History of Marshall County Alabama United States of America

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Population: White, 14,000; colored, 700. Area, 500 square miles. Woodland, all.

Acres-In cotton, approximately, 16,500; in corn, 27,100; in oats, 3,400; in wheat, 5,800; in rye, 150; in tobacco, 48; in sugar cane, 50; sweet potatoes, 243.

Approximate number of bales of cotton in round numbers, 5.500.

County Seat-Guntersville; population, 500.

Newspaper published at County Seat-Democrat.

Postoffices in the County-Albertville, Arab, Bartlett, Bean Rock, Blue Rock, Cedar Ridge, Cottonville, Fowler, Friendship, Grassy, Guntersville, Henryville, Hillian's Store, Hyatt, Kennamer Cove, Lot, Lumpkin, Marshall, Martling, Meltonsville Mill, Minorville, North, Oleander, Fendergrass, Peters, Preston, Ragsdale, Red Apple, Red Hill, Reedbrake, Sidney, Southern, Swearengin, Warrenton.

One of the first white men to settle in this county was John Gnnter, a Scotchman, who located among the Cherokee Indians and married a beautiful Indian girl. The Cherokee's originally owned the section of the State whereof Marshall county now forms a part. They had a village near the present site of Red Hill, a point about twelve miles southeast from Guntersville.

John Gunter had three sons. Of these, Edward served with Gen. Andrew Jackson at the battle of Horseshoe, and was with that warrior throughout the whole war. Sam, another son, died on Town Creek about 1835. The third son, John, became, with Edward, a leader among his people and they both went with the Cherokees about the year 1837, where they both died.

Another early settler was Hugh Henry, who came to Marshall county in 1828 from Upper East Tennessee. He sold goods at Gunter's Landing on the south side of the Tennessee river. He was successful in merchandising and accumulated some wealth which the vicissitudes of fortune in some measure depleted before his death.

Hugh Henry was the father of the present heads of the house of Henry, Messrs. Albert G. and Patrick Henry, whose fame as reliable and safe merchants, is second to none in the eastern wholesale markets.

Among the early pioneers who were prominent men were William Black, Arthur C. Beard, James M. Macfarlane, and others.

About the year 1835 the country had become sufficiently settled to cause the organization of Marshall county, which event was properly celebrated in 1836.

Among the prominent citizens now living who were here about this time are: Samuel K. Rayburn, Washington T. May, Judge Lewis Wyeth and Albert G. Henry. These gentlemen are still (March, 1888) in excellent health, although in each case past "three-score years and ten."

At the time of organization and for some years afterward there was considerable rivalry in the location of the county seat, that matter having been, on three several occasions, left to the will of the people. The first election made Claysville, two miles opposite Guntersville. across the river, the place selected. Here court was held during the years 1836-7-8.

In the latter year the seat of government was changed to Marshall, a place immediately in the center of the present town of Wyeth City, and about one mile from the present court house in Guntersville. Here, for the years 1839-40-41 the seat of justice remained. Still another election changed the county seat to Warrenton, a beautiful village five miles away to the West. Here it was suffered to remain six years.

In the year 1848 the town of Guntersville was growing and increasing her trade to such a point that it became an incorporated town.

Through the far-sightedness of Judge Louis Wyeth, this place captured the county seat during the year 1849, the change being made principally because Judge Wyeth offered to donate a handsome brick court-house to the county on condition of the seat of government being permanently located at Guntersville. This was done, the courthouse was built, and Guntersville has since been enjoying uninterruptedly the honor of being the seat of government for Marshall county.

The officials who constituted the first county court which met at Claysville were as follows: county judge. Washington T. May; county clerk, Richard S. Randles: sheriff, Purcival M. Bush; circuit clerk, J. M. Macfarlane.

From: Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical by Smith and De Land; Birmingham: 1888

History of Marshall County Alabama

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