Montezuma, Chester County TN
Montezuma is supposed to have been named from the ancient Aztec capital. It lies about four miles west of Henderson. J. B. Wambler is believed to have been the first merchant in the place. He began about 1830, and continued for many years. Halton & Cason began business there about 1848 and continued till the war. Estes & Randolph also sold goods a number of years before the war, and E. Estes & Co. were there a short time. The business of the place is now done by George Brown.
Source: Goodspeeds History of Chester County TN 1886
The first settlers came to the area in the early 1820's, Joseph Johnson being the first settler. He was from N.C. Wesley & Nehemiah Burkhead and C.H. O'neal were also early settlers along with William Cason from Middle TN around 1826. Others included WM. McKnight, the Steeds and Barrets.
The name is that of an ancient Aztec Indian chieftain. The indian name might have been given because their were several Indians in this area in the early days. The early account is that it was a great hunting ground, where buffalo and other wild game abounded.
The first store was owned by J.R. Wambler/Wamble around 1830. Haltom & Cason was a business which begain in 1848 as was Estes adn Company. Montezuma was a large thriving town before Henderson was begun around 1850, the location of the railroad. Surprising enough it is said that the citizens of the area did not want the railroad through their community which is why the town never grew very large. Montezuma was in the northwest part of McNairy county prior to the formation of Chester County in 1882 when it became a part of this county. The population of Montezuma in 1880 was 148 people.
Montezuma has a good educational history. The Montezuma Male & Female Academy was built in the early days. About 1874, the Memphis Conference located the Jackson District High School there. This school was maintained until 1885. It was then moved to Henderson and became known as the Henderson Male & Female College, located on North Street. The Methodist Church at Montezuma was organized about 1830. Some of the early familiesy were Burkhead, Cason, Wamble, Steel. The first church building was made of logs. Later the old Jackson District High School building was used as a church and it remained until a few years ago. Some of the best farm land in Chester County is in the Montezuma area - some were Clayton, Cobb, Floyd, Hurst, Merchuson, Rowsey & Shoffield. One of the prosperous farmers of the area was William Cason who came in 1826. John G. Randolph arrived about 1838, the early physician was Dr. McKissick.
Contributed by Tela Holbrook
