Wiley Wagner Vaught, AKA Doc Vaught, was descended from pioneer settlers of Johnson County, Tennessee. His great-grandfathers, John Vaught and Matthias Wagner, came to the area before 1798. They were farmers and ran an iron mine, forge and foundry producing decorative wrought iron products to sell in Baltimore to be shipped to cities all over the East.

His grandfather, Joseph Wagner was born in Johnson County in 1799 and lived to be one hundred, as did "Doc" Vaught. "Doc" was born February 13, 1874, the son of John B. and Rachel Wagner Vaught. The farmhouse where he was born was later the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Kyle Dyer. Part of the kitchen was the original log structure that was built in the 1700's. John B. Vaught completed the house and Rachel planted a quaking aspen in the yard at "Doc's" birth.

"Doc" was first educated along with his siblings in a log schoolhouse that was built at the homeplace. The teachers lived at the home with the family during the school term. On completing elementary school, he attended Holly Spring College in Butler, receiving a BS degree in 1894. The president J. H. Smith and D. D. Dougherty, professor of mathematics and secretary of the faculty signed his diploma. Later Dougherty, associated with his brother, Dr. Bland Dougherty, founded what is now Appalachian State University.

"Doc's" Tennessee Medical College Society diploma and the Tennessee College of Medicine diploma were dated March 31, 1903. The Tennessee License Board signed his permanent medical license, April 23, 1903. A fee of five dollars was charged and the County Court Clerk fee was fifty cents.

On getting his license, Dr. Vaught established a practice in Shouns. A notice appeared in the Tennessee Tomahawk that was signed by Joe S. Donnelly, M. D. "I have now associated with me in practice of medicine, Wiley Wagner Vaught, M. D., who will hereafter have charge of all accounts and settlements of the firm. All parties owing back accounts are requested to make settlements of same either by payment or note."

Later Dr. Vaught built and established an office beside his home. He served as one of the counties' doctors for several years. Mountain calls were frequent, made on horseback or by buggy.

In 1903 "Doc" married Elizabeth Moore who died in 1949. He brought his bride to the old homeplace where he lived and practiced until 1915, when he moved his family to Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee. He retired from practice in 1943. Later he spent his summers with a daughter in Florida and summers at the old homeplace. At the time of his hundredth birthday, he resided at Range Hall in Johnson City.

This information comes from family notes, which were used by the Johnson City Press Chronicle writer Dorothy Hamill for a story about "Doc" at his hundredth birthday. The attached pictures come from that article.

The second attachment reads: 100th Birthday: At Range Hall yesterday an important occasion was observed when Dr. W. W. Vaught reached a notable milestone - the beginning of his 100th year. On hand to bring him good wishes were members of his family and friends. Gathered around Dr. Vaught, second from the left is a son W. M. Vaught, Stephen Wiley Vaught, son of W. M. and grandson of the doctor appears with his daughter and a great-grandchild of the patriarch.