People
Biographical Sketches: R Surnames
Samuel Russell Rambo
Samuel Russell Rambo, real estate dealer; born Knox Co., Tenn., April 24, 1875; French descent; son of Thomas A. and Jane (Johnson) Rambo; father's occupation, farmer, County Judge, State Representative; paternal grandparents Alexander P. and Susan (McCarmon) Rambo; maternal grandparents Laban and Anna (Brown) Johnson; educated Knox Co. public schools; in early life he taught school, later Assistant Register of Knox Co., Tenn., 1898-1902; married Corda Johnson Jan. 1, 1901; member Masonic Lodge, Mystic Schriner, Republican; now Alderman City of Knoxville, First Ward; member of First Baptist church, Knoxville, Tenn.; interested in real estate and has large loan agency, Knoxville, Tenn. Source: Who's Who in Tennessee: A Biographical Reference Book of Notable Tennesseeans of To-Day (Memphis, Paul & Douglass Company, 1911), 230.
James Rodgers
Samuel Dr. James Rodgers, formerly one of the most prominent physicians of Knoxville, was born in this city July 2, 1818. He was a son of Thomas and Annie (Patton) Rodgers, both natives of East Tennessee. Having completed his education at the University of Tennessee, young Rodgers began the study of medicine with Dr. J. Morrow of Knoxville in 1840, and during the years 1842 and 1843 listened to lectures at Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky. Then returning to Knoxville he began the practice of his profession and continued it during the remainder of his life, and for many years enjoyed a very large practice because of his unusual success. His practice in the country was also very large, as well as in the city, and his career both as a man and as a physician was a most honorable one. Dr. Rodgers served for several years as president of the East Tennessee Medical society which is now the Knox County Medical society, and he was a member of the American Medical association and of the American Public Health association. Besides being a prominent physician he was noteworthy in other respects. Through the influence of W. G. Brownlow and Horace Maynard he was appointed by President Grant postmaster of Knoxville in 1869, holding the office one term, this being the only public office he ever held. At the time of his death, which occurred February 25, 1898, he was the oldest member of the Second Presbyterian church, having united therewith in 1832, and he has been a deacon in the church from 1847 and afterward an elder. He was also one of the oldest members of the order of Odd Fellows in the state of Tennessee. Source: William Rule, editor, Standard History of Knoxville, Tennessee (Chicago, Illinois, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1900), 507.
Matthew Andrew Rule
This faithful servant of God was born in Knox County, Tennessee, April 4, 1844, and died 1912. On October 7, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Hettie N. Trotter. To this union there were born nine children, five of whom died in infancy. On March 12, 1904, Mrs. Rule died suddenly, and May 20, 1909, he was married to Miss Alethia Raney. Brother Rule belonged to a most worthy and influential family, and in early life he professed religion and entered the fellowship of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and entering the Christian ministry joined Holston Conference in 1875, serving as follows: New Market, 1875; Jacksboro, 1876; Fincastle, 1877; Rogersville 1878-1880; Morristown, 1881: Campbell Station, 1882-1884; New Market, 1885; New Salem; 1886-1888; Clinton and Coal Creek, 1889-1890; Knoxville Circuit, 1891; Knoxville District, 1892-1894; Sevierville, 1895-1898; Thorn Grove, 1899; Elm Grove and Jones' Chapel, 1900; New Salem, 1892; Supernumerary, 1903-1910; Superannuated, 1911. Ordained Deacon by Bishop Merrill, and ordained Elder by Bishop Simpson. Source: Robert L. Stapleton, secretary, Journal of the Sixty-Eighth Session of the Holston Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church (Knoxville, Tennessee, Stubley Printing Company, 1912), 13-14.
