S. Anderson, an influential citizen of this district, was born in Williamson County in the year 1825, and is one of eight children born to Joseph and Sallie (Hartley) Anderson. Mr. Anderson has followed farming from early boyhood. In 1847 he married Miss Ella Hartley, a native of this county, born in 1827, and the daughter of Laburn and Nancy (Carson) Hartley. To our subject and wife were born nine children: Sarah C., born August 14, 1849; Thomas W., August 14, 1851; John W., August 27, 1853; William P., March 27, 1854; Sophia E., April 11, 1856; Robert B., deceased, born April 27, 1858; Berry G., born January 27, 1861; Eliza J., August 27, 1864; and Tennessee, March 29, 1868. In 1857 our subject moved to the farm upon which he is now living, which is known as "Cross Keys." It contains 190 acres of land in a fine state of cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Democrat in politics. He and wife are worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Mark Lyell Andrews
Rev. Mark Lyell Andrews was born on the 2d day of December, 1796, between Lexington and Richmond, Ky. His parents were born and reared in the State of Virginia, married and moved to Kentucky in the latter part of the year 1795. In 1810 the father of our subject, George Andrews, moved to Williamson County, Tenn. May 16, 1816, our subject married Eliza Dean, and in the fall of 1819 he became impressed religiously and sought for and found pardon, after which he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, November, 1819, and was licensed as a local preacher in September, 1822. In 1826 he was ordained deacon by Bishop Soule, and in 1836 was ordained an elder, at Columbia, by Bishop Roberts. In the economy of the church, there being no provision made to support her local ministers, he was forced to look to other sources for employment to support a large and growing family. In March, 1840, he was elected clerk of the Circuit Court of Williamson County, and re-elected thereafter from time to time until the year 1874, having held the office continuously for a period of 34 years. This is a long time to hold an office, especially in a country notoriously fond of rotation in public life. In 1874, his health declining at that time, he withdrew from any further wish to serve the public and retired to private life. He died at his residence two miles west of Franklin, November 16, 1878, at the age of eighty-one. He was a blessing to the dying, and stood by the bedside of more dying men and women than most any one else in our State history. He was an example to the living and a benefactor to his race. The world is vastly better off from his having lived in it, and is indeed poorer in Christian charity now that he has gone to his reward.
John Andrews
John Andrews, an influential citizen of Williamson County, was born in this State December 18, 1813. His father, James Andrews, was born in North Carolina, in 1785, and in 1805 was married to Jane McGuire, also a native of North Carolina, who was born in 1787. To this union were born seven children -- six sons and one daughter -- all dead but our subject. The father fought in the Creek Indian war and died in 1850. The mother died in 1845. Our subject took to the hymeneal altar, September 20, 1840, Minerva Matthews, who was born in this State February 28, 1818, and who is the daughter of Isham and Mary B. (Simms) Matthews, the former born in 1782 and died in 1862, and the latter born 1788 and died in 1865. Our subject and wife are the parents of three children: Nannie R., born July 18, 1841; Mary E., born January 20, 1845; and Lucy J. born August 23, 1846. Mr. Andrews followed farming until 1838, after which he clerked in a drug store at Franklin. In 1847 he began merchandising at Peytonsville this district and was very successful in that business. He was also postmaster there for two years. In 1853 he moved to his present farm which consists of 223 acres of good land. He has besides this farm 144 acres of land in this district. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mr. Andrews is a stanch Democrat.
William Armstrong
William Armstrong, deceased, was born in Virginia in the year 1809, and like the average country boy received his education in the primitive schools. In 1813 he came to Tennessee and located in Williamson County. He entered on life's journey with Miss Elizabeth Leigh as his companion November 2, 1836. Mrs. Armstrong was a daughter of Benjamin Leigh, a native of North Carolina, who immigrated to Tennessee in 1812, and married Martha Whitby. Only two children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong: William W. and Benjamin F., both of whom are dead; William W. died November 18, 1860 and Benjamin F. died while in the service of his country during the late civil war between the North and the South. Our subject moved to the Seventh District, Williamson County, in 1838, to the place known as "Rocky Hill," where he died February 20, 1879. He was a man who had the respect and esteem of all who knew him, and was a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Armstrong is still living at "Rocky Hill," six miles north of Franklin, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
John Atwood
John Atwood was born in what is now Stokes County, N. C., October 22, 1846, son of William F. and Mary (Steele) Atwood, and of English descent. The father was born in Virginia in 1803, and the mother in North Carolina in 1808; they both died in North Carolina. Our subject came to Tennessee in 1868 and settled at Nashville, where he engaged in the broom-making business. This he continued in that city until 1873, after which he clerked in a grocery store until 1876. He then engaged in the grocery business for himself and has since continued that occupation. He is one of the leading business men of the county, and handled last year over 400,000 pounds of broom corn. May 28, 1878, he wedded Maggie A. Sinclair, of this county, and this union resulted in the birth of three children: John B., Bessie May and Jeneva V. Mr. Atwood is a Democrat, a member of the K. of H., and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. Atwood is a member of the Christian Church.
Robert A. Bailey
Robert A. Bailey, son of Albert H. and Louise A. (Figuers) Bailey, was born in the town of Franklin, Tenn., September 11, 1849. The father was born in Virginia, and at an early day immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Franklin. He was both a farmer and merchant, and in early life was married to Miss Louisa A. Figuers, and four children were born to them: John H., William T., Patrick R. and Robert R. The father died in 1852, and his son John H. died August 4, 1845. William T. was killed at the battle of Missionary Ridge. Our subject resided on his father's farm until the year 1868, when he engaged as salesman in the dry goods house of J. W. Harrison, where he remained for six years. He then engaged in the same business for himself, but in 1875 sold his stock of goods in Franklin and purchased a farm in the adjoining county. In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Leonora Mayberry, and three children have blessed their union: Henry M., William T. and Robert A. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Thomas R. Barrick
Thomas R. Barrick, station agent and general manager for the Louisville & Nashville Railway at this place, was born in Glasgow, Ky., November 7, 1862, and is the son of J. R. and Lou M. (Moss) Barrick. His parents were both natives of Barren County, Ky. The father was born in 1824, and for a number of years was editor of the Atlanta Constitution and gained some prominence as a writer and contributor to some of the leading papers and magazines of the country. He died at Atlanta in 1869. The mother was born in 1820 and died in 1885. The subject was educated at the schools of his native county, and the early years of his business life were spent in the drug and dry goods business as clerk. At sixteen years of age he began the study of telegraphy. In 1880 he was telegraph operator at Columbia, Tenn. In 1882 he came to Franklin, where he has ever since been station agent. He attends to all the railway business at this place, and enjoys a lucrative and responsible position with the Louisville & Nashville Company. He is thoroughly posted in railway affairs, and is one of the most popular railroad men on the Louisville & Nashville line. January 20, 1886, he wedded Miss Mattie A. Brown, a daughter of Benjamin and Virgia Brown of this County. He is a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Barrick is a member of the Christian Church. They are leading young people of the county.
John J. Beech
John J. Beech, druggist, was born in Williamson County November 12, 1826, son of Robert A. and Martha C. (Beech) Beech, and is of English extraction. His father was born in Nottaway County, Va., in 1798, and his mother in Charlotte, Va., in 1800. His paternal grandfather, John Beech, was also a Virginian, and was a faithful soldier in the Revolutionary war. The Beech family came to Williamson County from Virginia at a very early day, and here, in 1843, the mother of our subject died, and his father follolwed in 1855. Our subject, John J. Beech, passed his youthful days on the farm and secured a good education in the Franklin schools. In 1844 he went to Nashville and began learning the drug business, and in 1851 commenced the same business for himself in Nashville in partnership with Dr. Samuel Flemming. This he continued until 1860, when he removed to Austin, Tx., and for four years was very successfully engaged in the drug business in that city. In 1865 he removed to Franklin, and in 1866 began the drug business in this place, where he has since continued. He is the oldest druggist in Franklin and one of the oldest in the State. In 1851 he wedded Sarah J. Johnson, of Williamson County, and became the father of one son, Eugene L. Mr. Beech is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
Thomas O. Betts
Thomas O. Betts is a son of Thomas and Clarrisa (Whittington) Betts, and was born in Davidson County, Tenn., November 21, 1834. The Betts family are natives of Pennsylvania, the grandfather of our subject moving to Nashville at an early day, and erecting the first hotel in the place. He afterward moved to Belleview and operated a grist-mill and distillery for a number of years. Our subject's father was a tanner by trade, and owned a farm on Harpeth River. He became the father of ten children, and died in 1845. Our subject is one of five surviving children, and from early youth has shown aptitude for merchandising and has always followed that occupation. In 1875 he was married to Miss Margaret M. Burk, who is a native of Washington City. Mr. Betts began merchandising in Thompson's Station in 1877, under the firm name of T. O. Betts & Co. They carry stock of $8,000, and do an annual business of $13,000.
William F. Bingham
William F. Bingham was born in the county where he now resides, September 25, 1838, son of James J. and Amelia (Haley) Bingham, and is of Irish lineage. The parents born in Guilford County, N. C., and Halifax County, Va., in 1800 and 1807, and died in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1876 and 1872, respectively. Their family consisted of nine children, our subject being the sixth. He received a common school education, and learned the tanner's trade, which he followed three years. He enlisted in the First Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and served four years. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and was a participant in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. Since the close of that conflict he has followed farming, with the exception of six years, when he served as sheriff of Williamson County. He was married, March 1, 1867 to Miss Susan Davis, of the same county as himself. Mr. Bingham is a Democrat, and belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
James J. Bingham
James J. Bingham, farmer and merchant, was born November 22, 1840, in Williamson County, Tenn., son of J. J. and Amelia (Haley) Bingham, and is of Irish descent. The family came from North Carolina to Tennessee at a very early day. Our subject received a common school education, and has made farming his chief occupation through life. He was in the Eleventh Tennessee Cavalry, Confederate States Army, and served one year. He was married to Miss Luversa E. Dodd, September 27, 1864. They have had five children, four now living; Thomas R. born in 1865;
Laura Lee born in 1868; Jennie D., born in 1870, and Sallie M., born in 1872. Mr. Bingham and wife belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Bingham, by his untiring application to business, has secured reasonable results, and is now spending a happy life with his family.
Thomas H. Bond
Thomas H. Bond was born July 26, 1826, and is a son of William Bond, who was an early settler of Tennessee and a native of Virginia. He located in Williamson County in 1804 and a year later was married to Miss Nancy Dabney, of North Carolina, and thirteen children were born to them: Sidney S., Margaret, Lucy, Elizabeth, Bethenia, John D., Morris L., Charles A., William J., Thomas H., Robert W., Benjamin F. and Nancy D. William and Nancy Bond died in 1850 and 1868, respectively. They were members of the Christian Church. The place of our subject's nativity was Williamson County, Tenn., where he was educated in the common schools. September 12, 1850, he wedded Miss Mary M. Banks, who bore him twelve children:
Henry M., Laura E., Bethenia D., Annie M., James D., Benjamin F., Thomas H., Florence L., William W., John D., Morris L. and Nannie D. Bethenia died in 1861, Morris L. in 1867, and John D. in 1884. In 1845 our subject began merchandising in Nashville, continuing six years, and then returned to Williamson County and resumed farming. He owns a very fine tract of land and is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat and was a Whig before the dissolution of that party.
James C. Bostick
James C. Bostick was born in 1835, in Williamson County, Tenn. He is a son of
James A. and Nancy Bostick, and grandson of John and Mary G. Bostick, who were born in North Carolina, and settled in Tennessee in 1809. Our subject's mother was the daughter of William and Sarah King, born in North Carolina, and settled in Tennessee at an early date. The parents of our subject were married in this State in 1827. To them were born eight children: Thomas K., Mary J., James C., Manoah H., Sarah P., Martha E., John and William. James C. attended the Hardeman Academy, near Triune, in 1854-55, and the Western Military Academy, in Sumner County, Tenn., where he fitted himself for civil engineering, and in 1856 served in that capacity for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Three years later he abandoned this and engaged in the lumber business in Nashville, Tenn., the firm being known as Bostick & Abston. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted in the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry under Gen. Morgan, and participated in all the principal battles. At the close of the war he returned to Sumner County, where he remained until 1869, when he moved to Williamson County where he now resides. In 1859 he wedded Fannie L. Abston, daughter of Merry and Mary Abston. To Mr. and Mrs. Bostick five children were born: James A., Merry C., Mary A., Sallie P., and Fannie M. Mr. Bostick was elected county surveyor in 1873 and justice of the peace in 1871, which office he still holds. Mrs. Bostick died in 1885. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church as is her husband. He is a Democrat in politics and is of English descent.
Joseph H. Bowman
Joseph H. Bowman was born July 5, 1847, in Madison County, Miss., where he remained until the death of his father. He then came to Tennessee and located near Franklin, where he received his education. March, 1863, Mr. Bowman shouldered his musket and enlisted in Company D, Thirty-second Tennessee Regiment of Infantry. He was in Bragg's retreat from Tennessee, and also with Johnston in Georgia. He received a wound June 22, 1864, from which he feels the effects to this day. He was paroled May, 1865. After the war he clerked in a store in Franklin, and afterward went to Nashville and clerked there for some time. Leaving Nashville he wedded Miss Jennie E. Brown second daughter of Thomas and Margaret S. Brown. Mr. Brown died January 13, 1870. Mrs. Brown is still living, and is a member of the Christian Church. Our subject moved to Williamson County and engaged in farming, and by his union with Jennie E. Brown became the father of ten children: Thomas B., William H., Joseph H., Maggie B., Elizabeth M., George B., Jennie B., Inez B., Dunklin C. and James G. Mr. Bowman has a fine farm of about 148 acres, and it is known as the "Owl Nest Farm." Mrs. Bowman is a worthy member of the Christian Church. Our subject's father, William Bowman, was born January 8, 1809 and received his education in the University of Nashville. September 20, 1843, he wedded Miss Elizabeth M. Maney, daughter of William Maney, of Franklin. William Bowman was a Master Mason, and died at his residence in Mississippi, June 27, 1853. The mother is still living, and is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She was for many years a teacher in Ward's Seminary at Nashville.
Philip Boxley
Philip Boxley, son of Harrison and Nancy (Claude) Boxley, was born July 16, 1841 in Williamson County, Tenn. Harrison Boxley was born in Virginia, and immigrated to Tennessee about 1828, and settled in Williamson County, where he afterward became a well-to-do farmer. His wife was born in Tennessee, and to them were born two children: Philip and James. Mrs. Boxley died in 1844, and Mr. Boxley wedded Mrs. Maury (a widow), who bore him one child, a daughter named Mary. Our subject was educated in the country schools, and in 1871 was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Boxley. He enlisted in the Southern Army in 1861, in the Twentieth Tennessee Regiment, under Col. Battle, and was a participant in the following battles: Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Franklin, Atlanta and Vicksburg. In 1869 he removed to Arkansas, where he remained two years, when he returned to Tennessee and located on the West Harpeth River, in Williamson County, where he owns a fine farm and is a good citizen.
William W. Brooks
William W. Brooks was born in Franklin County, N. C., in 1817, and is the son of Christopher and Martha Brooks, who were married in North Carolina, December 22, 1808, and came to Tennessee in 1824. They became the parents of six children: Martha A., Susan, Christopher B., William W., Mary F., and Alexander N. B. Our subject received good educational advantages, and has spent his days in farming and blacksmithing. He located on his present farm 1852. It consists of 198 acres of valuable land, well improved, near Owen's Station. Mr. Brooks started in life with but little capital, except his hands and willing heart, and by his energy and good management is in very comfortable circumstances, financially. July 11, 1847, he wedded Martha Alley, who was born in August 1828, in Williamson County. She is a daughter of Walter and Perna C. Alley, of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have these four children: William, Mary E., Martha J. and Eliza L. Mrs. Brooks died May 29, 1872, and Mr. Brooks took for his second wife Mary C. Brown (widow of Dr. H. T. Brown), daughter of David and Mary C. Beech. She was born August 14, 1833, and became the mother of one child, Kate B. Mr. Brooks belongs to the Democratic party and is of English extraction.
John A. Buchanan
John A. Buchanan was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., December 16, 1835, son of Moses and Sarah Buchanan, and grandson of Maj. John Buchanan, who emigrated from Scotland to America about 1750 and was a participant in the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. The father of our subject was born in Tennessee April 4, 1806, and the mother July 16, 1810. She was the daughter of James and Ann Ridley who were born in Tennessee. Moses Buchanan and his wife were married about 1826 and became the parents of these children: Sarah A., Mary J., James A., Elizabeth C., John A., Katherine L., Tennessee L., George R., Samuel J., Moses R., Hance H., Henry S., Nannie A. and Virginia L. John A. our subject, received a liberal edcation and in early life was engaged in the milling business with his father. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he enlisted in Douglas' regiment and was third lieutenant of Carter's company. At the end of two years he was captured and taken to Murfreesboro but after a short time was paroled and returned home to Rutherford County. March 21, 1860, he wedded Miss Ridley who was born in Giles County, September 23, 1842, daughter of William and Minerva T. Ridley. Our subject located on his present farm of 160 acres in 1879. He is the father of these children: Moses R. born July 14, 1861 and died January 8, 1885; Sallie M., born November 7, 1863; John B., born December 29, 1866 and died September 24, 1872; Henry L., born October 16, 1869; Nannie, born October 6, 1871 and died October 12, 1872; Mattie L., born August 18, 1873; Willie M., born October 21, 1875; and died October 1, 1876; Scrap H., born December 31, 1877; and Jimmie, born May 8, 1880. Mr Buchanan is a Democrat in politics and in 1880 was elected justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan have two adopted daughters: Nannie P., born December 11, 1866, and Beulah C., born November 8, 1871, daughters of William and Isabella Ridley.
E. B. Buchanan
E. B. Buchanan, farmer, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., August 9, 1840, son of Robert S. Buchanan, who was born in this county February 3, 1818. He received a common school education and was married in 1838 to Miss Harriet Bateman and our subject is the second of their twelve children. The father died in June, 1883, and the mother in March, 1862. The family first came to Tennessee from Pennsylvania in 1778, and were among the first settlers of Nashville. Our subject received an academic education at Franklin, Tenn., and assisted his father on the farm until twenty years of age, when he began working for the Memphis & Charleston Railroad Company, and resided in Collierville until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in Company C, Fourth Tennessee, and was in the battles of Perryville, Corinth, Murfreesboro, and the Atlanta campaign. He was captured June 21, 1864, but made his escape at Murfreesboro and returned home but soon re-enlisted and was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. After his return home he began clerking on a steam-boat, continuing one year and then engaged in the mercantile business in Nashville one year. He then taught school the following year and later engaged in farming. He was deputy sheriff from September 1870 to September 1874, and has been justice of the peace from 1874 to the present time, his term expiring in 1888; has also been deputy county clerk. He was married, February 2, 1868 to Miss Mattie McKay, daughter of John P. and Margaret McKay. They are the parents of these children: John M., Hattie, R.D., and Willie E. Mr. Buchanan is a Democrat and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, I.O.O.F., K. of H., and A. O. U. W. He and wife belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Claudius Buchanan
Rev. Claudius Buchanan, a native of Williamson County, was born December 17, 1842. He father, Joseph Buchanan, was born in this State about 1809, and in 1836 he wedded Martha Edmiston, a native of Tennessee, born about 1809. To this union were born seven children, two of whom are yet living, our subject being one of them. The father died in 1876. Our subject's grandfather, John Buchanan, was born in Washington County, Va., in 1772, and married Margaret Edmondson in 1798; she was also a native of Virginia, born about 1774. They came to Tennessee about 1800 and purchased 200 acres of land in this district on what is known as the "Old High Tower Road." He died in 1820 and the grandmother in 1858. Our subject has followed agricultural pursuits the principal part of his life. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Twentieth Tennessee Regiment, was taken prisoner at Missionary Ridge, imprisoned at Rock Island, Ill., and retained there fifteen months. At the close of the war he returned home and in 1866 was married to Miss Dolly J. Smithson, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Tennessee. The father was born about 1791 and served as a private in the late war; was wounded in the Cheat Mountain campaign. He died in 1872 and the mother in 1850. To our subject and wife were born six children: Josephine E., born September 11, 1867; M. Blanche, born December 1869; William C., born August 10, 1871; John B., born July 24, 1874; Lillian M., born September 10, 1877, and Gerald M., born March 28, 1870. In January, 1867, Mr. Buchanan moved to the farm upon which he is now living and in 1870 purchased it from his father. It contains 300 acres of medium land in a fair state of cultivation. In 1871 he obtained license to preach, and has since been a local preacher. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a Democrat in politics. He and wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Josiah Butt
Josiah Butt was born in Bedford County, Tenn., February 6, 1832, son of Nathaniel and Rebecca Butt, who were born in this State. Nathaniel Butt was the son of James Butt, who came to this State from the "Old Dominion" and settled in Davidson County about 1814. The mother, Rebecca Butt, was a daughter of Joseph E. Cook, who came from North Carolina to this State in the early part of the present century. The parents of our subject were married about 1828, and to their union were born five children -- threes sons and two daughters: Arthur, Josiah, Mary, Rebecca, and Nathaniel. Our subject was educated in the common schools, and in 1866 located on his present farm, where he has followed tilling the soil, wagon-making and blacksmithing, and is the owner of 175 acres of valuable farming land. By the sweat of his brow he has acquired his present property, and deserves much credit therefor. January 19, 1854, he wedded Martha Jackson, daughter of John J. Jackson, a native of North Carolina. Both Mr. and Mrs. Butt are members of the Missionary Baptist Church at Concord. To them were born nine children: Porterfield, Theodore, Clara, Joanna, Willie, Georgiana, Ada, Olive and Nettie. Mr. Butt is a member of the Democratic party, and the family are of German-Irish descent.
