Here's what information I have:
James J. Rivers was born in 1859 and died in 1888. He is listed in the 1880 census for Boone, NC as a farmer. According to his brother’s (Robert) obituary, he received medical training. In approximately 1884, he married Eola J. Hill (b. December, 1864, daughter of Anderson J. and Nannie Hill) and relocated to Alexander County, Taylorsville, NC. I have a copy of an article that appeared in the Watauga Democrat dated July 27, 1893, that states “We are pleased to learn that Mrs. Eola Rivers Sloan, widow of the late Dr. James Rivers of Taylorsville, has been appointed Post Master of that place”.
According to the North Carolina birth records, they had two children; Dwight Gray Rivers (b. September 14, 1885 in the 1900 census records, although his wife’s family cites his birth date as September 26, 1884) and Jamie Almeda Rivers (b. July 8, 1887, d. August 22, 1954). James died in 1888, at the very young age of 28, and Eola Hill Rivers married Eleazer Sloan in 1889.
According to the 1890 census, Dwight went to live with his grandparents. He was raised and educated in Virginia by the Hill family. He became a doctor, settling in Lynchburg, VA, according to articles appearing in the Landmark newspaper of Statesville, NC in the early 1900s. He married Martha Venable Edmunds (b. 03/17/1885) on October 19, 1911 and they had two children; Dwight Gray Rivers, Jr., born 08/18/1912 in Florida, and Bettie Venable Rivers, born in 1915. According to the US World War II Enlistment Records, Dwight G. Rivers, Jr. was in the Army with the rank of Private at the time of enlistment. His educational level is post-graduate and at the time of enlistment, he was married and the foreman of a warehouse in Montgomery County, VA. The social security death index indicates that he died in April of 1970.
The Life and Times of Dr. James J. Rivers residing in Taylorsville, NC
May 8 1885
TAYLORSVILLE AND ALECK
Their Resources and Advantages
Their Enterprise and Progress
Taylorsville NC
April 27 1885
To the Editor of The Landmark:
I will try to give your readers a short sketch of Alexander county and of its capital, Taylorsville. I feel that such information as I hope to give will serve to arrest and attract the attention of the different railroad companies, so much so at least that some of them will take hold of our extension of the Charlotte, Columbia & Augusta Railroad, which we have already graded and furnished the cross ties for, from Statesville, a distance of 20 miles and the county of Wilkes has now on hands the sum of $27,500 cash and a further subscription of $25,000 to aid in extending it 20 miles further and tapping that fertile valley of Yadkin River. I hope that it may also impart to manufacturers, capitalists and others, a fair idea of the attractions presented and the advantages offered by the section of country of which I write; that it may induce a greater and more intensely progressive spirit at home, and show to those away from here what we are doing and intend to do in the future.
The location of Alexander County is such that it possesses all the advantages of agreeable climate, of variety and production of soil. Its rich mineral resources, abundant and unfailing water power, are well known, and we hope the day is not far distant when we will have railroad facilities and we have every reason to believe that our road will be ironed and equipped in a short time, as an article published in the Charlotte Observer of a week or two ago and republished in a number of other papers-stated that the Charlotte, Columbia & Augusta Railroad Company intended finishing up our road right away and the grading would be commenced on the Wilkesboro extension at once. Our people anxiously await the fulfillment of the above and promise to give the railroad company and their employees the biggest time they have had in along while.
I will next call attention to our mineral interests which we are all proud of as we have a number of gems of the first varieties found nowhere else in the world. Among them is the "Hiddenite," defined as being a new variety of the spodumene. It was first found by a young man by the name of Lackey, and shown to your townsman, Mr. J A D Stephenson. Afterwards the eye of Prof Wm E Hidden was attracted by it, and he came down here and purchased a tract of poor land from J Washington Warren, five miles east of Taylorsville, for $1500, when if it had not been for the mineral, it would have sold for $500. Shortly after purchasing , mining for the valuable gem was commenced - and so far as we can ascertain this gem is now ranked above the diamond. Pro Hidden's display at the New Orleans Exposition of Alexander county minerals, Hiddenite, monazite, quartz crystal and various gems, is attracting more attention than anything else. Alexander county has lately surpassed all other known localities in excellent polish, - , color and solidity observed on some crystals of monazite and rutile found during the past winter by Mr. W Henry Lackey, a mineral collector of Alexander county. Our mineral discoveries are surely getting to have a world-wide fame.The fruit interests, I was about to overlook. Apples reach their prime here. The finest apples grown are raised in this county. Peaches and other fruits do very well. From the fruit interest, both dried and green, quite a large amount of money is turned to our county every year.
Taylorsville, the capital of "Little Aleck," as she is sometimes called, is situated 20 miles west of Statesville and 10 miles south of the Brushy mountain range, being one of the healthiest places in the State. It is not a very large place as yet, but it is not finished, as we used to hear before we had a prospect of a railroad. You can hear the sound of the hammer and saw on all sides now - putting up new buildings and repairing old ones and dwelling and store houses are in demand. Any one wanting to invest some capital could find no better place than to put it in a building here. Lots can be bought on very reasonable terms and prices are low enough. The population is about 300 at present, and we have every reason to believe it will be more than 500 before another year.
Taylorsville has a very good school, in charge of one of the finest scholars in the State, Prof H T Burke, but he is in need of a better building and another teacher.
The churches of Taylorsville are three in number: Presbyterian, with Rev W B Tidball as pastor; Methodist, with Rev J T Abernethy pastor (and right here I would state that the Methodist parsonage ought to be changed from its present location at York Institute to Taylorsville; it would be much better for the pastor and the people); Baptists, with Rev J B Marsh pastor. The Baptists also own a very good college building that they ought to repair and start a school in or let some one else have for school purposes. It is a brick building, two stories high and in a beautiful location just west of town.
The hotel accommodations are ample for the present.
The manufacturing interests which exist here at present consist of a cotton mill, owned and operated by Alspaugh Bros; saw mill and building conducted by J Smith & Co just outside of town. With a forty horse-power engine they are doing very well, getting all the work they can do at present. There is also another steam saw mill three miles east of Taylorville, owned by Adams Bros. The furniture manufactory of Messrs Miller & Brown is doing very well, I think. J L Davis & Sons, millwrights, are building a flouring mill for W B Matheson at the old Bogle mill place just one mile south of town. The flouring mills of R Watts and E Bell and Co, on Little River, two and a half miles west of Taylorsville, are good mills and doing well as is the Blacksmith and wood shop of Marcus Cline.
Having in as fair and impartial manner as possible attempted a faithful portrayal of the advantage Alexander county and Taylorsville offer for the capitalist seeking investment, the manufacturer desirous of a suitable place for the exercise of his calling & just here I will state that we are in great need of a tobacco factory at Taylorsville. Alexander county produces a large quantity of the finest tobacco grown in western North Carolina, with not a factory in the county.
Our mercantile interests are in the hands of the following named firms and persons:
R P Matheson & Son, general merchandise.
G W Flowers, general merchandise
A C McIntosh, post office and general merchandise
Wm D Deal, general merchandise
E L Hedrick, sewing machines and general merchandise
R B Steele, groceries and barber shop
W T Nelson, jewelry, crockery and drugs
I will give below a list of our lawyers and doctors:
Lawyers - R Z Linney, E B Jones and A C McIntosh Jr, with Jno L Gaultney in the country.
Doctors - H McD. Little, C J Carson, J J Rivers and R B Killian; C W Lowe, dentist
Any person wishing any further information about either Taylorsville or Alexander County will address E L Hedrick, Taylorsville, N C and it will be furnished.
"ALEC"
1. James J. RIVERS was born 1859 in Tennessee, and died 1888 in Taylorsville, Alexander County, NC. He was the son of 2. James Gray RIVERS and 3. Jane Lucretia RHEA. He married Eola J. HILL 1884 in Alexander County, NC. She was born DEC 1864 in Alexander County, NC, and died 7 MAY 1939 in Lincoln, NC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahnentafel, Generation No. 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. James Gray RIVERS was born 6 SEP 1826 in VIRGINIA, and died 27 MAR 1878 in Boone, Watauga County, NC. He was the son of 4. Samuel RIVERS and 5. Rebecca GRAY.
3. Jane Lucretia RHEA was born 27 DEC 1827 in Clarksburg, WVA, and died 22 APR 1903 in Boone, Watauga County, NC. She was the daughter of 6. Robert Preston RHEA and 7. Nancy DAVIDSON.
Children of Jane Lucretia RHEA and James Gray RIVERS are: i. Adelaide Minnie RIVERS was born 18 FEB 1857 in Tennessee, and died 27 OCT 1935 in Boone, Watauga County, NC. She married John Watts FARTHING 1 MAR 1876 in Boone, Watauga County, NC. He was born 22 FEB 1848 in Watauga County, NC, and died 12 OCT 1922 in Boone, Watauga County, NC.
ii. Nancy Jane RIVERS was born 25 APR 1858 in Carter County, TN, and died 21 MAR 1936 in Boone, Watauga County, NC.
1. iii. James J. RIVERS was born 1859 in Tennessee, and died 1888 in Taylorsville, Alexander County, NC. He married Eola J. HILL 1884 in Alexander County, NC. She was born DEC 1864 in Alexander County, NC, and died 7 MAY 1939 in Lincoln, NC.
iv. Robert Campbell RIVERS was born 26 DEC 1861 in Fish Springs, Carter County, TN, and died 18 SEP 1933 in Boone, Watauga County, NC. He married Sarah Locke JURNEY 15 JUN 1892 in North Carolina, daughter of Nancy Anderson REEVES and Peter Claywell JURNEY. She was born 7 JAN 1861 in Iredell County, NC, and died 27 MAY 1924 in Boone, Watauga County, NC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahnentafel, Generation No. 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Samuel RIVERS was born ABT 1792 in VIRGINIA, and died BEF 1860 in Sullivan County, TN.
5. Rebecca GRAY was born 1800 in VIRGINIA, and died 1865 in Sullivan County, TN.
Children of Rebecca GRAY and Samuel RIVERS are: i. Mary Richardson RIVERS was born 16 AUG 1818 in VIRGINIA, and died AFT 1880 in Prob. Tennessee. She married Isaac PETERS ABT 1838 in Sullivan County, TN. He was born 1814 in Sullivan County TN, and died AFT 1880 in Prob. Tennessee.
ii. Elizabeth RIVERS was born 23 SEP 1820 in VIRGINIA.
iii. Martha RIVERS was born 7 SEP 1822 in VIRGINIA.
iv. William RIVERS was born 29 JUN 1824 in VIRGINIA, and died 1863 in Camp Douglas, Chicago, IL. He married Martha REESE. She was born ABT 1825 in VIRGINIA, and died AFT 1910 in Lee County, VA.
v. George Augustus RIVERS was born 9 JAN 1826 in VIRGINIA.
2. vi. James Gray RIVERS was born 6 SEP 1826 in VIRGINIA, and died 27 MAR 1878 in Boone, Watauga County, NC. He married Jane Lucretia RHEA 1855 in Sullivan County, TN, daughter of Robert Preston RHEA and Nancy DAVIDSON. She was born 27 DEC 1827 in Clarksburg, WVA, and died 22 APR 1903 in Boone, Watauga County, NC.
vii. Andrew M. RIVERS was born 5 AUG 1834 in VIRGINIA, and died 30 DEC 1920 in Johnson County, Kentucky. He married Susan Ann RICE. She was born 15 FEB 1857 in Johnson County, Kentucky, and died 28 MAR 1949. He married Minerva LEWIS ABT 1862 in Prob. Tennessee. She was born 1835 in Tennessee, and died AFT 1920 in Johnson County, Kentucky.
viii. Susan RIVERS was born 9 DEC 1836 in VIRGINIA, and died BEF 1880 in Sullivan County, TN. She married John NEWTON ABT 1853 in Sullivan County, TN. He was born 1830 in Tennessee, and died AFT 1900 in Sullivan County TN.
ix. Samuel RIVERS was born 21 AUG 1840 in Sullivan County, TN.
6. Robert Preston RHEA was born 28 JUN 1791 in Bluff City, Sullivan County, TN, and died 31 MAR 1872 in Pleasant Grove, Sullivan County, TN. He was the son of 12. Matthew RHEA and 13. Janette "Jane" PRESTON.
7. Nancy DAVIDSON was born 3 MAR 1801 in Kentucky, and died 9 OCT 1875 in Sullivan County, TN.
Children of Nancy DAVIDSON and Robert Preston RHEA are:3. i. Jane Lucretia RHEA was born 27 DEC 1827 in Clarksburg, WVA, and died 22 APR 1903 in Boone, Watauga County, NC. She married James Gray RIVERS 1855 in Sullivan County, TN, son of Samuel RIVERS and Rebecca GRAY. He was born 6 SEP 1826 in VIRGINIA, and died 27 MAR 1878 in Boone, Watauga County, NC.
ii. John Preston RHEA was born 20 JUL 1829 in Clarke County, WVA, and died 13 MAR 1896 in Sullivan County, TN. He married Matilda LONGACRE 20 OCT 1857 in Sullivan County, TN. She was born 19 FEB 1834 in Sullivan County, TN, and died 5 MAR 1922 in Sullivan County, TN.
iii. Josiah Davidson RHEA was born 1830 in Virginia.
iv. Sarah "Sallie" Preston RHEA was born 1831 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, and died 31 JUL 1920.
v. Mary "Mollie" R. RHEA was born 1835 in Sullivan County, Tennessee.
vi. Robert Campbell RHEA was born 19 APR 1837 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, and died 3 NOV 1911 in Shouns, Johnson, TN. He married Margaret Caroline MCQUEEN 1866 in Creston, North Carolina, USA. She was born 10 MAY 1846 in Tennessee, and died ABT 1867 in Tennessee. He married Carolyn Frances MCQUEEN 1867. She was born MAY 1845 in Johnson, Tennessee, USA, and died AFT 1891 in Shouns, Johnson, TN.
vii. Matthew RHEA was born 1838 in Sullivan County, Tennessee, and died 1870.
viii. Margaret RHEA was born 1839 in Sullivan County, Tennessee.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahnentafel, Generation No. 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Matthew RHEA was born 14 APR 1755 in County Donegal, Ireland, and died 1816 in Sullivan, Tennessee, USA.
13. Janette "Jane" PRESTON was born 1758 in Ireland, and died 1 NOV 1800 in Sullivan County, TN. She was the daughter of 26. John PRESTON and 27. Eleanor FAIRMAN.
Children of Janette "Jane" PRESTON and Matthew RHEA are: i. Matilda Margaret RHEA was born 1783 in Sullivan County, TN. She married Abram FICKLE 31 MAY 1822 in Washington County, VA. He was born 1790 in Washington County, VA, and died in Greendale, Washington County, VA.
ii. Joseph McIlwaine RHEA was born 14 MAY 1787 in Sullivan County, TN, and died 1860.
6. iii. Robert Preston RHEA was born 28 JUN 1791 in Bluff City, Sullivan County, TN, and died 31 MAR 1872 in Pleasant Grove, Sullivan County, TN. He married Nancy DAVIDSON 1828 in VIRGINIA. She was born 3 MAR 1801 in Kentucky, and died 9 OCT 1875 in Sullivan County, TN.
iv. Matthew RHEA was born 23 FEB 1796 in Sullivan County, TN, and died 7 APR 1870 in Somerville, Fayette County, TN.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahnentafel, Generation No. 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26. John PRESTON was born 1726 in Derry, Came, Ireland, and died 1 SEP 1796 in Bristol, Sullivan County, TN.
27. Eleanor FAIRMAN was born 1725 in Derry, Ireland, and died 6 JAN 1820 in Walnut Grove, Washington County, VA.
Children of Eleanor FAIRMAN and John PRESTON are: i. Robert PRESTON was born 1750 in Derry, Ireland, and died 16 DEC 1833 in Washington County, VA. He married Margaret RHEA 28 SEP 1780 in Virginia. She was born 1757 in Donegal, Ireland, and died 1822 in Washington County, VA.
ii. Walter PRESTON was born 25 DEC 1756 in Ireland, and died 9 AUG 1834 in Washington County, VA. He married Letitia ROBINSON 3 MAR 1809. She was born 1772. He married Anne Nancy MONTGOMERY 18 OCT 1785 in Virginia. She was born 1761 in Ireland, and died 8 FEB 1808 in Washington, Virginia.
13. iii. Janette "Jane" PRESTON was born 1758 in Ireland, and died 1 NOV 1800 in Sullivan County, TN. She married Matthew RHEA 1 NOV 1778 in Walnut Grove, Washington County, VA. He was born 14 APR 1755 in County Donegal, Ireland, and died 1816 in Sullivan, Tennessee, USA.