Samuel W. Leming, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Greene County, August 7, 1840 the son of John and Rhenemah (Henshaw) Leming, the former a native of Cocke County, born December 20, 1798, died in this county November 17, 1855. He was a millwright about eighteen years, and among the first of his trade in East Tennessee, and also engaged in farming. Samuel, a native of North Carolina, was the next ancestor, and came to East Tennessee at an early date, being one of the pioneers of East Tennessee. He was in the Indian wars and the war of 1812, the scabbard knife he used in that war being in the possession of our subject, along with two conch-shells used by his grandparents. The mother, a daughter of Washington Henshaw, was born in this county September 15, 1810, and died April 22, 1882. Her father came from Rockingham County, Va., to this county in 1799, and erected the first mill of any importance in Greene County, and was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject, the eldest of eight children, was reared on the farm, and educated at Tusculum College, which the war caused him to, abandon for the Confederate Army, Company L, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry. He was at Chickamauga and Murfreesboro, and surrendered with Gen. J. E. Johnston. After a trip West he settled on his present farm in Greene County. In 1878 he married Martha Mc. Alexander. Their children are Frank E., J. Gertrude, Bessie C., Mary P., Susan E., Cora, A. and Thomas D. He and his wife are Methodists. He has been president and treasurer of the county agricultural association, and is now on the executive committee. He is a trustee of Tusculum College, and one of the committee who built the present building. He has also been a steward in his church for eighteen years.
