| Sources |
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 10 Jan 2016.
Upland Chronicles: Professor Marshall was dedicated to education and farming
CARROLL MCMAHAN
Robert Lavator "Bob" Marshall was born and raised on a farm that is now part of the Dollywood parking lot. In fact, the century-plus-old farmhouse in which his family resided was moved inside the theme park and is still in use today.
Born Sept. 17, 1890, he was the oldest of eight children of Henry Sherman Marshall and Martha Jane "Mattie" Walker Marshall, a first cousin of the famed Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier Cove.
His siblings were Ethel, Ezalee (Shelly), Victor, Earnest, Frank, Samuel and Wallace. Like Robert, his younger brother Frank became an educator, teaching and coaching at Pigeon Forge Elementary School for many years.
While growing up, Robert's family attended Marshall Gove Baptist Church, which was located on a parcel of land donated by his grandfather John Marshall. As a boy, Robert was the church's janitor.
After graduating from Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy, Marshall obtained a license to teach in the elementary classrooms of Sevier County. In 1914, he began his career at age 24, teaching in a one-room log schoolhouse located in the Meigs Mountain community, four miles beyond Metcalf Bottoms. His salary was $30 per month.
Although he enjoyed teaching his students, the young, single teacher soon realized that to gain the title of schoolmaster he would have to somehow obtain a college degree.
In order to come up with the money necessary for tuition, Marshall applied for a loan at the Bank of Sevierville, which he was granted. In 1918, he graduated from Carson-Newman College. During graduation exercises, Dr. W.L. Gentry brought to the attention of those assembled that Marshall, then 28, had "earned the title of illustrious bookman."
Upon the recommendation of Dr. Gentry, Marshall was hired to teach at Cosby Academy, a Baptist mission school in the rugged mountains of Cocke County. "Robert is well grounded in the three Rs," noted Gentry. "And more than that, he has a missionary's zeal to preach the word."
On Aug. 1, 1919, Marshall began serving as principal at Cosby Academy. Moving with him was his wife, the former Iva J. Saults. The newlyweds were joined in holy matrimony on Christmas Eve 1918. The couple welcomed their first son, Robert Love Marshall, on Dec. 29, 1919.
Professor Marshall taught for nine years at Cosby Academy. After the first year, the school was supported by the county. It was during his years of service that Cosby Academy was placed on the accredited list of high schools.
On May 1, 1928, Marshall resigned the role he held at Cosby Academy to accept the position of Cocke County Superintendent of Schools, a position he held for two and a half years. Next he was elected principal of Parrotsville School. While he was there the school was promoted to a four-year high school of approved standing.
Meanwhile, Iva was a member of the choir of the First Baptist Church of Newport, an active worker in the missionary society and a member of the Mothers' Club. On July 15, 1931, she gave birth to their second son, James Maurice "Mousie" Marshall.
In 1933, Sevier County High School was looking for a new principal. The school had 13 teachers under contract, and more than 300 students were expected to enroll in the fall. Robert and Iva wanted to come back home, so he applied for the job.
After receiving a glowing letter of recommendation from former Gov. Ben Hooper, Marshall was selected out of a field of several well-qualified candidates. His pay was to be $165 per month. The family moved back to Sevier County to live on a farm.
Marshall served as principal at Sevier County High School from 1933 to 1939. In the ensuing years, he taught at several schools throughout Sevier County, and Iva worked for many years as a sales clerk at Joe Carr's Dry Goods Store in Sevierville. Since Iva did not drive a car, she relied on her coworker Shannon Sims for transportation to and from work.
In 1955, Marshall retired from the Sevier County School System at age 65 after teaching students in numerous schools in Sevier and Cocke Counties for over four decades. He remained active working on his riverside farm for another 25 years.
"My sister, Brenda, and brothers, Bob and Steve, and I called our grandfather 'Granddad Marshall,' and as a young boy he was the most influential person in my life" said Bill Marshall, code enforcement officer for the City of Sevierville.
"Granddad and Granny Marshall lived on a 90-acre farm in an old farmhouse on the banks of the Little Pigeon River at the end of Mullendore Road, which is now called Lonesome Valley Road. It is because of my Granddad Marshall that I have the love of the mountains and the great outdoors, and enjoy camping, fishing and hiking."
Bill Marshall also remembers that after retirement, his grandfather enjoyed life as a farmer, and raised chickens until a flood washed his chicken house away. Bill recalls riding horses and ponies. His grandfather raised cattle, growing tobacco and hay without owning a tractor.
"He always used workhorses for his plowing and mowing and grew a garden. He was always ready to go fishing with me in one of his two ponds on the farm or in the river that ran the length of his farm. Although my grandmother did not approve, he always kept night crawlers in the refrigerator."
On Sept. 9, 1970, Iva Marshall died at age 75. Sadly, their grandson, Robert Arthur Marshall, died unexpectedly on Aug. 25, 1978 at age 25. Robert Lavator Marshall passed away at age 89 on Jan. 19, 1980. Eleven days later, their older son, Robert Love Marshall, died suddenly at age 60.
The historic farmhouse where Marshall resided for half a century is currently used as the office for Apple View Resort.
Carroll McMahan is the special projects facilitator and serves as Sevier County historian for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.
The Upland Chronicles series celebrates the heritage and past of Sevier County. If you have suggestions for future topics, would like to submit a column or have comments, please contact Carroll McMahan at 453-6411 or cmcmahan@scoc.org; or Ron Rader at 604-9161 or ron@ronraderproperties.com.
- [S73] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 2, 19 Jan 1980.
Marshall, Robert Lavator Sept 17, 1890 Tn Jan 19, 1980
Father: Marshall, Sherman
Mother: Walker, Mattie
Sons: Robert L. Jr., James M.
Cemetery: Shiloh
Brothers: Sam, Frank, Ernest
- [S34] In the Shadow of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, (1993), 359.
- [S129] The Official Marriage Records of Sevier County Tennessee 1914-1944, Volume II, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, (Copyright 2008), ISBN 1-890150-00-4.
|
Search | Advanced Search
1890 - 1980 (89 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps