Person Page 574

According to a short Memoir written by David Wendel, at the request of his son, he began his career on his own account as assistant in a store at Cheeks Cross Roads, near Morristown, in the year 1801. The owner of the store was Major W. Conway. David Wendel’s uncle, David Deadrick was a partner. After several years David Wendel stated that the business fell into his hands and he continued to run the store until his marriage in 1806. His bride was Sarah Hale Neilson, daughter of one of the early settlers in upper East Tennessee. Her grandfather, Hugh Neilson, had migrated from Glasgow, Scotland and settled in the county of Washington.

Four of the couple's children were born at Cheeks Cross Roads; Susan Juliet, John Franklin, Matilda Caroline and David Deaderick Wendel. After moving to Murfreesboro, David and Sarah Wendel added; James Edwy, Thomas Neilson, William Haney, Sarah Jane, Robert Searcy, Samuel Pitt, Benjamin Franklin, and Margaretta Deaderick Wendel to their family. This large family was to live and take an active part in the affairs of the city.

David Wendel expanded, what was originally a two room log cabin, into a large home for his family that was located on the west side of Spring Street midway between Main and College Streets. The original two rooms were built of hewn red cedar logs and the house was added to in subsequent years. When the house was razed in 1915, the cedar logs were purchased and reused to build another home in Murfreesboro. During the period of time Murfreesboro was capital of Tennessee, the legislature held some of its meetings in what later became the parlor of this house.

David Wendel’s obituary published in the Murfreesboro newspaper shortly after his death stated that David Wendel was a model of industry, methodical neatness, and punctuality, and a man of sound, highly cultivated judgment, and his honesty was above all suspicion. In the discharge of every duty, public and private, he was strictly conscientious, and was satisfied with the respect which this won, without seeking to form intimate friendships. David Wendel had accumulated an elegant library, and his leisure hours, surrounded by his family, were passed among his books. He endeavored from the earliest possible period, and unremittingly, to inspire his children with his own great love for reading.

David and Sarah Neilson Wendel are buried in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery. This cemetery, founded before the Civil War, is the resting place of many notables of Murfreesboro; Carter Harrison, General Joseph B. Palmer, Congressman Charles Ready, Jr. Doctor J. B. Murfrees and Mary Noilles Murfree.

From The Story of Murfreesboro, by C. C. Henderson) Page 44: D. Wendell was a stationer in Murfreesboro. A resident of the county and prominent in business and social life. Page 46: David Wendel appointed to committee as comissioner to receive the taxes collected and to superintend the building of the courthouse. (17 Aug 1822) Page 50: At conclusion of General Assembly of 1823, David Wendell supplied more stationery and sundries than for former sessions, having been allowed the sum of $707. Page 73: David Wendel served as postmaster for 22 years from 1817-1839. Page 99: Annual elections to be held on the 1st Mon. in Jan, 1818, and each year thereafter. The first election Joshua Haskell was elected Mayor. Mayor Haskell resigned the following July and David Wendel was eleted at the annual election, Jan., 1819, but resigned the following April.

From "A History of Rutherford County" by Carlton C. Sims, Editor; Copyright, 1947, by Carlton C. Sims) Page 40: A few changes worthy of mention was made in the government of the city of Murfreesboro between 1815 and 1860. In 1817, Murfreesboro was formerly incorporated. The Mayor and Alderman type of government was set up. The Aldermen were elected by popular vote and they, in turn, chose a Mayor. The first town officers were: Aldermen - Burrell Gannawayh, Nicholas Tilford, Thomas G. Watkins, William Barfield, Charles Niles and George A. Sublett. Burrell Gannaway was treasurer; William Ledbetter, recorder; and Benjamin Blankenship, town constable. Joshua Haskell was the first Mayor. He resigned before the end of the year, and was succeeded by David Wendel. Although the Charter was amended by the legislature from time to time; no important changes were made until after the Civil War, while the basic structure was not changed till the manager plan was adopted in 1921. It is interesting to note that the budget for Murfreesboro during the 1820's was between three hundred and four hundred dollars per year. In 1822, while Murfreesboro was the Capitol of the state, the Courthouse burned. The legislature was forced to meet in the Presbyterian Church. A commission consisting of David Wendel, John S. Jetton, Samuel P. Black, Benjamin McCollough, and John Hoover was appointed by the legislature for the purpose of supervising the erection of a new courthouse. The Commissioners were authorized to borrow six thousand dollars from the branch of the Nashville Bank at Murfreesboro. The building erected, at this time, was used until 1859, when the present structure was completed. page 63: Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro, founded before the War Between the States, is also the resting place for many notables including: Carter Harrison, General Joseph B. Palmer, Congressman Charles Ready, Jr., David Wendell, Doctor J. B. Murfrees and Mary Noilles Murfree.

Obituary -- (Findagrave.com):

Eva was the only child of Samuel & Margaret Ellen Shafer, who were married 11 August 1865 in Clinton County which is where Eva was born. She was born in the tiny town of Wilmington in Adams Township.

There is some confusion as to if Margaret died in 1875 when little Eva was only 7, (or Ella as she was often known) or if Samuel & Margaret divorced that year. Margaret's parents are unknown as of 2018.

Nonetheless, Samuel went on to marry Amanda Evelyn Shafer, daughter of John & Maria Shafer, in March 1878. It is not known if Margaret & Amanda were related somehow. Eva became the loving big sister to 2 half brothers, Charles E & Harry E.

On 10 September 1884, Ella married the love of her life Maurice W. Kephart, who was always known as Morris. They went on to have 5 children: Alfred, John, Ethel, Lucille (Lucy) and Charles (Charlie).

Alfred & John were born as Kephart, which was Morris's birth name. In the late 1880's, the family name was changed to Kiphart, and Ella & Morris named their last 3 children as Kiphart. It is not known why the surname was changed.

After Morris passed on in 1902, Eva lived for a time with Lucy, and then she lived with Ethel in Alabama. She was surrounded by children and grandchildren until her dying day.