Branson’s Directory Ashe County — 1890
Area—450 Square Miles
Population 14,436, White 13,478, Colored 958
Ashe County was formed in 1799 from a portion of Wilkes. It is the extreme northwest corner of the State. It was named in honor of Governor Samuel Ashe.
Jefferson is the county-seat, and is situated 202 miles northwest of Raleigh. It has a population of 350.
Surface—It lies on the north and west of New River. The western part of the county is mountainous; the eastern and middle portions are more level and quite fertile.
Staple Products—Wheat, corn, butter, grass and livestock.
Fruits—Apples, peaches, cherries, grapes and berries.
Timbers—Walnut, oak, hickory, sugar maple, poplar, cucumber, etc.
County Officers
Clerk Superior Court: James M. Dixon
Commissioners: John Dent, chairman. Isham Goss, E. E. Phillips
Coroner: Jacob Parker
Register of Deeds: M. F. Smith
Sheriff: T. K. Miller
Solicitor 8th District: B. F. Long
County Surveyor: F. F. Colvard
Standard Keeper: E. C. Bartlett
Sup’t of Public Schools: Geo. W. Brown
Treasurer: T. K. Miller
Board of Education: T. J. Hackler, chairman.
Courts
Fourth Monday in March, May, and August.
Townships and Magistrates
Chestnut Hill – M. M. Blevins, J. E. Gambill, A. H. McMillan, Emery Gambill
Helton – Sanders May, Wm. Young, E. J. Phipps, D. J. Hurley, Jas. Mickel, Stephen Pennington, Winfield Jones
Horse Creek – Isham Goss, A. Clark, W. J. Stansberry, John Ham, Thos. Ham
Jefferson – Jas. P. Waugh, G. W. Perkins, Ambrose Coldiron, Jacob Graybeal, A. C. McEwen, E. C. Bartlett, J. G. Neal, G. W. Burkett, L. L. Colvard
Laurel – T. J. Lillard, R. A. Jones, W. Eastridge, B. W. Neal, John Pennington, S. B. Grigsby, Elihu Graybeal
North Fork – J. M. Hardin, J. J. Brown, M. Roark, John Wilson, Thomas Arnold
Obids – H. L. Burgis, Mc. Absher, John Miller
Grassy Creek – John A. Pierce, S. M. Duvual, J. H. Carson, Munro Pasly
Old Fields – J. H. Church, Thomas Greer, John Hardin, Sr., J. B. Hank, Sr., F. Goodman, Nimrod M. Dobbin
Peak Creek – W. G. Woods, Wm. Carson, Watler Williamson, W. Shepherd, S. M. Transou, Morgan Long, J. H. Ellis
Piney Creek – James Brooks, George Brooks, E. C. Francis, J. W. Tucker, W. H. Blevins, J. T. Baldwin, J. M. Grimsley
Pine Swamp – A. D. Cowles, P. Shepherd, E. E. Phillips, J. B. Miller, Z. T. Fletcher
Stagg’s Creek – Ben. P. Grigsby, H. H. Poe, R. L. Johnson, J. Roark, J. Dougherty, J. W. Sapp, Cary Ashley
[Note: This list is not complete]
Lawyers
Bower, George W., Jefferson
Neal, B. H., Creston
Grayson, J. W. M., Creston
Latham, T. E., Jefferson
Neal, Q. F., Jefferson
Parks, M. M., Jefferson
Todd, J. W., Jefferson
Hackler, T. J., Jefferson
Merchants and Tradesmen
Apple Grove
Baugus, Thomas – Lumber
Brooks Bros. – General Store
Clark, A. – Livestock
Ham, Thomas M. – Lumber
Ham, E. L. – Lumber
Miller, James S. – Livestock
Osborne, Jesse – Painter
Sullivan, Lewis – General Store
Tucker, John H. – General Store
Tremble & Cotran – General Store
Vanoy, J. H. – General Store and Livestock
Beaver Creek
Graybeal, C. M. – Livestock
Hamilton, N. H. – Livestock
Hardin, H. H. – Livestock
Hardin, John G. – Livestock
Hamilton, R. A. – General Store
Bristol
Baker, M. F. – Livestock
Jones, Joseph – Livestock
Thompson, Isham – Bee and Fish Dealer
Crumpler
Palmer, G. W. – Owner of Bromine Arsenic Springs
Pegram & Bro. – General Store
Sheep & Co. – Lumber
Weaver, John & Bro. – General Store
Creston
Brooks, H. M. – General Store
Robinson, B. T. – Lumber
Brown, J. O. – General Store
Dollar, John – Painter
Green & Roten – General Store
Lewis, J. C. – Livestock
Maxwell, L. – Livestock
Maxwell, A. M. & Bro. – General Store and Lumber
Norris, L. – Lumber
Newman, James – Jewler
Prather, M. – Lumber
Sapp, John & Co. – Lumber
Sutherland, D. D. – Livestock
Sutherland, Thomas – Livestock
Thomas, J. D. & Co. – General Store and Livestock
Worth & Lillard – Lumber, General Store and Drugs
Worth, David – Notary Public
Elk X Roads
Blackburn, W. & H. B. – Lumber
Blanton, G. W. – Livestock
Finley, J. E. – Livestock
Cooper, James – Lumber
Cowles, A. D. – General Store
Graham, John – Livestock
Hulcher, W. C. L. – General Store, Lumber and Livestock
Long, A. W. – General Store
Richardson, J. C. – Grocer and Liquor
Shepherd, John – Lumber
Gap Creek
Waters, L. M. – Livestock
Wilcoxon, William – Jewler
Grassy Creek
Greer, T. J. – General Store and Livestock
Greer, Calvin – Livestock
Grimsley
Blevins, Jackson – Fish Dealer
Wallace, Troy – Poorhouse Keeper
Helton
Baugus, John – General Store
Mock, A. F. – Painter
Perkins, W. E. – Livestock and General Store
Perkins, Waugh & Co. – Woolen Mill
Jefferson (C.H.)
Aldrich, D. B. – Painter
Aldrich, D. B. – Drugs
Carson, J. M. – General Store
Foster, J. E. & N. A. – General Store
Gentry, R. – Painter
Lomax, W. A. – Painter
Neal, J. B. – General Store and Fish Dealer
Severt & Wilcoxon – Lumber
Thomas, J. D. & Co. – General Store
Mouth of Buffalo
Badger, W. H. & Son – Painters and Mechanics
Eller, J. – Livestock
Graybeal, C. – Livestock
James & Brooks – Lumber
Perkins, W. H. – General Store and Livestock
Warren, C. E. – Drugs
Worth & Eller – General Store
Nathan’s Creek
Bledsoe, Jesse – Livestock
Bledsoe, H. M. – Livestock
Coy, S. V. – General Store, Livestock, and Machine Agent
McMillan, A. B. – Livestock
McMillan, A. N. – Livestock
McMillan, E. R. – Livestock
McMillan, J. B. – General Stock and Livestock
Ore Knob
Adams, Dr. R. – Notary Public
Bear, Elias – Wood Dealer
Bear, J. – Lumber
Cook, Cap. – General Store
Carson, William – Notary Public
Miller, T. R. – Livestock
Miller, Troy – Lumber
Miller, Joseph – Painter
Pennington, L. – Shoe Shop
Patrick, Jesse – Fish Dealer
Upchurch, G. W. – Actioneer
Upchurch, G. W. – Livery Stables
Woodell, G. W. – Notary Public
Welborn, J. C. – Lumber
Welborn, N. N. G. – Livestock
Welborn, James – Livestock
Solitude
Jones, R. A. – General Store
Maxwell, L. & C. – General Store and Livestock
Sutherland, David – Livestock
Stagg’s Creek
Sharp, J. W. B. – Jewler
Sturgill’s
Sturgill, B. – Livestock and General Store
Silas Creek
Baldwin, J. & Son – General Store
Jones, W. C. & Bro. – Lumber
Weasel
Blevins, W. H. – Lumber
Blevins, Wesley – Drugs
Miller, Allen – Lumber
Miller, Wells – Hotel
Walnut Hill
Gentry, Dr. L. C. – Livestock
Testerman, W. W. – Jewler
Wayman, Jacob – General Store
Wheeler
Knight, William – Livestock
Matney Bro. – General Store
Osborn, Marion – Livestock and wood
Osborn, S. – Livestock
Osborn & Roark – General Store
Thomas, R. A. – Wood Dealer
Physicians
Adam, R., Ore Knob
Blevins, Wesley, Weasel
Colvard, J. W., Jefferson
Foster, E. F., Apple Grove
Gentry, L. C., Jefferson
Graham, E., Elk X Roads
Houck, A. F., Gap Creek
Hawn, ______, Helton
Jones, R. W., Creston
Jones, Thomas, Mouth of Buffalo
Lemley, T. J., Elk X Roads
Phipps, C. W., Grassy Creek
Partin, J., Weaver’s Ford
Somers, ______, North Fork
Wilcox, J. O., Mouth of Buffalo
Warren, C. E., Creston
Schools
Academy, Helton, C. Ballou
Academy, Nathan’s Creek, Prof. Carson
Academy, Helton, L. Helton
Academy, Jefferson, ______
Brookside Institute, Creston, Cicero L. Graybeal
Brushy Fork, Wheeler, _____
School, Jefferson, Miss Ray Logan
Teachers
Baldwin, Nelson, Silas Creek
Ballou, C., Helton
Carson, Prof. ______, Nathan’s Creek
Deboard, D. C., Bristol
Graybeal, Cicero, Lansing
Logan, Miss Ray, Jefferson
Parks, Marshal, Idol’s Mills
Phipps, Elihu, Silas Creek
Farmers
Apple Grove – W. M. Brooks, H. M. Brooks, P. Calhoun, A. Clark, Job H. Eldreth, S. Elliott, Harrison Elliott, S. A. Greer, E. Greer, Alan Greer, James Greer, John Greer, Benj. Green, Charles Henson, A. Ham, G. Ham, John Ham, Lee Hurley, Thomas Ham, S. Ham, L. Ham, W. Ham, N. Ham, E. Ham, E. Hampton, A. Ham, James Lewis, — Miller, J. S. Miller, Jesse Miller, H. B. Miller, J. Miller, R. Osborn, Sol. Perry, S. Perry, R. Perry, H. B. Spence, M. Shepherd, E. Taylor, H. Thompson, W. M. Taylor, Ransom Tucker, Jno. Tucker, J. H. Vanoy, Henry Wagoner, Thomas Baugus, Richard Baugus & Son.
Beaver Creek – Shade Calaway, W. R. Hamilton, R. Hamilton, R. T. Hardin, Felix Harden, James Shepherd
Creston – M. Baker, J. Craven, D. Graham, Marion Goss, Alfred Graybeal, John Graybeal, H. Graybeal, E. Graybeal, F. Jones, R. H. Jones, T. M. Jones, C. Jones, J. Lewis, C. Lewis, M. Mahaffey, D. S. Maxwell, J. Maxwell, B. W. Neal, C. H. Osborn, G. L. Price, R. O. Sutherland, L. Tilley, H. J. D. Thomas & Co., H. Winebarger, D. Worth & Son.
Elk X Roads – H. B. Blackburn, Wm. Blackburn, John Blackburn, Geo. Bledsoe, Wiley Church, G. H. Church, E. F. Conell, H. A. Dolen, A. F. Divine, N. Greer, Thomas Greer, J. Graham, Wm. Howell, J. T. Lander, R. G. McEwen, Robert McGuire, Miller McGuire, Thos. Ray, E. Tatum.
Furches – E. C. Church, John Church, D. T. Jones, A. H. Long, J. C. Richardson, J. Richardson, W. M. Richardson, W. A. Richardson, L. W. Ross, C. B. Richardson, Alvin Richardson, J. R. Shepherd, A. Thompson, W. M. Waters, Wilson Woodie, A. Woodie.
Gap Creek – Joel Blackburn, J. M. Black, G. F. Blackburn, Wm. Blackburn, Ed. Blackburn, H. M. Blackburn, Joel Church, J. F. Church, W. H. Colvard, J. D. Cheek, A. D. Cowles, A. S. Cooper, J. M. Cooper, Y. D. Fletcher, Riley Greer, S. H. Greer, A. Green, George Green, John S. Howell, J. C. Hartzog, Philip Hartzog, G. W. Hopkins, J. C. Idol, J. A. Idol, E. M. Long, Silas Morphew, Fred. Michael, John McMillan, W. F. Payne, Hugh Philips, Ham Philips, Elzy Philips, Wm. Phillips, E. E. Phillips, W. L. Robbins, L. R. Robbins, Jacob Suton, D. D. Woodruff, L. P. Watson, S. A. Yates, Hugh Yates, S. A. Yates.
Helton – John Baldwin & Sons, P. Blevins, J. M. Carter & SOns, David Dickson, Melvin Duval, Jacob Eller, Marion Eller, Eliot Haul, Wm. Heath, Wmilliam Neal, Ambrose Jones, John Jones, Sanders Jones, Jno, Kerby, Newton McClure, George McCarter, Loan Michael, James Micahel, J. E. Neese, J. W. Plummer, Douglas Pennington, W. E. Perkins, W. Perkins, J. F. Segraves, M. Testerman, Wm. Waddle.
Jefferson – W. B. Burkett, Dan’l Burkett, L. B. Burkett, J. M. Carson, A. P. Coldiron, John Dent, J. E. Foster, N. A. Foster, C. M. Graybeal, D. L. C. Gentry, James Hudler, Geo. Reeves, Isaac Little, John Parker, D. S. Perkins, J. W. Todd, J. S. Thomas & Co., S. C. Waugh, W. H. Wilcoxon
Mouth of Buffalo – J. P. Ashley, John Baker, John Duval, M. Duval, H. A. Eller, J. Eller, C. Graybeal, J. Graybeal, John Johnson, W. H. Perkins, Jesse Reedy, E. Weaver
Nathan’s Creek – Ambrose Baker, J. Bledsoe, Freeland Colvard, Joshua Cox, Eli Chandler, S. V. Cox, J. M. Dickson, Andrew Dickson, A. Dickson, Jas. Gambill, John Gentry, Wm. Miller, J. B. McMillan, Ala McMillan, Iredell McMillan, Jesse Reeves, A. J. Vanoy, Marion Woodie
Ore Knob – J. B. Austin, Wiley Bass, Wilson Woodie, J. H. Wagoner, J. M. Woodie, John Bass, J. Cox, John Fender, G. H. Ketchem, A. Lyals, Wm. Lyals, James Miller, J. B. Miller, M. Miller, G. E. Miller, T. K. Miller, J. Osborn, David Osborn, John Poe, Timothy Poe, L. Pennington & Son, Rufus Pennington, Wiley Sheets, G. W. Shepherd, N. C. Shepherd, Nelson Sheets, H. S. Vanoy.
South Fork – J. A. Calloway, J. M. Brown, John Houk, Michael Miller