Biography of Lauchlan Donalsdon

Lauchlan Donaldson, one of the ablest lawyers of Tiptonville, is the son of Wellington and Elizabeth A (Meriweather) Donaldson. His father was born in St. Johns N.B., and when a young man went to the republic of Texas, where he was engaged with a corps of engineers to survey the Guadalupe River, receiving as compensation a large tract of land. In 1843 he moved to Tennessee, and married Miss Meriweather, in Obion County, who was a native of Montgomery County, Tennessee Soon after they were married they settled at Meriweather’s Landing, and made it their permanent home. Mr. Donaldson, Sr., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Reuben Cates

Reuben A. Cates, the fourth child of John and Susan (Box) Cates, was born December 3, l837, in Lake County, was raised on a farm and was well educated. After the country schools he went to the college at McKenzie, and then attended a commercial college at Keokuk, Iowa; after this he went to Texas for a while and then returned to Tennessee. In 1881 he married Lula Craig, who was born January 23, 1863, and they have two children: Opal and John O. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Cates belong to any church. In politics he is a democrat. Soon … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John D. Arnett

John D. Arnett, one of the leading merchants and substantial business men of Tiptonville, is the son of George W. and Lorinda (Rogers) Arnett. Both parents were natives of Hamilton County, Tennessee; the father was born in 1822 and the mother in 1823. They married in that county and moved to Arkansas, and from there moved to Lake County four years ago, where they have since made their home with John Arnett, our subject. They had seven children, four girls and three boys. Mr. and Mrs. Arnett both belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. During the Florida war Mr. Arnett … Read more

Biography of Arthur Forbes Eastwood

Arthur Forbes Eastwood, sheriff of Lake County, Tennessee, is the son of William J. and Susan C. (Bigham) Eastwood. His father was born in North Carolina in 1820 and his mother in Carroll County, Tennessee in the same year. They were married in New Madrid County (since called Pemiscot County), Missouri. They had five sons and one daughter, and both belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Eastwood was a democrat, taking an active part in politics. He died December 3, 1852. Mrs. Eastwood afterward married Captain S. B. Kelley and she died August 22, 1870. Our subject is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William A. Sims M.D.

William A. Sims, M. D. is a son of William and Julia (Cooke) Sims, who are Tennesseans, born in 1826 and 1833 respectively. They were married in west Tennessee and immediately located in Crockett County where they have since resided. Of eight children born to them five are living, four sons and one daughter. Three of the sons are physicians and one is a teacher, though all have taught school. Both parents and all the children are members of the Christian Church. Dr. William A. Sims was born January 15, 1857 in Crockett County. His early education was quite limited … Read more

Biography of Joseph G. Tipton

Joseph G. Tipton, one of the leading citizens and merchants of Tiptonville, is the son of William and Eliza (Gallaher) Tipton. His father was born in East Tennessee, though raised in Franklin County; from there he moved to Tipton County, and finally to Texas, where he enlisted as a soldier, and received for his services a patent to a tract of land. He then returned to Tennessee, and married Miss Gallaher, a native of Missouri, and they settled in what is now Lake County, and lived there until their death. They had six children, three now living. Mr. Tipton in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of P. Davis

P. Davis, clerk and master of the Chancery Court of Lake County, is the son of James and Rebecea (Dalton) Davis. His parents were born in North Carolina, his father in 1803, and his mother July 4, 1811. They were married in 1841, and had five children, two boys and three girls. Our subject and two sisters are the only ones living. Mr. Davis’ mother belonged to the Methodist Church. His father was an old line Whig, and died September 9, 1859, his mother living until January 24, 1885. Mr. Davis is of English ancestry, born in Obion County January … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Smith Newton

Smith Newton, a merchant of Tiptonville, Tennessee is the son of John and Sarah (Box) Newton. His parents were born and raised in west Tennessee, and by their marriage had one son and one daughter. After his father’s death, his mother married Mr. Henry Walker. Smith Newton was born in Obion County, Tennessee March 12, 1840. In the beginning of the civil war he enlisted in the Confederate Army in the Fifteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers, and served until the close of the war being in a number of battles and escaping without being wounded. After the war he came to … Read more