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William Perry DarwinCapt. William P. Darwin, an enterprising merchant of Darwin Station, Rhea County, Tenn., was born at his present location, February 22, 1830; son of James A. and Bethia W. (Clements) Darwin, both of Dutch descent. The father was born in Virginia, in 1798, and died in Rhea County, at Darwin Station, in September, 1872. The mother was born in Jackson County, Tenn., in 1816, where they lived four years, then came to Rhea County and settled where our subject now lives, and here remained the balance of their days. The station finally took its name from this family. The father was a farmer, an old line Whig, and last a Democrat, and a worthy member of the Christian Church. The mother was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject is one of fourteen children. He secured a good academic education, and has been engaged in farming all his life, in connection with merchandising. In 1853 he engaged in the mercantile business at Washington, Rhea County, with W. E. Colville, with whom he continued three years, then with H. C. Collins two years, then in the firm of Darwin, Bean & Co., up to the late war. In 1862 he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting as captain of Company C, Sixteenth Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, and remained captain of that company until the close of the war. He served in both the western and eastern army and was paroled at Athens, Ga., in 1865. For two years after the termination of the war he was in no special business except settling up his father-in-law's (R. N. Gillespie's) estate, having been made executor of the same. In 1860, previous to the war, he married Miss Adelia Gillespie, a native of Rhea County, born July 11, 1839, and to them were born a large family of children. In 1868, he, in connection with H. A. Crawford, engaged in merchandising at Washington, Rhea County, and continued up to 1870, at which time they moved their stock of goods to Orm's store, Bledsoe County, and here remained until about 1878. In 1881 he opened a general merchandise store in Darwin, the firm being Darwin, Crawford & Co. He soon bought out Crawford's interest, and the firm then became Darwin & Son. In 1883 it was changed to Darwin, Allen & Co., and in 1885 it was again changed back to Darwin & Son. Mr. Darwin is a Democrat, and he and wife and five children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
James P. Collins (husband ofSusannah Darwin)James P. Collins, an enterprising farmer of the Fifth Civil District of Rhea County, Tenn., was born in Sevier County, the same State, January 6, 1811, a son of Henry and Rebecca (Pierce) Collins. John Collins, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native Virginian, and died in Jefferson County, East. Tenn., when Henry, the father of our subject, was about fourteen years of age. Henry Collins was born in Shenandoah County, Va., in 1783, and died at the residence of his son, our subject, in 1848. In 1797 the Collins family moved to Jefferson County, Tenn. Henry moved to Sevier County, Tenn., and from there to Rhea County, in 1813, and was among the first settlers of the latter county. He was in the war of 1812, was a sergeant three months, and then came back home and took a team and wagon, and was afterward with Gen. Jackson's army; he was in several battles and numerous skirmishes. He was a Jackson Democrat and a Clay Whig. The mother of our subject was born near Greeneville College, Greene Co., Tenn., in 1783, and died in DeKalb County, Ala., in 1847, while her husband was making that his home. They had ten children, our subject being the only one living. His advantages for an education were poor, but, by improving his time and opportunity, is considered a well-informed man. He lived with his parents until January 13, 1842, when he married Miss Susan H. Darwin, a native of either Jackson or Rhea County, born March 26, 1822, and died July 30, 1866. She was the daughter of James A., and Bethia Darwin, and was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. There were seven children left to mourn her loss: James D., Henry C., William G., Alfred S., Elizabeth B., Millard F., and Thomas C.; all now living. Ann E. died just two days before the death of her mother, and was about four years old at the time. Our subject at the time of his marriage purchased 200 acres of land, and a tanyard of his father; he has since improved and purchased, but has quit the tannery business, after working at it for fifteen years. Just after the war he was appointed by the chancery court to serve as clerk and master of Rhea County, has held the office for six years, adn since that time has been justice of the peace. In 1836 he was in the Cherokee service, and assisted in removing the Indians from the Hiwasse and Ocoee Purchases. He is a mason and a Republican.
Jonathan Caldwell (husband of Victoria Darwin)Jonathan M. Caldwell, farmer of Spring City, Rhea Co., Tenn., was born in that city May 11, 1819, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Givens) Caldwell. The father came to Rhea County about 1818, was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. The mother was born in Blount County, Tenn., and both died in Rhea County. Three children are now living of the twelve born to this union, our subject being the eldest. He secured his education in the home schools, and remained at home until his thirtieth year, when he was elected sheriff for three terms; he also collected taxes one or two years; he then purchased land near Spring City, and here he has since remained. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic faternity, and an excellent citizen. In 1858 he married Miss Victoria Darwin, a native of Rhea County, born about 1839. This union resulted in the birth of eleven children; Nettie, Walter A., Nancy A., James A., Vesta, Eva, Jessie, Kittie, Cecil and Edwin; Calla died when six years of age. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Company B, Twenty-sixth Tennessee Infantry, was made lieutenant, and was in the service until failure of health.
Robert C.M. Cunnyngham (husband of Julia Blevins)Robert C. M. Cunnyngham, a prominent attorney of Spring City, Rhea Co., Tenn., was born in that county, February 25, 1848, and is the son of Wiley H. and Elvina (Locke) Cunnyngham. The father died in Rhea County, Tenn., in 1862, at the age of fifty-two. He was a farmer and merchant, and, the latter part of his life, was tax collector of Rhea County. He had a good education, was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a Whig in politics. The mother's ancestors were from Ireland, and her father came to Rhea County, and was one of the first settlers of that region. He was a farmer, trader and blacksmith, and before his death had accumulated considerable property. The mother of our subject was born in Rhea County, about 1817. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Of their eight, children, all are now living. Our subject received a liberal education. He taught school in Bledsoe County, and then went to Saline County, Ark., where he continued teaching. He afterward went to Texas, and traveled extensively over the State, and then came back to Rhea County. While in Arkansas, he began to read law with Judge W. L.McKinley . After coming back to Rhea County, he completed his course with Judge F. Locke. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar in Washington, Rhea County, and practiced his profession there for two years, after which he went to Rhea Springs. Four years later he moved to Spring City, where he has built up a good practice. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, is a Mason, both Master and Chapter, and is a Democrat. May 30, 1876, Miss Julia B. Blevins, a native of Meigs County, born in 1850, became his wife. To them have been born five children. Those living are John W. C., Nora A., Robert L. C. and Jennie. Ortho J. died in infancy. |
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