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BIOGRAPHIES OF TIPTON COUNTY, TN "G"
George R. Gibbs, one of Tipton County's most enterprising business men and practical farmers, is a son of P. H. and M. E. (Cotton) Gibbs; was born in Brownsville in 1843, and is one of eight children, two sons and three daughters living. The father was of English descent; he was born in Wilmington, N. C., in 1802; was educated in New York, but at the age of fourteen he was called to Augusta, Ga., to fill a clerkship, and two years later he moved to Brownsville, being one of the pioneers of the place, and acted as book-keeper for Ferguson & Co., one of the first establishments of the place. He was married in 1827, and was for some time clerk on a steamer that ran between Memphis and Bolivar, and he established the Brownsville landing, where he was extensively engaged for years trading in cotton; was then in the mercantile business at Brownsville until 1854, when ill health caused him to give up the business; then moved to Tipton County and bought a farm, where he remained until 1866, when he commenced merchandising at Covington, which he continued until his death in 1874, which occurred while on a visit to his native State. He was held in the highest esteem by his community. His wife and himself were Methodists. The mother was born in Edgecombe County, N. C. Her parents were Henry and Sophia (Munford) Cotton, and were among the early settlers of the county. Our subject was educated at Brownsville and in Tipton County, under Prof. P. A. Fisher. When only sixteen he enlisted in Company B. Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Belmont, Lackage's Mill, the capture of Holly Springs, Corinth, Greenwood, Miss., Briton's Lane, Prairie Mount, Tishamingo Creek and Harrisburg, and was one of the 625 men who captured Union City, Athens, Ga., Sulphur Trussle and Pulaski. He remained until the surrender at Gainesville, Ala., then returned and assumed charge of his father's business and engaged in farming. February 22, 1874, he married Martha B., daughter of Rev. Thomas R. and Mary Owen, of North Carolina. They have had five children, two living: Mary Owen and Thomas Owen. Mrs. Gibbs was born in Washington, D. C., in 1842. Her father was educated at the military school at Middleton, Conn., under Capt. Alden Partridge. He first graduated at Chapel Hill, N. C., then took a theological course at Prince Edward, Va.; entered the ministry, and made preaching his life work. He was a son of Gen. James Owen, and a nephew of ex-Gov. Owen, both prominent citizens of North Carolina. He was one of the distinguished ministers of the Baptist Church, and died in Tipton County in 1882. He was formerly a Presbyterian, and pastor of that church at Washington, N. C., and also at Washington, D. C., but afterward united with the Baptist Church. Our subject has lived at his present home since his marriage. He owns 320 acres of productive land, well improved, six miles southeast of Covington, and besides farming is extensively engaged in milling and ginning. Mr. Gibbs is a man of fine business capacity and general information. He is a Democrat, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They are both exceedingly popular in their community.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
Dr. G. B. Gillespie, a physician of Covington, was born in Georgia, in 1844, and was one of nice children that lived to be grown -- six girls and three boys. His parents were G. B. and Rebecca (Poer) Gillespie. His father was born in Spartanburg County, S. C., in 1800, and moved from there to Georgia in 1833, where he remained until 1870, then moved to Mississippi. He was a teacher and a farmer, and died in 1875. He wife was born in South Carolina, in 1808, and died in 1879. Our subject received a good education at the Salacoa Academy, in Georgia. In 1868 he began reading medicine with Dr. Howard, of Fulton, Miss., and in 1872 he entered the medical department of the Nashville University; after one course of lectures, commenced practicing medicine at Chickasaw County, Miss., where he remained until 1877, then moved to Hickman County, Ky. In 1874-75, Dr. Gillespie, attended another course of lectures at Nashville, and received a diploma from the Nashville and Vanderbilt Universities. October, 1874, he married Miss May, daughter of Paul and Ellen S. Tiller. Mrs. Gillespie was born in Georgia in 1858, they have one son, Paul G. Dr. Gillespie moved from Kentucky to Covington, in 1879, and has carried a very large practice, acquiring the reputation of being a successful physician and surgeon, but more especially in gynecology. Dr. Gillespie and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat and a Mason, and is highly esteemed as a physician and a citizen.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
Dr. George T. Gray, one of the best physicians of Tipton County, was born in North Carolina, January 15, 1831, and is a son of Willis and Elizabeth (Morrison) Gray, both of them natives of North Carolina. The father was born February 1, 1802, and was a farmer all of his life; he did not belong to any church, but believed in the Christian faith; he was a man of high integrity and kind heart, and in politics an old line Whig. He died September 10, 1867. The mother was born February 25, 1793, and was a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church. She died November 17, 1885. Dr. George Gray was the oldest of three children, and after completing his education, he entered the Memphis Medical College, in 1856, where he received his diploma in 1858. After graduating he located in Fayette County, and commenced the practice of medicine, remaining there three years, then went to Crittenden County, Ark., and practiced two years there. In 1862 he moved to Tipton County, where he commenced to establish himself in his profession, and soon built up a large practice, which increased rapidly. December 24, 1861 he married Miss Eugenia Hughes, born in Maury County, April 13, 1840, and to this marriage eight children were born -- six sons and two daughters; two of the sons died. The names and date of the births of the children are as follows: John P., born November 19, 1863; Warren D., born June 2, 1865; Cora L., born June 23, 1867; Mott L., born January 28, 1870; Otway, born May 27, 1872; Musette, born November 13, 1875; George M., born August 14, 1878; Tyrrel R., born January 17, 1883. John P. died October 8, 1864, and Mott L. died September 8, 1871. Dr. Gray gives his political support to the Democratic party. He is not a member of any church, but is in sympathy with the Old School Presbyterian Church. He is a kind, generous man and cheerfully responds to all charitable calls on either his purse or professional skill.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887)
Col. John U. Green, a prominent citizen of Tipton County, was born in Madison County, Ala., May 7, 1929, and is a son of James W. and Elizabeth (Bass) Green, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born August 22, 1790. In early life he moved to Madison County, Ala., and 1829 to Tipton County, Tenn., and lived at Covington a short time, then went to Texas, and lived for eighteen years. A few weeks before he died he returned to Tipton County, and died at the home of his brother in Covington, in 1847. The mother was born July 1, 1804. She moved with her parent to Alabama when young, was married in that State, May 29, 1819, and died in Covington in 1829. Our subject was the youngest of six children; he had fine educational advantages. In 1846 he entered Centre College, at Danville, Ky., and received his diploma there in June, 1848. After graduating he began the study of medicine under his uncle, who was a physician. In 1850 his uncle purchased a farm, and he superintended it for four years. Col. Green has been married twice; the first time, October 7, 1853, to Mary J. Sanford, who was born in Tipton County, August 9, 1835, and died May 24, 1862; two sons and three daughters were born to this marriage. March 30, 1865, he was married to Sarah A. Green, born January 5, 1831, and died May 15, 1871; three children were born to this marriage, only one son living. In 1861, Col Green entered the Confederate Army in Company C, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, as third lieutenant, and was soon made captain, but in the reorganization of the regiment was defeated for captain; he then returned home and raised another company, and went immediately into service. At first his company was connected with Richardson's partisan rangers, but afterward consolidated with Bennett's battalion and made the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, and he was made lieutenant-colonel. For gallantry at the battle of Wyatt's Ford, across the Tallahatchee River, he was again promoted and made colonel of the regiment, which finally joined Forrest, and remained with him until the close of the war; they surrendered at Greenville, Ala. Col. Green then returned home and resumed farming. He is now an enthusiastic Democrat, and a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. He has been very successful and has a host of friends.
Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887) |
