Coffee County TN

Biography of W. P. Hickerson, Jr.

W. P. Hickerson, Jr., was born in Manchester, October 20, 1850, the son of Judge William P. and Mary S. (Martin) Hickerson, both of Scotch-Irish descent. The father, born in North Carolina, November 26, 1816, went when a child to Tennessee, and began life as a dry goods clerk at Manchester, and afterward read law under Colonel Charles L. Ready of Murfreesboro, and for a number of years was the leading lawyer of that section. For sixteen years he was judge of the Fifth District, and was appointed by Governor Marks as a judge of the State Arbitration Court. As … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Col. H. S. Sheid

Col. H. S. Sheid, farmer in Coffee County, was born January 27, 1827, in this county. His father, James Sheid, born May 22, 1776, in South Carolina, was a pioneer of Tennessee, in 1803 settling on the present farm of our subject, where he died April 18, 1856. The grandfather of Col. Sheid served with distinction in the Revolution, while other ancestors were the first settlers in Maryland. His mother, Sibyl (Robertson) Sheid, was born November 26, 1779, and died in 1868; she was of Irish, and her husband of Scotch descent. At seventeen our subject left the farm, and … Read more

Biography of S. H. Henry

S. H. HENRY, a pioneer of this section and the man who established the first planing mill business in West Plains, came originally from Coffee County, Tennessee, his birth occurring there December 9, 1836. His father, John Henry, who was also born and reared in Coffee County, Tennessee, came to Howell County, Missouri, in the year 1857. He was a son of Samuel Henry, who was a native of South Carolina and an early pioneer in Tennessee. The Henry family is of Irish origin. The grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was with Gen. Jackson at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Alwood

William Alwood, a prominent citizen of Manchester, Tennessee, was born September 22, 1850, in Fulton County, Ohio. He is the son of Levi S. and Delilah (McQuillin) Alwood – the former of Scotch descent, born in Ohio October 9, 1826, the latter of Irish descent and born June 22, 1830, in Ohio. The elder Alwood was married in 1848; engaged in farming and he came to Tennessee in 1873, his permanent home. He is a republican and in sympathy with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. After completing his academic studies he was employed on … Read more

Biography of I.C. Stone

I. C. Stone, is of English, Irish and Scotch descent. His ancestors settled in the colony of North Carolina. Their descendants mainly kept pace with the tide of immigration to the new States and Territories. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Stone, probably of English, and Scotch origin, married Miss Sally Corder,of Scotch family, about 1789 in North Carolina on the waters of the Yadkins River, and not long after settled in Tennessee, where the father, C. H. Stone, was born December 22, 1796. The maternal grandfather, Joseph Allison, supposed to be partly of English and known to be partly of Irish … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. T. Lawrence

W. T. Lawrence, deputy sheriff of Coffee County, and a prominent citizen living near Beech Grove, Tennessee, was born October 22, 1847, in Coffee County. He is the son of John H. and Tabitha H. (Blankenship) the former born in 1812 (died in 1858) in Tennessee, and the latter born in 1810 in Virginia, and living in Coffee County. The father was a farmer, politically a democrat, and belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject, one of nine children, received his education chiefly at Beech Hill Academy, when soon after his father’s death the care of the estate was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. H. Wood, M.D.

S. H. Wood, M. D., a physician of Hillsboro, was born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, November 13, 1824. His parents, Thomas and Susan (Baldridge) Wood, are natives of Orange County, N. C., immigrating to Tennessee about 1806. A blacksmith by trade the elder Wood moved to Hickman County, Kentucky, in 1827, remaining there to the close of his life in 1837. Reared on the farm, our subject began the study of medicine in 1844, and before beginning to practice in Bradyville, Tennessee, attended Louisville University. Since 1866 he has had successful practice at his present home. He married Elizabeth Lyon, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Ashley

John H. Ashley, High Sheriff of Coffee County, and a prominent citizen of Manchester, was born in Rutherford County, June 13, 1848. He is the son of W. F. and Lidia A. (Mankin), both natives of Tennessee and of English descent; the former was born near Beech Grove in 1822 and died November 5, 1878; the latter, still living, was born in Rutherford County in 1822. The elder Ashley was a farmer and a sound democrat. Our subject was the oldest of seven children; received his academic education at Beech Grove Academy chiefly, and for sixteen years successfully pursued agriculture. … Read more

Slave Narrative of Ann Matthews

Person Interviewed: Ann Matthews Location: Nashville, Tennessee Place of Birth: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Place of Residence: 719 9th Ave. South, Nashville, Tennessee “I wuz bawn in Murfreesboro on Stones River. I dunno how ole I ez en hit meks me ‘shamed ter tell peeple dat, but mah mammy would hit me in de mouth w’en I’d ax how ole I wuz. She say I wuz jes’ tryin’ ter be grown.” “Mah mammy’s name wuz Frankie en mah daddy wuz Henry Ken Kannon. Don’ member much ’bout mah mammy ‘cept she wuz a sho’t fat Indian ‘oman wid a turrible tempah. She … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F. N. Miller

F. N. Miller, editor of the Manchester Times and a prominent citizen of Manchester, was born at Port Hudson, Louisiana, December 5, 1853, the son of Albert and Delilah (Saunders) Miller, the former born October 18, 1822, in Indiana, and the latter May 1, 1832, in Kentucky, and still living in Port Hudson, Louisiana. The parents were married about 1846. In 1861 the elder Miller enlisted in the Confederate Company E. twenty first Mississippi Regiment Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Chickamauga in 1863. He was a successful brick mason. Our subject is the third of five children, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James F. Ward

James F. Ward, member of the livery firm of Ward Brothers, of Tullahoma, was born in Moore County, Tennessee in 1859, and is the son of Noah Ward, a native of Moore County. Reared on the farm of his parents, near Lynchburg, Tennessee, our subject attended the public schools of the neighborhood. At the age of eighteen he began for himself, and came to Tullahoma in 1880, where he worked at different occupations until 1885, when, with his brother, R. H. Ward, he purchased the livery stable, which they are now conducting. Politically he is a democrat, and is regarded … Read more

Genealogy of the Davidson family of the Duck River Valley

Genealogy of the Davidson family of the Duck River Valley

This small booklet showcases the authors research on the Davidson family of the Duck River Valley. The genealogy starts with John Davidson of Iredell, North Carolina and advances through his son, the Revolutionary War soldier William Davidson, and his wife Margaret McConnell of Buncombe County, North Carolina. Next in line, and the first to settle the Duck River Valley is John Davidson, the eldest son of William and Margaret. He and his wife Martha Davidson settled near Knob Creek, Bedford County, Tennessee. John’s brother, Hugh, and his wife Jane Vance, settled in the Duck River Valley east of Normandy in at the time, Coffee County, Tennessee. This genealogy treats the Davidson family through several more generations. It is free to read or download.

Biographical Sketch of John B. Carroll

John B. Carroll, proprietor of the St. James Hotel, member of the firm of Carroll Bros. & Co., and one of the energetic and prominent young citizens of Tullahoma, was born July 4, 1855, in Coffee County, Tennessee. His father, H. W. Carroll, born in 1826, and his mother, Mary (Walker) Carroll, born in 1824, were both natives of Coffee County. His mother died in 1876. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His father is still living, and is one of the most prominent farmers of the county. Our subject was reared on his parents’ farm, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. J. Crockett

S. J. Crockett, farmer in Coffee County was born June 9, 1809, in Georgia. His father, John, a native of South Carolina and pioneer of Tennessee in 1812, was born February 29, 1780, and died March 9, 1859. He was of Irish descent. His mother, Mary (Cowan) Crockett, was born November 7, 1779, in Georgia, and died in 1857. Leaving the farm when of age, after four years in general merchandising at Hillsboro, he began his career of farming. He was collecting officer for a time. March 15, 1835, he married Amelia Austell, born February 4, 1817, in South Carolina, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. C. Winton

J. C. Winton, a well-known citizen of Manchester, was born in Coffee County, Tennessee on July 16, 1856. He is the son of John and Martha (Layne) Winton, both natives of Tennessee, the latter born about 1830. Engaged in mercantile trade at Hillstore before marriage, the elder Winton then became a successful farmer. He was a democrat. Our subject, after receiving a good education, was engaged in farming, when in 1880 he entered the firm of Wooton & Hickerson, Manchester, which two years later became Wooton & Winton, our subject owning a third interest. They do a business of about … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F.M. Taylor

F. M. Taylor, farmer in Coffee County, was born January 16, 1845, in Tennessee. He is the son of Daniel and Mary (Angel) Taylor, the former born about 1813, in Tennessee, and the latter about 1811, and is still living, while her husband died in 1846. His grandmother, also Mary Angel by name, a native of Virginia, died in 1885, about one hundred years old. Leaving the farm, our subject served a year in Company A, First Tennessee Infantry. Not yet eighteen, he was discharged on account of his years, and after two years’ teaching, he began his life of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. K. Farris, M. D.

J. K. Farris, M. D., a prominent physician of Coffee County, was born in Franklin County in 1836. His parents, William C., and Mahaley, (Kennerly) Farris, were natives of Franklin County, the latter, daughter of J. P. Kennerly, of Georgia. The father was a shoemaker, and came to Tennessee in 1811. Our subject married Mary E. Austell in 1857, whose parents were natives of North Carolina. They have had eight children; Ellen K. (deceased), born in 1858; Samuel J., in 1860; John K., in 1865; Annas A. (deceased), in 1868; William R. in 1870; Sue J. in 1873; Mary E., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. A. Marshall

W. A. Marshall, furniture dealer, and present mayor of Tullahoma, Tennessee, was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, in 1842, and is the son of J. W. and Nancy  T. (Neal) Marshall, natives of Prince Edwards County, Virginia. Reared on the farm of his parents; our subject received his education at the neighboring schools. At the age of thirteen he came with his parents to Tullahoma, and entered his father’s store, remaining until the opening of the late war. He then enlisted in Company B (Confederate), of Turney’s First Regiment of Tennessee Infantry. After the war he returned home, working at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James Carden

James Carden, farmer and stock dealer in Coffee County, was born there September 28, 1831, and is the son of Lewis and Catherine (Simpson) Carden, of Scotch-Irish descent, the former born May 17, 1809, and now living, and the latter born about 1815 in North Carolina, and deceased July 16, 1869. Our subject lived with his father until twenty four years of age, from whom he received 125 acres, living on this for nineteen years, when he came to his present place. He married Pharaba Simpson, born August 16, 1837, in Coffee County, January 18, 1855. Twelve children were born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. J. McLemore

S. J. McLemore, a pioneer of Tullahoma, was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, December 29, 1822, and is the son of S. J. and Martha (Whitaker) McLemore, natives of North Carolina. The father died in 1825 and the mother in 1880. Our subject reared on the farm, remained there until his marriage to Margaret J. Ward in 1841, when he removed to Nashville and entered the produce business. In 1851 he came to Tullahoma. He sold goods until the civil war and after the close of the same entered the livery business. In 1876 he began merchandising, continuing at that … Read more