Weakley County Biographies William P. CARTER Source: The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin Counties, Illinois Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1893 pages 494 & 495, Nov. 1999 W.P. CARTER, proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable at Metropolis, Massac County,is a son of WILLIAM CARTER, who was a saddler by trade and came from Tennessee. The latter was married in that State to MARY A. LAWLER, also a native of Tennessee. They both died there when the subject of this sketch was a small boy. They left three children, viz: JAMES M., now living in Kentucky; WILLIAM P., and JOSEPH B., of Memphis, Tenn. WILLIAM P. was born in Tennessee and was for the most part brought up on a farm. He, however, received a fair education in the common schools, but was obliged early in life, on account of the death of his parents, to make his own way in the world. When fifteen years old, he commenced as a clerk in a grocery in Tennessee, remaining thus engaged four years. Being a bright boy and quick, obliging and an accurate observer, he made considerable progress in learning the practical part of the business. He then removed to Paducah, KY., remained one and one- half years, and then went to Williamson County, Ill., where he was engaged in farming three years. Here he was married,November 29, 1874,to MARTHA HILL, a native of Williamson County. After her death he married, in 1888, MINTA SMITH, a native of Tennessee, whose parents removed from that State to Williamson County and continued in their previous occupation, that of farming and raising stock. Mr. SMITH was quite largely engaged in buying and selling cattle, horses and mules, and was a very successful trader in that line. Mr. CARTER removed to Vienna, Johnson County, in January 1890, bought an interest in a livery business, and remained there two years, when he removed to Metropolis, having in the meantime in Vienna built up a good business and erected a substantial brick livery, which he traded for a farm. This farm upon his removal to Metropolis he sold to Dr. MCCALL. In Metropolis he bought a lot advantageously situated for his business and erected the barn which he now occupies with T.A. BIVINS as partner. This firm owns good stock and is receiving its share of the trade of the city and vicinity. By his first wife, Mr. CARTER had seven children, viz: LYDIA, THOMAS, HERBERT, MYRON, ERNEST, NANNIE and MAMIE, all of whom are at home. By his second wife he has one child, WILLIE, at home. Politically, Mr. CARTER is a Democrat, and he is also an Odd Fellow. He is one of the self-made men of southern Illinois. What he has accumulated has been without assistance and by his own industry and good management. Transcribed and submitted by Linda Overby-Hedge, who adds: "This William P. Carter was the son of William D. Carter and Mary Ann Lawler (Mary Ann Lawler/Carter is the daughter of Martin Lawler read last will and testament ) William P. Carter was born February 28, 1854 in Weakley County, Tennessee and died March 13, 1936 in Calloway County, Kentucky. William P. Carter's brother James Martin Carter was my GGGrandfather, he was born December 26, 1851 in Weakley Tennessee and died April 22, 1934 in Calloway County, Kentucky . William P. Carter and James Martin Carter had a brother Joseph B. Carter born June 6, 1857 and died February 12, 1940. They were raised by their grandmother Nancy A. (Davis) Lawler and their Aunts there in Weakley County, Tennessee" MRS. FRANCES INLOW FORD Supt. of Public Schools of Weakley Co. Tenn. Born in Weakley Co., Tenn. (___), daughter of Porter A. Inlow; contractor, and Martha Lanier Inlow; paternal grandparents, Columbus Inlow and Mary Howell Inlow; maternal grandparents, Solomon Lanier and Frances Vowell Lanier. She attended city schools of Martin, Tenn.; Hall Moody Jr. College; Union University; Peabody College; member of the Baptist Church; Democrat; Eastern Star; American Legion Auxillary; American Association of University Women. Mrs. Ford was elected Supt. of Public Schools of Weakley Co., Tenn. in Aug., 1935, and has made an efficient public official; she is also one of the county's outstanding citizens taking an active interest in all civic affairs. She is the first women ever to be elected by the people to the office of Co. Supt. of Weakley Co., Tenn. She ranks high in the teaching profession, having taught school for ten years. She takes part in all organizations pertaining to her profession, and takes a vital interest in music and literature. Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers JOHN THOMAS McWHERTER County Judge of Weakley Co. Tenn. and attorney-at-law. Born in Weakley Co., Tenn., April 2, 1887, and is the son of D. A. McWherter and Adeline Biggs McWherter. Paternal grandparents, John McWherter and Mary Webb McWherter; maternal grandparents, Tom Biggs and Bettie Cashon Biggs. He attended public schools of Weakley Co.; private school; Cumberland University, LL.B., 1912; and is a Democrat and a Mason. Mr. McWherter is a practicing attorney at Dresden, Tenn. and is one of the county's outstanding citizens and attorneys. He was elected County Judge of Weakley Co. in 1935 for an eight-year term. In 1929-31 he represented Weakley Co. in the Tenn. House of Rep.; on both occasions he was appointed to the most important committees of the house. His hobby is athletics. Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers THOMAS CAYCE PENTECOST County Court Clerk of Weakley Co. Born in Weakley Co., Tenn., Jan. 7, 1895. His parents are Thomas M. and Julia Ann (Brann) Pentecost; paternal grandparents, Dorsey F. Pentecost and Susan Kennedy; maternal grandparents, Nicholos Brann and Cynthia Mayo. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. Attended public schools of Weakley Co., Tenn. and is a member of the Baptist Church; Minister; Democrat. Mr. Pentecost went into his present office Sept. 1, 1930. He has made a most efficient public official and takes an active interest in all civic affairs which tend to better his community. He is one of the County's outstanding citizens. Since 1925 he has been a Baptist minister with charges in Weakley Co. He has served all classes in his present office with equality. His term will soon expire and he expects to enter the ministry permanently. On Dec. 31, 1915 he married Miss Carrie Lou SaFon, and they have three children: Cayce LaFon, age 19; LaRue, age 16; and Marie, age 14. His hobby is baseball and gardening. Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers ROY PRINCE Tax Assessor of Weakley Co. Tenn. Born at Martin, Tenn., Sept. 3, 1903, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. Son of W. J. Prince and Leona (Bragg) Prince; paternal grandparents, William Prince (___); maternal grandparents, Elmore Bragg (___). He attended public schools of Martin and Sharon, Tenn. and is a member of Baptist Church; Democrat; Mason; Odd Fellow. He married Vernon Hazelwood July 7, 1923. Mr. Prince was first elected registrar of Weakley Co., Tenn. in Aug. 1929, carrying 17 districts out of 24, with five in the race; and was re-elected in 1933. He is one of the outstanding citizens, taking an active part in all civic affairs. He is an efficient public official and is well liked by all classes of citizens. He is the father of three children: Mary Lucile, 12; Roy, Jr., 11; Wayne Lee, 10. He managed the campaign of Gov. Gordon Browning in Weakley Co. in his successful race for Governor; he was also County Chairman for the entire Democratic ticket in the National and State elections of 1936. Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers WILLIAM HARRIS PRITCHETT Postmaster at Dresden, Tenn. Born in Weakley Co., Tenn., May 26, 1896. Scotch-Irish descent. His parents, William B. Pritchett, farmer, and Mackie Goodwyn. He attended public schools of Weakley Co., Tenn. and is a member of Methodist Church; Democrat; Mason; American Legion. June 23, 1923 he married Ethyle Edmonston. Mr. Pritchett was appointed Postmaster at Dresden, Aug. 12, 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Prior to that he was engaged in the hardware business for eight years. He takes an active interest in all civic affairs; was in the U. S. Army for nine months during the World War. His hobby is baseball. He was secretary to the Weakley Co. highway commission for four years. He played baseball with the American Association, being with Minneapolis. Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers WM. KING WEBB attorney at law. Born at Dukedom, Tenn., Sept. 10, 1876; Scotch-Irish descent; son of Clark Hardy and Mary Elizabeth (McWherter) Webb; educated Dixon Normal College, at Dixon, Tenn., and University of Valparaiso, Ind.; graduated from U. V. Aug. 16, 1892, with degree of L.B.S.; graduated in law from the University of Texas; in early life, devoted himself to school teaching and life insurance; married Relma Lee Estes, Aug. 23, 1906; member I.O.O.F., and Woodmen of World; Democrat; was Circuit Clerk of Weakley Co., from Sept. 1906 to 1910; worked his way through University of Valparaiso by doing menial serive at college; member of Primitive Baptist Church; now engaged in practice of law, at Dresden, Tenn. Has been election commissoner of Weakley Co., Tenn. Mayor William King Webb was elected Mayor in 1929, and served four years, was re-elected Mayor in 1937, and has served ever since. He is one of the state's outstanding citizens taking an active interest in all civic affairs. He is the father of two children: Mary King, age 14; and Martha Jean, age 11. Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers