips), Margaret, Elizabeth Jennie, Mary Matilda, James Henry, Spruce, Holmes Cummings, and Pink.  Mr. Billings spent a year after his marriage in the Twelfth District, then moved to his present farm, owning about 400 acres of land in different tracts; 124 acres in the home tract is well cultivated and is nine miles west of Covington, near Walnut Grove Church.  In 1874 he purchased a stock of goods and since then has been engaged in the mercantile business in connection with his farming.  He is a good business man, and was elected magistrate in 1876, holding the office for six years.  He is a firm Democrat.  Mrs. Billings was born in Lincoln County in 1838, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

Dr. James E. Blaydes

Dr. James E. Blaydes, a well known practicing physician of Atoka, Tipton Co., Tenn., was born in Madison County November 28, 1839, and is a son of John K. and Sallie (Coleman) Blaydes, who were both natives of Virginia.  The father was born in 1802, and in 1830 moved with his parents from Virginia to Madison County, Tenn., where he lived for seven or eight years, then moved to Fayette County and settled at Macon, ten miles southwest of Somerville.  The greater part of his life was spent in farming, but a few years before his death, he was in the mercantile and livery business at Wythe's Depot, in Shelby County.  Mr. Blaydes was always a Democrat, and, with his wife, belonged to the Missionary Baptist Church.  He died July 18, 1876, aged seventy-four years.  The mother was born in 1808 and died in 1861.  Our subject received a good education, and in 1858 entered the Nashville Medical College, where he took his first course of lectures.  In 1861 he went to the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and received a diploma.  In the summer of 1861 he volunteered as private in the Confederate service, enlisting in Company B, Seventh Tennessee Regiment of cavalry, which joined Forrest.  After serving six or eight months as a private, he was made assistant surgeon of the Second Engineering Regiment of Gen. Loring's division, where he remained until the war closed.  He returned home in June, 1865.  The war left him without means and it was with difficulty that he commenced the practice of his profession; but he located at Portersville, Tipton County, and in a very short time built up a large practice, and was soon recognized as one of the most skillful physicians of the county.  May 3, 1866, he married Malinda E. Payne, of Tipton County, born February 20, 1839, and by this marriage had two sons and four daughters -- one son and two daughters living.  Dr. Blaydes has been an exceedingly prosperous man; his wife had a few thousand dollars and this, with the income from his large practice, enabled him to buy land and sell to an advantage.  He owns 3,500 acres.  Dr. Blaydes is a Democrat.  While not holding membership with any church, he is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and in sympathy with the doctrine of the Missionary Baptist Church.  He is one of Tipton County's most valuable citizens.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

J. C. Boals

J. C. Boals, a leading attorney of Covington, Tenn., was born in Fayette County, November 16, 1860, and is one of a family of six children born to J. N. and Cynthia Boals.  The former was born in North Carolina, April 10, 1810, and came to Tennessee with his parents when a boy.  He is now residing in Fayette County, and is an ardent Democrat, and takes considerable interest in political affairs, although he now seventy-six years of age.  His wife's maiden name was Polk.  She was a distant relative of James K. Polk, and was born in 1821 and died in March, 1861.  Our subject graduated at Macon College, before he completed his eighteenth year, taking the degree of B. A.  He then taught school in Hardeman County, and a few years later entered the post graduates' department of Yale College, remaining in that institution two years.  He again taught school for about a year and a half at Williston, and in 1874 returned to Yale College, and in 1876 graduated with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.  From that time until May, 1878, he taught in Macon College, and then came to Covington and continued to teach until June, 1879, and in September of the same year was admitted to the bar.  It was his intention to fit himself for the ministry and it was with this intention that he entered Yale College, but later decided on law as his profession.  November 30, 1880, he wedded Anna, daughter of Dr. William and Sarah R. Hall.  Mrs. Boals was born in Covington in February, 1859, and is the mother of three children: Clarence P., Harvey H. and Sarah R.  Mr. Boals is an enterprising citizen and excellent lawyer, and is an ardent Democrat in politics.  He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is a deacon in the same.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

R. R. Boyd

R. R. Boyd, of Covington, Tenn., was born in New Hampshire, in 1835, and was one of six children, all living, born to Robert and Susan Boyd, both natives of New Hampshire.  The father was born in 1799; he was a farmer, and held some office of political importance, including membership in the State Legislature for many years, and was an elder in the Presbyterian Church.  He moved to Ohio in 1852, and died in 1872.  The mother's maiden name was Riddle; she was born in 1800 and died in 1849.  Our subject was raised and educated at home.  He came to Nashville in 1853 and remained there until 1861.  He was first employed as a book-keeper, and was then in the produce business for himself.  In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was in the commissary department as clerk under Maj. G. V. Rambeau until 1863, when he was discharged on account of ill health.  In 1861 he married Harriet, daughter of John and Mary Black.  Mrs. Boyd was born near Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1835.  They have three children: Robert B., George R. Grant and Harry Findley.  After Mr. Boyd returned from the army he located at Memphis, and engaged in the lumber business, and for some time furnished wood for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company, and then handled cotton, and engaged in ginning.  In 1876 he moved to Covington, continuing the latter business until 1886, then began dealing in and sawing lumber.  Mr. Boyd is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O. O. F., and with his wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church.  He stands well in the community and is a man of strict integrity and kind heart.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

J. Nicholas Bringle

J. Nicholas Bringle, one of the early settlers of Tipton County, and a leading farmer of the Twelfth District, was born in Rowan County, N. C., in 1825, and is one of four children -- two sons and two daughters - our subject and one sister surviving.  The parents were Thomas and Catharine (Limpaugh) Bringle.  The father was of Pennsylvania Dutch decent, born in Rowan County, N. C., in 1800.  He had a common-school education, and was married at twenty-one; he was a carpenter by trade, and followed it for a living in early life.  He came to Tipton County in November, 1835, and settled in the Twelfth District, when the country was still a dense wilderness; he died in 1845.  The mother was born in Rowan County, N. C., in 1806, and died in 1862.  They were members of the Baptist Church.  She was married the second time in 1847, to Alex Woods.  Our subject received most of his education in the schools in Rowan County, N. C.  July 14, 1846, he married Margaret Billings, and they had nine children, eight of whom are living; John W. (a farmer in Arkansas), Charley A., James T., George L., Mary M. (wife of John H. Smith), Sallie Ann (wife of Marion Miller), Peter A. and William H.  Mrs. Bringle was born in Davidson County, N.C., and died in 1863.  December 25, 1863, he married Sarah F., daughter of Peter and Nancy Bringle, and by this marriage had ten children, eight of them now living:  Ellen H. (wife of Sephus Chuming), Iona, Katie, K. Lavan, Minnie, Edna, Emma, and Maria.  Mr. Bringle first settled in the First District, but has been living at his present farm for twenty-eight years; he owns 425 acres of valuable land, five miles northwest of Covington.  He has earned his fine property by his own labor, and good management, having started in life poor, but by perseverance overcame all of the difficulties of pioneer life, and a raised a large, industrious and intelligent family, and he is considered on of the substantial farmers of the county.  In April, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, and served until June of the same year, when he was sent home on account of ill health.  He was formerly a Whig in politics, and still adheres to the principles of that party; his first presidential vote was for Gen. Taylor, in 1848.  Mrs. Bringle was born in Tipton County, in 1836, and is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

T. J. Bringle

T. J. Bringle, one of the influential citizens of the Twelfth District, is a son of Peter and Nancy (Verble) Bringle, and was born in Tipton County, in 1835, being the fifth of ten children, two sons and three daughters living.  The grandfather was born in Germany, and name was originally Pringle, which is still retained by some of the descendants.  The father was born in North Carolina in 1794, and had poor school advantages.  He was twice married, our subject being the child of the second marriage.  He moved to Hardeman County, Tenn., in 1825, and a year later to Tipton County.  One of its pioneers, he settled in the Twelfth District, where he died in 1874.  The mother was born in North Carolina in 1804, and died in 1876, a devout Baptist.  Our subject was educated in the rough schools of the forest.  April, 1860, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac W. and Mary N. Onen.  They have six children: James P., Thomas L., Mollie A., Ernest N., Walter W. and Isaac L.  Mr. Bringle spent the first twelve years of his married life on his father's original tract and moved in 1873 to his present home, where he owns 1,000 acres of land, and 100 acres in District 2.  He has been a man of marked energy and quite successful, being one of the most extensive land owners in the district.  April, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, was captured in battle, and taken to Memphis and held as a prisoner until September, when he was paroled and sent home, when he resumed his farming.  Mr. and Mrs. Bringle, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.  She was born in Tipton County, in 1838; her parents were natives of North Carolina.  He is a conservative Democrat.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

James H. Bringle

James H. Bringle, a citizen of the Twelfth District, was born in Tipton County in 1841, and is one of twelve children, two sons and three daughters living, all in Tipton County.  The parents were Peter and Nancy (Verble) Bringle.  The father was Dutch extraction; was born in Davidson County, N. C., in 1794.  He was first married when about twenty-four years old, and had one daughter.  After his wife died he married, in 1822, Nancy Verble, who was born in Davison County, N. C., in 1804, and died in 1876.  He moved to Hardeman County in 1825, and in 1826 to Tipton County, being one of the first settlers when the county was still a wilderness.  His wife and himself were members of the Missionary Baptist Church.  He was a farmer, and died in 1874.  Our subject was raised and educated in Tipton County.  When the war commenced he enlisted in the Confederate Army, in Company I, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, but in three months returned home on account of ill health; soon after joined Company G, Fifty-first Tennessee Infantry, and remained for two years; then rejoined his original command in the cavalry, and served until December, 1864, when he returned home after three years' hard fighting and suffering, and resumed farming.  November, 1868, he married Nancy J. White, daughter of William H. and Robert White, and they had four children, two living: William Floyd and Emmet W.   Mrs. Bringle died August 19, 1880, and January 27, 1881, he married Eliza A., daughter of Capt. J. A. and Susan Ann McFerrin; they have one child, Nannie Sue.  Since his first marriage Mr. Bringle has resided on his present farm of 290 acres of the best land in Tipton County, six miles northwest of Covington.  Mr. Bringle is a self-made man, and has made his property by his own industry.  In 1876 he was elected magistrate, and held the office two years, when he resigned.  He is a Democrat, and an active member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, being an elder in it.  His first wife belonged to that church, but his present wife is a Methodist.  She was born in Cannon County, Tenn., in 1861.  Mr. and Mrs. Bringle are greatly esteemed in their community.

Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)

William Vincent Byars